The Z-Day Trilogy (Book 0): Creation of the Living Dead Read online

  Chapter Three

  Ted Hollman took the rest of the afternoon off to meet with his horror director friend, Shelton Franks, who wanted to meet with him because he had a business proposition for him. He was sitting by his pool when Ted showed up.

  “Look who finally made it,” said Kurt Freeman, bringing both Ted and a bottle of scotch with him to the pool area. He was Mr. Frank’s assistant and best friend.

  Shelton looked up from his chair and saw Ted standing there. He stood up and offered him his hand. “Ted, it’s so good to see you again. We both have been so busy lately we haven’t had the chance to visit.”

  Ted shook his hand and sat down on a chair next to him. “I heard your new film was a great success.”

  “People love their zombie movies, Ted. I don’t understand people’s fascination with people being ripped apart and eaten by zombies. But as long as they go see them at the theater, I’ll keep making them.”

  Ted had a sneaky feeling why Shelton wanted to see him. It definitely had something to do with zombies. He had made the mistake of mentioning in a drunken stupor he was working on a project creating real-life zombies. “I have a feeling you want to talk to me about zombies.”

  Shelton laughed and looked at Kurt. Kurt nodded his head and went back inside the mansion. Shelton turned his attention back to Ted. “Before you jump to any conclusions, there is something I want to show you.” Kurt returned with a large map and handed it to Shelton. “I have something I want you to see.” He unfolded the map and placed it on a white table and asked Ted to join him.

  Ted looked at a detailed map that had ‘Zombie World’ printed in bold letters above the outline of a large island. He looked at Shelton. “What am I looking at?”

  “The future of the world. You’re going to have to imagine this with me. Imagine a place where people can go on vacation to an exotic world and see zombies up close and personal.”

  Ted looked at him surprised by what he was proposing. “You mean a place like Jurassic Park?”

  “In a matter of speaking. Of course all the zombies will be separated from the public. We don’t want people to get bit and become zombies themselves. Look at the map. I’ve recently acquired this entire island I call ‘Isla Zomblar’. It’s roughly twenty-two square miles. We can develop it into a park. We can have viewing areas, carnival rides, restaurants, museums, pretty much anything you would want to visit on your zombie vacation.”

  Ted remained silent for several long seconds. He continued to look at the map of the park. “Are you insane? Nobody is going to spend their hard earned money to come to an island to look at zombies. Dinosaurs, maybe, but definitely not zombies.”

  “What’s the difference between a dinosaur and a zombie? They’re both dangerous and both would eat a person if they had a chance. So, why wouldn’t they go to see a zombie? Trust me; everything I know about human nature tells me this park will be successful. You should hear about the interactive exhibits and rides I have planned.”

  Ted looked at him. “But, why do you need me? You seem to have everything already figured out.”

  “I need real-life zombies, not animatronic ones. That’s why I need you. You know how to make zombies.”

  Ted imagined a park of zombies. It sounded glamorous, but dangerous at the same time. It sounded too risky. He wasn’t sure the public could be kept safe from the zombies if they ever escaped their enclosures. Then there was another factor he had been considering lately. He’d been busy scouring through his parent’s research, especially his father’s, and he discovered something he had been keeping a secret from them. The serum they were developing had one crucial side effect. He suspected once a person was infected with what he called a zombie virus, they could easily infect another person. The virus they were working on was going to be an airborne virus. People wouldn’t need to get bit to turn into zombies. Secretly, he had already developed an antidote in a liquid form. He wanted to tell them of his findings and that he had developed a cure, but he knew his father would take all the credit, furthering the conflict between his mother and father. Besides, he figured he could take all the credit and glory if it ever did happen. He could go to the general with the cure and work his way up the ranks and become rich and famous. He smiled thinking about it and looked at Shelton.

  “If I do this for you, what exactly will I need to do?”

  Shelton relaxed realizing Ted was about to come on board with his plan. “I need you to gather everything you’ll need to make this plan become a reality. As soon as you have everything necessary, we will fly to Costa Rica and take a boat to the island. Construction on the island has already begun. The living quarters for the staff and their families are being built first. As you can see on the map, a fancy subdivision is being developed. Our houses will be on the other side of the island for privacy.”

  Ted stared at the map where Shelton was pointing. “How far from the main park will we be living?”

  “Just far enough that we won’t be bothered. Nobody will ever know we’re there. We’ll have all the comforts of luxury living. So, are you on board?”

  “I will need a couple of days to make preparations. It’s not going to be easy getting around my parents. Will the island have an adequate lab? I’m going to need to do further testing.”

  “The lab is near completion. I assure you it’s state of the art and is one of the largest I’ve seen built. I’ve seen to it that it will be equipped with everything you would ever need.”

  Ted looked at him and back at the map. “One other thing…”

  “Don’t finish your sentence; I already know what you’re going to ask. This park will be as much yours as it will be mine. Let’s just say you’re going to be a very wealthy man.”

  Ted smiled. “Give me two days and I will have everything I need. I already know what needs to be done to improve my parent’s research. I won’t make the same mistakes they are making.”

  “Two days then. I will send word once our plane is ready. Until then, be careful and don’t let anybody know what we’re up to.”

  “Don’t worry; nobody will suspect a thing.”

  Chapter Four

  Robert Forenstein stared at his financials. He didn’t want to admit it, but money wasn’t flowing through his office like it had before. He desperately needed to find something he could finance that would financially reward him. He flipped through the morning’s paper hoping something would catch his attention. He was desperate to find anything that looked promising. To his dismay, nothing in the paper stood out to him as the opportunity of a lifetime. If he was going to find anything, he was going to have to make it happen himself. He picked up his remote to the television and flipped it on. The image of a zombie ripping shreds of flesh off the bone of a screaming victim filled the screen. He watched as blood geysered into the air and chunks of flesh were ripped from bone. He looked at his watch. It was early morning. He couldn’t understand why they would be broadcasting such a violent movie first thing in the morning. He switched channels until he came upon a man in a black business suit talking about opportunities of a lifetime. He was willing to finance the next best thing for a small business fee of twenty percent of the net profits. He listened with interest as the man explained how the process worked and what money could be made with the right idea. He jotted down some of the information and once the man had finished speaking, he turned off the television.

  He now had a plan formulating in his mind. He could make his own commercial on local television offering the same thing. If he couldn’t find the right thing to invest his money in on his own, he would have someone else bring the idea to him. He knew it was a longshot, but there was still a small chance the right idea could present itself. He knew it was worth a shot. He left his office stopping by his secretary’s desk to inform her he would be gone most of the day. He left and got into his car. His next mission was to head to Merrillville, Indiana, to have a television commercial made or at least to find out what he needed to do to
have it made.

  Chapter Five

  Carlton shoved the zombie back inside the cage and closed the cage door. The zombie immediately turned and stormed the door trying to grab him. Carlton was furious about the test and everything leading up to it. He was furious at the Hollmans; he was furious at General Poe; and he was furious over the whole smart zombie project. Nothing like it should ever have been developed. He knew they were playing with fire. The test proved zombies couldn’t be controlled, and they shouldn’t be. He stared back at the cage. The zombie had crashed into the door with such force, it caused a large gash across its face. A fountain of gore pulsed from the wound.

  “That’s just great!” screamed Carlton! “Now I have another mess to clean!” He turned away from the cage and made his way past a goat pen to the back area to retrieve some bleach and a mop. When he came back, General Poe was standing there waiting for him. “What do you want?” he asked angrily.

  “I get you’re angry about the test. I know you feel it was premature. At least we know it now. The Hollmans have informed me they know what they did wrong.” He watched as Carlton poured bleach on the blood on the floor outside of the cage. “I see you don’t want to discuss it with me.”

  Carlton threw the mop down and glared at the general. “Have you stopped to think about this? Just because you can create a zombie doesn’t mean you should create a zombie! And what do you think is worse, a nuclear bomb or a world full of zombies? Both of them are equally destructive! Both of them mean the end of mankind! Why do we need either of them? I don’t know about you, but I love life; I love everything about it, and I love everything it has to offer! I love…”

  “All right, you’ve proved your point. Carlton, you have to understand the military’s point of view. We can save many soldiers’ lives by having smart zombies to fight for them. We won’t have to send our soldiers over on foreign soil anymore. We can send the smart zombies to do the fighting for them. Not to mention, the zombies will keep the enemy from retaliating on our own soil. This is a win for America. This program is designed to keep America safe and free.”

  Carlton picked up the mop and resumed moping. “You’re playing with fire. I think it’s you America should be kept safe from.”

  General Poe remained silent for a moment. “I’m sorry you feel the way you do.” He turned to leave and then stopped. “I hope your loyalty to the project hasn’t changed. You’re still needed on the project.”

  “Don’t worry, general, my feelings aren’t going to affect my duties. You don’t have to worry about me.”

  “Good. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to replace you.” He left Carlton to finish mopping the floor.

  Kathy was busy typing when General Poe approached her. She stopped typing and looked at him. “You don’t have to stand over me, general. I already know what I need to accomplish. I’m under enough stress already.”

  “I’m not trying to interfere with your work. I’m just wondering if your problem with your husband is interfering with the project.”

  “No more than it ever has. You should go ask him if this is becoming a problem. I’m sure he’ll tell you the same thing. No matter what our problems are, we both know what needs to be accomplished. One way or another we’re going to figure out the problem.” She turned off her monitor. “I need to take a break and get some coffee. How did Carlton take it when you told him you’re taking the other zombies to the National Guard for another test?”

  “I didn’t tell him. I’m worried about him right now. Tell me, Kathy, can we count on him. Have we hired the right person for the job?”

  “You’ve hired the right person, general. Besides, I need him here while I’m working with my husband.”

  “Why is that?”

  Kathy thought about what she was going to say. “Carlton doesn’t know I know this so you have to keep it between us. Well anyway, Carlton has a secret crush on me, and I’m positively sure he will keep Nicholas from doing me any harm.”

  “I wasn’t aware of that,” said General Poe. “So knowing that doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable?”

  “Not in the least. It actually comforts me knowing I’m still attractive to other men. The one I have now takes me for granted. Listen, don’t worry about Carlton; he’s harmless. Nicholas, on the other hand, is a different story. When are you leaving for the National Guard?”

  “Right now. I’m meeting with Captain Jamison. We want to see how the zombies will react in a battle situation.”

  Kathy shook her head in disbelief. “You mean you want to see what they are fully capable of. I suppose more homeless people are going to be sacrificed.”

  “Kathy, you know that’s not important. Besides, I’m doing the country a valuable service by cleaning up the streets.”

  “Enough, you know how I feel about using the homeless. It’s bad enough we are going to start testing on cats.”

  “That’s what I like about you, Kathy. You say exactly what is on your mind. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get to the National Guard.” He took a look around the room before leaving. Nicholas was working on the opposite side of the room and Ted wasn’t around. He didn’t care about Ted. If he had it his way, Ted would be thrown off of the project.

  Captain Jamison was standing in front of five of his soldiers watching as they stood at attention. They were all eagerly waiting to carry out their orders later in the early evening. He was skeptical about their mission. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t believe what his orders were. He thought it was a joke, and he wasn’t amused. He stood in front of his men trying to find the right words to convey to them that they were about to play war games with zombies. The more he thought about it, the more he knew a practical joke was being played. He looked around to see if any cameras were being used to catch the look on his face. He cleared his throat and tried to speak. The words were caught in the back of his throat. He shook his head and tried not to look unprofessional in front of his men. After several uncomfortable minutes, he finally found his voice.

  “Men, you have been selected for a special mission this evening. You’ve all been chosen to take part in a war game situation. The five of you will be pitted against five enemies you must kill before they kill you. This war game is the real thing. You must kill the enemy before the enemy kills you. The military wants to know what you’re made of and how you will react against the enemy they’ve selected for you.” He paused for a moment. He now had to inform his men they will be fighting against bloodthirsty zombies. He looked at his men. They were all well-trained, but inexperienced. None of them had seen actual war before, and now he was asking them to sacrifice their lives so the military could test their new secret army of the undead. He didn’t like it, but he had to obey his orders or be court martialed for disobeying them. “You’re probably wondering who the enemy is you’re going to be facing. What I’m about to tell you isn’t a joke. Before I tell you about the enemy you’re going to face, I want to inform you that any of the five of you who survive the games will be promoted from your current rank to sergeant. All right, I’ve delayed this long enough. The enemies you will be facing this evening are zombies, five zombies. I know this sounds farfetched and you’re probably thinking I’m pulling your leg, but this is the real deal, men. You will see for yourselves in a minute. Until then, report to the armory to check out your weapons and ammunition. At ease, men.”

  He watched as his men slowly dispersed staring at each other, wondering if what they had been told was actually the truth. They remained silent while they were in earshot of the captain. They didn’t want to appear weak in front of him.

  “What do make of it?” asked Specialist Liebe. “Do you think the captain is full of it? Do you think they really have zombies?”

  “Listen to yourself, Liebe. A prank is being played on us. I bet you they’re going to bring in people dressed as zombies to try to scare us. Well, I’m not going to fall for it. These zombies had better be soldiers, because I’m going to kill each and every
one of them,” said Specialist Washington. “I’m going to show them what a man from Gary is made of.”

  They stood in line at the armory waiting for their weapons and ammunition. Specialist Goodwin approached the others staring at the ammunition box loaded with live ammunition. “This doesn’t make any sense. We’re actually being given live ammunition. Whoever we’re fighting is for real. They want us to kill somebody.”

  “I think you’re imagining that,” said Specialist Fizor. “The captain was joking about the zombies.”

  “Take a look for yourself,” said Specialist Goodwin. “This isn’t the fake crap we use in training. They actually want us to kill somebody.”

  Specialist Jackson joined them carrying his M16. “The truck is here. We’ll soon know who our enemy actually is.”

  They turned and watched as the deuce and a half drove past the building and across the parking lot. They scrambled to the door leading out of the building and waited to see who or what got out of the truck. They watched as a general got out of the cab and was saluted by Captain Jamison. The general led the captain to the back of the truck, and they stood there deep in conversation. Specialist Liebe looked at the others.

  “I don’t like the looks of this,” he said, moving away from the door. “Something feels off about all of this.”

  “You’re being paranoid for nothing,” said Specialist Washington. “The captain has gotten inside your head.”

  “Guys, something is being brought out from the back of the truck,” said Specialist Fizor. “Whatever it is, it’s being brought out of the truck with an animal catch pole.”

  They stared at the scene wide-eyed. The captain had been telling them the truth. They were about to play war games against zombies.