Dead Air (Book 1 of the Biohazard Saga)

Chapter 5: Behind Closed Doors

Too surprised to even scream, I hit the floor hard and groaned. I felt the wind get knocked out of me. There was a slam of the door and a click. Dazed and winded, I tried to speak only to have a hand clasp tightly around my mouth. I struggled to break free from the grasp as thoughts of being bitten from the back filled my mind. My assailant was right behind me and I could feel warm breath on the back of my neck.

I wish I could say that I closed my eyes and accepted my fate, but the truth was, there was no way in hell that I was going to let myself get taken out that easily. If I was going to be sent to the pearly white gates, I would have to be dragged there, kicking and screaming.

'Shut up you idiot! Don't make a sound,' came a harsh whisper which I recognised immediately, and I turned around to face Isabella Reyes.

Now don't get me wrong. I've had, on multiple occasions, fantasised about taking Isabella to the movies, or maybe the park... probably a romantic evening snogging on the couch... but being trapped in a restroom surrounded by bloodthirsty creatures at 35,000 feet was not on my top 10 date ideas.

'What are you doing here?' I whispered, trying to get my voice heard over the wails and screams coming from outside. Subconsciously, my mind was desperately trying to slow down the interpretation of the sounds coming from outside into images. Not slow enough it would seem, as images filled my mind's eye and my stomach did a 360 ° flip.

'Well genius, some freak just ripped apart that poor lady. I wasn't going to stick around and put myself on the menu... so I made a dash to the washroom before shit hit the fan,' she replied sarcastically.

'S-Sorry... it's just that... I don't think I'm thinking much at all at the moment. I don't know what's happening. One minute this girl was dead and the next, she's biting off her mother's neck! It doesn't feel real. None of this feels real.'

Her features softened for a moment as she replied. 'Oh yeah... you were right there when it happened. I saw you from the back. Honestly, if I had reacted just a few seconds later, I might be trapped out there with you.'

'Thanks Bella, I really appreciate it. I think I'd be a goner if I was still squashed out there.'

'Did you see the others? Are they alright?'

I shook my head. 'I caught a glimpse of Liv and James before everything went to hell but I have no clue if they are okay. T-they have to be okay right?'

The both of us sat cross-legged in the cramped space as the question hung in the air, only to be startled by banging on the door.

'PLEASE, LET ME IN! OH MY GOD, THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM! PLEASE... FOR GOD'S SAKE, LET ME IN!' came a frantic voice from outside the door.

The woman who must have been right outside the door kept up her insistent banging and, in between sobs, pleaded for her life in hopes that someone would let her in...pleaded that WE let her in.

I raised my hand towards the lock to open the door, only to be grabbed by Isabella, who yanked me back down-hard!

'What gives? There's someone who fucking needs our help outside. We need to help them,' I said, my voice rising.

With as much calmness as she could muster, Isabella looked at me, tears forming at the base of her eyes.

'Keith Lee... if you open that door... I can guarantee you that more and more people will swarm in... and you and I are sure as hell gonna get dragged or pushed out to die... So help me God... if I have to ram your head into the fucking wall to keep you from getting us both killed, I will do it, SO DON'T FUCKING TRY ME.'