P.S.I. Private Supernatural Investigators Book 3: Condemned Souls

Chapter 8: Long Restless Morning

Butch rushes over to Scarlet catching her before she fell to the floor. He examined her over to hear her breathing was in rasps. Butch then looked at the broken glass. He knew what type of fumes she had accidentally inhaled.
      "Nightshade!"
      Butch realized that was why there was a few hazmat suites hanging up. He quickly looked around to see across the room an oxygen mask. Butch rushed over to the oxygen mask while half-dragging her.
      The zombies tried to attack but he did not make it easy for them. Butch tipped over tables as he went across the morgue. The tables caused the zombies to dodge. This was a perfect distraction.
      He reached the oxygen mask which he laid her on the floor. Butch instantly placed the mask on Scarlet. He positioned the mask on the tip of her muzzle. Thankfully, it was snug on her muzzle. Butch then turned on the oxygen tank which began to pump.
      Her breathing became normal again. Her chest rose-and-fell at the normal pace. She though was still unconscious.
      "Don't worry, Scarlet," he soothes. "I'm going to get us out of here."
      Butch looked to see that the zombies were back on their hands and feet. He picked up Scarlet which he then quickly looked around once again. Butch saw some jars with organs which he opened. With his right hand, he reached in and grabbed a brain to a small animal.
      "Hey, you brain eaters!" shouts Butch. "Eat this!"
      He tosses the small brain towards the zombies. They see the flying brain and began to shove one another. Once the brain landed on the floor, the zombies fought over it. Butch used this opportunity to rush out of the morgue while they were distracted. He kept ahold of Scarlet supporting her up as he also held the oxygen tank.
      Once outside the morgue, Butch with his partner rushed down the hall. He saw someone lying on the floor which was too dark to see. After getting closer, Butch realized it was Terance. He had a gouge in his head which was oozing blood all over the floor. He could assume Terance's brain was missing but did not stay to find out.
      Not too long after, Butch half-dragged the werewolf almost to the lobby, he glanced back hearing scuffing of feet and hands.
      The zombies was coming straight for him, hobbling half-running on their hands and feet! He quickened his pace while making sure Scarlet was still gripped in his arm. Butch went through the doors pushing them with both his and her weight.
      He stepped outside and hurried to the van which he opened the passanger side first. Butch placed Scarlet on the seat which he positioned her sitting up. Meanwhile, the zombies was entering the lobby at this point. He quickly got into the driver's side right as they crashed their bodies through the doors!
      Butch started up the van which roared to life. The zombies was not afraid of the noise the van made and lunged at it. The few zombies who had lunged bounced off the van. The zombies banged their bodies against the van in an attempt to destroy the metal.
      "Brainless rotting corps," he swares then puts the van in drive.
      The van tore off in a hurry which a few zombies's limbs was crushed by the wheels. This however did not faze them. Because the van was too fast, the zombies did not go after them, thankfully.
      Butch drove the van no where particular, only to get far away from the zombies. Scarlet had turned back into herself which she began to stir awake. She felt the oxygen mask on her face and slipped it off. Still groggy, Scarlet slowly opened her eyes. He glanced over to see his partner awake.
      "You're all right, Scarlet," relieved Butch says. He stretched his right arm across pulling her to him which Scarlet leaned into his side. "Thank goodness you are okay."
      "Wha-what happened?" she asks still a bit woozy.
      "You accidentally inhaled some nightshade," explains Butch. "I placed an oxygen mask on you though. The oxygen should have filtered it out of your system."
      Though Scarlet was woozy, she liked the way he was snuggling her. It reminded her of when she and Nicolas would snuggle with her on the couch and in bed. Scarlet enjoyed this moment of Butch's embrace. She leaned against him for a few minutes as she regained her strength. Once Scarlet's strength was back, she sat up straight in her seat.
      "Was Terance..."
      "...dead," he guesses of what she was going to say. "Yes. He is dead."
      "Oh, man," feeling guilty Scarlet responds while placing her fingers on her forehead. She closes her eyes for a brief moment.
      "There was nothing you could have done," Butch assures soothingly. "The zombies knew we were there and came in for the kill which was us."
      "Maybe you are right for thinking the zombies didn't come from the lab," replies Scarlet who was looking out the passanger window.
      "You were not wrong for thinking that the lab was where they came from," he praises. "It was a good guess. We just need to keep looking into other possibilities."
      She looks at her partner with a smile. "Thanks," grateful Scarlet says referring to his praise. "Well, we will not be able to get anywhere further with the case today."
      By this point it was early morning of one o'clock.
      "Do you not mind if I crash at your place?" Butch asks. "I really don't feel like driving back to my apartment."
      "Not at all," with a smile she invites. "We've had a long day. First, having to deal with Jerry who turned into a zombie. Then, having R.J. and Ezra not willingly listen to our concern. Lastly, having the zombies attack us while we are in the morgue. I'd say we deserve a break."
      "Yes, we definitely have had an eventful day," he agrees.
      They had survived a zombie attack at the lab. She wondered what else more was in store for them as they tried figuring out this case. Was there going to be an zombie apocalypse like they show in movies?