The Rotting Flesh Book 1: Escatology
Chapter 4: Crippling sights

“Wow so you are old Joe’s daughter, I can’t believe my eyes he’s my role model” Rod said trying to lighten up the gloomy atmosphere in the car but Tanya did not respond she remained glued to her seat staring at the road.

They drove through the city that seemed to be in panic. People were running back and forth looting stores like nobody’s business. Due to the heavy traffic and confusion in the city it took them a while to get to the car that the military was using as an ambulance. Rodrigas slowed down and stopped to see clearly what had happened when he noticed a soldier lying on the ground face down. He was about to get out when Tanya grabbed his arm and shook her head

“But they could need my help” he said and she shook her head again emotionless “I can’t just leave them” he argued more

“Do you think we are the first car to pass by here?” she asked

Rodrigas paused trying to connect the dots then just gave in and continued the trip.After a drive of about 1 hour they finally took a turn int the dust road which led to Joe’s ranch. The place was awfully quiet and the front door was open just like Tanya had left it.

“Stop here” she finally spoke after 1 straight hour of dead silence

Rodrigas took his gun from the car

“Guns don’t work on them” she said which surprised him and for a moment he thought she was lying

She walked slowly with him by her side leading him around the house to avoid any surprises. Then as they were appearing someone charged at Tanya and she managed to evade in time and he fell to the ground a few meters from her. She froze in utter disbelief, it was her dad. He looked up at her groaning and Rod noticed a lot of missing chunks of flesh from his body no one could survive that kind of injury. Joe slowly crawled to Tanya who was glued to the ground motionless eyes wide open. Rodrigas shot at Joe multiple times but he kept coming until one of his shits hit him in the head stopping him immediately. The brains splashed and some went on Tanya and she screamed and ran to Rodrigas. He embraced her even though he too was terrified of the situation and was in serious shock. In her sobing he managed to hear another groan from afar and he told her to stay in the car and lock the doors but she refused.

He then moved as far away from the house to avoid any surprise attacks into a more open area. They slowly walked to a body which was about 10 meters from them where the groan seemed to originate from. Tanya gasped for air again and a waterfall of tears flowed down her eyes. Rodrigas recognized the face

“Mrs Miller” he said in a soft shaky voice and she turned to look at them

She was trying to reach for them groaning with white cloudy eyes like those of a blind person. She could not move from where she was because all her legs were removed. She managed to lie on her belly and began to crawl towards them. Rodrigas froze not believing his eyes. She had no intestines at all her abdomen was fully open and empty but she was alive. He just stood there as memories of his encounters with her flashed in his mind. The longer he took standing there the closer she got. Tanya grabbed his gun aimed and shot her in the head and she went silent holding onto Rodrigas’ foot. It was at this moment he realized only headshots worked on them. Rodrigas said a prayer in Spanish as he took in what he had just seen.

* * *

“Sir you called for us” Lieutenant Hamilton said saluting his general

“Yes I did” General Rugal said as he paced up and down in front of five soldiers 3 female and two male “the reason I called you here, I believe you already know why” he said

“Yes Sir it concerns the incident at town square” replied Sarah one of the female soldiers

“Correct, I believe we all know that the four doctors who were attacked at town square were suppose to be transported here but the ambulance broke down and now they are missing” he said and all in the room looked surprised except for Hamilton

“Now we are aware Sir, is it an attack on the state Sir?” asked Jennifer the second female soldier while Merllyn stood silent

“Fortunately and unfortunately not” said Rugal

“Whatever do you mean Sir?” asked Karl the other male soldier

“It seems as though whatever happened at town square with the volunteers happened to the doctors too” he replied

“What do you mean? they died” Jennifer said with disbelief

“They came back to life Miss Marshal and it seems as though they came back as cannibals and attacked the drivers” he said slowly and gave everyone a chill

“So are they like zombies” said Karl

“There are no such things soldier we don’t train babies here we train men, now repeat after me. There is no such thing as zombies” general Rugal snapped

“There is no such thing as zombies” Karl obeyed

“Good, now the drivers who had been attacked seemed to have come back later too fortunately our men were there and they gunned them down after facing a lot of difficulty” Rugal said “however the four doctors are still missing and need to be found before things get out of hand” he added scratching his chin

“Sir don’t the people need to be warned ?” asked Lieutenant Hamilton

“No one must know about this, you and Sarah are going to denounce any rumors about this while the rest of you lead your teams in search of these blood thirsty beasts before they become the end of us all” he ordered

“But Sir the people” Hamilton tried to protest but was cut short

“You are all dismissed including you Lieutenant” Rugal said and went back to his chair.

They left the room and gathered in another behind closed doors.

“Ham I have a bad feeling about this” Jennifer said leaning on the wall

“Us too man” Karl said speaking for the rest who nodded in agreement

“I am as frightened as you guys but you know we can’t retaliate or back out our lives are on the line” Hamilton said softly

“I know I sound stupid but these are zombies” Karl said

“Yes Karl, yes they are” replied Sarah