Z: In The Heart of the Queen City

Chapter 14

I told Karen about my journey and how everything felt like the longest 24 hours in my whole life. Then she returned favor by telling what had transpired here in IT Park and well, the rest of Cebu.

There was rumor that the outbreak started in the heart of the city. According to what Karen had heard, a man was transported from the airport and to the city central in secret. He was already infected, how, why, who and where he came from, Karen didn't have an answer to any of those questions but she said that as soon as they reached the Capitol they accidentally collided with a speeding ambulance, letting out the man. We all know what happened after that.

IT Park was one of the last places affected by the outbreak because all employees and business establishments were advised to stay indoors immediately. Amidst the panic, Mark “The Marked One” bravely stood out. He ordered them to work together to build a wall since they could never outrun the infected.

“So we did, we lost a few good people because the zombies were closing in. It was a good plan of course, but when we insisted on a plan b since supplies were surely going to run out the people were divided.” Karen sighed. “The people treated Mark as their savior, well he was in some way and he did supply them, with drugs and lies.” I reached out for her hand, “Well at least your safe.” Then I asked her, “Weren't you with Sam visiting a client yesterday?” Karen's face darkened. “He's totally gone bonkers Emma! He's become one of them!” I was shocked by her words, my friend Sam was a really sensible guy. Karen led me towards the end of the room, sure enough through the glass Sam was there marching back and forth like he was in a trance. He was also bringing a weapon, the sexiest AK 74 I've ever seen in my life. “He's part of Tier 3.” Karen said rolling her eyes. “God, remind me never to play Clash of Clans for the rest of my life.” I told her. “And we're being guarded by a Tier 3 because...?”

“We're in maximum security. We made the worst mistakes in all of the fucking realm.” Karen answered smiling as she said it. “Which includes, attempted escape, blasphemy...”

“And kicking the holy peanut.” I finished.

Karen laughed, “We must be held for the same reason.”

“Karen, I want to ask you something, do you know Claire? She was working in this building. I don't think you've met her but she's Chris' wife and she 's pregnant.” I asked my eyes widening. Karen began to think, oh please don't say she's dead. Otherwise our whole purpose of coming here would be in vain.

After one agonizing minute, “Oh! Claire! I last heard that she was with Doctor Silva. We didn't get to talk much since she was in pain. I never knew she Chris' wife.” “Where is this Doctor Silva?” I asked eagerly. “They're detained in a floor beneath us.” Karen answered. “Oh God, it's going to be difficult to get there.” I said giving up.

“It's difficult to get OUT of here Emma. But it's not difficult to get there.”

Then she led me to another area, this time it was just a corner. “So I want to see your boyfriend and toothless Jaycee, I'm sure you'd like that too. By the way, where is Chris?” Karen pushed the destroyed wall a bit showing a small passageway before moving I gave her a somber look the  she understood fully what it meant. “They separate boys and girls. Apparently they don't want anyone procreating.” She said managing a smile. “Come on, we don't want them noticing we're gone especially since its daylight.” I fit snugly in the passageway since I was a lot smaller than Karen was. “Karen you are a genius.” I complimented her, seriously she was and she must have gotten that a lot. When we were out, there was Martin and Jaycee sitting in opposites side of the room. It was a smaller office with broken computers all over the floor, must be the QA department.

Jaycee was the first to react running towards me and lifting me up until my feet left the floor.

“Okay, wouldn't want death by asphyxia here do we Jayce?” Karen said and Jaycee put me down. “I just thought something bad happened, you were hit pretty hard.” He said wiping his tired eyes a bit.

“Well Emma’s got a hard head, it will take more than that to crack her senses open.”

I looked at Martin after he said that and raised an eyebrow. “Well its nice to see you too.” I said then he smiled. “Sad that you missed your shot at being queen?” He said smugly. I grabbed a broken vase and threw it at him. “Hey I was just joking!” He laughed, Jaycee grabbed my waist and pulled me aside. Then Karen spoke, “Okay I was expecting a more romantic meeting but anyway, let's get down to business before you two kill each other.” She motioned towards us to follow her. “We're traveling to the next floor now to get to Dr. Silva. Come on.” Karen was leading us again. It was through a maze of debris. Jaycee even lost balance along the way when his leg fell through a crack. “Jayce! Careful!” I said helping him up. “How much further do we have to walk before killing ourselves?” Martin asked Karen. “We're almost there I promise! We had to keep the paths hidden to make sure they didn't catch us talking to each other.” She pushed an over turned filing cabinet to reveal another crack. This time, it was big enough to fit a tall person.

We then found ourselves in the floor below us. It was a lot more claustrophobic and the smell was strange. It smelled like death, so this is what death probably smelled like not to mention this what it probably looked like too, cramped up in a dark room with blocked windows. There crouched on the ground was Dr. Silva he was with a woman who looked familiar. “Claire!” I cried. Claire was leaning against the wall, her face was dripping with sweat. “Jesus, Emma!” When she saw me she began to cry. I knelt beside her, “What's going on here?” I turned to Dr. Silva. He was a tall young doctor who reminded me of those snotty interns in hospitals who thought they were all that. Nevertheless, his perfectly gelled hair was disheveled now as he was holding Claire's hand. “She's losing blood,” Dr. Silva explained. I put a hand over my mouth, “Oh my God, how about the baby? Is the baby okay?” Dr. Silva didn't answer immediately because Claire began to excrete a heavy flow of blood. I heard Karen begin to sob a bit. “Did it worsen Doc? Wasn't she stable last night?” She asked. “Yes, yes she was but with this amount of blood I don't think the baby will make it.” Dr. Silva answered, “I'm afraid that this goes for her too.” Claire shut her eyes, “Emma.” Then I felt my body stiffen, knowing what she might ask.

“Is Chris with you?”

I looked at Jaycee, who was already burying his face in his palms. “Claire, you have to keep fighting.” I whispered as I took her hand. “Emma, where is Chris?” Claire demanded but her voice was going weak. I still couldn't answer, then her eyes widened. “No, Emma, no!” I held her hand tighter. “Claire, please he...he asked me to get to you!” I told her. “Please Claire, be strong, you can do this.” I pleaded but Dr. Silva was already calling out for a glass of water. “Her heartbeat is fast, this isn't good. She could risk a cardiac arrest!” “Don't do this Claire, he would have wanted you to live!” I began to tell her how brave her husband was when he tried to help us escape the office. “How did he..Was he bitten?” Claire asked shaking her head. I didn't reply at first but she squeezed my hand. “Em, there's nothing left for me in this godforsaken world. I just want this nightmare to end.” Then I brought my eyes up to level hers, “We can find a way out, we just have to stick together. I'll get you out of here I promise.” I said.

But as soon as I said it, Dr. Silva's eyes widened. “She's lost her pulse.”