Fear the Roaming Dead

The Augusta Riots (chapter 3)

The covers were warm. The air conditioning was blasting in the college dorm. The air circulated quickly and brought a chilly gust throughout the room. The blankets hugged Wally like a mother would hug her child. The college was on lockdown for a few hours.

Wally kept his eyes glued to the television in his room. Dex said against the bottom bunk bed while reading a comic book. He flipped through while shifting the blankets over his legs. The room was dark except for the light of the television and the lamp in the corner, plus a flashlight Dex was using to read.

"Do you remember clear what you even saw?" Dex asked. Wally spun one eighty degrees in his chair to look at Dex. Wally nodded and started blurting out words. "Yes, yes! I did! I promise I did! Two people just started eating him! They leaned over and took big chunks of flesh off of him! It was horrifying!" Wally said. Dex looked up at him and shrugged. "Look, are you sure you're not just saying it for attention?" Dex asked. Wally grumbled and looked at him. "Of course not! Watch the news! They think some weird cult is triggering these attacks." Wally spun back around and continued watching the local news.

Dex scooted over and looked at the television as well.

"and these attacks were not just reported in Maine, either. Several reports of attacks from this blood cult in New York, New York. Los Angeles, California. Atlanta, Georgia. Plenty more. They say the cult makes the followers not use hygiene products as well as cannibalise other humans as food. Other scientist are theorizing this is a plague or virus. Even so, some of these people have been spotted roaming the streets of Augusta. Police have arrested more than forty people off the streets after attacks resumed. The police only suffered several bites and scratches. The victims of these attacks are being rushed to hospitals. Stay tuned for more local news from the Augusta, Maine area. This is Karen Bensen, signing out." The news flicked off to commercials about health insurance and property damage.

Wally wrapped the blankets around him even more. "See," he grumbled. "These attacks are not just at campus but everywhere." Wally suddenly made a face. He turned to Dex and scratched his head. "They think this is a cult? It's obviously a virus. The way their skin was-" Dex interrupted him. "I don't care what it is. Just know I ain't going to my classes for a while."

Some people started running down the hallways outside the dorms. The hard pitter-patter of feet echoed in the hallways and ceiling. Dex leaned over to the door and scoffed. "They're playing football in the hallways again." Dex looked back up to Wally. "What if we get infected?" Wally asked. Dex stood up and set the comic book on the bed. "You're making this a bigger deal than it needs to be." He walked over to the door and peeped through the eye hole.

People were walking quickly down the hallway with suitcases and their belongings. Some were speed walking while some were full on sprinting. Dex opened the door a crack and spoke up to the people running. "What are you guys doing!?" Dex yelled. They kept running and walking through without any words spoken. Dex rubbed his face and opened the door all the way. "What are you guys doing!? Classes tomorrow." He was immediately pushed to the side and back into his room. "We gotta get outta here!" yelled some people down the hallway. "Why!?" Dex shouted angrily standing in the center of the hallway.

Someone grabbed his collar and shoved him into the wall and continued running towards the door. Dex caught up to his and yanked his collar. The student slammed into the ground and Dex punched him a couple times. "Sorry! Sorry! Geez! Get off me!" yelled the student covering his face. Dex squinted and looked at him. "Why are you all running!?" he yelled. The student screamed and shook around. "I'll let you go! Just tell me why everyone is panicking!" Dex hollered. "Check national news! The local news is running behind!" Dex stood up and the student picked up and bags and sprinted down the hall.

Dex waltzed back into the room and slammed the door. He pointed at the television. "Turn on United States national news!" Dex shouted. "Why-" Wally asked before being talked over. "Just do it! The local news is behind on something."

Dex and Wally suddenly felt a blunt vibration shaking through the building. The vibration quickly faded but it kept happening every couple seconds.

Wally flicked through the channels quickly and United States national news had a picture of an old building on fire with people running around it. It looked like rioters. Some people were throwing molotovs and shooting firearms down the street. The news reporter may have been talking, but Dex and Wally didn't hear it. They were focused on the fact the burning building was the capital building of Augusta, Maine.

Wally pointed. "Th-the capital... it's..." Wally was speechless. "It's on fire." Dex said covering his mouth. "Is that why they're running?" Wally asked. "I don't know. Turn up the volume." Wally turned the volume to the medium setting of fifty. The volume blared, but it was enough to cover the vibrations and the sound of people running.

"Twenty six minutes ago, the capital of Maine was attacked by the infected/cult. Authorities are trying to put out the fire but rioters are not making it easy. Molotov cocktails are being thrown at the police while the infected/cult starts gnawing on the police. The entire city of Augusta is on high alert right now. Tanks, jets, and other means of defense are being deployed around certain areas to stop further spread of the infected/cult. If you're in the Augusta, Maine area. Evacuate immediately."