《Corpses in Wonderland》 Prologue: Everything will be okay ¡°Abandon all hope, ye who enter this building.¡± Bret Easton Ellis. The lights from the Black Hawks were leading the two army jeeps out of the backwoods like they were wolves tailing ravens. A Private with no badge fiddled with the safety setting on his rifle as his eyes alerted to every passing tree and shrub swallowed by the night. His sergeant sat in the passenger seat while switching radio frequencies; the previous transmission was punctuated by horrific panics. The collected voice of a commander was repeating his given instructions, ¡°Major Nelson says road access to Seattle is blocked. Prepare to evacuate by air.¡± ¡°Copy that, Captain. Over.¡± The sergeant answered blankly, switching off the radio as the two jeeps pulled back onto a highway. One lane was clogged with stagnant traffic, headlights were all that shined the night while civilians camped along tents or hammocks. The army jeeps drove down the opposite lane cleared for emergency vehicles. Another draftee looked to the Private as he stared out the window, ¡°Dillan, why didn¡¯t you shoot?¡± Private Dillan twiddled his cross necklace. ¡°I¡­didn¡¯t see-¡° ¡°Enough.¡± The sergeant ordered. The other soldier snapped. ¡°Sir, I can¡¯t trust this yellow prick to have my back!¡± ¡°Enough!¡± The sergeant barked as the jeeps were pulling into a rest stop by the highway. They were waved through a hastily fenced perimeter that was guarded by a whole infantry squad between each post in the chain links. The jeeps parked alongside multiple scores of military transports, congesting the edge of the fence line. The center of the rest area was an encamped maze of dark green tents lit by gas generators. Private Dillan shut his door in sync with the boom of jets; he looked up and followed the lights of fighters as they trailed over the shrouded tree line. Dillan lost sight of the lights as they closed in on the field of orange hues fueling smog as the silhouettes of a town were consumed. The corporal who drove their jeep boasted, ¡°Look at that shit! Tell me Zack don¡¯t feel that?!¡± ¡°It won¡¯t finish anything.¡± Sergeant Bundy affirmed. ¡°It¡¯s a firebreak, nothing more. Everyone fall in.¡± The Private who Dillan sat with, Ramirez, gave him a cold glare as he circled behind the jeep. Dillan¡¯s eyes darted to a new burst of napalm on the horizon. Ramirez shoved Dillan. ¡°Move it bitch!¡± Dillan walked in a single line across, turning up the steps to the rest area¡¯s welcome center; every window was adorned with red crosses, bio-hazard symbols, or FEMA flags. Sergeant Bundy stopped beside the entrance to talk with their lieutenant, who stood next to Major Malcolm ¡®Space Dog¡¯ Nelson; the regiment C.O. stood with crossed arms and a black beard not shaved for weeks. The platoons alongside the officer patrolled the center¡¯s perimeter and spare few dared to face their backs to the windows. Private Dillan leaned against a concrete post beside the stairs and his eyes wandered the outpost, until turning right, where a series of dirt trails led through a picnic area outside the fences. Scores of civilians denied entry had nowhere to go but through the woods, some leaving their cars behind. The Corporal who drove their jeep, Holmes, slapped Dillan¡¯s left shoulder with an open cigarette pack. ¡°You¡¯re shivering and it¡¯s May. Calm yourself.¡± Dillan stammered. ¡°I¡­don¡¯t smoke.¡± Ramirez gaffed behind them. ¡°No shit! All your mags are full!¡± Holmes held a hand up. ¡°I know, I was there.¡± Looking back to Dillan, ¡°Gotta find a light when the dark sets in, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m okay¡­¡± Dillan tucked his cross beneath his camo as Holmes lit his own cigarette. ¡°Where are they going?¡± Dillan motioned to the civilians entering the wooded area. Holmes exhaled smoke. ¡°I think someone put an outdoor theatre through there. Not exactly strategic but some radio preacher has found a point to it.¡± A friend of Ramirez joined them. ¡°Is anybody going to make them follow our broadcasts?¡± ¡°We can hardly make the draftees follow simple orders!¡± Ramirez was looking at Dillan. Dillan spun around. ¡°I know what I¡¯m supposed to do!¡± ¡°That I don¡¯t doubt!¡± Ramirez grunted. ¡°It¡¯s your ability that¡¯s fucked up!¡± Dillan¡¯s face flushed; Holmes kept them apart while speaking, ¡°The kid¡¯s just out of school; no one actually had time to train him for this.¡± ¡°Gacy died because of him!¡± Ramirez huffed. ¡°And we¡¯ll need him to go on a redemption arc, now more than ever.¡± Holmes said. Dillan wanted to defend himself, but his attention diverted to Major Nelson who approached the top of the stairs. ¡°The cavalry is inbound; we¡¯re bugging out! Start loading up personnel and equipment for evac!¡± The ¡®Space Dog¡¯ shouted with an authoritative, southern boom. He immediately began to stride down the steps, glancing at each grunt of his command. Dillan became dazed by the Major; there was something wrong with his eyes. Sergeant Bundy waved to his squad, ¡°Everyone on me!¡± He pointed to Dillan, ¡°You, right here!¡± Private Dillan snapped out of it and was beside Bundy as they entered the Welcome Center; the squad had entered after three others. The Welcome Center was a gloomy mess of medical gurneys lowered to the floor in compacted lines wherever they could fit. Medics and drafted medical professionals had been busy tending to multiple scores of strapped sick and injured people. Bundy began to shout, ¡°All medical units drop what you¡¯re doing and fall out now! We¡¯re pulling out!¡± Every medic and nurse looked aghast at the soldiers and each other, while others discarded their medical tools and approached the soldiers. The squads marched into the makeshift ward, encouraging, or grabbing those who were hesitant. Stolen story; please report. Sergeant Bundy led his squad down a hallway once accessed by the center¡¯s employees. ¡°All personnel fall out NOW!¡± Bundy would bang on each door before moving down the hall, soldiers from a flanking squad entered each one. The sergeant led Private Dillan and the others into the employee break room after two knocks. Dillan entered to see a doctor and two medics over a gurney. The medics halted, but the frantic doctor continued to fill a syringe; the gurney held a strapped patient in her early twenties. ¡°You¡¯re done here!¡± Bundy ordered. ¡°We¡¯re leaving!¡± The frantic doctor shattered the empty vial on the floor; her eyes were baggy, and her brunette hair was frizzled. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving!¡± ¡°Clarice, stop it now!¡± The Doctor looked aggravated. ¡°The injections are working!¡± ¡°The labs will build off it.¡± Doctor Clarice ignored Bundy as she injected the medicine into the woman¡¯s forearm. The delirious patient was fogging her ventilator mask while begging, ¡°Please don¡¯t let me die¡­Please don¡¯t let me¡­¡± Her dilated eyes shifted to one of the medics as he backed out the door, ¡°¡­Dad? I¡¯m so sorry¡­Please take me home, Dad! PLEASE!¡± Private Dillan backed into the wall as Sergeant Bundy bulged his eyes. ¡°Clarice, get away NOW!¡± The doctor still ignored Bundy and gripped her patient¡¯s strapped hand. ¡°Your okay honey¡­It¡¯s all going to stop-¡° The patient immediately flailed in the straps while screeching deafeningly. ¡°WHY ARE YOU BURNING!?!¡± Her screams reached a blood-curdling decibel with one breath. An eruption of blackened matter gushed from her mouth, coating the inner mask, and threatened to choke her. Bundy screamed again as Clarice ripped the mask off the patient, letting the black matter projectile the air; the patient bucked her head at Clarice and a spittle of black flew at her. Corporal Holmes rushed around to grab Clarice, he spun and flung the doctor against a set of cabinets against the wall. The patient was fighting to sit up as her jaw was snapping out the black; the sick liquid coated her chin and chest. She paused to look at the room before letting out a predatorial roar; individual pops from rifles echoed in the Welcome Center. Private Dillan was mortifyingly pale and was starting to sink against the wall. Corporal Holmes stood back with a foot on Clarice while aiming his AR-Fifteen to shoot. ¡°Hold!¡± Bundy shouted, alerting everyone except for Dillan; the patient darted her raging eyes from Holmes to Bundy. The Sergeant turned to Private Dillan, whose rifle was leaning on the ground. Bundy pulled Dillan¡¯s pistol out of the holster with a face of contempt and gripped Dillan¡¯s hand around the firearm. ¡°Shoot it, Dillan.¡± Private Dillan couldn¡¯t look her in the eyes and his gripped hand started to tremor. ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± Ramirez flanked Dillan¡¯s left. ¡°That¡¯s been a problem, you pussy faggot!¡± Ramirez grabbed Dillan¡¯s wrist and raised it, aiming the gun at the patient. ¡°DO IT!¡± Private Dillan pitifully fought to lower the gun as Ramirez pinned him. Sergeant Bundy crossed both arms in judgement. ¡°This isn¡¯t up for debate, private.¡± The patient was growling as she struggled to pop any of her limbs free. She began throwing her weight to break out and tried snapping at the straps manically. Corporal Holmes, still pressing Clarice with his boot, clicked a grin when Dillan looked at him. ¡°¡­They¡¯re going to get you Dillan¡­¡± Ramirez pushed Dillan¡¯s trigger finger against his will, popping a round into the patient¡¯s chest. She arched up, and focused on the two, as another round was fired through her windpipe. It sounded like she gurgled on the bullet, only to raise her head again and pull a suddenly twisted grin; an additional roar seeped the black down her chin which spit out the wound. The final bang ruptured her face beneath the eye; what remained of the patient was the other eye pinched and staring into the ceiling light. Private Dillan remembered to blink, only for the tears to pour down his face. Ramirez callously slammed Dillan¡¯s head into the wall behind him; Dillan fell face-first to the floor and his helmet rolled off his head. He could see Corporal Holmes taking his foot off Clarice, who bald tears as well. Clarice rose to her knees, while frantically scrubbing the sick liquid off her hand; red was dripping from an indention on her fore thumb. The doctor¡¯s eyes were popping inside of baggy sockets before looking up to Sergeant Bundy. ¡°¡­please take me¡­¡± she begged, ¡°¡­I won¡¯t get sick¡­¡± ¡°I know you won¡¯t.¡± Bundy soothed, surprisingly pleasant, while holding his own hand out. ¡°Let me see.¡± Clarice obeyed while trembling. ¡°¡­there could be a treatment¡­just let me go with you.¡± She begged with a new burst of tears. ¡°I know there could¡­¡± Bundy seemed genuine as he glided his gloved thumb across her hand. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be okay.¡± Clarice looked up to Bundy like he was heaven¡¯s gate, hopefully swelling her tears back, as Corporal Holmes fired a round through the back of her head. The doctor¡¯s face planted against the floor and stared into Private Dillan as the blood flooded from the exit wound. Dillan shrieked with a teary vision as Bundy ordered everyone to fall out. Private Dillan¡¯s vision returned to see a starless night, incapable of mourning back, while laying on a stretcher. It was the sound of automatic fire that woke him, followed by shouts to load the helicopter. Dillan screamed and punched the first grunt who tried to lift his stretcher while kicking the soldier at his feet. The private flailed to stand up, scrambling away from the soldiers and the chinook helicopter. One of the medics tried to run to Dillan in his blind mania, only for Sergeant Bundy to call out, ¡°Leave him!¡± Dillan was turning to sprint away and he saw the other chinooks being loaded outside the dirt paths. A soldier almost knocked him down while sprinting to his chopper, turning Dillan where he could see the base fences. Dillan finally fell and turned again to sprint through darkness of the dirt trails. Dillan finally collapsed from exhaustion after the base¡¯s sight was engulfed with the blackened flora. He panted on his knees, while searching for his cross necklace, under the booms of jets. He resorted to rummaging through the soil for it and was ignoring the echo of recoiling rifles somewhere around him. It was a hymn in the echoes that halted his dripping tears into the dirt, ¡°¡­Irene Goodnight¡­Irene Goodnight¡­¡± Dillan rose and stumbled through darker foliage, even as the booms of napalm pierced orange through the upper branches. As the chorus grew louder, Dillan could make out lantern lights in the distance; he entered a clearing where an illuminated amphitheater held over a hundred refugees gathered in what appeared to be a s¨¦ance. On the stage was a local choir composed of teens and seniors from the congregation; all sang together on two parallel bleachers wearing the white robes of their mass. It was a famed preacher who led the disjointed hymn at stage front, cupping his hands before him and seemingly guiding Dillan to salvation. A forlorn Dillan tranced onto the edge of the standing audience, stammering his chapped lips to join Earth¡¯s forlorn farewell. ¡°Goodnight Irene¡­Goodnight Irene¡­I¡¯ll see you in my dreams¡­¡± Dillan felt his senses dilute with a numbing sense of hope; he didn¡¯t acknowledge that a singer, atop the choir bleachers, started to sink their teeth into the scalp just below them. A scream from the victim ensued and the choir started to panic. The Preacher ignored, as did the viewing audience, while singers dispersed from the stage; another popped from behind with a flesh spittle. Dillan snapped out of his trance, yet the audience continued to overpower the screams with their hymns. Another singer was grappled by a Berserker from the woods as the Preacher sang through the ripping of his eye from the side. Dillan became alerted to the flaming hues charging into the audience from different angles of the woods. The screams, blood-curdling and ravenous, were duplicating over the chorus as fires were catching inside the amphitheater. Dillan spun around to flee back into the black, only to coldly shudder at the sight of more fires carried by Human forms. One of them grappled Dillan, by mere chance, as the rest leaped onto shunning believers. Dillan flailed against his attacker, only to burn his limbs; his uniform began to share the gift of fire as heated teeth began to flay his skin. Chapter One: Behind the sunken eyes. ¡°There he goes. One of God''s own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.¡± ¨D Hunter S. Thompson. It was summer¡¯s end of Nineteen Ninety-Six. The double doors of the elementary playground swung open, and the stampede of children disregarded the teachers. The children frolicked with the sweetness of a pride of kittens. Everywhere, they banded together to enact their fantasies or play generic games of Tag. A group of girls partook in a handholding circle as they spun rapidly with a tune. Some with melody, others with potential, the girls would sing the same song until they recycled the lyrics thrice. ¡°¡­Ring around the Rosie¡­ ¡­A pocket full of Posies¡­ ¡­Ashes, Ashes¡­ ...We all fall down¡­¡± A pair of sunken, brown eyes scanned the perimeter beneath strands of uncombed black hair. Malcolm Nelson could see the corner of the fence. Between these objects swirled a pool of other kids running around in Imagination Land. Malcolm was still six years old and tried his best to figure out the other kids. For every class which had around two dozen students, at least half to seventeen already knew each other for some reason. Most of the boys want to run everywhere. The girls want to play hopscotch and stick to the ¡°safety¡± of the cement. They¡¯re stupid, if they hit their heads, they may break open¡­Sunland¡¯s class is being released¡­. ¡­IF HER CLASS IS OUT THEN I ONLY HAVE FIVE MINUTES LEFT!! That can¡¯t be MY fault that no kid knows me! I have nothing to do and there should ALWAYS be something for me to do! Dad says dumb people get bored! ¡°Nelsons are not like normal people¡­¡± Malcolm maniacally panted, until noticing the little boy named Gregory was standing as a junction where the kids were let out. Malcolm slowly snuffed his panic and observed the boy with swollen pupils. He looked to see the kid frantically zagging. ¡°Would anyone play with me? You? Would you play with me? Wo¡­¡± ¡­He could at least pretend not to beg¡­ Malcolm walked like a stiff figure across the pavement to the awkward student wearing the most reflective white buttoned shirt and pitiful khaki shorts that didn¡¯t even end to his knees. ¡°I¡¯ll play.¡± Malcolm told the kid without stopping to even look at his eye. ¡°What?¡± the small child asked. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Malcolm. Someone who will play Greg.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not Greg! Craig! My name¡¯s Craig!¡± Malcolm cut a sharp glance while walking onto grass, ¡°Jeanie and May were laughing at you.¡± Craig winced. ¡°People never laugh before they make a joke. The brownie boys are always calling me a¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re whining louder than a baby!¡± Malcolm spun to walk up the field. ¡°I almost have to go back so don¡¯t complain about how ¡®mean¡¯ I am!¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Craig stammered and followed. ¡°Don¡¯t go! I promise I...¡± Malcolm was leading him up the muddy slope of the yard. He dropped on the slope and dug his hands to unearth soggy mud. ¡°Help me if you wanna play.¡± He spoke to Craig without looking. ¡°¡­I have my own games.¡± Craig whined. ¡°But the mud stains on my pants will make me sticky¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t sit on it then.¡± ¡°It might ruin my shoes.¡± Malcolm cut another sharp glance back at the boy. ¡°Why are you gonna hang around people if you can¡¯t play with them?¡± Craig¡¯s eyes were glistening. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what we were going to play.¡± ¡°We are not playing anything.¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°I¡¯ll have my own fun because I won¡¯t ever have fun if not on my own. I can test myself, a rat, or any cat across my street.¡± The child had already finished digging a hole as deep as his arms. ¡°¡­Testing what?¡± the boy gulped. ¡°What a man we are.¡± Malcolm grinned, ¡°There are people who swim deep in the ocean. The size of all that water will punch their eyes black. When you can¡¯t breathe it¡¯s like you want to break open.¡± The congealing mud seeped out of his clenched fists; Malcolm was grinning with his head cocked at the nerve-wracked kid. ¡°¡­You¡¯re going to lie under all that?¡± Craig asked. Malcolm shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s my turn after. First, I wanna see how you do it.¡± Craig shook his head. ¡°T-That doesn¡¯t sound very safe¡­¡± ¡°Worms live in dirt all the time¡­so do ants¡­cool spiders do too.¡± Malcolm reeled his arm over to the hole. Craig started to relent. ¡°Y-You promise me nothing bad will happen to me?¡± Craig was turning to adjust himself into the pit. ¡°Just fight your way up.¡± Malcolm encouraged. ¡°If you can¡¯t fight your way out, will you ever fight the other kids?¡± Craig looked back as he sat in the hole. ¡°Does the mud look too poopey? If my pants get soggy my mom- ¡° If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°Stop being a scaredy-cat!¡± Malcolm ordered. Craig cowered his back into the hole, shriveling as he lay on the cold ground. Craig very faintly settled, then Malcolm bulldozed the mud over to bury Craig alive. Malcolm rose, hunching his knees. He swirled his hands in light circles, thinking Craig would breach his hands like a Zombie. Instead, the mud felt still. ¡­fifty...fifty-one¡­fifty-two¡­fifty-three¡­ ¡°NELSON!¡± a scream from behind shattered Malcolm¡¯s awareness. ¡°WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!¡± Mrs. Sunland seized Malcolm¡¯s arm from behind and she tugged him away from the hole he dug. Mr. Blackburn and Mrs. Gerry came in from the flank and were sinking their hands into the earth like it were a ball pit. ¡°WHAT DID YOU DO!?¡± a flat-lipped Sunland spun him. ¡°What did Craig do to deserve that!?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes faltered behind tears, ¡°I-I-I-¡± ¡°WHY would you bury a friend alive!?¡± ¡°I-I was playing.¡± Malcolm whimpered. ¡°WHAT KIND OF GAME IS THIS!¡± Sunland pointed at the teachers helping Craig out, the child coughed and was blinded by the mud. Malcolm hyperventilated. ¡°But I just found someone to play with!¡± Her eyes turned into orbs piercing down his as he continued. ¡°I just wanted to see him escape¡­He chose to lie in the mud!¡± Sunland barked. ¡°YOU¡¯RE ONE WHO¡¯S LYING!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes popped. ¡°FUCK YOU!¡± Suddenly, he was backhanded by his teacher. Sunland grasped his wrist, breaking Malcolm¡¯s fall. ¡°WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME!?¡± She bellowed as the laughter of other kids melodied. She dragged Malcolm through the double doors of the school; she was tugging him too hard for his petite arm. Malcolm never counted the turns in the hallway, so he never saw the sign which indicated the school Office. The teacher plopped Malcolm into the first soft chairs that lined the glass wall viewing the hallway. ¡°You stay right there!¡± Sunland yelled with a point of finger. ¡°And think of your apology!¡± ¡°Sunland.¡± The principal had emerged from his office behind the administrators¡¯ desk, ¡°He¡¯s six; stop it.¡± Sunland whipped her head around to stare at the principal, ¡°YOU didn¡¯t hear what he said to me!¡± Malcolm rolled his eyes on her and took amusement in her twisted neck; it resembled a Big Bird learning too late that a Big Cat was about to eat it.¡¯ ¡°Sunland. Calm down and get in here.¡± The tubby principal commanded with a point of the finger into his office. Sunland marched into Principal Puff N¡¯ Stuff¡¯s office; the principal wouldn¡¯t say a word to the child. He bid the boy a nod as he backed into his den and shut the door. Malcolm folded his hands on his lap and sat perfectly still on the chair with his head tilted toward his legs. ¡­I didn¡¯t see Craig escape¡­ After long moments for any child, the principal finally emerged from the office. ¡°Hey kiddo.¡± Malcolm almost reeled as the principal leaned in. ¡°What was your name again?¡± the adult asked. ¡°Why don¡¯t you know?¡± The adult laughed. ¡°You¡¯re smart, aren¡¯t you? ¡­So, what did you do?¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°It was a Nature test. I wanted Craig to escape the mud¡­It was fun.¡± ¡°Did he find it fun?¡± Malcolm blinked. ¡°He chose to do it.¡± ¡°Did you know he could get hurt?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve already had to call your parents-¡° ¡°NO!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes popped. ¡°They¡¯re on their way now.¡± Sunland boasted from the ajar doorway. ¡°Please!¡± Malcolm pleaded. ¡°Not my dad! My Brother! I want my Brother!¡± The principal remained calm. ¡°Who¡¯s your brother, kiddo?¡± Malcolm started to shake. But Sunland interrupted by boasting further. ¡°What? You think he can explain your attitude to Mommy and Daddy?¡± Malcolm¡¯s face ignited, ¡°I¡¯LL TELL EM MY GODDAMN SELF!¡± He raced out of the office. He made it down the hallway and pivoted right at the next hallway where he found the double doors that lead to the outside carpool lane. Fueled by his anxiety, Malcolm never stopped running, even when he made it through the school property and emerged onto a small sidewalk next to the main road. The early afternoon heat, along with his fears of the scale of the world around him, continued to overwhelm the child. Malcolm felt trapped and subsequently ducked behind a bush. He never bothered to count the seconds he spent sniffling in the shrubberies despite never being able to help it during timeout. The sun had not even moved by the time he cut his legs through the green thorns and continued his run home. Malcolm had taken off down the road and his lungs were combusting like a car engine by the time he turned a corner to his cul-de-sac. His was the red brick house just at the center of the circle. The driveway was empty, and the door must have been locked; for some reason, his parents left a backup key beneath one of the decorative stones that lined the pathway to the front door. Something Malcolm knew was stupid, because anybody who wanted to get inside would just throw a stone through a window and open the handle. Which is exactly what the child did. It took two stones to break the window. The boy sprinted to the door and stood on his tiptoes to slide his arm inside to turn the handle. Fumbling his fingers for the lock, he had to lift himself inches further, only to realize that the lock was not set. He dropped from the window and flung the door wide open; slamming it as his feet flew up the staircase. Malcolm turned right to his room at the end of the hallway. His narrow, red-sheeted bed was unmade, revealing the quilt that it was made from, yet Malcolm didn¡¯t care to lie down. There was no TV to speak of, so all he had to stare at when he woke up was his open closet. On the right-hand side across from the door, he had two sets of seven shelves. Each shelf contained toys from GI Joes to Superhero Action Figures. Recently Malcolm learned that the clothing on some toys, GI Joes for instance, could be removed and switched. He has since taken amusement in standing them upright, pant less, and has even added some girly Barbie toys to switch clothes with. Many were currently arranged in genderless roles that recreated the scenes of cartoons such as ¡®Scooby-Doo¡¯ or ¡®Ren and Stimpy¡¯. One toy soldier, fresh out of the box, had been left on the edge of the shelf with no imitations of the surrounding figures. The toy soldier had no toy gun in the box and faced the disappointed child. He took the toy in hand and rubbed his thumb across the ball-joint which connected the toy¡¯s head to the body. Two thumbs pushed and popped the head, sending it soaring to land as a meteorite. Malcolm made a happy giggle when the detached head collided with a barbie whose arms had been switched for a dinosaur toy. The child proceeded to pop each of the toy¡¯s limbs and spent several moments attaching different appendages from any one of his collections. Malcolm had felt the smallness of the toy soldier required larger arms and legs; he began by removing one muscle-bound arm he had attached to a toy princess and the other arm would replace the antler of a toy deer. The child began to contemplate which animal part would suit the toy soldier¡¯s legs. Suddenly, Malcolm noticed a sound coming from the air vents; sounds emanating from the garage below. It was a fast rhythm that had been continuing since before Malcolm ran inside the house. It was a guitar rhythm Malcolm associated with a poster on his wall; Malcolm¡¯s Brother referred to the poster as ¡®Kurt Cobain¡¯. Before he could make his mind up what to do next, he could hear the lyrics faintly through the vent. The child chose to happily dance to the soft melody by twirling his arms and hands. ¡°¡­Forever in Debt to Your Priceless Advice¡­¡± Chapter 2: A Worst Kind of Outlaw ¡°Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the Darkness.¡± Ann Frank The reverberation of the nighttime Cicadas began to penetrate Malcolm¡¯s senses through the moonlit simmer. He sat up in the bed of his Pale Sierra. ¡­I¡¯m taking way too long out here. I¡¯m liable to get caught¡­ He finished his fifth High-Life and digested the beauty of the March full moon, Twenty-Nineteen; the moon reflected off the surface of the lake in front of him. His drunken imagination was surging his rage; like all Malcolm¡¯s tempers, it was pervasive. ¡­You¡¯re a country ape at heart Malcolm, we aren¡¯t meant to be packed so tightly around a million strangers¡­ He stretched his arms out across the roof of his ghastly-pale truck and rested his flat feet as he digested the scenery. The view of the lake encompassed the gap of the open truck bed. Strands of matted, black hair veiled his swollen brown eyes. Just beyond the lake were shrubberies of twisted tree shapes, the bayou woods were only visible thanks to the lights from Lafayette. Just above Malcolm¡¯s head, the sky was black, and the parking lot had few lamp lights. He gathered his empty cans together and stuffed them into what room was left in the KFC bag. Malcolm leaped out of the truck bed with the fast-food in one hand, he opened his passenger door to grab a double-sealed bag of garbage and made his way over to a dumpster by the corner of the dirt parking lot. In seconds, the garbage was tossed into the rusted-steel dumpster which was almost filled to the brim. It took the might of his muscles to shift the junkpile enough to close the dumpster lid. Malcolm entered the Pale Sierra, revved up the V6 engine and the entire dashboard lit up; both front seats were mildly withered with tears, stains, and the back seats were a clutter zone of trash. Malcolm decided he should finally quit wasting time, and he pulled out of the parking lot. He took a turn onto a windy-deserted road somewhere in Bayou Country. A white noise shimmered through his stereo before the latest CD ignited, blaring the hymns of the Danish metal band, Volbeat. He tossed a wrapped bag of garbage through his window and the plastic bag landed in a drop-off deep in the marshes. His inebriated mindset bobbled like a toy as the Pale Sierra swerved in the open road. ¡°¡­An Outlaw Walking Through the Valley of Men... ...Glared with a Sunken Eye of Death...¡± The chorus was ushered on with a return the acoustic western melody. ¡°¡­The outlaw man¡¯s roar¡­¡± As the song led into its second verse, Malcolm finally noticed that the CD case had nearly slipped to the floor because of his heavy swerving. Taking his eyes off the road, Malcolm leaned down to retrieve his case and slid it back into its alphabetical slot on the front console¡¯s CD folder. ¡°SHIT!¡± Malcolm slammed on the brakes when a small Buick cut him off with a left turn at an intersection. Malcolm slammed the horn then revved past the speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour. ¡°USE YOUR GODDAMN SIGNAL!¡± he screamed through the fast wind in the driver¡¯s direction. I guess the idiot doesn¡¯t give a shit that the cops are out and about! There was a ringing in his ear as he spun fast into the lane for oncoming traffic. With the lane empty, he accelerated past the Buick and his vendetta was half complete by returning the dumbass¡¯s cutoff. To carry out one last insult, Malcolm chucked a double-sealed bag with a reverse backswing. Perfectly executed, the trash smacked hard onto the Buick¡¯s hood. Malcolm hit forty-five on his dashboard while the Dumbass came to a screeching halt. That ring appeared again and the familiar Five Zero Four number on the dashboard confirmed to him that he was in fact, not going deaf. Malcolm turned right at a dirty turnpike where some rundown gas station was. He picked up his phone after switching gears to park and rubbed his eyes with a set of clammy hands when no one spoke. Malcolm stammered. ¡°¡­Being the one who called first, aren¡¯t you supposed to talk first?¡± ¡°¡­Well¡­I was worried I might be interrupting something.¡± Meryl finally spoke. ¡°Well, you¡¯re not.¡± He answered, he was reaching for another tied bag as the phone was rested in his shoulder. ¡°It doesn¡¯t sound like you want to talk.¡± Meryl complained. Malcolm bit his lower lip as he rested on the door handle. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have answered then.¡± He stepped out of his truck and crossed to the fenced dumpsters. ¡°Well, this hurts for me too, you know? Bad enough that I¡¯m still worried for you¡­I called because I heard you¡¯re still going back.¡± ¡°Heard from who?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Through the vine.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes nearly bulged. ¡°¡­Was it Javier?¡± ¡°Mal. He just got married.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Is this question that important? Of all the things?¡± Meryl sounded shrill near the end. Malcolm sucked his lips in. ¡°¡­I¡¯d kind of like to know why Javier is snooping around me to talk to you.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°It¡¯s not ¡®snooping¡¯, Mal.¡± ¡°I just find it interesting that he was so compelled to gossip about us going back to work.¡± Malcolm was walking to the door, the gas station was empty except for a Haitian fella in a locked booth on front counter. ¡°I find it interesting that you would even summarize that as work.¡± ¡°That job I went to Candidate School for so that I could Leap Frog over Javier and the others in the Army?¡± Malcolm was standing at one of the cooler doors in the store and grabbed a random forty ounce. ¡°A Career path you supported.¡± ¡°I wanted you would sit at a goddamn DESK! Or mission control-¡° ¡°Mission Control?¡± Malcolm gaffed. ¡°You realize that they were never gonna transfer me to NASA, right?¡± He was paying at the front counter; the brain-dead clerk had a blank face while ignoring the conversation; his shitty TV was blaring something about the FBI creating a search perimeter outside Baton Rouge. ¡°Could we please not do this now?¡± Meryl asked. ¡°What don¡¯t you want to do?¡± Malcolm guffawed, ¡°You called me!¡± Meryl gave him that sigh; that sigh that reminded him he¡¯s fucked up. The perpetual knockback to his senses reminded him Meryl was too pure a person for him. It was beginning to aggravate him and sitting in his driver¡¯s seat he opened the generically branded Forty Ounce. ¡°...What was that?¡± she asked. Malcolm stammered. ¡°From my end?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°...A Can¡­¡± ¡°Is it what I think it is?¡± He fumbled with his keys at the ignition, knowing that it was too late to lie. ¡°It¡¯s the engine running.¡± ¡°Have you been doing anything else?¡± Malcolm kept stammering as he pulled back out into the winding bayou. ¡°I¡¯m just on a drive¡­¡± ¡°That. Makes. It. WORSE!¡± ¡°Darling, I-¡° ¡°¡­not to mention scary¡­¡± ¡°...I need to vent...¡± Malcolm seethed. She became desperate. ¡°Can you do that without drinking and driving?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes almost popped. ¡°And I¡¯ll drink where? You know how I am around people!¡± Her tone changed to a captivating sternness. ¡°I know how you were with Nikki.¡± Malcolm felt offended. ¡°You know they¡¯d never have been so friendly if it weren¡¯t for the tats.¡± ¡°Or war experience.¡± Malcolm almost began to shout. ¡°They were under my roof-¡° ¡°Our roof.¡± Malcolm felt a pounding in his chest. ¡°Quit interrupting me; I was being cordial to a guest under our roof!¡± She clicked her tongue. ¡°¡­For you to even describe those people as ¡®guests¡¯ is so motherfucking concerning I don¡¯t even care that you¡¯ve evaded telling me what your else you¡¯re doing.¡± Malcolm¡¯s mind was fogging; the second to last bag had been flung two miles back. The streetlamps were spaced out; there was enough distance for the successor lamp to appear as a misshapen humanoid. The blurry shadow of the Sierra simmered and swayed behind him and Malcolm was chugging the forty-ounce can without caring about his swerving. ¡°¡­Malcolm!?¡± Meryl shouted. He was back; with a twelve o¡¯clock position on the wheel, Malcolm perfectly corrected his alignment to the center of the lane. ¡°I¡¯m clearing my head.¡± ¡°How is filling your head with beer ¡®clearing¡¯ it?¡± Malcolm¡¯s nose began to flare. ¡°I am trying to not do the wrong thing here.¡± He could hear her choke up. ¡°Neither did I Malcolm¡­.¡± The tears of his own wife hit Malcolm¡¯s ears like a machine gun battering ram. A Murder Hornet eating through his temple and into the brain. Two cheese graters that were pressing the flesh of his checks to string. He did not know which swamp or street he was on anymore. This blackened road of Bayou Country became the same confusing maze that was his life; now everything just kept winding around him. He had forgotten how long she had been crying and never even knew if she was when the call first began. Her faint voice picked up. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve always known that you needed somebody¡­just like the rest of us¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have to go to Leesville tomorrow.¡± Malcolm pleaded. ¡°And you¡¯ll leave the next week!¡± ¡°We can figure it out¡­¡± Malcolm held a tear. ¡°Emily?¡± ¡°Not that song!¡± Malcolm nearly panicked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Could you just please let me come over so we can figure this out in fucking person?¡± He was passing through the light by the next streetlamp; the shadow was behind the Sierra. ¡°Malcolm. If you don¡¯t get certified by a board of psychiatrists, then I don¡¯t feel safe letting you be with Connor.¡± She affirmed with boldness. His teeth started to grind. ¡°...I always kept him safe¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to give our son the wrong impression of what is or isn¡¯t dangerous.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t fair.¡± He hollowed. ¡°This isn¡¯t about you anymore¡­please understand when Connor is with my parents.¡± ¡°And talk about what?¡± Malcolm was flustered. ¡°Because it seems you¡¯re drawing all the terms here!¡± ¡°This. Isn¡¯t. About. YOU.¡± ¡°How about us?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°Until a staff of Therapists certify you, nothing. Okay? There¡¯s nothing between us Malcolm.¡± Without even hitting the End Call he flung the phone into the windshield which deflected it into the black space that was the floor. The Sierra swerved and parked beneath a streetlamp as the shadow behind the truck hit its maximum width before condensing back onto Malcolm. He let out a screech that could not be contained by the confines of Pale Sierra. Malcolm threw the door open with the final bag in hand. He marched out with absentmindedness to the risk of snakes or gators lurking. He chucked the bag against the lamp pole, cracking and bouncing back into the ground; he kicked it to the closest tree. Malcolm leaped onto where it rolled and stomped repeatedly. His yells recoiled like a shotgun; he forgot how long it took before his boot was grinding into the pink paste of red. Still hyperventilating, Malcolm turned while wiping the pink gristle off his boot along the way; he ignored the brownish-red stains of his pant leg. He slammed the door to his truck; however, he sat in his seat unable to start the ignition. Malcolm just started punching his own face while screaming. Chapter 3: The November "Fuckleheads" ¡°The reason the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices it on a daily basis.¡± ¨C from a post-war debriefing of a German General The chlorine in Malcolm¡¯s eyes made it hard to see the feet sloshing through the light. Malcolm was sitting on the pool floor with crossed legs and an empty set of lungs. Apart from the rhythmic vibrations of the music and the clamor of a water-themed football match overhead, he felt serene. As suffocation was beginning to dizzy him, he propelled himself upwards where kicking legs moved out of his way. The pool alone had nearly fifty off duty-soldiers playing football at one end, Marco Polo at another, or divers and noodle fights in between. Seoul¡¯s Dragon Hill Lodge belonged to the United States for the night: November, Foxtrot, Tango and Bravo were at the pool or the first floor. The backyard, where the pool and bar were at, was nearly packed to the brim. From both corners of the yard, tall lights kept the stars invisible. The ambience system kept a diverse cycle of popular dance tracks which ranged from corporate-sponsored hip-hop to` Korean Pop. ¡°NELSON!¡± Captain Thompson yelled. ¡°GET OUT OR GET IN THE GAME!¡± Malcolm had chosen a bad spot to surface, in the middle of the football game where the Tango Company was facing off with Captain Forrest¡¯s Bravo Company. ¡°NELSON!¡± Thompson belated, ¡°GET OUT THE WAY!¡± Malcolm sank without a breath and tread beneath the dozens of paddling limbs. He creeped beneath Team Bravo and emerged at the end of the pool. With the grace of a seal, he pulled out of the water and inhaled deeply. He was standing at the end of the yard and could see the district lights past the fences. Seoul was unlike Bagdad, which was tattered last Malcolm had seen. He slanted and stretched his legs out on the fence as he soaked the metropolis. After completing a cracking split, he twirled around on his right foot and stood facing the temple-like architecture. He began a casual trot inside as he ignored the squad of grunts nearby chanting, ¡°YOU MUST SPREAD YO LEGS¡­YOU MUST SPREAD YO LEGS¡­¡±. The interior was crowded, and its design reminded Malcolm of the fanciest hotel he¡¯d ever been to. Two large doors led to a sauna room, which was filled with up to seventy soldiers slamming their imported beers. The bathroom sign was hanging past the double doors and a grunt was hustling inside with his mouth covered, crossing the soldier leaving. Malcolm maneuvered across the room, sipping the water fountain before entering. There were three stalls and six urinals. Malcolm could hear the hurling of the hungover grunt. Malcolm didn¡¯t mind and crossed into the second available stall. After locking the door, he sat down and reeled at the depiction on the stall door. It had a squatting man covering the door plane with a green landscape behind him and solar eclipse created by his head. His eyes were covered by long hair, and a shiny red apple was held inside the mouth; a necklace of three jewels hung around his neck. Malcolm stared with a straight face and mouth as his eyes remained unblinking. ¡­Back in High school, I just had to put up with juvenile penis drawings¡­ In America we do this shit on Freeway Overpasses¡­ He heard the bathroom door slam open. ¡°YO SPACE DOG!¡± Malcolm shut his eyes from the starrer outside the door. Feet appeared at the stall corner and an upside-down forehead dipped below the door. A banging followed. ¡°I know you¡¯re in there bro, you said you¡¯d be quick!¡± ¡°Javi!¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°It¡¯s called a fucking privy for a reason!¡± ¡°Bro. You said you were going to the bathroom; I just now catch you entering?¡± Javier answered. ¡°People are waiting on you dog.¡± ¡°Yea well¡­Look, I¡¯m about to come out.¡± Malcolm relented. ¡°That¡¯s how we all cope with breakups my dude¡­¡± Malcolm froze bug-eyed as he was standing. ¡°Shit¡­¡± Javier radiated regret. ¡°I¡¯m so fucking sorry man, my head slipped. I never¡­¡± Malcolm opened the stall door and faced an embarrassed Master Sergeant Javier Chavez. ¡°Meryl and I finally talked.¡± His eyes were level with Javier¡¯s neck. Javier Chavez, who is taller than Malcolm, was dimmer by the just same length. His skin was free of tattoos except for the waving Jesus on his right shoulder and a dog tag for his father below. His skull mirrored Malcolm¡¯s buzz cut, and his eyes were green as a summer¡¯s leaf. ¡°OH! Well, that¡¯s progress!¡± He clapped. ¡°What did I tell you? Nobody just throws away what you two had.¡± ¡°Yes¡­she did.¡± Malcolm zagged to the faucets and ran the hot water. Javier looked at Malcolm without turning. ¡°Bro, I promise that she loves you.¡± Malcolm looked at him as he stood by the door, waiting for approval. ¡°She won¡¯t meet up with me. I don¡¯t even know where she¡¯s living now.¡± Javier grimaced and broke eye contact. ¡°My girl Rosie likes you still, you want to have dinner at our house whenever we¡¯re in the countryside again? She has a cousin you know.¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°Isn¡¯t she in High School?¡± ¡°You¡¯re thinking of Alejandra.¡± Javier waved a finger. ¡°This one is halfway through college.¡± ¡°How old is she?¡± Malcolm bluntly asked. ¡°Nineteen, skipped kindergarten and senior year; she¡¯s as smart as you are.¡± Malcolm remained unblinking. ¡°I doubt that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s completely legal. And she thinks you¡¯re hot!¡± Javier emphasized, yet Malcolm stared. Javier did a combination of cringing and shrugging. ¡°Too soon. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°As you were.¡± ¡°Soo¡­. Are you coming back? We got a game going man.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be there, just give me a minute.¡± Javier nodded and was out of the door. Leaving Malcolm to his own reflection. Malcolm continued his breathing exercises to steady his heart rate, grasping the edges of the sink. Malcolm¡¯s pectorals, biceps and forearm crystalized with a fluid symmetry of muscles. His right shoulder was decorated with a kraken-like spiral weave and the curly appendages formed a Buzz Saw. At the bicep was a gold outline for a Red Reaper. The triceps held Malcolm¡¯s last addition; the tattoo was a Bald Eagle with its wings spread above its head, mostly black. Sporting the Eagle felt appropriate, Malcolm was a cog in the greatest military power; the World¡¯s most influential empires always sported the eagle: The Roman Empire, The Mongolian Hordes, Nordic Berserkers, Napoleonic France, the Third Reich, and finally, the United States. Every tattoo was accentuated by the course of Malcolm¡¯s muscles which curved inward to his sharp pectorals. His neck was a congestion of sharp tendons that weaved, rooting his exquisite brain into his meatsuit. As hard as he tried to flex, Malcolm felt hollow of the bone and failed to calm his heart. His sunken eyes were faintly bugged in the reflection, so he shut them tightly; but they revolved inside his shaved head. ¡­Think happy thoughts¡­Think happy thoughts¡­Think happy thoughts¡­ ¡­Guitar solos. A first drink. Learning what Elon Musk¡¯s brain looks like. Firework finales. Parkour. Mountain Biking. My first deployment. Dinosaurs. Fast Cars. Street racing. Large Trucks. Haylee Williams. Lovecraftian short stories. Stephen King novels. Pages shifting between fingertips. Observatories. Painting an ¡®inspiring mural¡¯. A Shooting Star. Bombs. Guns. A Hibachi Chef. Benching a new weight increment. Being a ¡®Genius¡¯. Showers. Swimming Laps. Punking a math teacher. That prom queen who killed herself. Jailbreaking a smartphone. A controlled demolition¡­Meryl¡­Fishing! Hunting! Dead teenagers, of which there will be plenty in the service of Kim Jeong¡­. Malcolm emerged at the poolside; the games were still in effect and without a clear score between Team Tango and Team Bravo. Malcolm shifted to the left and immediately had to weave around grunts from Foxtrot Company gossiping around a keg. The second table Malcolm passed had the troops interacting with Korean Attachments, teaching them new tunes as they slammed the Styrofoam cups. ¡°¡­Hear them calling you and me! ¡­Every son of Liberty! ¡­Over there! Over there! Send the word, send the word, over there¡­¡± Between the slamming of cups, they jutted their fingers to the North. Malcolm found his people at the fourth roundtable. ¡°Hurry Up Gamemaster!¡± bellowed Javier as he pulled Malcolm¡¯s seat back out for him. Malcolm sat down, looking at the filled paper, a pen and the die; he was scratching his temple to remember where he had left off. Javier resumed his seating counterclockwise from Malcolm. Going around from Javier: The X.O. Harvey ¡°Temperature¡± Daniels, a cock-eyed second-in-command who took his half-shut eyes off the table and glued them to Malcolm; the only trooper present without any tattoos or even a drink in hand. Lieutenant Kenneth ¡°Fuckaroo Jack¡± Johnson, he had been keeping his attention on the game-at-hand, but more was directed at his next seat. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Lieutenant Sarah ¡°Fireball¡± Clairet, the only other trooper at the table with better tattoos than Malcolm; she was wearing her ginger-red hair down to her neck, but her symmetric Huron-themed ink was well-defined; her one piece of camo shielded the rest. Lieutenant Markus ¡°Question Mark¡± Beauregard, a nickname bequeathed to him by Fuckaroo Jack when no one knew what to make of him at basic training; he had been cross legged and chain-smoking with his head held back. Markus took a last drag off a cigarette butt before dropping it to the graveyard of ash surrounding his chair. Lieutenant Thomas ¡°Haphazard¡± Edwards, he had to be reprimanded immediately after starting Basic Training when he got caught juggling three pistols with his bunk-buddies; the team had him to thank for bringing his game set overseas. Staff Sergeant Alan ¡°Da Cow¡± Williams had the burliest disposition that made physical exercise seamless. A man who hated Johnson as much as his own moniker, Fuckaroo Jack once offered the moniker ¡°Da Gorilla¡± which escalated into a fistfight followed by a duel disciplinary action. Finally, Staff Sergeant Gary ¡°Toothy Booey¡± Jackson, a rabbit-jawed Georgian yokel with a clich¨¦ American Flag down his arm and seemed to be falling asleep with his arms folded. ¡°¡­Ok.¡± Malcolm picked up the paper and slouched back, pen tapping away at his head. ¡°You¡¯re drinking too much, Nelson¡­¡± Daniels asked with a squint, ¡°Don¡¯t think we can be having that.¡± ¡°Just a couple drinks.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°A couple glasses of Jack!¡± Guffawed Clairet, ¡°And you took too long breaking the seal!¡± ¡°¡­I could always go in the pool if it keeps being a problem.¡± Malcolm deadpanned. ¡°Could you do it on Tolbert?¡± Toothey Booey chortled. ¡°¡­That would be a sex crime¡­¡± Javier replaced Malcolm¡¯s deadpan. ¡°Hell naw it ain¡¯t.¡± Toothey Booey seemed confident. ¡°Ain¡¯t no penetration. Javier¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°Dumbass! We¡¯ve been put through whole seminars about this shit. It doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Clairet chimed in. ¡°I mean¡­ the pool is chlorinated so it actually doesn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°See that?¡± clapped Booey. ¡°The women are on my side.¡± Fireball just cocked her head, ¡°Seeth. Thhat?¡± She pulled a mocking rabbit¡¯s jaw that turned Jackson red. ¡°You seriously need to get that overbite looked at; you sound worse than Mike Tyson.¡± Malcolm quieted her with the close of his fist, having just now caught up with the papers. ¡°I think we¡¯ve gotten way off track.¡± Haphazard spoke, ¡°I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s happening anymore.¡± ¡°It was Fireball¡¯s turn, last.¡± Malcolm answered, his eyes moved to Kenneth. ¡°Jack?¡± Kenneth¡¯s attitude dissipated, and the table leaned in. Kenneth finally uttered, ¡°Who the fuck was I?¡± Malcolm¡¯s sucked his lips in. ¡°Still a motherfucker.¡± Kenneth grinned. ¡°That ¡®joke¡¯ is on your dumbass; I get to be your dad now!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes turned black. ¡°My Mom is Dead¡­¡± Everyone at the table pretended to ¡®ooh¡¯ like it was grade school. Kenneth rolled his eyes to his head. ¡°I didn¡¯t do that.¡± Malcolm held his stare and pulled a cocky smile. ¡°You¡¯re a necrophile, Harry¡­¡± Kenneth waved a hand. ¡°Naw¡­I ain¡¯t a fan of Cold Cuts, bro.¡± He looked at Alan Williams. ¡°Or Dark Chocolate!¡± He faked a maniacal laugh. Williams held his rage, while half the table laughed with Kenneth, Daniels stared next to Kenneth without emotion and Booey almost laughed liquor out his nose. Question Mark spoke up after composing himself. ¡°Scared you¡¯ll get your bank info stolen Jack?¡± Kenneth stared with a red-puckered face. ¡°More like I¡¯m Suburban¡­right? Then you got the Urbans, that¡¯s another thing!¡± Williams stood up and walked away for a moment while Edwards followed; Daniels slapped Kenneth¡¯s shoulder as he too walked over. Then, Kenneth¡¯s eyes wandered to the adjacent table. ¡°¡­Then there¡¯s these Karma Pirates hosting us in their country¡­You think they squint to see Time slowly, or are they just really confused about something?¡± Javier¡¯s jaw had long since dropped. ¡°Fucking stop it, Jack.¡± ¡°Okay¡­Let me Jack into your Burrito!¡± Kenneth barked before another maniacal laugh followed. He abruptly halted his laugh and turned his head to Sarah Clairet. She had been laughing too, now her face turned stark as she looked at Malcolm. ¡°Permission to castrate, Captain?¡± Malcolm tapped the table; he had already set the paper and pen down. ¡°That¡¯s my fun, you could pin him if you insist on helping.¡± Kenneth pretended to dart his eyes in fear. ¡°Oh dear! I really should¡¯ve Jacked that Deposit in the Bank!¡± Malcolm incidentally ceased to blink. ¡°I¡¯d rob that bank on principle.¡± ¡°Oh SPACEY!¡± Fuckaroo Jack guffawed. ¡°How sweet!¡± Booey chortled, ¡°How do yawl think the Government reimburses Banks like that?¡± Even Javier pretended to consider the question; Malcolm looked at Booey, ¡°The Treasury Department pitches in.¡± He deadpanned. Kenneth and Booey burst into new laughter. ¡°Aspiring Single Mothers will rejoice!¡± Malcolm turned his head back to Kenneth. ¡°That should relieve you the hard work of abandoning them.¡± Kenneth¡¯s laugh continued. ¡°Well look, I¡¯m a better Dad than mine ever was¡­I abandon my little shits before they can remember me!¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll admit I¡¯m jealous at that¡­my dad was a jar-headed prick. Yet¡­you only delay checking off your final step before waiting to die.¡± Javier gasped yet tried not to laugh; Clairet laughed away. Kenneth raised a finger. ¡°So, you with your kid?¡± ¡°That makes me a ¡®check-off.¡± Malcolm spoke with black eyes. Booey cocked his head as the others who left with Williams trickled back. ¡°What are you going on about?¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°My part for the gene-pool is completed: See, the only given objective of life is to keep living. Enough of the species need to last long enough, for enough of that species, to renew itself for another Season of Earth!¡± He finished with a grin. Daniels, who had just sat down, stared with suspicious eyes. Question Mark and Williams looked at each other in dismay. Clairet shrugged and started to laugh. ¡°A toast to ugly truths!¡± She downed her cup shot. Kenneth boasted. ¡°Don¡¯t that make you at the end of your life?¡± Malcolm pursed his lips and considered. ¡°Could be, but that¡¯s okay. My life wasn¡¯t all for nothing.¡± ¡°What the fuck did we, rightly, walk away from?¡± Question Mark asked. Malcolm looked at those who returned. ¡°Just think of Mother Nature like an original classroom, but the rules are different: No teacher expects, wants, or needs you to pass with the best possible GPA. All you need to pass is your Seed¡­before you get your F.¡± Williams and Question Mark tried not to laugh but couldn¡¯t help it. Malcolm grinned and drunkenly chuckled with the rest. Kenneth laughed and shook his head. ¡°Thirty Bucks says an ancestry website will prove that I¡¯m well-seeded.¡± Question Mark finally added to the humor. ¡°I¡¯d bet a lot more if I were you, considering all the child-support that¡¯ll be forced.¡± ¡°Child-Support is the least of Jack¡¯s worries.¡± Booey was smug. ¡°Police will ask why Fuckaroo Junior lives in Afghanisan!¡± ¡°Or the Philippines!¡± Clairet joined in. ¡°How ¡®bout Puerto Rico!¡± Question Mark laughed. Kenneth pretended to think. ¡°Fuck¡­How ¡®bout a Hundred Bucks?¡± Daniels, whose eyes darted between everyone speaking, kept facing Malcolm. ¡°Is anyone going to focus on the game we started?¡± Kenneth looked at Daniels. ¡°AAH! No, just you bro.¡± Daniels hit Kenneth in the shoulder, but he was too drunk to care. Javier clapped his hands. ¡°The X.O. is making a point! What were we doing?¡± Williams spoke up. ¡°We were doing a coup on the Russians.¡± Booey guffawed. ¡°Oh Fuck, the Coup!¡± Kenneth squinted. ¡°I thought we were fucking the Cubans.¡± ¡°You want to fuck a Cuban.¡± Williams corrected. Kenneth, again, pretended to think. ¡°Could I?¡± He looked at Malcolm. ¡°DPRK Troops aren¡¯t your type?¡± Malcolm asked. Kenneth shook his head. ¡°Too anorexic. I prefer Jap girls!¡± Javier implored them. ¡°Is there any way we actually pick our game back up?¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°You see I¡¯m not even holding anything at this point; How¡¯s this? The Villainous General Smirnoff was playing a double agent all along!¡± ¡°You gotta right that down!¡± Williams protested. ¡°So, he was secretly on our side?¡± Clairet asked. ¡°Even when it seemed he was most selfish¡­¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°¡­He was the mysterious ¡®White Raven¡¯ all along, working behind the scenes.¡± ¡°So did we do the coup or not?¡± Question Mark asked. ¡°Well¡­of course.¡± Malcolm thought. ¡°But what of the countercoup? Or the post-period? Smirnoff must remain the General, and the White Raven persona will cease to be useful. Consequently, he will never get to be seen as a hero¡­not in a traditional sense.¡± ¡°How¡¯s that a successful coup?¡± Haphazard guffawed. ¡°He sounds no better than who¡¯s in charge now!¡± ¡°The coup got couped on itself.¡± Javier elaborated. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a twist. Which will happen when we make the captain our gamemaster.¡± ¡°Do we want to bother with my exposition dumping our exfil?¡± Malcolm asked. A collective silence was the answer. He gathered the papers and passed them to Williams. ¡°What? It¡¯s your game.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Well hold on.¡± Clairet interrupted, ¡°Can we coup the Iranians next?¡± ¡°We might have had too much.¡± Malcolm thought. ¡°Besides, what time is it?¡± ¡°Twenty-three hundred.¡± Answered Daniels. ¡°Shit¡­I shouldn¡¯t.¡± He looked over. ¡°Williams, your Gamemaster.¡± ¡°Like I¡¯m not drunk?¡± ¡°Your game.¡± ¡°Daniels is stone-cold sober, make him in charge.¡± ¡°Maybe I¡¯m tired too.¡± Daniels said. ¡°Fuck it...¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Night¡¯s over. Temp, gather the company and get some fucking sleep, sooner or later we¡¯ll be in Camp Humphreys.¡± Malcolm reached for the nearby keg nozzle as the X.O. eyed him while standing to leave. When Malcolm gulped the warm beer, it collided with the whiskey that was already in his system; his stomach clenched. He followed up but did not bother with the Styrofoam cup, he simply suckled on the nozzle once more. Williams over to collect the die and the index chart that they had ignored for their modern take on Dungeons and Dragons. Javier gave a friendly slap on Malcolm as he walked away. Malcolm turned his head to a singing platoon while he gulped again. In the corner of his eye, Malcolm saw Fuckaroo Jack and Toothey Booey standing with them, as Javier drunkenly joined; they swayed as they stood. They assembled a line of fifteen and Malcolm watched the group hop away, swaying and shoulder locked. ¡°¡­And you tell me, over and over and over again my friend¡­ ¡­ah you don¡¯t believe we¡¯re on the Eve of Destruction¡­¡± Chapter 4: Warnings ¡°A crisis is made by men, who enter the crisis with their own prejudices, propensities, and predispositions. A crisis is the sum of intuition and blind spots, a blend of facts noted, and facts ignored.¡± ¨D?Michael Crichton Malcolm was on his ninetieth curl, dangling from his pullup bar in an empty three-bedroom apartment. He had moved a coffee table from the room¡¯s window and placed it beneath the bar of the locked doorway. Malcolm¡¯s Sig Sauer was in his right hand and at the end of each curl he was reassembling ¡®Dominic¡¯; he reached down to pick up the barrel and snapped it back into place. Dominic was complete and its camo pattern clean, yet Malcolm was still nine repetitions ahead. Beads of sweat were dripping onto the coffee table where his prized AK, ¡®Crystal¡¯, lay flat after being reassembled first by repetition sixty; her streaks of white and grey had been polished recently. Malcolm placed Dominic back on the coffee table and he admired the handiwork. Malcolm took a deep breath as fire engulfed his rocky abdomen. After a hundred repetitions, he grasped the bar and steadily uncurled his legs, landing in front of the door. The apartment was spacious, stretching fifteen feet in length all the way to the windows, not including the spare bedroom door located to the right with the Kitchen next to the archway; the bathroom was left of Malcolm. A single full-sized bed with white sheets was placed leftward in front of Malcolm and a small green couch was in front of the TV. Malcolm stepped to the window and admired the rainy view of Camp Humphreys. There was military-timed clock, a phone for room services, and an English Korean Dictionary on top of the bedside table. The room¡¯s only bookcase was in the spare bedroom which was empty as the crib which sat across from a useless single-sized bed. Malcolm stepped through the two-sink washroom and dropped his briefs. Still panting, Malcolm entered the shower and turned the faucet just barely; and the ice-cold stream lathered him, chilling his seething muscles. He grabbed soap, unwrapped it and it began to dissolve as soon as the water made contact. Malcolm started brushing the soap across his figure, and he raised his face to the shower head. His respirations hit a steady pace, but he was chittering like a cricket and tapping his feet to an internal rhythm. ¡°¡­And I wonder how we got this far, ¡­Cause I don¡¯t really need to wonder at all, ¡­Yea after all this time, I¡¯m still into you, ¡­I¡¯m still into you¡­Yes, despite After Laughter- ¡° Somebody was touching him and wrapping arms around his waist. Malcolm almost jumped, then turned, only to see no one. The shower door was soaked by now, but Malcolm could still see his wife; she was as naked as he was. But her brunette hair covered the curves of her back. It looked like she was applying her makeup, as she loved to do in the nude. Nobody was in the reflection. Malcolm pulled open the door and she vanished like a cartoon page. He scrubbed his eyes, forgetting the soapy hands. His pupils burned like acid, and he clenched. When the burning stopped, his eyes were red and foggy. He rinsed his hands and rubbed them again. This time it was worse. He took his head out of the stream and rubbed it once more. Now his eyes just itched; but he realized that it was not his vision that was red, it was the curtains and the water. He held his hand under the falling streams and the crimson liquid parted in his fingers. Malcolm grabbed another soap and got to work on his torso. He could hear his heart thumping and it reverberated on the walls around him. And in a thump, the red on the walls was thick. The entire stream turned into a blood gush that Malcolm wore. He stopped scrubbing entirely and leaned forward, pushing his hands into the walls in front of him. He took a deep breath in, and then out as he turned the faucet off. Malcolm stepped out of the shower. He wore the gush still; it was in his skin and fingernails. He grabbed a snow-white towel off a stack above the toilet and scrubbed his arms until the skin felt sore. The towel looked completely ruined and stained through but still the gush was in his eardrum and fingers. Malcolm finally shook his head, dislodging whatever was in his left ear as he left the washroom. Malcolm grabbed Crystal and Dominic, laying them on the unmade bed. The couch had his Camo Army Uniform symmetrically placed for him as he ritualistically does every morning. After this, he lifted the coffee table like it was a kitchen chair and carried it back to its proper place. He had kept the TV on for ambience. It was tuned to the local Korean News Station; Malcolm did not know the name because he had yet to study the writings of the language. It required his auditory skills to pick up what the locals were saying, but the newscasters in this country spoke rapidly. Until now the reports were a mixture of weather updates, local crime reports and the North¡¯s abandonment of the DMZ. It was now the ten hundredth hour as the new breaking headlines reeled in. All that Malcolm could make out was ¡°¡­New reports out of China¡­First since the media blackout¡­Shijiazhuang¡­.¡± A still image of the city which was taken during the early morning hours before there was sunlight. Yet there were orange lights shining from a skyscraper and a gas station mid-explosion. Malcolm was prepping a pulled pork MRE as he kept losing track of what the caster was trying to tell him. ¡°¡­General Evacuation¡­¡± caught Malcolm¡¯s ear as he was dawning a new pair of briefs. He looked back to the TV and more still pictures followed. Arial captures showed car headlights on every expressway leading outside of the city and the inward lanes empty except for the occasional police vehicles. More captures of Shijiazhuang¡¯s financial districts depicted a coagulation of black smoke from pockmarked fires and silver smoke from tear gas choked the street grids in between skyscrapers. The flashing lights scattered throughout proved that the police were heavily active, but the pictures showed no ¡®protesters¡¯ or the ¡°¡­extreme violence¡­¡± that the announcer had just mentioned. Malcolm slid his right leg into the camo trousers. ¡­So, is it Tiananmen Square for real, or just a riot.... There aren¡¯t any tanks or machine guns, so I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s the latter. Why are they evacuating over a riot? Rubber bullets and a curfew are all it takes to quell those. He tore open a Pork MRE and gobbled a quarter of it in two gulps as the caster said something about Pyongyang and the ¡®riots¡¯ that reported last week which preceded their media blackout last month. The caster continued. ¡°¡­surrounding China cities¡­. Beijing...¡± Malcolm cocked his eyebrow. ¡­Is Beijing locked down or rioting? Does it INCLUDE Beijing or did this report COME from Beijing? Speak slowly goddammit! Malcolm was disturbed by rapping on his door. He walked to answer while looking back at the still frames taken over Shijiazhuang. New photos taken as dawn was breaking over the East. Fires were more pronounced, and it looked like the expressways leading out of the city were in pandemonium. The rapping on the door was louder. He heard a yell, ¡°NELSON!¡± Major Mendez was his greeter, suited up for a formal setting instead of his traditional camo. Mendez was Malcolm¡¯s direct intermediary to the battalion leader, Lieutenant Colonel Clemens. Captains Tolbert and Thompson stood off to his left and right. Malcolm saluted as he sucked on clumpy strings of pork like it was a linguine. ¡°Why the fuck are you not ready!?¡± Mendez barked. ¡°This is it! Get your shit together!¡± Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°What¡¯s it, sir?¡± ¡°I told you to get your shit together!¡± Mendez grabbed the door, slamming it in Malcolm¡¯s face. He stood there, gulping the last of his MRE. Malcolm threw it away in the trashcan and turned the TV off as he dawned his camo shirt with ¡®Nelson¡¯ across his right breast. He opened the top drawer on his dresser which was where he kept his pistol holster, his helmet, a bowie knife he called ¡®David¡¯, the strap for his AK and an I-Pod Shuffle for which he kept his emo rock/metal ¡®Battlefield Playlist.¡¯ He grabbed the Shuffle for safekeeping and placed it in one of the small satchels on his belt. All that was left was to equip his size eleven boots. With his self-registered AK over his right shoulder and Dominic in his holster, Malcolm was the picture-perfect embodiment of the call of duty. When he left the room, Major Mendez was left knocking two doors down with Captains Tolbert, Thompson, and Kemper. The elevator behind them was being entered by Major Douglas and his merry band of Captains. ¡°Nice to see you¡¯re not the sore thumb, Bannon!¡± Mendez redirected his attention to rapping at the door. ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡± Was bellowed from the other side. The nasally faced Captain Bannon popped the door and gave a sarcastic salute. ¡°Sir, what the fuck is the emergency? Sir.¡± ¡®This is it! We are rolling North.¡± Mendez ignored the elevator and opened a side door leading to a square spiral staircase that went down thirty stories to the ground floor. ¡°Your companies are already in route! You¡¯ll be meeting up with them at Camp Casey!¡± He began a hasty descent down the stairs. ¡°Just so we¡¯re clear,¡± Malcolm started ¡°By North you mean-¡± ¡°Beyond the parallel!¡± Mendez interrupted, ¡°There¡¯s still been no sign or word of the gook sentries at the DMZ for two days. The First Stryker Brigade has already secured Panmunjom and one the Cavalry Brigades says that lots of refuges are in route to the demarcation line. All on foot.¡± ¡°HA! They finally got sick of Kim.¡± Said Tolbert. ¡°Or they¡¯re more scared of these terrorists the briefings speculated on.¡± Malcolm retorted. ¡°How are the rebels terrorists? We aren¡¯t even at war with them.¡± asked Tolbert. Malcolm almost gave a hang dog look. ¡°They¡¯re using violence and disruption to achieve a political goal, the definition of terrorism. And we don¡¯t even know what this objective is. Those people remember what happened last time American troops attacked, what makes less sense is for a civil war to start in Pyongyang of all places! People there have it best off and therefore the most to lose. Every terrorist cell we¡¯ve ever fought in the middle east was made up of pissed off teenagers with nothing to lose because their village got destroyed. The Kim Dynasty and its army is the only thing that¡¯s rebuilt after we dropped more bombs than-¡± ¡°Space Dog!¡± Mendez interrupted, ¡°I swear to god if I hear you speaking Korean next, I¡¯ll have you sent to Guantanamo.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Malcolm was annoyed. ¡°Am I the only person in this whole fucking army who reads about the countries he serves in?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the only one who rants when he isn¡¯t even giving a speech.¡± Kemper stated. Malcolm sighed. ¡°I¡¯m just pointing out that we may be dealing with a schism in the Korean government, or a radical movement which will definitely want to shoot us on sight.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m pointing out that you sound like Roger Fucking Waters, and you don¡¯t have good music I can forgive you over.¡± Mendez said. ¡°Your also wrong.¡± Said Tolbert, ¡°Their friendship with China is the only thing keeping them safe.¡± ¡°And speaking of China,¡± said Mendez, ¡°Our satellite geeks told us that the Korean Armed Forces have gathered at the Mountain ranges near China¡¯s border.¡± ¡°The Chinese forces are there too?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°The border guard, yes.¡± Mendez continued, ¡°There is light travel coming across their side, but the Chinese have been abandoning their bases in and around the Hebei Province; those armies are massing on and around the Great Wall.¡± Malcolm stopped; they passed him as they were near the ground floor. ¡°Space Dog¡­¡± Bannon said, ¡°No more of your shit, please.¡± ¡°Just hold up,¡± Malcolm started, ¡°So this takes place while the exact same thing happening in Pyongyang is happening is Shijiazhuang?¡± Mendez huffed, ¡°And Beijing too.¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°And our solution is to charge right in?¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening in Shijiahuaa?¡± Thompson asked. ¡°Were you not watching the news?¡± Bannon asked. ¡°I don¡¯t watch shit I don¡¯t understand!¡± ¡°The Iron Fishnet is falling down!¡± Bannon boasted, ¡°Which we need to be taking advantage of¡­Nelson.¡± ¡°WALK AND TALK, WALK AND TALK.¡± Mendez clapped and they continued. ¡°Should we not be waiting and watching?¡± asked Malcolm. ¡°Waiting for what?¡± said Thompson. ¡°Maybe to hear from someone?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not what the Pentagon thinks.¡± Said Mendez. They emerged in the apartment lobby at the same time as a different batch of Captains from the one they saw earlier leaving the elevators. After the checkout had been signed, they passed through the double doors to a carpool of five ATVs, two leaving as three more pulled up. ¡°Nobody cares where you sit but I¡¯m driving.¡± Mendez told them as he circled to the driver¡¯s seat. Bannon wasted no time grabbing the passenger door, forcing Malcolm to cram in the back with Thompson, Tolbert, and Kemper. They spun out of the carpool and took right, merging with congested traffic rarely seen in Camp Humphrey. They were taking the directions to the airfield from which more than fifty Chinook helicopters could be seen in the dark, rainy sky and more taking off; spare few were dangling Bradley class armored vehicles. They soon passed the base¡¯s large recreation pool, filled with grunts stationed in Humphreys; they didn¡¯t care about rain as they ran and dived into the water. Mendez grumbled. ¡°Those bastards get to relax while it¡¯s been mayhem since the refugees first started coming in.¡± ¡°How many since yesterday?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Still just a few thousand but like I said, our reconnaissance indicated that two swarms from both Sariwon and Haeju are streaming south. There bound to be intersecting each other in Kaesong and from there they¡¯ll be right on top of Panmunjom.¡± ¡°Define a ¡®swarm.¡± Malcolm requested. ¡°Are we talking hundreds of thousands here?¡± ¡°Tens of thousands minimum.¡± Malcolm flashed his brows. ¡°Which means the riots are country-wide up there?¡± ¡°Possibly, this last report said that Korean Artillery positions were shelling both cities.¡± Mendez answered. ¡°Well, how much time is there before they hit us?¡± Tolbert asked. ¡°To-fucking-day. We brought in more than five hundred at four this morning, and that was for the minute. A couple thousand are already at Yongsan up in Seoul, considering whatever the fuck may happen to you when you live in a totalitarian regime.¡± ¡°So, this is a Humanitarian Operation?¡± Tolbert asked. ¡°Oh, fuck no, this is a rollout. We¡¯ve got a chance to reunify the peninsula, and China clearly isn¡¯t backing them on this.¡± Mendez pointed to each of them. ¡°Nelson: when you meet up with your ¡®Fuckleheads¡¯ you gonna take them to lock down the First Infiltration Tunnel. Tolbert will lock down the second while Kemper is at number three. Thompson is at number four.¡± ¡°And what are the rules of engagement when refugees come through?¡± Malcolm asked. Mendez continued. ¡°Some hysterical gooks already showed up, claiming to be deserters. They¡¯re being taken to Camp Hovie for questioning. We¡¯ll have our transport brigades on call if you guys get a large group.¡± ¡°How do we know if they are deserters?¡± Kemper finally chimed in. ¡°All of them are technically deserting. Though these ones outed themselves.¡± Mendez answered. ¡°And you think we¡¯ll have it that easy?¡± Kemper asked. ¡°The North is collapsing; they¡¯ve got nothing to fight for anymore. But if you get anybody that¡¯s cooperative make sure you ethically detain them. The transport brigades will be on standby.¡± ¡°So, we just sit with our thumbs up our asses while the rest of the division gets to spearhead the invasion?¡± Tolbert asked as they were pulling onto the camp¡¯s great airbase. ¡°This is a police action, nothing more. The North side of the Demilitarized zone has been abandoned for twenty-four hours, and like I said earlier, their forces are massing way north of Pyongyang. There shouldn¡¯t be any engagements unless the rebels are as dangerous as Nelson thinks.¡± All the hanger bay doors were wide open, and they were totally empty for the first time in the history of Camp Humphrey. They drove alongside the airstrip until they came upon the road which stretched into a green flanked by dirt helipads containing Black Hawks. They pulled up to the first on the right chopper as the rudders were kicking up a dust cloud. Mendez continued as his Captains scooted out of the ATV. ¡°I¡¯ll be in touch in case any new orders come in. If the tunnels are secure, we might be able to send you guys through; either tonight or tomorrow.¡± He reversed the ATV and drove away, turning left back into the camp. Malcolm tightened the shoulder strap for Crystal as he followed the other captains onto the Black Hawk. Staying behind them to be sure he gets the sideview. The Black Hawks had room for six soldiers facing each other by three so the five of them had a spare seat in the middle. Malcolm sat on the left side across from Kemper as the rest joined. The rudders picked up speed after Kemper slapped the side and they took off. ¡°Kemper you¡¯ve been mostly quiet.¡± Tolbert pretended to care. ¡°What do you make of this shit?¡± ¡°The Space Dog is right.¡± He motioned to Malcolm. ¡°I don¡¯t like this shit at all.¡± ¡°Why?¡± asked Bannon, ¡°It¡¯s just like Iron Curtain coming down.¡± ¡°But why Shijiazhua?¡± Kemper asked. ¡°Shi-jiaz-huang.¡± Malcolm corrected. Kemper shrugged. ¡°Whatever the fuck it¡¯s called. Every time China has civil disorder it¡¯s in Hong Kong and they usually don¡¯t have to deploy the army.¡± ¡°What about Tiananmen Square?¡± Thompson inserted. ¡°Fake News.¡± Malcolm chimed. ¡°What did Mendez say? You¡¯ll go to Guantanamo for that shit.¡± Thompson huffed. Malcolm leaned toward him. ¡°That is not why you¡¯ll lock me up, and you don¡¯t get to boo me for being right. If any of you can pull up a photo of a street littered with corpses and bullet casings, I¡¯ll shut up. While we¡¯re talking about China, Hong Kong will be joining this rebellion, if it is one. There could be a massacre this time around.¡± ¡°If we have this wrong it could be World War Three this time around.¡± asserted Kemper. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re gonna see any of the fighting, we¡¯re on lockdown duty.¡± Bannon complained. ¡°Besides, the enemy forces are regrouping far away from us.¡± ¡°We should still be cautious about who we¡¯re letting through.¡± said Malcolm. ¡°If it were up to me, we would have set up a massive NATO camp right in Panmunjom after we knew for a fact that North Korea doesn¡¯t exist anymore. Hell, far as we know the North Koreans are regrouping for a counterattack, supported by the Chinese once again. What are we gonna do then? We have no allies present and no international summit regarding this.¡± ¡°What about the Southern Army?¡± Thompson asked. ¡°I consider them closer to puppets than allies.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°That sounds racist.¡± Kemper retorted. Malcolm shook his head. ¡°No, describing them as a ¡®swarm¡¯ is racist. I-¡° ¡°Nelson. Do not talk.¡± Thompson said, ¡°You drill my fucking head numb when you drone on about your bullshit.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Malcolm grumbled, ¡°Look, I¡¯m all for lifting these people up but we need to keep it smart. Do I think that this is gonna be anything like the First Korean War? No. If this is a rebellion than half the work is done for us and China needs us as much as we need them, so I don¡¯t expect a counterattack from their end. This isn¡¯t likely amounting to more than a police action, and the fact that we¡¯ve been put on lockdown duty is kind of an honor.¡± ¡°What the fuck? They¡¯re sidelining us with bitch duty.¡± Said Thompson. ¡°And desk duty is the next step.¡± Malcolm winked. ¡°McElroy wants us to be proxies to the larger operation.¡± Thompson gaffed. ¡°I never asked for that shit!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to replace Mendez, I¡¯m the Colonel¡¯s favorite anyway.¡± Malcolm was sly. ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Said Bannon. ¡°How old are we, gentlemen?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Thirty-seven.¡± Bannon said. ¡°Thirty-three.¡± Tolbert chimed, echoed by Echoed Kemper. ¡°Thirty-Five.¡± Said Thompson. ¡°I¡¯m still in my twenties.¡± Malcolm eyes turned black. ¡°No shit?¡± Kemper asked, ¡°When¡¯s your birthday?¡± ¡°November, believe it or not.¡± ¡°Well, whoop fucking doo for the youngster officer!¡± said Bannon, ¡°Illuminate us on how we should be ¡®smart.¡± Malcolm¡¯s black eyes were complimented with a grin. ¡°Lifting others up is what a strong person does. But smart people understand the value of watching and waiting. Both strong men and smart men know that they¡¯re strong, but the smart man knows that he¡¯s still vulnerable. A smart man asks if his subject can stand, how well they can move, and how much he can earn out of stressing for a stranger. The smart man is sure to let the subject know that there are no options. A smart man should always know what mistakes he made and double down on what he did right. We should¡¯ve set up refugee camps behind the demarcation line and provided free medical assistance, food, and housing locations for however many refugees pour south. The only way to keep a foothold on the peninsula is to not have an iron cleat stubbing them. A boot must keep stomping, but a mind can project itself onto other people, lulling them into taking our firm but steady hands. And then we lift them up.¡± Chapter 5: Morbid Depictions ¡°¡­There¡¯s no Sex in your Violence¡­¡± -Gavin Rossdale Malcolm¡¯s chest was kicked as he hoisted the victim into the air with one hand, slamming the victim into a white-draped wall. Malcolm tightened his fingers; two were drawing blood from the eye sockets while the rest kept a grip on the face. The victim was contorting violently as he tried to bite into Malcolm¡¯s palm. Malcolm bit his lip as he stared above him; he pulled out the pocketknife, unfolded the sharpened blade, and stabbed it behind the victim¡¯s ear. The knife drew a geyser of blood and Malcolm stabbed again, through the victim¡¯s neck. Malcolm screamed, lost control, and began a vicious repetition of stabs until the blood was oozing down the victim and Malcolm¡¯s arm. As the victim fell limp, Malcolm lowered him against the wall; there was a tear in the white drapes, revealing a new crack in the warped wood behind it. Malcolm hoisted the man back into the air and slammed him repeatedly. Now, the blood was streaming like a geyser through Malcolm¡¯s fingers and the brand-new dent in the wall was a bloodied mosaic resembled a morning sun above a white vacuum as its surrounding streaks created the aesthetic of a doomsday aurora. The streaks were beginning to drip into a lower chasm Malcolm created. It seemed as if there should be townspeople surrounding the chasm like it were a sinkhole. Little red Aztec people that would bask in fear at the doomsday aurora. Malcolm thought about lovely little temples to create the ground floor with the little figures. Malcolm smashed the head midway between the two chasms. A thunderous crack echoed the room as a sting caught both of Malcolm¡¯s eyes. After the meshing and mixing, there was a red disk mixed between the two chasms. There was no recognizable portrait on the tapestry anymore and Malcolm¡¯s fists were clenched solid. ¡°That wasn¡¯t right.¡± He mulled to himself. Malcolm grabbed the legs and carried the body away to the staircase. Still half-blind, he treaded across creaky floorboards, he ascended the warped stairs before emerging behind a front counter and display case inside the run-down shop; it had once operated as a gas station until the end of the nineteen-eighties before traffic on this road was consolidated to the local Highway. The wide display case held several used matchbooks, one bent tire iron, a scalpel named Pee-Wee, a bone saw, used syringes, a machete named Michael, a bowie knife named Jason, a curved dagger purchased at an Afghani market named Halleck, a gasoline-powered saw, a nailed bat named Rick and a short Japanese wakizashi named Vince. The map on the wall next to the stairs showed the location to be outside Baton Rouge. Malcolm carried the body into a bathroom where the floor was covered in grimy tiles. At the center was a massive bathtub sitting where the toilet was supposed to be. Malcolm plopped the carcass down into the tub, drizzling blood all over crusty rims which had trickled across the scratched floor beneath him. Malcolm could finally see himself in the mirror on the wall. Malcolm¡¯s features were indistinguishable as he huffed in the reflection; only his black-brown eyes were absent of crimson. I fucked this one up again¡­I should¡¯ve stopped! I FUCKED it up! He scrubbed his face off as best he could with his dirty palms. He stormed out of the rusty privy. When he returned to the basement, he walked to the corner where Malcolm climbed a set of steps and untapped his water-resistant camera. Sitting on the steps, Malcolm licked his fingers off so he could work the screen and buttons. The camera had been set to take pictures on a timer. Starting with the most recent: a single shot of the room¡¯s chair at the center, Malcolm¡¯s ruined mosaic had been a one-dimensional shape; the following photographs were the same. Following that, was Malcolm standing over the body in the aftermath of the killing. In the final picture Malcolm could be seen climbing the staircase with the body. The Beast¡¯s endings are chronically incomplete. Once upon a time and now again, I let the Carnal Beast take control of me. I tell myself that there¡¯s beauty in annihilation...That state of euphoria is fake; bright dreams diluting into the grey reality¡­How many different sessions have there been? I still don¡¯t have any control over the result. I completely lost it and ruined my clothes. ¡­What¡¯s the point of me having this anyway? It¡¯s not like I can ever share this with anybody¡­Not my grunts¡­Clearly not Meryl¡­Do I confess in my will? Malcolm returned to the bathroom with his folded clothes left on the counter. He had his bone saw and took another look at his reflection. He pulled back his black hair once more while standing directly over the body. The tub¡¯s surface was completely covered in blood and slowly draining through a plastic system that Malcolm had connected to the old toilet pipes on the floor. He picked the legs first and started on the Lateral Malleolus, connecting the feet to the lower leg. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The blood pooled faster than it could drain and Malcolm¡¯s fingers were deep as he severed the last limb. Afterward, Malcolm sat beneath the mirror. The shrilling sounds of the drain¡¯s whirlpool echoed through the room as he found himself drifting away from the present time. I¡¯ve just annihilated nature¡¯s most complex work of Art¡­and for what? My Own morbid depictions. Ideas I can never hold onto¡­How many people would see past the surface of my ideas if I got caught? ¡­Nobody. If your behavior were openly tolerable, civilization would have been impossible. Colonel McElroy wants to fast-track me through his command chain and together, we¡¯d conduct Geopolitical Art. But if I can never depict the ideas properly, how could anyone else under me? Will I earn a National Monument? Even then, will I be able to help myself? ¡­There is no Art¡­just acts of self-indulgence¡­This impression on the world will be perceived as apish rage¡­Graduating Candidate School was an accomplishment you never deserved. ¡­And I never deserved Meryl¡­Yet she wanted me, to the point of supporting my graduation in person. Visions of the ceremony started to flash, and Malcolm could see Meryl sitting in the reserved seats in a simple black dress; she had to retie her brunette hair with their little Connor on her lap. Malcolm¡¯s swollen eyes shriveled and teared as he remembered the moment Connor was born. Hearing Meryl¡¯s pain made his fists clench to the point of tearing, yet they shared prideful joy when Connor opened his eyes at them. ¡­My Child is the only receivable addition I¡¯ve made to the World. Now, I can only justify myself if Death is a barter for his life¡­But now that I¡¯m at it again, why won¡¯t Meryl come back with him? ¡­You know why; they left because of you¡­ The aroma of death crawled its way through Malcolm¡¯s nostrils as he returned to the present time. The sensation of the cold panels could be felt again, and he unstuck his head from the wall. Dizzy, yet fully energized, Malcolm stood and looked at his darkening figure in the mirror; it grinned like the Beast it was, yet Malcolm knew he wasn¡¯t grinning. When he exited the bathroom, he set the bone saw down while noticing the change outside. How much time did I lose again? Malcolm had to adjust to starlight. In front of him were the four rusty gas pumps where Malcolm¡¯s Pale Sierra was parked. Taking care not to step on any snakes that might be lurking in the overgrowth, Malcolm turned right and saw the swamps where the gators lurked. He could usually see the light reflect off their eyes as they peeked above the water. Instead, the surface was void. Malcolm haplessly walked into the cold void¡¯s embrace. The dark crimson washed off him, he scrubbed his hair thoroughly and dug at the shore for mud to scrub along his body before once again it rejoined the void of the swamp. He walked out of the water, stained, but without blood; Malcolm walked to the bed of his Pale Sierra. There was a metal utility box behind the red towel at the front of the bed. In one of two duffle bags next to some fishing rods, Malcolm kept his toiletries and fresh sets of clothing. The other duffle bag contained Max, Malcolm¡¯s Ruger Precision Rifle with a Vortex Scope, along with handguns Charles and Dance. From the toiletry bag, Malcolm pulled out a fresh set of underwear and black denim pants. He dawned them quickly before pulling out a jungle-camo long sleeve; afterward, he pulled his fresh boots out the passenger¡¯s seat and was tying the laces while staring into the sky. ¡­You already know how to control yourself¡­you spent five years doing just that for your family; all you gotta do is stop¡­Don¡¯t admit it. Don¡¯t deny it¡­Just stop it. Malcolm crossed to the side of the truck and grabbed his emergency gallon of gasoline. And just to make sure that you don¡¯t come back here¡­ Malcolm marched to the depot entrance and rammed the front door open. Malcolm unscrewed the cap, then trickled gasoline across the wooden floor like it were a lawn sprinkler. Making his way down the stairs and he allowed the steps to become coated; when he made it to the center of the bloodied room, he did dancers twirl, spinning the gasoline everywhere. The air was thick with the warmth of fuel and rotting meat. By the time Malcolm took the can back up the stairs, the stench had exfoliated through his clothing and into the pores of his skin. At the top of the stairs, he grabbed one of the several dozen matchboxes from the middle display case. He struck one and threw it back inside, sparking a blaze that Malcolm took no time to enjoy, he haply marched through decayed lawn. Malcolm hopped in the driver¡¯s seat after putting the canister back into the utility box in the bed. Once he turned the ignition, the orange blaze could be seen through the stained windows. He slowly rolled out onto the potholed main road and picked up speed. Malcolm kept his eyes on the mirrors for a black smokestack, and when it became visible, he banked right onto a familiar dirt road that formed a fork. Malcolm escaped deep into the winding bowels of the woods. Chapter 6: Rendezvous The Black Hawk hit an air pocket which roused Malcom from his needed slumber after restless nights. The giant Indianhead flags were growing as the chopper passed over the village of Dongducheon. Malcolm looked outside the chopper and saw multiple Black Hawks flying adjacent, more Chinooks were directly behind their flank. Malcolm had to leave the Shuffle on full blast just to drown out the sounds of the propellers, but the synchronization of the formation made the Jimmy Eat World lyrics barely audible¡­ ¡°¡­Little Girl, you¡¯re in The Middle of the ride... ¡­Everything will be just fine! ¡­Everything, everything will be alright, alright¡­¡± It was sixteen hundred hours; Malcolm felt revitalized from his nap, and he drummed his fingers across the grip of his beloved, freshly painted rifle. After withdrawing the iPod from his ears, he picked up on Thompson¡¯s ramblings over Football: ¡°¡­If it weren¡¯t for that fucking Manning and that one year his defense bellied up on him, Brady would have seven rings by now! I want Gene Therapy to become popular just so he could serve another twenty years and get fifteen rings! Talk about the ultimate Brass Knuckle, it shines like a comic book gauntlet! Could you imagine the punching power?¡± Bannon interrupted, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Brady being a professional cheater, he wouldn¡¯t have that gauntlet of his¡­.¡± ¡°That can be debated,¡± chimed Kemper, ¡°...what isn¡¯t, is the plight of the Underdog, whom I will always root for. Manning was on his last legs and deserved a last win or else he would¡¯ve made as ass out of himself. Brady is too uptight anyway, I can at least drink beer with Manning.¡± ¡°Negro, that beer is the reason Manning had to retire!¡± Thompson boasted. ¡°Brady drinks carrot juice in his spare time. That¡¯s why he¡¯s a winner and will keep winning when season starts up again!¡± ¡°He¡¯s pushing it, man.¡± Kemper smirked. ¡°He¡¯s in his forties. It¡¯s the same reason we cap new officers at thirty¡­¡± Malcolm remained mute to them and tapped his wireless receiver, ¡°Humphrey, Come in. Over.¡± ¡°Captain Nelson, this is Camp Humphreys. Over.¡± ¡°Could you patch me over to Major Mendez? Over.¡± ¡°Uh, your Major is in a meeting right now. Can I take a message? Over.¡± ¡°We¡¯re arriving at Camp Casey and have no way of finding our men. Over.¡± Moments passed without a response. Malcolm grew impatient. ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t the first confusion we¡¯ve had today, standby¡­...¡± The Black Hawk touched down at center field of Camp Casey and was garbled by countless more choppers. As Malcolm exited, the Black Hawk across from him was beginning to take off as its payload of soldiers ran off. There were at least five hundred troops collaged throughout the field. At the roadsides, there were transport trucks and Humvees carpooling and merging with traffic; tanks, APCs and armored cars which were special for majors. There were a notable number of ambulances on the road. Kemper hopped off from Malcolm¡¯s flank; Malcolm immediately followed while tightening the strap of his rifle. Malcolm¡¯s receiver sounded. ¡°Nelson? Come in.¡± ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°This is Casey. We¡¯re patching you all to your companies, standby. Over.¡± ¡°You hear that?¡± Malcolm asked the others as they began their stride down the field. Looking up for the next helicopter, finding none, Malcolm paced to his three o¡¯clock and covered his ear. ¡°Nelson?¡± The X.O. spoke. ¡°Daniels, I¡¯ve arrived at Casey. Where is the rest of the company? Over.¡± ¡°We¡¯re still held up in the hotel, sir. Over.¡± Malcolm made the mental note. ¡°Well get them organized, I¡¯m heading there now. Over.¡± ¡°Sir, yes sir¡­over and out.¡± Malcolm swiveled left and made his way back to his other captains, who were now swelling into a three-score mass of soldiers. He was next to Bannon, Kemper and Thompson; Tolbert was nowhere to be found. While Malcolm checked behind them, he was standing under a tail propeller and careful enough not to whack his head in the blades despite how funny Malcolm thought that would be. He dismissed the joke and left Tolbert to what seemed like dismay on his face. The crowd pooled at the side of the road and collectively hitchhiker-posed for the transport brigades. Malcolm¡¯s group made their way around the backline of the crowd where officers were beginning to thin out. Everyone frantically hoped a Humvee would break around traffic to acquire them, some even crossed the street to catch a car from the opposing lane. To Malcolm¡¯s fortune, one of the Humvees pulled over to them. The passenger door opened which revealed two specialists in the front. ¡°Unless you all are going to the hospital then we need to keep going. Sorry sirs.¡± The driver spoke. ¡°You sick or something?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Neck cramps.¡± The passenger strained to respond. Bannon slapped the roof, ¡°Go get your neck brace.¡± The specialist saluted, ¡°Thank you! Sorry sirs.¡± Malcolm closed the door for him, and the Humvee pulled off. Tolbert swung up between Malcolm and Bannon. ¡°Whelp, I¡¯m running late.¡± He spoke. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Malcolm asked as Medical Crossed truck drove past, ¡°Your boys hungover again?¡± ¡°Well, my X.O. is down for the count, so they better not be.¡± Tolbert huffed. ¡°What happened to her?¡± Kemper asked. ¡°All I know is that she puked her guts out.¡± ¡°Yep, she¡¯s got that poisoning going around.¡± Kemper sighed. ¡°Where are they?¡± ¡°One of the Barracks.¡± Malcolm smiled, ¡°My boys have priority lodging at the hotel.¡± ¡°We might as well split up then because my boys got here a half hour go. I just found out that they¡¯re in the tree camps.¡± Bannon quipped. ¡°You could probably get to them on foot, no?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Hell no!¡± Bannn retorted. ¡°I¡¯ve got a tunnel to secure as well.¡± Another Humvee finally stopped; Malcolm opened the passenger door and there was a smiling private occupying the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Sirs!¡± he saluted, ¡°What can I do for you?¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°Be our ferry.¡± Malcolm ordered as he sat in the passenger¡¯s seat. ¡°I need to go to hotel.¡± ¡°Barracks.¡± Tolbert ordered, pointing at the rank on his shoulder. ¡°Camps.¡± Said Bannon. ¡°Yes sirs!¡± he saluted again, ¡°Hop in!¡± Tolbert climbed in, crossed to the other seat, and was followed by Bannon before the Humvee could pull off. After weaving through the irregular traffic, the Humvee was arriving at the hotel complex. They drifted onto a grassy patch and stopped at the end of a camo shanty town that extended to both sides of the hotel. There was a cindery campfire away from where they pulled over; it was surrounded by a dozen or more grunts. The sun was starting to sink from the sky. ¡°Captain?¡± the private looked back to Bannon, ¡°Which Company were you with?¡± ¡°Echo.¡± Bannon replied. ¡°I¡¯ll check.¡± Malcolm spoke. He stepped outside and crossed over to the to the campfire, seeking the man with a captain¡¯s badge. It was a man who was tending to the burning logs with his platoon leaders. ¡°You¡¯re the officer in charge here?¡± ¡°Benson, of Charlie Company.¡± The man saluted courteously. ¡°Nelson, of November.¡± Malcolm quickly dropped his flat hand from his brow. ¡°Is everybody here with the Second Division?¡± ¡°To my knowledge yes.¡± Malcolm squinted. ¡°Which companies?¡± ¡°Ours, Alpha, Bravo, Zeta, Delta, Foxtrot, Whiskey and Echo.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Malcolm turned back to the Humvee and thought to wave but didn¡¯t want to confuse Tolbert. He opened the back door, ¡°Bannon your good.¡± Malcolm shut it and thumped the hood. As Bannon finished circling the car, it pulled out and waited to cut across traffic into Casey. Malcolm and Bannon walked side-by-side while overseeing the encampments. ¡°Well, where the fuck are my men? I wasn¡¯t told they¡¯d be at this camp.¡± Bannon quipped. Malcolm paced ahead of him and with a flick of his fingers said, ¡°Ask around, they¡¯re probably keeping an eye out for you!¡± ¡°No, they¡¯re NOT!¡± Malcolm looked back. ¡°Well ask Benson then!¡± Bannon gaffed. ¡°You strike a fine line between being a help and being a dick!¡± With another flip of the bird, Malcolm was beneath the entrance to the lodge. There was a sentry with a corporal¡¯s badge keeping a log of entries and exits. After checking in with a departing squad, he turned his attention to Malcolm. ¡°Sir!¡± he saluted. Malcolm nodded. ¡°At ease.¡± ¡°Captain Nelson?¡± he checked his clipboard. ¡°As my dog tag and badge suggests¡­¡± He was unfazed by Malcolm¡¯s sarcasm, ¡°Your green. November Company should be on the first five floors of the building¡¯s left section.¡± ¡°Good work kid.¡± Malcolm muttered as he slipped a five-dollar bill in the corporal¡¯s collar. ¡°Sir¡­this isn¡¯t necessary.¡± Without a peep, Malcolm opened the door and entered the front lobby, which was bustling with troops eating while they still could. The front desks were all but deserted, as were the rest of the civilian families who had been relocated inside the Camp. Malcolm took a seat on one of the couches, the TV was tuned to CNN News, and it was simply a rundown of national events. Without an interest in Washington drama, Malcolm decided to not linger. ¡°Daniels, do you read me?¡± he switched his earpiece back on. ¡°Come to the Lobby, over.¡± There was no response. ¡°Clairet? I¡¯m at the Lodge, come in. Over.¡± After a minute of silence, she finally came through. ¡°Aye Captain?¡± Malcolm sucked his lips. ¡°Where¡¯s my X.O.?¡± ¡°Sulking in his room most likely.¡± Clairet answered. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Out back.¡± ¡°Get in front.¡± Malcolm retorted. ¡°Over and out.¡± Malcolm noticed that the news was starting its opening rundown of the events for April Twenty-Fifth: The information blackout in China; military repression in North Korea, and overnight riots in Detroit following a police shooting. The president¡¯s golfing record, income inequality, and shootings in Chicago. Sudden surge in Flu cases. Nine million starving in Yemen, Boko Haram¡¯s new viral threat, and the death of Seymore Cassel. Record temperature highs set for the month. The morning host finally returned to the screen and was now leading a discussion panel regarding the geopolitical implications of regime change in North Korea; it was five A.M. over there. Malcolm opted to escape the reality he was trapped in, but there were no books or newspapers on the coffee table; only local tabloids, and fashion magazines written in Korean. I can¡¯t fucking read these. Malcolm seethed over his shortcomings and searched the pile for anything that was written in English. He didn¡¯t have to wait long because Clairet already emerged from behind one of the pillars; her red hair was bundled up in the helmet as she held her AR-15 in one hand. ¡°That was a hell of a long meeting you had.¡± She clicked into her French-Cajun dialect. ¡°Are you my new Major?¡± ¡°Read my badge.¡± Malcolm answered in English. ¡°I¡¯m still a Captain.¡± ¡°So, what the hell are we doing?¡± She asked. Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°You haven¡¯t been briefed?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Speak English or Korean.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°We¡¯ve been told nothing yet. Also, I don¡¯t speak Gook.¡± ¡°Gooks are Vietnamese.¡± Malcolm corrected. ¡°Whatever, just fill me in.¡± Malcolm sucked his lips. ¡°Well, the Japs called the Koreans, ¡®Chosenjin¡¯, which might sound like they¡¯re some sort of ¡®chosen ones¡¯, but it was in fact a racial epithet between Asian subgroups¡­I suppose ¡®Gook¡¯ has also been used against Filipinos so-¡± Clairet interrupted. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about grammar!¡± Malcolm was confused. ¡°Well, when you said ¡®fill me in¡¯ it sounded like-¡± ¡°What are we doing?¡± ¡°Getting the company ready to move out.¡± He relented. ¡°Our orders are to keep the First Infiltration Tunnel secure while the rest of the Second Division moves across the parallel.¡± ¡°This an overnight op?¡± she asked. ¡°Yes; I doubt our unit is passing through until morning by this point. We still need to set up a dual outpost at both ends of the Parallel, preferably before nightfall. Go get Daniels and assemble the rest of the company outside.¡± ¡°Now that was short and simple.¡± She saluted, ¡°Thank you, Captain.¡± Before walking to the elevator hallway. By the time she was gone, the News report was talking about power outages across Michigan following the State of Emergency; Malcolm stood up and moved to the front door for solace. ¡°Command?¡± he again switched his earpiece back to Casey¡¯s frequency. ¡°This is Captain Nelson of the Second Division, come in over?¡± ¡°¡­Captain Nelson, we¡¯re reading you, over.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve rendezvoused with my Company at the hotel. Requesting immediate transport to the First Infiltration Tunnel. Over.¡± ¡°Copy that. Our transport teams are overwhelmed for the moment. ETA, thirty minutes to two hours. Over.¡± Malcolm cupped his face. ¡°With all due respect sir, our orders are urgent. We require urgent priority. Over.¡± ¡°Captain, we¡¯re aware of your orders. We can try to pull some vehicles, but our hands are tied with the current climate. How many personnel are you accompanying? Over.¡± ¡°One-hundred and seventy. Over.¡± ¡°Copy that¡­We¡¯re patching you through to McElroy now. Over.¡± ¡°The Colonel?¡± Malcom was flabbergasted as he stepped outside. ¡°Greetings Nelson.¡± the familiar voice reverberated. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. Over.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Long time no see Colonel.¡± ¡°Well, when we¡¯re in Pyongyang the circumstances can be different. For now, I¡¯ve got new orders for you: Going forward, all refugees that you see are to be detained on site until they can be medically screened. Over.¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°By our medics?¡± ¡°It will have to do until our doctors at the hospitals can give an all clear. And before you ask me, yes, this has everything to do with the Flu cases we¡¯ve been seeing. Over.¡± Malcolm cocked an eyebrow, ¡°Are people dying? Over.¡± ¡°Not yet, but we still can¡¯t afford to be dealing with an outbreak at this time. Over.¡± Malcolm agreed, ¡°Copy that. Over.¡± ¡°It might take a bit longer but I¡¯m going to send Bravo Company behind you for extra security. Over and out.¡± ¡°Sir, yes sir.¡± Malcolm swallowed his pride while leaning against a pillar next to the hotel. He stared out into the now fading sky as the lights from Dongducheon turned on for the final time. Chapter 7: Rescinded Confessions ¡°...It ain¡¯t the Money and it sure as hell ain¡¯t just for the fame...¡±- Gerard Way ¡°Dear Meryl. I¡¯ll love you through the ends of the Earth, but you probably should¡¯ve left me sooner because what I am is a monster. You¡¯ve deserved to know the truth since we met, but I¡¯m past the point of getting to tell it safely; my last deed in life should be an honest one. I don¡¯t think that I¡¯m pouting, but what more does a locked door have to say? A violent end to indulgence is fitting, considering my life. Truth be told, I might already be dead; I¡¯m always dreaming, and I can see dead memories threading my fate to a coarse correction. I was never holy, and now I¡¯m not sure that Hell awaits me. But I¡¯ll finally kill the only thing that deserves my wrath; this Carnal Beast who I let pull me back from you. The Beast is something I thought I had put to rest years ago, when we got married. But then the burglar came...and then you left. You were right to leave, because I murdered him. I thought I¡¯d indulge the Beast just one more time; now that you¡¯re gone, I¡¯m left with only It. There¡¯s an abandoned shop outside of Baton Rouge called ¡®Lenny¡¯s Pawnage¡¯ and a little crawfish dock ten miles east of that; forward this letter to the FBI through an attorney and be sure they know that gators are lurking. They¡¯ll find more threads to follow when the forensics team arrives; I don¡¯t want you to think the deeds are all I was, even if I could recall everyone. I can¡¯t even tell what the point is in recounting everything that¡¯s happened. One thing I do know, it¡¯s that you¡¯re gonna blame yourself. For what? I don¡¯t know. You aren¡¯t going to change anything by hating yourself for having been with me. I would never have done it to you, and especially not our child. I don¡¯t have time to feel sorry over the rest of them, it¡¯s too late to matter. I do regret how you had to learn this. I should¡¯ve faced you.¡± Malcolm placed the red pen down and folded his hands, deciding no signature was necessary. It was dimly lit inside the dining room and after sliding the chair back, he delicately carried the paper outside the front door; Malcolm placed it inside the mailbox and walked back inside. He passed back through the dining room and entered the kitchen, with its own granite tops, and an island in front of the sink and stoves. Malcolm crossed over and set the four knobs to their highest setting, without igniting flames; they hissed raw gas into the air. There can¡¯t be anything else keeping me from departing the world; I¡¯ve confessed to whom mattered and I¡¯ve rechained my Beast. Malcolm shut his eyes and waited for the gas to fill his house. His stomach abruptly grumbled, and he opened the refrigerator. It had three shelves, the bottom shelf contained two gallons of milk and half of a two-liter soda. The top two contained condiments, eggs, cooking oil and butter. There was a twenty-four pack of coconut water, along with a plate of leftover Salisbury steak covered in tinfoil. Malcolm was tempted by the steak but was curious at the freezer. When he opened it, he saw two Tupperware containers; he slowly grabbed the top one. He knew what it was when he saw the coating inside yet proceeded to open it anyway. It was when the container¡¯s lid was beside it, that Malcolm felt his own heart palpitate while staring down. The walls and base were covered in red; the organ was mid-drip from its valves with the icicles still glistening across its surface. When he grabbed the heart, it was still frozen internally and faint in the light. ¡­Fuck me¡­I did it again. He dropped the heart into the container and grabbed the next one. Like the first, the surprise for Malcolm came after he removed the lid and set it beside the first. He raised his eyebrow again, looking at a smoother surface than an intelligent brain should be. It was still pink, and it sat in an ice pool of cortical fluids that took the shape of the container. Calmly, Malcolm capped both lids and set them inside the freezer. Well¡­now I could use a drink. Malcolm clasped his hands like he was already handcuffed, he began pacing the kitchen with the gas stench multiplying. Now listen here¡­You. Are not. A cannibal. A vast majority of the Animal Kingdom has figured this shit out, including lower shark breeds! Polar Bears only have no choice anymore, thanks to Humans. Those New Guineans created a degenerative prion through the consumption of Human Brains. Did I already eat someone without remembering? Is that why my mind is diving into the gutter? The toxic fumes began to reverberate inside of Malcolm¡¯s nostrils. And as he lost his train of thought, the whistles of the stove blended. He touched the dial to the front right stove and turned it to ignition. He held it for three long seconds before the stove caught a flame. Sparks emanated from the flames. Before Malcolm could close his eyes, he was blinded by the flash of unfiltered heat; the flash of pain made it impossible to scream. Instead, he woke and drowned. Malcolm choked on the steady stream of water falling from the showerhead. His cheek was smudged into the cloudy glass door. Recoiling from the water, hit his head against the wall beside him. A strand of black hair was caught in the back of his throat and after coughing on the water, Malcolm munched his lips to feel. He began to watch the swirl of the drain; it resembled the vortex his life had been. Well, goddammit. I suppose I could bleed myself to death for Red Cross¡­give back AS I die? I threw up the bleach, regenerated my veins from the razor, and I can¡¯t even blow up. I doubt I¡¯ll drown myself either. Death doesn¡¯t want me¡­so why the fuck does it deal with me? Malcolm dried his hair while stepping out of the bathroom. He found prearranged clothing dressed out for him on his bed; typical behavior, but he had no memory of doing it. However, there was still light shining through the window blinds. Malcolm walked to the dresser and the military clock said that it was still six twenty-seven in the evening. How long was I out for? After he was fully dressed, Malcolm crossed to his bedside table where his phone was connected to a wall outlet. After clicking the home button his screen flashed on, displaying the time and date; it was the first of October, Twenty Eighteen. I¡¯ve been out for two days. There was a ping in his notifications. He clicked on it and was taken to his text messages. A message from Javier, ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll be there at seven.¡± Malcolm sifted through the chat history, where Javier led into already being with Kenneth Johnson and Harvey Daniels, he and Malcolm had been chatting since eleven this morning. Malcolm¡¯s eyes bulged as they returned to the first message he read. Wait a minute, they¡¯re coming here? ¡­OH FUCK! Malcolm dropped the phone and ran out the door. After descending the stairs, he twirled around the wall banister and ran to the kitchen. When he opened the freezer, the organs were not where he left them. Malcolm shut the freezer and leaned his back against the cold steel, quickly noting that there were no dishes in the sink. I couldn¡¯t have eaten them, right? The house didn¡¯t have a foul stench to it, in fact, there was a brand-new air freshener plugged into a wall socket by the kitchen counter. He lamented not buying candles during his blackout, since they are perfect for both creating aromas and setting tones. Malcolm about-faced and walked over to the door to exit the house. After rushing to the mailbox, it saw that there was nothing inside. Malcolm hung his mouth while he tried to recall which day it was. The Mailmen shouldn¡¯t have been here yet. Malcolm closed it as he heard a truck honk; he turned to see Javier¡¯s Brown Toyota pass him, parking behind Malcolm¡¯s Pale Sierra on the driveway. Javier emerged with a wave, ¡°What¡¯s going on, Bro!¡± He was wearing a camo tank top; his jeans were plain blue, and his boots were black. Javier was flanked by Harvey Daniels from the passenger side, and Kenneth Johnson from the back. Harvey wore an orange hoodie over a white shirt with a Cat on the English Throne; he kept his head shaved and wore bright sneakers. Then there was Kenneth ¡®Fuckeroo Jack¡¯ Johnson who insisted on rocking a short mullet in Twenty-Eighteen. The only thing keeping him from looking completely ridiculous to Malcolm was his black leather jacket and pants, along with black boots and a plain white shirt which reminded Malcolm of an Outsiders character. Harvey flanked Javier and pulled Malcolm in for a close shake. ¡°It¡¯s been a minute man; you¡¯ve been holding up?¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Malcolm looked at his empty house, ¡°Well, I¡¯m not dead. Probably couldn¡¯t complain either way.¡± Harvey looked concerned, ¡°Well¡­Sandra lets me out often, we¡¯re all good to jam it over here when you need it.¡± Javier spoke in solidarity. ¡°Seriously dude, even as the company C.O., don¡¯t be a stranger.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Malcolm smirked at them. Kenneth had accidentally tripped while exiting Javier¡¯s truck. ¡°Can a motherfucker get a hand?¡± Harvey walked to him, ¡°You¡¯re not broken; get the hell up!¡± Javier blocked the view. ¡°You gonna let us in my dude?¡± ¡°Yea, my bad.¡± Malcolm led Javier to the doorway, with Harvey and Kenneth behind. The last one shut the door and they were led down the hallway and into the living room. They stood facing the side of a dark red couch. Adjacent to that was a couch of the same color against the wall. The plasma screen TV was placed across the first couch, over the brick fireplace. The room¡¯s archway behind the living room entered the kitchen. Kenneth made himself right at home, plopping over the armrest and onto the couch; Harvey immediately slapped Kenneth¡¯s knee. Malcolm finally noticed the canned, six pack of beers Kenneth held on to his chest; it was down to four. ¡°What? Are you pregaming?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Sponken like a man who¡¯s never tailgated¡­¡± ¡°Dude.¡± Malcolm guffawed. ¡°You cannot be that drunk already.¡± ¡°I told this negro to wait before wait for you to give the greenlight.¡± Harvey interrupted. ¡°You picked the wrong dumbass to speak in metaphors with.¡± Javier was leaning against the archway. ¡°I¡¯m still lucid, ya know¡­¡± Kenneth said. ¡°Just saying.¡± Javier shrugged. ¡°Hey, cool if I turn on the TV?¡± ¡°Yea, sure.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°The remote should be over there.¡± ¡°Thanks bro.¡± Javier crossed to the fireplace. ¡°I¡¯m not letting you blackout already, so share that.¡± Malcolm pointed at Kenneth¡¯s beers. He obeyed and snapped off a can, he passed it to Harvey who passed it to Malcolm; Kenneth then offered one to Harvey. ¡°I¡¯ll wait.¡± he answered. ¡°Suit yourself.¡± Kenneth shrugged. ¡°Javi?¡± He held out the can to Javier who faced the TV and was channel surfing. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡± Kenneth shrugged and chugged his new can. ¡°Cool it, Fucko.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Liquor Before Beer, In the Clear!¡± Kenneth remarked. The time was passing ten P.M. after Malcolm blinked. He had taken a chair out of the kitchen and placed it next to the couches. When he came to, he was gnawing on pizza crust while blankly staring at two dark liquor bottles next to the pizza boxes; one was already empty with the second just opened. ¡°¡­Hold on. Did you say something Mal?¡± the voice of Meryl spoke. Malcolm turned his head and saw Kenneth leaning past Harvey. Malcolm had the room¡¯s attention, and the movie was rolling credits. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°But you don¡¯t want us to call you ¡®Spacer.¡± Kenneth boasted. ¡°What do I say?¡± ¡°Only my family can call me that.¡± Malcolm answered blankly. ¡°Call me whatever else.¡± ¡°Certainly¡­Captain Dickhead.¡± Kenny gave a sarcastic salute. Malcolm stared unblinking. ¡°This dickhead is providing you shelter tonight.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Kenneth said. ¡°We aren¡¯t going home?¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°You think I¡¯m letting you fuckers loose after getting plastered?¡± ¡°I thought I was gonna be designated driver.¡± Harvey spoke with his coconut water in hand. ¡°No one¡¯s driving my truck but me.¡± Javier slurred. ¡°Well thanks Captain!¡± Kenneth looked back to Malcolm. Malcolm shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s whatever. Hand me another slice.¡± Kenneth did so. ¡°Hey, can I smoke in here?¡± ¡°What do you think I¡¯m about to say?¡± Malcolm sternly asked. ¡°Sure, Kenny! Pass me one.¡± ¡°Fuck no I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°What do you want us to do with this?¡± Harvey pointed to the two boxes on the coffee table. ¡°Leave them, it¡¯ll be our breakfast in the morning.¡± Malcolm spoke with a mouthful of crust. Kenneth leaned forward, spanking a cigarette out his pack with a smirk toward Malcolm. ¡°Outside.¡± Malcolm ordered. Kenneth sarcastically responded with the cigarette in his mouth. ¡°Very well then. This back door unlocked?¡± ¡°Knob works. As you will.¡± Kenneth stood and noticed Javier staring from the adjacent couch, keeping his chin down. Kenneth grinned connivingly, ¡°Look who¡¯s not clean!¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± Javier laughed. ¡°The nit-fit sucks ass!¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t smoke.¡± Malcolm boasted; he looked at Javier. ¡°Rosie isn¡¯t here bro; no one¡¯s a snitch.¡± Kenneth was waving the pack when Javier relented. ¡°Let me piss right quick. I¡¯ll meet you out back.¡± He spoke. ¡°Splendid!¡± Kenneth boasted and circled behind the couch with a stumble while Javier entered the hallway for the bathroom. Malcolm leaned over the coffee table to close the pizza boxes, afterward, he started to pour himself a fresh shot of liquor. Harvey leaned back on the couch, sipping his water with a foot rested over his knee. ¡°I...never actually congratulated you on finally earning the company.¡± Malcolm paused with his fingers around the shot glass. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re saying that.¡± ¡°Well, you know I¡¯m not one to make a spectacle of shit.¡± Harvey answered. ¡°No one¡¯s here, so it feels more genuine.¡± ¡°That I get.¡± Malcolm looked at Harvey. ¡°Everyone expected you to take over November; even I thought command would give me a different unit.¡± ¡°Shit just happens sometimes.¡± Harvey shrugged. ¡°Besides, I never signed up for vanity; I¡¯m doing my part, whatever my rank is.¡± Malcolm nodded before downing his shot. He took the liquor burn as a new wave of dizziness hit him. ¡°Are you fixing to pass out man?¡± Harvey laughed. Malcolm slowly nodded, staring into space as the burn faded. Javier exited the bathroom and passed the backyard door before Malcolm collected his thoughts. ¡°Do you think somebody could do his part¡­and not make the cut anyway?¡± Harvey seemed to dwell in thought while squinting. ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Malcolm poured another shot into his glass. ¡°Meryl¡­¡± Harvey sighed in sympathy. ¡°Look man¡­most people struggle with the baggage of a military family; that isn¡¯t something that¡¯s your fault. You gave that woman your best self and it wasn¡¯t all for nothing; you¡¯ve got a son together!¡± Malcolm drummed the rim of the coffee table. ¡°¡­It didn¡¯t help her see through me.¡± Harvey leaned in. ¡°Hey, all that means is she wasn¡¯t cut for you. And I mean¡­¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°What?¡± ¡°She¡¯s trying to be a doctor, right?¡± ¡°Yes. And?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Harvey awkwardly sipped his water, ¡°Her whole career involves getting people un-injured. Us? Our job parameters intrinsically involve people winding up in her care. Like, take Sandra. We met on each other¡¯s tours¡­¡± ¡°Yea, she¡¯s a Navy brat.¡± Malcolm remembered. Harvey shrugged. ¡°In my experience, we have a different degree of understanding on most stuff. Even with at least one of us home with the kids, there¡¯s never a tension regarding what we¡¯ve seen or what we¡¯ve done.¡± Malcolm gripped the shot glass, nearly cracking it. ¡°¡­But what happens when she sees past me anyway?¡± Harvey cupped his water on his lap while leaning in. ¡°Did something else happen?¡± Malcolm gulped the shot and the burn with it. ¡°¡­I thought doing anything for my wife and son was what I¡¯m meant for¡­Instead it drove her away.¡± Harvey looked sorrowful. ¡°What happened to you was self-defense, dude. You had no way of knowing what that motherfucker was capable of.¡± ¡°¡­No¡­He didn¡¯t know whose house he was trying to rob.¡± ¡°And the home invasion reversed onto him!¡± Harvey tried to cheer. ¡°¡­It stopped being an invasion quicker than it started¡­¡± Malcolm droned. ¡°The prick tried to escape me, and I thought for a moment, ¡®Maybe I shouldn¡¯t take him off the census¡­¡¯ Then that fucking Beast that¡¯s inside me forced me to think what could happen if I lost control again¡­Everything I¡¯ve done right by Connor would be moot if that were to happen in front of him¡­So I entered the garage with my mind made up. There was no one waiting on or coming for that motherfucker; as he died, he gave me that...signature sigh, like he didn¡¯t know why this was happening¡­He was meant to be a token for my taming, which is a finer meaning in life than all his bottom-feeding prospects. Now I don¡¯t have a family to protect¡­¡± Malcolm finally glanced at Harvey. His friend looked at him with his back pressed firmly into the couch and his eyes stuck with terror. Malcolm sucked his lips once he saw that Harvey was clenching the bottled water tighter than if it were from a Holy Lake. Chapter 8: First Encounters ¡°You think whatever is wrong with you is contagious, then?'' ... ''Yes, but you have it already. You caught it from your mother. Death.¡±- Gene Wolfe It was a simple ten-minute drive to the First Infiltration Tunnel from Camp Casey; it took November Company nearly thirty minutes because a Police Unit, along with two ambulances, were dealing with something on the roads. Malcolm Nelson was sitting at the wheel of the forward Humvee with his Master Sergeant Chavez next to him, Lieutenants Clairet and Daniels in the back. In a game of ¡°Follow the Leader¡±, they were followed by an M-thirty-five transport truck squeezing a platoon of twenty; the same pattern of transport trucks between Humvees carried all November Company. An octagonal tourist structure had been built around the tunnel, cutting off the rail line and any means of practically unloading artillery pieces into the area. The November ¡°Fuckleheads¡± sequentially pulled up into the dimly lit parking lot and the Humvees pulled into an appropriate parking space while the trucks stopped beneath the glowing sunset. Malcolm turned the ignition off and grabbed his precious Crystal from her resting space. He opened the door and stepped out, grabbing a magazine from his belt and slid it into its chamber. Basking under the fading sunlight, November Company unloaded their troops, and the troops began to unload the camp equipment. At the entrance to the visitor¡¯s complex, a short man with a big baton stood with the door ajar. Malcolm signaled his occupants. ¡°Hold off setting up camp until I¡¯ve talked to whoever¡¯s in charge here. Park the trucks appropriately.¡± Both Lieutenants saluted. ¡°Daniels, with me. Clairet and Chavez will tend to the herd.¡± The order was received without words and Malcolm pivoted to the main door. The cop¡¯s yelling sounded like it was directly in his face, despite the distance. Malcolm couldn¡¯t pick up on his fast Korean, but he could see the man¡¯s distress by the way he was waving Malcolm over. ¡°English?¡± was all Malcolm bothered attempting to translate. The man shook his head for no. ¡°Man in charge?¡± Malcolm tried asking, only for the military cop to keep motioning him. After stepping inside of the visitor¡¯s center, Malcolm was led past the front desk where another officer saluted. It was not long before they were upon the tunnel. It was two meters in width and the rail line jutted out of the tunnel and lay beneath concrete. There were three guards standing at the mouth, Malcolm¡¯s escort yelled something at the others, sending one into the tunnel. ¡°Wait.¡± The officer spoke. Malcolm and Daniels could hear the voices echoing out of the tunnel. A few moments later, the guard returned with what appeared to be his sergeant. ¡°Name¡¯s Kim Ri-Yun. Why did it take you so long?¡± he spoke in perfect English. ¡°We called for backup more than four hours ago!¡± ¡°Okay listen.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°We weren¡¯t told anything about a ¡®backup¡¯ request.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± Ri-Yun barked. ¡°I¡¯ve got civilians in the tunnel and a wounded man in the office!¡± ¡°Calm down.¡¯ Malcolm ordered, ¡°Start from the back, who¡¯s wounded?¡± ¡°One of my boys. He¡¯s in the office where you came in.¡± Ri-Yun spoke with a flustered tone. ¡°We stopped the bleeding, but he must¡¯ve lost a pint. He needs medical attention now!¡± Malcolm looked at Daniels, eyeing the direction that they came from by the office, and he received his que command. As he turned around, Ri-Yun spoke louder to his subordinates. ¡°One of you take him to the office! Commander, come with me NOW!¡± Malcolm¡¯s nose flared as he translated, ¡°I. OUTRANK. You.¡± ¡°Please¡­¡± Ri-Yun whimpered. ¡°My men are not trained for this...¡± ¡°Lead on.¡± Malcolm demanded. Ri-Yun looked to his feet, then turned back into the tunnel. It was a perfect arch of granite and the reverberations of feet on the rails echoed deeply. Eventually, Malcolm could see it; it was covered in a stained white tarp and strewn about diagonally against the walls. There was two more military policeman circling it. The pair froze when they saw Malcolm approaching and one of them quickly stepped back over the tarp. As he stood over the figure, Malcolm already knew what it was, and it felt like D¨¦j¨¤ vu. Ri-Yun gave a command, and the two guards peeled the stained tarp. Malcolm squinted at the dead body and kneeled over it for closer examination. It was a Korean male, incredibly young by the looks of it; he could not have been older than twenty. The body was mangled like a cornucopia of wires and the limbs had been smashed in key joints, bending them to make the whole canvas look like a swastika; it took all Malcolm¡¯s self-control not to laugh. The blood had long since begun to dry, it was stickily and smeared into the skin and ground which was reflecting the orange hue of the lights around them. Its face was hardly recognizable, there were over a dozen fractures over the temple, running onto the cheeks. The mouth hung wide, yet the front rows of teeth were knocked loose. There was something wrong with the eyes, they were pinched and stared at Malcolm, maniacally. He folded his hands over his rifle as he knelt, awaiting some explanation for this clear case of blunt force trauma. But it seemed as if they were awaiting his assessment. They just stood there and stared at Malcolm as he stared at the body. ¡°You said that there were ¡®civilians¡¯ in the tunnel, how many?¡± Malcolm continued to fixate on the canvas. ¡°At least forty-five.¡± Ri-Yun answered. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°J-just another fifty feet. We are keeping them in the closest infantry hovel.¡± ¡°And what the hell happened to this guy?¡± Malcolm finally looked at Ri-Yun. ¡°Sir¡­¡± The Sergeant pleaded. ¡°He was INSANE.¡± ¡°Just take it from the beginning.¡± Malcolm repeated. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°The first batch of refugees started calling for us around noon. There was only five of them at the time.¡± ¡°And how many men do you have?¡± ¡°Fourteen, total.¡± ¡°Was this guy with them?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°No. He came after most were accounted for. Alone.¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°Did he turn himself in?¡± ¡°No. We only caught him because one of the other refugees heard a strange noise further down the tunnel and she started panicking¡­¡± Ri-Yun continued, ¡°Na-Sun and Ji-Ning could hear it and they went to try and calm him down, but they caught the man trying to turn off one of the electric switches. Na-Sun over here told me that before the lunatic could see them, he was muttering to himself quite loudly and when he saw them, it turned into ranting. He tried to charge at them!¡± ¡°And where is Ji-Ning?¡± Malcolm asked. They all looked at each other for many seconds. Malcolm looked at Na-Sun, who stood in front of Ri-Yun. ¡°You tried to subdue him, right?¡± Na-Sun obviously did not understand. Ri-Yun did the translation for Malcolm, and he gave a mumbled answer that Malcolm could barely hear. ¡°They were almost tackled, and they had to rough him up. They only beat his legs, but he was still kicking and screaming as they dragged him. It took all their strength to get him this far.¡± ¡°But?¡± ¡°He lost it sir¡­.¡± Ri-Yun stammered. ¡°He chomped right into Ji-Ning. HARD!¡± With that Na-Sun launched himself into a tirade where Malcolm could barely catch a word. The man understood, and he resorted to acting out the scene. It became clear to Malcolm what had happened: They dragged him with all their might back to their men at the visitor¡¯s center so that they could properly restrain him and have him sent to a medical facility. But it was here that the man¡¯s screaming became intelligible; he was shouting ¡°They¡¯re coming! They¡¯re coming! THEY¡¯RE ALL DEAD!¡± The rambling devolved into a pitiful repetition of these mixed sentences. His weight began to anchor them as his screams wound down. According to Na-Sun, he took a break, and the other was heaving the man forward. Na-Sun did not see the madman move, he only heard Ji-Ning¡¯s migraine-inducing scream and rushed to his aid. The madman¡¯s teeth were dug into Ji-Ning¡¯s upper chest, and they did their best to pull him off. They were pleading for backup and when they arrived, the madman¡¯s neck started to crane backwards. He dislodged himself and Ji-Ning shrieked even louder than before, collapsing backwards. Na-Sun froze in horror when he realized that the madman was chewing. When they made eye contact, the madman roared, and the flesh spitted out of his mouth like a cannon blast. He said that it blinded him and when his sight came to, everyone was senselessly pounding the madman into submission. He did not beg or yelp but continued to bellow as he flailed his arms. Na-Sun blinked, and those same arms collapsed into awkward angles. The man flopped like a fish and snapped his jaws. Before anyone knew it, he was still, and they did not realize that he was dead until the blood was pooling around their boots. They radioed their command center about the incident, which was, by the mysterious nature of the emergency, passed onto the American Military Command. This all happened approximately four hours, thirty-eight minutes ago. ¡°Nobody bothered to try handcuffing him?¡± Malcolm finally asked. ¡°You did not see this!¡± Ri-Yun screamed and lifted his pant leg. His right ankle and sock were crusty with dried crimson around a Human¡¯s bite intention. He dropped his pant leg. ¡°WE KEPT TELLING HIM TO CALM DOWN!¡± ¡°Something tells me he didn¡¯t hear you.¡± Malcolm pointed at the body with his hand. ¡°How about that part where he said, ¡®They are coming!¡¯ They?! Did you not ask yourself who the fuck ¡®THEY¡¯ are!?¡± Ri-Yun¡¯s face turned red. ¡°HE WAS BATSHIT!¡± ¡°Did you even report that to your bosses?¡± Malcolm¡¯s voice became hushed, complimented by the black of his eyes. ¡°I told them that I have a wounded man who needs a doctor. I have a dead body that I cannot move yet. Most importantly, I have civilians who need shelter! So, NO! I did not include the ramblings of a fucking lunatic!¡± Malcolm grasped his mouth. ¡°This nutjob is probably a defector from the army who knew something we don¡¯t!¡± He watched Ri-Yun drop his head in shame. ¡°You better hope that we don¡¯t get ambushed, or else it¡¯ll be real fucking hard for me to spin this shit as self-defense! Your gonna go all the way down to the opposite end of this goddamn tunnel and secure every cranny of it.¡± ¡°Sir-¡° ¡°I said. Every. Cranny.¡± There was no tone to Malcolm¡¯s voice. ¡°You fucked up today. If you want me to make a convincing case to my bosses, you¡¯ll do what I tell you. If I lose people because you didn¡¯t do your due diligence, they¡¯re gonna pin this shit on your head!¡± ¡°I DIDN¡¯T-¡° ¡°DISMMISSED!¡± Malcolm shouted. Ri-Yun still avoided eye contact. He ordered the men with him to follow. Malcolm turned around and marched to the tunnel¡¯s exit. He found the other two military officers standing idle outside. One followed Ri-Yun, by Malcolm¡¯s order and the other led him to the center¡¯s office. He then sent the escort into the tunnel before opening the door. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. The chair behind the main desk was pulled in front and there sat Ji-Ning on the right-side couch. Daniels stood beside the translator on the chair, who inspected Ji-Ning. He was topless and mummified in red-blotted bandages around his chest, all taken from the first aid box to the left side of the door by Malcolm. ¡°I assume they¡¯ve told you the whole story?¡± he asked Daniels. ¡°They did.¡± he nodded. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Malcolm asked the translator. ¡°Han-Rhee.¡± He gave a courteous salute. ¡°What did you have to do with the incident in the tunnel?¡± ¡°I-I helped patch the wound and speak English. That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°Nelson, we have to get the medics in here.¡± Daniels interrupted. Malcolm grabbed a walkie talkie that had been passed to him by Ri-Yun. ¡°Report. Over.¡± ¡°We¡¯re at one of the switches,¡± his voice hissed through static. ¡°There¡¯s another infantry hovel about a hundred meters from here.¡± ¡°Report back. Over and out.¡± He turned the talkie off and looked at Daniels. ¡°We need to get a whole platoon here and down there. NOW.¡± He looked confused. ¡°What the hell is wrong?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t our wounded friend tell you?¡± Malcolm stared down at Ji-Ning, ¡°They¡¯re coming.¡± Daniels winced. ¡°Who the fuck is coming?¡± ¡°Could be anything!¡± Malcolm said. ¡°DPRK Troops or the terrorists¡­Maybe the goddamn Chinese are rolling over the border!¡± Daniels¡¯ demeanor shared his concern. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just that large swarm of refugees-¡° Malcolm pointed to Ji-Ning¡¯s dark bandages, ¡°Our only suspect to anything decided he¡¯d rather do that than risk being sent back. Unless the goddamn president tells me otherwise, I¡¯m not letting anybody else get through.¡± ¡°Wait a minute¡­who got through?¡± Daniels asked. Malcolm¡¯s nose flared. ¡°Do as I say, quickly!¡± He snapped out of the conversation and hustled out the door. Malcolm then forced Ji-Ning to recount the entire story from beginning to end. There was little difference; Ji-Ning¡¯s perspirations were heavy, his hair damp and skin pale. Temp was wrong. This man needs a hospital, not our shitty medics. After rapping on the door, Staff Sergeant Robert ¡°Finger Blade¡± Avery stepped inside. The combat medic shared Malcolm¡¯s bulky disposition and brown eyes. Avery shut the door and pointed at Ji-Ning. ¡°I assume this is the guy?¡± ¡°He is the only one with a big-ass band aid.¡± Malcolm snarked. ¡°Pfft. This horse barely looks sapient.¡± Malcolm stood from the couch, ¡°Lay down.¡± He ordered Ji-Ning. ¡°Is there a good reason you¡¯re by yourself with him? Avery asked as he stepped over. ¡°Comparing their stories.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Is there a good reason you interrupted me?¡± ¡°Uh, a humanitarian reason as a matter of fact.¡± He looked sardonically at Malcolm and pulled a trauma kit from his back. As soon as he opened it, a pair of medical gloves appeared. While he slipped them on, Ri-Yun¡¯s walkie talkie made a chirp of static. Malcolm pulled it out. ¡°This is Nelson, report. Over.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Ri-Yun. The lights to the second hovel are out. Over.¡± ¡°How could we have figured that?¡± Malcolm was sly. ¡°You do not have permission to turn around. Over.¡± Ri-Yun sounded fearful. ¡°Sir¡­we heard something. There are blood trails...My men are hesitant. Over.¡± Malcolm grinned, ¡°You have magical flashlights, and cunning electric switches, get in there. Keep updating, over and out.¡± Without listening for Ri-Yun¡¯s confirmation, he sheathed the walkie talkie once again. Avery was staring back at him, waiting to hear what that was. ¡°These fucking idiots have been letting however many people congest the tunnel while they waited for us to come clean the mess up.¡± ¡°Right¡­Let¡¯s see here.¡± Avery grabbed the end of the red bandages and carefully unwrapped the upper torso. They were interrupted again by a knocking on the door; Malcolm opened it to see X.O. Daniels and Master Sergeant Chavez. ¡°I understand you ordered something about putting troops in the tunnel?¡± Daniels deadpanned. ¡°Have the tents pitched outside.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°I want men set up inside the tunnel at the first hovel. We¡¯ve got civies in there so bring medics. As soon as you get anything set up, I want you to send a fireteam to rendezvous with the Military Officers towards the other end. Got it?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± Daniels and Chavez uttered in unison. ¡°Uh, Captain?¡± Avery said behind him. ¡°Could you come here?¡± Malcolm turned around. Avery was delicately throwing the bandages away and turned his attention back to the now smelly wound on Ji-Ning¡¯s chest. In nearly five hours, the bandages had started to cover an obnoxious odor that Malcolm could now smell from where he was standing. He approached the couch and kneeled just behind Avery as Daniels and Chavez cornered him. ¡°Would one of you get out there?¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°This doesn¡¯t take four people.¡± ¡°My bad, Capt.¡± Javier turned out the office without looking back. ¡°How bad does it hurt?¡± Avery tried to ask Ji-Ning, ¡°Why the fuck are you nodding?¡± ¡°Because he doesn¡¯t understand you.¡± Malcolm said point blank; He translated, ¡°Hurts, yes? How much?¡± Ji-Ning gave head shake for ¡°no¡±. As he responded, beads of sweat flew off his hair. ¡°Well¡­I can tell it itches,¡± Avery slapped Ji-Ning¡¯s hand away from the wound, ¡°but he¡¯s not even in pain?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what he said.¡± Malcolm answered. Avery¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°It¡¯s festering¡­ Its deep enough for me to fuck it! And call me crazy, but these look like teeth marks to me! You want to tell me how the hell this happened? Sir.¡± Malcolm huffed. ¡°A suspect was caught trying to shut one of the electricity off, but these dipshits decided to wait until we showed up to investigate. Anyway, the guy went full on Berserker before anyone could question him. All the way screaming, ¡®They are coming¡¯. He snapped and did THAT to poor little Ji-Ning.¡± Avery nodded. ¡°And where is this ¡®Berserker¡¯ now?¡± ¡°Dead in the tunnel, they beat the motherfucker worse than Rodney King! Don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ve been trained in autopsies, right?¡± Avery shook his head. ¡°Wrong. Just dead wrong.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s all we¡¯re gonna get out of him.¡± ¡°Uh huh.¡± Avery was pouring a disinfectant onto a patch, and he placed it on the open wound. Ji-Ning chugged a bottled water until Avery began wrapping the new bandaging over the open wound. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you know exactly who is coming? Do you sir?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m agitated. All this happened well after we received our orders, and they didn¡¯t include anything the lunatic said. For all we know, ¡®they¡¯ are here. They could be among the civilians we already have with us. And that doesn¡¯t count how many already slipped past us.¡± Avery was finally done dressing the wound and the crimson red had been replaced with shiny white bandages. He silently motioned for Ji-Ning to lie on his bact. Avery took the gloves off and threw them away as he looked at Nelson and Lieutenant Daniels. ¡°Is that why you sent the South Koreans to scope out the tunnel?¡± Daniels asked. ¡°Your goddamn right.¡± Malcolm said confidently. ¡°They¡¯re not my people. This is their mess. So, they¡¯re taking point. I¡¯m not putting us at risk just because they¡¯re armed with batons.¡± ¡°You really think people have already got past them?¡± Avery asked. Malcolm nodded. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a foregone conclusion. We have four infiltration tunnels that have just today been converted into military checkpoints. We know of only four infiltration tunnels; assuming for the sake of argument there aren¡¯t a dozen more. The North Koreans expelled all foreign journalists last month. So, we¡¯ve had at least four weeks without heavy patrols at the tunnels we know about. And we simply have not been looking for escaping refugees until recently. Make no mistake, whomever ¡®they¡¯ are, they¡¯ve gotten through. It¡¯s just a question of how many and, most importantly, if we¡¯re surrounded. Speaking of that; Daniels, I want Fire Teams stationed at the tree lines.¡± Daniels gave a hesitant salute and left the office without uttering a word. Avery puckered his lips. ¡°Well, I¡¯m usually the one with the bad news, so, thank you for that.¡± ¡°How¡¯s he doing?¡± Malcolm looked at Ji-Ning. ¡°Whelp. Most of his symptoms are likely due to blood loss but he¡¯s got a bacterial infection. Now, I can keep slowing it down, but if we don¡¯t get him to a hospital he¡¯s going to die.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s not an option right now.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Our orders are that nobody is allowed past the checkpoint until further notice.¡± ¡°Well, they better notice us. This man needs skin grafts, stitches, and a round of antibiotics or else he¡¯s going to die a slow death over days.¡± ¡°I can let them know, but people are getting sick. If his immune system is compromised, we wouldn¡¯t be doing him any favors by putting him in a hospital anyway.¡± ¡°Well assuming that the bleeding doesn¡¯t start again, those bandages need to be changed after an hour.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°In the meantime, why don¡¯t you and your boys go in the tunnel and start screening those refugees?¡± Reaching for his trauma kit, Avery pulled out a surgical mask and slipped it over his ears followed by another set of gloves. ¡°So, what are you gonna do with this guy?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep him in here. He¡¯s not in any condition to be working anyway.¡± Avery saluted and strode over to the door. ¡°As I said, he¡¯s got a bacterial infection, if he gets ANY worse, find me.¡± He exited the office. Malcolm tapped his headset and attempted contact with Mendez. He repeated, ¡°Come in, Major.¡± ¡°Captain Nelson, it¡¯s good to hear from you.¡± Mendez spoke. ¡°Is this a SITREP, over?¡± Malcolm smacked his lips in annoyance. ¡°Yes sir, my company is setting up shop at the First Tunnel and still awaiting Bravo Company. We have at least forty-five civilian refugees and a severely wounded officer who is awaiting evac. The local military police reported additional movement further down the tunnel, awaiting their report now, over.¡± Mendez hesitated. ¡°That is a resounding ¡®no¡¯ on the evac, hospitalizations are up by fifty percent in the last hour. Over.¡± ¡°Sir, I¡¯m standing over a man with an infection and a hole in his chest.¡± Malcolm insisted. ¡°There¡¯s a dead body of a defector in the tunnel that I highly recommend we send back if nothing else. Over.¡± A clicking sound was heard in the silence. ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°Who the hell was this defector?¡± There was something cold in Mendez¡¯s voice. Malcolm felt offput. ¡°We don¡¯t have a name¡­He decided to attack the cops instead of turning himself in. They caught him trying to shut the lights off and he decided to go batshit. He repeatedly screamed, ¡®They¡¯re coming! They''re all dead!¡¯ He outmatched the two cops beating him and wounded one before the rest bludgeoned him to death. Over.¡± ¡°No one patted him down!? He had a weapon?!¡± Malcolm corrected him. ¡°No sir, he literally sank his teeth into the poor bastard¡¯s chest and tore it. Over.¡± It was deadpan for a full minute before Malcolm could even hear static. ¡°I want both, the defector and the officer. Over.¡± ¡°Is he safe from the flu patients? Over.¡± ¡°Nelson, just have your medical team load both in the back of a truck and send them to Casey.¡± Malcolm was emphatic. ¡°Sir, that¡¯s a whole truck for two people. We haven¡¯t got camp set up; I can¡¯t give you an ETA for that-¡± Mendez grew impatient. ¡°I don¡¯t care, just make it happen now, or else I¡¯ll have a truck dispatched from to you from Casey. Where are the other civilians?¡± ¡°They¡¯re still inside of the tunnel. We got-¡° ¡°KEEP them in there.¡± Mendez barked. ¡°Try not to let anybody else show up.¡± Malcolm gaffed. ¡°Sir, how the hell am I supposed to ethically do that? Over.¡± ¡°Just make it happen. No one gets through, period.¡± Malcolm felt palpable suspicion. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± ¡°¡­Yongsan Base is sounding alarms¡­¡± The Major responded with a forced stoicism. ¡°Keep your people safe. Over and out.¡± ¡°Yes sir¡­Over and out.¡± Malcolm looked over at Ji-Ning, who seemed to be fast asleep. That was a cryptic message¡­And I have a knack for those¡­ Malcolm immediately hit his earpiece. ¡°Avery, get back here now.¡± He had opened the office door and saw his Company setting up. As Malcolm had ordered, he could see a patrol on the road. Malcolm finally turned around and remembered the sight of Ji-Ning unconscious. ¡°WAKE. WAKE NOW!¡± Ji-Ning was groggy, and he began to smack his lips. His eyes finally opened¡­and they disturbed Malcolm. They were dilating but it didn¡¯t seem to stop the sickly man from staring right at him. Ji-Ning began to mutter faintly, like Malcolm was waking a drunk. He grabbed Ji-Ning by the shoulder and hoisted him to a sitting position. His mutter grew louder but still garbled. ¡°Hospital¡­¡± Malcolm spoke. ¡°We bring you to hospital¡­¡± The man continued to hyperventilate and looked completely dazed, his blue eyes stared at Malcolm without blinking. Malcolm realized what he muttered was repetitive as he identified specific words. ¡­He thinks I¡¯m his brother¡­and he¡¯s sorry. Chapter 9: A Second Spree ¡°...Death is an Old Friend of mine...¡±- David Draiman There was dim light emanating from the living room ceiling as little Connor sipped his bottle of cranberry juice; he was four years old this past January, Twenty-Eighteen. He sat with his black hair covering his half-shut eyes, wrapped underneath his dad¡¯s right arm with his legs propped on the lap. Malcolm had selected a nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough, rather than modern cartoons; the narration was expositing the symbiosis of Funguses. Malcolm looked at his child, then out the window into the nighttime backyard. His eyes glared into it like a burrowed predator, waiting for his catch to have backup. Nobody else is coming. He¡¯s alone. Malcolm checked his watch, and the time was eight thirty-seven. If tonight¡¯s a reminiscence, this one can¡¯t have anything to do with it. ¡°Done.¡± Connor squeaked with perfect timing. ¡°Your gonna need a big boy cup!¡± Malcolm smiled, ¡°I bet it¡¯s time for bed.¡± Malcolm stood, picking the little boy up; Connor wrapped his arms around Malcolm¡¯s neck like a monkey. They crossed through the kitchen where Malcolm listened intently to the muffled yells in the garage. He then brought his child upstairs, where his room was. Connor squeaked, ¡°Can¡¯t I stay up?¡± Malcolm soothed. ¡°It¡¯s too long past your bedtime.¡± ¡°Mommy don¡¯t know.¡± Connor said. ¡°There¡¯s plenty for her not to.¡± He continued softly as he turned right, down the hallway. ¡°I don¡¯t want her mad cause you¡¯re nodding off tomorrow.¡± Malcolm opened the door and saw the dim night light in a wall outlet next to Connor¡¯s little bed. What toys the boy owned were under the bed or in the closet. There were seven shelves across from the doorway, most were empty save for one which had little pop-up books Malcolm used to entertain Connor. ¡°I up again.¡± Connor spoke as Malcolm sat him on the tiny mattress. ¡°Oh, will you?¡± Malcolm grinned as he poked Connor¡¯s heart. ¡°Suppose you see something best not seeing?¡± Connor looked up to him. ¡°What?¡± Malcolm smirked. ¡°Nothing that you would get.¡± Connor cocked his head, ¡°Why?¡± Malcolm shrugged with a thoughtless answer. ¡°Because you¡¯re too young to understand the reasons behind the Black.¡± Connor deadpanned, ¡°Bullshit.¡± Malcolm struggled not to laugh. ¡°Don¡¯t repeat that around Mom, kiddo.¡± He nodded. ¡°What you do?¡± Malcolm patted Connor¡¯s shoulder. ¡°The lengths I¡¯ll go again to stay here for you.¡± Connor smiled. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because I need you to do as I say¡­and never what I¡¯ve done. Understand me?¡± Connor nodded. ¡°That¡¯s my boy!¡± Malcolm scuffed little Connor¡¯s head of hair. The child smiled; he began to sink into his covers so Malcolm could tuck him in. ¡°Goodnight kiddo.¡± He whispered before leaning in to kiss Connor on the forehead. After exiting the room, Malcolm checked his watch and realized the time was passed eight-fifty. Meryl¡¯s clocking out at ten; never do I let her catch a whiff of that Beast in me. Never shit where one eats, especially not where you care for children. Thank God for garages. Malcolm was in the kitchen and fetched himself a six-pack now that Connor was in bed again. He grabbed a beer and snapped the cap; he was gulping it steadily before he set the bottle on the counter, zoning out with piercing eyes. Should I even feel like a predator still? Should I even do this after breaking the habit? He entered a garage big enough for two cars. A little woodworking station sat in the center, between the two support beams. The station was a conventional metal desk that supported a safety board connected to another buzzsaw that could clamp down. Next to that was a sander Malcolm used to shave wood chips until any block was the shape he desired. The walls were perfectly mirrored versions of themselves with tools hanging in rows. Chained next to the metal desk, was the catch which overrode Malcolm¡¯s second thoughts. The beanie-headed intruder had his hands cuffed behind a support beam. He struggled to stand but his knees were half bent by the time he resorted to begging beneath his duct tape gag. Malcolm stepped toward the intruder, unblinking as he ripped the tape off his mouth. ¡°Be quiet or I¡¯ll give you a reason to scream.¡± The intruder was an ugly young man, pockmarked from substance abuse; his teeth were straight, but yellow as the sun and his eyes were beady. ¡°¡­Please don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± he quietly muttered. ¡°I was never gonna hurt nobody¡­¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Considering your pitiful food intake, I doubt you could hurt a bug.¡± The intruder winced. ¡°No one was supposed to be here man!¡± Malcolm pressed the man¡¯s head against the pillar. ¡°Shush.¡± Malcolm hummed as he raised the remaining beer to his nose. The intruder pitifully obeyed the silent order and was made to sip the beer before gulping all of it. ¡°Another.¡± Malcolm whispered afterward; he then turned around to grab a new beer. Malcolm satisfied his thirst with a third of the bottle while walking back over. The intruder was better prepared to gulp, and he swallowed more beer before coughing on it. After the bottle was empty, an awkward silence was exchanged. Malcolm finally spoke, coldly. ¡°What were you going to do?¡± The Intruder stammered. ¡°¡­I was just gonna steal some shit¡­¡± ¡°You were ¡®just gonna steal¡¯¡­¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°My shit.¡± ¡°Look man¡­I¡¯m broke!¡± The man begged. ¡°¡­I just wanted to find a Blu-ray to fence. Maybe some written banking information¡­you¡¯d be shocked!¡± You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Malcolm became more confident. ¡°You¡¯re admitting you¡¯ve done this before.¡± ¡°¡­No! I¡­¡± ¡°With whom?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°What?¡± Malcolm¡¯s teeth began to grind. ¡°Please do not be any more of a fucking invalid with me. You weren¡¯t going to carry my things through the streets. Where¡¯s your van; whose waiting for you?¡± The Intruder gasped. ¡°No one¡­I-¡± Malcolm cut him off with a backhanded slap. Again, he exchanged beer bottles and seamlessly snapped the cap off; he clenched the Intruder¡¯s nose as he was forcing the bottle into his mouth. The man coughed as Malcolm pulled the bottle out. ¡°I have a hose. Don¡¯t make me run out of beer.¡± The Intruder shook his head, hyperventilating. ¡°He would¡¯ve left already...¡± Malcolm was crossing to the six pack. ¡°Where was he parked?¡± ¡°The first street behind your house¡­¡± The Intruder looked desperate. ¡°He would have been waiting by the fence for me to pass him shit.¡± ¡°My shit.¡± ¡°Look man! We thought¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you speak.¡± Malcolm was picking up his fourth beer. ¡°How long have you been watching us?¡± ¡°Hardly a day!¡± The Intruder answered. ¡°We didn¡¯t know there was a kid here!¡± ¡°Tell me more about this fellow.¡± Malcolm was uncorking the cap. ¡°It¡¯s him; no other accomplice?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The Intruder gasped. ¡°He¡¯s my bro!¡± ¡°So¡­¡± Malcolm grinned. ¡°Your ¡®bro¡¯ would just leave you behind?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Malcolm pinched his nose and forced the bottle down the Intruder¡¯s throat. In seconds, the man was hacking on it. Malcolm allowed the intruder spare seconds to inhale as he drank the rest. ¡°Is he even what a brother should be?¡± The Intruder tried to stand straight. ¡°I-I¡¯m not ratting on him¡­¡± ¡°Well¡­you actually did¡­¡± Malcolm smiled once more. ¡°You realize you¡¯ve given me enough for the cops to pursue? And that I¡¯m Active Military?¡± Malcolm cocked his head. The Intruder¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°Shit!!! Please just let me go! I¡¯ll let your house be, I swear!¡±¡± ¡°Mine? You better¡­¡± Malcolm became slyer. ¡°What about other people? Will they be as poor as you are?¡± The Intruder grew more fearful. ¡°I gotta make a living! How about I cut you in on it¡­huh?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes swelled blacker. ¡°Are you soliciting a bribe from an Army Officer?¡± ¡°Fuck man¡­just please stop! Call the cops already, just let me go!¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± Malcolm hushed while holding a fifth beer. ¡°When did you drop out of school?¡± The Intruder was distressed. ¡°Jesus Christ! What¡¯s this got to do with anything?¡± ¡°Everything¡­You don¡¯t really have a future, do you? Both you and your fucking ¡®brother¡¯¡­I can tell you have a record. Anyone who didn¡¯t, would be just as scared of the cops as they are of me. What¡¯s your rap sheet? Is it Vandalism or Felony assault? Do you have a sob story about having to work to feed the family at a young age, resulting in a classic Drug Dealer saga?¡± ¡°No!¡± The Intruder was flabbergasted. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t get what happened¡­¡± Malcolm silenced him with a wave. ¡°However sad your beginnings are, it¡¯s relevance only goes so far; you made choices in given instances. Whatever they were, in whatever capacity given, all of them hold lasting roots. You were only able to go so far in knowing or caring, now you don¡¯t even know how this came to be¡­You¡¯re lucky to have someone who¡¯s like you, get that?¡± The Intruder¡¯s confusion became more apparent. ¡°¡­My brother?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°He¡¯s not the one here.¡± He gasped. ¡°What the fuck¡­¡± ¡°I get it¡­You and I; we¡¯re grey depictions of the American Dream gone wrong.¡± Malcolm leaned in, letting his hot breath creep on the Intruder. ¡°What sets us apart? I¡¯ve amplified my developments into a purpose, and I thrive, allowing my child to grow up in peace. You? Everything with you amounts to a parasite; this ¡®living¡¯ of yours takes from the people who try harder.¡± ¡°Fuck you man!¡± The Intruder spat on the floor in a pitiful attempt to establish dominance. ¡°You¡¯re torturing me! I never hurt people!¡± ¡°¡­Your diction implies a lacking grasp on the reality of that word¡­¡± Malcolm sharply hissed. ¡°Hurt.¡± The Intruder began to shudder. ¡°¡­You¡¯re going to kill me¡­¡± Malcolm flashed his grin. ¡°I commend your perception¡­I was afraid that you¡¯re retarded; I¡¯d hate having to let you go.¡± ¡°¡­Why?!¡± The Intruder looked close to tears. ¡°Why you gotta do this?!¡± Malcolm clicked his tongue. ¡°That¡¯s¡­not what they used to ask. They didn¡¯t usually ask much, come to think.¡± He tapped the rim of the final beer bottle, ¡°That¡¯s a...unique takeaway for this occasion¡­¡± The Intruder¡¯s legs trembled. ¡°Are you out of your mind!?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not¡­I¡¯m¡­perfectly leveled.¡± Malcolm withheld his laugh. ¡°What higher state of being is there than to kill a renegade burglar in the name of Family?¡± After speaking, Malcolm finished the rest of his beer and sheathed it in the six pack. The Intruder seemed to fidget where he was chained. ¡°¡­You don¡¯t have to do this!¡± Malcolm gently shut his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­¡± he spoke soothingly. ¡°There¡¯s meaning in being the one-hit-wonder to my reunion act¡­people die senselessly everywhere, every day...There are far worse ways-¡± After the clank of chains was heard, the Intruder was free of handcuffs thanks to the tiny screwdriver in hand. The Intruder flailed his tool in Malcolm¡¯s direction like it were a shiv; Malcolm¡¯s nose flared instinctively, causing the Intruder to shudder his defensive posture. The Man shouted, ¡°Get the fuck back!¡±, as he thrust the screwdriver into Malcolm, piercing his pectoral. Malcolm let out a whisp of air as he stammered back with the tool¡¯s handle poking out his chest; soon, his back was against the wall. Malcolm looked at the handle and processed what had happened; after his thoughts gathered, Malcolm slowly lifted his head to look at the attacker. Malcolm¡¯s flashing smile became so wide that his black eyes forgot to blink. ¡°¡­Thank you¡­¡± He spoke wholeheartedly. The Intruder¡¯s eyes began to weep as he panicked; Malcolm sprung forward with a hanging pitchfork as the Intruder grabbed a random mallet. The Intruder smacked Malcolm across the cheek, failing to stop the momentum of the pitchfork. Malcolm¡¯s vision returned and he noticed his sharp pain dulling from the snap of prongs in flesh. Malcolm had forced the Intruder onto the ground while holding the pitchfork through his torso. A dragging croak forced the blood into a pool around his mouth; a whirling sound was heard as blood seeped down the garage¡¯s drain. The Intruder¡¯s helplessly prying fingers turned limp, and the croak ceased. Malcolm finally blinked at the sight of his own blood dripping out his lips and threw the pitchfork to the side. Immediately, Malcolm circled to grab the handcuffs. While pocketing them, he fell onto the ground near the door, sitting while he pulled the screwdriver out of his pectoral. Malcolm kept his pained groan muffled, and his shirt was seeping red after the final tug. Malcolm¡¯s painful breaths were slow while he set the screwdriver down, he then looked at the deceased Intruder before slowly exiting the garage. Malcolm had gathered the bottles into the recycling bin, stain free. He rushed a look around for potential evidence before grabbing his phone to dial nine-one-one. ¡°¡­What¡¯s your emergency?¡± ¡°¡­I need help and an ambulance!¡± Malcolm used his pain to sound desperate, ¡°I just got attacked in my garage!¡±. The Operator sounded stoic. ¡°Sir, please relax¡­You said you got attacked?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Malcolm forced the plea. ¡°Where is the intruder now?¡± ¡°¡­He¡¯s still here¡­¡± ¡°Is anyone injured?¡± Malcolm stammered. ¡°He stabbed me! H-He¡¯s impaled!¡± The pause dragged on enough for Malcolm to become distracted. The Operator returned. ¡°¡­You said he¡¯s impaled?¡± ¡°¡­H-He¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re injured too?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± The Operator was quiet for another moment. ¡°Please confirm your address.¡± ¡°Malcolm Nelson, Four-Five-Five-Two Kelley Road...¡± ¡°Okay sir. I¡¯m sending help now. They¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you¡­¡± Malcolm was grinning as he hung up the phone. Chapter 10: Blooded Costs ¡°There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.¡±- Friedrich Nietzsche Malcolm was sitting alone in the kitchen with a thick glass of Meryl¡¯s red wine in hand. He twisted his shoulder, where the bandage was wrapped around his bare chest and keeping the wound disinfected. His head was dizzy from the previous glasses, and finally checked his watch; the time was Nine twenty-one. There was an immediate ring at the front door which forced Malcolm to finish what was left of his wine. He walked to the door as the bell rang a second time. When Malcolm opened the door, he was greeted by two police officers standing on the porch. The sergeant, a man named Roy, held a pencil and notepad while his partner; a man named Mayer kept both hands on his hips. There were two police vehicles parked on the street with the headlights still flashing, along with the ambulance. Both their jaws started to hang loose; the Sergeant stared at Malcolm with bewilderment. ¡°Are you okay sir?¡± Malcolm touched his face, feeling the tension of the purple bruise covering his cheek. ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡± The Sergeant winced. ¡°Are you sure? We can get you to the hospital.¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°I think I should be okay¡­¡± Both cops looked at each other before one confirmed, ¡°Mr. Nelson, correct?¡± Malcolm hesitated. ¡°Y-yes sir.¡± ¡°We understand that there¡¯s been a burglary?¡± Mayer asked. Malcolm scratched his head. ¡°Well, nothing got stolen but¡­¡± ¡°That would be theft, sir.¡± Mayer corrected. ¡°Well¡­then yes.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°The dispatcher told us you were stabbed?¡± Sergeant Roy pointed at Malcolm¡¯s bandaging. ¡°And that our suspect got impaled?¡± Malcolm gulped, ¡°Yes sir. Um¡­Do you want to come inside?¡± Roy nodded. ¡°That would make this easier. Yes.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Malcolm stepped back so they may enter, ¡°I¡¯ll ugh¡­get the garage door open; it¡¯s just through here.¡± The partner closed the door behind them, and they all crossed into the kitchen. After Malcolm opened the door to the garage he stepped left as he hit the switch to open the main shutter. It rose as Roy moved up to take note of the pitchfork adjacent to the dead intruder. Mayer stood guard at the doorway, covering his mouth with one hand as he gazed at the paling body, then to the blooded screwdriver. Roy scratched his head with his pencil, ¡°So¡­what happened?¡± Malcolm rubbed his hands as if he were rinsing them. He stammered quietly, ¡°I-I put my son to bed, that was about half an hour ago, after that I came downstairs to fire up the ugh¡­the sander. I was gonna make¡­. It¡¯s stupid-¡° ¡°No, we¡¯re interested.¡± Roy stated. ¡°It was just supposed to be this little toy duck for Connor, my son.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°The first attempts we¡¯re shit.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re into woodworking?¡± Roy was eyeing the station. Malcolm shrugged. ¡°Just a new hobby. I can¡¯t make tables or anything of the sort. See, the hanging sander over there lets you shape your wood¡­¡± Roy attempted not to chuckle as he took notes, but it cracked through. Malcolm kept his head down but gave a pitiful smile. ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s when he attacked you?¡± Mayer rubbed his mustache and directed their attention back to the body. ¡°I turned the lights on, and he faced me, yes.¡± ¡°Out in the open?¡± ¡°Yes. He was scrambling at me when I noticed him.¡± ¡°When was that?¡± Roy asked. Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°Half an hour¡­¡± ¡°No.¡± Roy corrected, ¡°When did you notice him?¡± Malcolm paused. ¡°It¡¯s hard to tell¡­I was looking down, I was tired¡­I looked up and he was already trying to grab me.¡± Roy pursed his lips while nodding. ¡°Go on.¡± Malcolm scratched his head. ¡°¡­The man pushed me into the wall right there; once my back was against it, he stabbed me with the screwdriver.¡± He pointed to his chest wound. ¡°Did he say anything?¡± Mayer asked. ¡°¡­No¡­¡± Malcolm answered, ¡°He just attacked.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Malcolm was stammering. ¡°It happened really fast¡­I stopped thinking¡­I grabbed whatever tool I could.¡± Roy pointed to the pitchfork. ¡°Yes.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°I thrust him off me, which was when I think my face was hit¡­Next thing I remembered was standing over him.¡± ¡°With the pitchfork in him.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°He was struggling, and I panicked.¡± ¡°How did the pitchfork get over there?¡± Mayer asked. ¡°¡­I pulled it out¡­¡± Mayer winced. ¡°Which was when he died correct?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°Blood loss may be what did it.¡± Mayer said. Malcolm stammered again. ¡°He was hurting¡­¡± Mayer shook his head. ¡°Dude, I see your army tattoos. You mean to tell me you don¡¯t know that shit? Your supposed to leave it in him until the paramedics show up.¡± ¡°Chill out Bill.¡± Roy interrupted as he finished writing on the notepad. He took a few steps toward the body. ¡°Look at where he¡¯s punctured. Odds are, his air supply got cut off immediately, not to mention the prongs likely severed his spine. This guy was already a goner by my estimate.¡± He continued to write in his notepad. Malcolm stood with a sunken chin while Mayer cut his stare from him, back to Roy who began to tap with increasing frequency. ¡°Oh, wait a fucking minute!¡± Roy barked. Malcolm¡¯s pupils shriveled as Mayer approached Roy, ¡°What is it?¡± Roy¡¯s expression turned cocky. ¡°Look at him! This little fucker was profiled at the drug den we busted the other week! Remember? The prick left just before our raid; I think it was Brody who booked him afterwards. We¡¯ll know for sure once we ID him, though I doubt he was dumb enough to bring that on a caper. You didn¡¯t touch him since the incident, did you?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Roy pulled out gloves and checked the front pockets. Opposite of what was expected, he found a black wallet. ¡°Well shit. I guess he was stupid! Wait here¡­¡± He spoke into his walkie talkie as he approached the open front shutter. He gave a hand signal to the paramedics. Malcolm continued to avoid eye contact with the partner, who kept an eye on him. ¡°I think maybe we should step inside.¡± Mayer spoke. Malcolm agreed but kept his head down. As the paramedics came inside the garage, Malcolm walked inside with Mayer behind him. Malcolm paid the officer no mind as he stood by the kitchen counters, he poured another glass of wine. ¡°I¡¯m uh, being rude¡­¡± Malcolm finally faced Officer Mayer, ¡°Can I get you anything?¡± ¡°Coffee?¡± Mayer responded with a straight face, ¡°Our shifts just started, so we got all night.¡± ¡°I still have some in the pot but it¡¯s long cold by now.¡± Malcolm motioned to it. Mayer shrugged, ¡°I like iced coffee.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Malcolm opened the kitchen cabinets to retrieve a fresh mug while sipping his wine. ¡°How much have you been drinking?¡± Mayer asked, almost suspiciously. ¡°I did have a few beers beforehand.¡± Malcolm looked down at the glass, ¡°The wine belongs to my wife...¡± he took another gulp before setting the glass down to retrieve the coffee pot from its station. Mayer nodded. ¡°¡­You mentioned a son. Where¡¯s his mom?¡± ¡°Work.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°She¡¯s an ER Nurse. Gets off at ten.¡± Mayer thanked Malcolm for the coffee he was passing, ¡°You¡¯ve notified her, right?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes popped out of his head; he dropped his head and took another sip. ¡°Okay, sir?¡± Mayer raised his hand politely. ¡°I¡¯ll let you finish that one, no more after.¡± Malcolm was concerned. ¡°Is there a problem officer?¡± ¡°I¡¯m concerned that your judgment is impaired.¡± Mayer answered. ¡°That may have led to some bad decisions.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Malcolm dropped his chin. ¡°You¡¯ve been mixing.¡± Mayer said. ¡°How many beers did you say you had?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t feel comfortable repeating myself¡­¡± Malcolm wanted to shrivel. Mayer squinted. ¡°Can I ask why not?¡± Malcolm¡¯s lips thinned with fear. ¡°Can I ask if I¡¯m under arrest? ¡°Arrest for what?¡± Mayer asked. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯d like to know.¡± Roy came back into the kitchen and showed interest. ¡°Coffee for me too, please?¡± ¡°Yea, sure¡­¡± Malcolm broke eye contact with Mayer, ¡°It¡¯ll take a few minutes to brew.¡± Roy shrugged. ¡°Well¡­We got all night and unlike this weirdo I take mine hot.¡± ¡°Is he still in there?¡± Malcolm added a fresh filter to the brewer. ¡°Unfortunately, yes.¡± Roy answered. ¡°Mind if I sit?¡± Malcolm nodded and Roy pulled a seat out from the kitchen table, ¡°The station would like us to leave the scene as it is until a detective observes-¡° At that Malcolm nearly dropped a scoop of coffee grounds. ¡°Whoa! Why a detective? I told you everything; I defended myself!¡± ¡°Mr. Nelson.¡± Roy said as he passively waved Malcolm down, ¡°We have a dead body in a residential suburb. We¡¯re still confirming his identity, and he may be connected to another break-in. The station would like a thorough report on the matter and we¡¯re not with homicide; a homicide expert is on his way.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°I¡¯m happy to serve you guys what I have, but I don¡¯t want to say anything more without legal counsel. You have my account recorded; that¡¯s that.¡± Malcolm pressed the start button for the brew cycle. Roy cocked his head, ¡°That¡¯s that? Huh?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The silence was long enough for the hum of the brewer to finish. The glances were exchanged back and forth between the cops. ¡°Whelp,¡± Roy clapped, ¡°You¡¯re not under arrest so we can¡¯t force the matter, however you¡¯re detained until the detectives can observe the scene. Procedures and all.¡± Malcolm just looked at the mug as he poured and said, ¡°Cream and Sugar?¡± ¡°Lots of both. Thank you.¡± Roy¡¯s eyes became analytic of Malcolm as he added both. He set the mug on the counter, instead of bringing it to Roy and Malcolm leaned back against the kitchen island. ¡°You mind if I call my wife?¡± He asked. ¡°Reach wherever you need.¡± Mayer stated. He pulled his phone out to dial; it was the after the fifth ring when Malcolm heard Meryl speak, ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Um¡­. Hey darling.¡± ¡°Shit, what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°The police are here.¡± Malcolm whispered and received no response. ¡°Honey?¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Meryl¡¯s voice returned. ¡°Just...go on, what happened?¡± ¡°Connor and I are okay, but there was a burglar¡­¡± ¡°When!?¡± ¡°Like, forty minutes ago.¡± Malcolm started to fidget. ¡°Um¡­¡± ¡°Please just tell me¡­.¡± Meryl begged. ¡°He¡¯s dead¡­The guy tried to kill me.¡± Meryl gasped. ¡°Are you okay!?¡± ¡°He got me good, but I¡¯ll live. I just don¡¯t want you to freak out if you come home before the police leave.¡± ¡°What about Connor?¡± ¡°He¡¯s still in bed.¡± Malcolm promised. ¡°He never saw it.¡± ¡°Are they arresting you?¡± Her voice became more fearful. ¡°We¡¯re waiting on the detectives.¡± ¡°Mal, that sounds bad.¡± ¡°Listen honey, they mentioned something about repeated break-ins; it could be more about him than me. This is just standard procedure.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t worry me any less¡­¡± ¡°Just get yourself some dinner and wait for it to blow over.¡± Malcolm pleaded back. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± Malcolm had to hang up when she didn¡¯t. Meanwhile, Roy and Mayer had been whispering to each other and they refocused on Malcolm once he put the phone down. ¡°Humor me with one thing¡­¡± Roy was rubbing his chin, ¡°¡­ what unit did you serve with?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes fluttered. ¡°Your tats.¡± Roy was looking at Malcolm¡¯s bicep, ¡°Of course you¡¯re a vet. Right?¡± He lifted his right sleeve, revealing that his shoulder had a bald eagle carrying the world; beneath that was his Gunnery-Sergeant Insignia ¡°Either that or you¡¯re some sort of Proud Boy.¡± Malcolm almost hesitated. ¡°Second Division, First Battalion, One Hundred Twenty-First Infantry Regiment, November Company.¡± Roy dropped his sleeve. ¡°Second Marine Division, Eighth regiment, First Battalion. You talk like you made Officer.¡± ¡°You guessed right.¡± Malcolm smiled. ¡°I graduated from Officer Candidate School; officially became a Captain, my Colonel wanted to make me a Warrant Officer though.¡± ¡°That would take you out of the field, fuck that!¡± Roy boasted. ¡°I signed up to kick Bin Laden¡¯s ass, found myself kicking Saddam¡¯s instead. They had me deployed to Kuwait and Camp Fallujah for most of the war¡­but I saw my share of the action! How many towelheads did you off?¡± Oomph. Careful Malcolm. He pursed his lips. ¡°¡­About twenty-five¡­¡± ¡°Damn son!¡± Mayer said. Malcolm¡¯s eyes drifted above. ¡°Well¡­possibly twenty-six.¡± ¡°Twenty-Seven now!¡± Roy laughed. ¡°I can only take credit for nineteen that I know of.¡± Malcolm joined the laughter. ¡°I¡¯m cool to pour myself another glass?¡± ¡°Certainly!¡± Roy said. *** Meryl was rushing through the parking lot after finally clocking out, the brunette-haired woman of thirty-four was trying to get home as quickly as possible. She drove her car one handed, with her head resting in the other hand as the Nirvana chorus droned. ¡°¡­Got some rope, haven¡¯t told¡­ ¡­Promise you, have been true¡­. ¡­Let me take a ride, cut yourself¡­ ¡­Want some help, please myself¡­¡± As Meryl came upon the next red light, she merged to turn right. The thought of an arrest for Mal filled her with dread and the dark of night accompanying her turns down the neighborhoods didn¡¯t help. It was ten twenty-five and the anticipation was mounting. She made the final right and was immediately greeted with the brightness of the ambulance at the front of the cul-de-sac. There were three other cars parked in front, two squad cars and a Volkswagen with a blue siren on the driver¡¯s side roof. She had no room on the driveway and pulled up in front of the adjacent house. Meryl got out and saw a covered stretcher exiting the garage. One of the two officers saw her from the front of the driveway. ¡°Ma¡¯am!¡± the officer insisted. ¡°The residence is currently being-¡° ¡°I live here; I¡¯m his wife! Where¡¯s Mal?¡± The Officer paused and looked at his partner, who ran inside of the garage. ¡°Just one moment Ma¡¯am¡­¡± The Officer insisted. ¡°Please don¡¯t do anything to him!¡± Meryl pleaded as the ambulance took off, ¡°He¡¯s active-duty military! He wouldn¡¯t-¡° ¡°Ma¡¯am.¡± the cop raised his hands, ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be okay, your husband is inside.¡± The partner ran back out. ¡°Clear!¡± he spoke, ¡°You can go in.¡± Meryl ran past him without acknowledgement. After entering the garage, she paused at the river of blood that was drying over the drain, and the pool it once swelled from. There were several tools aligned on the floor, each sealed in a clear bag; it was the pitchfork which caused Meryl to shiver. She heard echoes of laughter through the open door to the kitchen. As she stepped through, there was a man clad in a light sports coat pacing the room as a patrol cop drank coffee while he sat by the dinner table. The coated man was mid-story: ¡°¡­we¡¯re trying to confirm whether they were trading Opium for these guns. Then we watched the farmer and his son show up from the road beneath our post with their stupid fucking pack mules. There are the five Taliban guards at the end of the crossroad and then there¡¯s us sitting with our thumbs up our asses for what seemed like thirty minutes as the peasants shuffled up the road. Sure enough, someone from the Taliban was talking to them. Now, bear in mind, we didn¡¯t have a direct sight of what they brought. Now I¡¯m telling myself, ¡®Don¡¯t you fucking do it kid. Don¡¯t you make me do this¡­¡¯ But of course, he pulls some suspicious sacks out of the packs while two of the guards were unloading some weapons crates off their jeeps and bringing it up to the leader. Now you can imagine what happens next, we confirmed that these fuckers were trading opium for guns. We sent it up the command chain and we get told, ¡®Hold off.¡¯ I¡¯m thinking, ¡®Oh Shit! This is it! I¡¯m gonna do it¡­.¡¯ My sergeant was waiting for orders, then suddenly I heard him list out some numbers; I realized those were coordinates! Suddenly, my spotter patted my shoulder and said, ¡®You¡¯re limiting the view bro.¡¯ I took my eye off the scope. A second later, a payload from above blew both jeeps to right to Hell! Those inside the jeep were obviously dead, and the rest scattered like roaches! By then, the Sergeant yelled, ¡®Weapons Free! Weapons Free!¡¯, and the whole squad was firing. The pack mules dropped instantly, everybody else was cut down as they ran!¡± Jovial laughter resounded the kitchen. Meryl closed the door behind her and was still unnoticed. The Man was finishing. ¡°It was over fast as fuck! Then as we we¡¯re packing up, I saw one of those fuckers moving, it was the son! He was crawling along the sand towards one of the crates. Now we had no idea what kind of weapons these boys were trading, but we all know exactly what this bastard would do with one. I pointed him out to my Sergeant, who said, ¡®Your mark¡­.¡¯ Next thing I know, everybody¡¯s chanting ¡®Nikky! Nikky! Nikky!¡¯ So, I look back in my scope and I blew a round right through his lung! And he went like¡­¡± The coated man arched his back forward to contort, ¡°¡­And he dropped on his face!¡± He stood up as the room laughed. ¡°And THAT was the only shot I pulled on my whole first tour!¡± Mal was borderline cackling with his head facing the ceiling. Another Officer was red-faced beside Mal, he stopped chuckling and said, ¡°Between that and Guantanamo, that was probably nice of you.¡± ¡°...Um...¡± Meryl vocalized while looking at everyone. Mal finally saw her. ¡°Honey!¡± His brown eyes popped out of his head as he spun around the counter, ¡°Your home!¡± Meryl had no time to address his bandages; Mal hugged her tightly and she could smell wine in his breath. ¡°I assume your Miss Nelson?¡± The man in the sports coat asked. ¡°What happened?¡± She asked after the hug ended. The man answered. ¡°Just a home invasion gone horribly wrong; everything checks out. Your husband put the kid to bed before nine, when the break-in occurred. The perpetrator tried to kill your husband when he entered the garage.¡± She gasped at Mal¡¯s bandages and cupped his purple, swollen cheek. ¡°What did he do to you?!¡± ¡°Nothing Connor had to see.¡± Mal sincerely answered. Meryl forgot to blink. ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked.¡± Mal looked to his wounds before looking back at Meryl. ¡°The asshole stabbed me with one of the tools, also I took a hammer smash.¡± Meryl shuddered with Mal¡¯s face in hand. ¡°He what?!¡± Mal cupped her face in return. ¡°Honey. I dealt with him.¡± ¡°How?!¡± she demanded. Mal hesitated. ¡°The way I was taught; whatever way available.¡± ¡°¡­Mal, what did you do?¡± He blinked. ¡°The pitchfork was next to me.¡± Meryl wanted to shudder. The Detective spoke up before she could, ¡°Fortunately, it should be the last in a string of burglaries. We confirmed his identity as a multiple offender, but this is admittedly the first time he¡¯s been violent.¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Roy said, ¡°He didn¡¯t want to go back!¡± ¡°Anyway.¡± Detective ¡®Nikki¡¯ returned to Meryl. ¡°We¡¯re sorry for any undue stress but there are standard investigative procedures. We had to keep your husband detained until I got here. But now that we¡¯ve confirmed the suspect¡¯s identity, I think it¡¯s safe to let your husband off!¡± Meryl finally shuddered. ¡°So that¡¯s it then?¡± The Detective cocked his head. ¡°Unless there¡¯s anything else you want to talk about?¡± She paused. ¡°Uh, no thank you.¡± The Detective clapped once. ¡°Well then! It¡¯s a long shift for us! We best be on our way.¡± With that, Roy stood, and flanked by Mayer, they followed the Detective back out through a garage cleared of physical evidence. ¡°Have a good one yawl, stay safe.¡± Malcolm said as he closed the shudder. One of them responded, ¡°You do the same!¡± The kitchen was deafeningly silent except for the air conditioning. Mal walked back around the counter to retrieve the empty mugs of coffee and wash them out in the sink. He then polished off the glass of wine and began to rinse that out as well. ¡°¡­I kind of helped myself to your stash¡­¡± ¡°I can tell.¡± Meryl set her purse down. ¡°How much have you had?¡± ¡°Enough.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Couple of glasses. Plus, the beers.¡± ¡°Were you drunk when it happened?¡± Meryl asked. ¡°Well not drunk, but I am now.¡± She winced. ¡°And that¡¯s a good thing?¡± ¡°Well, all things being considered? Yes.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Meryl reached for the bottle, ¡°How about we put that away?¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Mal finished wiping the counter. ¡°I still gotta hose the stains away before they¡¯re permanent.¡± Meryl was surprised. ¡°Can¡¯t that wait until the morning?¡± He looked directly at her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to have to scrub dry chips of blood tomorrow.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s blood on you!¡± she pointed to the trickle of droplets that rose Malcolm¡¯s pant leg. Malcolm looked both ways while facing her. ¡°It didn¡¯t get in my mouth or anything. Plus, I¡¯m vaccinated; can¡¯t get lockjaw from the screwdriver.¡± Meryl¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°That¡¯s¡­not what I¡¯m worried about.¡± Mal winced. ¡°Did something happen at work?¡± ¡°YES!¡± ¡°Honey!¡± Mal gasped. ¡°Connor is asleep.¡± Meryl¡¯s heart was palpitating. ¡°My husband called me to say that he killed a man!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to see it.¡± Mal answered. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you get dinner?¡± ¡°I thought you were under arrest!¡± she yelled. Mal¡¯s eyes glazed while looking at her, ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to see it.¡± Meryl cupped her mouth, trembling. ¡°Honey, are you okay?¡± He shrugged again and wiped his hands on his legs. ¡°The cops were nice, so¡­.¡± ¡°¡­You used the pitchfork¡­¡± Mal¡¯s mouth seemed to fumble. ¡°¡­It¡¯s what was next to me...¡± Meryl reiterated the point. ¡°¡­You were able to kill him with it¡­¡± ¡°Darling, I¡¯ve¡­¡± Mal wiped his mouth, ¡°Look, you know that¡¯s not the first time I¡¯ve had to kill someone; I serve with Infantry.¡± Meryl felt dazed. ¡°¡­But¡­how are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m trained to deal with it.¡± He emphasized, ¡°At first, when I was trying for the Marines, they made us watch gore videos that first week to prep us.¡± ¡°¡­They said they knew the burglar?¡± Meryl asked. ¡°Some bailee.¡± Mal answered. ¡°They mentioned something about him having a brother.¡± She winced again. ¡°And you¡¯re okay with that?¡± Mal¡¯s eyes glistened with confusion. ¡°Honey¡­I don¡¯t know him. And the detective literally said they were gonna go talk to him next, so it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± She shook her head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡­How!?¡± Mal gasped. ¡°Because he was helping him! You think a home invader was loading a van by himself?¡± Meryl shook her head. ¡°Did you see anybody else?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°So why is that even in the discussion?¡± Meryl asked, only for him to stammer without speaking. ¡°¡­Mal¡­¡± ¡°What did I do?¡± Now, she stammered. ¡°¡­This sounds like¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Mal asked. ¡°¡­Are you sure this isn¡¯t PTSD?¡± ¡°Honey¡­I¡¯ve never had a flashback¡­¡± He seemed to deflect. ¡°Look, today was long enough for both of us. Can we talk about this tomorrow?¡± ¡°But I¡¯m scared for you!¡± ¡°Not so loud!¡± Malcolm hushed. ¡°You don¡¯t even look like you¡¯re shocked!¡± She continued. ¡°And what was that conversation with ¡®Nikki¡¯ all about?¡± ¡°Sweetheart¡­.¡± Mal took one step forward and touched her hands. Cupping his fingers over hers, he pulled her in for another embrace which she hesitantly returned. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his head rested just next to her. ¡°¡­Our first night together¡­ together together¡­. You remember how bad I was?¡± he asked. The shift in topics gave Meryl goosebumps and an arch in her eyebrows; but choosing to focus on the sweet memory forced her to smile. ¡°You did warn me¡­¡± They lifted their heads and continued their handhold, Mal¡¯s brown eyes looked up to her. ¡°I haven¡¯t been shocked by anything since the day you asked me out. I was never happier before we left the hospital with Connor. And I¡¯ve never found violence easier than when it was for the two of you. I gave myself to you. Okay? You saved my life in ways you don¡¯t even know. We¡¯ll carry each other to the End.¡± As always, he kept looking into Meryl¡¯s eyes as they kissed. His arms slid forward; the hands sensually glided up her torso until they were cupping Meryl¡¯s breasts. He stepped forward and slid his arms under her shoulders, pulling himself into her once again, tighter than before, and as he felt her body click against his like two puzzle pieces, his inhalations turned rhythmic. They continued to kiss as Malcolm flexed his protruding muscles, rubbing Meryl¡¯s shoulder blades. She used to gently rub his head at this point. Instead, she trembled, and her eyes were watering as she returned the kiss. His rhythms became a muffled moan¡­.and she started to feel him protruding against her lower waist. Her focus on the kiss faltered. ¡°Mal¡­¡± As he took a deep breath, his arms slid down her back. Wrapping his arms tightly around her, both hands began to slide under her shirt; she grabbed them. ¡°Mal!¡± He paused and stared at her. Then, he swung one arm beneath her knees and swept her up as he did on the day they married. The swift motion of it knocked her out of her senses. He began to carry her through the dining room, where flashbacks of their first meeting hit her. Finally breaking the floodgates of tears that had been building behind her eyes, yet he was oblivious as he turned to climb the staircase. ¡°Malcolm! Stop!¡± Suddenly, his legs began to wobble, and she wept. ¡°Put me down...Now¡­¡± He stared at her like a confused cat. He tried to sit on the staircase and hug her once again while she was on his lap, only for her to hesitantly push off him. She saw that his looking at her bloodshot eyes snuffed all the light from his heart. She resisted looking back as she rose to the top; only the sounds of her sobs rang aloud. ¡°Meryl I¡¯m sorry!¡± At the top, she stood facing the right hallway to Connor¡¯s room with her fists clenched. She took delicate steps to approach his door and opened it with a push. The silhouette of Connor¡¯s head rose from behind the bed, seemingly turning his head like an automaton to look at her. Soundless flashes of lightning from the window showed his face turn from fearful to happy and the boy sprinted around to her. ¡°MOMMY!¡± Meryl kneeled to hug her son tightly, yet shuddered as additional flashes illuminated the toddler-esq features of Malcolm. ¡°¡­It¡¯s okay baby¡­¡± The child seemed to quiver in her embrace. ¡°Daddy left! It Loud!¡± She rubbed Connor¡¯s black hair. ¡°¡­I know baby¡­Daddy¡¯s okay¡­¡± ¡°Floor banged!¡± Connor cried. ¡°High scream!¡± Meryl turned cold; immediately she parted the hug and stared at Connor with hands on his shoulders. ¡°Honey¡­what did you hear?¡± The child was pale and tearful. ¡°¡­High scream. ¡®Get the Fuck back!¡± Now, Meryl started to quiver as she compared the hushed tones of Malcolm¡¯s voice. Chapter 11: A Preluded Greeting ¡°We were smart; there weren¡¯t many flashy heroics. We had learned that heroics was the way to get killed without getting the job done, and getting the job done was more important.¡±- Stephen Ambrose Captain Jeremiah ¡°Glycerin¡± Forrest and his Bravo Company finally pulled into the parking lot with a petulant Malcolm pacing the outermost perimeter. He checked the time, which was six thirty-three, the two companies together made double the original number of Humvees and an extra third of transport trucks. Bringing the numbers to eight and eleven. But Bravo Company had two hundred grunts to count, bringing the numbers to three hundred and seventy-five. Malcolm¡¯s fire team patrols flanked him in the number range of thirty. As ordered, the Humvees and trucks formed a circle barrier across the inner parking lot and the fire teams mounted the beds and the minigun emplacements. There Malcolm stood, cross eyed as the larger, more appropriately nicknamed company began to unload themselves. The Bravo ¡®Swashbucklers¡¯. Go fuck yourselves¡­What is this a football team? He saw Captain Forrest step out of the Humvee passenger seat with two of his lieutenants in the back and one on the driver¡¯s wheel. He stopped to pass his orders along to each of them as the two hundred grunts stepped out of their vehicles. ¡°You took your sweet time getting here!¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Well. Our orders got changed on us.¡± Forrest answered. ¡°We had to wait for a convoy; traffic was a bitch. You understand right?¡± ¡°Have you been in contact with McElroy or Casey at all?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°I only spoke to my Major.¡± ¡°Welp¡­your far behind, get your boys to follow us.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°My boys are unpacking. It looks like your men have already unloaded.¡± ¡°Arrange your vehicles the way I did.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°And why is that?¡± ¡°Because ¡®they¡¯re¡¯ coming.¡± Forrest squinted. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The North Koreans. Come with me and bring your boys.¡± Malcolm did a conductor¡¯s waved at them and turned around. Forrest turned around and whistled for his first and second sections, who marched out of the crowd from two directions in a single file like Emperor Penguins. One of Malcolm¡¯s trucks was pulling out of the inner parking lot, and they were forced to adjust themselves so as not to be in its way. It still needed to weave around the Swashbucklers and their vehicles. ¡°Why¡¯s this guy taking off?¡± Forrest asked. Malcolm responded. ¡°It¡¯s just a medic. He¡¯s going back to Casey with an injured army cop.¡± ¡°Hmmm. I assume this has something to do with what¡¯s got you agitated.¡± Malcolm cut him a look, ¡°It¡¯s the half of it. I got forty-five civilians that I can¡¯t move out of here and the M.O.s have been useless.¡± ¡°Why? What did they do?¡± ¡°They killed an insane refugee.¡± Malcolm told him. ¡°He tried to shut the lights off and went completely bonkers. He tore into one of them and that cop is the one going back to Casey¡¯s General Hospital. We had two more bodies further down the tunnel and getting them out without freaking the civilians was a bitch.¡± ¡°Where are they now?¡± Forrest asked. ¡°The bodies? Going back to Casey for autopsies.¡± ¡°I meant the Military Officers.¡± Forrest corrected. ¡°Oh them!¡± Malcolm¡¯s tone turned awkward. ¡°Well¡­that¡¯s the other thing¡­¡± The deadpan dragged on long enough for the pair to enter the visitor¡¯s center, where at least a hundred grunts were spread out either lying down on their duffle bags or sitting in circles having their private conversations. The space around the mouth of the tunnel had been heavily fortified with sandbags and Malcolm assigned Lieutenant Beauregard¡¯s platoon C to guard the mouth. Two machine gun nests had been established at the end of the railway line. Malcolm finished his thought. ¡°¡­I sent them to the other side of the tunnel to report back and I haven¡¯t heard from them.¡± Forrest thought for a moment. ¡°Do you think the worst?¡± ¡°Yes...The Lunatic said, ¡®They are coming¡¯. And keep in mind that this happened hours before even I showed up¡­. The dipshits bludgeoned the guy to death and didn¡¯t tell anybody what he said. Now, ¡®they¡¯ are probably gonna make a move on us. I set up barbed wire past the civies, just in case.¡± ¡°Did you send anyone to look for the cops?¡± Forrest asked. ¡°I¡¯m not sending more people to disappear while looking for missing people, that¡¯s retarded.¡± Malcolm retorted. ¡°At least not until my backup got here, which is you. So, if you want to take your boys to secure the other end of the tunnel, I¡¯ll have the wire taken down.¡± Forrest halted. ¡°You¡¯ve been sitting here since you arrived! Securing the tunnel is literally the entire objective!¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°Our objective, and I¡¯ve done half of it! You expect me to spread my guys thin with a counterattack on the way?¡± Forrest¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You don¡¯t know that! You¡¯re considering the story of one North Korean that I haven¡¯t met! You¡¯ve got forty-five civies in there! What are they saying?¡± ¡°Barely anything!¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°All they know is that they were told, by the propaganda ministry, to evacuate their homes and flee here. We¡¯re dealing with the handful that chose this specific tunnel. I¡¯m worried about our boys in Panmunjom. We¡¯ve got a refugee camp set up and our brigades are sitting ducks for whatever¡¯s coming! Now, I haven¡¯t been able to raise Casey or even Humphrey for the last fifteen minutes! I was on the phone with Mendez before that. He said, ¡®I want those bodies.¡¯ So, there they go. Since then I¡¯ve been waiting on your ass.¡± ¡°Well, we got here as soon as we could. Let me try.¡± Forrest huffed while checking his earpiece. ¡°We might get an update now that I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Be my guest¡­¡± ¡°Command,¡± Forrest spoke, ¡°This is Bravo. We¡¯ve rendezvoused with November at the infiltration tunnel. Please advise. Over.¡± The frequency was deadpan. ¡°Command, this is Glycerin. We need an updated objective. Over.¡± ¡°I told you.¡± Malcolm gloated. Forrest dismissed Malcolm¡¯s smugness. ¡°It¡¯s the biggest operation since Iraqi Freedom. They seem to have their hands tied. Whatever the problem is, I doubt an attack will happen here. We¡¯ve known about this tunnel for decades, it¡¯s not a viable strategy anymore.¡± ¡°We only know of four.¡± Malcolm stated. Forrest winced. ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡± Malcolm laid his fear out. ¡°An attack at the other three, plus Panmunjom, could be a distraction for a multi-pronged attack throughout the countryside.¡± Forrest seemed dismayed. ¡°Our satellites would have seen that. You¡¯re talking about a new Tet Offensive...¡± ¡°And whoever¡¯s in control of their artillery could level Seoul!¡± Malcolm was stark. ¡°I¡¯m not saying they¡¯ll pull our pants down but if I¡¯m right this could be a bloodier conflict than Vietnam.¡± ¡°It would have to be infantry based.¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°And who knows what they brought with them?¡± ¡°Do you expect it to be Un¡¯s forces?¡± Forrest now seemed worried. ¡°They have been shelling their own cities. Whatever is going on, he doesn¡¯t want to open the front with us.¡± ¡°And what makes you think he¡¯s sane?¡± Forrest asked. ¡°Because that¡¯s what I would do. And if I were the rebels, I wouldn¡¯t want to start shit with us until I knew we had the advantage. That means seizing the artillery and the airfields. Before you were sent, did you get any updates on what¡¯s happening up there?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°All I¡¯ve been told is that we¡¯re not letting the refugees through until we can screen everyone¡­because of that flu...¡± As Malcolm trailed off, Forrest winced. ¡°What are you thinking?¡± ¡°¡­Nothing. I¡¯m looking into it too much¡­.¡± They shouldn¡¯t be connected¡­ they have long range missiles. A biological attack would devastate them just as badly. ¡°So, tell me¡­¡± Forrest was staring into the tunnel. ¡°What do you think they¡¯re doing in there?¡± ¡°My boys are keeping watch at the barb wire. I ordered the blankets and mats to be given to the refugees so some of us will be sleeping on our backpacks tonight-¡° ¡°I¡¯m talking about the Military officers.¡± ¡°Oh them!¡± Malcolm was surprised. ¡°At first I figured their sergeant was ignoring me out of spite but now I¡¯m not so sure.¡± ¡°How did you figure that?¡± ¡°I had to tear him a new asshole over killing the suspect instead of¡­you know, restraining him and because he waited to tell us what had happened.¡± Forrest paused. ¡°You said the suspect ¡®tore into¡¯ one of them.¡± ¡°He bit a chunk out of the guy to be specific.¡± ¡°And you think a nutjob like that had something worth saying?¡± ¡°He decided he¡¯d rather put up with us than whatever was happening out there. I want to know why and who¡¯s coming. Hence the cops being sent down.¡± Forrest began to gleam frustration. ¡°So, you reamed him over a situation that¡¯s out of his hands and then you sent him down the tunnel unarmed¡­¡± ¡°He has twelve other guys with him, and they have their batons.¡± Malcolm squinted. ¡°¡­You think what I did was wrong?¡± Forrest blinked. ¡°You¡¯re expecting a forward attack.¡± Malcolm blinked. ¡°And I wanted an early warning.¡± ¡°What were they supposed to do?¡± ¡°Warn us and get back here, if they don¡¯t whoop the enemy¡¯s ass.¡± Malcolm was a matter of fact. ¡°Instead, they vanished.¡± Forrest guffawed. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have sent a fire team with them?¡± ¡°Pawns go first.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Haven¡¯t you played chess? Or any Strategy game for that matter?¡± Forrest stammered with anger. ¡°Jesus fucking Christ, Nelson¡­¡± Malcolm was confused. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that!¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game of Chess!¡± Forrest yelled. Malcolm was offended. ¡°You think I¡¯m risking my boys for their fuckup?¡± Forrest¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°I have to risk my boys to save their assess and set up at the other end!¡± ¡°That was your job to begin with.¡± Forrest¡¯s face flushed. ¡°NO! You were supposed to have this shit done!¡± ¡°It¡¯s called splitting the labor.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re welcome!¡± A red-faced Forrest was in Malcolm¡¯s face. ¡°So help me God Nelson, if anything happened to those men, it¡¯s your ass. You hear me? This is going to be in my report. If my men suffer, I¡¯ll have you discharged.¡± He faced the tunnel and began to move. ¡°PLATOONS A AND B ON ME! TAFFREY, YOU ARE TOO!¡± Every eye in the room was on the scene as Bravo Company rushed to Captain Forrest¡¯s flank and they marched single file into the cavern. Forrest swung his AR-Fifteen off his back and switched the safety off. It wasn¡¯t long before they were upon the first hovel, where a basic camp had been set up for the many refugees that both companies had to accommodate. November¡¯s medical detachment was busy providing MREs for everyone and a total of forty additional soldiers from Edward¡¯s Platoon D and Johnson¡¯s Platoon B guarded the perimeter, some even entertained the children. ¡°None of these people have the Flu, right? We don¡¯t need masks?¡± Forrest sought assurance as he kept his head forward. ¡°They do have a couple of fevers. Nothing major though; we should be safe.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Well, they¡¯re saying it¡¯s a nasty one.¡± Forrest covered his face with his uniform. ¡°Hospitals started separating them into their own wards.¡± ¡°We only have four cases right now. They¡¯re in the tent.¡± Malcolm pointed to the back of the hovel. ¡°Good.¡± ¡°I just wish we had the means to test their blood.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that.¡± Forrest grunted. ¡°The geeks at the hospitals are already on it.¡± Malcolm pondered. ¡°Still. I want to know why it¡¯s mutated so early this time of year.¡± ¡°I don''t know. Climate change?¡± Forrest pondered, despite the tension. ¡°Last vaccine wasn¡¯t as effective so we might just be dealing with a resurgence of the last case.¡± ¡°...Maybe¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re not so sure?¡± Forrest asked as they entered the next portion of the tunnel. ¡°It¡¯s just the timing. That¡¯s all.¡± Forrest squinted. ¡°You don¡¯t think it¡¯s a bioweapon, do you?¡± Malcolm huffed. ¡°It¡¯d be a shit bioweapon to use the Flu.¡± ¡°These people are entering a whole new world.¡± Said Forrest. ¡°They¡¯re getting exposed to new germs they aren¡¯t used to, and God knows what shit medicine they¡¯ve been receiving.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s true then I¡¯m right¡­¡± Malcolm said. ¡°About what?¡± ¡°About people getting past the border.¡± Malcolm was confident. ¡°If they¡¯re catching last year¡¯s flu outbreak just now, then the cases we¡¯ve been seeing are spreading from people who fled the North. Why so many people are catching it is the question.¡± Forrest halted and acknowledged Malcolm finally; he understood Malcolm¡¯s concern. He eyed the ground and pressed on. They were finally at two machine gunner specialists who guarded the barbed wire fencing Malcolm had ordered. Master Sergeant Chavez stood idle, sharing a laugh with them. ¡°Take the fence down.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Yes sir, Captain.¡± Javier saluted. The specialist on the left obeyed and undid the post. Like a curtain he pulled the fencing open. Forrest stopped just short of proceeding. ¡°Until I give the all-clear at the other end, my men left behind are your men. I¡¯ll radio back when we¡¯re across.¡± He firmly ordered. ¡°Send the rest after.¡± ¡®Good luck.¡± Malcolm said, trying to sound sincere. Forrest stepped past the specialists and was marching with half his company. ¡°Make sure you seal up once they¡¯ve past.¡± Malcolm told Javier who responded with a salute and a ¡°Yes sir.¡± Malcolm turned around and stepped to the side, wiggling his way around the two platoons of Bravo Company. Every face remained stern and focused on the objective in front of them; the typical faces of working-class grunts. Malcolm acknowledged each face that passed him until he was back in the hovel. He stepped to the side and decided to check on the tent in the back. He walked around the many sleeping bags, careful not to touch any of the civilians. He looked at his masked medics and wondered how many of his company had been vaccinated. He stepped through the flaps of the tent and saw the four sleeping bags and the pale civilians who occupied the mats. Two elderly women, a teenage boy, and a man. Sergeant ¡®Finger Blade¡¯ Avery had finished handing out the ration of MREs and everyone was chowing. ¡°Sir?¡± Avery saluted. ¡°At ease.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°How are these people doing?¡± ¡°Well, they have their appetite which is good. They¡¯re all running fevers but¡­well if you want to feel them be my guest.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Malcolm stepped over to one of the elderly people and felt her forehead without asking. She jolted, but relaxed and continued eating. ¡°They¡¯re cold as ice.¡± Avery uttered. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a flu do that.¡± Sweat ran down her forehead indicating an active immune system, trying to expunge whatever was inside of her, but she felt like her meal if it had been sitting in the open for three hours. Malcolm took his left hand off and smoothed the palm with his fingers. It was moist. He immediately took the glove off. Pinching it with his fingers, he discarded the glove in a nearby trash can. ¡°Let¡¯s get them out of here.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°I want them gone.¡± ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°We keep them penned in here they¡¯ll infect more people.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Where are we sending them?¡± Avery asked. ¡°Casey.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°They¡¯re saying it¡¯s nasty and we can¡¯t take care of them if their symptoms worsen. Not to mention the fact that the Flu is airborne and we¡¯re in a closed space. Do as I say and give them masks.¡± ¡°Yes sir!¡± the medic saluted. Malcolm stepped out of the tent without a look at the other patients. As soon as the medic gets back, I can turn him right around again. He won¡¯t be amused, and neither will Mendez. He walked over to a makeshift table at the other end of the Hovel where the Medics we¡¯re providing the MREs. He sighed and finally received his MRE from a hapless private, a beef curry, and the private handed him a cranberry-flavored water mix. Malcolm gave a reassuring nod instead of a word of thanks. Organize Forrest¡¯s boys, swing by the office, eat and enjoy music. Should kill a few minutes before the private gets back. Bravo Company had already passed but there was an unfamiliar man who stood against the wall beside tunnel. He seemed as if he¡¯d been watching Malcolm ever since he entered the medical tent. There was a smirk to his cheeks that translated to a silent ¡°Hi there.¡± His eyes were brown and swollen as Malcolm¡¯s could get, which made him uneasy. Malcolm said nothing as he walked forward and simply pretended the trooper was not staring at him. ¡°It¡¯s a pretty demoralizing scene, you know?¡± He spoke faster than a gypsy and his Cajun accent was even thicker than Malcolm¡¯s. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Malcolm asked. When he made eye contact, Malcolm realized that this grown man looked like a pubescent. He had pathetic baby patches of facial hair to call a beard, and his skin was rather smooth to be a veteran. ¡°Come on! ¡®Splitting the labor?¡¯ That¡¯s a ¡®Fuck You¡¯ if ever I¡¯ve heard one.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but who the fuck are you?¡± Malcolm asked, ignoring the nametag. ¡°First Lieutenant Liam Campbell! No moniker.¡± He held his hand out for a shake, ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to finally meet you, Malcolm.¡± Malcolm grabbed his hand and pulled the man in instead of shaking, ¡°Captain Nelson.¡± ¡°Okay sir!¡± The man boasted. ¡°I hear them always calling you the ¡®Space Dog¡¯, is that okay?¡± Malcolm squinted his right eye as they shared contact; Liam smiled all the way. ¡°How old are you, kid?¡± Liam didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Thirty-seven.¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± ¡°No sir, I signed up late; following another¡¯s footsteps.¡± Malcolm¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°What do you have Kallmann¡¯s Syndrome?¡± Liam laughed. ¡°You think they¡¯d have let me in?¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°Ten years ago? No. But considering who¡¯s in charge now, why the fuck not? All things considered; we might as well start letting grunts whose balls haven¡¯t dropped become cannon fodder. Next, we¡¯ll start letting in deaf people. I mean sure they¡¯re guaranteed to die but that was just the way of nature before Humans invented buildings and shit. The least they could do is give back for the labor and resources that go into letting them cheat death as long as we do. And they should do it in a way that minimizes the risk of them filling civilization with people who will die over fucking peanut. So, tell me, have your balls dropped?¡± An interpersonal deadpan was exchanged, and Liam broke down chortling. ¡°Tell me how that was your college paper.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s what that English Professor gets for saying to ¡®Go where the pain is.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t hurt worse than the state of pop music, eh?¡± Liam smirked. Malcolm squinted. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the twang, I¡¯d ask if you were Canadian. And I¡¯ll take your laughter to be a ¡®Yes¡¯. Walk and talk.¡± Malcolm brushed past, holding up his food. ¡°So, Mr. Furher¡­¡± Malcolm halted and faced the stubby-chinned lieutenant. ¡°Did you speak like this to the Drill Sergeant two barracks down from you?¡± His eyebrows flashed. ¡°Captain, let¡¯s not blow this close encounter out of proportion-¡° Malcolm shook his head and continued walking. ¡°Since you¡¯re not Taffrey, I assume you¡¯re Bravo¡¯s senior officer without the captain?¡± ¡°I am¡­your senior.¡± Liam was moonwalking to Malcolm¡¯s left. ¡°I can keep the boys amused which will keep them sharp which will keep them combat ready.¡± ¡°Whatever. So, you¡¯ve got two platoon¡¯s left? I want them split into four sections. Keep one in the outer parking lot while two of them sweeps the outer perimeter, send the last inside.¡± ¡°Aye.¡± Liam saluted, ¡°You still think we can get attacked from the city? ¡°If there¡¯s an attack waiting outside the city, I expect them to make a move on Casey, I just want to keep my bases covered.¡± ¡°Why would they risk a suicide mission like that?¡± Liam asked. ¡°I don¡¯t expect them to charge our position head-on, but it would be an effective distraction. And it¡¯s what I would do.¡± ¡°You honestly think that the rebels are as organized as us?¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Malcolm boasted. ¡°But they are more determined than us and if I¡¯m right, they have a better lay of the land than we do right now. If I oversaw us, we¡¯d be waiting until we knew for sure what was happening up north before I even set up the forward base in Panmunjom. I tried explaining this to my Major but it¡¯s not like he has any real pull. We¡¯ll keep to our mission and hope the gambit will be the enemy¡¯s.¡± ¡°Can I just say that¡¯s it¡¯s my friends who are playing the deck right now?¡± Malcolm boasted. ¡°The deck is the president¡¯s and you¡¯re not even a joker.¡± ¡°So, what does that make you; Mr. Dent?¡± Liam asked. ¡°I don¡¯t want to know. Better question is: what does that make the M.O.s you marched into oblivion?¡± Malcolm didn¡¯t care. ¡°I meant what I said, they aren¡¯t my boys.¡± Liam was smug. ¡°Is that why you¡¯ve got my boys on the outskirts? Prime pedals for plucking if we get surrounded? I can¡¯t exactly hang around and let you do that.¡± Malcolm guffawed. ¡°Let?! You can¡¯t let me?¡± ¡°Just saying that we¡¯re technically your boys until Forrest calls us over.¡± Liam assured him. ¡°I¡¯d kind of appreciate you acting like we were and maybe let us prep our shit for the crossing.¡± ¡°That is not what you were saying and I¡¯m telling you that we need a tight perimeter. You want to be my boy? Earn your keep; maybe I¡¯ll give you a drunken confession.¡± Liam was silent before raising his brows. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m kinder than a preacher when it comes to that shit! How about both companies help each other so I can get the rest ready and phase our crossover? You know, ¡®split the labor¡¯ and all.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Malcolm raised a finger. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing clear, you will not be using anything I say against me.¡± Liam¡¯s cockiness seemed to grow. ¡°And how about what you¡¯ve done?¡± They both came to a halt at the tunnel¡¯s entrance. ¡°And what is it you think you know?¡± ¡°I know that Forrest will back me if I usurp your command.¡± Liam flashed his brows. ¡°You¡¯re already in deep shit if something happened to the M.O.s, Forrest said so himself. Do I have to relieve you of your post for the safety of my men too?¡± Liam crossed his arms. Malcolm wanted to rip his grin off. ¡°You¡¯re just another lieutenant¡­¡± he whispered, ¡°But if you trade me your medical detachment so my guys can screen themselves quicker, I¡¯ll let you keep the remaining platoons on standby.¡± ¡°Oh, how generous!¡± Liam faked flattery, ¡°Give us a chance to let the Flu hop over to our ranks!¡± ¡°Think of it as a chance to learn how contagious this year¡¯s strain is.¡± Malcolm hid his grin. ¡°Fine. On the condition that the people only get their orders through me.¡± Liam affirmed. Malcolm considered it. ¡°Hmph. Forrest doesn¡¯t want to speak to me anyway. Which is usually reason enough for me to talk his ear off, but I figure that with him on edge and the gooks gone he¡¯d prefer listening to you.¡± Liam cocked his head. ¡°Everyone prefers me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s at least one lie you¡¯ve told me.¡± Malcolm pointed at him again. ¡°Now get out of my sight and if you let me see you so much as interacting with my company, I¡¯ll have you written up for the way you spoke to me: your ranking officer.¡± That will be the end of us both. Ta!¡± Like a cartoon, his legs spun around, and he took off. Malcolm watched Liam leave the ramp next to the railway and the lieutenant vanished out of his periphery of the sandbags. He shook his head and continued his normal pace. As he left the railway, his right was intersected by his X.O. Harvey Daniels. ¡°Captain,¡± he sneered, ¡°Did you get in contact with anyone else?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m having Bravo use their medics to help us while the rest prepare to move their shit across. Make sure we¡¯re accommodating. I¡¯m gonna take ten for myself since I¡¯ve had none all day, when Avery gets back send him to me.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± He saluted. Malcolm dismissed Daniels and started again to the main office. He closed the door behind him and breathed a sigh of relief. He could finally have a moment of levity. What would I give for that riverbed when I was in college? Or a simpler time of being a sergeant, where I didn¡¯t have to think about my objectives. It was just: go here, point your gun and shoot, watch the bombs fall. You were never responsible for anyone¡­ He went over to the desk and circled around to sit down. Chapter 12: Eaten By Night ¡°...It¡¯s a Holiday in Cambodia...it¡¯s tough kid but it¡¯s life! ...It¡¯s a Holiday in Cambodia...Don¡¯t forget to pack a Wife!¡±- Eric Reed Boucher The curry dish sat on the desk in an empty bag with the plastic fork leaning out of it. Malcolm paced the perimeter of the office, with his fists raised and punching the air. He was in an admittedly classical mood and the rhythms of his ducks and swings matched the tempo of a classic Thousand Foot Krutch single: ¡°...It''s just about to break, it''s more than I can take... ...Everything''s about to change...¡± Darkness suddenly enveloped the room and snapped Malcolm out of his daydream. He had to give it a minute for his eyes to adjust and the shapes returned to the room. He went over to the couch to grab Crystal from where she lay. Malcolm cranked the safety off and quickly rushed over to the door. When he opened it, the darkness had embraced the entirety of the visitor¡¯s center. He could see more than a hundred troops of both companies falling into position. It was the voice of Daniels somewhere by the railway. He thundered throughout the interior like the bursts of a long-range rifle. ¡°SECTION ONE, PLATOON A! COVER WINDOWS! SECTION TWO, FALL OUTSIDE AND TAKE COVER! PLATOON C! COVER THE TUNNEL! BRAVO! STANDBY AND TAKE POSITIONS INSIDE THE BUILDING!¡± Malcolm checked his digital watch. Good, it¡¯s not an EMP¡­nineteen-twelve!? What the fuck? Malcolm honed in on Daniels¡¯ shouts as he crossed the room. ¡°What the fuck Temp!?¡± He almost startled Daniels when he appeared in front of him. ¡°It¡¯s been more than half an hour! Where the fuck is our boy at Casey!?¡± ¡°He never made it back! I assumed he talked to you on the channels!¡± Daniels dropped his AR-Fifteen to his waist level. ¡°FOR CHRISTS SAKE!¡± Malcolm stared into the black hole that was the aggression tunnel where the darkness was too concealing. He checked the company coms, ¡°Forrest, where are you? Come in Over!¡± After a brief pause, Forrest whispered. ¡°Nelson. I-It happened here too, we¡¯re in the dark. I need silence.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve got movement¡­We¡¯re close to the end. We¡¯ve been maintaining distance. They looked packed when I saw them.¡± ¡°Did they look like military?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°No¡­¡± Forrest answered. ¡°They seem to be civilians. I¡¯m mulling over how to approach this.¡± Malcolm thought to himself. ¡°Do you have anyone who could translate?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Switch to your flashlights and get their attention. If no one can speak English, give the people your com and I¡¯ll make out what I can.¡± ¡°Yea¡­okay.¡± Forrest exhaled through the speaker. It was followed by the very faint sounds of him clipping his emergency flashlight to the barrel of his assault weapon. Malcolm was pacing the perimeter along the rail line. Forrest continued, ¡°I¡¯m about to make contact.¡± ¡°I read you.¡± ¡°Uh, attention civilians!¡± Forrest spoke, ¡°This is the United States Army! We¡¯re here to provide medical assistance and extraction! We are going to approach you now. Please-¡­¡­.W-W-WH-WHOA WHOA WHAT-¡° An ear-piercing recital of automatic fire pounded Malcolm¡¯s ear. There was soon an underscore adding a melody; it was the shrill white noise of Forrest dying, screeching as a victim of demonic possession; it dragged without a pause for breath. Malcolm¡¯s legs began to wobble as he started to feel cornered by the surrounding companies. He switched off the speaker, hoping the sensation of frost would alleviate. ¡°Fireball, and Platoon C on me!¡± He uttered each syllable with infallible dread. ¡°Daniels! Keep a sharp eye out there!¡± He cranked the chamber of Crystal, checking for any jams. Clairet hopped over the sandbags and landed next to him. ¡°What¡¯s going on Captain?¡± her expression grew stark as she registered his. Malcolm leaned into her as the forty-four members of Platoon C descended. ¡°Forrest is dead.¡± Malcolm whispered the French into her ear. ¡°I JUST heard it. You stay behind me, keep the rest at your flank.¡± Clairet¡¯s eyes became colder than his and she understood that Malcolm was hesitant to even enter the chasm. But she would follow him, and off Malcolm went into the tunnel while screwing his flashlight on the barrel of his AK. ¡­I¡¯m getting to lead from the front¡­ It wasn¡¯t long of a march before they could hear the civilians¡¯ commotion inside the hovel. Malcolm kept his rifle pointed to the ground and his eyes directed to the front. They were coming up to two guards who saluted as they passed. An echoing voice on Malcolm¡¯s earpiece became clear. ¡°NELSON! NELSON COME IN!¡± A wave of relief was overpowering, but the medic¡¯s tone of voice was deflating. ¡°What the hell?!¡± ¡°BATTON DOWN THE HATCHES OVER THERE!¡± the medic screamed as if they were in the Navy. He was screaming over what sounded like the cries of the damned and the additional rifle fire complimented it. ¡°What the fuck is that noise!?¡± Malcolm¡¯s voice now drowned out the shrill whisps of civilians. ¡°AREN¡¯T YOU IN TOUCH WITH CASEY? WE¡¯RE UNDER ATTACK!¡± Malcolm¡¯s head was spinning. ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± ¡°BOMBS ARE GOING OFF! I¡¯M GETTING SHELLED OUTSIDE OF THE BASE!¡± Malcolm¡¯s brows raised. ¡°By whom!?¡± ¡°I DON¡¯T KNOW!¡± The medic continued to panic. ¡°Do you have visual!?¡± ¡°I WOULD KNOW IF I DID!¡± ¡°Dammit! How close are you to the Casey?¡± ¡°THERES LIKE A HUNDRED CHOPPERS IN THE AIR! I CAN SEE THE BURSTS FROM THEIR GUNS! WE¡¯RE GETTING JUMPED; YOU WE¡¯RE FUCKING RIGHT!¡± ¡°I know I am! J-just finish your objective and hunker down at Casey!¡± ¡®I ALREADY ABANDONED THE TRUCK! EVERYONES FLEEING THE ROADS!¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Malcolm¡¯s nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself killed! Over and out!¡± He switched the speaker off and swallowed the silence. Slowly, Malcolm turned around and lifted his eyes, facing Clairet and the Platoon. They stared back, some in confusion, others in anticipation. Malcolm¡¯s voice was hushed but the echo carried it across. ¡°Section One, hold right here. Section Two and Fireball on me.¡± He did an about face and continued his march around the civilians. The enemy will have machine guns; we¡¯re fish in a barrel. What the fuck else am I going to do though? No one¡¯s supposed to get left behind¡­I should have permission to sink this fucking cave. A voice called from the darkness. ¡°HEY CAPT?¡± Fuckaroo Jack called. ¡°WE HAVE MORE FEVERS; THIS REALLY CAN¡¯T WAIT!¡± ¡°GODDAMMIT!¡± Malcolm raged. ¡°Fireball, go deal with it!¡± As quickly as she saluted, she pivoted to the left and carefully crossed around the perturbed civilians to find Jack. Now Malcolm was the sole Commanding Officer that Second Section had to look up to. After passing several guards from Platoon B, Malcolm intersected Master Sergeant Chavez. Malcolm gave a preemptive ¡°At ease¡± before his friend could salute. The two privates had been previously leaning against the wall. Now, they were staring at the ceiling and down the long tube as the faintest bursts echoed from far away; they now snapped out of it and focused their guns down into the darkness. Malcolm whispered. ¡°They¡¯re retreating.¡± ¡°Should we even still be here?¡± Javier looked at him. ¡°No¡­we shouldn¡¯t.¡± Malcolm drummed the grip of his Crystal. ¡°Take the barbed wire down¡­we¡¯ll go it alone. Like old times.¡± Javier raised a brow. ¡°You have a plan?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had a change of it.¡± Malcolm lowered his hand to crank the Sig he had holstered. ¡°Too many of us will risk friendly fire in this proximity. Take the wire down.¡± ¡°You heard him!¡± Javier shouted, ¡°Take it down!¡± The two privates obeyed and proceeded to untangle the barricade. Malcolm turned to his Staff Sergeant. ¡°Hold here. Just the two of us will take point. Set the wire back up immediately and keep it until I give the order.¡± ¡°Yes sir!¡± Malcolm looked at Javier and gave the hand signal to advance. Side by side, Malcolm raised his AK forward as did Javier his M-Four A-One. They moved in lockstep formation. The sharp fencing was immediately placed back up and they pressed into the heart of the darkness. ¡°Forrest is dead. I can promise you that.¡± Malcolm continued to whisper under the repeated echoes. ¡°That¡¯s why they¡¯re routing. A good kick in the ass is all they need to send those gooks packing.¡± ¡°How do you know he¡¯s gone?¡± ¡°Because I heard it over the speaker. I heard the gunfire, and he was the first I could hear screaming.¡± ¡°He might have just been captured. He¡¯s an officer he¡¯s more-¡± ¡°If you heard the same scream as I, you¡¯d know it too.¡± Malcolm affirmed. ¡°He¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°So¡­ We just waltz over to the source huh?¡± Javier asked. ¡°Better two than too many.¡± Malcolm tried to assure. ¡°They just need someone to look up to and I¡¯m positive the first lieutenants would¡¯ve eaten lead too. So, they¡¯re scared shitless. We just need to provide cover, order them to get their shit together, and when they see they¡¯ve got nowhere to run they¡¯ll rally behind me.¡± ¡°And when we get shot at?¡± Javier pretended to wince. ¡°Aim.¡± ¡°Ha! That¡¯s great advice.¡± ¡°You have permission to turn around.¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°You know I¡¯m not gonna do that.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I offered.¡± Malcolm smirked. Javier chuckled. ¡°Trying not to feel bad huh?¡± Malcolm glanced at his friend. ¡°More like I don¡¯t want to have to drag your ass to safety.¡± ¡°That incident in Kandahar was a one-off.¡± Javier returned the smile, the comradery helped Malcolm¡¯s heartrate. The two of them pressed on; the echo of gunfire continued to reverberate in random patterns of short and elongated bursts. They finally arrived at the entrance to the end of the of the hovel. Malcolm looked at Javier and gave the signal to cross sides as they approached. After Malcolm switched to the right side, he ordered Javier to halt, they were covered by the walls. Malcolm switched Crystal up, being ambidextrous, and his back was able to face parallel to the wall. As did Javier opposite while right-handed with his rifle. Both beams of their flashlights were crossing. The pulse in the air was hypnotic. The waves became diluted with an additional pulse, a stretch of bellowing. It came from beyond the darkness. The screech was complimented voices yelling at each other. Malcolm flashed his light, counting on a response from the sillhouetes. Additional flashlights emanated beyond, and a uniform could be distinguished. ¡°Comet!¡± Malcolm shouted. ¡°Comet!¡± he shouted again with no response. ¡°OM ME! ON ME!¡± Malcolm bellowed and threw himself in the open with his gun lowered. He was plowed into and flew back, not seeing the soldier fall forward nor did he notice the dozen soldiers stampeding from behind. The soldier landed on his knees and was not helped up by the barking soldiers in full retreat. They simply brushed past Malcolm and the endless stampede continued. Malcolm scooted further to the right as Javier yelled for the rest to get themselves together. ¡°RALLY! ON ME!¡± Malcolm continued as he stood. ¡°GET OUT OF HERE!¡± A nameless soldier bellowed. Malcolm pressed his com. ¡°COME IN! OVER!¡± ¡°I¡¯M HERE SIR! OVER!¡± Javier¡¯s specialist responded in the earpiece. ¡°THEY¡¯RE COMING! TAKE THE FENCE DOWN! WE¡¯LL BE RIGHT BEHIND THEM! OVER AND OUT!¡± Malcolm turned off his receiver. ¡°Chavez!¡± ¡°SIR!¡± ¡°You heard me!?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°We cover them and fall back!¡± Javier asked. Scores of soldiers retreated past them, each with the panic of hunted Elephants. One soldier had no insignia, a fresh recruit, and he began to scream like a child. It pierced Malcolm¡¯s eardrums as he ran past. Now, both Malcolm and Javier could see the flashes. There was a bloodcurdling scream after a new burst of fire, and it halted. All that was left was the rest of the bobbling heads screaming for one another to move. Something was being drowned out that wasn¡¯t the slamming of boots or shouts; it was in beastly multiples and sounded like a hole to hell. Eight more were coming and they blinded Malcolm¡¯s sight of the enemy. The silhouettes were packed and their ravings inhuman. Their shape was that of a bear. Only the dropping of one reminded Malcolm that they were still mortals. But when they were in his sight, their faces were wrong. Their clothes tattered and were blacker than the tunnel. They were in full sprint and gaining ground rapidly. They seemed to have no weapons, only their flailing hands, and a chilling war cry that one would think only exists in a propaganda film. ¡°EVERYBODY DOWN!¡± Malcolm ordered the remaining troops. To no avail. ¡°I SAID ON THE FLOOR! DROP!¡± The final four obeyed; each reacted simultaneously as if it were a live fire drill. As soon as they were on the ground, both Malcolm and Javier let loose a flurry of bullets. Only a few dropped and they had the effect of knocking a bowling pin. Tripped bodies knocked the enemy behind, and they were getting trampled in the process. Two enemies leaped on the nearest soldier. Immediately he added a new scream while the banshees atop of him ripped the helmet off and slammed the head into the ground. The other three soldiers looked in horror as they sprang to their feet and ran away. Soon, one of the Koreans grabbed the pinned soldier¡¯s face, lifting his head to look into his eyes, he then sank his teeth into the nose. Malcolm and Javier had just enough time to reload before the wave of enemies trampled over their fallen comrades; arms stretched out, grasping the air. Javier, without orders, chose to advance. ¡°NO! NO!¡± Malcolm screamed. Javier let out a new barrage at the charging mass, creating a new bowling ball effect. He clicked the magazine out of its chamber and swung the rifle behind him. Malcolm didn¡¯t see the blade appear in Javier¡¯s hands. He plunged it into the primary assailant¡¯s face. The eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he stopped chewing on the grunt. The Korean turned limp, and Javier retracted his knife from the gouged eye socket. The second assailant mauling the backside lunged. Javier grabbed his attacker by the hair and thrust his knife into the chest. It barely halted the attacker¡¯s advance and he gnawed at Javier¡¯s sleeved arm. The lunatic pressed him into the wall and began to viciously snap while Javier withdrew the knife; he stabbed the throat. The crowd was nearly upon both. With a clear line of sight, Malcolm advanced, unleashing his fresh hailstorm of rounds. He successfully dropped three, but others soaked the bullets like a sponge. Javier gave up on the knife, he pressed his sidearm against the attacker¡¯s chin and blew him away. He then turned his attention to the horde next to him. It was too late. The gun was slapped out of Javier¡¯s hands. The crowd was upon him and the private once more. It required all his strength to hold them at bay, but Javier fell backwards and continued to resist the pile of clawing fingers. As the soldier screamed in agony next to him, Javier¡¯s screams were grunting desperation. The pile snapped their jaws closer to him. Blood was pooling on the floor as the private next to him was being mauled. ¡°GET OUT OF HERE!¡± ¡°JAVI, NO!¡± Jaws snapped shut on Javier¡¯s collar bone, he screamed so loud his lungs sounded like they could burst. His arms caved, and he was buried in the pile, his head contorting in a pool of blood that would soon become his. ¡°JAVI!¡± Attackers were brushing past both him and the private. Malcolm fired his rifle, and the bullets brushed though them. As one was nearly upon Malcolm, he grabbed the enemy by the face and immediately crashed it like a raw egg into the side of the wall which revealed brain matter inside of a confusing black mass. ¡°PSYCHOTIC MOTHERFUCKER!¡± Javier¡¯s last conscious effort was to scream, ¡°RUN!¡± before succumbing to the blind agony of his shrieks. Malcolm spun around and began his own shameful retreat with nothing more than Javier¡¯s dying scream echoing past him, yet he was drowned by the sounds of a ravenous crowd following. Chapter 13: A Rash Bloodbath ¡°When there''s no more room in Hell, the Dead will walk the Earth.¡±- George Romero The light on Malcolm''s rifle waved at the ground as he sprinted. He checked his ultility belt and realized that he only had two magazines left. Choosing to save them, Malcolm chose one of his grenades; after dropping it, Malcolm heard an explosion and ripping of flesh. When Malcolm looked back, expecting the enemy to be in pain, they pressed their advance like a horde of Viking Berserkers. He touched his earpiece, ¡°FIREBALL! EVACTUATE THE TUNNEL!¡± ¡°WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!?¡± ¡°JUST DO IT!¡± He had no choice but to press his retreat. He continued to gain ground on them, and he could finally see the divot of light in the distance. ¡°I TOLD YOU TO RETREAT!¡± he screamed. ¡°PUT THE WIRE UP!!¡± It was clear that somebody understood him because the divot split in two with the other crossing to the side and then back over, slowly. ¡°GET BACK GET BACK!¡± Malcolm closed the gap, and he made a head-first leap, successfully clearing the barbs and rolling as he hit the ground. Malcolm¡¯s impact almost slammed into the two guards, and he faced a petrified Second Section. The ravenous voices appeared in the periphery of the lights. ¡°GET THE CIVIES OUT OF HERE! MOVE!¡± Malcolm turned around, reloading his Crystal and looked at the machine gunners. ¡°YOU TWO ON ME!¡± The Staff Sergeant hesitated at first, then gave the command for the Second Section to fall back. They were just in time for the enemy to come within sight of the fence. ¡°WEAPONS FREE!¡± Next, the LMG barrels rapidly sparked, unleashing a tight barrage which began to rip through the first line of the advancing enemy, making dark blood mist around them. Bullets tore through their torsos and impacted the enemy behind them. They seemed stunned for a brief second before they pressed forward with their demented comrades. They started tearing themselves against the barbs and the wire hugged tightly around them, but they continued to push and pile themselves against the fencing and those in front. Malcolm finally began to discharge his rifle into faces, turning bodies limp and they became tangled in the wire; Malcolm shared bullets with one wrong face after another. There was a creaking sound against the fence as the bodies dropped into it. Soon, the two LMGs were completely emptied, as was Malcolm¡¯s magazine; he whipped out his Sig Sauer, Dominic, to fend the enemy off. The fence buckled and the two privates were in the process of loading fresh magazines. Malcolm aimed over the heads of the fallen and was less accurate than before, only dropping two. There was no end to the horde. Their sheer weight finally tipped the fence down. Mangled corpses dropped on each other and were tripped over. Malcolm was able to reload with the two privates and together they unleashed a new barrage at the trampling enemy. Soon, the pile of bodies reached half the height of the ceiling, forcing the enemy to crawl over their fallen. Malcolm emptied his magazine before the other two. ¡°FALL BACK!¡± They turned around as the great pile before them shifted forward like a landslide due to the buckling pressure. The three of them retreated with the chorus of ravings growing distant. They were closing in on the hovel. As Malcolm¡¯s light shone, he realized that people were packed in single file as they tried to evacuate. Flashlights scattered around the room as Johnson¡¯s Platoon escorted the civilians. A squad came running towards them. ¡°NO!¡± Malcolm screamed, ¡°GET OUT OF THE TUNNEL!¡± ¡°NELSON! WHAT THE FUCK!?!¡± He could hear a familiar voice echo from among the troops. By now, Malcolm had intersected with the squad. ¡°ON ME! THREE CROUCH! THREE MORE BEHIND THEM!¡± Malcolm then directed his attention to the two he retreated with. ¡°I WANT YOU TWO BEHIND THE SIX! GET READY TO COVER THEIR RETREAT!¡± Like ants the grunts obeyed their master. The formation was quickly established as the Machine Gunners reloaded their weapons. Daniels appeared from the black as Malcolm reloaded Crystal. ¡°NELSON!?¡± Malcolm hustled Daniels away. ¡°MOVE THESE PEOPLE! GO!¡± Beastly roars echoed closer and closer. Daniels stared down the tunnel in horror before turning around and hurrying the civilians. Malcolm snapped the chamber open, allowing a fresh bullet to enter. ¡°THEY¡¯BE BEEN SOAKING ¡®EM UP! IGNORE CENTER MASS! TAKE THEIR LIMBS OFF!¡± The first Berserker entered the view of the flashlight, followed by three, and soon they were shoulder to shoulder. All stretched their arms forward as if they were in grasping distance. Before Malcolm could give the order, one member of the squad panicked and let bullets fly. This set off a domino effect as the entirety of the fire team let loose their barrage. ¡°CONTROLED BURSTS!¡± Malcolm screamed, yet no one obeyed. The front runner was finally brought down. The fire team was not aiming for limbs, in their panic they defaulted to their basic instincts. It was not long before they ran out of bullets; there was no time to reload. Members of the fire team started to back away. One fell and another just turned to run. ¡°I SAID- FUCK IT!¡± Malcolm threw himself into the breach and fired at the enemy. Conserving ammo with head shots, he went along the lineup of enemies and downed the one per burst. The Machine Gunners flanked Malcolm, and they unleashed their hundred round magazines into the crowd. These soldiers knew to ignore the center mass. They targeted the enemy¡¯s legs, blowing knees off from under them. Together, Malcolm and his fire team dropped dozens, and the rest tumbled over the fallen. A loud snap indicated to Malcolm that he had discharged his final bullet. He switched to his sidearm and fired off a new barrage before his companions hit the end of their supply. ¡°FALL BACK!¡± He ordered, but when he turned to escape, the civilians were still exiting the tunnel. There were still at least twenty of them running, and this did not count the half of Johnson¡¯s platoon that guided them. Malcolm came to a halt. He looked back to see the ravenous enemy pressing their advance. The Machine Gunner to Malcolm¡¯s right attempted a reload. Two Berserkers brought one down and the other attempted to bash them with his LMG. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Malcolm ran up to grab his shoulder and shot the hostile on the ground. He then tugged the face of another hostile, removing its teeth from the crevice of the grunt¡¯s neck. He cried in pain as Malcolm shot the Berserker; he then grabbed the gunner by the shoulders and started to drag. ¡°PLATOON! COVERY FIRE!¡± he bellowed, and a section ran to his aid. Malcolm dragged and watched as soldiers foolishly advanced past him, then were quickly brought down as the crowd descended. Malcolm stopped, firing rounds at an enemy bolting towards him. Malcolm then swung the fallen gunner over his shoulders, he turned around to retreat, and the exit of the tunnel was just a brief sprint. With the private carried over his shoulders, Malcolm was careful not to run into the rest who retreated. The patter of footsteps was drowned out by the gunfight and the screaming. When he finally looked, only half the section was with him, and the monstrous chorus of bullets echoed down the tunnel. Dozens of flashlights illuminated from outside the mouth ahead of them. Finally, after dodging another civilian, Malcolm was blinded by the combined lights. He was standing in the open and the echoes from the tunnel began to compress, sounding as if the enemy was already upon him. He looked at soldiers elevated on each side of the rail line and the two machinegun nests directly across. Civilians were ascending the ramp and troops provided the escort. Malcolm rushed to the end of the track and handed the wounded private off to the troops standing guard. ¡°CLEAR THE TRACK! EVERYBODY DOWN!¡± He dropped to his knees, as did the few soldiers still exiting the tunnel. ¡°WEAPONS FREE, WEAPONS FREE!¡± As the enemy appeared in the field of vision, every weapon was let loose. Bullets flew over Malcolm¡¯s head and the sounds of the machine guns behind him were deafening. The poor soul who hugged the floor in front of the mouth was dived on instantly by the enemy. Six dropped as soon as they exited the tunnel and were tumbled over by the charging Berserkers behind them. They roared as bullets tore through them, bolting at anybody they could, and they came for Malcolm. He picked his targets sparingly, only discharging rounds when they came within arms-reach. Three bullets dropped the first one, two for the second. Almost two dozen hostiles had fallen, one soldier was being mauled, and the crowd was thinning out. As the machine gunners ran out of juice, Malcolm advanced, after bringing down five more, he added to a trail of three dozen bodies. The crowd thinned to the point that the remnants were in the process of being chewed to bits by the orchestra of military-grade weaponry. Malcolm felt safe enough to save the soldier from the mouth. He and another ran forward, checking to be sure none of the other hostiles were creeping out the tunnel, and Malcolm pressed his gun behind a Berserker and blew the brain out. The Sergeant assisting him bashed another¡¯s head with the rifle stock, she turned around and lunged at him, forcing him to wrestle against her with his gun. The other three noticed their fallen friend and turned their attention to Malcolm. He gunned down the two that readied themselves to jump, while the other went for the soldier¡¯s legs. He screamed and collapsed, forcing him to draw a pistol and kill the attacker at his foot while nearly blowing it off. It was then that the woman who tackled him began snapping towards his face. Malcolm ran forward and pulled her by the hair which gave the Sergeant the free space he needed to press the gun into her torso and fire repeatedly. She screamed but never faltered, a red spittle flew from her mouth into the Sergeant¡¯s face. He then pressed the gun to her chin, and the fired round which fortunately didn¡¯t penetrate the skull. ¡°WHOA WHAT THE FUCK!¡± Malcolm pushed the limp head to the ground and kicked the Sergeant. ¡°YOU COULD¡¯VE KILLED ME! YOU¡¯RE LUCKY I DON¡¯T RIP YOUR RANK FROM YOU!¡± ¡°LOOK WHAT SHE DID TO ME!¡± The Sergeant named Stevens held up his wounded left leg. Malcolm¡¯s eyes were deeply black. ¡°WE COULDV¡¯E SUBDUED HER!¡± He looked around before helping another soldier who had been mauled. More than forty corpses lay about, each had exit wounds in the multiples and bled in a collective black pool; it was the black which haunted the room. The private looked worse, his face pinched in horror, both arms and legs were bleeding with fingers missing; his eye was blacked, and temple was bruised. A final burst of gunfire echoed down the tunnel, catching Malcolm¡¯s eye. He ejected his magazine and loaded the last one in his pistol. ¡°Platoon C! On me!¡± Very slowly, soldiers descended from both ramps to his flank. Huddled together in a line formation, they reentered the tunnel. Malcolm led the advance with Beauregard at the tail. Malcolm listened closely for the sounds of hostiles. His ears continued to ring, his mind began to play tricks on him, and every track the flashlights shone over was suspicious. ¡°COMET!¡± He cried out to any survivors with no response. They continued their march with fingers on the triggers. He was too focused on the prospect of more Berserkers or mangled survivors to count the steps. ¡°COMET!¡± he screamed again. This time a response came from the deep black. ¡°STAR!¡± They all came to a halt as they heard the patter of footsteps echoing towards them. The figure revealed itself in the light and it was a disheveled Lieutenant Daniels. He kept one hand on the back of his neck and the sleeve on his left arm had been torn; his weapon had been dropped somewhere in the hovel. ¡°I¡¯VE GOT WOUNDED!¡± Malcolm ordered the Platoon to double time it. Daniels briefly vanished from view; Malcolm and the Platoon entered the first hovel. The sounds of crying became apparent as the flashlights shone over at least ten dead friendlies. There were eight soldiers scattered throughout and against the wall, which did not include Daniels. As Malcolm scanned the perimeter for more casualties, one soldier with a ripped throat was spotted near the entrance to the tunnel¡¯s next portion. Another casualty writhed on the ground in agony as she clenched a wound on her face. Daniels tended to her, and the Platoon dispersed to check on all survivors. ¡°You two, keep watch.¡± Malcolm volunteered some grunts to patrol the next tunnel. He made his way over to Daniels and the injured woman, a specialist named Rook. Half her face was covered with her right hand as she cried. ¡°I need to see it¡­¡± Daniels told her as he held one hand, ¡°I need to see how bad it is¡­¡± he pulled her hand off the face and he nauseated at the sight. Her right eye socket had been gouged open with shards of skin and flesh hanging down her cheek. ¡°...Jesus¡­.¡± ¡°Your hurt too.¡± Malcolm said, eyeing the teeth indentions on the back of Daniels¡¯ neck and the bleeding tear on the side of his left arm; black stains colored both it and his torso. ¡°I¡¯ll live...We gotta get these people out of here. At least half of us got hurt when most of the crazies followed y¡¯all.¡± Daniels begrudgingly answered. ¡°We got lucky...¡± ¡°I guess...¡± Daniels changed his focus to Rook. ¡°Hey¡­Everything¡¯s gonna be okay. It¡¯s over now¡­.¡± ¡°¡­At least a quarter of them didn¡¯t make it¡­¡± Malcolm hollowed. ¡°Bravo has a new Captain now. I gotta go find out who and get in touch with Casey¡­if I even still can.¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Because last I heard, they were under attack.¡± Daniels shot him an awkward glance. ¡°I finally heard from the medic¡­¡± Malcolm elaborated. ¡°¡­It sounded bad out there. Dongducheon is under attack, meaning other cities will be. We need to assume the other tunnels are dealing with what happened here.¡± ¡°¡­Where¡¯s Javier?¡± Daniels finally asked. Malcolm¡¯s eyes dropped to the ground as his fists clenched, ¡°He tried to be a hero¡­that¡¯s what happened...We ordered the rest of Bravo to drop, and one of them bought it. Javier died trying to save him.¡± Daniels looked back to the wounded specialist beneath him and the field of bodies around. ¡°What the fuck was wrong with them?! They were fucking rabid...¡± Malcolm grabbed Daniel¡¯s shoulder, which Daniel¡¯s forced off. Malcolm began to walk back through the darkness towards the light at the entrance. He came to a halt and found himself leaning against the wall while staring at his hand. Malcolm tried to take the glove off, but his other hand trembled; he pulled the glove off one finger at a time. After degloving, the whole of Malcolm¡¯s hand was jittery like the tiny wings on a bug. ...I was right about everything...and I¡¯m shaking¡­I told Mendez something was off and now the enemy is sending berserker units after us! Javi¡­I¡¯ve never seen anyone die like that¡­There was no method to it. Unless that wave was sent to shake us up¡­Which¡­by God they fucking did it. Malcolm clenched his vapidly shaking fist as fingers began to twitch back and forth, cold drips moistened his palm and the raised hairs on his face reminded him that he had not shaved in two days. Chapter 14: A Crude Filter ¡°I love to talk about nothing. It''s the only thing I know anything about.¡±- Oscar Wilde Malcolm¡¯s eyes opened and he rose to a sitting position. The itch on his left triceps burned with renowned vigor and he resisted scratching. Instead, he rubbed his nearly buzzed head as the light from the blinds illuminated the dorm. He lay under a bunk and the opposite sat to his right. Bernard shared the bed above him with Bishop and Raynes across the room. The window blinds were always left open so the light could warn them how much time they had left to sleep before the day officially broke. They were psychologically tuned to rise when the first light appeared instead of relying on an alarm clock. Today, it seemed as if everyone¡¯s internal clock had been switched off. Malcolm twiddled his fingers as awkwardly as a kid who is the first waking at a sleep-over. He checked the clock behind him, the time was nine-seventeen. And they had all day, it was their final day of Camp Benning. Malcolm thought about closing his eyes but knew he was too wide awake by now to sleep in. After all, this was several hours more sleep than he usually gets, even when he¡¯s at home with Meryl. Malcolm rose and crossed to his desk, where his iPod had been left on its charger. He was deciding whether he would pass the time over an album or series of singles; he would simply pick up from where the playlist last stopped: ¡°¡­Ignorance is your new best friend! Ignorance is your new best friend!¡± By the time the others started to rouse, the time was almost eleven. Bernard¡¯s bare feet swung by the side of Malcolm¡¯s head, and he plopped to the ground; burly in his form, a natural thickness of muscles tricked one into thinking that he was fat. The arms and one pectoral was shaded in tattoos of flame and flowers. Bishop crawled out of his bed, groaning. ¡°Did we miss breakfast?¡± ¡°By now? We will.¡± Bernard responded. ¡°Shit!¡± Raynes uttered without even raising his head as he lay on the top bunk. ¡°Someone skip their shower and bring us leftovers.¡± ¡°And get the shaft with a cold one?¡± Bernard gaffed. ¡°Well, you¡¯ll get the food when it¡¯s hot, so it works out.¡± Bernard looked at Malcolm. ¡°You hear this wetback?¡± Malcolm had not heard because he had been trying to ignore Raynes since summer started. He took his headphones out. ¡°No, what?¡± ¡°Jesus Spacer! Are you naked under there?¡± Bernard was looking at the pair of boxers that sat next to Malcolm¡¯s bare leg resting on the floor. Malcolm made eye contact. ¡°It¡¯s only weird if you draw attention to it.¡± ¡°Dog! You¡¯ve got roommates!¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°And my last roommates glued pubes to my face. Consider yourself glad.¡± ¡°Fuck man. Whatever...¡± Bernard stormed over to the bathroom. ¡°Heyheyhey! What are you doing?¡± Raynes finally lifted his head. ¡°I-I-I have dibs on the shower!¡± Bernard mocked Raynes and shut the door. ¡°You took the first shower yesterday!¡± Bishop said aggravatedly. ¡°We¡¯re not on a turn system!¡± Bernard shouted through the door. ¡°I got up first!¡± ¡°By that right I get it first!¡± Bishop lied. ¡°See me standing before any of you?¡± Malcolm chimed in. ¡°...I¡¯ve been up since nine...¡± ¡°Shut up. We¡¯re not counting you.¡± ¡°I was gonna wait on the rest of you anyway.¡± Raynes restated his request. ¡°Would you, Jackie, go get the food before breakfast is over?¡± ¡°Why do I have to?¡± Bishop asked. ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to see Dog penis.¡± Raynes waved. ¡°Head down and face the ceiling.¡± Malcolm grinned, ¡°You won¡¯t see a thing.¡± ¡°You know Bernard¡¯s right. We¡¯ve talked to you about this shit before.¡± Bishop stated. ¡°Since when?¡± Bishop winced. ¡°Uh. After the last time you did this¡­¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question.¡± ¡°Probably yesterday. Is your memory selective?¡± Malcolm hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s not and you¡¯re lying.¡± ¡°No, he¡¯s right.¡± Raynes looked at Malcolm, ¡°You complained about it being hot.¡± ¡°Dude, I must¡¯ve still been half asleep.¡± ¡°Well, we¡¯re still right though.¡± Said Raynes. ¡°By the way, you put that on the charger last night!¡± Bishop pointed to the iPod. ¡°Which means your naked ass was stood up and walking around!¡± Malcolm stared. ¡°I made sure everyone was still sleeping.¡± ¡°What about Bernard?¡± Bishop pointed out. ¡°You can¡¯t even see him.¡± ¡°He snores.¡± Malcolm uttered. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Ya know, speaking of which¡­¡± Bishop crossed over to the bathroom and started knocking. ¡°Hey! Why are you not in there yet?¡± ¡°I¡¯m taking a shit!¡± Bernard shouted. ¡°Don¡¯t wipe it, wash it!¡± Bishop banged on the door once more. ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± ¡°Hey Bishop, since your next to the door, could you go get breakfast?¡± Raynes persisted. ¡°In my boxers?¡± Bishop¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°At this rate well miss it if you don¡¯t!¡± ¡°Why do I have to be the one who skips my shower?¡± ¡°Cause you¡¯ve already done half the work by crossing the room.¡± Raynes answered. ¡°And you¡¯d be good comrade for it.¡± Interjected Malcolm. ¡°Shut the fuck up, Nelson!¡± Bishop shouted. ¡°Yea, you get cold water!¡± Raynes asserted. Malcolm gaffed. ¡°Mother of Fuck, I take ice baths! You think your punishing me?¡± ¡°I think that ¡®thing¡¯ on your left hand will always remain a mystery to me.¡± Raynes pointed to Malcolm¡¯s ring. ¡°Well since we¡¯re disclosing our feelings¡­¡± Bishop redirected to Raynes, ¡°Nelson might walk just two feet away to piss during drills but at least he¡¯s a Hall of Fame Inductee. You on the other hand-¡° ¡°Am in the Hall of Fame too.¡± Raynes boasted. Malcolm raised a finger to interrupt. ¡°Not until tonight.¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up Nelson!¡± Raynes said. ¡°You on the other hand¡­.¡± Bishop continued. ¡°Skipped the low ranks with your fancy four-year degree. Not to mention you act like a drill instructor when you¡¯re not even the assigned team leader.¡± Raynes was offended. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously criticizing me for asserting myself when Sandoval was being incompetent! He¡¯s spoiled by GPS and can¡¯t read a real map to save his ass during live combat!¡± ¡°In live combat, you could trigger a mutiny.¡± Raynes was unrelenting. ¡°In live combat, he could¡¯ve led us into a goddamn minefield!¡± ¡°You know you deserved the reaming.¡± ¡°No. I deserve to be Captain!¡± Raynes, again, asserted himself. ¡°Besides, that guy reminded me of David Schwimmer¡¯s character in ¡®Band of Brothers¡¯. Fuck him.¡± ¡°Hey, that guy stole the show.¡± Malcolm defended. ¡°Besides, you literally chose to convey your disagreement by giving countermanding orders. Like, you¡¯re still an initiate!¡± Raynes looked at Malcolm. ¡°I technically am and how about you cover your goddamn leg!¡± ¡°I dare you to come over here and make me!¡± Malcolm boasted. ¡°Alright! Let us wait for Bernard to provide us with a wet towel.¡± Raynes smiled. ¡°You think a whip is gonna scare me?¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°I¡¯m the only one here who went to Marine Boot Camp, where Sodomy is a ¡®prank gone wrong!¡¯ I was doing parkour before parkour was an internet meme! So, if you think that I will not jump up and fuck you up, please be my bitch!¡± Malcolm finally blinked. Bishop looked at Raynes, ¡°Please don¡¯t provoke him.¡± Raynes guffawed. ¡°We tried talking to him and look where we are!¡± Bishop nodded emphatically. ¡°Yea, but like you said, I don¡¯t wanna see Dog penis so if you could not trigger him, yea that would be great.¡± Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°If it makes you so uncomfortable,¡± Malcolm queried, ¡°Why don¡¯t you skip your shower and fetch us food?¡± ¡°Because I got Abigail coming to the ceremony and I ain¡¯t going all greasy.¡± ¡°Negro! We all got family seeing us tonight!¡± said Bishop. ¡°Well, I ain¡¯t waiting for the hotel to shower!¡± Raynes stated. ¡°I¡¯m getting in there with her, then I¡¯m getting in the sack!¡± ¡°As the only married man here,¡± Malcolm chimed, ¡°I should be the only non-virgin in this dorm!¡± Heads twisted like owls. ¡°Are you getting biblical on us?¡± Raynes asked. ¡°Well, it was designed for breeding purposes.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Apart from negotiating land and alliances...¡± Bishop cupped his face. ¡°What the fuck have we told you about that?¡± ¡°What? Big words?¡± Malcolm gave a cocky grin. ¡°No, ¡®Breeding¡¯. It doesn¡¯t sound right.¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°What are you, my wife?¡± ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re with us!¡± Bishop¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°Another black man would think you mean something bad!¡± Malcolm faked a gasp, ¡°Why I would never!¡± ¡°Now I¡¯m know you fucking with me but-¡± ¡°No homo bromo. Meryl wouldn¡¯t go for three ways.¡± Malcolm''s eyes drifted to the ceiling. ¡°I tried to say it wouldn¡¯t be cheating; We¡¯d be fucking as a unit. She still said ¡®No.¡± ¡°Dude, what kind of poor wife did YOU get?¡± Raynes guffawed. ¡°She¡¯s my tether,¡± Malcolm placed his hand on his heart for gestures sake, ¡°and she¡¯s just about the only person who gets to censor me so watch it or else my real filter comes off.¡± ¡°What filter!?¡± Raynes seemed shocked. ¡°Don¡¯t get me started.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t want to hear about your sex life!¡± Raynes continued. Malcolm sneered. ¡°I was gonna say that if you knew me, you¡¯d want to kill me¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill you before you have a chance to curse me with that!¡± A faucet shut off inside the bathroom and the sound of curtains shifted. ¡°It¡¯s about time!¡± Bishop knocked and received no response. ¡°You idiots realize that we have all afternoon, right?¡± said Malcolm. ¡°Pfft. Whatever, I still mean to be there first!¡± said Raynes. ¡°But why?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°They call us by rank and alphabetical order.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ So, I can meet Abigail beforehand.¡± Raynes shrugged as a matter of fact. Bishop turned around. ¡°Raynes, do not bring her up here¡­¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t seen her in three months!¡± ¡°Raynes, do that in the car.¡± ¡°We¡¯re taking a plane back!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care where you do it except for here.¡± Bishop answered. Raynes sounded flabbergasted. ¡°No one will see; you¡¯ll be getting ready for the reception!¡± ¡°Now you sound like Space Dog!¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Malcolm blurted. ¡°Well, he does!¡± The bathroom door opened and Bernard, wearing a new set of briefs and a white towel over his shoulders walked out. ¡°What the hell? Where¡¯s the food?¡± ¡°We were just deciding that.¡± Said Malcolm. ¡°No, we weren¡¯t!¡± said Bishop. ¡°Well just before Raynes¡¯ blue balls entered the picture. We were.¡± ¡°And got nowhere!¡± Bishop retorted. ¡°Well great¡­now I have to.¡± Bernard complained as he moved Bishop aside and opened the closet. Bishop looked at both Malcolm and Raynes before bolting inside the bathroom to close the door. ¡°I¡¯m next.¡± Raynes looked at Malcolm. ¡°Ice. Baths.¡± Malcolm blinked for each word. To that Raynes stuck his tongue out. ¡°The water¡¯s tepid anyway, no real heat to it.¡± Bernard was buttoning his trousers. ¡°As long as Jackie leaves me the scraps, sixty seconds is all I need.¡± Raynes stated. ¡°Uh huh.¡± Bishop nodded. ¡°Did you guys even tell me what you want to eat or am I just getting eggs and sausage for everybody?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like toast if they have any left.¡± Said Malcolm. ¡°I actually want bacon.¡± Raynes said. Bernard waved them down. ¡°Can we not make this complicated?¡± ¡°Two things!¡± Raynes was baffled. ¡°With four things of food.¡± Bernard said. ¡°I was hoping we¡¯d all get the same.¡± ¡°What are we Russians?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that.¡± Malcolm ordered. Raynes cocked his head. ¡°What!?¡± ¡°You heard me.¡± Malcolm shamed him with a waving finger. ¡°You¡¯re being racist and ignorant of your first world privilege.¡± Raynes looked at Bernard, ¡°Can you slap him?¡± ¡°Is he wearing underwear yet?¡± Bernard asked doubtfully as he slid a white shirt on. Raynes rationalized. ¡°But you¡¯re fully clothed, so it¡¯s not gay for you to make contact with him.¡± ¡°Want to know what is gay?¡± Malcolm smiled. Raynes looked at him, hesitantly. ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°Colostomy Fucking a Latino Leapfrog.¡± Raynes¡¯ guffaw sounded like a ghastly shriek. Bernard couldn¡¯t help but laugh at Malcolm, he halted as he put his socks on. ¡°...Buddy¡­¡± Bernard started with an awkward smile, his hands cupped and pointing to Malcolm. ¡°Let me start by saying ¡®thank you¡¯ for not sharing your jokes during class or drills. Let me also say that it has been three months of a sausage party, and the women here are¡­well, not available. But in close relationships, like what we¡¯ve got here simulates, there¡¯s certain shit that can create¡­ discomfort. Now, you¡¯re with us, so there¡¯s no Biggy. But for the sake of our collective sanity could you please, shut the fuck up?¡± ¡°Best I can do for you is promise that I haven¡¯t reverse mamboed in my time.¡± Malcolm answered, ¡°Unless you count my Crystal being a trophy.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Bernard laughed, ¡°It might.¡± ¡°Can we just, like, change the subject¡­.¡± Raynes begged. Bernard was putting his black shoes on. ¡°That¡¯s between yawl.¡± ¡°Your gonna leave me alone with him after THAT?¡± Raynes said as the faucet in the shower turned off. ¡°Ahh hear that?¡± Bernard responded, ¡°You¡¯ve got backup now.¡± ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Raynes said, ¡°Bishop would get the fuck out.¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re up next so it¡¯s his problem.¡± Bernard was snide. ¡°¡­The State looks down on Sodomy...¡± Malcolm sang at Raynes. ¡°Maybe we could call it an ¡®Alternative Payment¡¯ for my Cookies.¡± Raynes dropped from his bunk and crossed the room to knock on the bathroom door as if he were the last victim of a slasher movie. After a repeated rapping, Bishop opened the door with a towel around his waist. ¡°Can a Negro dry off in peace?¡± ¡°Now that you¡¯ve opened the door, move!¡± Raynes grabbed Bishop by the shoulders and pulled him out while entering. ¡°What did I miss? And why the hell is there no food?¡± Bishop asked. ¡°Because I just finished getting changed.¡± Bernard responded. ¡°You wanted me to walk down there in a towel?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have time now, look!¡± Bishop held his hand to the digital clock that no-one had been paying attention to: the time was eleven-ten. ¡°Shit!¡± Bernard said. ¡°Spacey, why didn¡¯t you wake us up?¡± Malcolm held up the earbuds resting on his chest. Bernard guffawed. ¡°You still could¡¯ve done that.¡± Bishop also blamed Malcolm. ¡°If your naked ass took a shower hours ago, this wouldn¡¯t have happened!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my fault that the four of us together become an autistic kid with ADHD.¡± Malcolm defended himself. ¡°We¡¯ll just wait on Raynes and figure out who¡¯s getting takeout.¡± ¡°If what you just said a minute ago was autism, then I¡¯m a legit tattoo artist.¡± Bernard remarked. ¡°Why?¡± Bishop asked. ¡°What did he say?¡± Malcolm smiled, ¡°I had a cunning plan involving Raynes, an IV bag, and a turkey baster.¡± ¡°Buddy¡­¡± Bernard interrupted, ¡°Comfort zones.¡± ¡°You know what?¡± Bishop shrugged. ¡°This guy was talking anti-Semitism the other day, so I don¡¯t even want to hear it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m anti-Zionist!¡± Malcolm defended himself, ¡°Big fucking difference.¡± Bishop waved. ¡°All the same to me.¡± ¡°Cause you¡¯re a dumbass!¡± ¡°How ¡®bout you call that ¡®wife¡¯ of yours and tell her to bring us something?¡± Bishop commanded. Malcolm squinted. ¡°Because she won¡¯t be here until at least four! AND she¡¯s not a delivery boy, especially for you.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t even know what we¡¯re getting either.¡± Bernard reminded as he got between the two. ¡°Well shit! It¡¯s not like I¡¯m picky.¡± Bishop defended. ¡°If I gotta skip breakfast, I¡¯ll take a burger!¡± ¡°Yes, but where from?¡± Bernard asked. ¡°We¡¯ll consult Raynes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in the mood for a chicken sandwich by the way.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Well let¡¯s not make this complicated yet.¡± Bernard said as the shower turned off, ¡°Speak of the devil.¡± You¡¯re speaking to one. Malcolm thought to himself. ¡°And that¡¯s why I¡¯m glad I won¡¯t be under your command.¡± Bishop responded. ¡°What?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°I¡¯m glad I won¡¯t be serving Satan.¡± Bishop affirmed smugly. Malcolm pursed his lips, careful to silence his conscience. Soon, the bathroom door swung open and a toweled Raynes stepped out. ¡°Now I didn¡¯t exactly expect you to be back here already.¡± Raynes said to Bernard. ¡°Bishop, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Waiting on these two to clear.¡± He responded. ¡°Motherfucker, I gotta wait on three of you now!¡± ¡°I never left by the way.¡± Bernard injected. ¡°Wait, what the hell? Where¡¯s the food?¡± ¡°By now it¡¯s in the garbage.¡± Bernard pointed to the clock. Raynes was dismayed. ¡°Well shit! What now? I ain¡¯t waiting on lunch!¡± ¡°All the homeless people we could feed with those leftovers¡­¡± Malcolm carefully thought out loud. ¡°Nelson, shut the fuck up and get your ass in there!¡± Bishop ordered as he pointed to the bathroom. ¡°Now wait just a goddamn minute¡­¡± Bernard said, ¡°We¡¯re getting takeout: Nelson wants a chicken sandwich. Bishop wants a Burger. Raynes, please tell me you don¡¯t want tacos.¡± Raynes squinted. ¡°Is that because I¡¯m Mexican?¡± ¡°Yes, and you¡¯re a contrarian.¡± Raynes shrugged. ¡°Well just for that I might.¡± ¡°See.¡± ¡°Well, fuck it¡± Raynes said, ¡°You¡¯re still going to get it, right?¡± ¡°Who the hell said that?¡± replied Bernard. Raynes pointed. ¡°You did when you agreed to get breakfast.¡± ¡°Well now it¡¯s lunch.¡± ¡°It carries over.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my fault I got caught up in your bullshit.¡± Bernard defended. ¡°MY Bullshit?¡± Raynes pointed to Malcolm. ¡°Did you hear him!?¡± Bishop chuckled awkwardly. ¡°H-He listed some interesting items-¡± ¡°D-Don¡¯t get him started again, please.¡± Raynes begged. ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay.¡± Bernard reassured them. ¡°It¡¯s over, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Malcolm grunted. ¡°Why is your naked ass still lying there?¡± Bishop questioned. Malcolm was contrarian. ¡°I was waiting on yawl to step out.¡± ¡°I was waiting on him to get the food and you to get in there!¡± Bishop reasserted. ¡°Now, I have to wait on you!¡± Raynes told Bishop. ¡°I could always use my pillow as a cloth and you two just face opposite directions.¡± Malcolm said coyly. ¡°You get in there! We¡¯ll worry about that!¡± Bishop barked. ¡°Very well then¡­¡± Malcolm emerged fully nude, much to the dismay and the discomfort of the room. He walked to the dresser and withdrew a fresh pair of underwear followed by his black dress pants. He smirked at everyone in the room as they looked away. As Malcolm entered the bathroom, he put the toilet seat down and delicately folded his clothes on top before finally closing the wide-open door.¡± ¡°Yes, now¡­¡± He could hear Bernard try to return to the main subject. ¡°Back to lunch.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting to think ¡®brunch.¡± Raynes said. ¡°Oh, come on!¡± ¡°No seriously, let¡¯s go to a diner.¡± Bernard gave a brief pause to mull it over. ¡°Hmmm, we could split the check¡­.¡± Chapter 15: To Impulsively Unburden ¡°Would she hear me...if I called her name... Would she hold me...if she knew my shame...¡± -Mathew Tuck The water was about as cold as a frozen seal and Malcolm couldn¡¯t help but shiver. He was in the middle of washing what little hair he had grown since his last cut. He began to drum his foot on the floor as he practiced his deep breathing which made the cold easier to embrace. Bernard¡¯s alright, I shouldn¡¯t insult him by grouping him with those other two. He provided you with fresh ink after all. Now the OTHER two¡­ Bishop is too fickle minded to be effective at leading anything more than a platoon. As for Raynes¡­he¡¯s green. He¡¯s untested in live combat and I don¡¯t care how well educated he is, if you haven¡¯t spent time in active duty then your men are not going to look up to you. The moment World War Three breaks out he¡¯ll be the first to desert. Since Summer started, I¡¯ve been wondering how many children could a coward like that propagate? What would that coward¡¯s mind even look like? Einstein¡¯s had far more creases, with all the information stuffed in there. Whereas the smooth brain has nothing to be stored. So, what of the craven? Will his adrenal glands be smaller or larger? Will he have more grey matter? How much do I have? I¡¯d need to buy an advanced microscope just to get an idea of this... Now now¡­Don¡¯t be crazy¡­You¡¯re married. How are you gonna factor that with your collection of tools? Raynes is getting on a plane to Florida tonight. So, you gotta shoot both as they pull out of the Fort, then quickly appear by Meryl¡¯s side once again. And what¡¯s the point of doing that if you¡¯re not gonna learn what his Brain looks like? Hmmm¡­There¡¯s no explaining my absence to Meryl. Instead, I could just long con this. I know he¡¯s from Fort Lauderdale; it¡¯s just a game of patience. I can learn where he lives. I could just go on one of my hunting trips; it wouldn¡¯t technically be a lie after all. Get there, conduct a ¡®blooded depiction¡¯ before disposing of them to the crocodiles. During which, I will kill a croc and bring it back home to be stuffed. A reasonable alibi if I¡¯m home quickly and I¡¯ll have a trophy¡­of some sorts. ...You¡¯re gonna keep a trophy of the thing that ate your trophy? What¡¯s the point of that? In that case I could just make a brand-new hideout to bring them. ¡­A ¡®brand-new¡¯ hideout? This is a slippery slope to a new spree, and you know it. First, you¡¯ll make the lamps you wanted, next you¡¯ll be hard pressed to construct an entire boney exoskeleton to wear like armor. Armor you could never actually wear; if you were in a standoff with the police while wearing THAT, you could get hit with just a rubber bullet and the bones would shatter. The effect would be just like shrapnel... Well, I suppose that¡¯s better than being taken alive. And what if they come for you while you¡¯re at home? You want Meryl to get SWATTED? You want to see her in handcuffs too? You want her last memory of you to be ripping a Pig¡¯s throat open before the SWAT team guns you down? It doesn¡¯t have to reach that point¡­There¡¯s no reason why I can¡¯t stop after this last time¡­I already did... It¡¯s already escalating with two people. ¡­I stopped it for her. Besides, it¡¯ll happen again, if not as an expression, it¡¯ll be during my next tour. If I just cut myself off from the Carnal Beast, it will always control me. There was a rasping laughter within Malcolm¡¯s head. You can barely control yourself: First, you¡¯ll be suspected of Raynes death, when that happens, they¡¯ll book you. After that, they¡¯ll question what Meryl did or didn¡¯t know; when that happens, you¡¯ll start talking without a lawyer present. In exchange for accommodated conditions, Meryl¡¯s security, and infamy on the Reddit threads; you will fork over the answers to cold case files, snitch on men who you served with, and you¡¯ll laugh at the face of the detective who must step outside to call the FBI...Then¡­it will stop being funny the second Meryl files for divorce. Remember Ridgeway? Remember Rayder? Even if you manage to get better conditions than they did, you will never see her again and she¡¯ll never know that it would¡¯ve been anybody but her. ...She¡¯ll at least visit me once... And you think she¡¯ll let you see Connor? She¡¯ll blame herself for even giving birth to him and he will grow up knowing that his father was a monster. The kids at his school will avoid him like a bird with the flu. He¡¯ll see the commercial for HLN¡¯s documentary about you and he¡¯ll always have to turn to his mother for answers, ripping her wounds back open and filling his head with thoughts of you¡­ Thoughts that aren¡¯t of you tucking him in at night. ¡­Where were you when I got started? Huh? I am a muscle. I can¡¯t feel the way you feel. So, what are you? And if you don¡¯t want me to get caught, why did you speak to the guys out there? ¡­But that wasn¡¯t me. It was you¡­ Stop lying. Slice yourself open if you don¡¯t believe me. There¡¯s no one else inside except for you. A rapping on the bathroom door broke Malcolm¡¯s train of thought and the shivers came back to him; a bellowing sound muffled over the shower stream and the bathroom fan. All Malcolm could make out was ¡°-the fuck up!¡± Please don¡¯t try to be clever. That¡¯s what I¡¯m for. ¡°I¡¯ll get out when I¡¯m damn well ready!¡± Malcolm opened the curtains to yell. Well, I suppose I didn¡¯t ask you to be nice. Malcolm was standing in front of the door with his hand on the knob; he panicked and looked down. There was water leaking across the floor, the towel had been put up, and he was already wearing the trousers he had brought with him. His thoughts were silent. Slowly, he turned the knob and emerged into the dormitory where a fully dressed Bernard and Raynes sat across from each other on the bunks as Bishop paced the room. ¡°It¡¯s about damn time jackass!¡± Bishop stated. ¡°You¡¯ve been in there forty minutes!¡± ¡°So, where the hell is the food?¡± Malcolm quipped. ¡°We¡¯re not getting takeout,¡± said Bernard, ¡°We¡¯re thinking Waffle House.¡± Malcolm stared. ¡°But they don¡¯t have the chicken sandwich I wanted.¡± ¡°Oh, for the love of God!¡± Bishop groaned. ¡°Now now¡­We¡¯re three out of four on this one.¡± Bernard reassured him. ¡°But I knew he was going to do this.¡± ¡°And you called me a contrarian.¡± Raynes inserted. ¡°Democracy prevails.¡± Bernard assured again. ¡°True democracy forms a united front.¡± Malcolm casually stated as he crossed to the dresser for a white shirt. ¡°All in favor of a united front against the Space Dog¡¯s chicken sandwich?¡± Bishop asked and raised his hand; Raynes immediately followed. Bernard shrugged across from him. ¡°Look man, tt¡¯s about splitting the check.¡± When Malcolm looked at the clock, the time was eleven fifty-three. As they were leaving, he began to daydream about the last time he got to see Meryl. She was so proud of him that she nearly cried. The last time he talked to her was last night before she left the house for Fort Benning, and she was less proud. He could tell by her sigh when he told her that he would be making ¡®Captain¡¯ instead of ¡®Warrant Officer¡¯. ¡°I thought McElroy was trying to fast-track you out of the field?¡± she had said over the phone. ¡°I¡¯m close to my boys honey¡­¡± ¡°But¡­Are you saying you signed up for this?¡± ¡°Of course, I did¡­¡± Malcolm tried to sound sweet. ¡°But the whole point of all this was so you could become an officer.¡± ¡°I am.¡± He assured. ¡°I¡¯m just expected to fight still.¡± ¡°Mal, that¡¯s why I¡¯m scared¡­¡± She sounded shrill. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m comfortable doing this with the people I came up with; I don¡¯t know the people in the officer corps. And when you¡¯re an auxiliary to the command staff, you¡¯re on the chopping block when things go wrong. In the field I¡¯m friends with almost everyone. Besides, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m capped; McElroy will probably want to advance me to Major after my second tour as Captain, if not the third.¡± ¡°Do you know how much could happen in that time?¡± Meryl was nervous. ¡°I promise you that everything is going to be okay.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t promise me that!¡± She said. ¡°Have you been watching the news lately? You know who¡¯s running for president, right?¡± ¡°Honey, there¡¯s not gonna be a World War Three, an invasion, or even terrorist attack. ISIS is on the ropes. The Koreans are dick wagers. Iran would be a repeat of Vietnam and the bosses know it.¡± ¡°And did what they know stop them from pressing on anything in the past?¡± She asked. ¡°It would take a whole other Nine Eleven for that to happen.¡± ¡°And then where will you be? You won¡¯t be here!¡± ¡°Hopefully? I¡¯ll oversee Five hundred men. And they¡¯ll be doing everything for me.¡± Malcolm continued to sway. ¡°Sooner or later, I¡¯ll be a Lieutenant Colonel. I¡¯m just choosing to climb the ranks as traditionally as I can.¡± A long silence followed. ¡°Okay Rico.¡± She sighed, ¡°If that¡¯s what you want then¡­¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re still coming?¡± Malcolm asked dumbly. She had calmed down. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m coming. I was just getting ready.¡± ¡°Are you naked?¡± Malcolm smiled. She chuckled, ¡°I was talking about the truck, it¡¯s almost done.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not taking the plane?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Nope. I¡¯ve already got the night bag good to go. I¡¯ll leave around ten tomorrow.¡± ¡°Darling, you don¡¯t have to bring my truck.¡± Malcolm told her. ¡°You love your car.¡± ¡°I know, but I want to, so I¡¯m doing it.¡± She was politely snide. ¡°And your cool with us stopping at a hotel?¡± ¡°Night bag.¡± ¡°Ya know what?¡± Malcolm¡¯s grin turned wider. ¡°I was thinking maybe we pull over and sleep in the truck¡¯s bed.¡± ¡°Or maybe the hammock?¡± She spoke flirtatiously. ¡°What are you thinking?¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Malcolm started to hiss. ¡°Of the two of us suspended in the air as we fuck.¡± She laughed. ¡°You trying to get us in trouble?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Malcolm continued his hissy tone. ¡°I would¡¯ve been up for that back in the day...¡± She answered. ¡°Well don¡¯t let me keep you from sleeping, honey.¡± ¡°You think I need sleep?¡± She asked, ¡°You work at a hospital.¡± ¡°Speak of you!¡± She returned to the subject. ¡°What with your big day tomorrow?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right¡­I love you.¡± Malcolm told her. ¡°I love you too.¡± *** ¡°Nelson! Two hands!¡± Bernard barked in Malcolm¡¯s right ear, who returned to what is loosely referred to as the Present Time. He quickly got his bearings and grabbed the Jeep¡¯s steering wheel ten two. They were driving south along the Fort Benning Boulevard, leading into the base. It was returning to him that they had just left the National Infantry Museum after touring Phoenix City; the time was sixteen-fifty. ¡°Give me my phone.¡± Malcolm ordered, feeling as if he had literally been teleported. ¡°Fuck you! You¡¯re on the wheel!¡± Bernard said. ¡°Then turn it on for me.¡± Malcolm persisted. ¡°Fine.¡± Bernard grabbed it. ¡°What¡¯s your code?¡± ¡°Zero eight four six.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°I¡¯m changing it, no offense.¡± ¡°None taken. So, what do you want?¡± ¡°Open my texts.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Send one to Meryl.¡± ¡°Fine. What do you¡­¡± Malcolm was puzzled. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Bro, you texted her back already. ¡®We¡¯re leaving the museum, honey. I¡¯m really sorry about this. This wasn¡¯t my decision; I should¡¯ve brought you.¡± Bernard looked at him again. ¡°Yea, she¡¯s already on the base bro.¡± ¡°Why are you apologizing to her?¡± Raynes asked. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do everything with her, ya know?¡± ¡°Fuck that!¡± Bishop inserted himself, ¡°You agreed to go. Why are you complaining about it to her?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to be a dick.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°And it was your idea.¡± ¡°Be responsible and vocalize your disagreement next time.¡± Bishop continued. ¡°I mean, we¡¯re not in combat so I couldn¡¯t give a shit what you wanted. But still, don¡¯t bitch about it behind our backs.¡± Malcolm was offended. ¡°Jesus Christ man, I feel bad for leaving my wife, who¡¯s excited to see me, wondering where I am!¡± ¡°...Can we not synchronize ourselves, ladies?¡± Stated Raynes. That made everyone in the car look at Raynes, Malcolm adjusted the rear-view mirror at him. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You talk like that in front of Abigail?¡± Bernard asked. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly myself around her.¡± Raynes posed confidence. ¡°That¡¯s the deal.¡± ¡°So yes?¡± Bernard asked again ¡°Well maybe I don¡¯t say that but it ain¡¯t like she¡¯d be mad.¡± ¡°Still cringe. Not to mention wrong.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°It¡¯s a joke." ¡°And you suffer the consequence for it not landing.¡± Bernard drove the point. ¡°You¡¯re being harder on me than you were this guy for passing Rape threats like it¡¯s Stand up!¡± Raynes complained while pointing to Malcolm. ¡°He what?!¡± Bishops asked. ¡°Well, that was kind of funny.¡± Bernard answered. ¡°Gave me a real ¡®Joker¡¯ vibe. Just more shocking then charming.¡± ¡°Nelson, tell me what you said.¡± Bishop ordered. ¡°No!¡± Both Bernard and Raynes projected. Malcolm pulled back into the dormitories at seventeen o¡¯ three. He quickly dashed to the entrance. He passed through the front lobby, greeting the receptionist, and made his way to the elevator. Without waiting on his friends, he pressed the third-floor button and the doors shut on Bishop as he ran up shouting, ¡°Hey! Hey! H-¡°. Upon the third floor, Malcolm sprinted like an excited kid on vacation through the hallway. He entered his dormitory and wasted no time in opening the closet to retrieve the black dress shirt for his uniform. After quickly dawning it, he again crossed to the drawer by his bunk. Afterwards, he retrieved and pinned his decorations: The Distinguished Service Cross, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Soldier¡¯s Medal, and the Army Overseas Service Ribbon. Bernard, Bishop, and Raynes finally made their way inside as Malcolm buttoned up his dress shirt. ¡°YO! You couldn¡¯t save room for us?¡± Bishop was cut off by Malcolm who moved him to the side. Malcolm strode down to the lobby and made his way back outside to the jeep. He pulled up to the Holiday Inn after ten minutes and immediately scanned the parking lot for his pale Sierra, which he found to the left end withing seconds. He exited the Jeep and ran into the lobby. The receptionist was a comely fellow who maintained her post at the computer. ¡°Did a woman named ¡®Meryl¡¯ check in during the last hour?¡± he asked. ¡°I believe so,¡± she responded and turned her attention to the computer. After a few moments she told him, ¡°It looks like she checked in at about four seventeen.¡± ¡°Yea, that¡¯s her.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°I¡¯m her husband.¡± She reached for a phone and dialed the room number. ¡°Yes, this is the front lobby, I have a soldier here who says he¡¯s your husband. His name is¡­¡± ¡°Malcolm.¡± ¡°¡­Yes, I had to make sure. I¡¯ll send him right up.¡± She ended the call. ¡°Well, she already knew you were coming. She¡¯s in room seventeen on the first floor.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Malcolm then proceeded to bolt down the hallway past the desk, ignoring the elevator in favor of the staircase. After ascending, he was at the door to the first floor. After entering the hallway, he soon found the door to room seventeen. The door opened mid-rap and he nearly knocked Meryl on the forehead. She pretended to wince as her head flinched back. ¡°What? Do you think I¡¯m gonna leave you hanging?¡± Malcolm¡¯s legs wobbled from under him. He moved in to hug her and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Soon, Malcolm lifted his head to kiss her. As they kissed, he shut the door behind them and slowly guided her to the bedroom. He motioned her against the closet and gradually slid his arm off her shoulders and down her torso to caress her. He felt for her shirt, and she grabbed his hands before he could slide them against her skin. ¡°Okay,¡± she laughed and broke the kiss. ¡°After twelve weeks apart, you can¡¯t just fuck me before we¡¯ve talked. And there¡¯s another matter¡­¡± she wrapped her arm around his neck. ¡°Oh, just tell me¡­¡± Malcolm whispered as he closed his eyes, pressing his face against her cheek. ¡°Look behind you¡­¡± She pointed past his ear. When Malcolm looked, there was little Connor sitting on the first bed to the right. ¡°Dada¡­¡± he peeped with beady brown eyes and a head full of black hair. Malcolm bolted off Meryl. ¡°Hey buddy!¡± He swept his child off the bed and tossed him in the air as the toddler laughed and giggled. After the final catch, he held the boy against him as he looked back to Meryl, whom he¡¯d viewed as Aphrodite since birthing their son. They shared eye contact for a moment as Connor hugged his dad. Suddenly, the Beast in Malcolm wanted to confess before their goddess. Faces flashed before Malcolm, faces that had been with him since their dying breaths. Malcolm found his vision blurred as lightheadedness took him, yet he could still see the faces of the dead. Something...pounded in his heart and that pounding made him forget to breathe. A sensation of forlornness began to eat away at Malcolm¡¯s skin as goosebumps raised his hairs. He remembered the vows, ¡°To love and to Cherish...In sickness and in Health...¡± Malcolm was before the Goddess, and he knew in his heart he represented her Other. The gentility of his smile could not change how cold he felt, despite his fear that she would feel it. He closed in on her slowly and she returned the embrace with Connor pincered between them. Huddling like they were hibernating did not exchange the warmth needed to resuscitate Malcolm¡¯s hollowness. He began to think he saw his exhalations like they were frost. ¡°What is it?¡± Meryl felt the tear running down Malcolm¡¯s cheek. ¡°Honey?¡± She parted from the hug and held his hand, smiling still. ¡°¡­It¡¯s just¡­¡± Malcolm spoke involuntarily, ¡°¡­I thought you were lying on the phone; I assumed you were telling me what I wanted to hear just so I¡¯d be happy. I didn¡¯t even think about you when I chose Captain¡­You put medical school on hold because I¡¯m required to tour overseas. I¡¯m supposed to be fair to you and I haven¡¯t done a thing to help you in life; you wanted me to be at home more, and you deserve that from me. ¡­I love you more than I ever loved my own family. But I¡¯m thinking of every kid I''ve left with nowhere else to turn to. Every time I go out there, I risk leaving the two of you with nowhere else¡­. ¡­I was a pyromaniac when I was in middle school. You don¡¯t even know that part. When Mom and Dad were out, I¡¯d burn anything from cardboard in my sink to Anthills in the backyard. It felt like I was the only twelve-year-old in the country who kept up with the invasion of Iraq. I would watch that, then seek out the footage from the Gulf War, and in between I watched ¡®Band of Brothers¡¯ for the first time. I didn¡¯t think for one second about the characters who would never grow old, just that it would be fun to travel the world and fight for the right cause.¡± Malcolm felt his eyes watering more. ¡°¡­I¡¯m not officially a Captain yet, I can still talk to the Colonel¡­¡± Meryl silenced him with a kiss before she took Connor out of Malcolm¡¯s arms. She then held his cheek against hers. ¡°I know that you¡¯re a sweetheart, Rico¡­You don¡¯t need to put up with me cautioning you. I¡¯m sorry that I was such a nag.¡± Malcolm cupped her cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re worried for me and I¡¯m the one that¡¯s doing it to you.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve had a rough life baby, and you got sick of feeling helpless¡­what you do out there helps that¡­¡± She kissed him again. ¡°I promised to support you, remember?¡± She tucked his hand into her own, and with Connor remaining in her arm, she brought Malcolm across the room. ¡°Are we going to the pool?¡± Malcolm asked with a sly smile. Meryl stopped and bounced Connor while laughing, ¡°I¡¯m not teasing you in front of the boy.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t remember it¡­¡± Malcolm pressed the idea. ¡°We¡¯re still young, you know?¡± She laughed again. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t bring that. Besides¡­¡± She tugged at Malcolm¡¯s hand, leading him out the door, ¡°Just because we¡¯re married doesn¡¯t mean that my dad isn¡¯t still a pastor.¡± Meryl knocked at the room adjacent to theirs. Before Malcolm could process the meaning, the door was opened by none other than the smiling face of her brother, David; he shared Meryl¡¯s brunette hair, blue eyes, and birthday. ¡°Mal!¡± he exclaimed before wrapping his arm around Malcolm¡¯s neck. ¡°Look at you, all official and shit! Got your medals and everything! Hey, Mom! Dad!¡± Meryl smiled at Malcolm as she tugged his hand. Malcolm was in a daze as his mother-in-law rounded the corner wearing a black dress, unlike Meryl who rarely wore a dress. The grey hair was done up in a bun on the back of her head and she was busy putting lipstick away in her purse. ¡°Hey darling!¡± she said more sweetly than Malcolm¡¯s mother ever stated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about John, he takes forever to get ready.¡± ¡°I can hear you!¡± a voice bellowed from the bathroom, ¡°Hey Mal!¡± ¡°...Hey...¡± Malcolm responded. Meryl stepped forward. ¡°Beth couldn¡¯t be here, College and all that. But the rest of us are!¡± ¡°When does the ceremony start?¡± David asked Malcolm. ¡°N-not for another few hours.¡± ¡°Let me tell you something, this is my first time on an Army Base. You¡¯ve got so much shit out here it¡¯s unreal! I thought all Army bases were boring Nazi boot camps, but this shit is legit! We can catch a movie before the ceremony, right?¡± ¡°Uh, with Connor?¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°I don¡¯t think that will be a good idea.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a good boy, aren¡¯t you pal?¡± David zoomed in on Connor¡¯s face who stared back in disbelief. Meryl interrupted. ¡°We all know Mal¡¯s not gonna want to watch anything G-rated, and this is his graduation, so I¡¯m not gonna subject him to that.¡± David persisted. ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t seen you in, like, half a year! We gotta slam shots or something!¡± ¡°I can always run downstairs to fetch us some drinks.¡± Malcolm finally smiled, ¡°Now I do have to walk so I can¡¯t get tipsy.¡± The sound of a faucet turned off and the bathroom door opened. John stepped out wearing a black suit under a silver cross necklace and a head of matted grey hair. ¡°There¡¯s the man!¡± he said, ¡°There¡¯s my War Hero! Bring it in!¡± And he pulled Malcolm off Meryl for the embrace. ¡°...Hey...dad.¡± ¡°Why are you talking like you just got suspended?¡± John parted the hug and held Malcolm¡¯s shoulders. ¡°This is like a second coming of age for you! Where¡¯s your chin? Pop that shit up!¡± Malcolm couldn¡¯t help but laugh through his confusion. John continued to boast. ¡°There it is! And look here!¡± He turned his attention to his grandchild in Meryl¡¯s arms, who looked giddy to see him. ¡°He¡¯s getting so big! And he looks just like you.¡± That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of. ¡°We both know Meryl¡¯s the reason he¡¯s so good.¡± John affirmed. ¡°Even I, a preacher, will admit you can¡¯t underestimate the power of good genes! Anyway, Captain, what¡¯s the plan for after the ceremony?¡± ¡°I just want to go home honestly.¡± Malcolm said as he leaned against Meryl. ¡°I¡¯m back on duty soon so I¡¯d like to enjoy things before I have to leave again.¡± ¡°Well, we should at least go out to eat.¡± Meryl¡¯s mother stated. ¡°John and I will pay for it, our treat.¡± ¡°Thanks Mom, but I just had lunch with the boys.¡± Malcolm said. Meryl squeezed Malcolm¡¯s bicep. ¡°Oh, since when does that stop you from eating?¡± ¡°Hey look, a man knows when he needs to eat.¡± David said, ¡°Wait here, I¡¯ll fetch us some booze.¡± ¡°He said he can¡¯t be tipsy, you dingus!¡± John exclaimed. ¡°I said some booze.¡± ¡°Guys, it¡¯s cool, I can have one.¡± Malcolm assured. ¡°Well excellent then!¡± David said, ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a flash!¡± He poked Connor¡¯s nose before he strolled into the hallway. ¡°Now, that boy is a lush.¡± John said to Connor as if he were old enough to understand him, ¡°I know you won¡¯t grow up to be like him. Oh hell no.¡± ¡°Dad, he¡¯s two. He only says ¡®Mama¡¯ and ¡®Dada¡¯.¡± Meryl corrected. ¡°You can¡¯t start teaching too early.¡± John stated, then looked back to Malcolm. ¡°And with this man as his daddy, I can¡¯t imagine him being a shit when he grows up.¡± They played ¡®catch up¡¯ as Malcolm awaited the return of David, who returned with an armful of shot bottles. He shared in the revelry as the sun set on the horizon. The goosebumps encroached again, like Malcolm was braced. Any second now, the legal debt may finally be due. Malcolm held his son on his lap like he was a superior shield to Kevlar. ¡­I don¡¯t deserve this¡­ Chapter 16: Rabid Discoveries ¡°You only grow by coming to the end of something and by beginning something else.¡± ¨D John Irving Malcolm had sulked his way out of the office after another failed attempt at raising contact with someone. They had been treating the infiltration tunnel like it were the home of a treasure-hoarding Dragon and promptly kept their distances as the blackened bodies gathered gnats. The Center was overcrowded, and Malcolm had to weave himself around an outside campfire to retrieve a much-needed cup of coffee. It was starting to rear on the twenty-first hour, and they could all see the silhouette from Paju, and the choppers beating the night sky. Every now and again, the drumming of automatic fire could be heard, which Malcolm¡¯s ears usually perceived as the nighttime equivalent of singing birds. It reverberated in the wind and haunted the boys around him like the shrill of a siren whisper. Up in the sky, the helicopter lights became one with the stars as most of them fled to the south. Malcolm sipped his coffee with his free fingers twitching randomly. He took a survey of the fortified perimeter: The men and women of November and Bravo were blended as the fire teams awaited any signs of movement up the road or the tree lines. Staff Sergeant ¡®Toothey Booey¡¯ Jackson tended to the fire while surrounded by ten grunts of his squad. A new burst of weapons broke the chorus of silence. ¡°Well then,¡± Jackson tapped the coffee pot. ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like we¡¯ll be in Pyongyang next week.¡± ¡°Dude, that¡¯s all you have to say?¡± his main Sergeant asked. ¡°I¡¯m just sayin¡¯,¡± Jackson went on, ¡°It literally looks like we¡¯re retreating. I wasn¡¯t expecting Spacey to be right.¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± another slack jawed private muttered, ¡°America don¡¯t run away!¡± ¡°We still have to regroup like everyone else.¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°Besides¡­those choppers are probably the Third Division evacuating Civilians.¡± ¡°So, we¡¯re kicking ass is what you¡¯re saying?¡± the Private boasted. ¡°I¡¯m saying we¡¯re pulling the civilians out.¡± Malcolm was stark. ¡°The brass and Mendez wouldn¡¯t listen to me, so they¡¯re probably paralyzed right now; I doubt the larger operation is moving forward at all.¡± ¡°So do you think we¡¯ll be flanked?¡± asked Booey. ¡°If they were gonna do that they would¡¯ve attacked by now, the assault through the tunnel had us in full retreat...It would¡¯ve been perfect. That was the attack, and I think it was nothing more than a distraction. Still, they might try to choke us out if the area gets surrounded.¡± ¡°So, we keep an eye on the roads?¡± ¡°Yes, but they¡¯ll have much more cover in the trees.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Should we be setting claymores?¡± A corporal asked. ¡°No, civilians might come running.¡± Malcolm assessed the risks. ¡°Every base and outpost will have crowds looking for shelter if there¡¯s fighting in the streets.¡± ¡°Well shit!¡± a soldier said. ¡°How are we supposed to see ¡®em coming?¡± ¡°Uh, they¡¯ll be panicking.¡¯ Booey corrected. ¡°It¡¯s a fully lit sky¡­¡± Malcolm thought aloud. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have to rely on Thermal or Night vision.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just pissed off I missed the craziness.¡± Booey stated. ¡°One minute, the power goes out, the next minute we hear every gun inside going off! So, it¡¯s true that Chavez bought it?¡± Malcolm wanted to hold Jackson¡¯s eye lids open while he spilled boiling coffee in his sockets. ¡°He died being a hero.¡± ¡°I saw one of the squads that went through the tunnel,¡± the private said, ¡°They looked pretty fucked up.¡± ¡°Yeah well, an entire quarter of their company got taken down. I haven¡¯t heard of that shit happening like, ever!¡± ¡°Are we sure everyone¡¯s K.I.A. in there?¡± The Private started. ¡°I mean, you said the enemy was unarmed. Maybe we should send som-¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already talked that through with the Lieutenants. No.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°So what?¡± He seemed offended. ¡°Fuck ¡®em?¡± ¡°We have maximum firepower when we¡¯re together.¡± Malcolm sipped his coffee, ¡°I¡¯m not thinning us out after what happened. Especially when I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on.¡± ¡°We¡¯re under attack!¡± the private guffawed. ¡°¡­Sir.¡± ¡°And until I know it¡¯s not a fucking alien invasion, I¡¯m not throwing you sods into the furnace!¡± Malcolm looked down on the private. ¡°And considering what happened to Bravo, you¡¯re welcome.¡± ¡°Chavez could be maimed in there!¡± ¡°No... He¡¯s dead.¡± . ¡°You ditched him!¡± Malcolm threw what was left of his coffee onto the ground without breaking eye contact. Marching over to the Private as they all basked in his silhouette, Jackson scooted between them. Malcolm took a deep breath through flaring nostrils that stunned his men. ¡°If you were there, then you would know.¡± He hushed. ¡°Accept that he¡¯s gone.¡± The grunt¡¯s eyes softened, and he sank his head before staring back out onto the horizon after a new rifle burst caught his attention. They were still too distant to be more than echoes, but he gripped his rifle expecting the flashes to come charging out the woods. ¡°M-maybe it¡¯s the armored brigades coming to us.¡± One of them said. This tunnel is for infantry to cross, you idiots. ¡°One more reason not to set mines.¡± That was all Malcolm said as he faced the horizon and looked back at his spilled coffee. Before he could depart, a set of approaching steps caught his ear. When he turned around, it was a frazzled Clairet. ¡°Sir¡­¡± She resorted to French. ¡°We need you¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s the wounded.¡± ¡°Da fuck are you saying?¡± Jackson asked. ¡°Grownups are talking Booey.¡± Malcolm did not pay him with his eyesight. ¡°Take me to them.¡± She turned around, motioning him and they swiftly entered the center. Malcolm checked his watch, and the time was Twenty fifty-nine. The crowded Visitor¡¯s center was an ominous silence as the gas-powered lamps served as the only illumination, and the stench of tangled, blackened bodies gradually became worse. The platoons vigorously guarded both sides of the tracks, ignoring the occasional sounds of warfare outside. Without the time to pack up the tents from the tunnels, Malcolm kept the sick inside the office while the wounded lay beside the door. They had at least fifteen and only two were from Bravo; all had the same problem, mutilation to various degrees. Daniels sat to the right side; his camo shirt and Kevlar sat at the side while a medic named Hammond gave him fresh water from a canteen. He was bandaged from the shoulder to the bicep. ¡°Take it off.¡± Clariet ordered. ¡°It¡¯s not time to change it yet.¡± The medic protested. ¡°I don¡¯t care. Do it.¡± she demanded. Daniels sat there with an annoyed expression as the Medic undid the bandage on his left shoulder. Malcolm circled around with his lieutenant to get a look. With the shine of the flashlight, Malcolm could see that the wound was already starting to fester with the color black. Malcolm¡¯s mouth started to hang. ¡°¡­Harvey?¡± ¡°Shut up, I¡¯m fine.¡± He replied and swatted Malcolm¡¯s hand as he tried to feel his forehead. ¡°Yeah, for now you are.¡± Was the medic¡¯s response. ¡°Tell me you applied the alcohol.¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°You think I¡¯m a rookie?¡± The Medic feigned offense; Malcolm rubbed his chin in response. ¡°What is it sir?¡± Malcolm waved him down. ¡°Carry on Private.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a corporal, Sir.¡± Malcolm chooses to let it slide, ¡°Dress the wound again, efficiently this time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing the best I can here.¡± The Medic waved to the rest. ¡°These people need Hospital antibiotics.¡± Malcolm paused. ¡°It¡¯s not just him?¡± Clairet interrupted, ¡°It¡¯s everyone¡­same fester. Especially the girl with the ripped face.¡± ¡°We thought she was experiencing shock at first, but we realized that her temperature is already rising. She¡¯s got a concussion, too.¡± The Medic finished as he pointed to her at the end toward the left. ¡°Daniels?¡± Malcolm looked down. ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°I¡¯m pissed off.¡± ¡°What does this feel like?¡± Malcolm was tempted to slap the wound. ¡°I don¡¯t feel it at all.¡± He answered. Malcolm winced. ¡°How?¡± He looked at the Medic. ¡°How much morphine did you give him?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t give him any, he said no.¡± Malcolm looked at Daniels again. ¡°It doesn¡¯t even itch?¡± ¡°Does wanting to get back in this count?¡± he said impatiently. With that, Malcolm slapped the bare wound. ¡°What the fuck?¡± Daniels demanded. ¡°THIS. Is the fuck!¡± Malcolm emphasized as he degloved his right hand. ¡°I¡¯ve seen men old as you are cry like a bitch over a gunshot.¡± He helped himself to the germ sanitizer in the medic¡¯s trauma kit. Daniels flashed a stare. ¡°And what do you know about being shot?¡± ¡°Careful lieutenant¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes turned black. Daniels¡¯ eyes rolled. ¡°Just saying¡­ Always giving rounds out. Is that right?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯ve given back to this world once.¡± Malcolm had no idea why he said that. Daniels cut his head back at Malcolm and masked his disgust; meanwhile, Malcolm stared back using his dark pupils which commanded power. Clairet and the Medic cut looks across them as if they were taking the shrapnel from an inside joke. ¡°Hammond, redress this.¡± Malcolm snapped his fingers. ¡°Daniels, if you want in then suit up and follow Fireball; just focus on keeping the boys organized.¡± Daniels huffed, to which Malcolm raised a finger. ¡°And if you so much as cough, you come right back here.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± He said reluctantly as Clairet furled her brows at the peculiar interaction. And as they started, Malcolm crossed the other wounded. They each had deep scratches on their arms or at the face, gouges via human teeth on shoulder here or a hand ridge there. This continued until he was upon the half-faced grunt named Rook, who was being cared for by the medic named Lawford. Rook lay in a borderline catatonic state, almost hyperventilating as she processed the trauma. Lawford was just dabbing raw alcohol with a tweezer as she lifted the gauze pad and did what she could. Malcolm only had to look to know that it was infected. There¡¯s no debating this with anyone, I must get these people out of here. ¡°Sir!¡± Lawford said, ¡°We need to-¡° ¡°I know.¡± Malcolm cut her off. He was prompted to try the coms inside the office again. He stepped inside and there were now seven masked flu patients: the two elderlies, a teenager, two men and two women. The room was packed, and the only light was Sergeant Avery¡¯s gas lantern. Avery lost his attention for the patients, noticing Malcolm. ¡°Sir, I¡¯d feel a lot better if you wore a mask yourself.¡± ¡°Toss me one.¡± Malcolm ordered and the medic did so. He equipped the strings over his ears. ¡°Please tell me you aren¡¯t catching it.¡± ¡°I feel fine so far but I¡¯m pretty sure this one is starting to see shit.¡± Avery was referring to the sixty-year-old woman in dirty clothes. She was muttering to somebody nonexistent as she stared over Avery¡¯s shoulder. This gave Malcolm pause; he couldn¡¯t understand her, but he knew that she was serene. Whoever she was talking to was likely gone, but there wasn¡¯t the slightest hint of regret. Avery blinked, ¡°Sir?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, she¡¯s probably demented.¡± ¡°She¡¯s kind of young for that.¡± Avery was perplexed. ¡°Look at her!¡± Avery shrugged. ¡°My grandmother never had dementia until her late seventies.¡± Malcolm rubbed his chin. ¡°You can¡¯t ever tell with old people.¡± Peterson held up a thermometer. ¡°She¡¯s running a high fever sir. So, with all due respect, no she¡¯s not going through a brain fart.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°And it¡¯s going to stay in this room.¡± ¡°She needs a hospital and medicine.¡± Avery reasserted. ¡°I am talking about the symptoms. Not a peep out of you to anyone until I¡¯ve spoken to somebody. Speaking of which, get out.¡± ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying for a signal.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°My orders are need-to-know only. Get out.¡± Avery motioned over the rest. ¡°What about these people?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°They don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying. You¡¯ll be right back.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± Avery did not bother taking his mask or gloves off while stepping past Malcolm. The awkwardness of being surrounded by mere civilians perturbed Malcolm to the point it became a severe regret that these people were not random hikers between desert outposts. Malcolm ignored the staring eyes and tapped his earpiece for any transmission. ¡°Camp Casey, come in. This is November. We need a sitrep on the situation. Over.¡± His only answer was a coughing from within the room. ¡°Casey, we¡¯ve had an attack on the tunnel. Requesting assistance. Over.¡± He switched frequencies. ¡°Mendez. Come in! I¡¯ve got wounded, sick and a goddamn attack on my hands. I need a sitrep! Over.¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. After no response, Malcolm¡¯s eyes glanced in a circle around the office. He pivoted and opened the door for Avery who stood by the side directing the other medics. Avery waltzed back over and though the door and Malcolm closed it on them. ¡°Pass masks out; tell anybody with a cramp to report it.¡± Avery slowly nodded and took one glance around the room. ¡°Now.¡± Malcolm ordered and Avery left. Again, Malcolm was alone with the currently infected. Noticing that Avery had left his medical kit, he decided to search for what had been used; vials of medication had been spared. Besides the alcohol solutions, they had no means for treating viruses. Malcolm crossed around the desk to bring the chair around. ¡°Everyone. Here.¡± Malcolm translated as he pointed to the chair. He motioned the elderly lady back, who clearly didn¡¯t understand his instructions. They were initially hesitant, but one of the women crossed over from by the door. She was younger than Malcolm by at least three years with long hair and he did not care for her name. She took the seat and Malcolm motioned for her to roll her sleeve up. Her compliance was accompanied by a nervous stare; Malcolm then equipped medical gloves. He proceeded to feel her pulse, the palm was cold to the touch, but the pulse was there. Malcolm attempted his translations. ¡°Fever¡­chills. When did it start?¡± This question ignited a barrage of nervously indecisive ramblings. Her head faced her lap, and she used vernaculars that clearly came from a regional dialect Malcolm was ignorant of. ¡°Basic.¡± Malcolm spoke. ¡°Korean very basic.¡± She slowed down. ¡°Since Morning. Comes and goes.¡± ¡°You said nothing?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°¡­I¡¯d be a burden to the group.¡± ¡°Any contact with sick?¡± Malcolm had to act out his question. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Have you shared anything?¡± Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°With whom did you share?¡± ¡°My husband¡­.¡± Her speech became unintelligible once again. ¡°Slow.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Just your husband? Any children?¡± She placed a hand on her stomach; she certainly had just conceived. ¡°Is that it? You shared with no one else?¡± She shook her head. Malcolm raised his brows. ¡°What did you share?¡± ¡°Food; water.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Malcolm ensured. ¡°Yes.¡± Malcolm felt her cold forehead. ¡°Not warm at all?¡± he genuinely asked her, to which she shook her head. Her forehead was damp and cold to the touch. Malcolm immediately changed his gloves and used the germ x in Peterson¡¯s kit. ¡°Husband. Who?¡± She frantically asked what he was going to do in a barely intelligible fashion. ¡°He must be here.¡± Malcolm reassured. ¡°With you.¡± Ease came to her eyes with a sigh, ¡°I show you.¡± ¡°No! Stay here. Give name.¡± ¡°Mau-tun.¡± She relented. ¡°No one else? Just Mau-tun?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± She confirmed. ¡°Thank you. You are okay now.¡± Malcolm waved her away. ¡°Next?¡± She rolled her sleeve down with relief and Malcolm thought about waiting until he gathered all the names. The next volunteer was one of the men, a short haired man with high cheek bones. Who the fuck am I kidding? Malcolm thought. We¡¯re all under quarantine at this point. ¡°Kim Ha-nun.¡± The man tried to alleviate the tension with a handshake; Malcolm humored him with an elbow bump. Malcolm tried his best to be what he thought a doctor should be based on television; he knew the right questions. ¡°Symptoms. Start when?¡± He took it slowly, syllable by syllable; to compensate for Malcolm¡¯s foreign tongue. ¡°Evacuated last. Two days ago. Fever start this morning.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Thank you. Evacuated last?¡± ¡°Emergency Broadcast tell us to go. We stay behind to pack, food low. Gangsters-¡° ¡°Wait.¡± Malcolm halted. ¡°We?¡± ¡°My love. Jin-Ni.¡± He pointed to the other man with Un¡¯s styled haircut; he stared down in near shame. Malcolm was pleased. ¡°Ah, so you people don¡¯t get executed after all.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t trust the Americans with details about us!¡± Jin muttered. Ha-Nun affirmed. ¡°Our army abandoned us. They¡¯re still here.¡± Malcolm¡¯s ears triangulated at the word ¡®abandoned¡¯. Ha-Nun looked back to him. ¡°The army declares evacuation. We stubborn. Miss deadline. No army. Mass looting from gangsters.¡± ¡°Where from?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Haeju.¡± ¡°How leave?¡± ¡°Foot. Big crowd leave city.¡± He acted it out with his hands. ¡°Rumors that road dangerous. We join large group into woods.¡± ¡°Who knew of tunnel?¡± Malcolm insisted. ¡°Former Army officer.¡± Malcolm¡¯s mouth dropped pleasantly with raised brows. ¡°Who?¡± Jin cut Ha-Nun off before he could answer. ¡°You¡¯ll get him in trouble.¡± At that, Ha-Nun bit his lip. Malcolm reclined in his chair, deciding former occupations might not matter anymore. ¡°When find tunnel?¡± ¡°Last night, we sleep outside.¡± ¡°Sickness start after?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What you do?¡± Malcolm pressed the issue. ¡°We say nothing. Embarrassed.¡± ¡°No.¡± Malcolm persisted. ¡°Before sickness.¡± ¡°We travel days from city. Take shelter from rain. Gather water¡­Haeju burning¡­Explosions all across.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Thank you. How you feel?¡± ¡°Umm¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Malcolm assured him. ¡°There¡¯s the fever. We feel stiff. Neck hurts. Umm¡­¡± He held his tongue out for Malcolm to get a good look. Wait a minute¡­ Malcolm found the reddish-brown sores inside his patient¡¯s mouth; it registered a ding in Malcolm¡¯s brain. Avery, you are a fucking dope¡­ Malcolm looked at Jin. ¡°You too?¡± He shook his head for yes and held his tongue out. ¡°I throw up. Stomach cramps. Asthma inflamed.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°Sex unprotected?! Pitcher or Receiver?¡± Both faces cringed at the statement. ¡°Why ask?!¡± ¡°Important!¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°Who is sick first? Who take pound?¡± The awkwardness of the question was shared by the entire office. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± said Jin Jesus Christ¡­ ¡°AVERY!¡± Malcolm bellowed before looking back to the patients. ¡°You done.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Next?¡± He didn¡¯t want to have to force anybody into the chair, but they were pressing him. He scanned the room; the elderly would likely be useless, and he just knocked out two for the price of one interview. ¡°You?¡± Malcolm pleasantly ordered the teenage girl. Sure enough, she complied. She was barely a teenager anymore, at least eighteen. Interesting enough, was her near shaved head and brown eyes like Malcolm¡¯s. She kept her chin down as she sulked over to the chair. The door opened; Avery peered in. ¡°Sir?¡± Malcolm immediately lowered his mask and craned his head at Avery like an animal, flexing his pupils. ¡°Ah yes.¡± He looked at the girl, ¡°Moment please.¡± He smiled and glided to Avery. ¡°What did I do sir?¡± he pleaded. Malcolm contorted his neck, both in a display of dominance and a manic display of stress; he had the willpower to maintain his poker smile. ¡°Riddle me this: a weird outbreak of the cold mixed with the flu crops up suspiciously in the middle of a high-risk operation, right? And there¡¯s this one lone medic with but one job, quarantine the infected. How then, does he confuse the symptoms of Syphilis with that of the Flu?!¡± Malcolm continued to twist his neck for dramatic effect. Avery stammered. ¡°What?¡± Malcolm motioned his head. ¡°See those two over there? I just found out they¡¯re faggots. They¡¯re symptoms also coincide with syphilis¡­tell me how the fuck a semi-doctor doesn¡¯t differentiate a seasonal disease from a simple STD!?¡± ¡°But¡­t-they had high fevers like the others.¡± Malcolm emphatically nodded. ¡°A symptom of syphilis which you lazily lumped in with the Flu¡­they¡¯re ice cold now. You know what that means? It¡¯s not hypothermia, their immune systems are fighting both! You realize I might as well shoot them, right?¡± Avery was faltering. ¡°I-I mean¡­ if they¡¯re sick then we have to quarantine them anyway, right?¡± Malcolm cupped his face. ¡°Syphilis is only transmutable through sex, which these two happen to be sodomites.¡± ¡°W-Why are you-¡± Malcolm guffawed. ¡°You kidding me? That¡¯s like¡­two deadly diseases in both, and one causes brain damage. You know they¡¯re gonna die, right?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you should be saying it like t-¡° ¡°Why? They don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying.¡± Malcolm leaned into him ¡°You fucked up here.¡± ¡°Sir, please don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Go back out there.¡± Malcolm crossed back to grab Avery¡¯s kit and pass it. ¡°Take temperature tests on every civilian. Go!¡± Avery hustled back outside, and Malcolm turned to smile at the teenage girl. He then sat back down as he asked to feel her forehead; it was damp and icy like the others. He rolled her sleeve up to check for any blisters and sores, she lacked both. ¡°Family?¡± Malcolm asked. She was silent with her head facing the floor. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­¡± Malcolm said. ¡°¡­Dead!¡± The tears ruptured from her eyes, and she did her best to dry them. The perplexed Malcolm allowed her to vent for almost a full minute. ¡°Gangsters?¡± Malcolm asked her. She shook her head. ¡°Trapped in Sariwon.¡± ¡°Under rubble?¡± Malcolm continued. She shook her head again. ¡°No...¡± she spoke in plain English. Malcolm was awkwardly shocked. ¡°Why not tell us?¡± ¡°Scared.¡± She whimpered. ¡°We were trapped in Sariwon. By choice¡­Dad stubborn!¡± Her tears continued. ¡°A Week ago, we hear looting¡­.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Go on¡­¡± ¡°We expect the army to return. Instead¡­days ago became howling¡­They everywhere!¡± Malcolm almost didn¡¯t register the last word. ¡°¡­we look outside¡­ Running and killing everywhere! Dad says we must leave. Door man barricade entrance. Big crowd wanted in¡­. We hear BOOMS! Loud outside. Next, the door comes crashing down! Stairwell is clogged so dad brings us to basement¡­Everywhere is screaming! We find the entrance to duct...¡± She crackled under her tears. ¡°Mother prayed, Dad fought them off and Brother sealed me inside.¡± ¡°You said that ¡®they¡¯ were everywhere?¡± Malcolm slowed his tone to sound more comforting. ¡°The screaming or the attackers?¡± She wailed. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± ¡°Did you get a good look at any of them?¡± Malcolm scooted in. ¡°NO!¡± ¡°Honey, this is important. Any small detail helps me.¡± ¡°My family died! Brother seal me inside¡­They throw him against panel! I hear him screaming!¡± Malcolm pressed on. ¡°So¡­rioters then?¡± ¡°You no see¡­no riot¡­Only Death¡­.¡± Malcolm winced in confusion. The girl lifted her pant leg and pulled a shoe off, revealing blooded indentions that festered like the other wounds. Malcolm had to stop himself from hyperventilating. ¡°Did they¡­bite you?¡± She pulled her tears back in. ¡°Yes...¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°So¡­when did you get sick?¡± ¡°Last night.¡± she whimpered. The sound of Malcolm¡¯s heart pounding was drowning the stammers from the girl; he suddenly stopped caring how she escaped. Malcolm spun around and stormed outside the office, nearly shocking the other Medics. ¡°I WANT THOSE BODIES AT THE ENTRANCE BURNED!¡± Malcolm bellowed. ¡°DOUSE WHATEVER GASOLINE IS AVALIABLE!¡± Avery prepared to slink back inside the Office; Malcolm halted him with an arm. ¡°Stay out of there.¡± He ordered. ¡°Tie this door off!¡± Clairet ran up to him. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Do as I say Lieutenant!¡± Malcolm reiterated. ¡°Douse those corpses; siphon from our own tanks if you must!¡± The response from Malcolm¡¯s earpiece finally came. ¡°Nelson, this is Mendez¡­Are you receiving me? Over.¡± Malcolm fumed and dismissed Clairet as he paced to the front doors of the center. ¡°With all due respect Major, I¡¯ve¡­¡± ¡°Captain you¡¯ve got fifteen minutes before the cavalry comes to haul your asses out of there. This is a general evacuation order¡­Get your people out alive. Over.¡± Malcolm¡¯s aggravation increased. ¡°Sir, a quarter of Bravo is already dead, including Forrest! We wiped out a full enemy wave an hour ago! What¡¯s worse is that I¡¯ve got an increasing number of sick people! Over.¡± Mendez almost deflected. ¡°Don¡¯t touch those civilians! Relay Forrest¡¯s X.O. and get them the hell out! Over!¡± ¡°And what are we doing for the refugees?!¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Negative on the civilians, Nelson. The cavalry is only coming for your company. Over.¡± The batteries in Malcolm¡¯s brain were at the point of combustion. ¡°Major¡­Tell me what the fuck is happening Now!¡± He didn¡¯t even ask about Bravo. Mendez returned following a deadpan silence. ¡°The Chinese are finally talking to us¡­Over.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t tell me anything!¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°You¡¯ll get a debrief, sick people are turning aggressive across the country. Just stay alive for fifteen minutes and keep an eye on the roads. Group the infected with anyone wounded and separate them from the rest of you. We¡¯re not bringing them. Over.¡± ¡°¡­And I tell them what exactly?¡± ¡°¡­Do what you need to do¡­¡± Mendez unwittingly enabled. ¡°Over.¡± Malcolm exited the tunnel; almost pausing at the news, he continued up the ramp as he held the bridge of his nose. ¡°Sir, I sent a medical pricate to take an injured man back to Casey¡­the last I heard from him was when the attack started¡­¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead, Nelson.¡± Malcolm was shocked. ¡°You haven¡¯t checked!¡± ¡°I told you that you¡¯ll get debriefed. Just accept the situation for what it is. Over and out.¡± ¡°But sir- Fuck!¡± Malcolm nearly threw his earpiece. He instead shouted at the companies once more. ¡°CAVALRY IS INBOUND! ETA FIFTEEN MINUTES!¡± Everyone seemed to pause while staring at Malcolm. ¡°START PACKING ESSENTIALS! ONLY WHAT CAN BE CARRIED! NOW!¡± Everyone began to scramble to load their duffle bags. Malcolm paced between the front door and a set of crates where ¡®Question Mark¡¯ Beauregard sat with an open pack of cigarettes. Malcolm strode over to Beauregard. ¡°Gimme one.¡± He smiled, leaning back as he was about to hustle. ¡°Well, shit. Nit-Fit getting to you to, eh Spacey?¡± Markus opened his pack and drew one. ¡°Never thought you¡¯d indulge more than the occasional cigar.¡± Malcolm took the cigarette and thanked Beauregard with a deep breath. ¡°Cigars are for victory¡­I don¡¯t think we¡¯re winning this one Mark.¡± ¡°Well shit.¡± He laughed as he ignited his lighter for Malcolm. ¡°What¡¯s that line from ¡®Platoon¡¯; that we¡¯ve been kicking ass for so long it was past time we got ours?¡± Malcolm took a hefty drag off his cigarette and ghosted his cough. ¡°I always thought it would be Iran that did it in our lifetime¡­¡± Beauregard laughed. ¡°And I thought Oliver Stone was a commie-sympathizing prick!¡± ¡°Unfortunately, it¡¯s looking like a more fictitious kind of calamity.¡± Malcolm closed his eyes and leaned against the crates next to Beauregard, who stared back. ¡°Can I ask what sort of fiction you¡¯re referring to?¡± Beuregard winced. ¡°¡­Because I keep hearing grunts shushing others for dropping words like Z-¡± ¡°Do as I said; start packing this shit.¡± Malcolm changed the subject. ¡°By the way¡­the civies are going into the tunnel. That¡¯s your job.¡± ¡°Wait a minute, I thought the tunnel was off limits?¡± ¡°New orders.¡± ¡°Well shit.¡± Beauregard stomped on the end of his cigarette and stood to carry Malcolm¡¯s commands. It was at this point Malcolm made his way to the front doors. He took another drag off his cigarette as Clairet burst past him to toss his orders along outside. They needed the parking lot cleared for the helicopters. Now, the nicotine was firmly hugging Malcolm¡¯s pleasure receptors. A dizziness overtook him, and he closed his eyes to focus on balancing. The screaming grew in audibility, not as an echo but compacted. It was coming from inside the front office. Malcolm dropped the cigarette and drew his pistol. When he looked at the office, the troops had already been drawing the wounded away. Nearby squads kept their guns trained at the door, meanwhile, all the infected came rushing out with fear and panic in their eyes. The final male shut the door and held it tightly. Malcolm rushed past Liam as they charged. The man looked at Malcolm in terror, who screamed for him to move; Malcolm and Liam made their way to the door and could hear the wailing behind it. When he flung it open, what shook their eyes was the sight of Avery flailing in resistance; crying in agony as the demented elderly and the teenage girl ripped into him from both angles; the blood was already pooling and dripping down the sides of the desk. There was a visible tear in the girl¡¯s throat and a gash at the side of her head. Both she and the elderly fought with the ferocity of a rabid Hippo. Avery¡¯s screams became croaks, and the Kevlar was finally tearing. ¡­You¡¯ve got to be fucking kidding me¡­ The girl tore a chunk out of Avery¡¯s torso and roared the spittle as she slammed her fists into his chest. Finally, her eye caught Malcolm. Without warning or hesitation, it took a single shot directly between her eyes to splatter the matter across the back wall. The bang caught the attention of the elderly, who ripped flesh too, so she may roar in Malcolm¡¯s direction. Malcolm took the single shot needed to explode the back of her head. The room became eerily quiet for what seemed like a long time. Malcolm kept his gun raised as he approached Avery. The medic tried to cry, but unfortunately, his eyes had been ripped clean out. All that was left of his face was a contorted mouth that attempted to sob in pain. Malcolm wasted no time putting a bullet in Avery¡¯s head as Liam screamed, ¡°DON¡¯T!¡± Chapter 17: A Supplemental Depiction ¡°All forms of madness, bizarre habits, awkwardness in society, general clumsiness, are justified in the person who creates good art.¡±¨D Roman Payne Malcolm thought he would take a detour around the city as he rode his Pale Sierra in the brightness of noon. Despite a one-year-old Connor¡¯s carriage being reversed toward the passenger seat, he silently gasped in awe at the sights passing by his window. Malcolm was at a red light in the French Quarter as he stared at his child. The boy¡¯s hair was coming through finally, and for being as black as Malcolm¡¯s, it was already coarser. He refused his binkie, always choosing to take it out, and Malcolm feared for his tongue should he get into a wreck. He deliberately placed a ¡®Baby on Board¡¯ vanity sticker and kept in sync with the speed limit. Turning right, Malcolm accelerated home, deciding that the milk might spoil if he wasted too much time. Malcolm had not been catching up with current events as he should have been, he had tuned in to the local news stations. It was hard to find a non-biased outlet in April Twenty-Fifteen, especially in Louisiana. But Malcolm had succeeded in finding a decent reporter. Most of it was dull nonsense: Ebola ravages West Africa. Obama takes questions during Press Briefing. Possible withdrawal from Afghanistan. Disney Pixar¡¯s latest hit, Inside Out, smashes the box office. Hundreds were injured in the Amtrak train crash in Philadelphia. Local safety guidelines regarding the ¡®Nightcrawler Killings¡¯ remain in place, despite no new cases. France braces for copy-cat terrorist acts following the Charlie Hebdo incident. A general heat advisory. A new ¡®miracle¡¯ drug for AIDS possibly in the works. Black kid gets shot by police. Opioid Addiction skyrockets. Tom Brady, who won at the Super Bowl, plans to go on until he¡¯s forty-five. ¡°Les Mis¨¦rables¡±, with an all-black cast, opens at the Saenger Theatre¡­ A red light finally caught him, halting his stride. He stopped behind three cars and slapped the steering wheel. He enjoyed the adrenaline wherever he could get it and he knew just what would maintain the rush while he waited for this light. He switched to the CD player, and the same Green Day CD picked up where it left off. As the rhythm kicked off, Malcolm looked to see his child, with no comprehension, bobbing his head along with his father: ¡°¡­She said I can¡¯t take this place¡­ ¡­I¡¯m leaving you behind... ¡­she said I can¡¯t this town¡­ ¡­I¡¯m leaving you tonight¡­¡± And Malcolm hit the reverse button, starting the album from its beginning as soon as the light turned green. He proceeded to cut his way through the open spaces once traffic picked up. He realized that Connor could be by himself if he had to pick up his delivery personally. Scared to look at his phone while driving, he used his wireless receiver to dial one of his favorite numbers. ¡°Call Javier.¡± It rang a few times before the battle-buddy picked up. ¡°What¡¯s going on Holmes?¡± ¡°Hey man!¡± Malcolm said. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Javier chimed. ¡°Chilling¡­Probably jacking later.¡± ¡°Real professional.¡± Malcolm pursed his lips. ¡°Well my Rosie ain¡¯t here tonight so¡­¡± ¡°Could you come over?¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°I may need your help.¡± Javier considered. ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with it, but why?¡± ¡°I may have to go out later and I shouldn¡¯t bring Connor. Could you watch him for me?¡± ¡°He ain¡¯t gonna remember.¡± He said. ¡°What are you hiding?¡± Malcolm emphasized. ¡°My anniversary gift.¡± Javier paused. ¡°Is there a reason I can¡¯t know?¡± ¡°Odds are, you will know.¡± ¡°Eh, I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± ¡°Thanks bro.¡± When Malcolm hung the phone up, he was already exiting the city limits and the suburbs themselves were a short distance away. In a matter of seven minutes, Malcolm blared his CD collection to set Connor right and would be pulling into the cul-de-sac in the middle of ¡®Jesus of Suburbia¡¯. The time hit twelve thirty-four as he stopped in his driveway. Once more, he stared over at his child. ¡°I bet your hungry, aren¡¯t you buddy?¡± Malcolm¡¯s grin was wide and open. All the boy said was, ¡°Dada.¡± ¡°Yes, I am¡­¡± Malcolm unbuckled his seatbelt, stepped out of his Sierra, and he shut the front door with Connor. Malcolm crossed the house to the kitchen, setting the groceries on the counter and Connor on the island. Malcolm maintained the same grin as he leaned into the carriage. Little Connor bobbed his head and made a happy coo. ¡°I know what that means!¡± He poured through the groceries for the cranberry juice and nutrient solutions. But all he could find in the bags were the Coconut Waters, Milk, and ground meats for future dinners. ¡°Wait here buddy.¡± It was a one-trip process to cross through the garage and carry the rest of the groceries. He waddled inside with both arms sleeved in bags. There were grapefruits, apples, bananas for potassium and a watermelon. Off-brand cereals, much cheaper. Vegetables: Celery, Potatoes for bonus carbs and potassium, carrots and salads. A loaf of bread, Breakfast Burritos, morning protein solutions, eggs, and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Champagne for the end of the night. As mostly everything was put up, Malcolm prepared the nutrient milk in Connor¡¯s sippy cup. As he drank heavily, Malcolm held the various fruits for him to choose from, he would nod at one of the grapefruits. Loves bitter tastes this one. Meryl says he¡¯s already weird. Malcolm pulled out the cutting board and set the grapefruit. He drew a prime-silver blade, with a serrated and curved edge. Carefully, he slit the grapefruit at both ends and peeled the skin off. With the top and bottom wide open, he set the grapefruit upright and made eight delicate slices around it from the top to the bottom. He was then able to flay the skin by peeling with his bare fingers. The grapefruit was diced, and the juices would be splattered around the kitchen cutting board. Soon the juices would be slobbering down Connor¡¯s chin as he devoured them like a primitive hominid. Malcolm may have already had a protein drink today but there would be no workout today or yesterday, so he opted for another one. He finished in short order and was prepared to watch TV with his son shortly before the doorbell rang. He sprinted to the front door and opened it to see none other than Javier. He was wearing the same shaved head and a Metallica tank top, matched with blue jeans and boots. They exchanged a locked arm shake and pulled into each other¡¯s shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s been too long, Holmes.¡± Malcolm was flabbergasted. ¡°It¡¯s been two days!¡± ¡°Which is too long, my friend.¡± He waved at the house. ¡°You gonna let me in?¡± Malcolm almost gasped. ¡°Shit! I¡¯m being rude, I trust you got the door.¡± Javier shut the door behind him and followed Malcolm into the living room, where Connor crawled onto the arm of the couch to greet them with a smiling coo. ¡°See?¡± Malcolm assured. ¡°He knows his godfather.¡± ¡°Dada!¡± The child cooed. ¡°He still ain¡¯t speaking yet?¡± Javier crossed his arms. Malcolm scratched his head. ¡°Well, the doctor¡¯s say it¡¯s not abnormal for toddlers to speak late. Meryl¡¯s concerned¡­but¡­¡± Javier punched Malcolm¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Kid¡¯s got good genes.¡± ¡°¡­I hope so¡­¡± Malcolm pondered. ¡°Between your brain and Meryl¡¯s looks. He¡¯s a shoe in at life¡­¡± Javier pretended to wince. ¡°Uh, come to think of it, he¡¯s already starting to look like you. Maybe not.¡± ¡°Fuck you!¡± Malcolm laughed back. ¡°I got beer by the way.¡± ¡°Well don¡¯t mind if I do!¡± Malcolm led him to the kitchen. ¡°Tolerance good enough?¡± ¡°Why? Am I staying the night?¡± ¡°And get in the way of coitus with my wife?¡± Malcolm whispered as he opened the fridge. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°I ain¡¯t a peep.¡± Javier shrugged. ¡°Kenneth on the other hand-¡° This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°I¡¯d geld him and make him eat it.¡± ¡°Yea, for some reason, I believe that.¡± Javier accepted the open bottle. ¡°Asalud!¡± They shared a cheer before tilting their heads up to gulp. ¡°So, have you made a decision yet?¡± ¡°Are you marrying Rosie yet?¡± Malcolm deflected. Javier pointed with the beer in hand. ¡°Fuck yourself if you think you get to deflect.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know how I feel about my kid¡¯s godfather being unwed.¡± Malcolm sipped as he looked ahead, out of Javier¡¯s periphery. ¡°All I¡¯m saying.¡± He smiled. ¡°Come on bro! Wouldn¡¯t it sound great!?¡± Javier pretended to hold a frame. ¡°Warrant Officer Nelson!¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°You make me sound like a pig.¡± Javier guffawed. ¡°Bro. You¡¯re too good for this shit. Word has it that McElroy¡¯s got political ambitions someday. You want to be close to him.¡± ¡°I already told you.¡± Malcolm took a dragging sip of his beer. ¡°I want to be...heroic.¡± Javier nearly coughed up beer. He shook his head as he wiped his chin in disbelief. ¡°¡­Remember Rob Hamlin?¡± Malcolm didn¡¯t know where Javier was going. ¡°From High School? Of course.¡± Javier continued. ¡°You had but one thing in common with the bastard.¡± ¡°That guy was a prick!¡± Malcolm boasted. ¡°You can¡¯t compare me!¡± ¡°¡­You were a pair of sad, grumpy horndogs sick of your left hand.¡± Javier shook his head with a smirk. ¡°Except Rob the Rich Prick raped a poor girl and tried to kill her. Meanwhile you, of all human beings on the planet mind you, get asked out by a hot nurse and you think you need to live up to Rambo? Bro!¡± Javier strode over to the archway of the living room where Connor could be seen cooing variations of ¡®Dada!¡¯ Javier laughed all the while, but his message was even more serious. ¡°I¡¯m scared of this shit. There¡­I said it! You know the Motley Crue song? ¡®Too Young to Fall in Love¡¯? That¡¯s me with Rosie right now. You? You not only worked hard at life, but it paid off¡­and now you¡¯ve got a family again!¡± Malcolm wanted to speak while Javier continued with his fingers on the temples. ¡°I can¡¯t wrap my head around this hole you¡¯re trying to fill. I¡¯m just a working-class sucker who was looking for something higher than myself. You could¡¯ve gone to West Point and been set by now! And for the sake of your child, you should if you still can. Because I¡¯m the one who¡¯s gonna get killed out there!¡± Malcolm closed his eyes. ¡°Javi, come on.¡± ¡°No, think about it! You tried to be a marine, and the instructors told you ¡®No¡¯, you¡¯re too smart. Ya know how close I came to flunking out? Very. McElroy wants to fast-track you; take it! God-knows that Daniels will have an internal fit but fuck him.¡± Javier pointed the beer at Malcolm. ¡°Because I¡¯ve never met another man who can tackle an obstacle course, in record time, and solve a triangular Rubix Cube.¡± He sipped. Malcolm had to take a swig after that one. His mind began to dwell. ¡°Camp Benning certainly would be a good learning experience.¡± ¡°Look¡­¡± Javier waved. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to give you a hard time man.¡± ¡°You good dude! I¡¯ve been leaning towards it anyway.¡± Malcolm felt a ping on his phone, and he pulled it out. ¡°So...Could you tell me why I need to watch Connor?¡± ¡°Oh goody!¡± Malcolm said to himself upon reading the message. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got a truck coming in.¡± Malcolm sheathed his phone as he finished his beer. ¡°Which is¡­excellent! I thought I¡¯d have to drive somewhere which would be a pain in the ass.¡± ¡°So¡­. I¡¯m just here to hang out then.¡± Javier shrugged. ¡°You could¡¯ve asked that.¡± ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t know it would be coming to my doorstep directly.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Besides, your company is helpful.¡± ¡°Glad I could oblige?¡± ¡°I¡¯m making dinner for Meryl,¡± Malcolm leaned in so he may whisper, ¡°And I can¡¯t leave the little bastard by himself, or he¡¯ll swallow stuff and wander.¡± ¡°Just put him in his crib.¡± Javier suggested innocently. ¡°Naa, his sleep patterns are sporadic. If we put him to bed while he¡¯s wide awake, he thrashes and sobs. No likey binkie that one.¡± Malcolm finished his beer. ¡°This is excellent! I can have another! What¡¯s he doing?¡± Javier looked over. ¡°Just staring at me intently¡­¡± ¡°Oh, he does that.¡± Malcolm snapped the cap off. Javier looked back. ¡°So, you said you¡¯re cooking dinner for Meryl?¡± ¡°Preparing and cooking.¡± Malcolm answered with a raised finger. ¡°You can¡¯t just¡­keep him on the kitchen table?¡± Javier asked. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m happy to be here, I¡¯m just confused.¡± They both paused as the sound of a truck parking outside caught their attention. Malcolm put on his best impression, ¡°I¡¯ll show you.¡± Javier simply motioned him along. ¡°You mind getting Connor?¡± Malcolm asked as he started for the door. ¡°Got it chief.¡± Javier answered and did so. Malcolm was promptly back across the house, setting his beer down in the dining room. He stepped down the porch as the four-wheeled cargo truck had completed a three-point turn. Malcolm was immediately flanked by Javier who carried Connor in his arms. A heavy-set man and a fifty-year-old stepped out of the truck when they set it in park. Crossing over once they spotted Malcolm, the fifty-year-old pulled out a clipboard. ¡°Are you Mr. Nelson?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°We just need your final signature, and we¡¯ll leave you to it.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Malcolm responded as he took the pen and board. ¡°Dude¡­¡± Javier cupped Connor¡¯s ear. ¡°What the fuck did you order?¡± ¡°Meryl¡¯s present.¡± That was all Malcolm said. He continued to smile as he handed back the pen and board. The heavy-set man proceeded to lift open the cargo hatch and lower its ramp. Grass was strewn about the floor with a single chain to the wall connecting the collar of the adult lamb. The heavy-set man entered the hold and undid the chain to the wall, then, he handed it over to Malcolm. With the Lamb¡¯s chain in hand, it dumbly munched on a final batch of grass. Malcolm pulled it away and the men entered the truck to drive off. There Malcolm stood, waving goodbye in a demand for attention. They finally honked as they pulled out of the cul-de-sac. Javier stood behind him with a near-open jaw as Little Connor sucked his thumb. Malcolm briefly petted the Lamb and motioned for it to follow. With crossed eyes, it tried to munch on Malcolm¡¯s lawn. Then, he noticed Javier¡¯s astonishment, ¡°What?¡± ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°A Lamb.¡± Malcolm was sincere. Javier nodded. ¡°I see that bro. I thought Meryl loved dogs¡­¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°Oh, she does! But I got a bad history with them; you know that.¡± ¡°So, you bought her a Lamb instead?¡± ¡°You think it¡¯s a pet?¡± Malcolm laughed harder. ¡°Oh, dear me, no! We already agreed to a kitty cat.¡± ¡°So, may I ask again what this is?¡± Javier repeated. ¡°It¡¯s step two.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Placing the order was step one.¡± ¡°And how¡¯d you do that?¡± Javier asked as Malcolm brought him into the garage. ¡°I found some ranching company out in the Himalayas. This one is retarded so it wasn¡¯t very useful to them. They were gonna just kill it, but I got it for dirt cheap. However, I paid a surcharge to get it shipped on time¡­so I didn¡¯t save any money.¡± Malcolm closed the garage door. Javier¡¯s bewilderment continued. ¡°What¡¯s step three¡­And how many steps are there?¡± ¡°Could you hold this while I open the safe?¡± Malcolm handed Javier the chain. He then crossed the other end of the garage, withdrawing two rolls of saran wrap and he began to unfurl them. He then brought it to the center of the garage, making a perfect square around the central drain. Before Malcolm pressed on with his current task. He diverted attention back to the safe; he brought out a chain hook and he then attached it to the ceiling¡¯s garage door opener. After detaching the sliding mechanism from the door, Malcolm had a means to suspend anything he wanted. Even Connor was beginning to take notice, and Malcolm continued laying his saran wrap on both knees. ¡°Uh¡­bro?¡± Javier said. ¡°Sorry! Meryl gets off work sometime after the evening, so if I want this ready, I got to start preparing dinner now.¡± Malcolm answered as he sent the roll of saran across the room. Javier¡¯s chin dropped again. ¡°This is to cook her a fresh meal?¡± ¡°The freshest!¡± Malcolm smiled. ¡°With a foreign twist. She loves Indian food so I looked up the recipe for curry, but I can Sautee the legs with the blood and a dash of Jack. The organs and bones can be used to flavor a stew. You¡¯d be surprised how creative I can get! I gotta discard the brain though; don¡¯t want Meryl and the boy getting a prion disease.¡± ¡°...Dude¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Have you even worked at a butcher shop?¡± Malcolm bulged his eyes. ¡°Of course not!¡± ¡°¡­Doesn¡¯t Meryl have a problem with the conditions of slaughterhouses?¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°What? She still eats steak. Medium rare too!¡± ¡°So, you didn¡¯t just order curated meats?¡± Malcolm paused. ¡°A woman like HER deserves a cut dinner. Besides, since our unit has been rotated home, I¡¯m a stay-at-home husband these days. Culinary arts are interesting anyway, and if I go the extra mile, I can better control the result.¡± He began to drape the walls with wrap. ¡°Problem is, I don¡¯t know how long this is going to take me, I can¡¯t put the boy to bed yet, and trust me, he can walk. So please don¡¯t let him bump into things.¡± Javier stared at Connor, who blankly stared at his dad. ¡°Uh.¡± Malcolm grabbed his shoulder. ¡°Javi, what¡¯s mine is yours. It means a lot that you put up with my bullshit. Now, I got to get this going.¡± Malcolm came over to take the chain. ¡°Make yourself at home, put your feet up, watch TV, have some food¡­ I¡¯ll try to make this quick and we can bro down afterward.¡± Javier crossed the kitchen and to the living room, continuously looking back at the door with a blank expression. He put little Connor on the couch and grabbed the remote. Javier was picking up on a gruesome scene in ¡®American Psycho¡¯. Prompting him to hit the mute button while shielding Connor¡¯s eyes. Javier hit the guide button and the channel menu blocked the carnage. Taking his hand off Connor¡¯s eyes, Javier began to scroll down through the movie networks for anything that was both good and appropriate for a one-year-old. He looked back when he heard Malcolm enter the kitchen again. However, he gave Javier no mind and disappeared. It was not long before he could hear the footsteps returning. When Javier saw Malcolm again, he carried a bundled roll of leather under his right pit. He was about to step back into the garage when Javier asked, ¡°Does your ¡®On Demand¡¯ work?¡± ¡°Oh certainly!¡± ¡°Perfect. Thanks.¡± Javier responded. He thought quickly that he ought to check the children¡¯s programming before he put on his cop drama. Sure enough, Malcolm had bookmarked several nineties children¡¯s shows they grew up with. Javier had started an old Batman cartoon; from the inside of the garage, Javier could hear the beast¡¯s sudden cry descend into a gurgle and his mind tricked him into thinking he could hear the drizzle. Javier could tell that Connor had not even taken notice of the cry. He crossed one leg and tussled the boy¡¯s black hair. Chapter 18: Obvious Hindsight ¡°The more you try to squeeze the toxicity out of someone, the more their poison is soaked up by you.¡±¨D Christine E. Szymanski The time was almost fourteen hundred when the front door opened. Javier¡¯s attention drew away from Malcolm¡¯s bookshelf. Even Connor diverted his attention from the cartoon to scream, ¡°Momma!¡± Javier finally peered his head around the hallway entrance to see Meryl closing the door. Wearing her brunette hair in a ponytail and her purple scrubs; she was happy to see Connor but puzzled to see Javier. Connor sprang off the couch and did a pitiful run to his mother. Javier approached Meryl with his hands in his pockets. She remained standing and tussled the boy¡¯s hair as he embraced her leg. Javier finally chimed. ¡°You¡¯re having an interesting day¡­¡± She laughed. ¡°I thought that was your truck I saw outside! I¡¯d hug you but I¡¯ve been dealing with elderly.¡± Looking at Connor ¡°How¡¯s my little man been?¡± Connor cooed in response. Javier boasted. ¡°He¡¯s got good tastes!¡± Her eyes rolled. ¡°Oh God, what¡¯s Mal subjected him to?¡± She began to walk to the living room with Connor glued to her leg. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you got me to blame for this one.¡± Javier responded. ¡°Batman?¡± she halted when she stepped inside. Javier shrugged. ¡°What? He¡¯s a good role model for kids.¡± Meryl shrugged too. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t have a problem with it! It¡¯s just that Mal¡¯s into Spider-Man; so, I figure you turning Connor onto the competition might mount to a ¡®religious debate¡¯ once the boy is a teenager.¡± Javier raised his hand. ¡°If anything, I wouldn¡¯t put him on the Nolan Trilogy yet.¡± Meryl waved him down. ¡°Still wouldn¡¯t be a problem if you did. He¡¯s not gonna remember it; plus, I wouldn¡¯t ask you to watch ¡®Little Einstein¡¯ with him.¡± Javier glanced at the DVD sets. ¡°Ya know? I saw those over there¡­ starting his education early?¡± ¡°Mal insisted.¡± ¡°You¡¯re reluctant?¡± Javier asked. ¡°I am a little worried about him. I can¡¯t help but feel like he should know more words than who Mal and I are¡­The doctors say there¡¯s nothing wrong but he¡¯s so quiet most of the time. He makes noises when he¡¯s hungry or really, happy.¡± Javier guffawed. ¡°He¡¯s one, Meryl.¡± She shook her head. ¡°You weren¡¯t there when he was born. He didn¡¯t cry, still doesn¡¯t¡­He was the angriest baby you¡¯ve ever seen; the nurses were shocked. And once he settled, it was silent; not a peep.¡± Javier pursed his lips. ¡°Ya know, most parents would kill to not have to get up in the middle of the night to take care of a crying baby.¡± Meryl flashed her brows. ¡°Yea well, when the nurses are weirded out, you¡¯re weirded out.¡± ¡°So, how¡¯d my boy take it?¡± Javier wondered. ¡°Mal? He crawled into the ER bed with me! I thought he was gonna kill the doctor just so he could stay the night, hell, I thought he was gonna kick all the nurses out while I was giving birth.¡± ¡°See?¡± Javier stated. ¡°You¡¯re the only person on earth concerned for the boy¡¯s brain.¡± Her eyes rolled again. ¡°Believe me, Mal¡¯s the overprotective one. Did you know he blocked the children¡¯s networks?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t browse the channel guide for too long.¡± Meryl laughed. ¡°Yea, well he insists that he¡¯s ¡®scouted¡¯ for appropriate kid¡¯s shows and that they¡¯re mostly ¡®pandering¡¯. He wants Connor watching what we all saw growing up so he can, ¡®appropriately decipher the bullshit.¡± Javier laughed. ¡°And that means WHAT exactly?¡± Meryl let out a pause before her eyes went to the top of her head. ¡°Something about the differences between writers who are solely subjected to supplying demands versus writers who get to say what they want, to who they need to, and with whatever subtext is necessary¡­¡± Javier looked hang dogged. ¡°What?¡± Meryl pleasantly sighed. ¡°¡­According to Mal, most TV networks have entered a late stage of Capitalism where the overabundance of products and I.P.s over time, coupled with the needs of meeting the demands of consumers, led to what is the Law of Diminishing Utility. Essentially, the more you have of something, the worse the average version of said thing becomes. Mal¡¯s talked about how this can apply to Media, Music, and even populations! Which I had to tell him sounded proto-fasci, to which he started another diatribe about how he stops Islamic fascists in the Middle East for a living... Anyway, um¡­He then went back to the economic theory, and from there he managed to propel it into a comparison to this¡­sci-fi table-top game that he¡¯s been obsessed with for the past two months. I forget the name of it, but he basically goes off about how one day, Diminishing Utility will apply to history itself and the value of life will diminish into nothing. Before he even continued his rant, he stuttered and then emphasized that ¡®value is subjective¡¯, Connor and I mean more to him than the existence of civilization. So, I kissed him and said, ¡®Go on.¡¯ After which, thank God, he finally brought it back to the kids¡¯ networks¡­ ¡­In their infancy, he believed that the writers had creative liberties because of the untapped market. Now that a few have monopolized kids¡¯ programming, they¡¯ve become corporate powerhouses who want to play it safe for the parents rather than teach the kids anything.¡± She fluttered her eyes after finally finishing her explanation. Javier forgot to blink the entire time. ¡°You¡¯ve just scrambled my brain like fucking egg¡­¡± he deadpanned. Meryl laughed. ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s the best I can translate. Goddamn I want a beer. You want a beer?¡± Motioning him into the kitchen after she detached Connor from her leg. The boy¡¯s limbs peeled off like a starfish. ¡°One more¡¯s not gonna get me pulled over.¡± He followed. ¡°How longed it take for you to speak Nelson?¡± ¡°Well, he was shy when we first started talking. On Date One, he blossomed and couldn¡¯t keep quiet. Literally thought I was dealing with another person for a moment.¡± Javier nodded and winced. ¡°So, he doesn¡¯t talk like that after¡­you know¡­¡± ¡°Oh, dear me, no! Mal¡¯s got more sense than that¡­Speaking of which,¡± she began to walk away from the refrigerator. ¡°Where is Mal?¡± Javier scratched his head. ¡°Yea, he¡¯s doing something right now¡­he brought me over to watch the boy, but he actually didn¡¯t say anything about you coming home early so I¡¯ve been improvising¡­¡± Meryl grinned. ¡°Now if this were a movie, I¡¯d suspect your covering up for his mistress.¡± Javier laughed. ¡°Mal? A mistress?¡± ¡°Yea, I know!¡± Meryl laughed too. ¡°Do you want me to leave?¡± ¡°Oh, I couldn¡¯t ask that! I was kinda hoping he¡¯d wrap it up.¡± ¡°Well, I can tell I¡¯m not meant to know about it yet.¡± She chugged the last of her beer and set it on the counter, letting out a burp. ¡°I¡¯ll make myself scarce. Friends at work were going to a bar and grill anyway. Besides, it¡¯s good for Connor to spend time with his godfather.¡± She smiled as she took a step back to the living room. ¡°Maybe don¡¯t eat any appetizers¡­¡± She looked at him, then at the stove. ¡°Mal¡¯s cooking?¡± ¡°I really can¡¯t tell you, but your gonna want an empty stomach.¡± She nodded and said, ¡°Okay then.¡± But her turning around was interrupted by the turn and swing of a door. The sound of it shutting was all that permeated the room as Javier¡¯s eyes sank deep into his sockets; he wanted to blind himself to what he saw. Only Connor cooing, ¡°DADA!¡±, reminded them that it was not a stranger who stood before them. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Malcolm stood with swollen eyes behind a mask of crimson red. His toned body glistened in the reflected light underneath the blood coat. All that he bore on his skin besides the red, was the pathetic pair of briefs he had purchased in a set to please Meryl; now ruined as the stains ran down to Malcolm¡¯s toes. He was dripping on the floor, by the strands of his hair, and was forming a shallow drizzle on the floor. ¡°Honey!¡± Malcolm exclaimed. He scared the room when he walked to her. ¡°Your home early!¡± he said while he wrapped his arms around her. Squeezing the bewilderment which poured through her eyes. Meryl did not have time to feel anxiety, or fear, only the perpetual confusion which lagged in the forefront of her mind. She returned the hug, just barely. Javier watched, masking his aghast feelings. The sweetness of what he saw was that of pancakes drizzled in vinegar. Malcolm finally parted from his hug and was tempted to top it off with a kiss, until he noticed the look in Meryl¡¯s speechless expression. He took a step back and reached over the counter for a roll of paper towels, after which he began to wipe off his lips and chin. Meryl stood still just after Malcolm¡¯s stickiness detached from her clothes; it was shared across her scrubs. ¡°Dada!¡± Connor cried again from the couch in the living room. Malcolm slanted his figure to look at his son. ¡°Javi, you got my kid watching Batman?¡± he asked as he tore another long paper roll for his head. ¡°Well¡­¡± Javier looked at his shoes. ¡°I thought ¡®South Park¡¯ would be too inappropriate¡­and I didn¡¯t want to watch ¡®Yo-Gabba-Gabba¡¯¡­¡± he spoke as he faced Malcolm who was in the process of patting his hair down. ¡°Like I¡¯d let my kid watch that crap!¡± he guffawed. ¡°And for your information¡­this is a Marvel household! I catch you subjecting him to ¡®Star Wars¡¯ before I have a chance to get him hooked on ¡®Dune¡¯, I might have to reconsider our friendship.¡± Malcolm gave a sly grin. ¡°Yea, I keep forgetting you¡¯re not a Trekkie¡­¡± Javier did his best to make light of the situation. Malcolm waved a finger. ¡°An honorable choice but the Federation doesn¡¯t beat th-¡° ¡°Malcolm¡­¡± Meryl finally spoke, breaking the pulsating tension in Javier. ¡°Um¡­ Javi? Could you take Connor upstairs?¡± ¡°Uh, yea.¡± Without skipping a beat Javier was making his way past them into the living room. He lifted Connor off the couch and led him by the hand down the hall. As his footsteps reverberated on the staircase, Meryl finally returned to her senses and began to blink. Malcolm stood there awkwardly; he was waiting for her to break the tension. ¡°Look¡­¡± he scratched his head, ¡°¡­I thought you weren¡¯t getting off until eight¡­¡± ¡°¡­The hospital was overstaffed¡­¡± her response was quite monotone. ¡°Really? I thought with Ebola and all that shit you¡¯d be-¡° ¡°It¡¯s not even a pandemic¡­Malcolm, you just ruined my clothes!¡± He scanned her, visibly contemplating his words. ¡°They¡¯re scrubs¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°You already go through them¡­You¡¯re around fluids all the time.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point! What are you doing?!¡± ¡°¡­I wanted to prepare dinner for our anniversary¡­Fresh¡­¡± His eyes bulged on the last word. Meryl rubbed her face with both palms. ¡°How?!¡± ¡°I ordered a Lamb from the Himalayas¡­You said you loved lamb when we went to that Indian Restaurant.¡± ¡°Malcolm. Our anniversary was last Month!¡± He winced. ¡°The day we got that bullshit contract from the state to sanction our affair on the condition that we copulate for Uncle Sam?¡± ¡°Our marriage is bullshit?!¡± ¡°No!¡± Malcolm held his hands out to her. ¡°We started dating on April Twenty-Ninth, Twenty-Twelve. Remember?¡± ¡°Of COURSE, I remember! Malcolm¡­do you even see the point here!?¡± ¡°It was supposed to be a surprise¡­¡± ¡°Well¡­You accomplished THAT!¡± She wanted to fold her arms at him but remembered the stains. ¡°How does an ¡®anniversary present¡¯ turn our garage into a slaughterhouse?!¡± ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t want to go through a chef.¡± ¡°I guarantee you; they¡¯ll wear an apron!¡± Malcolm looked back and forth. ¡°I wasn¡¯t gonna take the briefs off with Javier and Connor in the house. And I didn¡¯t want to waste money on something that I¡¯d just ruin¡­.¡± ¡°You thought to ruin our garage!?¡± Malcolm started to stammer. ¡°I- draped everything in Saran Wrap and have it¡­I was gonna funnel it into the central drain¡­I placed a bucket beneath him.¡± ¡°Him?¡± she winced. ¡°The Lamb¡­¡± Malcolm kept eye contact. ¡°¡­preparing a female would¡¯ve felt weird¡­¡± Meryl wanted to rip her temples. ¡°Well, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, I guess that¡¯s supposed to be comforting?!¡± ¡°I-I wouldn¡¯t-¡° His black eyes glistened. ¡°Malcolm¡­. I don¡¯t really care about my scrubs¡­CONNOR SAW YOU!¡± She watched his jaw hang and quiver. ¡°IF IT WEREN¡¯T FOR THE FACT, HE CAN¡¯T REMEMBER THIS SHIT¡­¡± Her fists clenched, she felt sorry, she saw Malcolm could hardly contain himself. Biting back her own tears, she didn¡¯t even know what she would do. She looked back at Malcolm. ¡°I¡¯m taking a shower¡­and then I¡¯m taking Connor with me to happy hour. I was going to go there anyway when Javier told me you were busy¡­¡± ¡°I-I thought I heard you-¡° ¡°So, you didn¡¯t wipe down?!¡± The only thing that was down, was Malcom¡¯s chin. Meryl sighed, ¡°I have to let Javi out. Just¡­please be clean when I get back¡­¡± there was so much more to say but she could not bear it. She spun around and made her way through the living room. ¡°Meryl?¡± his voice called. She turned around. ¡°What?¡± ¡°What do you want to do with it? The¡­Lamb?¡± ¡°Malcolm, Jesus!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you want me to do¡­It¡¯s ready to start cooking¡­¡± A sigh. ¡°¡­Just do what you will, Mal¡­I¡¯ll probably be sleeping down here tonight¡­¡± And she left it at that. Heading up the stairs, she paused at the top. The door to Connor¡¯s room was ajar; she made her way over and peered inside. Connor was running around as Javier sat at the center, entertaining the boy. ¡°Hey¡­¡± she smiled awkwardly. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me, I didn¡¯t see or hear nothing.¡± ¡°Mama!¡± Connor cooed when he finally noticed her. He started to run to the door but was intercepted by Javier. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve already been bathed you little rascal!¡± he said. ¡°Thanks, Javi. Could you just put him in his crib before you go? I¡¯ll get him later.¡± ¡°Sure, no problem.¡± She wanted to thank him again but sauntered back down the hallway into her room for a dreadfully stagnant shower. She emerged after ten minutes into the bedroom and dressed in a set of dark-blue tight jeans and a dark misfit T-shirt matched with a leather jacket. Javier was long gone but Connor thankfully, was wide awake in his crib. He let out another coo and held his arms out for her as she lifted him. She quickly seated Connor in the carriage which was positioned in the backseat of her Red Focus and was reversing out the driveway. The time was four-ten when she arrived at a local steakhouse. She pulled into a spare parking space and took Connor with her through the front doors. Meryl met the hostess and asked about a table under the name, ¡®Sherry¡¯. She was then directed to a corner roundtable occupied with four other women from the hospital. From left to right sat Maggie, an EMT nurse with half her black hair in a ponytail and the rest disheveled to her side. Sheryl, the closest of the group to becoming a doctor herself. Rebecca, a ginger-haired receptionist who, like Meryl, put her career progress on hold to start a family. And Gabriella, a doctor¡¯s assistant who needed a night out after several hours in the surgery room. Meryl sat next to Gabriella and Connor¡¯s was placed by her right side. Everyone was already enjoying an appetizer of bloom and onions along with their own round of draft beers. ¡°Merry!¡± Sheryl broke off her diatribe with the group. ¡°And you brought your little clone!¡± Meryl parted her hair and glanced at Connor who looked perplexed. ¡°If he¡¯s a clone, he¡¯s Mal¡¯s. I just provided the ovaries.¡± ¡°Oh, stop it! You literally created something, and you still provided the¡­¡± ¡°Provided what?¡± Meryl was curious. ¡°The mitochondria.¡± ¡°The mito-¡° Meryl cupped her face. ¡°Sherry, shut the fuck up.¡± ¡°What? We all get it from our mothers. It regulates development. And if you¡¯re anything to marvel at, which you are, he¡¯ll grow from a beautiful baby to a fine young man.¡± A young server came to the table. ¡°Can I just get a shot of jaeger?¡± Meryl asked. ¡°What? We¡¯ve already ordered, honey. You¡¯re not hungry?¡± Maggie asked. ¡°No, I am¡­it¡¯s just that I¡¯ve got dinner with Mal tonight¡­I guess.¡± ¡°Wait, you guess?¡± ¡°It¡¯s complicated¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you about home!¡± Gabriella exclaimed. ¡°How¡¯s things with that husband of yours?¡± Meryl¡¯s shot of Jaeger arrived on a single tray. She thanked her server as she was dipping an onion. She then placed her fingers over the shot glass and drummed the ridge; she then gulped the shot of Jaeger. ¡°¡­I was¡­suspicious, but now¡­.¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that son-of-a-bitch is cheating on you!¡± Maggie interrupted. ¡°Oh no! Not Mal. He still doesn¡¯t know how he¡¯s with me, let alone how he¡¯d be with another woman.¡± ¡°Well, in my experience, men like that have got a hole they¡¯re trying to fill.¡± Meryl gave a slight laugh. ¡°He once told me that he¡¯d rather kill himself than deliberately risk losing me¡­I talked to him about how that¡¯s inappropriate. Which literally brings me back to the matter¡­¡± ¡°So, what the hell did he do?¡± Sherry asked. Meryl shook her head. ¡°...Look, this doesn¡¯t leave the table, okay? I don¡¯t think less of him for it, but we probably need to get him screened¡­I was suspicious, when I met him, but I never brought it up. You may not have seen this, but Mal is either talking to the point that his eyes are gasping with him, or he¡¯s that kid sitting in a corner at a party. There were moments when I thought he was just manic¡­Mal¡¯s always been an emotional person, I mean¡­I told you how he talked to the Doctors when I went into labor. I know he loves me, possibly more than he does Connor, and he¡¯d never deliberately hurt us. But that might be the problem! Everything between us is in Connor now; I¡¯m not unconvinced that Malcolm wouldn¡¯t say, ¡®let¡¯s make another,¡¯ if the worst happened to him.¡± Sheryl reached a hand across the table. ¡°He¡¯s in the Army, Merry. You know what these people see; they get desensitized out there.¡± Meryl waved a finger. ¡°That¡¯s what I concluded with my labor incident. I kept coming back to that for a while now; I hear when he tangents about the Army, and I don¡¯t think he truly feels a part of them. It¡­seems to me like they just offer a simple purpose that makes sense for him; I think that¡¯s the reason he¡¯s so good at it. But he¡¯s coming home and having to balance how they tell him to see the world with civilian life; their concept of normality is completely warped. I can tell he never asked to be like this, but I think there¡¯s a genuine lack of awareness that¡¯s always been there...I think Malcolm might have autism.¡± Chaper 19: Inhumane Valor ¡°True Grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done.¡±- John Wayne Malcolm leaned next to the double doors of the Visitor¡¯s center as he took a deep drag off another cigarette and another check of the time. Any minute now. No one had uttered a word since the latest shooting and a new chorus of automatic fire echoed the night, dragging on longer. Everyone around him was more perturbed than ever, but Malcolm had all the time he needed to gather his thoughts. He dwelled on the black mass and the mass insanity. He began pacing the front of the doors as he kept his eyes on the distant sky, waiting for the cavalry. Both Koreas are ablaze, and so is China by the looks of it. All coinciding with the ¡®springtime flu¡¯; secretly a Homicidal Strain of Rabies¡­How the fuck did we miss this? The time was now officially twenty-two minutes past nine and they were sitting ducks. Malcolm touched his receiver, ¡°Patch me through to Mendez¡­¡± It took three more minutes before Mendez spoke. ¡°Nelson.¡± ¡°Sir?¡± Malcolm said, ¡°I don¡¯t see the cavalry in the distance. ETA?¡± A panicked sigh followed, ¡°Captain, all our transport brigades are tasked to the maximum. Have you separated the civilians?¡± ¡°Yes sir. They¡¯ve been squeezed back into the tunnel¡­they¡¯re starting to change.¡± Mendez deflected. ¡°Yea, I¡¯ve been hearing that. You¡¯re authorized to contain them. Over and out.¡± So, no ETA then? Fuck you too. ¡°Hey!¡± Liam yelled through the open door. ¡°You better be coping out here, because I just had to deal with the civilians demanding to be let out of the tunnel.¡± Malcolm flashed a brow. ¡°You speak Korean? I¡¯m impressed, Piper.¡± Liam winced at that. ¡°Are you fucking kidding me?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Malcolm pursed his lips. ¡°You need a moniker and I¡¯m happy to provide you one.¡± Liam stepped through the doorway and stared Malcolm down. ¡°We could¡¯ve saved Avery! I fucking told you not to pull that trigger!¡± Malcolm blinked. ¡°You...told me too late; and there was nothing we could have done. It was a half measure compared to what I should be doing.¡± Liam shook his head. ¡°We have no idea what¡¯s really going on¡­¡± ¡°Suppose I am wrong¡­¡± Malcolm speculated. ¡°You ever read about the poor bitch who owned a pet chimpanzee?¡± ¡°And this has to do with what?¡± ¡°VA benefits don¡¯t cover that kind of facial reconstruction.¡± Liam smiled. ¡°You ever heard of Doctor Kevorkian?¡± ¡°Y¡­¡± Liam boasted. ¡°Of course, you have! You know that ¡®mercy killing¡¯ doesn¡¯t hold up in court. How am I supposed to help you with this one?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your help.¡± Malcolm retorted. ¡°SIR!¡± Clairet burst through the door. ¡°The civies are still agitated!¡± ¡°Fuck!¡± Malcolm shouted. ¡°What¡¯s happening?!¡± ¡°They¡¯re still demanding to be let out; they don¡¯t feel safe!¡± Liam whispered. ¡°Kinda what I was trying to tell you.¡± ¡°Goddammit!¡± Malcolm adjusted his surgical mask over his mouth and followed Clairet back inside the visitor¡¯s center. A group of twenty had massed at the mouth and were carelessly standing over charred piles. They shouted and whined as one of Malcolm¡¯s men, probably Johnson, shouted for them to stay back. At least forty rifles were trained at them and still they inched forward. ¡°JACK! HOLD FIRE! LOWER YOUR WEAPONS NOW!¡± Malcolm hopped down the flight and stood with his arms raised in the flashlights. He turned around to a screaming man in his late forties that stood before the group. Malcolm took a few seconds to survey the crowd. It was mostly male and primarily consisted of adults. He slowly placed his Crystal back around him as a demonstration of goodwill. ¡°Help coming!¡± Malcolm shouted in appeasement. But the man raved too quicky for Malcolm translate; only the end was intelligible. ¡°¡­Friends are gone, and my wife is sick!¡± ¡°We take wife out! Helicopters come. We take you to America.¡± The man¡¯s face was flushed. ¡°America is fascist!¡± ¡°America free!¡± ¡°NO! You lie just like the army!¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°We no do that! We take out sick and wounded first, then helicopter come back for you!¡± The Elder looked behind him. Perplexed by his options, he faced the front again. ¡°I¡¯m going with her!¡± ¡°Yes! You see we tell the truth! When helicopter come back, you and others go too!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll take all of us!¡± A voice from the crowd bellowed. ¡°Room for everybody!¡± Malcolm kept the lie going. ¡°Everything will be okay! Please, go back!¡± The crowd exchanged glances with each other. A particularly young man, who was just a few feet from the older one, was trying to hide a chuckle at Malcolm¡¯s pathetic translation. In the same span of time as it took for the crowd to gather, they trickled back into the darkened mouth with their flashlights designating the path; finally, the old man was sulking back into the cave. Malcolm wasted no time leaving the rail as the coldness of his words matched the clamminess of his hands. He looked to the office, which was quartered off since Avery''s death. Malcolm thought to take his temperature a third time since the incident. ¡°JACK! ON ME!¡± Malcolm bellowed as he made his way out of the entrance. Kenneth Johnson sprinted around his squads and met Malcolm at his left side. It could be seen from the corner of Malcolm¡¯s eye that Johnson was switching his safety on. ¡°You¡¯re gonna switch that off, now.¡± Malcolm passively commanded. Johnson was confused. ¡°You want to tell me what the hell all that was...Sir?¡± Malcolm broke his demeaning gaze away from Johnson. ¡°That was me fucking up and making promises I know I can¡¯t keep.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°I already told you, promises I can¡¯t keep.¡± They stepped through the entrance doors; Malcolm began at a light pace. ¡°Too many promises¡­too many obligations¡­Gotta pick what¡¯s important...¡± Johnson nodded with sucked lips. ¡°Sir¡­Your being weird again. With all due respect.¡± Malcolm halted his pacing and looked back at Johnson. ¡°Tell me something, if you had to go down one road and get eaten alive, or pick the other way and get shot to death, which do you pick?¡± Johnson reeled from that. ¡°I don¡¯t like the parameters of this game.¡± Malcolm sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a fucking hypothetical. Humor me.¡± Johnson kept being coy. ¡°This is like those ¡®Marry, Fuck, or Kill¡¯ internet memes. I¡¯d honestly rather kill myself.¡± Malcolm cupped his face. ¡°Well let¡¯s suppose you don¡¯t have your gun and there¡¯s no way back; pick your road.¡± Johnson shrugged. ¡°Well shit! There¡¯s gotta be a reason you¡¯re asking me this.¡± Malcolm nodded sarcastically. ¡°Because I get to ask you whatever the fuck I want.¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Johnson waved a hand. ¡°You still chose to come to me instead of Fireball. I¡¯m not bilingual, you can¡¯t speak in code to me. So, what is the fuck?¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll simplify myself.¡± Malcolm held a dead stare. ¡°Do you trust me?¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± ¡°Are you serious?¡± Johnson shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of trust you¡¯re looking for. I trust that you¡¯ll bark my ear off if I don¡¯t tell you what you want.¡± ¡°Jack¡­¡± Malcolm hushed, ¡°This is important. If you don¡¯t trust me then at least have the humility to listen. Who do you trust?¡± His eyes rolled up his head. ¡°¡­I suppose I could name a few.¡± ¡°I want you to assemble a squad.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Now.¡± ¡°For what?¡± ¡°So, we can get these infected people out.¡± ¡°You think a couple infections are gonna bring us all down before backup gets here?¡± Johnson asked. Malcolm paused at that. He took a step forward to lower his surgical mask, revealing his contempt. ¡°You are not about to make me tell you this isn¡¯t a flu.¡± Johnson raised his finger for a retort, but no words were uttered. He proceeded to rub his helmet, staring back and forth between the violent horizon and the confines of the visitor¡¯s center. ¡°Ugh¡­Shit¡­I ugh¡­thought that the guys were being dopes but¡­Fuck me¡­I was kind of hoping you¡¯d, well, shut them down¡­¡± Malcolm deadpanned. ¡°Well I won¡¯t, even the Chinese are telling us what¡¯s happening. That¡¯s why we¡¯ve aborted the offensive. It¡¯s also why we¡¯re trying to evacuate; it¡¯s fubar. Now do you understand what we must do?¡± Johnson¡¯s eyes shut with the revelation. ¡°Well fuck¡­Fubar isn¡¯t exactly what I signed up for Spacey...¡± ¡°Neither are our methods of warfare.¡± Malcolm continued. ¡°Do you understand that this is about us making it through the night?¡± ¡°Goddammit.¡± Johnson pinched the ridge between his eyes. ¡°I-I¡¯ll go talk to some people.¡± ¡°And make it snappy.¡± As quickly as Johnson entered the center, Liam flew the adjacent door open. He then stood with his hands gripping his waist. ¡°You fucking know you can¡¯t get those people out! What did you say to Jack?¡± ¡°Listen¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s tone transitioned from hushed to stern, ¡°¡­If you want to get your boys out of here¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯re ours!¡± ¡°Otlichno Comrade!¡± Malcolm was snide. ¡°Next you¡¯ll be telling me we¡¯re responsible for the civilians too.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Liam nodded. ¡°We swore to protect and serve; that includes noncombatants.¡± ¡°On the contrary,¡± Malcolm closed the gap and stared into Liam¡¯s soul with the black of his eyes. ¡°We, in the Army, enforce American Interests. Period. And right now, our interests have been reduced to the simplest of premises: keep living.¡± ¡°Listen.¡± Liam raised a finger. ¡°You bring Jack back here, right now, and you tell him that we are getting these people out!¡± Malcolm hid his guffaw behind a stern twist of his mouth. ¡°You heard me!¡± Liam continued. ¡°I¡¯ll do it my goddamn self if I have to.¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°You will get us both court marshalled. If there¡¯s even a court left when we get out.¡± ¡°Social Contracts don¡¯t just fly out the window like this!¡± Liam reinforced. ¡°There is no ¡®Social Contract¡¯ when it comes to warfare!¡± Malcolm snarked. ¡°We leveled the living shit out of this entire peninsula and Vietnam when our backs weren¡¯t even against the wall! What we¡¯re dealing with here is gonna change everything.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know for sure¡­¡± Liam emphasized. ¡°Mendez didn¡¯t tell you what the Chinese were saying.¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°It¡¯s already bad enough for them to be talking. If you don¡¯t want to see the connection, then you¡¯re a fucking idiot.¡± Malcolm pointed his finger inside the Center. ¡°¡­Do I need to spell this out for you?¡± Liam chose to deflect. ¡°You¡¯re not going to murder those people.¡± ¡°Listen, Piper.¡± Malcolm raised a hand. ¡°I can tell your company has delt with enough and you don¡¯t want to fuck up your prospects.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to stop you from getting caught!¡± Liam yelled. ¡°And what does that matter to you?¡± ¡°You realize this involves my wounded too?¡± Liam stated. Malcolm nodded. ¡°Well guess what; you think the government is above human experimentation if we get them out?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your place to decide that!¡± Liam pointed out. ¡°But I¡¯m correct.¡± Malcolm continued. ¡°Trust me, compared to that, I¡¯m doing the right thing here.¡± Liam bulged his eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t seriously expect me to just put up with this?¡± ¡°Last time I checked, you¡¯re still a lieutenant.¡± Malcolm poked his chest. ¡°You will stand down or you will be relieved.¡± Liam smiled for some reason. ¡°I don¡¯t think you honestly understand how that will be the end for both of us.¡± Malcolm ignored him. ¡°I made a pledge to get my people out alive¡­Are you willing to risk it all so soon into the Apocalypse?¡± Liam shook his head, almost hesitantly. ¡°¡­You don¡¯t have the authority to call it that yet¡­¡± ¡°If my worst fear proves true, then I stand by what I said. Everything changes.¡± Malcolm tried to wave him away. ¡°Now, go have a cup of coffee with your grunts. Let me handle the big boy responsibilities.¡± Liam¡¯s expression turned to one of self-satisfaction. ¡°Isn¡¯t Daniels your friend?¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°You know what?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Compared to what Javi went through¡­I¡¯d expect any friend to do the same for me¡­¡± Malcolm left it on that and dismissed Liam again as he turned to enter the center. Malcolm eyed the office door and followed it with a scan of the perimeter for any sign of Johnson. He made his way over to the office. The twelve wounded were still laid to recover next to the door, except for Daniels. Malcolm¡¯s thoughts dwelled on Avery, followed by the time-honored traditions of armies to the those executed before and during the Second World War. Malcolm¡¯s daydreaming was broken by the rearing of Kenneth. When Malcolm faced him, he was flanked by six other troopers of various ranks: Second Lieutenant Jason ¡®No-Nut McGee¡¯ Price, McGee hid his auburn hair beneath the helmet and held the same melancholic determination he had carried since his accident. First Sergeant Hannah ¡®Slit-Wrist¡¯ Nichols, her incident took place during her emo-phase in high school, and she had long since returned to her natural blonde. The bucked-toothed, Staff Sergeant Brock ¡®Toothy Booey¡¯ Jackson. The former High School boxing champion, Master Sergeant Alan ¡®Da Cow¡¯ Williams. Sergeant Isaac ¡®Doc¡¯ Douglas, a freckle-face college dropout who thought life in the Army was just like video games. And finally, was a lowly Corporal by the name of Caleb ¡®Bullet Tarry¡¯ Garth; an albino skinned twenty-year-old with a set of flat lips and crimson red eyes that made Malcolm jealous. Malcolm slowly nodded as he absorbed the character of the squad that he asked Johnson to assemble. They stood there with a silent acknowledgment of the pressing concerns. ¡°I did some talking, Captain Spacey.¡± Johnson began. ¡°You asked and I obliged and all that.¡± Malcolm nodded once again and took a step toward them so as not to have to project his voice. ¡°So¡­we all understand what we¡¯re doing here? If you don¡¯t want to, I understand. But I promise you that I¡¯ll be the one to explain everything tonight.¡± The squad exchanged glances, checking each other for doubt. Corporal Garth stepped forward, flipping a switch on his AR-Fifteen. ¡°Just tell us how we¡¯re doing this, Captain.¡± Well. Well. Well. This little shit right here just might be officer material. Malcolm motioned his fingers. ¡°¡­It¡¯s quite simple really, we¡¯re separating the civilians, and the wounded, a step further. Ya¡¯ll will round them up and get them outside. Just say that a convoy will meet us up the road. When our boys ask why, assure them that the choppers have no room in the parking lot.¡± ¡°Where do we take them?¡± Garth asked. ¡°Far enough to not been seen.¡± Malcolm hushed. ¡°Close enough to be safe from the mayhem.¡± The private tapped his helmet and raised a brow; Malcolm nodded. After he was acknowledged, Malcolm signaled to Johnson that he was to be followed. They proceeded over to the mouth and crossed the distance to the first hovel. They arrived at the forty-five civilians clamoring at their shining flashlights. In addition to being startled, Malcolm could hear, even now, the excessive coughing from the back of the crowd. ¡°People!¡± Malcolm called out. ¡°Help here! Up road we take you! Line up; Sick and Young first!¡± His garble nearly didn¡¯t fall through. But the old man emerged from the crowd and began a much clearer translation. To his and Johnson¡¯s astonishment, the five remaining infected popped up to line up with some fifteen women accompanied by six children ranged from nine to their teenage years. The man approached them with his delirious wife, Mau-Pon, and bowed his head, uttering a slow and clear, ¡®Thank You.¡± Malcolm felt compelled to put his hand on the elder¡¯s shoulder to emphasize the false comradery. Instead, he offered a false return bow. ¡°Base first. America second.¡± Time seemed to dilate every time Malcolm marched through the tunnel, from the moment he first marched into the tourist attraction. He remembered the wonder at what caused such fear in the minds of the military police and being on the opposite end of a crime scene for the first time. There¡¯s no coming around from this; only the cold-hard truth of the matter. They¡¯ll call me a coward anyway, and I won¡¯t allow them to have any ammunition. I¡¯ll tell the brass the truth and then dare them to call a coward of a man who mastered fire as a youth. Malcolm gazed over to Johnson, who positioned himself on the other side of the group; this was a man who knew in his heart that he was above the situation. They trickled out the tunnel and Malcolm signaled Johnson to escort the group outside. It was then that he splintered off, walking through the internal encampment around groups of soldiers both squatting and whispering. It took him half a minute to locate X.O. Harvey Daniels assisting the logicians to hand out more supplies. Harvey caught Malcolm¡¯s gaze and knew he was being summoned. He picked his rifle from a crate and walked around a group of comrades after muttering something about quantities to the supplier. Harvey stepped into Malcolm¡¯s face; his animosity blocked by the surgical mask. ¡°Convoys are meeting us up the road.¡± Malcolm lied. Harvey winced. ¡°What the fuck? What happened to the helicopters?¡± ¡°Beats me.¡± Malcolm hollowed. Now, Harvey shrugged. ¡°So, what¡¯s this got to do with me?¡± ¡°The sick and the wounded are leaving first.¡± Malcolm poked. ¡°That¡¯s you.¡± ¡°The fuck I am!¡± Malcolm slapped the bandaged wound on Harvey¡¯s shoulder. He didn¡¯t even wince. ¡°See?¡± Harvey bragged. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving until the rest have gone!¡± Malcolm became sterner. ¡°Lieutenant; I¡¯m not giving you a choice here! I don¡¯t care how well you feel. You¡¯re going to see the doctors; end of discussion.¡± Malcolm whispered. Harvey made no effort to hide his disdain. ¡°You know I¡¯m right.¡± Malcolm continued. ¡°Now don¡¯t be stupid. The¡­ Rabies symptoms can be stopped if we begin treatment immediately. I¡¯m not leaving this to chance so my X.O. could lose his mind in the middle of combat. I was told to get all the sick and wounded out. You¡¯re one of them whether you like it or not. Think about Sandra...what about Nicole and Blake? Are they¡­¡± ¡°You stop it right now¡­¡± Harvey hissed. ¡°Do I have to start talking out loud or are you gonna¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go¡­¡± he finally relented. ¡°You don¡¯t talk about my kids.¡± ¡°Ata boy, soldier.¡± Malcolm snarked. He moved out the double doors with the X.O. closing in. They scanned the parking lot, there was everybody accounted for except the civilians and wounded. Malcolm did a slow three-sixty as he paced into the center of the lot. I guess Jack took my order a bit literally. No matter. ¡°Wait.¡± Harvey stopped. ¡°We¡¯re walking?¡± Malcolm too stopped. ¡°I like the vehicles serving as barriers for our boys. I¡¯d rather not move them.¡± ¡°If¡­¡± Harvey squinted. ¡°Never mind.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hurry.¡± Malcolm insisted. ¡°I don¡¯t know how long they¡¯ll wait if Jack gets there first.¡± They departed from the lot and advanced into the dark of the upper road. The starlight illuminated the silhouettes of the trees, but they were forced to flip on their flashlights to see the ground in front of them. Malcolm squinted and thought he could see Jack and other lights shining in the distance. He knew it couldn¡¯t be anybody else since they were clearly moving in the same direction. This could go wrong¡­Very easily. Malcolm thought to himself. The possibilities varied themselves: without Malcolm there to give the signal, they could wait too late or too soon. A swarm of civilians, or worse, could accost them. He began to regret not giving Johnson clearer instructions. They continued some fifty yards up the road and the beams of their flashlights were disturbed by the tree shadows cast from the starlight. Already, Harvey was looking through his scope. ¡°¡­It¡¯s possible they¡¯re running late¡­¡± Malcolm preemptively reassured. ¡°They said they¡¯d be meeting us.¡± ¡°Just stop.¡± Harvey halted after dropping his eye from the scope. Malcolm made it a few feet away from him before he too had to stop. Harvey continued. ¡°If we¡¯re pulling out without any choppers, then the roads are safe. If the roads are safe, why the fuck are we not pulling out our goddamn selves!?¡± ¡°Look¡­¡± Malcolm rushed to formulate more time. ¡°The convoy is from the Korean Health Ministry.¡± ¡°So, I¡¯m about to get experimented on¡­¡± Harvey took his mask off. ¡°Fucking great!¡± Malcolm hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s all about trying to find out what the strain is¡­¡± ¡°I FEEL FINE!¡± ¡°You may be a carrier!¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°The Incubation could be days! You want to go home to Sandra with that!?¡± Harvey pointed his rifle directly at Malcolm¡¯s torso. ¡°So, help me God if you throw my family in my face again, I¡¯ll take the court-marshal!¡± Slowly, Malcolm unhooked his own mask. ¡°¡­Listen to me you son-of-a-bitch! We won¡¯t be able to ¡®court martial¡¯ you! Understand?! You¡¯ll be a rabid fuck and we have to put you down before your family must see or hear about that!¡± ¡°Say that again!¡± Malcolm finally screamed. ¡°YOU¡¯RE A SON-OF-A-BITCH!¡± Harvey stammered. ¡°¡­Put ME down?!¡± Malcolm pressed his palms against his mouth as he exhaled. ¡°You. Are. Dying. Either way. GET THAT!?¡± ¡°But I¡¯m not even sick!¡± Harvey sounded like he was trying to convince himself. ¡°That bite doesn¡¯t even hurt you!¡± Malcolm emphasized. ¡°AIN¡¯T THAT FUNNY?¡± To that, Harvey let out the briefest of chuckles. ¡°How¡¯d it hurt for that Burglar you murdered!?¡± By this point, he was holding the rifle up with one arm. Don¡¯t do it. With Harvey¡¯s flashlight reflecting Malcolm¡¯s black pupils like the shine of a feline, he sighed a slight grin at the prospect of explaining. ¡°That Phrasing¡­you make it sound so vindictive. That schmuck became another note in my renewal¡­¡± Harvey visibly shuddered. ¡°Why!?¡± Malcolm kept a hand on his hips. ¡°The sacred Heiau¡­the free Hawaiians practiced bloodshed against enemy chieftains and their subordinates¡­They were cut, bled, or bludgeoned to appease their God, Ku, and safeguarded the victories to come¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what the fuck I asked you!¡± Harvey¡¯s rage flew spittle. Malcolm shrugged, followed by a sigh while staring at the ground. ¡°Cause¡­it makes me feel like I¡¯m not dead¡­¡± ¡°¡­Well bully for you, you pathetic FUCK!¡± More spittle from Harvey caused Malcolm to reel back. ¡°How many?!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes rolled to the top of his head as the estimates, both legal and illegal, combined in his mind. He dropped his chin and relented the effort. ¡°¡­Why does it even matter now?¡± Harvey leaned in. ¡°Because we¡¯ve been to each other¡¯s FUCKING HOUSE!¡± Malcolm could see that Harvey was practically throttling the trigger. ¡°¡­My crawlspace was always clean¡­You had nothing you do with any of it; just happened to run parallel-¡± ¡°Do you feel bad?¡± Harvey cut him off with a shrieking whisper. ¡°Just tell me that¡­Tell me you killed those people because somewhere in your fucked up brain, it was necessary¡­¡± Malcolm had to contemplate the philosophy of the question. A brand-new harmony of automatic fire engulfed the night air, catching both Malcolm and Harvey dead in their thoughts. They both just looked up at the road; they could not see the illumination of the lights, but the gunshots reverberated around the cavernous walls of trees. Malcolm slowly faced Harvey once more and their eyes met again. ¡°WELL?!¡± Harvey demanded. ¡°¡­Meryl was never supposed know that side of me¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes dropped to the ground, unsure why he admitted that. ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question! Are you even sorry?¡± Harvey¡¯s face turned to sorrow. ¡°¡­what are you telling my family?¡± The rifle began to tremble. Malcolm knew that he owned it to the dying man not to lie. ¡°I can¡¯t even promise you anything¡­¡± The glistening in Harvey¡¯s eyes shone. ¡°So¡­this is the End?¡± Malcolm nodded forlornly. ¡°For you? Yes¡­The others have their orders. If sending me to Hell makes you feel better before you die, then go ahead¡­When the lights go out, you¡¯ll understand.¡± Harvey¡¯s gun went from trembling to shaking as he sniffled away the tears; he lowered it. Malcolm chose to continue. ¡°Even if you do it¡­Orders are that everyone sick or wounded gets left behind. Do you understand me? There is nothing else that I can do for you¡­If we stay here? You turn on us. If we leave you here? You turn on someone else. If I pull rank and take you with us? Your BRAIN gets dissected. Every option ends with you gone.¡± Harvey finally cried. ¡°So, you just put me down like I¡¯m Cujo?¡± Malcolm kept his voice soothed. ¡°All we can do is whatever it takes to stop it. You don¡¯t want to hurt our friends do you?¡± As Harvey¡¯s rifle dropped, he was stark once more. ¡°You don¡¯t talk to me about friendship¡­¡± The barrel of the rifle sank to the ground; with one hand, Harvey unclipped the binding to his helmet. He gently lay the rifle flat on the cool cement before unequipping his helmet with both hands. He deliberately placed it by his feet, rising with closed eyes and a sharp exhale. He took a step over the rifle and a slow, morose second to the grass by the side of the road as punk rock ballad was sung. "...The End is Where We Begin... ...Where Broken Hearts mend and Start to beat again..." It was on the grass that he sank to his knees. Malcolm strode until he was far across from Harvey. He faced Harvey¡¯s back, whose shadow was cast over the ground beneath him; sobs continuously crack between the hymns. "...The End is Where we Meet Again-" ¡°Wrong.¡± Malcolm interrupted, prompting Harvey to shift around on his knees. Malcolm¡¯s right hand drummed on his Crystal as he drew his sidearm. ¡°Whoa¡­I never meant to brag¡­But I got him where I want him now. Whoa¡­It was never my attention to brag¡­.to steal it all away from you now. But God does it feel so good¡­Cause I got him where I want him now¡­ And if you could then you know you would¡­Cause God it just feels so-¡° ¡°YOU EVIL SON-OF-A-¡° Two loud pops cut him off, both taking his chest without exiting. Blood oozed down the Kevlar like a melted Gel; Harvey knelt there and inhaled sharply. His lips began to quiver in pain before the first cough ruptured more blood. Malcolm stood still with the pistol half-cranked as Harvey fell forward. There was still a wheeze from him, and the wheeze was followed by more coughs. Very slowly, Harvey moved his arms forward to prop himself up. He and Malcolm shared eye contact while the leaves skidded under the gust of a new wind. ¡°W-what are you doing?¡± was all that could pour out of Harvey¡¯s mouth besides the darkening blood. This was followed by louder coughs that sent blood spraying to the cement. Harvey lost all strength to hold his head up and collapsed. A sudden hack launched a fresh geyser of blood into the air. He then rolled onto his back with every limb pressing into the grass; all the while, Harvey continued to croak. As he sprawled there, shaking his head violently, the croaks gradually escalated into a blood-curdling scream. Suddenly he was on his stomach once again. And then he was raising himself with both hands, until he got a look at Malcolm. The most violent roar from hell sent the blood flying to the base of Malcolm¡¯s boot. The thing that had been Harvey bore eyes that were frozen with an unadulterated rage. With seemingly no warning, it bolted for Malcolm. It took a single, additional squeeze of the trigger to send a bullet exploding out the back of Harvey¡¯s forehead. Finally, Malcolm took his steps forward, watching the marionette brain matter seeping out the fresh puncture between Harvey¡¯s eyes. ¡­They¡¯re already dead¡­Goddammit!!! Malcolm sheathed his pistol and thought for a moment about retrieving Harvey¡¯s dog tag. A loud boom made him sense the futility of this, instead, Malcolm kicked the helmet to the body and began walking back to the infiltration tunnel. Chapter 20: Attempted Corrections ¡°Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.¡±¨D Albert Einstein Malcolm stopped in front of the door when he approached the top of the stairs. It was a delicate process to balance the coffee with one arm as he turned the hinge with Connor the other arm. They came bursting through the door. Upon seeing Malcolm with their son, Meryl immediately dropped a copy of ¡®Starship Troopers¡¯ and lifted the sheets over her chest. ¡°Oh come on!¡± she exacerbated. ¡°What? You told me to get him.¡± Malcolm set Connor on the bed and the newborn began to crawl; Malcolm held a coffee mug in the air. ¡°And I come bearing gifts.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant!¡± She laughed. ¡°Did you even check his diaper?¡± ¡°Eh. He smells clean. Just wanted to see us.¡± Malcolm brought the mug over and Meryl grasped it while holding the sheets up. ¡°Well as long as he¡¯s quiet¡­¡± Malcolm circled back to the opposite side to lie with her. Meryl¡¯s breakfast platter had been cleaned off and set to the end of the bed. He huddled into her before she could resume the book, Malcolm wedged little Connor between them. Meryl finally relented and extended a free arm to share the cradle-hold with Malcolm. He crossed legs with her, and they were the sight of a beating heart. A ringing came from his phone on the bedside table to his left. Malcolm reached over to see a familiar caller ID and pressed the answer button. ¡°What¡¯s up A-hole!?¡± Fuckaroo Jack bellowed. ¡°Kenneth? Why do you have Javi¡¯s phone?¡± Malcolm politely demanded. Malcolm could hear a ruffle and the sound of ¡®give me that!¡¯. A more welcome voice greeted him. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Javier said. ¡°Why are you two hanging so early?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡®We¡¯re getting the shit we need to Tailgate!¡± Meryl took the baby in both arms, and Malcolm sat up with glee. ¡°Are you about to tell me-¡± ¡°You¡¯re goddamn right!¡± Javier happily shouted. ¡°Kenny got the tickets!¡± Malcolm¡¯s heart raced. ¡°How many?¡± ¡°Enough for the four of us to bring our women!¡± ¡°Well shit! What time!?¡± ¡°Seven!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be there!¡± Malcolm hung up the phone. ¡°How¡¯s Javi?¡± Meryl inquired. ¡°You sound like he just made you his best man.¡± Malcolm pretended to wince. ¡°Oh please! I¡¯d rather lose a nut.¡± Meryl laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll remember you said that when my little sis gets married. Now what did Javier say?¡± ¡°Fuckaroo got us the concert tickets!¡± Malcolm told her. Meryl elevated herself with pleasant dismay. ¡°How?! I thought it was sold out?¡± Malcolm thought to himself. ¡°Trust me¡­It¡¯s better we don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Yea, with a name like that.¡± Meryl nodded. ¡°We¡¯re on at seven this evening!¡± ¡°Well then!¡± She reached for her phone. ¡°Let me bother my parents!¡± ¡°I¡¯m gonna wolf something down and run some shit out to the dump.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about fucking time!¡± Meryl laughed. ¡°You¡¯re taking a shower first?¡± ¡°Before I go to the dump? That¡¯s retarded honey.¡± ¡°Well good.¡± Meryl said. ¡°I can take one when I put this sucker in his crib.¡± ¡°You first¡­¡± Malcolm grinned. ¡°You have errands! Get going!¡± ¡°Hmph. Very well...I think I¡¯ll get a workout in while I¡¯m out.¡± ¡°What? Is this you pregaming for the mosh pit?¡± ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Malcolm smugly grinned. ¡°I haven¡¯t had so much as a half-hour to run since I took time for you two.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯re getting flabby.¡± Meryl reached and squeezed his right bicep. Malcolm returned the affection by cupping her hand. ¡°You work wonders but I gotta take the edge off.¡± Meryl squinted. ¡°Isn¡¯t that how your idol justified his substance abuse?¡± ¡°Uhh¡­" Malcolm changed the subject. "Why don¡¯t you come running with me one day? Don¡¯t you remember the athlete¡¯s high you got back in the gym?¡± She squinted. ¡°You just want to get me in a skimpy sports bra!¡± ¡°Well, I did put on that speedo for your birthday¡­¡± She laughed, ¡°Oh you little- Go get changed!¡± *** The time was ten o-seven when Malcolm emerged in his backyard dressed in his black athletic pants matched with a red tank top. The old family shed had become the shelter for Malcolm¡¯s hoarding tendencies. It took Malcolm three trips to load all the junk from the shed to his newly purchased, Pale Sierra. He was taking a final look inside the shed, where he discovered a duffle bag containing rusty rifle parts; it was in front of a warped scratching near the wall¡¯s corner. Meryl opened the backdoor and Malcolm spun his head like a grazing herbivore. She was clad in a black robe and her phone rested in her hand. ¡°Mal!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°My parents are a no-go! They¡¯ve been planning their own date night.¡± ¡°Well shit!¡± Malcolm nearly dropped the duffle bag in frustration. ¡°What about David?¡± ¡°Well, we already know he¡¯s gonna say ¡®no¡¯. Plus, I¡¯d rather Connor not get too much of him until he¡¯s older.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a baby!¡± Meryl nodded. ¡°Yes, they both are.¡± Malcolm batted his eyes. ¡°¡­Your sis?¡± ¡°Mal, she¡¯s a college kid¡­Fuck no.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Malcolm was dejected, ¡°I¡¯ll call Javi back and let him know-¡° ¡°Mal.¡± She started to walk towards him. ¡°I can take care of Connor by myself for a night.¡± He was touched. ¡°You¡¯ve been looking forward to this concert way more than me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± She assured him. ¡°I¡¯ve had my share of concerts when I was younger.¡± ¡°This is our time though¡­¡± Malcolm told her. ¡°We don¡¯t have to be back at work for at least another week.¡± Meryl leaned in. ¡°Go do something for yourself.¡± Malcom stammered. ¡°You gave in nine months for Connor; you deserve to go.¡± ¡°The only of your friends I know is Javier.¡± She spoke. ¡°They¡¯re your friends. Go have a good time, you¡¯ll make it up to me later.¡± ¡°You sure?¡± ¡°Mal. Go do your thing.¡± He kissed her. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± Malcolm had pulled out of the driveway after 10 in the morning with a loaded truck bed. It was once he left the neighborhood that he was hard pressed to decide whether he was to venture to the park first or the dump. He mulled it over as the News reported on ethnic cleansings in Pakistan, Obama¡¯s deportation policies, and the appalling dismemberment of two Jehovah¡¯s Witnesses last month; it was June, 2014. ¡°I don¡¯t think the city park is an option¡­¡± He said to only himself. Having had nothing to eat except a protein bar and milkshake. Malcolm thought to carbo-load before finally picking back up on his routine. To that end, he stopped to pick up some generic fast food with a large order of fries and a Powerade to drink. Having consumed the equivalent of two meals inside of an hour, Malcolm felt the burning to use that spare energy. It was eleven fifty-one when he pulled into the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve. Malcolm already knew the trails by heart since his youth and found the tour guides a useless distraction. He commenced with the pre-exercise stretches on a patch of grass next to the parking lot. The June sun had set the temperature to the high nineties and when Malcolm completed the final pop in his spine, his brow was already glistening. Upon completion, he went back to his Pale Sierra, retrieving his smartphone and earbuds. He left his wallet and locked the door behind him. Malcolm decided to initiate a new readthrough of Hunter S. Thompson¡¯s ¡®Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas¡¯ and started his jog from the entrance of the Visitor Center Trail. The sun was past its peak in the sky when Malcolm began his second lap around the park. Malcolm tested his muscles by scaling a tree at the end of each trail, he also tested his balance by walking across the edges of the boardwalks. It occurred to him that he was losing focus on his audiobook. The first time he had to stop to rewind, he knew that it was time to switch to music. After completing his second lap, he doubled back to the Sierra to retrieve coconut water from the center console. As Malcolm felt his system rehydrate, he continued to satisfy his lust with a slower lap. Malcolm was upon the apex of another tree at the height of the Palmetto Trail, and he took the resting time to spot birds, of which two hundred breeds could be spotted in this area. He took a seat on a thick branch and delicately wrapped his legs around it while resting his back against the trunk. The chorus to an Avenged Sevenfold song was starting to crescendo. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve known it from the start¡­. ¡­These good ideas will tear your brain apart¡­. ¡­Scared but you can follow me¡­ ¡­I¡¯m too weird to live but much too rare to die¡­¡± ¡°Um? Hello?¡± Malcolm could hear the voice calling from below. He immediately pressed pause and took a deep breath as he withdrew the earpieces. ¡°Are you okay up there?!¡± a female¡¯s voice called out. ¡°I¡¯m just catching my breath!¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°Up there?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not suicidal if that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking!¡± He looked down to see a noticeably attractive redhead standing in awe. ¡°Are you even allowed up there?!¡± she bellowed. ¡°There¡¯s not a sign telling me I can¡¯t!¡± He answered. ¡°Does there have to be?¡± ¡°Do you work here?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°No.¡± Malcolm cocked his head at her. It was then that he decided to dangle himself from the branch like he was a monkey. The redhead¡¯s eyes gasped and she nearly halted her pacing. She seemed ready to stick her arms out if Malcolm fell. As he continued to stare at her, he did a pull up on the sturdy branch. ¡°Okay¡­¡± She laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like I should walk away with this!¡± ¡°Is this a formal request for me to come down?¡± Malcolm joked. ¡°Well could you?¡± ¡°Very well then!¡± It was then that he guided himself to the left until he was able to hug the trunk with his legs. After which, he grabbed the base of the branch and found his footing on a branch beneath it. Malcolm finally dropped the last five feet; he faced her and held his hands out, smiling as if he were a magician. The woman was simply flawless in all her features. She sported a blue athletic tank-top that matched her grey athletic shorts. Her freckled complexion was hardly noticeable, and it was buried beneath a layer of sweat. A set of earpieces were safely wrapped around her neck for stability and an old iPod was tapped to her shoulder. ¡°Should I applaud?¡± she asked. ¡°Please don¡¯t¡± Malcolm said. ¡°You gonna introduce yourself?¡± ¡°I already spoke first.¡± He held his hand out. ¡°Technically, my name is Malcolm¡­¡± She shook his hand. ¡°In the Middle?¡± she smirked. It was just funny enough for him to puff air out his nose. ¡°Between two parents. Both deceased.¡± He kicked himself for opening with that. ¡°Same.¡± Malcolm was surprised. ¡°You¡¯re an only child too?¡± ¡°No¡­About my parents¡­¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Malcolm tried to appease. ¡°My bad!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, really. I only told you cause it¡¯s mutual.¡± ¡°Yea, I kind of figured people don¡¯t open with that.¡± Malcolm scratched the back of his head. She shrugged. ¡°Typically, not.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°I-I never got your name?¡± He pressed the conversation forward as they started to walk towards an intersection in the trails. ¡°Sally.¡± She cocked her head with just a tilt. ¡°Do you usually stare into the trees when you run?¡± ¡°Is that coming from the guy sitting up there for no reason?¡± She joked. ¡°Just think it¡¯s kind of funny.¡± Malcolm imitated a runner with his neck craned all the way facing the sky. She seemed to find it amusing enough. ¡°Well, if I wasn¡¯t gonna enjoy the scenery then I¡¯d just sign up for a gym.¡± ¡°Oh God no! Don¡¯t do that!¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°Treadmills are for fat people who want to feel like they¡¯re having an adventure.¡± That she found funny. ¡°You¡¯re an amusing singer by the way.¡± ¡°¡­I was singing?¡± Malcolm was embarrassed. ¡°Not loudly. But trust me, anyone would¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± ¡°I thought I recognized the song.¡± ¡°It was Avenged Sevenfold.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°That, sir,¡± she poked his shoulder, ¡°Is a band.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the one about a wacky author, ¡®Bat County.¡± She blinked. ¡°I think I know it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a fan?¡± She shook her head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that, but Dad certainly was.¡± Malcolm was curious. ¡°He ever take you to concerts growing up?¡± ¡°Here and there.¡± She nodded. ¡°You?¡± Malcolm almost stammered. ¡°He¡­never took the time. Honestly? I¡¯m going to my first concert tonight.¡± She raised a brow. ¡°Seriously?¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Hang on¡­¡± She raised her finger. ¡°Is it the one across from the stadium?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± ¡°Oh wow!¡± Malcolm thought she was being sarcastic. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yea!¡± She applauded. ¡°For a first-time concert goer, they¡¯re a good one!¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Malcolm figured it was best to continue with the topic. ¡°¡­It honestly wasn¡¯t our first choice. But we had to settle on a venue, weeks in advance, so we hashed it out¡­¡± ¡°So, who did you want to see?¡± Malcolm hesitated. ¡°¡­Sum Forty-One...¡± ¡°I see!¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°Yea, the guys called me emo for it.¡± ¡°And they wanted to see?¡± Malcolm cocked his head as he droned on. ¡°¡­Well, my battle-buddy wanted to see Metallica but he got outvoted." ¡°You called him your what?¡± ¡°My ¡®battle-buddy.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°It¡¯s an army thing.¡± ¡°Oh wow!¡± She spoke. ¡°I can see why you¡¯re staying in shape!¡± ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Malcolm was fighting the stammering. ¡°So does ¡®battle-buddy¡¯ mean you¡¯re on the front lines?¡± ¡°Sure thing!¡± ¡°What are you exactly?¡± ¡°Second Division, First Battalion. I¡¯m a Sergeant with November Company.¡± Malcolm scratched his head. ¡°The ugh¡­¡®Fuckleheads¡¯ as we¡¯re loosely called.¡± That made her laugh. ¡°Who came up with that!?¡± ¡°Name stuck long before I showed up¡­¡± ¡°Do these wacky nicknames permeate the ranks?¡± ¡°Not if you¡¯re a high officer.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°You¡¯re liable to get your ass chewed out by them.¡± Malcolm internally kicked himself over the debauched analogy. She laughed regardless. They had long since entered a trail into a small bayou and the gators could be seen in the swamps adjacent to them. She had taken notice and shifted herself rightward, close to Malcolm¡¯s shoulder. ¡°And you¡¯re called?¡± ¡°M-Malcolm. My sir name is Nelson, if that¡¯s what you mean.¡± ¡°No, what do your buddies call you? You said you¡¯re not an officer so you must have one.¡± ¡°Are we playing Twenty Questions?¡± She fluttered her eyes. ¡°I suppose I¡¯m not giving you a fair shot. What would you like to ask me?¡± ¡°¡­Well¡­What do you do?¡± She seemed to hesitate. ¡°¡­I¡¯m a dancer¡­¡± Malcolm gasped. ¡°Oh! Ballet?¡± ¡°When I was little.¡± ¡°But not anymore?¡± She shook her head. ¡°Not since I turned sixteen.¡± ¡°But you still dance though. That what you stay in shape for?¡± ¡°My turn for questions!¡± She deflected. Malcolm nodded. ¡°Very well...¡± ¡°Where did you serve?¡± ¡°I did a little of this and a little of that in both wars.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°You¡¯ve seen the Middle East?¡± ¡°Sure have. I¡¯ve even seen the original film sites for Star Wars.¡± He chose to boast. ¡°They filmed on location?¡± ¡°The original trilogy? Yea.¡± ¡°Did you see the pyramids too?¡± ¡°Those are in Egypt.¡± Malcolm corrected. ¡°I haven¡¯t been.¡± Her embarrassment was apparent with a shrug. ¡°I guess I got my countries confused. I could swear we were involved with North Africa.¡± Malcolm kept on talking. ¡°Well, we regime-changed Egypt just before Ghaddafi in Libya but those weren¡¯t invasions.¡± She didn¡¯t seem interested in Politics. ¡°The reason I brought them up, the pyramids, I mean¡­I used to think Aliens helped build them¡­¡± Malcolm guffawed. ¡°Oh, good Lord! You watch the modern History Channel!¡± Sarah raised her hands and smiled. ¡°I used to think that¡­¡± Malcolm was only half paying attention. ¡°I remember when we were growing up, they used to air stuff like ¡®Decisive Battles¡¯ and ¡®Dogfights¡¯. You know? Shit that was more entertaining than the cartoons!¡± She rolled her eyes to the top of her head as she grinned. She then returned eye contact. ¡°¡­Ask me something.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes darted around. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t count. I¡¯ll let you try again.¡± ¡°¡­Okay¡­You never told me what you¡¯re staying in shape for. What kind of dancer are you?¡± ¡°Hmmm. I was worried you¡¯d ask that.¡± ¡°Touchy subject?¡± ¡°No¡­I just should¡¯ve been prepared.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be. I only bring it on myself.¡± ¡°I can just¡­¡± Malcolm kept stammering. ¡°Is this your favorite park or is there another you frequent? Not that I wish you were there instead of here!¡± Her head dropped to her feet as she laughed. ¡°Your already sweeter than my clients¡­¡± ¡°Wait a minute, I thought you said you were a dancer? You get clients?¡± ¡°Well yes...That¡¯s the business.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re into real estate or something like that?¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°I guess I wasn¡¯t specific enough. I was asking about your job, not your hobby!¡± ¡°...You asked what I stay in shape for¡­¡± ¡°¡­I did.¡± Malcolm fluttered. She parted a strand of hair from her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s a bit embarrassing.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°It can¡¯t be more awkward than what I¡¯ve done.¡± Her eyes pleasantly rolled. ¡°Well, the people that ask for me, tip better when I¡¯m fit.¡± Malcolm almost gasped. ¡°Wait a minute¡­Oh¡­¡± ¡°Yep.¡± She nodded. ¡°Night Dancing tends to be demanding.¡± Malcolm made himself nod in solidarity. ¡°Yea, I¡¯m not one to judge at face value.¡± She blinked twice. ¡°Really.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°I mean, as a soldier you get called ¡®Hero¡¯ or a ¡®Motherfucker¡¯ so often that I don¡¯t believe in these as a constant.¡± She pursed her lips before beginning to nod. ¡°That¡¯s interesting¡­¡± Malcolm nodded back. ¡°Human Nature is too convoluted for that bullshit; morality all relative to time and conditions.¡± She grinned harder. ¡°My baby-daddy has it in him to be good¡­when he¡¯s off the meth of course!¡± ¡°Exactly-¡­¡± Malcolm almost gasped. ¡°You¡¯re a mother?¡± She nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve got a set of twins.¡± Malcolm almost reeled. ¡°Holy shit, you look great!¡± ¡°Thanks¡­¡± She responded, then halted. ¡°Your eyes look like hazelnuts.¡± Malcolm cocked his head as he paused. ¡°Thanks¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not being clich¨¦ here¡­¡± She laughed. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯ve got Nutella in your head!¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Malcolm was flustered. ¡°¡­Your shoulders are pronounced. I can tell you¡¯re not all-cardio.¡± He thought he could stop his face from flushing. She laughed again. ¡°Are you trying to compliment my muscles?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°¡­Yours are built like a basketball star¡­¡± Her eyes fluttered. ¡°Maybe¡­We could meet up where I go to lift?¡± Malcolm¡¯s head cocked again. ¡°You want me as your spotter?¡± Her head shook. ¡°I could spot you a drink afterward¡­¡± Malcolm thought for a moment. ¡°What about your kids? How many drinks are we talking here?¡± ¡°¡­My baby-daddy and I are on open terms. He can keep an eye on them.¡± She kept smiling. Malcolm almost winced. ¡°You¡¯d leave your kids with that meth head?¡± She shook her head. ¡°They don¡¯t know¡­A girl¡¯s gotta have a night to herself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t I interrupt that?¡± Malcolm asked. She closed in on him. ¡°You¡¯d enhance it.¡± She kissed Malcolm without warning as a hand grabbed his ass. Malcolm yanked her around him as he slamed into the ground. He broke her neck and the only sound that could be heard was the liquidating snap of her Cervical Plexus, a sound which sent Malcolm''s heart cold. He turned over and looked at the woman''s neck, bent at a ninety-degree angle, and her face was paralyzed with surprise. Malcolm wiped the sweat from his brow and the breathing exercises Meryl taught him returned to his mind. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and now the path was all a blur. Moments later, the thought of people happening across nearly sent Malcolm¡¯s heart rate through the roof all over again. His sensations were finally returning to him, as was his vision; he was alone for now. He stood up and looking at his work for a brief second, Malcolm grabbed one arm, one leg, and hoisted the body over his shoulders. He moved just slow enough to spot snakes in the grass as he walked to the swamp that was behind them. He simply tossed the carcass far enough for the crocodiles. Malcolm returned to the scene and scuffed the patterns with his shoe. After one more surveyance to confirm that he was still alone, he broke into the sprint of his life. Malcolm emerged into the parking lot with sweat dripping from his head and fingers like a saturated vine. When his feet skid to a halt, he found himself having to look for his Sierra. His thirst hit him so hard that he nearly collapsed. He fought through another head rush, hoping that no one would ask him how he felt. The sight of his Sierra was occupying the blur in his vision. He scrambled for an additional coconut water as he climbed into the Sierra; Malcolm chugged it as he used the key in the ignition. He finally realized that the time was one-fifteen thanks to the dashboard, it also blared the same news reports; Malcolm shut the radio off. As Malcolm blinked, he was ten minutes away from the Waste Connection and the time was nearly four. There was still the afterglow of his Carnal Beast. ...You shouldn¡¯t have done that...You made a mistake, and you fucking know it! ¡­That bitch let an active Meth head raise her child! She didn¡¯t once ask about my marriage! You¡¯re not wearing your ring, JACKASS! ¡­I was trying to vent before she showed up¡­She shouldn¡¯t have interrupted me! You can¡¯t pick up on a social que to save your life, so you KILL someone over it?! ¡­I-It was just a slip up! I snapped- Oh, you snapped alright! ¡­I¡¯m saying, ¡®That¡¯s it!'' That¡¯s exactly what you said to yourself after the Jehovah boys! ¡­THAT was the last! THIS was a fluke! So, we must factor out the ¡®accidentals¡¯ right? That¡¯s at least a quarter of your spree right there! ¡­I have a reason to stop it¡­after this last time¡­ Ahh yes, the Junkie¡¯s Dilemma! Otherwise known as the Definition of Insanity! ¡®Oh, I¡¯ll be fine after this next fix. Never mind, one more will do me in. I¡¯m sorry, this NEXT time things will change.¡¯ ¡­I know myself better than you¡­ ...You realize that you¡¯re talking to yourself, right? ¡­I¡¯m not insane¡­I can¡¯t be if I¡¯m thinking it¡­can I? Which would mean you¡¯re completely sane and you just snapped a poor woman¡¯s neck in two. Why? ¡­Why am I treating myself like we¡¯re in armchair therapy? You¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t want to admit he¡¯s a fucking lunatic. So, how¡¯re you gonna respond to the Victim Statements? ¡­It¡¯s not gonna come to that¡­ Yes, no matter what goes wrong, nothing will go wrong. I believe Ted Bundy said something about falling under that spell¡­ ¡­We are not comparing ourselves to that freak. Why not? Because you don¡¯t keep heads in the fridge anymore? WE don¡¯t! Oh, believe me¡­I had nothing to do with any of that. Are you supposed to be my conscience? Because you¡¯re doing a shitty job! You¡¯ve got that wife you haven¡¯t bludgeoned¡­Don¡¯t you? How is it you think that you think you even won her to begin with? That¡¯s because of your trusted translator! You think you can keep them if you don''t stop these fucking murders. You think it¡¯s you operating the wheel right now? Look at the sign¡­ It was the Harahan Suburbs and he arrived at the stroke of five. Malcolm, in a near panic, reached into the passenger¡¯s seat. When he looked over the duffle bag was gone. He looked over his shoulder to see an empty truck bed. To his front, the right turn to the cul-de-sac was upon him. Malcolm nearly missed it, taking the turn at a sharp angle, and there was his house at the center. There was still silence as he pulled into the driveway and set the truck to park. It was by now Malcolm noticed that he was still perspiring. He had nothing to wipe his brow and was positively dripping. He exited the Sierra and sauntered his way over to the front door. He stepped into a living room where Meryl sat on the couch wearing a matching set of black and red pajamas for her lazy day with Connor, who was snuggled into her. ¡°Hey Mal,¡± She looked over and spoke. ¡°I can tell you got your run in.¡± Malcolm stepped into the living room to see she was watching John Carpenter¡¯s ¡®The Thing.¡¯ He paused and motioned to the newborn, ¡°Really?¡± She waved him down. ¡°He¡¯s not gonna pay attention.¡± Malcolm nodded sarcastically. ¡°So this is okay but-¡° ¡°Don¡¯t you have to get ready for a concert? Go shower!¡± ¡°I-¡­Okay.¡± Malcolm did an about face and went down the hall. Malcolm stood dissociated until he saw Meryl moving into the kitchen while Connor cooed at a paused TV. Slowly, Malcolm entered the kitchen undetected. He shocked Meryl when his trembling hands wrapped around her waist, and he voraciously began to kiss her neck. ¡°The boy is around the corner Mal!¡± ¡°He don¡¯t know...¡± Malcolm moaned as he unzipped his pants. ¡°He won¡¯t see...¡± He was already caressing her breasts by the time she gave in. *** After leaving the house at six-ten, Malcolm expected the traffic to be egregious and he had been kicking himself for not leaving the house sooner. To his pleasant surprise, he was three turns away from the parking garage for the concert at Six Forty-Five. It was immediately that Malcolm withdrew his phone and dialed Javier. ¡°Where are you, asshat?¡± Javier demanded. ¡°I¡¯m pulling into the garage now.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°We had to put the grill up, so we took our seats early.¡± ¡°Shit. I¡¯m coming.¡± ¡°You¡¯re only missing the opening act.¡± Javier assured. ¡°It ain¡¯t much.¡± ¡°You better applaud for the underdog.¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°I¡¯ll be in soon.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting at the door for you.¡± And it was not soon enough, especially since Malcolm had struggled to find a parking space. He found himself rushing to the front of the building at after Seven. Javier honored his promise and awaited Malcolm with eager anticipation. ¡°Dude! Where¡¯s Meryl?¡± He asked. ¡°We couldn¡¯t get a babysitter.¡± ¡°Well damn!!¡± They met, locking forearms before they slid across and shook hands. Javier snapped his fingers for an encore. ¡°So, what you been doing?¡± ¡°Uh, fucking.¡± Malcolm crudely responded. ¡°Still? With a baby in the house?¡± Javier wrapped his arm around Malcolm¡¯s neck. They were in the middle of a relatively empty entrance lobby and Malcolm could hear the first set of songs through the walls. They approached the greeter and Javier flashed both tickets. The employee ripped the stub of Malcolm¡¯s ticket and Javier thanked the teenager with a gracious tip of five dollars. They passed into the theatre, between the left and center columns of packed seats and proceeded down the row. The only illumination to the room packed with hundreds, was the colored LEDs that shined from both the tech booth and onstage. The singer was filling the center of the stage with his presence and Malcolm was struck with a wonderous awe. As Malcolm and Javier moved to the front of the row, they could see Rosie sitting to the left of Kenneth and his mystery woman, who was also sitting to the left of Harvey Daniels and his wife, Sandra. And as Malcolm sat down with an empty chair to his left, he could see the singer had taken notice of him. Malcolm froze in his seat as he shared a moment with him. There the man was, using Malcolm¡¯s presence to direct his movements instead of distracting from them. He anticipated a hand to hold out, to which Malcolm would have certainly jumped on stage. Linkin Park was in its breakdown leading into the chorus. ¡°¡­I¡¯m Breaking the Habit¡­ ¡­Tonight!!!¡± Chapter 21: Panicked Stampede ¡°She¡¯s lived in Plato¡¯s cave, staring at the shadows on the wall. Now she¡¯s been turned around to face the fire.¡±¨D M.R. Carey Malcolm¡¯s vision was foggy and the sounds around him were muffled; he was accompanied by a sensation of dizziness. His ability to think was completely halted, save for flashes of Daniels¡¯ and his rage filled eyes. Suddenly, Malcolm felt like he was beaming from someone else¡¯s life; it was the life of a man deemed a failure and a mutant. Suddenly, Malcolm was looking down on himself inside the Visitor Center. Malcolm¡¯s heart began racing and his fingers began twitching while he sank from the ceiling. It was as if Malcolm was falling to Hell beneath his previous paradise; then he realized the year was 2019; he briefly felt his family with him... Malcolm, snap out of it! It was there he stood on the tracks outside of the Infiltration Tunnel as Clairet¡¯s Platoon fell out. She stood adjacent to Malcolm with the detonator in hand. ¡°Captain¡­¡± her fists remained clenched. ¡°How the fuck could you do this?!¡± The lightheadedness was still subsiding when Malcolm eyed her. He could not read her expression beneath the surgical mask, but her anger was obvious in tone. ¡°You know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± he uttered. ¡°You fucking Murdered those people!¡± Clairet barked in French. ¡°Those were our soldiers!¡± Malcolm shut his eyes as a new headrush took him. ¡°Fucking answer me already!¡± Malcolm seethed in French. ¡°It¡¯s a fucking Zombie outbreak!¡± He passively demanded the detonator as Clairet eyes glared in disgust at him, she relented and slowly handed it to him. Like a baton, Malcolm twirled it in his hand and hit the trigger. The explosions came in an instantaneous sequence from the inside of the cave to the base of the mouth. Malcolm marked the second the dust cloud formed and handed the detonator back to his Lieutenant. ¡°Go get on the helicopter.¡± Clairet stepped back and turned around, disappearing into the evacuating troops. The Visitor¡¯s Center was a quarter empty by this point as the rest of both companies fell into the parking lot, gathering only what they could carry. ¡°That¡¯s it! Get going!¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°Schnell! Schnell!¡± Hardly more than three squads moved beneath him. They all were hustling up the ramp and seeking their backpacks among the inside campsites. Everywhere Malcolm looked, tents and crates were left where they were set. Just beyond the windows were two Chinooks set with their motors running in the outer parking lot. They appeared to already be packed with up to fifty soldiers each and were getting ready for takeoff. ¡°Johnson, you and your boys on the chopper? Over.¡± Malcolm asked through his earpiece. ¡°We¡¯re soon to be up and adam!¡± Kenneth radioed back. ¡°I heard an explosion. Over.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°You did.¡± ¡°Good¡­We did the right thing Spacey. Over and out.¡± ¡°Copy that.¡± Malcolm held his Crystal by his side. He decided that he ought to see how much was being left behind. He walked over to the center encampment. Troops were still grabbing their luggage and nothing more. The tents, the sleeping bags and the supply crates were being deserted for the first group of vagabonds to happen by. Malcolm followed them outside; the first Chinook was in the process of taking off and one out of an additional three that were circling overhead landed in its place. Its back shudders opened and a volley of troops from both companies filed inside. It struck Malcolm that he wanted another cigarette, but Beauregard was nowhere to be found. The parking lot hardly had more than a hundred soldiers left, and the perimeter guards were to be the last ones loaded; Malcolm resolved to be on the helicopter after them. He was finally the last on the fifth Chinook after an egregious waiting process ended. Only a spare twenty needed to occupy the last helicopter and the Chinook¡¯s escort banged the front interior to signal the pilot that they were ready for takeoff. Malcolm stared out the closing shutters into the ghostly remains of his company¡¯s encampment. He leaned against the front-right window with his knee resting on the bench and watched as the parking lot became an ant beneath this feat of American Ingenuity. The chopper climbed high into the sky before banking south in the direction of Camp Stanley. Malcolm was shocked, but not surprised, to see the Korean countryside engulfed in the blackout. As they passed over Dongducheon, the only illumination he could make through his little portal were thousands of headlights collaged with the occasional flame of a building or gas station. Many of these cars he could tell had been turned over or wrecked by some other means. These dots of lights painted the silhouettes of countless civilians seemingly fighting or fleeing. The sight was only accompanied by the humming of the Chinook propellers. Parallel to them were scores of other helicopter lights of different configurations assembling in a haphazard battle formation as they cut across the sky. Malcolm finally broke from staring out the window to notice that the other soldiers who looked up to him, were also staring out various portals. When Malcolm checked his watch, the time was close to Ten. When he looked out the Chinook¡¯s let side porthole, the city sat in silent smoke as fires pockmarked the black silhouettes. The horizon disappeared as the Chinook descended at Camp Stanley Airfield. Malcolm took notice of the mob of four hundred soldiers waiting on the grass field by the side of the airfield; hundreds more civilians crowded outside the fence lines. The Chinook landed its feet on the airfield, its propellers came to a slow rotation and its shutter door opened. Malcolm was the first out and in front of him was where the crowd now stood. They rested on their duffle bags for pillows or stood with anticipation. All gathered themselves together and were now moving past Malcolm, swapping spaces with his people on the Chinook. As Malcolm rounded the corner, the mechanics were rushing out from the base with pumps to refill the helicopters. Both he and his unit grouped together as they walked across the runway and were taken aback as the Camp Garrison rushed out in scores to redirect them into the mass of soldiers in the field behind them. They bore their weapons and modern gas masks while shouting at Malcolm¡¯s companies. The cap of a base captain revealed itself to Malcolm, the officer was berating her subordinates and following this with a repetition of the same commands. ¡°Get back and wait for Evac!¡± Malcolm looked at the captain¡¯s tag while moving towards her; two privates made feeble attempts to press him back; all while they repeated variation of the captain¡¯s orders. ¡°Casper!¡± Malcolm bellowed. ¡°Look at me!¡± On his whim. she acknowledged him, ¡°Sir, you need to step-¡° ¡°Captain Malcolm Nelson, November and Bravo companies, Second Division, First Battalion!¡± ¡°You¡¯re sequestered from the rest of the base! This goes for all the evacuees!¡± ¡°By whose authority!?¡± Malcolm shouted. ¡°General Abrams!¡± Malcolm waved his hands in frustration. ¡°My boys have been through hell out there and Bravo lost their Captain! So now you point guns at us!?¡± ¡°Every Company has lost people!¡± ¡°You have the slightest idea what we¡¯ve had to do!?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes blackened. ¡°NO EXCEPTIONS¡± Casper held her hand forward. ¡°Get back!¡± ¡°We¡¯re evacuating, I got a family to protect AND I told my people they could speak to their families!¡± Malcolm¡¯s face flushed. ¡°Let me in to see the Colonel!¡± She seemed ready to draw her own gun at this point. ¡°MY major said no-one gets in! End of discussion!¡± Malcolm eyed her hand which was on her holster, ¡°Are you seriously thinking of drawing on me?¡± ¡°We¡¯re authorized to use force! You don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve seen and I¡¯m NOT letting it in the camp!¡± Malcolm lowered his surgical mask. ¡°It¡¯s all around us! Look around you and stop pointing at your fucking comrades!¡± ¡°All of you are under quarantine until you can be evacuated to the fleet!¡± ¡°GODDAMMIT!¡± Malcolm closed in on her, peeling his eyelids back beneath the headlights. ¡°Look at me! I¡¯m not sick!¡± She shoved him in response, her sidearm was at his head now and Malcolm took this offense with ventilated hostility. She shouted, ¡°I¡¯ll put a bullet in your goddamn head! Don¡¯t try me twice!¡± ¡°My people get out of here!¡± Malcolm hissed. ¡°Sir, the choppers are already loading!¡± ¡°Then put them on the next chopper!¡± He demanded. ¡°First in, first out! That¡¯s the arrangement! You can¡¯t¡­¡± Her rebuttal was cut off by a suddenly loud clanging, immediately followed disjointed onslaught of rifle fire. Everyone about faced to see the hundreds of men in the field springing into action. They fled in panic, or they joined in the rifle fire. Malcolm took notice that some were firing at the shrubs behind them as a truck had run down the fence; civilians were now pouring through. The grunts were firing towards the center, and others in their confusion, shot at any direction. A state of total unit collapse broke out among the ranks as soldiers were cut down by accidental friendly fire. Malcolm found a single soldier to hone his eyes on. He was kneeling over his duffle bag, loading his rifle. When he stood, he had time to fire but a single burst before a runner wearing American Camo tackled him from behind. There was screaming, there was his scream out of many dozens. ¡°WEAPONS FREE! WEAPONS FREE!¡± The Base garrison rushed past Malcolm¡¯s Companies and took positions in a disorganized two-line system where one knelt and the other stood. In harmony, they began to unload their chambers into the mass of troops as the Chinooks took off. The rules-of-engagement treated every man and woman as expendable, regardless of uniform. Malcolm and his companions stood back as scores of fleeing troops were seamlessly chopped to pieces by the flaying rounds. ¡°EVERYONE FALL BACK!¡± Malcolm bellowed. Casper¡¯s response was to turn the pistol she was firing in Malcolm¡¯s direction. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Malcolm grabbed her wrist, spun her, and proceeded to flip her off her feet. She landed on her back and Malcolm successfully had her arm twisted at the shoulder. She screamed beneath the gas mask as Malcolm yanked her up and ripped the mask off her head. He finished by tossing her contorted arm against her. Having equipped the gasmask, he grabbed Casper¡¯s pistol magazine and left with his two companies, and more than half the garrison chose to flee with Malcolm¡¯s. Scores of troops splintered off into the airbase as its emergency siren blared the night loudly, others made their way down the runway, Malcolm and his imminent pack poured across the grass to the airbase¡¯s adjacent end. From there they continued to run through buildings that had not been allocated spare electricity from the base generators. Malcolm splintered again from the Troops and cut through some shrubberies. He emerged into a smaller grass yard at the same time as the blaring of the base emergency siren. At this point, he slowed to a jogger¡¯s pace until he emerged out the other end of the yard. Now, Malcolm had no clue where he was. ¡°Hey dummy!¡± a familiar voice called from behind. Malcolm about faced and spotted Lieutenant Liam Campbell in the bushes. ¡°I saw that!¡± he spoke. ¡°Are you about to start with me now of all times!?¡± Malcolm barked beneath his gas mask. ¡°She was about to shoot me!¡± Liam was red-faced. ¡°You can¡¯t do whatever you want!¡± ¡°She shot at those grunts! End of discussion, Lieutenant!¡± Liam shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend you care about that.¡± ¡°I would¡¯ve fed her to the fucking wolves! I am NOT dying out here!¡± Malcolm willed the conversation over and faced his situation once again. There was not a single civilian in sight as the soldiers¡¯ families would be the first to evacuate. When Malcolm looked to his right, he could see a road and the headlights for a convoy accelerating past. ¡°We got to find Clairet!¡± Liam shouted. ¡°I have to find my men and we need to find a rally point!¡± Malcolm¡¯s head hurt. ¡°Shut up! Let me think!¡± Liam winced. ¡°Yea I hate seeing those ¡®thoughts!¡¯ You know they¡¯re gonna die without us!¡± ¡°They can catch a ride!¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to do!¡± ¡°I just watched you fight to get them on the next helicopter!¡± Liam yelled. ¡°You care about them; why did you splinter off?!¡± Malcolm hesitated then unknowingly stammered. ¡°...The Dead weren¡¯t through yet!¡± Liam squinted. ¡°You think being a soldier is suddenly over just because the Dead are walking!¡± Malcolm hid his guffaw, ¡°Everything¡¯s falling apart!¡± ¡°It takes us five seconds to do the right thing, Malcolm!¡± Liam retorted. ¡°If they stay here, they¡¯ll die! If they go out there?! They get dispersed into the chaos and are torn limb from limb! Why don¡¯t you learn a thing or two from your time with Meryl and¡­¡± Malcolm had tackled Liam and was holding him by the throat; barely squeezing. ¡°Say her name again!¡± Malcolm snarled beneath distant screams. ¡°Justify me this one time!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve no responsibility?! Think you and your family is better than everyone else¡¯s?¡± Liam croaked a laugh. ¡°It¡¯s fucking lonely at that peak Malcolm¡­especially when you let everyone drown beneath you!¡± Something in Malcolm was stopping him from breaking Liam¡¯s neck, there was no waking the Carnal Beast to inspire a new Act. ¡°...Goddamnit!¡± Malcolm screamed as he released Liam. He stood and tapped his transmitter. ¡°This is Captain Nelson calling all personnel of November and Bravo Companies! If you are receiving this, rally at the HQ for evacuation! I repeat! Rally at the HQ for evacuation! Over and out!¡± They emerged into the base¡¯s main road. They could witness two apartments where a fire team of two soldiers fleeing the opposite alley. They were panicking as one sprayed his automatic magazine at two berserkers in South Korean Camo. The soldier¡¯s bullets riddled the Berserkers as they charged, yet one was nearly upon him. Malcolm had been sprinting to the scene, he smashed the Berserker with the stalk of his rifle and fired a burst into the foot of the other. The former South Korean fell with a spraying black stump on its leg as Malcolm stomped the other Berserker¡¯s head twice to cave it with his boot. A final rifle burst put the second Berserker to rest. Seemingly clear, the two privates were frozen as Malcolm turned to face them with black blood rising his shin. ¡°On me! We''re not sick!¡± Two privates froze and mushed their way into the passenger and back seat of the Humvee. Malcolm could see the drivv er and signaled for him to get in the back. Malcolm entered the Humvee as the driver climbed into the minigun emplacement and Liam entered the left-hand back seat. ¡°HQ? Where is it?¡± Malcolm barked. A Private named Cable struggled to get his seatbelt on. ¡°It¡¯s locked down, sir!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a fuck! They can shoot me!¡± ¡°But we¡¯re supposed to evacuate to Incheon!¡± He protested. Malcolm grabbed the private¡¯s collar, ¡°HQ IS HOW WE¡¯RE LEAVING!¡± ¡°...It¡¯s just around the corner!¡± Malcolm revved the Humvee and took off. ¡°Second left turn!¡± Malcolm slapped the minigun private in the leg. ¡°You catch anybody shooting at us you light them up!¡± Malcolm sped through the base dodging squads of fleeing soldiers and the occasional gunfight with Berserkers. Malcolm saw the turn and the traffic gates were lowered and four riflemen stood adjacent. At high speeds he banked right and shifted a hard left, breaking through the traffic gate and forcing the troops to duck out of his path. They pulled into a parking lot with trucks loading in the front of a staircase leading to the doorway. At least one squad of soldiers were aiming their guns at Malcolm and his fire team when he emerged from the door. He held both hands in the air and circled around the Humvee, walking towards them without a confirmation from their end. ¡°HOLD FIRE HOLD FIRE!¡± ¡°THAT¡¯S CLOSE ENOUGH!¡± A voice bellowed beneath the static of echoing gunfire. ¡°GO GET THE COLONEL!¡± Malcolm commanded as he proceeded. ¡°BEFORE WE ALL DIE!¡± ¡°WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU!?¡± ¡°SOMEONE WHO OUTRANKS YOU!¡± Malcolm was confident enough to drop his hands now. He was in arms reach of the first grunts by now. ¡°The Colonel and his support staff are evacuating first!¡± the officer spoke. ¡°Well, I¡¯m his guest!¡± Malcolm and his fire team were moving past the convoy and marched up the staircase. Malcolm, along with his fire team, found the stairs and ascended the building. A squad of masked troops along with general support staff descended the case and on the fourth floor, Malcolm emerged in a dense hallway which was dimly lit. He could hear the voices coming from beyond the corridor. He turned and greeted Colonel McElroy with his auxiliary staff of Warrant officers and Majors. ¡°McElroy!¡± Malcolm bellowed down the hallway. ¡°Care to explain all this to me?!¡± The grey Colonel of sixty years of age tried to rub his nose through the mask as they approached. ¡°Christ Nelson! This war just started¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯re not at war; this is an outbreak!¡± Malcolm raised a finger ¡°Do NOT bullshit me!¡± ¡°Nelson, what do you expect me to tell you?¡± ¡°I expect you bring me more helicopters while you tell me what the fuck the Chinese have been talking to us about!¡± The Colonel blinked. ¡°And what right do you have to that?¡± Malcolm was snide. ¡°Because we all got a right to know what¡¯s happening out there!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have you on that chopper in chains if you don¡¯t tow yourself properly.¡± ¡°Like we¡¯ll be putting anybody in jail during all this?¡± Malcolm snarked. ¡°My major promised me a goddamn debrief! He said, ¡®The Chinese are finally talking to us.¡¯ Tell me right now or I¡¯ll keep us until the Dead charge up those stairs!¡± McElroy¡¯s expression was blank beneath the gasmask, but the eye contact created a resonating tension between every subordinate in the hallway. ¡°Fine.¡± He relented. ¡°That way. Move it!¡± Malcolm, Liam, and the fire team parted for McElroy¡¯s group to continue; Malcolm waited until he was parallel to McElroy before he turned around and they walked at a hurried pace. ¡°You think they¡¯re really dead?¡± the Colonel genuinely asked. ¡°The infected?¡± Malcolm almost smiled with relief. ¡°So, it is the Flu cases.¡± ¡°Yea, and no one seems to be immune to it.¡± McElroy returned to his question. ¡°You called them ¡®the Dead?¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°It¡¯s exactly like the movies so far.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen infected people who died, come back anyway.¡± McElroy almost paused to rub the bridge of his nose again, again he forgot about the gasmask. They made a turn, found themselves in the stairwell, and started rushing to the roof. ¡°...The Flu infections were skyrocketing since this morning, then Emergency Service calls blew up¡­We had no idea something was wrong until Yongsan raised the alarm bells. The situation in Seoul has plummeted from bad to worse since nineteen hundred. Our boys in Panmunjom got swarmed by hostiles, we barely got any of them out alive¡­¡± ¡°What did Yongsan report?¡± ¡°First thing we heard was to cut off the intersections around the base. Once Seoul police set that perimeter up, it already had to be expanded. The last broadcast from Yongsan was a jumble of gunfire, followed by someone screaming ¡®Bomb the area.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Liam asked. ¡°By now, the news has plenty of footage.¡± McElroy affirmed. ¡°If we ever get a chance to sift through the remains, then we¡¯ll know exactly how it started. Once the mob hit our forces in Panmunjom, the Chinese started talking and we¡¯ve been realizing how fucked the situation is all night. General Abrams ordered the shutdown of every electric grid and power plant to curb civilian migration. Obviously, it was too late.¡± ¡°I sent one of my medics to Camp Casey before the blackout. This was literally the last I heard anything. Before I knew it, we were hightailed here.¡± ¡°The primary personnel pulled out before we lost all contact with Casey.¡± McElroy answered. They came upon the final door and the man taking point kicked it open and moved with his gun drawn. The group emerged on the rooftop and the sound of automatic fire and helicopter propellers could be heard. A chinook was parked in the center of the roof and a fire team stood by the ramp. Malcolm maintained his position by McElroy¡¯s three o¡¯clock. Liam spoke up again ¡°Are we just abandoning every base?¡± ¡°The Evacuation Order is Alpha!¡± They halted by the ramp as the entourage loaded themselves. Malcolm squinted. ¡°So, the Koreans are on their own?¡± ¡°The blight doesn¡¯t spread too far south; they¡¯re erecting quarantine zones in and around Busan!¡± ¡°You¡¯re leaving them to die!¡± Liam shouted past Malcolm¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Watch it!¡± McElroy barked. ¡°Between the riots and the outbreaks, the U.S. is fucking Pandemonium!¡± Malcolm felt a gut-punch with the last bit of information. ¡°You¡¯re telling me that its already global¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you that if we don¡¯t pool our surviving forces, there¡¯s no quarantining this peninsula! Now quit arguing with me and get on the chopper! Washington has given the greenlight, the outbreak centers are getting cindered by the air force as soon as we get join our troops with the fleets!¡± ¡°Would we do that to our own cities?!¡± Liam demanded. McElroy huffed. ¡°The cities are devolving; the civilians are caught in the black and anyone who¡¯s infected is rampaging!¡± ¡°You¡¯re panicking!¡± Liam shouted; Malcolm was doing his best to not acknowledge it. ¡°You¡¯re not the first to tell me dead people have been coming back anyway! If everyone can succumb to the infection, then the situation will devolve quicker than the movies! We bottleneck their numbers as the Southern government relocates to Busan and they might come out the other end of this! Now get on the goddamn helicopter!¡± Malcolm took a step forward and was cut off by a tug on his shoulder. Liam was pleading. ¡°Everyone¡¯s gonna die if we leave them behind!¡± Malcolm looked Liam in the eye and Liam parted to approach the ledge of the roof. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± Malcolm started over to where Liam stood. ¡°Nelson!¡± McElroy called out. ¡°Get away from there!¡± Malcolm was next to Liam, and he could see scores of troops running towards the building from the other end of the parking lot. Malcolm looked at Liam, who stared back. Liam¡¯s expression turned to grimace, and he cranked the chamber of his AR-Fifteen; he turned around and sprinted back down the stairwell. ¡°GODDAMMIT!¡± Malcolm shouted. He looked back to the fire team that accompanied him, who stood indecisively, and he turned back to McElroy. ¡°GET MORE CHOPPERS OVER HERE ASAP!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t make that promise captain! The Airforce is minutes away from Hammer down!¡± ¡°FIGURE IT OUT!¡± was Malcolm¡¯s retort. He turned back to the two grunts who accompanied him. ¡°Well? Stay or go!¡± ¡°We¡¯re with you sir!¡± Said Cable; the other private named Henrick slowly nodded in agreement. Malcolm turned to McElroy. ¡°DON¡¯T STAY AND WATCH! GET US THOSE CHOPPERS!¡± With an acknowledgement, the Colonel turned around and ascended the Chinook ramp. A signal was given by one of the grunts escorting him and the ramp shut behind them. The chinook lifted off the rooftop and began its high climb into the sky. He spun his Crystal around to the front of him and cranked the chamber as Liam had done before. Chapter 22: Resolute Standoff ¡°Nothing is over yet," she told herself. ¡°The cat''s still inside.¡± ¨D Emily St. John Mandel ¡°You two stay here and stand guard!¡± Malcolm hustled passed the door and down the stairs. Even through the confines of the building, the reverberations of gunshots mixed with the echoes of their boots on the metal steps. Soon, echoes could be heard from the bottom of the stairwell; the clamor of panicking troops. ¡°COMET!¡± Malcolm called. ¡°STAR!¡± A familiar voice called out. ¡°SECOND DIVISION! NOVEMBER COMPANY!¡± ¡°BEUREGUARD!¡± Malcolm announced. ¡°GET UP HERE! EVAC IS COMING!¡± Without skipping a beat, the rapidly climbing footsteps began again. The shadows could be seen in the light. An entire squad came into view, and each man or woman seamlessly fueled by adrenaline. Malcolm pressed his backs to the wall, allowing the line of ten, now growing to fifteen soldiers, to pass them unobstructed; sandwiched in the middle was the frantic head of Question Mark. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± He shouted in Malcolm¡¯s face. ¡°You get on the chopper as soon as it lands!¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°MOVE IT!¡± Beauregard continued his sprint up the stairs. Malcolm and his troops came to the bottom floor, past the windows, the garrison guarding the building were posted on the windows and outside the door. Another squad came into view from outside Malcolm recognized the faces as members of ¡®Haphazard¡¯ Edward¡¯s Platoon D. ¡°COMPANY!¡± Malcolm bellowed. ¡°On me! Guard! Everyone else get to the roof! Nearly two full squads were at any adjacent window facing the parking lot, bashing the windows out with their rifles and preparing to shoot any hostile. Four soldiers moved to symmetrical points on the staircase to the parking lot. First Sergeant ¡®Foster¡¯ Harrison was at the door repeating Malcolm¡¯s commands and placing each soldier at their post. ¡°Sergeant!¡± Malcolm ran to his side, ¡°Where¡¯s Haphazard!?¡± ¡°We got split before we heard your transmission sir! I saw him running to the opposite end of the airstrip with Clairet!¡± Malcolm could see out the doorway. The only discernable humans were the ones shooting in the direction they ran from. When Malcolm stood at the top step, another squad rounded the building¡¯s corner to his left. They numbered eleven and was discerned to be Lieutenant No-Nut McGee¡¯s platoon. ¡°ON ME!¡± Malcolm commanded. ¡°COVER OUR MEN!¡± McGee repeated Malcolm¡¯s commands and his squad assembled to Malcolm¡¯s nine and three o¡¯clock. ¡°Where¡¯s the rest of your platoon?!¡± Malcolm asked his lieutenant. ¡°Behind us!¡± Malcolm surveyed the mass of figures crossing the lot. ¡°I CAN¡¯T TELL THEM APART SIR!¡± McGee bellowed. ¡°HONE YOUR FIRE!¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°CONTROLED BURSTS! SHOOT WHEN YOUR CERTAIN!¡± The grunts of McGee¡¯s platoon switched their fire setting as the first wave of panicked troops were in arm¡¯s reach. ¡°TO THE ROOF! NOW!¡± They funneled up the stairs and Malcolm heard a rifle burst to his left. When he looked, there was a man who was in the process of unloading his magazine at a screamer. The screamer wore a uniform and had his sights on the grunt. He flailed his arms in the air as blackened blood spewed from the exit wounds. More rifle bursts followed and another group of soldiers from Platoon A rounded the left corner of the building. The remnants of Platoon A entered the building with McGee and they climbed the stairs. Malcolm saw Johnson making a beeline from the parking lot at one o¡¯clock with the bulk of Platoon B. Corporal ¡®Bullet Tarry¡¯ Garth was at Johnson¡¯s flank, and he seemed to be directing an entire squad. Corporal Garth halted and doubled back, checking on the retreating troops. He darted right and used his rifle as a club to crack the skull of a charging Berserker before it could grapple a nameless grunt. Soon as it fell to the ground, Garth aimed at the ground and decisively splattered the skull into fragments. He then turned around to unload a volley in the direction they ran from. He cut down one of the shambling figures before doing another about face to flee while he reloaded. Malcolm was sick of standing in place, he charged out into the parking lot, he tapped the fleeing troops on the shoulders to motion them to the door and kept alert for hostiles coming from any direction. ¡°GET TO THE ROOF!¡± He gunned down a berserker towards eleven o¡¯clock as it was preparing to grapple with a corporal. Around the same moment, Johnson was upon him along with Bullet Tarry and Slit-Wrist. ¡°WHERE¡¯S CLAIRET!?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°IT¡¯S FUCKED!¡± Malcolm grabbed Kenneth¡¯s collar. ¡°THAT¡¯S NOT AN ANSWER!¡± Kenneth spun and pointed to beyond the crowd of Berserkers where pockets of troops were still bursting through and knocking the enemy to the ground. Dozens of them shoved and shot their way through what seemed like angry husks. Clairet was spotted more than fifty yards in the distance, and she accompanied seven faces that Malcolm recognized as members of Edward nd Clairet¡¯s platoons, along with soldiers from Bravo Company. He stood witness to one getting tackled from behind and the rest nearly scattered among the encircling Berserkers. One tried to double back to save their comrade, only to be pulled back by Clairet. Malcolm, with Bullet Tarry joining him, began a dash to rescue Clairet and her squad while Johnson and the rest of his platoon continued to the door. Malcolm and Garth weaved through the growing crowd of indiscernible figures. They could hear and had to ignore the various men screaming in agony as they were pinned by screamers Bullet Tarry approached one, an unfortunate private who was on his stomach and helplessly flailing his elbows against the face of a berserker that was chomping on his face and neck. He begged as Bullet Tarry mercifully placed five rounds into the pair, with two penetrating the private¡¯s skull. They were then upon the second and Bullet Tarry repeated the same process with a short burst. He shot a sergeant who was using his arm to hold a berserker back; the arm was in between the screamer¡¯s teeth; it was tearing and mangling the uniform. Malcolm signaled Garth. ¡°LIGHT EM UP!¡± Clairet and her soldiers were now within twenty yards of them; They were nearly cut off by now, dozens of Berserkers that were trying to encircle them. Malcolm had one second to notice to his ten o¡¯clock. Only the uniform confirmed that he was American, his chest and neck had been seemingly ripped open and Malcolm thought he could hear a dreading moan emanating from what was left of his vocal cords as it charged. Malcolm fired a single round into its forehead. ¡°GARTH! ON YOUR SIX!¡± Malcolm commanded as he reloaded. He caught Garth hopping atop the Humvee after blowing away two Berserkers. Garth hopped into the minigun emplacement and immediately unleased a vapid spray of bullets into the thick crowd of infected.;Garth mystified the lot with black blood as his face remained stoic. Malcolm caught several Berserkers charging the Humvee¡¯s rear, he stepped over and took shots beneath Garth¡¯s field of view, killing four more infected. ¡°MOVE IT!¡± Malcolm dropped off the jargon. He ejected his empty magazine and reloaded it as he ran. The rest sprinted through the field of corpses as Garth ran behind them. They were less than a hundred yards away from the building when Malcolm spotted figures running alongside the opposite wall where Price came from. The figures grew into a spreading pack that caught the garrison¡¯s right flank off guard. The outermost man was sacked by three of the berserkers and the others spun around too late to save their comrade from being ripped into. The growing crowd was quickly too many; the watchers on the staircase had to turn around, too late to save their right flank. The berserker group had swelled. Malcolm gave the order, ¡°CONCENTRATE FIRE! ELEVEN O¡¯CLOCK!¡± As they sprinted, a wall bullets exploded from the combined strength of their rifles. The berserkers ruptured and contorted as their internal organs flayed for all to see. Many were knocked down; others were cut down and dead once more. The squad fell up the stairs into the building. Malcolm halted at the top and unloaded his Crystal into the trickling mob. A fresh group of berserkers came charging from the building at seven o¡¯clock. The gunners at the windows all had to reload. They waited for just the right moment before spraying a volley at Macolm¡¯s command. As the berserkers sprinted beneath the windows, they were shredded by the limbs, and they fell to the ground with their jaws snapping. One by one, the garrison fell through the door, and each was sure to empty their magazine on the way in. Malcolm was the last to walk backwards through the door. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Liam came right bound and shoved a Berserker to the ground as he beelined to the door. Malcolm could feel the man¡¯s panicked pants and he halted. Malcolm reloaded his Crystal and switched to a single burst setting. He then proceeded to deliberately hone his aim at the infected who were setting their focus on Liam. ¡°CAPTAIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!¡± A voice behind him screamed. Malcolm brought down seven infected in the process. Liam finally flew up the steps in stride. He fell into the building and Malcolm could retreat as well. Two troopers shut the door behind him, and others were moving furniture to barricade the doorways. Malcolm took a deep breath; his gasmask contorted the sound to make him ominous. He checked his body for potential biohazards; no one spoke a word as the moment passed and the doors began to bang and rattle under pressure. The window gunners continued their work to thin the Berserker herd. ¡°I saw our men out there!¡± Liam yelled. Malcolm turned and saw him pacing the room with his hands against his head. As the sound of propellers could be faintly heard. ¡°I-I can¡¯t raise the rest of Bravo! I could¡¯ve rallied them¡­¡± Clairet stood forward and slapped him. The air sucked out of the room. ¡°Get it together! We¡¯re all here!¡± ¡°I saw Bravo turning into those things!¡± She shook him by the shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re acting high and mighty NOW! I just watched Haphazard get swarmed and I had to run away! That¡¯s all there is to it; there¡¯s nothing we could¡¯ve done!¡± As Malcolm watched, Clairet¡¯s stoicism outweighed the news of Lieutenant Edward¡¯s death. Malcolm focused on Liam, whose head was dragging beneath his neckline, he was so morose and his eyes wandering. It was a feeling Malcolm could relate to. He stood parallel to Liam¡¯s ear. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you did.¡± Malcolm hushed to the last officer of Bravo Company. ¡°You¡¯re alive. This. Is. Precious.¡± Liam¡¯s eyes shot to where Malcolm stood; they looked like he wanted to reject his premise. ¡°Say something!¡± Clairet commanded. To which Liam¡¯s mouth began to stammer with no words falling out. Suddenly, a scream came. When Malcolm looked, a man was being dragged out the third window. By the time the closest soldier slid to recover him, his legs were kicking the air as they dragged out. The man¡¯s screaming turned to vile shrieks; the sense of panic among the soldiers became near mania. A Berserker¡¯s hands grasped the base of the window, and it began to pull itself upward, revealing its snarling face. Malcolm broke from Liam to draw his sidearm and blew the Berserker away. He fired three more shots into the moaning crowd. The gunner was buried in the Dead and Malcolm was unable to give him mercy. He could see at least a score of berserkers against the walls with many more coming. Liam took command. ¡°The choppers are here¡­Up the stairs! GO!¡± The entire company fell back. Clairet and the ones closest to the stairs were the first up and the troops by the windows were standing against the inner wall, shooting at any berserker who dared rear its head. Malcolm had to move along the line, tapping each man by the shoulder and replacing the bursts of their rifles with his pistol. One by one, Malcolm had each grunt falling back. When he looked again to his right, he could see November Company swarming around Liam as if he were Moses in the Ocean. He was then at the window, he shot a roaring face and proceeded to empty his mag and he threw it at them in a petulant act of defiance. A tug on his shoulder almost made him draw his blade. ¡°You¡¯re getting off on this!¡± Liam said. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Now Liam was pulling on Malcolm, and it guided him away from the sight of the undead. They entered the stairwell, and when Malcolm looked behind him, the infected started crawling through the windows. He faced the winding staircase, facing the backs of his retreating company and blinding himself to the encroaching menace. Their howling echoed through the tight chamber. ¡°MOVE IT!¡± Malcolm bellowed as he began to skip entire sets of stairs. He and Liam were in lockstep, and they were rearing on the sluggish mass of grunts ascending and bonking shoulder to shoulder. They were stampeding like sheep; it was a miracle no-one was trampled. By now, they hadn¡¯t climbed half the length of the building and Malcolm was already at their backs. He took a gander at the stairwell beneath him. The Dead were coming. There was a Berserker bellowing a bloody roar from the base of the stairwell. This was compounded by the near dozen Berserkers creeping up the stairs and nearly twenty of them entering the stairwell behind the screamer, almost knocking it to the ground. They grasped the railing as if they were still people and their feet skyrocketed upward, shoulder to shoulder. Malcolm then faced the crowd before him. He wanted to shove them forward and knew he would be more likely to trip one of them. He looked at Liam and his eyes were filled with trepidation. ¡°Don¡¯t do it!¡± Malcolm halted and pushed Liam forward. ¡°Get them on the fucking helicopter!¡± ¡°I literally can¡¯t without you!¡± ¡°Get the hell out of here!¡± Malcolm pointed up the stairs then he spun around. Malcolm cranked the chamber on his Crystal as he glided downward. He proceeded to click his magazine to ensure it was stable. Soon, all he had left was the case of stairs between him on the right and the mass of infected to his left. Malcolm took advantage of his angle and proceeded to fire a volley where the Berserkers were going to be. The bullets rained on them like hail and their skulls were flayed to shreds. Those who were now truly dead collapsed where they ran or were thrown into the wall. The bodies pummeled and Malcolm was now directly across from them on the forward staircase. It was the quickest reload of his life, for the dead were busy crawling over their own. Malcolm¡¯s second volley aimed at the lower neckline. The Berserkers were blasted back and began to roll down the stairs, tripping the undead behind them. Malcolm twisted his aim from a straight line to a spiral, taking out the berserkers caught on the metal stairs and buried by the rotting meat. One had absorbed the shots in the chest and Malcolm had to eject his magazine as the Berserker pushed past the falling bodies. With all his two hundred pound might, Malcolm bashed the berserker¡¯s skull with a leftward swing using the stock of his Crystal. It was just enough force to send the berserker over the railing; down it fell, roaring all the way. Malcolm drew his pistol with just enough time to halt the next berserker with the grip of his right hand. He used all his strength to keep the snapping jaw shut. He pulled the berserker to the side and fired three rounds into the next one. Malcolm then shot a berserker that was buried beneath the corpses, attempting to crawl out. He now had the freedom to push the berserker he held. Malcolm slammed it into the wall and began the process of bashing the base of its head. By the second bash a loud crack sent its eyes to the back. Malcolm tossed the bloody ball over the railing and it too, fell to the base. The sounds of the ravenous still echoed from the bottom of the stairwell. Malcolm started back up the well and glided over each case with precision. With a near winding dizziness, Malcolm was quickly circling the stairs as if he were being pulled up into the eye of a tornado. He looked back to see he was gaining ground on the undead. The blades of propellers could be heard whirling as the last of the company entered the roof. ¡°KEEP THE DOOR OPEN!¡± Malcolm screamed. He had five staircases between him and the door. ¡°HURRY!¡± one soldier called out. Malcolm passed the doorway and could practically feel the air decompress around him as he squeezed past Henrick and Aaron who were training their sights down the steps. They shut the door behind them; they locked and braced it with their backs. The roof had room for one Chinook at a time, and the last was still loading the final scores of November Company. Malcolm looked for his lieutenants and there was only Clairet, who was hustling the squads into the Chinook¡¯s hold. Liam was now in his face, and he shook Malcolm¡¯s shoulders as the sonic boom of jets broke the sound barrier. ¡°You¡¯ll get us both killed!¡± Liam shouted. ¡°I didn¡¯t see you covering the retreat!¡± Liam closed in. ¡°That¡¯s because I don¡¯t have a death wish!¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°You don¡¯t know a thing about me.¡± The first clamor banged against the door and the privates panicked. One turned around and pressed forward against the door with his rifle. Liam went on. ¡°They¡¯re here! See how little your rampage mattered. I¡¯m not turning my back on my people just so I could get a goddamn fix!¡± ¡°NELSON!¡± Clairet called out, ¡°LET¡¯S GO!¡± Liam movedto grab the soldiers off the door. He shouted. ¡°It¡¯ll hold! RUN!¡± They bolted and Liam began to usher in the remnants of the company. A squad-sized unit. Malcolm ignored Liam and followed Clairet onto the chopper. The dozen grunts funneled through, and Liam was the last of the company on board. The ramp shut and the troops of forty-two had begun to take their seats as the Chinook ascended from the roof. Malcolm remained standing and observed the dim lights of the shrinking base through the porthole. The shapes of the infected and those left behind became stick figures as the distance grew into the scores of meters. The chopper banked east, and the view of the base shifted towards the freeways surrounding Uijeongbu. Both oncoming lanes of the Korean interstate system were clogged with headlights and the civilians congested the thin spaces between the cars as they all tried to flee in both directions; there would be no escape, only reprisal by teeth. The silhouettes of the tall buildings were slowly hugged from the base upward by series of orange bursts that closely resembled the hues of lava. The grunts were once again joining Malcolm in staring out the windows, some sharing a porthole. As they passed over the freeways, the jet pilots dropped more bombs on the congested mob of civies and Berserkers. Hundreds of people who had abandoned their cars and were running for the nearest exit were now burning like charcoal. To Malcolm¡¯s eyes, their essence filled the hue of the depiction. Its energy multiplied as a thousand souls were deleted from existence. The fires rose and the cinders rained on those outside the vicinity of a dozen blasts. Their skin would melt to the touch and their lungs would contract on the vapor of gaseous napalm. Even the compartment¡¯s guarding fire team had taken part in staring out the portholes on either side of the chinook. Malcolm took notice of them with his eyes when he noticed the sounds of trembling fear. Some grunts were muttering prayers ranging from traditional Christianity to Judaism, many buckled under the knees as they crouched on the seats, and others just muttered the same expletive repeatedly. There was Clairet at the front of the chopper by the first porthole. Her face rose from the palm of her right hand and her head turned towards Malcolm. She seemed to swallow a gulp before taking petty steps to him; she kept a hand on her elbow. With her head tilted to the ground, Malcolm could still see the tears dripping to the cold floor. Clairet came to a pause when she stood before him. ¡°You were right¡­about everything. I¡¯m¡­stupid¡­¡± It finally occurred to Malcolm that he was the only one who had bothered to equip a gas mask. Without contemplating the risk of contracting the disease, he felt compelled to remove it. Liam came upon them from Malcolm¡¯s right with one hand stopping him. ¡°You go ahead and keep that on¡­¡± was Liam¡¯s cold entrance. ¡°You have done far more than enough. Don¡¯t pretend to feel guilty.¡± Malcolm was stunned. It was like being in high school all over again, the words dissipated from his mind. Liam turned his head to Clairet, who finally acknowledged him. Liam soothed. ¡°We made it¡­everything¡¯s going to be okay...¡± After they turned around and went to the front of the chopper; Malcolm hovered like a ghost. I suppose you¡¯re right about one thing. I don¡¯t feel guilty. I will Never apologize for doing what I¡¯m supposed to do, nor will I bother with feeling sorry for the past. I survive; everyone under my wing will make it through. ¡­I¡¯m going home no matter what¡­My son needs his dad. Chapter 23: A Famillial Trade-Off ¡°Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.¡±¨D S?ren Kierkegaard The chilly afternoon was typical of October 2013. A twenty-two-year-old Malcolm bore a talon knife in one hand. He pounced from the ditch between the bushes and tightly wrapped himself on the back of a wild alligator. It tried to snap at Malcolm, but he had a quick grip on its jaw while pinning it with his legs. The creature writhed under Malcolm¡¯s weight and with a tug, Malcolm had turned over onto his back. The belly of the wild beast was now facing the sky. Malcolm made a seamlessly brought bowie knife across the nape of the alligator¡¯s throat. The gator began to flail, and its dead strength turned itself over. Malcolm pinned the knee onto the gator and put the knife to the side. Malcolm then pulled the slit open. Malcolm¡¯s knee cut off the creature¡¯s blood supply at the base, forcing all to gush forward and out the open wound. A pool now lay beneath Malcolm as the animal took its last gurgle. He grabbed his bloodied knife and wiped it off against his camo pant leg. After sheathing it, Malcolm stood and clapped both hands together to clean them off before the final wipe on his flannel jacket. A rustling from the same shrubbery caught his eye; he turned in time to witness the bolt action rifle first, then followed by the face of Kenneth Johnson. Kenneth wore a similar camo flannel, but he was relatively clean. He stepped out of the hiding spot with trepidation, ¡°Whelp¡­¡± He spoke. ¡°That works. I guess.¡± Malcolm thumped his chest. ¡°Goddamn right it works!¡± He began an admiration of his art. ¡°Fucking Steve Irwin got factory reset by a stingray and here I am, topping off his whole career!¡± Kenneth smiled. ¡°So does this make for a mantlepiece or what?¡± ¡°Are you kidding me!?¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°There are Vikings who wouldn¡¯t have wanted to do this!¡± Kenneth drew his phone, ¡°So that¡¯s a ¡®yes¡¯. You want to capture the moment?¡± ¡°Do it with my phone! I don¡¯t want any posts on social media!¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Then get over here and help me drag this thing.¡± Kenneth bobbed himself cockily. ¡°Roger that Spacey!¡± Malcolm and Kenneth rounded the end of the mushy trail path and emerged in the parking lot. Kenneth¡¯s Ford Ranger sat there, and it was caked in mud from the bottom up. They made their way over to the bed and heaved the gator over the latch. It was then that they attached the side straps to hold Malcolm¡¯s kill next to Kenneth¡¯s five-hundred-pounder; one that they barely got back to the truck. ¡°¡­given that I went so far as to provide logistical support for this endeavor, you can start by returning to my first question.¡± Kenneth asked as sweat was dropping from the pair of them. Malcolm opened the passenger door. ¡°Cause my not being at West Point is none of your business.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ve seen marines get kicked out of the core, but not for acing the exams!¡± Kenneth entered the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Did you pull a Kobayashi Maroo?¡± ¡°A what?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°I¡¯m asking if you cheated.¡± ¡°How? I was monitored the second time and scored higher!¡± Kenneth shrugged. ¡°You could¡¯ve memorized the tests online.¡± ¡°If I could memorize them then I could easily study!¡± ¡°Alright, touch¨¦. Still doesn¡¯t explain yourself but whatever.¡± Malcolm waved him down. ¡°Look. I flunked college; I¡¯m not sure how I¡¯d do at West Point.¡± ¡°Me too¡­but again, you aced the ASVAP! Which means you¡¯re not retarded. Socially, yes but not up here!¡± Kenneth pointed to his head after starting the engine; the truck pulled out of the lot. ¡°Is that one of your rare compliments?¡± Malcolm asked ¡°I don¡¯t compliment people I don¡¯t want to fuck.¡± Kenneth looked over with a squint. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is you¡¯re not some kind of daffy downy.¡± Malcolm laughed. ¡°Then I guess you¡¯re not a Homo-Queerus for banging your friend.¡± Kenneth defended. ¡°Banging with my friend.¡± ¡°Rationalize however you want.¡± Malcolm grinned. Kenneth deflected. ¡°And you rationalize not going to West Point because?¡± ¡°¡­Because you can¡¯t get away with shit on a campus...¡± Malcolm blurted. ¡°Not anymore.¡± ¡°True that!¡± Kenneth laughed. ¡°Though I¡¯m hearing that some colleges let you select a gender preference for your roommate now. Here I¡¯m still waiting to get a chick as my battle buddy.¡± Malcolm pointed at him. ¡°You singlehandedly prove why the units would have to be separated.¡± Kenneth gaffed. ¡°Me? Why?¡± Malcolm became sarcastic. ¡°Well gee whizz, FUCKAROO, I really can¡¯t say.¡± ¡°I do it consensually and poetically.¡± Malcolm gasped. ¡°You bragged about your tag teaming like it was a touchdown you made.¡± ¡°And what says you? Marine bootlicker?¡± Malcolm was confused. ¡°What about the marines?¡± Kenneth cocked a brow. ¡°Don¡¯t ya¡¯ll like to ¡®make men¡¯ of each other?¡± Malcolm paused. ¡°In Nazi Fashion? I never did that.¡± ¡°You mean to tell me that the marines don¡¯t rape each other for a hazing ritual?¡± ¡°Oh no, I¡¯ve seen that happen.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°But everyone knew better than to prank me.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s good to know. What¡¯s your retaliation?¡± Malcolm stared at his fellow Sergeant with a laugh. ¡°...Well, I¡¯m not gonna ¡®counterattack¡¯¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re not letting me live that down, are you?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes blackened again. ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Kenneth hit the console¡¯s play button. ¡°Have you lived down any of that rock-rap I sent you?¡± ¡°I perused them.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°I got Hollywood Undead for you!¡± ¡°Play it if you want. But I think I¡¯d rather just take a nap so keep it down.¡± Malcolm yawned. ¡°I thought you had a soft spot for them.¡± ¡°I do. But I¡¯m I¡¯m cranking the seat back.¡± And Malcolm did so as if someone outside the car had spotted him. His eyes shut and the pupils quickly rolled to the back of his head as the lights mixed beneath his lids to form an aurora-like dance. A hand rested behind the back of his scalp as Malcolm thought about seeing Meryl once they got back to the city. The thought of her pregnant figure once again made him remember all the names he wanted for the baby. A thick, Cajun accented voice echoed, only it sounded like Malcolm... ¡­We could name the child Patrick, Dexter, Norman, Michael¡­not a lot of women to name daughters after. We could pick from real-life! How about Aileen? Or one of the Manson girls? ...The shadows of homicide and suicide had traded off once more. The chill of death hollowed Malcolm¡¯s bones... Malcolm opened his eyes and was naked within a strange purple hallway. His heart palpitated as the feeling of rushing water sloshed across his bare feet, but when Malcolm looked down the water was crimson; it flowed past him like a river. Finally stepping down the hallway, both sides held testaments to Malcolm¡¯s conquests in the form of sarcophagi. They had glass panels that shinned with a purple glaze, yet Malcolm could still see the dead inside, all remarkably well preserved without a sign of physical trauma: they were White, Black, Muslim, few females and fewer younger than him. Malcolm was on autopilot as he sloshed through the crimson-flooded hallway. He now felt as if there was whiskey coursing with his blood like fuel. In his euphoria, he never thought as to how far the hallway went. He looked back and most of the elaborate coffins were swallowed into the darkness. When Malcolm faced the hall ahead of him, everything changed. These coffins were open on both sides, breathing whatever fictional air Malcolm inhaled, and they seemingly called for him to pick one. There was a silhouette blocking the light beyond. A human shape: its identity was anonymous. It sloshed down the hallway as Malcolm¡¯s fists clenched, only because the silhouette finally seemed to stop when the hallway hit an end. The figure turned around to smile, a ghostly radiance that startled Malcolm. His best friend, Javier wore long black sleeves with black jeans, yet his skin was pale as snow. Behind him, he held a hand on an empty casket of his own. Before a sentient thought could finally formulate, Javier¡¯s jaw finally hung loose. ¡°Why not use yourself for a final depiction?¡± Javier sounded hoarse, like a smoker who¡¯d blown their larynx. Malcolm trembled. ¡°...I can stop it¡­¡± Javier interrupted. ¡°...That poor woman has no idea who she signed up for.¡± Malcolm flared. ¡°Leave Meryl out of this!¡± ¡°That¡¯s up to you¡­¡± Javier pointed out the final sarcophagus against the wall at the end of the crimson flooded hall. Malcolm then noticed how tiny the final coffin to his right was. Javier continued to stare and grin. ¡°¡­It¡¯s up to you, it¡¯s up to you, it¡¯s perfectly up to you¡­¡± In a heartbeat, Javier stepped back into the sarcophagi made for him. Naturally, the glass panel shut itself on him. Nothing changed about his appearance, his eyes continued to pierce Malcolm¡¯s soul. Suddenly, Malcolm noticed that the skin was sinking into the flesh, and that flesh was cracking as the decomposition accelerated. The pounding of every coffin in the hallway signaled their closing. The dim lights burned out as Malcolm felt chilly once again. A hard smack to Malcolm¡¯s legs was the final tether dragging him back to Earth. ¡°Wake up asshole!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes opened to the roof of Kenneth¡¯s truck. He turned over to see the man leaning over him almost comedically. ¡°We¡¯re at your place. Get the fuck out of my truck.¡± Kenneth happily commanded. Malcolm sat up to see Kenneth was correct. To the imminent right was Malcolm¡¯s apartment complex. ¡°Wait, what about my kill? Did you get it stuffed?¡± Malcolm looked to the back to only see the tarp covering the bed. ¡°Chill out. That¡¯s exactly where I¡¯m going next. There¡¯s nowhere you can dice that thing in a normal apartment.¡± ¡°So, help me God, if you keep my trophy¡­¡± ¡°I may tax you for it¡­¡± Kenneth rubbed his fingers together. ¡°Kenny.¡± ¡°Go back to acting like a civilian.¡± Malcolm exited through the passenger door. Kenneth pulled out of the streetside parking lot after Malcolm retrieved his backpack and rifle case. He entered the apartment lobby once the bouncer recognized him. Malcolm then took the stairs as a petulant excuse for exercise. He ascended the flight until he came out to the building¡¯s fourth floor. Malcolm zagged through the hallway corridors until he was upon his apartment, Room One Eighty-Two. He stepped inside and locked the door behind him. His apartment was spacious enough to accommodate two other roommates if Malcolm could get them. He stepped through a mock hallway that was cut off after two feet. There was the kitchen to his left and the living room couch dead-ahead of him. The two windows and the drapes had been left open, allowing the noon light to pass through unabated. Malcolm was by the couch which faced right to his plasma TV, and it¡¯s back faced the living room bookcases at the wall. Malcolm plopped himself down with his backpack next to him. He did not care about his stench. Malcolm looked to the bookcase to contemplate a re-read but he instead tuned the TV over to the news: The Democrats and Republicans were on the verge to ending the Government shutdown. The Israelis continue to disenfranchise Palestinians as negotiations break down. The General Assembly¡¯s high-level meeting on Nuclear Disarmament goes nowhere. Forensics Investigation of local garbage dumps discover multiple, separated remains connected to the Nightcrawler Case. Pundits debate whether Edward Snowden is a treacherous coward or a national hero. Top it all off, a new doomsday cult was springing up in the bayou, led by another zealous preacher. Malcolm could barely take it. The apartment had automatic heating, yet he still felt as chilly as he did outside. He cranked the TV at full volume to bombard his senses. He started by putting his phone on its charger in the kitchen island. Malcolm then moved to the second door next to the TV, his bathroom. The shower was so quick Malcolm already had no memory of it. The thought of returning to his sleep and passing the time until nightfall crossed his mind; but Malcolm feared his own dreams. Malcolm knew that there was only one solution to placate his Carnal Beast. He stared into his own reflection as he dried himself with his towel, and it threatened to seize complete control of him. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. His thoughts turned to the one he cared about. I¡¯m not letting her see me like that nor can I risk exposing her to it¡­ ...I must fill the coffins...Others in exchange for her...Hmmm. I must be a vampire... Malcolm proceeded to his bedroom and the bandolier of knives rattled the frame as he shut the door. He checked his closet next to the full-sized bed for any disposable reds. Unfortunately, it seemed like he had forgotten to purchase new clothes; a double check in the dresser to his right confirmed that he was indeed out of kill-shirts. Fuck. It¡¯s the camo then. Malcolm sprayed them down with a non-scented disinfectant as a petulant wash job on his previous outfit. Afterwards, he dawned the camo flannel once again. It was then that Malcolm needed a basic plan of attack as well as a weapon and of those, he had plenty. It was just a question of which sharp brush would channel the Carnal Beast¡¯s desired depiction. ...Both serrated AND sharp, nothing I bought just for cool looks...I already use the American standard when I¡¯m deployed. Is it the Ali-baba knife then? Malcolm unsheathed it, a six inch and curvy Gurkha. It was acquired from the evidence pile after a rioter tried to take Malcolm¡¯s life back when he was a specialist rank. Fond of the memory, Malcolm placed the blade back in its sheath and tucked it into the coat of the flannel. Next and most important, came the question of a last stand and if it would come to that. Malcolm took out a small case from the bottom of his bed. Upon opening it, there sat a thirty-caliber revolver and its bullet case next to it. The silencer wouldn¡¯t fit this. Wherever it is¡­Not like it matters¡­If I use this, time¡¯s up for me. Malcolm now stood in his bedroom mirror. He rubbed his clean head and adjusted the flannel like a nineteen eighties jock. No one would spot the blade holstered on his left, nor the revolver to his right until it was too late. The time was only one in the afternoon. He could feel the Carnal Beast coming to take the reins and Malcolm knew this was the price for regaining control. He was disturbed by a loud buzzer from his call button to the lobby; Malcolm rushed to the door to respond. ¡°Hello?¡± Malcolm asked earnestly. ¡°MAL!¡± Malcolm reeled as if a hand had punched him through the intercom. He had let go before pushing down on the button to speak once again. ¡°Meryl?¡± he asked. There was a muffled, ¡°You calm down.¡± Before a voice returned and focused on Malcolm. ¡°Yea, Mal, it¡¯s David. Mind letting us up?¡± ¡°Uh...sure!¡± ¡°Please do so, I like seeing you and all.¡± Malcolm buzzed them up, unlocked his door, and scrambled to strip himself naked and get the weapons back to their places. He had but forty seconds, which was enough time to unlock the door to his room and strip off the evidence of his intentions. The apartment door swung open as Malcolm was wrapping the towel around his waist. He stepped out to see his pregnant girlfriend of seven months standing starkly on the kitchen island with her hands at her hips. Next to her was her fraternal twin brother, David. ¡°Mal!¡± Meryl yelled. ¡°I¡¯ve been calling you for at least a day!¡± Malcolm cocked his head to emphasize the question, ¡°Is this, like¡­¡± he scanned her waist, ¡°¡­your water breaking early?¡± ¡°MAL!¡± David threw himself between the two of them, his attention on Meryl, ¡°Sis! Not good for the baby!¡± ¡°Meryl¡­¡± Malcolm stuttered. ¡°My phone ran out of juice halfway through the trip. I just got it back on the charger.¡± Her aggravation let loose tears from her eyes, which confused Malcolm even more. David pulled her close without hugging her. ¡°Uh, look¡­¡± he started, ¡°We decided it was best to show up before the police did-¡° ¡°Whoa! What the FUCK! I should have qualified immunity!¡± Malcolm paused. ¡°I didn¡¯t do shit!¡± ¡°You¡¯re not in trouble, bro!¡± David held his hand out. ¡°It¡¯s uh¡­you¡¯re going to want to come with us to the hospital.¡± ¡°Because?¡± Suddenly Meryl broke from David and crossed the room. Just as Malcolm started to think he should have been holding her, she was pulling him into her shoulder. Suddenly, Meryl whispered, ¡°Your parents got into a wreck yesterday.¡± Malcolm looked at her, nearly breaking the embrace. ¡°How?¡± ¡°Someone hit them.¡± She answered. ¡°The police said they got pushed off the street.¡± Malcolm stammered. ¡°...Are they dead?¡± ¡°They¡¯re both critical¡­The doctors were asking where you were.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Malcolm was perplexed by the timing. ¡°Honey?¡± ¡°Just let me throw something on.¡± Macolm looked at David. ¡°Could you wait in the car? We¡¯ll be right down.¡± David acknowledged Malcolm and departed the building. It would be Meryl who led Malcolm into his bedroom, as she always does, a handhold and an arm around his shoulder. This time, Malcolm dressed as Meryl passed him the first clothes she could find, a Punisher T-shirt with a regular denim black trouser. She took his towel to his hamper basket in the bathroom while Malcolm dawned a dark-red hoodie. Malcolm was outside his room when he met her again, her face of melancholy remained. She hugged him again; longer this time now that they were alone. ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked him. Malcolm didn¡¯t know. ¡°...I¡¯m just¡­trying to be realistic.¡± ¡°You¡¯re what?¡± ¡°They¡¯re old, they were already getting old when they had me.¡± They started for the door. ¡°It¡¯s too early for them to die, Mal. They¡¯re your parents and I just met them!¡± ¡°Meryl, you told me that they¡¯re both critical.¡± Malcolm reiterated. ¡°They¡¯re old, honey.¡± They were moving to the hallway elevator as she stopped him. ¡°Is this about what I think it is?¡± ¡°Meryl, please.¡± ¡°I thought we were passed all of this when you introduced me to them.¡± Malcolm recoiled from her. ¡°We? You thought we were passed it?¡± Meryl sucked her lips which accompanied a sharp raise of the eyebrows. ¡°Well, when you bring us to dinner with them, I tend to think things are okay between you two.¡± ¡°I love you. Unlike them, you¡¯re always there for me.¡± ¡°Mal, I want them to be there for our baby.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°Why? The kid will have two parents. Give him that, a sibling and he¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°And what about his family?¡± ¡°We¡¯re his family.¡± Malcolm took her hand as they entered the elevator. ¡°You and me.¡± She withdrew her hand and rested her face into it. ¡°I want your parents to be mine as well.¡± She hit the ground floor button, Malcolm cupped both hands in front of him and bit his tongue. Once the elevator descended, Malcolm could help himself no longer. ¡°You just met them...You don¡¯t know¡­¡± Despite the agitation, she wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled his head into her shoulder. ¡°Mal¡­If they never wanted you, you¡¯d have been given up for adoption.¡± Malcolm trembled. ¡°You don¡¯t know what Mom said to me after I told her about you.¡± ¡°¡­She still kept you as her emergency contact.¡± She said, attempting to reassure. Malcolm looked into her eyes. ¡°She said to my face, and to her only child, ¡®I never got to fuck your dad because of you being born.¡± It seemed the air quietly left the room as Meryl eyes sank. ¡°¡­Why didn¡¯t you ever tell me?¡± Malcolm choked, ¡°...Because it made me want to kill her...¡± The elevator dinged and opened on the ground floor. Meryl faced Malcolm and turned him to face her. With no one watching, she pulled him in and kissed his forehead. David was ironically blasting Bohemian Rhapsody in his egotistically rented sports car. He stopped drumming on the wheel to wave his hands in frustration at the time it took Malcolm and Meryl to arrive. They both opted to sit in the back seat. David was smart enough to take the hint and he proceeded to pull out of the parking lot. Malcolm and Meryl quietly sat with one arm around the other¡¯s shoulders. In time, Malcolm¡¯s eyes returned to the ever-growing baby bump of seven months that had come to make him love her more. As his free hand caressed her, Malcolm pondered the growing irony of the situation. The three of them emerged in the hospital lobby and Malcolm broke his handhold with Meryl to proceed to the reception desk. A typical old nurse made eye contact with him. ¡°My name is Malcolm Nelson, I¡¯m Nancy and Patrick Nelson¡¯s son.¡± She typed away on her keyboard. ¡°Right. The doctor will be out with you shortly, Mr. Nelson. Please have a seat.¡± ¡°When is shortly? You should be able to tell me if they¡¯re okay.¡± Malcolm demanded. Meryl put a hand on his shoulder to relax him. Together, both them and David moved to sit down in the lobby. David casually grabbed a sports magazine from the table pile while Malcolm sat upright with Meryl holding his lapped hand. He who tolls the bell for death is now saved by the bell. You were gonna bring a gun with you? What, are you gonna blow the squad car up? ¡­I¡¯m not getting my brain picked the rest of my life¡­ Well, you are your brain, and I live up here, so I¡¯d appreciate you not putting a goddamn bullet through me. Besides, donating yourself to science might be the one good thing you did for the world. ¡°Hey, Mal? You okay, honey?¡± Meryl chimed in. ¡°Huh?¡± Malcolm asked. David half-stared at Malcolm with one eye on the magazine. ¡°This is Houston, you¡¯re mouthing to yourself like a demented patient Space Dog. Return to Earth, over.¡± Meryl punched his shoulder before turning her attention back to Malcolm. ¡°A hospital is really not the place for that sweetheart.¡± She continued. ¡°I¡¯m ugh¡­I¡¯m practicing what I¡¯ll say.¡± Meryl soothed. ¡°You can¡¯t control how they¡¯ll react Mal.¡± ¡°But how am I supposed deal with it?¡± She cupped his face. ¡°Just do what feels natural; you¡¯re entitled to it.¡± A voice stopped Malcolm¡¯s answer. ¡°Mr. Nelson?¡± The trio turned to see what looked like a fresh doctor, fresh in experience and a long time off the boat; his voice was long blended with the regional Cajun flavor. ¡°Yes?¡± Malcolm stood, followed by Meryl and David. The man approached and offered a shake of the hand to which Malcolm courteously obliged. He read the nametag which said, ¡°Alaqii¡±. ¡°You can call me Harry.¡± The man stated solemnly as he offered shakes to both Meryl and David. ¡°Can we speak over here?¡± He gestured to a space beside the double doors to the emergency ward. They followed and the Doctor turned with cupped hands in front of him. ¡°Um. Things got worse since Meryl left to find you¡­¡± ¡°Just tell me how they wrecked.¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°It wasn¡¯t their fault. They were returning home from a date night when a drunk driver collided with them while flooring past an intersection-¡° Malcolm gaffed. ¡°My parents on a ¡®date night¡¯¡­Where¡¯s the drunk driver?¡± ¡°Died on impact.¡± The Doctor noticed the cruelty but continued morosely. ¡°Mr. Nelson, your father broke through his airbag and smashed into the wheel. The force of the impact cracked his ribcage into his organs. Both the lungs and the heart were punctured; we had to perform an emergency operation when the ambulance came in¡­I was able to pull the fractures out, but the heart would¡¯ve needed a transplant¡­something a younger patient might have survived long enough for¡­¡± Meryl choked behind them; she held Malcolm¡¯s shoulder while David grasped hers. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± The doctor kept his eyes to the floor. ¡°What about Mom?¡± ¡°¡­she took the brunt of the trauma to her right side. She suffered from a concussion, a shattered pelvis and ribcage. We¡¯ve stopped the internal bleeding, but we had to resuscitate her twice. We¡¯ll have to wait and see if her condition stabilizes¡­until then, there¡¯s nothing more we can do.¡± ¡°So where is she?¡± ¡°I can take you to her. She¡¯s just down this hallway.¡± Malcolm gripped Meryl¡¯s hand and they looked at each other. David, who scratched his head, told them, ¡°I¡¯ll just let the two of you have your moment.¡± He then sat back down with the same magazine. The Doctor led Malcolm and Meryl through the adjacent double doors and down the hallway. He then led them down the first left turn until the three of them were upon Mom¡¯s room. ¡°She hasn¡¯t been responsive since the paramedics arrived on the scene.¡± The Doctor opened the door. ¡°It would probably be best if you-¡° ¡°Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake¡­¡± Malcolm quipped. ¡°I kind of figured that was why you wanted me to show up¡­¡± ¡°Mal¡­¡± Meryl gripped his bicep. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Harry.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll leave you both to it.¡± The Doctor parted ways from them and left. Malcolm didn¡¯t understand how strongly he was gripping Meryl¡¯s hand; he only stood solemnly at the ajar door. He wanted nothing more than to turn around and pretend his parents had already died, as he had done in the past. Meryl let loose her grip and wrapped the same arm around his shoulder. ¡°You have to do this, Mal.¡± She sensed his fear. ¡°You need to say goodbye; even if she can¡¯t hear you.¡± ¡°¡­I¡­can¡¯t-¡± Malcolm winced away the tears. ¡°Hey¡­¡± She soothed him. ¡°What¡¯s the worst thing you could say?¡± Malcolm smiled. ¡°Things are better if I stay?¡± ¡°Not this time mister.¡± She poked him. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Malcolm cupped both her hands. ¡°What I¡¯m about to say is pretty vicious. Maybe¡­you shouldn¡¯t see me like that.¡± ¡°I want to be there for you Mal...¡± Malcolm¡¯s voice became more hushed. ¡°I had to put up with her by myself for seventeen years, honey. I don¡¯t see how I¡¯m a man if I can¡¯t face her like that again.¡± She understood but seemed morose. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes. I can bring you in after I get it all my chest.¡± She kissed him softly and brought his hand to her baby bump. ¡°Don¡¯t ever tell me you aren¡¯t a man.¡± After smiling she parted hands and gently motioned him into the room. She then took her seat outside the door. The hospital bed was a mess of life support tubes with an IV bag to the left and the beeping machine which read Mom¡¯s vitals. She lay there a ghastly pale with her internal system fighting life. Malcolm closed the door as he faced her and took the steps to her side as if a time spell had been cast. Malcolm¡¯s own movement was gradual as if there had been pins and needles in his legs. Malcolm, who feared most eye contact, yearned for one more chance to investigate Mom¡¯s. Her long grey hair formed a miniature mat beneath her head and shoulders. The pillows kept her propped at a near vertical angle to support her oxygen supply; one machine served that very purpose. The mask, however, completely shielded her face. She was a sci-fi monstrosity, as the tiny version of Malcolm came to believe. Malcolm pulled out a seat adjacent to the bed and closed the curtain around them. He wanted to cup her hand for once; he was too sure she¡¯d wake from her coma; just so she could nag him over it. ¡°¡­Hey Mom¡­¡± He began, but immediately lost his train of thought. ¡°¡­So, I heard Dad is already gone. Hmmm. I guess...you would be nagging me for missing that one. I was out hunting with one of the boys, bet you would be shocked to hear that I was doing it with a friend...You¡¯d also lecture me about the hell you put Dad through for my sake... ...After a year of stalling I finally brought Meryl, after she begged, and the two of you sat there shocked that she even existed! I left the house convinced I¡¯d never talk to you again. So now that I am¡­Fuck I don¡¯t even know where I¡¯m going with this! You always wanted me to become the next Johny Carson¡­When the fuck was I ever funny!? Never! A fact you reminded me of plenty.¡± Malcolm let out a laugh; he stood from the chair and leaned into Mom. ¡°¡­Meryl says that I needed to ¡®face¡¯ you again. And here I am, doing what comes naturally. Through all my soul searching in life, I never needed you or Dad. It was Meryl who tamed me; but us? We should¡¯ve been like the sharks that we are¡­you gave birth to me and that¡¯s the end of our arrangement. I was always convinced that I¡¯d be better off as an orphan¡­and today I get my wish. I just regret that I didn¡¯t get a chance to do this sooner. But in case you¡¯re listening¡­All I wanted was for you to love me, Mom. And now? I¡¯m finished.¡± Malcolm clamped the oxygen tube; his prints were where he knew the doctors would grab it. He pressed the tube and as he cut off mother¡¯s oxygen, he held a sharp breath. He began the countdown that would cease upon the flatline of the life support unit. Malcolm watched her face, wanting her to wake and start thrashing for what was left of her life. Instead, she lay there peacefully. It took every ounce of self-restraint for Malcolm to not crush her windpipe; he knew that he couldn¡¯t afford an autopsy. The heart monitor was accelerating as the nerves began to twitch, and Malcolm kept his look over her eyes; they never opened. ¡­One Seventy¡­One Seventy-one¡­One Seventy-two¡­ The Heart Monitor flatlined. Malcolm, paranoid the machine will revive her, wanted to keep his grip. You¡¯re on the clock now, Jackoff! You need them to announce the time of death. Like, right now! Malcolm then let go of the mask tube. The heart monitor did not pick up again and Malcolm began to shake Mom¡¯s shoulders vehemently. ¡°Mom? GODDAMMIT, MOM!¡± He pulled the curtain to see Meryl had already opened the door. She kept a hand on her gasped breath and did her best to hold the tears back. ¡°Mal¡­¡± ¡°Get the doctors!¡± Malcolm shouted. He turned back to his dead mother and did his best to keep his act together by not smiling. Chapter 24: Piercing Conscience ¡°You can¡¯t kill me... Cause I¡¯m Already Inside you!¡±- Corey Taylor The rumblings of the outside warzone, followed by music blaring from headphones, dragged Malcolm back to the present-day calamity. Suddenly, the thought of considering his predicament to be in the caliber of a ¡®war zone¡¯ brought the slightest of smiles to his face. His iPod had been left on to drown out the wines of the chinook¡¯s compartment. "...I''d give it all my oxygen... ...to Let the Flames Begin..." He was stunned to be sitting across from himself; opposite of Malcolm sat different version, empty eyed and blackened like the Undead. Every vein inside Malcolm¡¯s husk coursed the blackened blood, the dark-brown eyes rolled to the back of the husk¡¯s head and revealed a ghostly opaque lens while its teeth were grinding together. Blood now dripped, like coagulted ink, down the chin; the husk croaked the gurgle of predatory lust while flailing at him, confined by the seat belt. Malcolm took deep breaths as he remained stiff. I¡¯m seeing how we¡¯ll all end up. As always, the Carnal Beast crawls inside and begs. I just wasted a mass of Berserkers and yet I see it; they were already dead, so they don¡¯t count. I killed Daniels; he was already dying. The world¡¯s sacrifices to the Beast have been meagre today. It had no intimate indulgence between me and the depictions. I don¡¯t have Meryl to hold me down as it tugs; there is only the buffet of all Mankind scattering about, with the Carnal Beast and the Living Dead. Until I can see Connor again, I¡¯ll have no one left to mask the Beast for, and no one in my company will ever be safe. No one else in the compartment seemed to fear or even notice the growling husk. Malcolm¡¯s eyes landed on Lieutenant Campbell, who sat at the end of the compartment. Clairet was hunched over, elbows on knees and face in hands. Liam too sat forward, looking into her and speaking words Malcolm could not hear. He could finally tell that Clairet had pooled her emotions together to become what was expected of an officer. Her eyes were contemplative as she looked at Liam, smiled, and punched his shoulder. A rupturing air pocket shocked Malcolm back to form; he appeared in his own body once again and the compartment began to shudder with audible voices. Malcolm felt the inertia when he looked out the porthole, he realized that they were landing on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Dim silhouettes formed the shape of the city once known as Inchon; those silhouettes were now being hugged with orange bursts. The propellers ground down to a halt; Malcolm would be the first to unbuckle and stand. The two scores of troops in the compartment anxiously unbuckled and bustled for the ramp to open: their first taste of safety all night. The Chinook¡¯s mouth opened, and Malcolm emerged to a deck more crowded than a dense package. Ten chinooks lined each side of the deck, and a thousand grunts were pouring into the center of the USS Ronald Regan. The reverb of automatic fire broke the collective quagmire of confusion. Malcolm snapped and turned, circling through the mass of disembarking soldiers. He could see that the port was illuminated by rifle bursts and fire. South Korean Platoons were left behind to guard the wharfs as the final boats were loading. The grunts were placed behind sandbags and cut back the massed civilian mob with automatic rifles. The crowd which joined Malcolm in sharing the violent horizon despaired. A series of sonic booms pierced Malcolm¡¯s eardrums as the Air Force extended the bombing campaign. Malcolm gulped his amazement as the grunts of a dozen companies poured out their sorrow. The former city of Incheon was falling to the weight of napalm bursts that blinked the horizon and enveloped tall towers. A series of resonating megaphones broke troops from the visual of doomsday. A set of instructions on repeat from the naval officers: ¡°All Infantry! Fall in at the center! Organize by Company!¡± Malcolm took no time in clapping his hands as high as he could reach. ¡°NOVEMBER! BRAVO! ON ME!¡± He strode back to the chinook¡¯s hind end so that he may gather his people at the deck center. The soldiers made their way to Malcolm¡¯s vicinity; bracing the air and flinching as if the heat from the napalm was within breathing distance. The camo mass bundled around Malcolm like Arctic Penguins and Malcolm weaved to the front; he could see his companies parted between some hundred grunts to the left and slightly more to the right. The same sight took place across the flight deck. A series of Junior Naval Officers were lining from the deck bow to stern. They would stop by one company and a man would pull out a little logbook. Notes would be taken before an officer broke from the ranks to escort the company below deck. They were then on to the next company down the row. Malcolm stood at attention when the formal entourage landed on his unit. ¡°Name, Rank, Company and Division.¡± ¡°Nelson, Captain, November Company of the Second Division.¡± was Malcolm¡¯s blunt answer. The Naval Officer took the notes and directed a junior to take Malcolm¡¯s lead. Malcolm would be led down a corridor of bunkroom accommodations. The Naval Officer led Malcolm to the front of the line as he directed the grunts of November Company into their new dormitories. Each soldier shrugged off their sonder and paced into their haven. The officer led them to the edge of the corridor where a sailor''s door to a stairwell sat. He directed Johnson, Beauregard, Price and Clairet into their own dorm with adjacent bunks. ¡°Captain Nelson.¡± The officer stated. ¡°Your room will be here on the right.¡± Malcolm thanked the man and made his way inside. The luxuries compared to what awaited him in the field turned his senses to mush. Before he could turn to do it himself, the door was swung, and the wheel-knob rotated shut.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The accommodation had two bunk beds on both sides and a square desk slammed in between at the front of the room. There were no windows and a ceiling light that Malcolm quickly flipped off. He proceeded to swing his Crystal off his shoulder and lay it flat on top of the adjacent bed before he unbuckled his backpack followed by his utility harness. Malcolm crawled onto the cot and his autopiloted senses turned off any considerations. *** Once again, Malcolm found himself dreaming but was releived to find it serene. He was sitting a car with a still-pregnant Meryl as they waited on her brother in his car. When Malcolm lifted his head, they were outside the hospital and the sky was fully dark. Malcolm slowly looked over to his love, who stared at him with a bewildered expression. "What did the doctor''s mean by that?" Malcolm waas instantly flooded with the memory of supressed joy; he refocused. "By what they said? It sounded like Mom''s respiratory system-" ''Not that." Malcolm stammered. "What is it?" "Seriously??" She didn''t blink for a long pause, "Her First Pregnancy caused a broken tailbone??" "Yea." Malcolm shruged. "She was nearly 40 when she had me." "How many did she have?" Malcolm suddenly realized that all his personal belongings were still in Camp Humphreys, should it still be standing. This was all it took to rouse him. He awoke face down into the pillow and sweating at the seams. He never realized his own exhaustion, and like a drunk man, he could¡¯ve kept sleeping on the floor. ...A figure disturbed him into his fully lucid state. It sat atop the adjacent bunk with one leg hanging off and the other pulled into itself. If Liam had been a cat-man, there surely would have been illumination from his brown eyes. ¡°What?¡± he started. ¡°As the ranking officer of Bravo Company, I get special quarters as well.¡± ¡°Say, I¡¯m wrong,¡± Malcolm smiled with his face on the pillow. ¡°You¡¯re the only officer left in that company.¡± Liam nodded. ¡°Wrong? Yes, you are. Incorrect? I guess not.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been right about everything else.¡± Malcolm bragged as he sat up. Liam nodded. ¡°The one-upmanship...so unbecoming of an admired officer.¡± ¡°I kept one over the Dead most of the night,¡± ¡°Last night.¡± Liam corrected. A startled Malcolm checked his watch to see it was 5 A.M. He sat upright on the cot, realizing that his muddy boots were staining the sheets. ¡°Where were you when we got off the chopper?¡± Malcolm finally asked. ¡°Among the group.¡± Liam was sly. Malcolm¡¯s brows sank with annoyance. ¡°Corralling your grunts I take it...You weren¡¯t behind me, so when did you get here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always been here.¡± Liam boasted. ¡°Some geeks above deck started temperature checks, or did you forget the knocking last night?¡± Malcolm winced at that and rubbed his eyes while trying to recall. Liam shrugged in the shadows. ¡°You were barely conscious when the door opened; though you¡¯ve complained about lacking sleep...¡± ¡°So how much sleep did you get?¡± Malcolm asked. Liam shook his head. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t sleep. Especially when I¡¯m rooming a guy who¡¯d casually kill his own people.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s Daniels you¡¯re referring to-¡± ¡°Sixty.¡± Liam interrupted. ¡°...What?¡± ¡°I¡¯m referring to the Sixty people you killed, including Daniels, fifteen were Servicemen.¡± Malcolm raised his chin. ¡°I ordered it. Daniels was the only-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t give me that.¡± Liam bluntly said, ¡°Your idea, your orders, your responsibility...¡± ¡°...They were Infected, Piper...¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Dealing with them was my responsibility.¡± Liam waved a finger. ¡°They weren¡¯t all sick. And the look on your face in Camp Stanley tells me you loved it...¡± Malcolm pursed his lips, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you try and usurp my command like you threatened? I mean, it¡¯s not like you¡¯d have succeeded.¡± ¡°...I wasn¡¯t in control.¡± Liam said blankly. Malcolm flashed a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve got a little remedy for that shit.¡± Liam moved his legs over the edge of his bunk, his face was still in the shadows. ¡°Like Murder?¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°Like whom?¡± Liam laughed and pulled a mockery. ¡°Malcolm! Why did you rob that bank?¡¯ You¡¯ll say, ¡®which one?¡± Malcolm blinked. ¡°If it¡¯s Avery you¡¯re referring to, you have no right to judge me after everything you¡¯ve seen out there.¡± Liam persisted. ¡°Malcolm, have you been embezzling?¡¯ You¡¯ll say, ¡®how much?¡± ¡°Avery had no face, he had the infection, and he wasn¡¯t a fucking Deus Ex Machina. Need I remind you how this zombie-shit plays out?¡± Liam pointed at him. ¡°Let me remind you that the command structure hasn¡¯t fallen apart.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already skipped the chain when I demanded answers from McElroy.¡± Malcolm winked. ¡°Despite your constant second guessing.¡± ¡°I saved your ass from being a sole survivor!¡± Liam exclaimed. ¡°Being the Last Man Standing gets you a medal and maybe your fifteen minutes of fame; before you know it, people are asking ¡®why did he live¡¯. It¡¯s just like being a kamikaze pilot for Japan!¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll get lucky, and Mark Wahlberg will star as you two or three years after the headline breaks.¡± ¡°...Is fame all you people care about?¡± Malcolm waved him down. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is, you could ride the resuscitated media frenzy and become a Republicunt figure head...what kind of people am I?¡± ¡°The kind that we keep the Death Penalty for. The kind that must tell the brass why he¡¯s brought home the most soldiers out of any commanding officer on the ship.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°You counted to?¡± ¡°You hardly have to be mathematical to estimate each company¡¯s losses.¡± Liam boasted. ¡°You think that they¡¯re not accounting for how many survived and why?¡± Liam swung both legs and hopped off the bunk; he cornered Malcolm who was keeping both arms stretched across the frame of his bed. Malcolm¡¯s eyes had adjusted to the dark, and he could see the grin of Liam¡¯s face. ¡°They want to get a report from us¡­¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Liam pondered. ¡°I¡¯ll have to give that one first, no?¡± Malcolm shoved Liam away and sat forward. ¡°You¡¯re not speaking for me.¡± ¡°Oh, but I can.¡± Liam boasted. ¡°Remember how you chose to listen to me¡­¡± Malcolm guffawed. ¡°So what?! Is this a fucking Devil on my Shoulder?¡± Liam made a clicking sound with his jaw. ¡°Since you must know. They¡¯ll intend to fold our units since you need the replacements. As for you? You won¡¯t be able to help it...Kind of what I¡¯m worried about.¡± Malcolm was flushed. ¡°You don¡¯t know a thing about me!¡± ¡°But I do know you, Malcolm. I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s ever understood you.¡± A knocking from the sealed door interrupted them. ¡°I¡¯ll be out in a minute!¡± Malcolm called. ¡°Not so fast, dipshit.¡± Liam grabbed him. ¡°Command said that they¡¯ll get me in the morning. You¡¯ll get your word soon enough.¡± ¡°Fuck that!¡± Malcolm tried to stand but Liam wrapped an arm around him, choking nerves with one arm while another hand masked Malcolm¡¯s mouth. Malcolm was biting down Liam¡¯s hand like he was one of the Berserkers. Liam seemed to swallow the pain. ¡°Shush¡­You¡¯re finally catching up on your sleep. Don¡¯t go out there gloating, just sleep, Murderer¡­¡± Malcolm was limp before he could retort Liam¡¯s derogative. Chapter 25: The Final Serenade ¡°I am unlovable...I have tried to involve myself in other people, in relationships, and even - in my sillier moments - in love...¡±- Jeff Lindsay A twenty-two-year-old Malcolm had just finished a routine sanitation of his apartment bathroom. The stainless tile cleanser radiated from the base of the floor and bathtub in the form of a powerfully toxic odor. Malcolm sat on his knees, with a sponge in one hand and no shirt on. He shone with sweat from a hard morning¡¯s work; he knew he needed to take a second shower, hot this time, to eliminate the odor should the detectives come knocking. The problem was the red stains had hardened to the point where it required Malcolm¡¯s finger strength to pick them clean. One more survey of the bathroom was required to ensure he had been thorough. Malcolm was craned over the sink and tiles; certain there was no more evidence, Malcolm gathered the sponges, rags, Clorox, and tile bleach into the cleaning basket and exited the bathroom. Malcolm crossed to the kitchen, he opened the cabinet under the sink and placed the basket within. Malcolm then sniffed himself and there was no question. He smelled like chemicals; a second shower was necessary. Malcolm took a bracingly hot shower with the bliss of silent voices. He took the showerhead to not just dowse himself, but rotate it, so that the whole of the curtain and ceramic was rinsed with water and bathing soap. The steam vapor eliminated all olfactory traces. Malcolm completed the final rinse on his black hair and undid the shower faucet. He then stepped outside of the bathtub, and there was deliberately not a towel mat on the floor. He needed to be sure that there was as little evidence of a recent cleanup. In his bedroom, Malcolm was drawing his black jeans below a black and white shirt with a pattern that reminded Malcolm of barbed wire. He entered the living space with a light comb job on his head. It was afternoon and the TV was well into the last month''s headlines; it was April, 2013: NASA¡¯s Kepler Satellite discovers three potentially habitable planets, manhunt following the Boston Marathon Bombing, Boy Scouts finally allows gay members, nearly forty Boeing Dreamliner aircraft are grounded for repair after fires breakout on Japanese jets, deadly earthquakes erupt in China¡¯s Sichuan Province, and ricin was discovered in a letter to President Obama; Homicide Detectives speculate the ¡®St Patrick¡¯s Day Crucifixion¡¯ may be linked to unsolved cases. A tired Malcolm found himself with a hunger thanks to the expended energy of an all-nighter. Opening the pantry inside the kitchen, Malcolm had white bread, chips, cookies, and cereal. Requiring protein as a Viking requires warfare, Malcolm opened the fridge for the cold cuts. Pastrami, salami, ham, roast beef and cheese; all in the shelf beneath the Bus Boy¡¯s contorted face. The severed head sat deep in blood on a crusty plate, its decay dilated by the temperature. It stared into the soul of its devourer like a telescope seeing the end of time; strands of brown hair veiled those ghostly blue eyes. Ahh¡­yes¡­what to do with you? It was Malcolm¡¯s sarcastic thought. He half-expected the Bus Boy¡¯s head to come to life and speak the answer to him. But he breathed a sigh of relief, there was no hallucination and no rapping of a bird from Hell. There was no twisting of the dead tongue to divide his mind and there was no cause for a mortal repetition of the depiction; yet still there was a necessity for the eminent removal of evidence as the blue eyes shone into the pit of Malcolm¡¯s inner despair. We¡¯re having another moment¡­Aren¡¯t we? He grabbed the assorted meats and stepped to the kitchen island. The refrigerator door was still wide as Malcolm continued to behold his prize¡¯s eyes. He proceeded to grab the white bread and his family bag of barbeque chips. He circled around the island. Malcolm assembled a sandwich while the cold aired out the fridge. He grabbed a protein shake; he gulped in between bites from his food and licked the chip flavoring from his fingertips. Last night was very bold. And wilder still for me to attempt a memento¡­But I can see clearly, whereas before my waking state would blend apart; A Carnal Beast that demands haunting abstracts be played out. Whatever I do to free the skull is probably gonna entail another shower. Will a high-water bill evoke circumstantial suspicion if the cops have questions? Maybe I could boil the skin off? Then what do I do with the skull? Am I gonna smash my art and craft? Malcolm had been eating with no plate, only the cutting board. He crumbled the empty chip bag and circled to the sink. As he was washing the board off, the refrigerator¡¯s chill hugged his left side like the Reaper tugging him along. The time had just passed One P.M. Suddenly, Malcolm heard a buzzing on the apartment com. Puzzled, he approached the button and pressed. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Hey, Mal!¡± Malcolm gasped. ¡°Oh hey!¡± Meryl laughed. ¡°You know your shit about picking up the phone?¡± ¡°My bad.¡± Malcolm rushed to think. ¡°I-I was donating blood last night and the time slipped by me. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I want to come in.¡± ¡°Oh, now?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°No, in an hour. I came over just to show you my new dress for tonight.¡± Malcolm smiled. ¡°Did you also get a-¡° ¡°No!¡± He raised a brow. ¡°Well why didn¡¯t you just send a pic-¡° ¡°Mal, Sarcasm. Also, you don¡¯t pick up the phone.¡± Malcolm looked around. ¡°Well¡­I¡¯m kind of naked right now darling.¡± ¡°That saves us time. Doesn¡¯t it?¡± He chose to be sly. ¡°¡­But I like it when you strip me.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m too tired for that right now but it might be different at my place.¡± ¡°I¡¯m confused¡­¡± She sighed but sounded happy regardless. ¡°Mal. You¡¯re a sweetheart, let me up.¡± Malcolm¡¯s head turned to the kitchen and his pupils contracted like the time he hit the screaming speedbump. He unlocked the latch on his door. ¡°Come on up.¡± In a heightened state of panic, Malcolm flailed over to the refrigerator and cupped the bottom of the bloody plate with one hand. Using the other to grab the scalp, Malcolm carried it out and placed it next to the refrigerator. Grabbing a large handful of paper towels, Malcolm began a frantic scrub of the base of the fridge. He then took out a massive sheet of aluninum and balled it around his trophy. It was then that he sprinted to the bathroom and flushed the roll of towels. Malcolm reemerged into the living room, only to realize that the bloody plate and aluminum head still on the kitchen counter. Malcolm sprinted over and threw the Foil ball into the freezer; he began a vigourous rinse of the plate. His senses were acute enough to slow down as he heard the door open. He looked over and there she was, peering over as she closed the door. Meryl was wearing a generic Hot Topic shirt she had owned since high school which fit her still. Over that was a black leather jacket over her blue jeans; she was setting her purse and shopping bag on the floor. ¡°Hey Honey!¡± He looked down to make sure the blood had all rinsed down the drain. ¡°Weren¡¯t you naked a moment ago?¡± She asked. Malcolm looked back at her and put the plate down, turning off the sink. ¡°You said something about being tired, so I didn¡¯t think you were in the mood.¡± She approached and noticed the plate he had been washing. He closed in and tried to kiss her. She paused him. ¡°It¡¯s okay that you were clearly just breaking your diet.¡± He poked her, ¡°Lookey here.¡± He said sarcastically, ¡°I resent these accusations.¡± ¡°You were clearly eating before I came up.¡± She laughed. ¡°Plus, the TV is on.¡± He flashed his brows. ¡°Yea well my secret ricin plot was foiled.¡± ¡°Uh huh.¡± She finally kissed him and smiled, ¡°You didn¡¯t deny it.¡± ¡°The blinds are closed.¡± Malcolm said poetically. ¡°Good. Keeps things between us until tonight.¡± ¡°Does that mean you want to crash here?¡± She shook her head while laughing. ¡°Could you not sound like we¡¯re frat bros?¡± ¡°Okay. You want to sleep over?¡± ¡°Now you sound like an eighth grader!¡± She still laughed. ¡°What do I call it if we¡¯re not having sex?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just ¡®Staying the night!¡± She exclaimed. ¡°Everybody I¡¯ve ever dated usually has to beg me to ¡®crash.¡± ¡°I thought that was what made you stick around.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°¡­I never started begging¡­¡± Meryl cupped his cheek with one hand. ¡°I stuck around cause I¡¯m the one who asked you out to begin with.¡± Malcolm sweetly kissed her hand. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want me to be worth it right now?¡± ¡°Not until after our date tonight.¡± She then swung over to the refrigerator, opened it and grabbed one of Malcolm¡¯s coconut waters. As Malcolm¡¯s heart picked up where it left off, she shut the door and took a gulp. ¡°When the fuck are you gonna start buying Dasani like everyone else?¡± Malcolm flashed his brows. ¡°When the fuck are you gonna watch Chinatown with me?¡± ¡°When the fuck are you gonna ask me to live with you?¡± She flashed her brows. Malcolm gasped with his eyes. ¡°Meryl¡­¡± She shrugged. ¡°Just saying, we could watch whatever we want¡­whenever we wanted¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ve only been dating for a year!¡± She fluttered her eyes. ¡°Only a year huh?¡± ¡°You know that I don¡¯t know how this works¡­¡± ¡°Clearly.¡± She officially seemed solemn as she finished her water. Malcolm stammered. ¡°¡­If I couldn¡¯t ask you out, what makes you think that I¡¯ll know when it¡¯s appropriate to start sharing a roof with someone?¡± Her lips were pursed as she turned to retrieve the bag she set by the door before turning towards the bedroom. ¡°Your being too careful, Mal. I already got close to you, now reach out more.¡± She shut the door. Malcolm stared blankly before immediately withdrawing the tinfoil ball from the freezer, his brain did nothing as he chucked the head into the garbage bin. The lid closed just in time for Meryl to emerge from the bedroom. as she was in the process of undoing her hair tie. She noticed Malcolm standing there as if he awaited her judgement. ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± ¡°Do you want to move in?¡± Malcolm blurted out. ¡°Oh, for Christ¡¯s sake Mal...¡± Malcolm stammered again. ¡°Meryl, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m supposed to do!¡± She cupped the bridge of her nose, ¡°You can¡¯t just force the question like that¡­Not when I brought it up.¡± ¡°But I thought that was what you wanted!¡± Malcolm held out his hand. ¡°Honey, you just got here, and you shoehorn the next step at me like that?¡± The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. She seemed mad. ¡°Mal! Sarcasm.¡± ¡°Okay¡­no.¡± Malcolm pointed at her. ¡°You don¡¯t just-¡° ¡°Drop the fucking finger right now.¡± Malcolm obeyed and continued. ¡°You of all people aren¡¯t gonna throw Paramore lyrics at me and mean it ¡®sarcastically.¡± ¡°Mal¡­¡± She cupped both hands in front of her face. ¡°Remember the second time we fucked? And you immediately said, ¡®I love you?¡± Malcolm¡¯s head shook. ¡°I don¡¯t see the connection.¡± She nodded. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would, but it¡¯s the same fucking thing!¡± Without a breath, Meryl stormed into the bathroom. The flabbergasted Malcolm stood with his mouth hanging open like a drunk chimpanzee. He didn¡¯t know if a second or sixty had passed, he snapped out of it when he heard the shower faucet turn on. Malcolm flipped the lid to his trash can, lifted the bag out and knotted it. Malcolm hastily scrambled the door open and moved down the apartment hallway. In his panic, forgetting which way the staircase was, Malcolm turned right and strode down the apartments. He stopped by the elevator and pressed the button. Malcolm tapped his foot three times before he remembered that the stairwell was just behind him. He then pushed through the door and hurried to the basement. Malcolm emerged down a cramped corridor that was grey and dark. He came upon an open space where the building¡¯s furnace sat; dead center of the wall was the latch. Malcolm looked down at both ends of the hall and promptly moved to open the furnace hatch. After throwing the bag into the fire, Malcolm shut it closed and tightened the seal before running back to Room 182. Malcolm arrived with a sweat on his brow, but the veins were those of ice. After shutting the door loudly, he saw the trash bin was open and empty. Malcolm immediately made way for the kitchen cabinet and withdrew a fresh, black garbage bag. Meryl stepped out of the bathroom with a black towel drying her body and a second around her shoulders. Malcolm knew that his face expressed the guilt of a dog who shat. Ergo, he stared into the bin despite Meryl staring at him. She went back into the bedroom without a word to utter as Malcolm replaced the garbage bag. Would you go say you¡¯re sorry, you fucking asshat! For the first time since she¡¯d deflowered him, Malcolm felt compelled to knock before opening the door. He did so anyway and Meryl was already shirted with a casual red over her underwear. She was staring out of Malcolm¡¯s window to the city. Malcolm unclenched his fist and began to rub his palms; an attempt to feel warm and welcoming. As Meryl turned around she sat down on Malcolm¡¯s bed and patted the spot next to her. A nervous Malcolm sat down. ¡°I misread the-¡± ¡°I know.¡± Meryl said as she rubbed his head. ¡°So, we¡¯re still on for the night?¡± He wanted to rub into her hand like a cat. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna dump you for acting stupid.¡± She kissed his temple. ¡°You¡¯re better than that anyway.¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t feel like I am.¡± He hollowed. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve dated retards who thought they we¡¯re brilliant.¡± She assured. ¡°Believe me, what you are is cute.¡± ¡°So, what did I do?¡± he asked innocently. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry I snapped at you.¡± She sorrowed. ¡°After dating for a year, I should know that the mind tricks don¡¯t really work with you. I was up all-night studying and I¡¯m still coming down off the Adderall...But after tonight, we¡¯ll both be on cloud nine and we can dream about what comes next." ¡°So¡­where did you want to eat?¡± ¡°Just something new for you.¡± ¡°Some ¡®place.¡¯ Honey.¡± Malcolm corrected. ¡°Don¡¯t grammar nazi me!¡± She laughed. ¡°If it¡¯s that new Caribbean place, I tried it with Javier. The shrimp looked like it was coated in puke.¡± ¡°Well don¡¯t you worry about that.¡± She assured him. ¡°¡­I had to get a reservation.¡± ¡°Wow, fancy.¡± Meryl adjusted herself to face her back against the frame of the bed. Malcolm followed and they were soon locked shoulder to shoulder. ¡°What time?¡± Malcolm closed his eyes and yawned. ¡°Let¡¯s just say that we can nap for now.¡± ¡°Perfect.¡± Malcolm opened his eyes alone and he knew Meryl would be just out the door. He looked at his phone by the bed, the time was eighteen twenty-two. After stretching, he stood and opened the blinds to eye the evening city. He entered the apartment living room to see Meryl pacing around the couch while talking on the phone. She took notice of Malcolm. ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll see you soon. Bye.¡± She hung up. ¡°Who are we seeing?¡± Malcolm queried. ¡°Was that the restaurant?¡± ¡°That was my sister.¡± She scratched the back of her head. ¡°We¡¯ll have to leave early; she needs a ride to her Prom.¡± Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°Whoa. That shit is tonight?¡± ¡°It¡¯s April, Mal. She¡¯s graduating in two weeks. ¡°Why can¡¯t your parents do it? Isn¡¯t that their responsibility?¡± ¡°It¡¯s gonna be late for them to pick her up.¡± Meryl answered. ¡°Plus, we¡¯re already going out tonight so it¡¯s just a diversion.¡± Malcolm raised his hands. ¡°You signed us up for two.¡± ¡°Mal, our reservation isn¡¯t until after eight, it¡¯ll be fine. We¡¯ll just pick her up as we leave.¡± ¡°So, we¡¯re not babysitting?¡± ¡°Mal, I promised you this was your night, and it is.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°With rush hour traffic in mind, we should get ready now.¡± *** Malcolm drove the car in a modestly blue, buttoned shirt while Meryl sat beside him wearing a dark black dress. Her little sister, Beth was sitting with some dorky looking, suited kid in the backseat. Beth was brunette headed like Meryl but both the face and supposedly her personality was more reflective of their mother, her dress was dark blue and the red flower her date used to ask her out was attached to her chest. The Dork named Merrick wore a shitty Bill Nye bow tie over a blue dress shirt; for some reason, he decided it would look cool to rock the 1930s suspenders. His face didn¡¯t help either, both the braces and glasses were the only things shielding his yellow teeth and acne marked face Malcolm adjusted his sight back to the busy city street as a light turned green. After exiting right and passing along a street beset by trees, they came upon a single-story building to their right side. Every window was brightly lit and radiant while a large crowd of teenagers shuffling slowly into the mouth of the front entrance. Bouncers kept the crowd in a compact line, and they walked into the rays of light beaming from the four open doors. The parking lot to their left contained a sea of parked vehicles and for half the cars seen, a group of three teenagers could be spotted. All were geekily overdressed unless they were an obvious jock. The women all wore dresses of pink, white or blue. A long line of vehicles was also carpooling at the front entrance to drop their teenagers off with their dates. ¡°Go ahead and find a space.¡± Meryl pointed. Malcolm held his hand like he was presenting the view. ¡°We will be trapped in this lot.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be fine.¡± Malcolm protested. ¡°But I can just pull through and be out.¡± ¡°Well, the line isn¡¯t moving, so just go ahead and claim a spot.¡± ¡°But why would I do that we have reservations for eight?¡± Malcolm checked his watch. ¡°There¡¯s no restaurant here.¡± Meryl squinted. ¡°Mal. Remember what I said about borrowing my brain sometimes?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± She blinked. ¡°I need this to be one of those times.¡± Malcolm looked to the floor, and Meryl¡¯s legs, before flipping the left signal and gunned the accelerator to claim a freed space; every occupant shook as he came to a halt. ¡°Goddamn, Mal!¡± Beth called. ¡°My car, my fault if I scrape it.¡± he responded as he set the car to park. ¡°You know you need to cool it in there.¡± Beth started as she and Merrick unbuckled themselves. ¡°The bouncers are our underpaid coaches, don¡¯t go pissing them off.¡± Malcolm spun to look at the pair. ¡°Yea, trust me. I don¡¯t go to dances. I make people who have information dance. You know? Shooting bullets by their feet?¡± Malcolm made finger guns in the air. ¡°No. I really don¡¯t.¡± Beth responded. Meryl looked at them. ¡°Go ahead inside.¡± She handed them two tickets. ¡°What are you two doing?¡± Beth asked suspiciously as she took them both. Meryl maintained her cocky grin. ¡°I¡¯m graciously not holding your hand like Mom and Dad asked. Now get the hell in there; you only live once.¡± Merrick looked at them both with his own suspicion before looking at Beth. Beth looked at him and dismissed the notion by leaning in to open his door for him. They exited the car and shut the doors quick enough for Beth to grab Merrick by the hand and dash away. ¡°Was that¡­was that a Suicide Silence reference?¡± Malcolm asked pleasantly. Meryl shrugged. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m speaking her language. Comes with being a big sis.¡± She reached over to turn the ignition key and the car shut off. ¡°What are we doing here Meryl?¡± Malcolm looked across the lot in front of them. ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡± A new pair of prom tickets magically appeared in Meryl¡¯s hands. Malcolm failed to process the sight, even while staring at them. She continued to tap them against her lap. ¡°Apparently someone doesn¡¯t dance...we''re just chaperoning I guess...¡± ¡°Are those¡­Meryl is this what you meant by our reservation?¡± Her eyes bulged as he stared back. ¡°Yes, Dumbass; You are my reimagined prom date. I wasted no time on making an elaborate ¡®Go to Prom with me¡¯ involving flowers, mostly you think flowers are stupid because they die on a three-day average.¡± Malcolm¡¯s hollow, sunken eyes seemingly pulled themselves into the light. The whites around the brown pupils glistened as he stared with a straight lip. ¡°¡­Literally one if you have a cat¡­¡± She simply laughed at his cluelessness. She slowly started to lean in. ¡°Come in Corporal Space Dog, this is Earth talking¡­¡± her whispers were soothing. ¡°You are out of the hot zone...¡± Her hand was touching Malcolm¡¯s arm, and his head slowly fell onto her shoulder. ¡°So you¡¯re¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s the Prom you never had Honey.¡± He closed his eyes. ¡°How? The tickets I mean.¡± ¡°Shush. We''re technically adult chaperones...¡± She began to stroke Malcolm¡¯s black hair. ¡°There¡¯s a lot that makes what you¡¯re fighting for worth it.¡± He stammered. ¡°¡­Do you mind being all the good I see?¡± ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t.¡± Meryl whispered back. Malcolm trembled. She seemed worried. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Meryl¡­I don¡¯t think I-I¡­¡± She interrupted him. ¡°Mal, I know that you think you¡¯re heartless; but you¡¯re Human, are you not? Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t give a shit about anything. Ever.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes started to sink all over again. ¡°I¡¯m a k-¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re gonna kill it on the dance floor with me!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes opened. ¡°I¡¯m¡­I don''t know how to dance.¡± ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it.¡± She continued to soothe him. ¡°Back at my Prom, I danced like it were a sitcom! You sort of just need¡­ help letting go.¡± Malcolm was oblivious to what she placed in his mouth, but he instinctively closed his lips anyway and his sunken eyes bulged when the smell hit him. He looked down and puckered his lips upward to see a marijuana cigarette rolled to Caribbean perfection. ¡°Whoa!¡± Malcolm was respectfully careful not to drop the joint as he held it in his hands. All Meryl did was laugh while Malcolm frantically looked out all the windows. ¡°This is a High School Prom! There are guards watching for this shit!¡± ¡°Watching the kids Mal. We¡¯re not slinging it and we kicked our teenagers out, so we¡¯re fine.¡± ¡°Honey! I get drug tested!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know your Colonel?¡± Malcolm almost gasped. ¡°He is not the person you go to for this.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯re C.O.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°You want me to tell Garfield I got high?¡± ¡°Fashion a story of it being an accident.¡± He laughed. ¡°I accidentally smoked weed?¡± ¡°You though it was a closed cigarette until it was too late.¡± Malcolm squinted. ¡°You realize he¡¯s seen ¡®The Office¡¯, right?¡± ¡°If he doesn¡¯t buy it, then you go to the Colonel. It¡¯s one time, he¡¯s not gonna toss you aside over that.¡± Malcolm sighed with a slight grin, he looked at the joint in hand. He looked outside every window to know the coast was clear. He grinned at her fully as he brought the joint to his lips. Meryl brought out her purse-pocketed lighter and did Malcolm the honor of igniting it. Malcolm took a single two second drag which successfully caught a bright flame. He began a vicious cough that sent spittle flying and he faced his left window as to stop any from hitting Meryl. Her laughter was so loud it scared him they would be caught as he passed the joint over to her. By the time he looked over to Meryl once more, she was in mid-drag; a funnel of smoke began to exhume from Meryl¡¯s mouth. ¡°I still got it!¡± she exclaimed with a fist bump. It was after they entered the doorways that they were beholden to a set of windows viewing an ice-skating ring that had been repurposed into a ball-lit dance floor at the far end. The Couple emerged to a series of round tables made for groups to sit and dine at, together and the scent of Meryl¡¯s perfume on both. ¡°I-hmmm¡­Are they serving steaks?¡± Malcolm gasped. ¡°What the fuck? It¡¯s a buffet at a Prom!¡± ¡°Easy there. No need to be loud!¡± Meryl smiled with red eyes. ¡°You kidding me? I haven¡¯t eaten since noon, this is PERFECT!¡± Meryl laughed. ¡°Chill Mal! You¡¯re gonna get us looked at!¡± ¡°Honey! I¡¯m about to wolf a chicken like it¡¯s a victim!¡± She grabbed his shoulder. ¡°We got hours yet, Mal.¡± She whispered, ¡°And eating will kill the high¡­¡± Malcolm looked at the packed dance floor. ¡°So, we¡¯re burning up an appetite?¡± Meryl began to walk backwards, toward the dance, with Malcolm in hand. ¡°You knew this shit came with having a woman¡­¡± her eyes half open. They were halted just past the first line of dancing teenagers, deep enough to blend in without being seen. It was the audio speakers blurring a familiar guitar strumming of an emo anthem. In sync, their feet began a Chaplin twirl back and forth; their hips entered the churning rhythm of The Sharpest Lives. With a dual spinning at the end of the first chorus, Malcolm was helpless to stop himself from pulling in to share a kiss with Meryl. Their pace increased with the new instrumental buildup. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve really been¡­ ¡­On a Bender and it shows¡­ ¡­So why don¡¯t you blow me¡­ ¡­One kiss before she Goes¡­ Chapter 26: Mad World ¡°Everything was perfectly healthy and normal here in Denial Land.¡± ¨D Jim Butcher Malcolm¡¯s senses were overstimulated by the bright lights of what he finally realized was an interrogation room. The voices spoke with authority, yet the tones were muffled and blended. ¡°NELSON!¡± A Lieutenant Colonel named Clemens barked, sparking Malcolm from his dissociation. ¡°You look dead at me for this debrief! Got me?¡± Malcolm blinked immediately for ¡®yes¡¯ as he popped the ach in his bare knuckles. ¡°You¡¯ve sat me here twice now to have me repeat myself verbatim. Between that? I haven¡¯t seen the light of day since the sun set in Korea!¡± The Lieutenant Colonel of fifty years, withered to look seventy, was flanked by his officers at the seats lined next to him; he pounded a fist against the long table. ¡°I¡¯ll have you repeat yourself a thousand times until we know exactly what happened to you at the Tunnel!¡± Malcolm vented his agitation with the drumming of closed knuckles; he pulled out a cigarette from a quarter empty pack and twiddled it in his hand. ¡°Huh¡­a better question¡­¡± He looked Clemens in the eyes. ¡°How did not see this coming?¡± ¡°You are not changing the subject!¡± Malcolm nodded with puckered lips. ¡°Actually, I am. It¡¯s better that we know how you quacks in the Command Chain managed to fuck up worse than Churchill with Gallipoli!¡± Clemens pointed at him. ¡°Then you¡¯ll stay in your brig until I can finally slap you with insubordination! You want to see the sun today? Start making sense right now!¡± A red-flushed Malcolm brought the cigarette to his mouth, he learned too late that his lighter was dead. ¡°Someone humor me over here.¡± All in the room, even the armed guards behind Malcolm stood silent. Malcolm was agitated. ¡°Aww for God¡¯s sake¡­Put me in a goddamn muzzle if you¡¯re so scared! It¡¯s been, like, three days!¡± ¡°And your attitude isn¡¯t putting us to rest¡­¡± The Lieutenant Colonel sneered. Malcolm¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°You want another blood sample? I¡¯m not sick; I¡¯d be showing symptoms by now!¡± ¡°And how do you know?¡± Clemens asked coldly. Malcolm leaned onto the table from where he sat, ¡°I¡¯ve been close enough to the Berserkers to feel their breath! And none of you are wearing masks so you know it isn¡¯t airborne! Now this is an American ship, someone in this room has a light! Hand it over and I won¡¯t bite so hard!¡± It appeared from the soldier guarding Malcolm¡¯s left, sliding across the table. Malcolm looked at the guard as he grabbed it. ¡°You¡¯re a Gentleman and a Scholar; I¡¯ll honor you by banging your wife!¡± ¡°NELSON!¡± The Lieutenant Colonel barked. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Malcolm lit the cigarette and took a long drag to relax his anger. ¡°Look, you people even brought me a typewriter to print out my report. I¡¯m a little flustered why it¡¯s not enough yet.¡± Clemens opened the document with Malcolm¡¯s written words. ¡°Your first contact with the Infected occurred after nineteen hundred hours¡­¡± ¡°Technically it was when I arrived after seventeen hundred.¡± Malcolm gave a huff of smoke. ¡°The South Korean Military Police had an injured man after they first made contact in the Tunnel.¡± ¡°And reiterate for us what happened to them.¡± ¡°Presumed K.I.A. at the other end. Sir.¡± Clemens nodded. ¡°They crossed to investigate it; an order you gave them. Unescorted.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°It was their tunnel, seemed fit to make them scope it.¡± ¡°And when they dropped off?¡± Malcolm sneered. ¡°I waited on Bravo to arrive after McElroy personally ordered me to send him the bodies we had, plus the injured man. I sent one of my medics and that was the last time I saw of them.¡± ¡°So, after Bravo arrived, it was them who you sent down the other end?¡± ¡°No.¡± Malcolm lied. ¡°I wrote that Forrest took point and volunteered half his company. Electric Grid shut off while I was waiting on him and my medic.¡± Clemens tapped with a pencil. ¡°And this would be your first true encounter with the Infected?¡± Malcolm tapped the table with his finger. ¡°Until you elaborate on what they¡¯re infected with, can we call them what they are?¡± ¡°Yes or No, Nelson.¡± Malcolm huffed more smoke. ¡°Yes. I lost contact with Captain Forrest, and it would eventually be me and Master Sergeant Chavez venturing down the Tunnel to rally Bravo.¡± ¡°And when you made contact?¡± ¡°Read it!¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°I watch Chavez get sunk and by the time we killed all the Berserkers, over a dozen troops had been bitten!¡± ¡°Yes¡­Including your X.O.; Second Lieutenant Harvey Daniels¡­¡± Malcolm nodded emphatically. ¡°By then, we knew shit was hitting the fan outside after that I had to figure out a Pandemic was going on. Every time I had Mendez on the line, what he was saying was always cryptic.¡± ¡°And walk us through how you realized what was happening?¡± Malcolm began to trace on the table. ¡°I first connected the flu cases when I talked to the sick refugees we had. I assumed we were dealing with a Rabies outbreak and panicked. As I screamed for the bodies in the tunnel to be burned, another of my medics was mutilated to death by two of the refugees who had turned.¡± Clemens cupped his fingers with a sneer. ¡°And that was when you made the decision to execute fifteen United States Soldiers?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°No. I decided to euthanize them after Mendez himself told me to leave them behind.¡± Clemens visibly restrained himself. ¡°Yes, so you claim.¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m a liar?¡± Malcolm heaved. ¡°I think you acted calously!¡± Malcolm was offended. ¡°McElroy himself told me that death rate has been total so far. So, was I to just leave them behind to feast on others; now, how is that responsible?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get to make choices like that!¡± Malcolm leaned in further. ¡°Daniels turned immediately after he died! Understand me? That was when I knew we were all in deep shit. And it¡¯s a good thing I acted, or they¡¯d have been turned loose on my ranks while we waited on you guys to get us out!¡± Now, Clemens leaned in. ¡°Then how do you know that he already died?¡± Malcolm guffawed, ¡°Every. Last. One. Dies of a headshot!¡± ¡°...I think it¡¯s clear that you were compromised by the gravity of your situation, not to mention the power that¡¯s gone to your head!¡± ¡°I¡¯M compromised?!¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°You people let our forward army group get caught, not by the belt, but taking a complete shit! Now I¡¯m holding the bag for saving the most out of every Commanding Officer in my division?!¡± The Lieutenant Colonel stood suddenly, ¡°I ought to have you sunk as if we were the goddamn Japs!¡± A sudden turn of a door panel swung behind Clemens. ¡°ATTENTION!¡± In unison, everyone stood at attention as Colonel McElroy stepped inside the interview room. ¡°At ease. Clemens, what have I told you?¡± ¡°Sir.¡± Clemens still faced Malcolm. ¡°Captain Nelson is insubordinate and with all-due respect¡­¡± He faced the Colonel. ¡°I''m the one who wanted Daniels to command November Company!¡± McElroy remained stoic. ¡°...I read Nelson¡¯s report; he does know that the mortality rate is total¡­Daniels was always going to become one of them.¡± McElroy raised his finger. ¡°Now I told you that we¡¯ve yet to see an incubation period this long. Both Nelson and his Companies show no symptoms, and their blood tests are consistently negative. There¡¯s no need to keep them under quarantine any longer.¡± The Lieutenant Colonel shut his eyes and seethed out his frustration, much to Malcolm¡¯s satisfaction. ¡°We¡¯ll see your Company is allowed on the decks. Go.¡± Clemens said. Malcolm stood with pain to hide his grin; McElroy motioned for him. ¡°With me.¡± He spoke. Malcolm obeyed. McElroy¡¯s guards shut the door behind them as he guided Malcolm down the corridors of the labyrinthian U.S. carrier. There was a constant flux of Naval crewmen standing to salute both McElroy and Malcolm as they passed. The Crew and the Army grunts, maintained an orderly sense of Rank and File. However, the mood across the decks Malcolm and McElroy journeyed was one of silent, yet confused dread. In the days since the Outbreak started, there were already posters across the metal walls by the CDC which encouraged the washing of hands and regular sanitization. One made Malcolm supress a chuckle: "ARE YOU INFECTED WITH THE NAEGLERIA FLU?" "IF SO, REMAIN CALM AND CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MILITARY CHECKPOINT IMMEDIATELY..." McElroy had dismissed his guards before entering his quarter office on the ship with Malcolm alone. He circled around a desk with a swivel chair on wheels and took his seat with Malcolm standing. McElroy leaned forward across his desk. ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you, is going to be told to everyone¡­in a trickled way. Understand?¡± Malcolm nodded. McElroy turned his chair to face Malcolm¡¯s left, where an old television was set up as he twiddled a remote in hand. ¡°Cindering the infection sites in South Korea seems to have bought them valuable time¡­But then there¡¯s the Global Pandemic¡­¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. McElroy clicked his remote and the Television cut to a live news feed in the italics of Italian. Malcolm didn¡¯t need to make the words to distinguish a metropolis awash with anarchy. The feed was from a helicopter above the weaving river streets of Venice, where hundreds of thousands panicked people crowded the waterways with boats; some boats burned others were fighting to stop people from leaping onto their decks from the disasterous streets around them. As the reporter spoke frantically, the news feed panned its view to a single road: People were running in every direction, only to be blocked by a collage of wrecks, military barricades, or the sudden explosion of a gas station. The reporter focused on the wall of riot shields at the bottom end of the road. The chaotic civilians were charging directly into their ranks to escape, and policemen battered them back with batons. Two firetrucks sprayed their hoses into the growing mass, and despite the growing teargas, they were unabating. It was the mass at the far end of the road Malcolm turned his eyes to, it was the butchery which the people were fleeing. It was a far-off road of people colliding and being torn, ripped, and dismembered. As the charging mass grappled with any living soul, the Network muted the sounds of shrieking and panic; only the desperate mutterings of the reporter narrated the scene. Malcolm flexed his jaw to process the expected sight. as McElroy gave a slight, yet nervous, rock of his chair. ¡°This is the one that all Europe is watching¡­¡± As the TV cut to an Italian Military official, giving blanketed instructions and reassurance, Malcolm turned his head to McElroy. ¡°I saw this shit happening to the Chinese the morning of the operation. What did they tell us?¡± McElroy gave a ¡®Pfft¡¯ as he drew a perfectly cylindrical cigar from his desk and lit it for comfort. ¡°They never officially ¡®talked¡¯ to us at all. It was the World Health Organization¡­¡± McElroy inhaled a bright flame and talked over the smoke. ¡°I already told you that we were getting red alerts from Yongsan Base regarding the Spring Flu Outbreak. While we were scrapping the truth together on the peninsula, WHO made an emergency announcment...too late for any network to tune in and make a difference.¡± ¡°...So, what did they say?¡± McElroy hesitated. ¡°That the ¡®Event in Pyongyang¡¯, as they initially called it, has broken out in China. They described the ¡®Event in Pyongyang¡¯ as ¡®a contagion of a highly degenerative nature.¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°So, the outbreak seeped into them from North Korea, like it did the South.¡± McElroy nodded. ¡°And from China, it must''ve gone Global. The people at Yongsan may have found out how it was spreading for us but we couldn¡¯t get anyone out when Seoul was leveled.¡± Malcolm clicked his tongue, ¡°But WHO knows and I know bacteria can¡¯t act that fast. So, what the fuck is it?¡± McElroy¡¯s eyes rolled around the room, as if he were looking for an escape. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Malcolm¡¯s brows raised to the point they might rip. ¡°Well, what did WHO say?¡± The Colonel flashed an open palm. ¡°They illustrated the disease to behave like a resilient parasite, only it¡¯s not¡­it¡¯s an infectious ''amoeba." McElroy knocked ash into his tray. ¡°Supposedly it''s a unicellular microbe that they say mutated from a documented strain, one which used to end with meningitis. Baseline symptoms? Flulike. Endgame symptoms? Carnivorous. WHO can¡¯t say if it mutated via human tampering or in a ¡®patient zero¡¯, but CDC confirmed the transmissions so far¡­This thing has adapted from fresh water to bodily fluids. This also confirms what we¡¯ve been seeing: the Infected turn Berserker, and everyone they bite will incubate the amoeba.¡± ¡°...And what about our water?¡± Malcolm leaned into the desk with both hands. ¡°Are any of us really safe if¡­¡± McElroy raised both hands. ¡°We¡¯ve started checking.¡± ¡°You just¡­How are you sure the water is purified?¡± McElroy tried to wave him down. ¡°The chinks assured us that high temperatures kill it.¡± ¡°Still doesn¡¯t explain why it became a pandemic in a matter of days!¡± Malcolm pointed to the TV and winced a blackened eye. "And how many countries are reporting it? Besides US.¡± McElroy paused and sank. ¡°How many Outbreaks are there?¡± McElroy knocked another bit of ash into his tray, he looked to his hand as if to count. ¡°India. South Africa. France. Japan. Russia. Brazil. Panama-¡° ¡°You¡¯re accounting for the mass migrations across the Third World¡­right?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes revealed his mockery. ¡°I bet they¡¯re spreading it now¡­¡± ¡°Believe you and me.¡± McElroy interrupted. ¡°International travel has been paralyzed by every government. Not even domestic flights are possible unless the military is involved.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure that will do wonders when peoples¡¯ homes are burning!¡± Malcolm retorted. ¡°Evening curfews are being setup in both the outbreak centers and the non-infected zones¡­emergency services are¡­¡± ¡°Not trained for an Apocalypse!¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°Think you can tell the Zombies to respect a curfew? Think any civvies are gonna ¡®hunker down¡¯ when the Dead come charging through their windows? Are Doctors and Nurses going to tell all their patients, ¡®You are going to die. Let us cut open your skull now.¡± McElroy decided to focus on Malcolm¡¯s first choice of words. ¡°Look at me, Nelson¡­This. Is. Not. The End. Everything is going to be okay; every nation is formulating strategies and containment procedures. The Korean Outbreak has slowed significantly¡­¡± ¡°And all it took was a Scorched Earth Response! How many times can we afford do this to our own people?¡± McElroy paused. ¡°The Administration panicked. We didn¡¯t know about the devolving situation in Korea until it was already blowing up in Detroit¡­The President has been moved to a safe bunker; the CDC is coordinating with all branches and our allies, expanded firebombing is a last resort contingency.¡± Malcolm chose not to ask; he snatched the remote from McElroy¡¯s desk. He turned to the television and tunned the channels past the Italian perspective until he landed on America¡¯s C-SPAN. Malcolm¡¯s first indicator of the time over there, Twelve hundred hours. There was a young reporter a field of battle, behind him was a field of pockmarks and a smoky horizon as Fortified positions opened fire on anything that moved. The Young reporter had to shout over the encore of heavy weapons. "WE ARE CONFIRMING NOW THAT THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS DECLARED THE STATE OF MICHIGAN LOST AS THE STATES SURROUNDING THE GREAT LAKES ARE BESET BY THE NAEGLERIA OUTBREAK..." Malcolm almost dropped the remote. "Jesus Christ." ¡°Nelson-¡° Malcolm faced McElroy. ¡°What the fuck is happening in New Orleans?¡± ¡°Nelson¡­¡± McElroy made a genuine attempt to soothe. ¡° Only the Great Lakes and the West Coast is Endangered¡­¡± He leaned forward. ¡°A lot of hospital staff are under a heavy presence by the National Guard¡­There¡¯s no reason Meryl should¡¯ve been hurt.¡± Malcolm clenched his fist. The C-SPAN feed had cut to a sweaty-old reporter. ¡°¡­we move on to a fourth day since what many are calling Judgement Day, the county sees its stores and pharmacies indiscriminately looted by hordes of panicked rioting. Many workers were accosted, and police barricades were being overrun as the night progressed. Following the evacuation and subsequent disappearance of the President from the White House, we are confirming now that mass protesters wearing medical, and gasmasks are storming the fences of the capital yard¡­¡± Malcolm twitched his head. ¡°¡­People are losing their shit without the infection!¡± McElroy took another comforting cigar drag. ¡°Critical VIPs have been or are being evacuated; we still have a bodied State¡­Steps are being taken to preserve existing population zones and city structures while we conduct a ¡®cleansing campaign¡¯ of the outbreak centers.¡± ¡°We¡¯re doing what?¡± McElroy motioned with both hands. ¡°Everyone is establishing guidelines for the National Guard to wall off Quarantine Zones to guarantee the infection stays out. From there, we¡¯re to work in conjunction with them to conduct security sweeps of the nonquarantined areas.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes glistened with certainty. ¡°You¡¯re already quartering most of three Hundred Million Americans to anarchy.¡± McElroy closed his eyes, heaving the annoyance. ¡°We¡¯re taking every step to ensure this Pandemic is stopped¡­Until we have a vaccine, what would you do?¡± Malcolm pursed his lips, ¡°So where does that leave us?¡± ¡°Our destination is Seattle-¡° ¡°Bullshit!¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to go home!¡± ¡°Christ Nelson!¡± McElroy rubbed his face. ¡°Getting to New Orleans by ship will take over a month and we¡¯ll be crossing through Panama! Every city on the West Coast has a trade network with Asia! Everybody on that coastline is in danger of infection! Hell, you can see it for yourself!¡± Malcolm wanted to twist his own head to an angle. ¡°Burn them.¡± He hollowed. ¡°If it bought the gooks so much time, then sink every ship illegally crossing the Pacific and douse the infection sites with napalm¡­¡± Malcolm let his head drop. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Nelson!¡± McElroy cut a swath with both hands. ¡°We do not do that to our people! And I brought you in here because I could always count on you!¡± ¡°And what are you counting on me for?¡± ¡°To take charge of your regiment.¡± McElroy dropped each word slowly. A silent shock hit Malcolm. ¡°You¡¯re telling me I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°Promoted, yes. Congratulations, Major¡­¡± He spoke dejectedly. Malcolm stood in a daze while McElroy took a heavy drag. ¡°Mendez didn¡¯t make it?¡± McElroy nodded. ¡°He took the teeth in Camp Humphreys¡­knowing he was going to get sick after the evacuation¡­he volunteered for the dolly. He should be with the CDC in Atlanta by now.¡± He remembered his cigar. ¡°¡­if he¡¯s still him right now.¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°And you want to advance me already?¡± ¡°Hellofa time to get advanced, yes.¡± McElroy stared into space. ¡°Hellofa time to be alive¡­Securing all the Infiltration Tunnels in Korea was a near catastrophe¡­Each company took heavy losses, except for November.¡± Malcolm huffed. ¡°So that makes us the Dead Hunters?¡± McElroy huffed and waved a finger. ¡°For morale¡¯s sake, you¡¯re all still the ¡®Fuckleheads¡¯. As far as the brass is concerned, the report on how you got your people through it all is enough to convince them of one thing¡­your one of the few and closest things we got to a field expert on the Infection.¡± This compliment was something Malcolm chose to hide his smile towards. ¡°That would put us on the front lines when we hit the States.¡± McElroy nodded. ¡°And I need you to be responsible for assembling the platoons. We can¡¯t risk a wave of soldiers retreating to find their families.¡± ¡°You want me coordinating the action from the Seattle Quarantine.¡± ¡°With people who thoroughly understand what¡¯s at stake if we shirk our duty now.¡± Malcolm shared the acknowledgement. ¡°What of the soldiers who have to stay with the fleet?¡± McElroy cocked his head as he thought. ¡°We still need to maintain security in and among the navy They¡¯ll do their part where they can cope with the Event.¡± ¡°You¡¯re shielding them.¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°We¡¯re reserving them in case we must salvage civilization from the Sea.¡± ¡°And what of their families in the southern states?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°They get free tickets to the Quarantine Zones?¡± ¡°¡­We¡¯re taking in as many as we can.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not enough.¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°I don¡¯t feel very focused with my wife serving in a hospital out there!¡± ¡°Doctors and Nurses are VIPs for the Quarantine Zones Nelson.¡± ¡°Both she and my son will not be waiting for fate to build them a miracle wall between them and the undead!¡± Malcolm nearly shouted. ¡°They are joining this Fleet. Get me?¡± McElroy¡¯s eyes turned crossed. ¡°We have an entire army of people who aren¡¯t able to see their families Nelson¡­¡± ¡°We have what¡¯s left of an Army.¡± Malcolm retorted. ¡°Make room on an AC-One-Thirty if you must; redirect a transport aircraft! You are going to bring Meryl and Connor where I can know they¡¯re safe!¡± McElroy was venting. ¡°How many Officers, down to the Private First Classes, will be in an uproar if they find out I¡¯m making exceptions¡­¡± Malcolm pointed at McElroy. ¡°You¡¯re the one who chose to curate my whole career to this point, and I never asked for anything. You want me as you¡¯re underling like we¡¯re some form of Jedi! ¡®Nelson, stop with the Marine bullshit. Nelson, you made Sergeant, time for Candidate School! Won¡¯t you go to West Point, Nelson? Join my Command Staff, Nelson.¡¯ It¡¯s time for a return-of-favors, Colonel. Bring. Me. My. Family.¡± McElroy hit the end of his cigar and his head came to a rest in one hand while he snuffed the cigar flame. ¡°If I can¡­However I do it¡­it¡¯s unlikely they¡¯ll get here before we hit Seattle, alright Nelson?¡± Malcolm stuffed his frustration while savoring his Colonel¡¯s defeat. ¡°Make sure the soldiers protecting them know who they are; and Meryl is not to be in contact with sick people. I don¡¯t care if they run out of Medical Trainees over there; you get them out!¡± As Malcolm turned and exited the Office, the reporter on C-SPAN had unsheathed his glasses to wipe away the sweat from his brow. ¡°¡­We are confirming now that the amoebic infection, which the Chinese Media have dubbed ¡®Yuanbo Fever¡¯, has struck every continent following the confirmation of outbreaks in Australia¡­We, along with every network and the Emergency Alert System, are advising our audience to obey the four-p.m. curfew. Please lock all doors and barricade your homes. Only leave when critically necessary as any mass movement will cripple or delay Emergency Services. Report all traces of and avoid all contact with Infected individuals¡­¡± The old reporter took a deep breath. ¡°¡­We are awaiting reports on evacuations from Vatican City and the status of the Pope¡­¡± Chapter 27: Debates in Limbo ¡°People speak sometimes about the "bestial" cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel.¡±¨D Fyodor Dostoyevsky The irony of returning to his quarters after being lifted from quarantine was clear to Malcolm, yet he decided he wasn¡¯t turning back once he entered the deck where November Company was housed. Most of the hatches to each quarter had been opened already and Malcolm even passed one of his own going to the stairwell he came from. He spotted Liam exiting the hatch where the lieutenants of November Company resided, parallel to their own hatch. Liam spotted Malcolm and flashed a connivingly pleasant grin. ¡°I thank you for that assertion of dominance to Clemens! The boys were getting agitated not knowing what¡¯s happening, even if the world is in flames.¡± Malcolm winced, ¡°What did Clemens tell you?¡± ¡°About as much or less than what McElroy told you.¡± He held his thumb towards the hatch. ¡°I just got done ¡®trickling¡¯ it to the Officers.¡± ¡°What did you tell them, exactly?¡± Malcolm demanded. Liam shrugged. ¡°Just what the rest of the world got from WHO''s TED Talk on the living dead; the Korean infection is an Amoeboid and has been declared a global pandemic.¡± ¡°They know about the unrest back home?¡± Malcolm responded. Liam nodded. ¡°And how long will they need to deal with the evacuation from the peninsula?¡± Liam shook his head with a puckered mouth. ¡°Well shit. Three days locked up don¡¯t count much for recuperation. I¡¯d say about that many for a start, add one more for the night of the operation¡­¡± ¡°Stop it. This isn¡¯t a goddamn post-finals frat party we need to plan!¡± Malcolm opened the hatch to their designated quarters. The Lieutenant remarked, ¡°Well fuck me, sir. After I, and everyone else in the division, had to shoot our fellow, infected patriots just to not get fucking eaten? Shit, a party sounds like a brilliant idea.¡± ¡°Shut it and get in here.¡± Malcolm ordered Liam, who stepped forward as Malcolm entered. He pulled out the chair from the center desk, turned it around to face Liam; he crossed one leg to untie his boot while stitting. ¡°I¡¯ve been promoted to Major.¡± Liam clicked his tongue, ¡°Yea, I saw that one coming a mile away. But immediately after they lift us from quarantine?¡± Malcolm kicked his boot off, ¡°Unit shuffles and replacements are happening across the board; the dipshits in High Command want to enact counterstrategies against the outbreak sites.¡± ¡°So, what did McElroy tell you?¡± Liam asked. ¡°The National Guard is practically overwhelmed just trying to keep the riots in check,¡± Malcolm answered as he untied the other boot. ¡°We got infected corpses going apeshit, and next thing you know, walls are coming back in fashion!¡± Liam crossed his arms. ¡°The US is kind of short on castles¡­¡± ¡°CDC wants to build these big fucking walls around ¡®critical city districts.¡± Malcolm interrupted with a toss from his other boot. ¡°I¡¯m responsible for making sure the deployments from our regiment aren¡¯t about to make off with Humvees and heavy munitions to protect their homes...We¡¯ll be landing in Seattle.¡± Liam held up a finger. ¡°You sound like a grumpy fuck about not getting to lead from the front anymore.¡± Malcolm¡¯s feet slid across the cold floor and rested. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll be atop the wall after we hit the city. Think I¡¯m in control of anything if I camp on the fleet with the trauma rejects?¡± He reached into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. ¡°Fuck no. The best military leaders in history, they¡¯re at least right behind their boys.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Liam said, ¡°From several miles behind, with your legs propped up on that wall, you got their backs alright.¡± Malcolm grinned and began to speak with a hand on his chest. ¡°Now look, how many of my rank can be haplessly replaced every time something goes wrong? I¡¯m kind of fucking smart, I¡¯m a Candidate School graduate, and I seem to be good at what I do based on my soldiers'' survival rate.¡± He saw Liam¡¯s brown eyes darted to the cigarette Malcolm was pointing at him with and bulged; the Lieutenant raised a finger. ¡°Now hold the fuck up, you¡¯ve been chaining these since asking for them. You started with two from Beauregard the night we were at the tunnel, then it¡¯s a stress burner during quarantine, and now that pack is almost gone!¡± Liam¡¯s switching of topics puzzled Malcolm, ¡°You¡¯ve been fucking with me over how I am to others since we met. You want to police what I choose to do to myself, Piper?¡± Liam¡¯s smile returned, yet it seemed forced. ¡°Eh, fuck it. Never been much of a stopper myself, except¡­¡± ¡°Kicked a bender before going to basic training?¡± ¡°...Let¡¯s just say, I¡¯ve stopped suicides before.¡± ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Malcolm nodded and thought a moment about his own suicide attempts before lighting his cigarette. ¡°Why would you do that?¡± ¡°...What?¡± Malcolm exhaled smoke through his nostrils. ¡°Mother of Fuck decides they want out of an existence no one signed up for, from their own self-realized conclusion, and you decide cock-block the Reaper? I predict that you elicited some sort of ¡®obligation¡¯ from them to yourself; that they had to continue agonizing themselves with living, just so you don¡¯t have to be sad¡­That¡¯s just fucking manipulative and rude, not to mention selfish..." Liam¡¯s pursed, yet curled lips rested beneath buggy and unblinking eyes. The Lieutenant began to shake his head. ¡°I never had to make it about me at all. All I had to do was¡­Step in for them, every time this person tried it. Once I presented myself, it was a matter of holding out a hand for the gun to be passed¡­They don¡¯t want to die, any more than everybody else.¡± Malcolm let his head tilt as he exhaled the smoke with closed eyes. ¡°Yes¡­that fucking ¡®Self-Preservation Instinct¡¯, which is hardwired into all living things; same for groups, basic procreation, and a curiosity contradicted by a fear of the unknown. People lived, throughout Human existence, as no higher than the rodent: a baseline animal pupated by impulses.¡± Liam let his eyes half close as if he was hearing this for a tenth time. ¡°And our brutal rationalization of the day¡¯s Hot Take is?¡± Malcolm took another drag before holding his arms open. ¡°Every damn thing People have ever done, back to the first Bronze Age, has been our Odyssey as the first creatures on Earth to resist our Nature. People went from eighteen hours of Nomad bullshit to eighteen hours of figuring out crops and how to get a surplus from them; ¡®buildings¡¯ were conceived, created by mutilated trees, after People decided to get the fuck away from Nature itself.¡± A puff of Malcolm¡¯s smoke hit Liam, seemingly passing through the Lieutenant as if he were opaque; he responded. ¡°¡­People, as a group, learned to step outside of ourselves and think of what could be. That, Malcolm, is what it means to have a genuine aspiration; a curiosity in who we are, who we can become and what we can make in life. That is why we don¡¯t want to die.¡± Malcolm raised the two fingers holding his cigarette. ¡°Well-spoken Mr. Carl Sagan. And through the thousands of years, the blood, sweat and tears of outdated tribals and assimilated cultures¡­People have freed up more time for more People to spend it at their leisure. We spend our leisure depicting our interpretations.¡± Liam shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s a thing called ¡®Art¡¯, Malcolm. You know; music, poetry, theatre? It¡¯s only one of the fundamental things that drives people forward.¡± ¡°Art is all in the eye of the beholder¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s own eyes turned black above the cigarette light. He continued, ¡°But I digress¡­all Human history is predicated on that anomalous desire to break away from our original condition of slavery, a state of control by an intrusive Subconscious of neurons. Now then, tell me that Suicide isn¡¯t just an individual overriding the most fundamental drive of nature? Do you think this person ¡®sick¡¯ for walking gently into that inevitable goodnight?¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Liam rubbed his chin. ¡°¡­He¡¯s¡­not all there, Malcolm. No one else truly knows him because everyone else would shun him. He¡¯s¡­severely ill.¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°You call him sick; I say that overriding this fear of death is the ultimate step in self-realization for any animal; for one to write their ending in a world of chaos is an act of control¡­until the likes of you, teaches them how to ¡®fear¡¯ again.¡± Liam crossed his arms in the smoke. ¡°What you described as ¡®evolution¡¯ requires an informed individual. I told you that what I prevented was in the hands of someone who has no self-control¡­they stopped being able to.¡± ¡°Uh huh.¡± Malcolm took his eyes to the ceiling as the words of his suicide note flashed before him. ¡°And suppose this decision to die was predicated on the person¡¯s commitment to someone or something? Like family.¡± Liam flashed his eyes. ¡°The emotional fulfillment we all get from social bonds is intrinsic to our survival; suicide is never good for the family¡­¡± Malcolm paused and flashed a palm ¡°So, Suicide is never a communal favor, no?¡± ¡°No.¡± Malcolm let his eyes wander. ¡°Even if you were dangerous to the people you care about?¡± Liam showed his teeth in the grin. ¡°This brother of mine¡­had the perfect deal for someone like them; the one time I let them have it too... and there was never anything wrong though, with him or what was had¡­just one of those things that no one wants to talk about." ¡°So, what¡¯s your ¡®brother¡¯ doing now, huh? Where is he out there?¡± ¡°...they¡¯re right where they need to be.¡± Liam answered. ¡°Hmm. You dance around my question.¡± Malcolm shook his head conceitedly. ¡°You are a Southern boy, and by the gypsyness of your accent, not likely much of a state crosser when rotated home¡­¡± Liam waved a hand. ¡°Believe you and me, I¡¯m watching them; since I became more active in their life, there¡¯s yet to be a genuine slip-up.¡± Malcolm persisted. ¡°¡­so, you¡¯re able to keep tabs on this non-gender binary ¡®brother¡¯ despite all that¡¯s happening. You¡¯re cautiously avoiding his identity, and you commit to standing by him¡­¡± Liam¡¯s smile was accompanied by a drop of the head. ¡°¡­Sometimes the impression of a person can transcend a lifetime.¡± Malcolm raised his brows with confidence. ¡°Okay¡­We have you, and likely society, that thinks something is wrong with him¡­can¡¯t imagine the mental health facilities getting a priority evac during this outbreak. Though come to think of it, all those padded cells and bed straps might be perfect for experimenting on zombies.¡± ¡°Oh, that shit would never do.¡± Liam interrupted. ¡°Places like that are adult day care centers. Having that near my brother would seal it with a dramatic throat-slit; they''re twitchy like a meth-addled samurai.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Respectable¡­Still, we have you withholding while knowing where your ¡®brother¡¯ is, which means there¡¯s some form of active communication going on. Ergo, this fella has a job that matters, even with a rabid Amoeba surging¡­¡± Liam''s pleasant voice remained but turned stark. ¡°Everything¡¯s gonna be okay. Now what does it matter?¡± Malcolm tapped a bare foot while snuffing the end-flame of his cigarette. ¡°That, Piper, is what I¡¯ve been building up to highlight for you. Why does it matter that you stopped someone from sucking their own shotgun blast, mercifully and consensually, when someone somewhere was going to snuff that second chance? Be it with the agony of a Molotov cocktail, or the sinking teeth of a dozen Berserkers?¡± Liam laughed through his guffaw. ¡°Death is final. With Life? The possibilities are endless¡­ and who the fuck accounted for a regenerating, cannibal pandemic?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll bet with you right now: Someone in some health agency, if not others in several, made a damn playbook on this soon as Romero hit the screens. Got a big-ass sign saying, ¡®Break Glass in case of Zombies.¡± Liam nearly stuttered. ¡°I¡¯m sure they should¡¯ve consulted YOU on the proper procedures. As for the suicide, I generally don¡¯t have to check my optimism to decide if it ¡®matters'' before doing the right thing.¡± Malcolm wanted to stand but felt too much comfort with the nicotine rush. ¡°Pause. Of course, nobody envisions what will happen tomorrow because Chaos Theory is a mind-bending principle. At this present moment, we know that North Korea was to be ground zero for this strange ¡®Naegleria Flu¡¯ pandemic; even if we did establish our ideal ¡®democracy¡¯ for all Koreans, the fucking Dead were coming! I see not why such a case should matter in the end.¡± Liam seemed to process this, for a moment, with his brow raised. ¡°So, the ruined dream of a perfect regime-change with Korea, thanks to the Undead, is enough to render the potential of Life dirt cheap?¡± Malcolm nodded, ¡°Thanks to the Undead, yes. For better or worse? Depends on the situation" Liam shook his head, ¡°So succulent that nihilism must be after however many doses¡­Care not to think how that cheapness cuts to you, as it does to everything? Like the birth of your son.¡± Now, this stopped being interesting for Malcolm; he maintained his glare. ¡°...I¡¯ve taken many meaningless things out the world...until Meryl and I became parents.¡± Liam¡¯s grin turned twisted. ¡°Would this not be giving into subconscious instinct; the desire for procreation? Was creating Connor not some act of self-validation?¡± Malcolm let his grin fade, starkly. ¡°Whatever underlying reasons there were, it¡¯s as irrelevant to you as my service was to the world. I looked at my son, time and time again, and I was seeing the only thing Meryl and I had ever added to it.¡± Liam took a step forward, causing Malcolm to tense himself; the Lieutenant spoke. ¡°So, for all the wrong you¡¯ve done, it matters enough to you that a life is brought into the world?¡± Malcolm teeth grinded, ¡°My son¡­matters; to me. That¡¯s the fucking end of it. All my life and depictions have led me to him.¡± Liam raise a finger, ¡°And now the blood of more than sixty people will bring Connor back to you, is that it?¡± Malcolm stood and was eye level with Liam. ¡°McElroy is paying off the favors he owes me¡­My wife and my child will NOT ride out the Undead in a goddamn city, nor is Meryl going to work in any plague-ridden clinic! If he doesn¡¯t want me to go AWOL, he¡¯s weaseling them onto the first plane and bringing them to this carrier.¡± Liam didn¡¯t need to shake his head because Malcolm could sense the disapproval beneath the smile. ¡°...Meryl left you dude. What makes you think she¡¯ll appreciate you fishing her out the country to start again on a cramped boat?¡± ¡°Because she looked through me¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s voice croaked. Liam let his jaw hang open in confidence, ¡°No one here has ever really asked you about the burglar, but she did. You pulled it off with a stab wound, and everyone just says, ¡®that makes sense?¡± Malcolm punched Liam in the nose; the Lieutenant recoiled with both hands cupping his face and no change in the eyes. Malcolm panted before gathering himself. ¡°I kept my son safe from a degenerate¡­and it was the easiest kill of my life. Maybe that makes me insane, but far as I can tell? I¡¯m also the most well-fucking equipped to protect my family!¡± Liam slowly lowered his hands and there was no bruise on his nose. His smile continued, ¡°Let''s be clear, they¡¯re not your family anymore; Meryl has her family and Connor is with them.¡± Malcolm seethed. ¡°I¡¯ll hijack this whole fleet if McElroy doesn¡¯t fall through.¡± ¡°Come now, Malcolm. You¡¯d become a pirate?¡± Liam laughed. ¡°Think you¡¯ll go to war with the New Orleans garrison for family¡¯s sake?¡± ¡°No.¡± Malcolm¡¯s voice became shrill and hollow. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll gut McElroy for lying to me. On fucking principle.¡± Liam shook his head. ¡°It¡¯ll be the end of you.¡± To that, Malcolm smiled again. ¡°It¡¯s the end of everything.¡± Liam gave a slow nod. ¡°So what are you going to do until then?¡± Malcolm rubbed the stubble of his face as he pushed Liam aside. He stepped to the bunk, then looked at Liam again. ¡°You¡¯re the first subordinate who¡­challenges me...I like that. Clairet? I can code-talk with. Kenny? He does what I say. Daniels couldn¡¯t take staring into the abyss...Javier..." Malcolm almost trailed off. "...But then there¡¯s you, who called me a ¡®Murderer¡¯ and yet you never snitched to the Brass. I want to know why.¡± Liam¡¯s smile vanished, but his eyes held the same pleasant expression. ¡°People either shun or shoot what they don¡¯t want to understand. I must believe that seeing on the same level with them is where the breakthrough lies.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°And what makes you want to understand me?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re still, unfortunately, Human.¡± Malcolm pointed. ¡°And you¡¯re an idealist with thick skin, Piper. That¡¯s why I¡¯m making you my new Captain.¡± Liam seemed stunned. ¡°I haven¡¯t officially been placed under your command.¡± ¡°Bravo Company lost too many officers so your boys may be getting distrbuted throughout the regiment.You¡¯re officially my C.O. in November Company. Thank me later or never; get out there and do what you will with the vacancies, starting with youir new X.O. I¡¯m sleeping off a day¡¯s worth of questions.¡± Liam cocked his head. ¡°And don¡¯t get used to sleeping in here.¡± Malcolm spoke as Liam began to exit. ¡°My family will need to room in here; so, understand that when you¡¯re sleeping the next hatch over.¡± Malcolm turned to lay flat on the mattress, caring not to cover himself in sheets for a nap. His eyes were closed, yet the hatch never opened. The hum of the air orchestrated the silence between him and Liam. ¡°You¡¯ll never see them again, Malcolm.¡± Malcolm¡¯s closed eyes fowled at the words, yet he chose to let them go. As Malcolm drifted into sleep, his final thought was that the hatch was still not opening. Chapter 28: Crime Without Punishment ¡°Everybody is a book of blood; wherever we''re opened, we''re red.¡±¨D Clive Barker It was the fortieth repetition of sit-ups that the twenty-one-year-old Malcolm had crunched. The sweat seeped through him, yet the burning sensation wasn¡¯t enough to cleanse the anxiety. It was the completion of Malcolm¡¯s third set, and he collapsed onto the rugged floor. After some moments of gasping, Malcolm propped up to see his television was ending the credits for some coming-of-age comedy; an ironic one where the dweeb got the girl. He reached for the remote on couch and tuned the television to the local 2012 news: ¡­Following the abrupt leaking of Wikileaks cables, Latin American Nations choose not to publish. The Obama Administration admits to conducting Drone attacks on America¡¯s enemies. Attacks on African Christians by Boko Haram. Homeless Street Preacher found stabbed, to death, nine times at an intersection. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia attacks the local army¡¯s cocaine laboratories; French Journalist reported missing¡­ Malcolm paced his apartment, from the kitchen to the living room window. He was naked, except for his boxers, and his legs trembled as his heart skipped beats. He stopped before the kitchen clock and saw that the time passed 7 P.M. He thought fearfully and he cupped both hands over his mouth as he breathed. I have a DATE in two hours! As the moments passed, Malcolm¡¯s own breaths pulsated his anxiety all over again, even after the exercise. He never saw the clock change, only that the time was now ten minutes after. A sudden rasp nearly made him bite his palm. ¡°Fuck! FUCK! I need to shower. I need to smell okay for her!¡± He halted before entering the bathroom. He ran a hand through the short strands of black hair on his head, feeling the grease and sweat moisten the skin. ¡°Dumbass, Malcolm! You shower right before leaving; a million things could happen after showering now!¡± He suddenly punched the wall and once again, Malcolm paced as he rubbed the tension away. Moments passed before it occurred to Malcolm to check on his phone, which was charging on the kitchen island. Upon noticing the time being 7:14, Malcolm saw his recent text message was received after six. To his comfort, yet resuscitated dread, it was from Meryl. ¡°Hey there, Mal! You¡¯re shit about answering your calls, lol.¡± Malcolm forced the smile he desperately wanted to feel. ¡°Just forewarning you that I might be a few minutes late tonight. I have to pick my dumbass little sis up from a concert around eight twenty. (Mom and Dad are lazy.) Anyway, I¡¯m NOT sticking you up, so please don¡¯t scare yourself. I¡¯ll let you know.¡± Malcolm kept the forced smile while nodding at the text. ¡°This isn¡¯t high school, Malcolm¡­Meryl is¡­Older. Smart too. She¡¯s not the type to set you up¡­¡± When he opened his eyes, his distorted reflection from the refrigerator stared back. ¡°You are¡­a college failure¡­turned Army-Grunt-Clich¨¦¡­a tortured, would-be-artist who¡¯s commanded by his Carnal Beast. Meryl, a medical student, wants an Army brat for a boyfriend?¡± He began to stammer. ¡°I¡¯m to be someone¡¯s ¡®boyfriend¡¯ when I can¡¯t even let her know me¡­?¡± The foreboding premise of depending on Meryl to talk for him presented itself. Malcolm¡¯s breathing had begun to feel like a violent tremor in his chest. It was only now that he thought to respond to her messages. Malcolm typed. ¡°Okay then! Family first and all that! I¡¯ll try to be there a bit early; in case you aren¡¯t held up!¡± He sent the message, not knowing if any other information was necessary. It was indiscernible whether the rumbling in Malcolm¡¯s stomach was a side effect of his fear, or an unsated appetite. Fantasies of the perfect conversation began to orate themselves aloud as Malcolm began pacing his apartment again. ¡°¡­You can¡¯t talk to her about medical shit on a date you dotard!¡± Malcolm pulled himself out of the fantasy, deciding to call his Battle Buddy, Javier. Malcolm had to dial a second time before Javier answered. ¡°My dude!¡± Javier said. ¡°Where¡¯ve you been man?¡± ¡°Ugh¡­killing time¡­¡± Malcolm was half honest. ¡°Doin¡¯ what? We landed in Leesville three weeks ago and you go AWOL on the squad.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes darted. ¡°Well, I had to renew my Netflix subscription.¡± ¡°Uh huh.¡± Javier said sarcastically. ¡°Corporal Book Reader is binging TV.¡± Malcolm shrugged, anxiously. ¡°So, what¡¯ve you been up to?¡± ¡°Hanging with the squad, unlike your E.T. mannered ass.¡± Javier responded with sardonicism. ¡°Get the fuck out here. We¡¯re at some bar in...¡± ¡°Javi, I have plans tonight.¡± ¡°Well at least you¡¯re getting the fuck out of your shell.¡± Malcolm felt flushed. ¡°I¡¯ve kind of been fished out by someone else¡­hoping I could get your life coaching.¡± Javier made a belching sound. ¡°Did the Colonel ask you to attend some banquet? Over the company C.O.?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Malcolm answered awkwardly. ¡°Oh! Well, shit¡­rumors are rumors. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°¡­I have a date at nine...¡± The very words felt unreal to Malcolm as he spoke. A silence followed. ¡°You what?¡± Malcolm seethed to himself. ¡°Do you remember that medical student Rosie brought when we were at the bowling alley last October?¡± ¡°Uh shit¡­the brunette?¡± ¡°Yea¡­¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Her name¡¯s Meryl and¡­whelp, Rosie decided to set us up with each other¡¯s contact. Now, I have dinner with her at nine.¡± The only sound from Javier was a muffled choke. ¡°How the Hell did I miss this?¡± ¡°Because you and Rosie are a constant on-and-off again¡­¡± ¡°Alright, fair point.¡± Javier¡¯s voice faded. ¡°Yo Kenny! Our boy, ¡®Corporal Space Dog¡¯, is going on a DATE!¡± Malcolm heard a raving laugh on Javier¡¯s end. ¡°Shit, my bad bro! I had to tell someone! It¡¯s like seeing my child take his first steps!¡± ¡°¡­Yea, I get it¡­¡± Malcolm quietly huffed. ¡°Is that it, man?¡± Javier asked. ¡°Because I am glad for ya.¡± ¡°Javi, you¡¯ve fucked in your time. How do I make myself worth it for her? Am I supposed to keep her laughing the whole time?¡± ¡°¡­Dude. People are all different, I met this ¡®Meryl¡¯ once. I mean, if you¡¯ve been talking to her then you¡¯ve already kept her interested¡­¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t count man!¡± Malcolm let his worry seep through. ¡°Almost all that was over text messages! I can think and stall over those!¡± ¡°Look bro,¡± Javier assured. ¡°I can promise you this, you will bomb hard if you put thought into this.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because you can¡¯t ¡®plan¡¯ a conversation dude.¡± Javier began to whisper. ¡°And don¡¯t go in with high expectations. That includes sex; women aren¡¯t loose¡­Unless they¡¯re with Kenny!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Malcolm felt flustered. ¡°I just want to be present for her¡­¡± ¡°Then that¡¯s the best you can do my man.¡± Javier sounded encouraging. ¡°Just do what you gotta do to clear your head and don¡¯t take yourself so seriously. Call me tomorrow and fill me in!¡± ¡°Yea¡­alright.¡± Malcolm took a deep breath. ¡°Bye.¡± He hung up without a response. The phone¡¯s clock showed the time to be 7:26. ¡°Just fucking¡­calm down.¡± He spoke aloud as his heart pounded. A tingling impulse to exert his tension began to work its way up through Malcolm all over again. He moved to the center of the living room and turned his television off while still holding the smartphone. ¡°A playlist then¡­¡± He accessed his music app. *** Thus far, the day¡¯s second workout had yet to provide Malcolm with a single athletic ache; the hurt that Drill Instructors screamed was weakness draining out of him. Starting with more sets of push-ups, warmups for the crunches, Malcolm delicately switched to a series of yoga stretches to pop the muscles in his legs and torso. After he felt rejuvenated, Malcolm switched his routine to leg climbers on all floors and gradually escalated into air lunges before dropping back down. He had had switched to yoga again with another song on his phone¡¯s playlist. He would make another transition to clapping push-ups after a sick pop disrupted the down tempo to a Jimmy Eat World track: ¡°¡­It¡¯s a lie, a kiss with open eyes¡­ ¡­she¡¯s not breathing back!... ¡­Anything but bother me!... ¡­Takes my Pain away!¡± As he gathered breath, he could feel his core expand as a chasm; with it came a gnawing hunger. Still panting, Malcolm crossed to the kitchen¡¯s refrigerator and opted for a protein solution. His phone beside the couch was interrupted mid-song by a vibrating ring. Malcolm had just finished mixing a tall glass of milk with his chocolate flavored protein. He crossed to answer and nearly spit his milk when he saw the name. He set the milk down on the table with a shaking hand and quickly snatched the phone. He took a cautious gulp and exhaled while answering. The husky voice barked. ¡°¡­Hey! You got a lot of fucking nerve acting like we don¡¯t exist!¡± Malcolm¡¯s stammers returned. ¡°Dad¡­I haven¡¯t been home long¡­¡± Something adjusted on the other end before Dad returned. ¡°Think that would excuse the lack of rent I get for helping you float that apartment of yours?! And I checked with Leesville, you¡¯ve been home for weeks!¡± ¡°I-I¡­¡± Malcolm felt punched. ¡°Dad, I was on tour for five months¡­I wanted to¡­¡± ¡°You CHOSE the army life; I was DRAFTED to the Marines before I could attend college!¡± Malcolm cupped the bridge of his nose. ¡°We all hate Nixon, Dad.¡± ¡°Busted my ass to get that diploma afterward, and then there¡¯s you. Can¡¯t make a full ride to a university work out, so now I gotta float you a home since you make dogshit as an Army grunt!¡± Malcolm¡¯s hand dropped from his mouth. ¡°Dad¡­I¡¯m going to pay you back¡­can I drop the money off later in the week? I need the money I have tonight¡­¡± Dad guffawed. ¡°For what?! New addition to your ¡®authentic¡¯ knife collection? Gambling with that spick Battle Buddy you have?¡± ¡°No I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°Nope indeed. I just got home with your mother, I¡¯m about to come and collect!¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes popped. ¡°Dad, no! I NEED what I have!¡± ¡°Why!?¡± Malcolm begged. ¡°¡­because I¡¯m seeing someone¡­¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°Sweet Jesus, you¡¯re seeing those goddamn support services!¡± Dad was in disbelief. ¡°For WHAT!? You fight cave-dwelling shepherds who fuck their livestock! They can¡¯t be scarier than those short yellow bastards popping out of a jungle!¡± ¡°No, Dad¡­it¡¯s a woman¡­I¡¯m seeing a woman tonight.¡± A pause followed. As hard as Malcolm shut his eyes, he could still envision Dad¡¯s jaw drop. He finally spoke. ¡°How did this happen?! You slip her a ruphy?!¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± ¡°No, seriously Boy, I need to know right now so I can get a lawyer lined up!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything Dad¡­¡± ¡°...Good God, is there something wrong with HER too?¡± Malcolm¡¯s mouth continued to falter. ¡°I¡­met her thrice in person. She studies medicine¡­¡± ¡°Well fuck, you must be making a last resort kind of deal. How fat is she?¡± Malcolm began to chug the protein milk for comfort as he sat on the couch. ¡°I¡¯m not doing that dad¡­she¡¯s tall, she¡¯s funny, she¡¯s a good listener¡­¡± ¡°D-don¡¯t act like a cuck for her! No one like¡¯s that shit!¡± Malcolm stammered. ¡°But I¡¯m supposed to pay for the both of us, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re not supposed to dine and dash!¡± Malcolm paused so it could sink in for his father. ¡°So please don¡¯t make me pay you tonight¡­please don¡¯t come¡­¡± Dad¡¯s gravelly voice became starker. ¡°You think I¡¯m gonna cock-block my boy when he¡¯s finally acting like a normal person? And here we were accepting that our bloodline was over¡­¡± Malcolm huffed with a red face. ¡°Yea Dad, thanks¡­¡± He heard Dad¡¯s voice sound distant. ¡°Nancy! Your Black Sheep has a date tonight!¡± The pause gave Malcolm goosebumps. ¡°No, I¡¯m not. YOU talk to him!¡± Malcolm contemplated hanging up, versus stabbing his own ears. He hadn¡¯t the time to decide before her voice picked up on the speaker. ¡°So, this is why you¡¯re too good to speak to the woman who almost shattered her tailbone a second time, just to give birth to you?¡± ¡°Hey Mom¡­¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°¡­I would never replace you¡­I meant to call the other day but I¡­got caught up donating blood and¡­¡± ¡°So, who took you for pity? Your father insisted you weren¡¯t raping anyone.¡± Malcolm was pretending to impale the side of his head. ¡°Mom-¡± ¡°But then again, he¡¯s got a different definition for ¡®rape¡¯. Did you bring a widowed villager back from Iraq? Because that¡¯s not informed consent. You hear me, boy? What you¡¯re doing is a kidnapping and that woman is your hostage.¡± ¡°Mom¡­I didn¡¯t kidnap anybody from Iraq¡­I-I met this woman through a friend¡­¡± ¡°Oh. So, you think you got a mutual connection, is that it?¡± Mom sounded so matter of fact. ¡°Let me tell you something, friends are fickle. I can count on one hand how many I have, and those faces change every decade. Why? I even lost my best friend right around your first birthday, considering your father couldn¡¯t be bothered helping raise you properly. Outside of feeling cool with his friends...Is that how you fancy yourself with this woman?¡± Malcolm bit a nail. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t want to feel cool, Mom... I want to feel¡­normal.¡± He choked. ¡°Normal huh?¡± Mom deadpanned. ¡°Is trying to embody your father¡¯s ¡®masculinity¡¯, what normal people do? That testosterone rage of your dad¡¯s got no better with time...You know I never had sex with your father after you were born?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes popped from his head. ¡°...A sacrifice like that, you could¡¯ve had a career working on Late Night shows if you had been writing anything other than that distressing dribble you called poetry; at least you outgrew that phase.¡± ¡°¡­I could never write jokes¡­the Army¡­it¡­¡± ¡°Made you feel like the ¡®man¡¯ your father wants you to be. I know.¡± ¡°I fit in with them. They¡­see me.¡± ¡°Yes, and now your surrogate family, the platoon, is letting you borrow one of their wives or whoever.¡± Her cold blinking pierced Malcolm through the call. ¡°Just as a reward for your supposed ¡®service¡¯ and ¡®loyalty.¡¯ You think those women are loyal if they¡¯re allowed promiscuity; or that they¡¯re even clean? Let me tell you something about AIDS¡­¡± ¡°Jesus, Mom!¡± Malcolm finally panted. ¡°I didn¡¯t meet this woman through the Army! She studies medicine¡­and she¡¯s the one who asked me out!¡± Mom began to smack her lips together; vibrating over the phone, the sound made Malcolm seethe. ¡°Is there something wrong with her?¡± her deadpanned voice returned. ¡°No! Nothing! Mom¡­she¡¯s actually...¡± Color drained from Malcolm¡¯s face, ¡°¡­really pretty¡­¡± ¡°Now look here, this woman is testing you. Hear me, buster? She¡¯s taking the male role away from you to see if you step up the effort. It¡¯s a way we test our suitors.¡± Malcolm was desperate. ¡°Mom please stop!¡± ¡°What? It¡¯s up to you if you¡¯re going to be good enough for her. And I am counting on you to be good enough, since you¡¯ve faintly rekindled my hope of being a grandmother. Now I want you to stop whining, no one likes that. Otherwise, you¡¯re better off saving this poor woman the trouble.¡± Malcolm was rocking as an infant. ¡°Just let me go, Mom¡­I have to go.¡± ¡°Hmm. I was done teaching you anyway; I just hope she¡¯s able to see past your looks.¡± Mom hung up the phone, as always, without a goodbye. It never occurred to Malcolm that he was staring at the screen of his smartphone, or for how long. He registered the time to be seven minutes past eight. Some time passed with Malcolm¡¯s ghostly face staring at the ceiling lights. He pondered aloud. ¡°¡­If Meryl ever brought you all the way with her¡­You¡¯re not lasting two minutes¡­¡± The phone slid out of his hand as he sat up, staring at both. Slowly, Malcolm began to scratch the tips of each finger as his breathing began to palpitate. ¡°There is NO being yourself with her, or anyone at this point. Not with what¡¯s lurking beneath me. How fair is that to her, never learning who she¡¯s really with? I¡¯m hardly a full person¡­¡± As the next moment passed, Malcolm was in a pace around his apartment once more. The nails under his fingers felt pried by a crowbar as he tried to scrub the rot. ¡°If I can¡¯t be myself to her, then I may as well not even be present¡­And when I prove Mom right¡­I ought to go ahead and die¡­¡± Where Malcolm came to a halt, the potential agony of his haunting prospect made him shiver. When he focused, he was staring at the living room window. ¡°¡­I shouldn¡¯t hurt her¡­¡± Malcolm slowly lifted the window after raising the blinds. A guff of fresh Louisiana air wafted into the apartment as Malcolm absorbed a city lighting up against the rising night. His head dropped to the street, three stories below him, where all the people were facing what was directly ahead of them. Malcolm let out a dreaded breath. ¡°¡­anybody but her¡­¡± Without a flinch climbed out his window. Malcolm grunted through the discomfort as he climbed to the next subsequent floor; he then navigated his path around the ledges until he found a way further up. As Malcolm scaled the building, the sense of being suspended farther from the Earth began to stretch itself. He couldn¡¯t avoid looking around as he made his path, and every turn-of-the-head saw the features of New Orleans shriveling to divots. The increasing tension was making his muscles soften with every reach and pull. A sudden slip of his bare foot, while crossing ledges, would almost be the start of his demise. In a frantic tightening, and with toes pressing into the apartment wall, Malcolm caught himself in a dangle over the oblivious city street. In the next instant, Malcolm readjusted his legs atop the bottom window and planted himself tightly; he was eight stories above the street. Longer moments of gathering the cool city air in his lungs had to pass by for the rush of adrenaline to subside. Malcolm clenched his eyes and could still picture his death. He pressed his head to the wall. ¡°¡­don¡¯t let go¡­¡± he pleaded to himself. He tried to retrace his path with his mind, and he knew the certainty of a faulty step should he choose to start climbing down. His ascent past the next floor was deliberately delicate as he weaved across the windows to the next reachable ledge. Malcolm lifted himself to a window frame on the next floor. Upon his head rising to view, it was apparent that the closed window was left with open blinders; inside the window was a darkened bedroom. A person slept on a bed made for singles with a white cover sheeting them. Malcolm could make no features out, whether it was a man, a woman, or their age. A light was illuminating beneath the door inside the bedroom. Malcolm turned his head right; there was also a light shining from the adjacent window. He made a steady side motion to the other ledge and when his head was level with the window, Malcolm stared inside the apartment. He was looking into the kitchen; Malcolm could hear the muffled voices of a television from within, but there was no foot patter or even a silhouette in the light. His head stared, unmoving, and with fastened, unblinking eyes of brown. ¡°¡­This is just a plain security risk.¡± Malcolm uttered beneath his breath. The opportunity with the sleeper inside the bedroom didn¡¯t need to present itself, it was already in Malcolm¡¯s mind. He finally felt a single pain throughout, the knots in his stomach gnawed once more and the blood in his veins were congesting into ice. It was a force-of-impulse where Malcolm felt there was no choice but to climb inside. He maintained his place outside the window, only for the commanding willpower of his conscious. ¡°¡­So, this Carnal Beast wants to rear itself when I attempt my suicide.¡± Malcolm noticed his over salivating mouth and swallowed. ¡°And still, it wants to take command, at every opportunity, for a blooded depiction of indulgence¡­¡± By now, Malcolm¡¯s resistance was beginning to fail as if threaded needles were pulling at his joints; his teeth were grinding. ¡°A million things can go wrong¡­¡± As if his words summoned it, Malcolm¡¯s dreaded feelings of fear turned his eyes wide. ¡°I could face the loss of all control¡­and how will I wake after the Beast has gone to sleep? It wants to live more than I do, so it also needs to feed¡­If I deny it now, will it devour Meryl as a punishment?¡± His eyes shut, the chin dropped, and Malcolm held his breath. ¡°¡­Does all this make you more alive than me? Is it you who wields all my paranoia; this feeling that I¡¯m being manipulated?¡± His head nodded involuntarily. ¡°You, are the trash file in my brain; where absurd ideas are thrown away to die¡­Only you decided to surge and spatter our depictions.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes swelled to black as he raised his head. ¡°¡­You¡¯re the reason why I have no choice in loving every Piece¡­¡± he climbed inside. Malcolm was standing past the window and with a perception unblinking, he took the sight of the kitchen and the living room past it. The television was blaring some Comedy Central standup act. Malcolm deduced the bedroom door against the wall, next to the television set. A second door was to the right of that one, it had a light shining through the slot beneath and the hum of a fan within. Malcolm glided into the kitchen, where his sight of the living room was separated by an inner wall. It was on the right side, between the stove and the refrigerator, where sets of kitchen utensils sat in sheaths. A single finger hovered over them yet cautiously touched not one. Behind black eyes, Malcolm contemplated their morbid potential by the width and length of each handle; from the small cutters to the palm-length daggers. With thoughtless confirmation, his finger chose to land on the bulkiest handle tip. Malcolm slowly drew the knife without a rasp of its blade and stared into his shining reflection. He allowed his hand to wave the knife through the air, eventually twirling the handle and redirecting the sharp point. A toilet flush halted Malcolm and the sound continued to drone. He looked over to hear faucet sink was turned on and Malcolm paced over to the end of the tiny inner wall beside the open window. He knew his shadow lurked in the light, hoping not to be seen, Malcolm leaned his ear against the wall. As soon as the bathroom door swung open, the gusting scent of marijuana filled Malcolm¡¯s nostrils. Despite the active fan humming from the open door, Malcolm¡¯s intent ears distinguished a pattern of footsteps after the door had shut. He prepared to lunge should the person enter the kitchen or close the window; instead, the patter slowed, and the pressing of a couch cushion was heard. A single blackened eye peered past the inner wall. The shortened, back of the person¡¯s head stared at the TV. They began to rewind the standup special to wherever they had left off as they reached for the table to pour a shot of whiskey. After hitting the play button, they downed the whiskey shot without a hack and leaned on his back with stretched arms across the couch. As Malcolm emerged from behind the inner wall, his shadow shifted behind and condensed into him as he past the kitchen light. The steps he savored were quieter than a creeping animal. The person¡¯s head dropped backward, and Malcolm¡¯s head cocked without flinching. His head was hanging off the back of the couch with closed eyes. Malcolm confirmed the person to be of a likely post-college age, not yet thirty; he was an ethnic, tan-of-skin. The man let out a deep sigh of breath which indicated the crashing of his high and his jaw was left wide. The man didn¡¯t get to notice Malcolm¡¯s silhouette blotting the rays of the television light. The audience laughed; with a still-tilted head, Malcolm dropped a hand and clasped the jaw tightly. The Man¡¯s eyes opened to the apathy of Malcolm¡¯s unblinking; the man¡¯s pupils instantly quaked with terror and arms jutted to rip Malcolm¡¯s grip. With an unsmiling flash of grinding teeth, Malcolm pressed the face leftward, and the down held knife plummeted into the right temple. A crack coincided with a third of the blade penetrating the skull; the man¡¯s eyes instantly rolled to the back of his head as Malcolm applied force, sinking the wabbling knife across brain tissue. The pressed geyser of blood became blocked by the handle and began to pool around the edges, oozing down the right temple. It seemed long after the man¡¯s eyes ceased jolting that Malcolm could remember to inhale. The first rush of air accompanied the numbing pulse comparable to opioids, nourishing the gnawing in his pit. Malcolm opened his eyes and looked back down as he tried to pull the knife out. He twirled the head in a circle and with a final tug, the handle snapped off and the blade was left embedded through the brain. Malcolm delicately set the broken handle on the head of a couch cushion. His black eyes looked at the bedroom door before turning around to enter the kitchen again. After a more casual selection process, Malcolm flagrantly exited the kitchen with a clawed meat mallet sized to the length of his wrist. He came to a steady halt before the bedroom door and his twisting the knob came like a snap; a hard push sent the door flying open. Already the sleeper had jolted to a sitting position on the bed. Malcolm stared at him through the casting of his own shadow. He panted thrice behind popping white eyes. ¡°G-GET THE FUCK OUT!¡± It had taken Malcolm a single leap and a dozen repeated bashes of the clawed mallet before the flailing sleeper became a limp carcass. Malcolm climbed off the bed and stepped back, letting the light reveal his depiction. A crimson coagulation spattered or stained the walls, frame, mattress and floor. The sleeper¡¯s limbs now dangled at the sides, except for the head; it was caved from the center outwards. Malcolm never realized that he dropped the mallet. Once the wobbling in his legs ceased, Malcolm turned to exit the bedroom. He stepped into the light, revealing the drip from his chin, down to the prints on his bare feet. After scanning the room to plan, Malcolm turned to enter the smoky bathroom. After sifting through the smokers¡¯ paraphernalia, he emerged with a set of four candles and lined each beside the kitchen stove. Malcolm also brought a lighter and set each with flame. He then set every knob on the stove to allow gas to hiss. Moving with a dreaded grace, Malcolm climbed back out the open window. He would barely scale down safely, for it a light rainfall was starting; he descended through his apartment window and closed it. He looked at the clock in the kitchen as he walked to the bathroom, it was thirty-six minutes after eight. He dropped his blood-soaked boxers to the living room floor and shut the bathroom door behind a trail of prints. Some minutes after a thorough shower, Malcolm heard the explosion from his bedroom just after getting dressed in a silver-lined button up with regular black jeans. He stood with perfect alignment in his mirror and lastly processed the reflection of his curling lips; the brown of his eyes had returned with the high, Alleviation. Every fire alarm in the building was blaring loudly while he tied the laces to his shoes. He left to grab his phone off the couch table, it was forty-three minutes after Twenty Hundred. ¡°So, I might be late as well.¡± Malcolm spoke as a soft matter of fact; every knot in his core was released and Malcolm lost his sense of appetite. He glanced around his apartment as the alarm continued to drone. The blood-soaked boxers sat past the television and the crimson trail of footprints was beginning to darken. ¡°Hmmm. No bringing Meryl back here.¡± Malcolm grabbed his key ring off the wall beside the apartment door; his hand was steady, despite the continuous surge of dopamine. He cared not to shift his grin when he stepped out into the hallway; Malcolm blended in with a passing family of four and his fellow neighbors as they hustled to the stairwell under loud alarms. Chapter 29: Celebrations before Sunset ¡°Let the end of the world be inside you, then you don¡¯t need to fear the end of the world out there.¡±- Eckhart Tolle A dreamless sleep lifted itself and Malcolm stared into the bottom of the empty, top bunk. Once he was certain he¡¯d returned to the present day, Malcolm¡¯s limbs felt envigored. There was an irritating itch on his chin and he scratched a solid patch of unshaven beard rustling beneath his fingers. In confusion, Malcolm rose from the bed and crossed to his smartphone on the desk. Malcolm looked at his own reflected image from the phone¡¯s screen. Indeed, he had been neglecting to shave. The top screen also confirmed that cellular services were still down. He lo oked to the adjacent bunk and saw no sign of Liam; even the covers were made perfectly. Malcolm activated the screen and noticed the time was 5:15 pm. More peculiar was the date being the Tenth of May. These gaps coincide with my depictions. There¡¯s not a body...yet. Malcolm set the phone down and began to check himself for signs of blood. Suddenly a knock came at the door and a voice bellowed through. ¡°People are missing you, major.¡± Malcolm opened the hatch to both Lieutenant Kenneth Johnson and Markus Beauregard as one was mid-knock. ¡°Ahh there you are!¡± Johnson uttered. ¡°I know you aren''t celebrating being alive in the same hole you get cooped in!¡± Beauregard leaned against the frame with a lit cigar. ¡°The grunts have been missing their leader, Major Space Dog. Need I remind you that people¡¯s spirits need buoying?¡± Johnson gave a cocky grin. ¡°Yea, don¡¯t want to be the only officer on the ship who didn¡¯t blow off steam, do you?¡± Malcolm rubbed his eyes. ¡°What the fuck are you two going on about?¡± They both looked at each other, Johnson spoke. ¡°This fucker right here! Trying to stick people up after all that strong arming the brass!¡± Beauregard took a drag. ¡°Not like he had to do much after that, we all pitched in once the permission was given.¡± ¡°Permission for what?!¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°The End of the World Bash!¡± Johnson guffawed as he drew a cigar for himself. ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to you, Major. So don¡¯t pretend to be humble now; even the Navy brats are joining in.¡± Beauregard stated. Malcolm stood with a hung mouth. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°Mostly the mess halls but we cleared room on the deck as well!¡± Johnson lit his cigar. ¡°Come we show you the way.¡± Malcolm flashed his hands. ¡°Hold on, I just woke up¡­¡± He began to check his pockets for his cigarette pack. When he pulled it out and opened it, Beauregard flashed a fresh cigar tube. ¡°You¡¯re wasting the buzz on a cig. It¡¯s called a party sir.¡± Malcolm took the tube and checked its label. ¡°Cuban? How?¡± Beauregard shrugged. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s to believed, the schmucks are outbreak-free for now.¡± Malcolm pocketed the tube and still opted for a cigarette. ¡°I¡¯ll save it for later.¡± Beauregard lit Malcolm¡¯s cigarette for him. ¡°Let¡¯s go then. You¡¯re the man of the hour.¡± The Lieutenants led Malcolm into the ship mess hall where they were beset on all sides by crowds in army green or navy blue. Everywhere they looked, cafeteria tables had been folded to the hall¡¯s sides; spare tables lined the area beside the kitchen for soldiers to sit and eat. To the hall¡¯s far left, the grunts had assembled a set of speakers around a designated DJ who was selecting playlists at random and taking requests. Every crowd around the door took notice and cheered at Malcolm¡¯s entrance. Everyone began a chant, ¡°SPACE DOG! SPACE DOG! SPACE DOG!¡± Johnson wrapped an arm around Malcolm while waving the crowds down. ¡°CALM CALM! Our boy might take you for a Berserker!¡± Everyone laughed. The lights from the DJ were blaring all spectrums in the dark of the Mess Hall as Johnson and Beauregard brought Malcolm over to their round table near the kitchen entrance. Sitting at the table was Lieutenant Clairet and her platoon leaders along with Lieutenant Jason ¡®No-Nut McGee¡¯ Price. He had Caleb ¡®Bullet Tarry¡¯ Garth, Sergeant Hannah ¡®Slit-Wrist¡¯ Nichols, and Alan ¡®Da Cow¡¯ Williams. Johnson sat Malcolm at the two free seats while Beauregard circled to his. ¡°The man of the night graces us! Where the fuck are our drinks?¡± Johnson asked. ¡°Don¡¯t take forever and we might save your beer next time.¡± Clairet belched. ¡°Well, this won¡¯t fucking do! We¡¯re courting the guest of honor over here! Garth! Go get us a round from the kegger! Just bring the whole fucking keg.¡± Johnson waved. ¡°Fuck yourself.¡± Garth responded. ¡°I drank my share, make McGee do it.¡± ¡°Officers are pulling rank buddy!¡± Garth guffawed. ¡°I just got promoted a squad and a medal!¡± ¡°Still a low rank.¡± Johnson was smug. ¡°I took my licks when I was in your shoes, now it¡¯s time for me to do the licking!¡± ¡°My tip or my shaft?¡± Garth asked coyly. ¡°Take your pick.¡± ¡°Dont get combative Garth.¡± Malcolm raised his hands. ¡°I¡¯ll grab it with him.¡± Kenneth waved. ¡°No! Service comes to prime dude of the night!¡± ¡°Garth¡¯s not a butler, Fuckaroo.¡± Malcolm stood. ¡®Bullet Tarry¡¯ Garth shrugged and stood, bringing Malcolm into the kitchen. They split up; Malcolm got a simple bowl filled to the brim with a beef stew mixed with his mash potato serving. He found Garth standing in a line for one of the kegs, they were lined and stacked against the wall. Malcolm cut over to Garth and not a soul dared to call him out for cutting in line; except a private standing behind Garth who dropped his chin with shame after seeing Malcolm. Garth was cutting a look between the two. ¡°It¡¯s funny how people around here fear people while respecting.¡± ¡°People knew not to fuck with me as early as my Marine tenure.¡± Garth glanced at him with a smirk. ¡°Well, that stunt you pulled while we were hustling back in Camp Stanley earned yourself some new points with the boys.¡± ¡°The whole thing earned me a promotion.¡± ¡°You got me one too,¡± Garth stated. ¡°And I¡¯ve been capped since my bullet tarry incident; so, I thank you for that.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Malcolm was humble. ¡°You earned that yourself. My report did nothing.¡± ¡°My man in charge leads from the front. All the inspiration I needed.¡± Garth was finally next in line; he stepped forward and effortlessly lifted a fresh keg in between the two servers. They wanted to protest but uttered no words with Malcolm in sight. With the keg hoisted over his shoulder, Garth and Malcolm walked back to their table. Bullet Tarry set the keg beside the table and took his seat, as did Malcolm. ¡°Welp, that¡¯s perfect!¡± Stated Fuckaroo Jack. Clairet and McGee were already filling their paper cups as they passed Malcolm a filled one. ¡°So how have you lads been since quarantine ended?¡± he asked. Everyone looked at each other. ¡°Uh look, humbling yourself is great and all. But you speak like we just met each other.¡± Jack responded. ¡°Did you split your head open?¡± Clairet asked sardonically. ¡°No, I¡¯ve just been doing a morale count. Why do you think I¡¯m allowing all this?¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Not because we earned it?¡± asked Johnson. Malcolm stared as he chewed. ¡°I¡¯ll indulge you and say yes. Even though we did what we signed up for.¡± Everyone stared at each other. ¡°We signed up to fight the cannibal plague?¡± someone asked. Malcolm feigned a wince. ¡°Far from what we¡¯d consider traditional warfare, yes. But armies since time immemorial have existed to protect and enforce order and peace. Unless you want to be living in year zero, that applies to our Berserker Blight.¡± ¡°So...¡± Johnson was tapping the table impatiently. ¡°...What are the rules of warfare against the Berserkers?¡± Johnson asked. ¡°For one thing, if we run, they swarm, and we all die.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Not much the optimist today, are we?¡± Malcolm continued. ¡°At the same time, traditional terror tactics don¡¯t work against the Living Dead.¡± ¡°Can we not call them that?¡± McGee asked. ¡°Why not?¡± Garth asked. ¡°It¡¯s what they are.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen what happens when we stand and face them,¡± Clairet declared. ¡°We get swarmed anyway!¡± ¡°We were fighting them as if they were an army, unfortunately you can¡¯t shock and awe the Dead. That¡¯s why everything went wrong on the peninsula.¡± Malcolm answered. A soldier spoke up. ¡°So, what are we doing in Seattle?¡± ¡°We¡¯re quartering off society from the chaos.¡± Malcolm took his first gulp of beer. ¡°The brass is resigned to half the country getting abandoned, and so should we; because we¡¯re facing an unprecedented event.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Nichols asked. ¡°We fortify Seattle and hunker down?¡± ¡°It''s sad, but true, that the Naegleria Flu will have to run its course now that it is a pandemic. Until the Flu runs its course, and the geeks invent a vaccine, it¡¯s all we can do.¡± ¡°So, what does that mean for us?¡± Malcolm contemplated for a moment. ¡°By rights, that makes the city ours only America doesn¡¯t gift land to its military like the Romans did. So, it will belong to the people we protect; the politicians, scientists and businessmen, people who will never see the Undead if we do our jobs right.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯re just a shield wall for a bunch of privileged pricks?¡± Johnson asked. Malcolm shook his head. ¡°No. The Wall is the wall and we¡¯re in the battlements. We¡¯re already important to the post-plague establishment. Now...Imagine a situation where we¡¯ve already chosen which of the civilians is more important than the gas station schmuck. The people we abandon will have two choices, die by teeth, or overtake the barricades and die by gunshot...Our choices are to let everyone in and violate the quarantine or save a few to save everything. The only way we can do that is to treat every citizen as expendable. Hear me?¡± Johnson and Garth nodded. Everyone else at the table hesitated. ¡°We¡¯re to gun down American refugees?¡± Clairet asked with crossed arms. ¡°Look at them as infected in waiting. If things get worse out there, everybody we keep out will get bitten. Next thing you know, the number of Berserkers has doubled. No good for our purposes...¡± Malcolm glared at the table. ¡°Kill them now so we don¡¯t kill them later.¡± ¡°Is every quarantine center going to do this?¡± asked McGee. ¡°...Sooner or later, they will. That¡¯s why I¡¯m giving you all the warning before we land. I¡¯m also informing you that it¡¯s why they aren¡¯t sending us back our home states; can¡¯t have us defecting if it¡¯s our families outside those walls.¡± The group absorbed Malcolm¡¯s words in a numb, foreboding silence. ¡°...Can I count on all of you?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°It¡¯s no different than the infected in the tunnel.¡± Garth uttered. Malcolm nodded. ¡°All you can do is what¡¯s necessary.¡± Out the corner of Malcolm¡¯s eye, Liam emerged from the kitchen with a cigarette in his mouth. Malcolm¡¯s eyes followed Liam as he circled the table and sat to his right. Malcolm stared with buggy eyes as Liam inhaled the smoke deeply. He leaned his head back and compressed a single cough before venting the smoke out his nose. Liam opened his eyes to Malcolm¡¯s stare as he put the cigarette out. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking acknowledge it.¡± Malcolm smiled. ¡°Glad to see you can succumb to vices like the rest of us.¡± ¡°Never claimed I can¡¯t.¡± Liam was smug. ¡°I¡¯m just a self-appointed morale officer.¡± ¡°You gonna pass one sir?¡± asked a platoon sergeant. ¡°Sure.¡± Liam spoke; Malcolm approved with a nod. The table group continued talking about their shared combat experience against the Berserkers. Liam then handed the cigarette past Malcolm and closed the pack without offering one. ¡°What?¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Aren¡¯t I here?¡± Liam smiled. ¡°That you are Malcolm.¡± ¡°So, you selectively sharing?¡± ¡°And waste the buzz you could get on that cigar? Let¡¯s see it.¡± Malcolm pulled out the tube and passed it to Liam, who flashed it above the table. ¡°Oooo. Fancy Major?¡± Clairet asked. Liam stared into the brown tube¡¯s reflected light. ¡°It¡¯s Cuban. Should last the night. They should last the pandemic from what I hear.¡± Liam looked back at Malcolm as he drew a lighter. ¡°Word has it that blockade around Cuba has been turned outward, making these all the more valuable to the world.¡± He took a deep first puff of the perfect roll and spoke under the exhumed smoke. Liam looked at Malcolm as he passed the cigar, Malcolm pondered as he tapped the first bit of ash off. ¡°...Everything will change for them radically, as it will for the world¡­but that doesn¡¯t change one thing. What we do will matter, because on the Seattle walls, we stand against the Undead.¡± A random grunt arrived with a round of shots from the kitchen. One was passed for all at the table, save for Malcolm. Liam passed Malcolm his drink as Malcolm exchanged the cigar. Liam puffed and continued, ¡°But it¡¯s more than battlements and badges that bind us together. You know the bonds that come from shared experiences: We saw the eve of the Berserker Plague and depended on each other to survive the night; we stood witness to the firebombing of Korea and shared the collective guilt for what we had to do... ...That shared trauma makes us a greater whole than any game winning touchdown. And when we can finally see our families again, I¡¯ll be the one to mail you these cigars every anniversary of the victory date.¡± Liam soaked the admiration of the table with another puff of a cigar. Malcolm, having drank half of his keg beer, took the cigar back with a nod. Malcolm¡¯s drag of smoke was contemplative. ¡°But remember that bond doesn¡¯t reach the brass, who will stick us to the wolves when push comes to shove. They¡¯ll tell us what we want to hear about the home front then they¡¯ll most certainly shoot us if we defect to our families. We have a responsibility to act in the face of incompetence when the Dead are walking.¡± Liam began to pat Malcolm on the shoulder. ¡°Calm now Malcolm. Let¡¯s end on a high note.¡± Malcolm nodded and downed another sip of his beer. He looked at the faces of the table, all shared varying degrees of acknowledgement. Finally, the swell of nicotine and alcohol began to dilute Malcolm¡¯s wake as a head rush dizzied him. Malcolm¡¯s vision returned him to a nearly empty table. He looked in his hands for the cigar which was gone. He turned his head in any direction for Liam and saw only the seas of crowds beneath flashing lights. Malcolm stood and found himself drawn further onto the dance floor. He weaved around moving figures who took no notice of him. Finally, he saw Liam dancing with Clairet. They swayed to the rhythm of a Scars of Broadway single and had the amplified energy of animals on drugs. Between Liam¡¯ fingers the cigar was cupped, and he brought it in for a long drag, after exhuming the smoke, he pulled Clairet in for the end song crescendo. ¡°¡­I fall in love with the Old Times¡­ ¡­I never mention my own mind¡­ ¡­Let¡¯s fuck the world with all its trend¡­ ¡­Thank God it¡¯s all about to End¡­¡± As Liam and Clairet kissed and joined the beat as one, Liam¡¯s eye caught Malcolm. He grinned as if everything would be alright. Chapter 30: In Service of Enableing ¡°If some animals are good at hunting and others are suitable for hunting, then the Gods must clearly smile on hunting.¡± -Aristotle The 2010 Desert Sun was blotted out by the sleep mask Malcolm wore. ¡°HOP TO IT NELSON!¡± Twenty-year-old Malcolm opened his eyes to Sergeant Henry Boyega with the Humvee door open. He leaned in, his grumbled face from the dust and sand was pockmarked. Malcolm¡¯s head rose from the backseat, and Javier Chavez nudged him from the right. ¡°We¡¯ve had a minute here my dude.¡± ¡°Power nap later! We need translation skills.¡± Boyega grunted before stepping to the side. Malcolm ensured the safety to his M-sixteen was on. ¡°What¡¯s happening in there?¡± He motioned to the farmstead outside in the sunlight. ¡°Johnson is getting nowhere with the prisoner. He¡¯s been playing dumb for twenty minutes!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think he speaks English.¡± Javier stated. ¡°And we¡¯ll fucking indulge him on that one. Nelson, hop to!¡± Malcolm looked to the iPod he left on play when he had fallen asleep and sheathed the earbuds. Javier opened his right side and Malcolm left the Humvee. They marched past the other Humvee parked on the driveway to a desert farmstead. ¡°Where¡¯s his family?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°They¡¯re all in the living room. We got the prisoner out back in a shed; don¡¯t want him feeding them what to say.¡± Boyega responded. ¡°And he¡¯s said jack shit?¡± Malcolm continued. ¡°He¡¯s barking that Ali-Baba horseshit. We think he¡¯s been left for dead, no reports of hostiles in the area.¡± ¡°That¡¯s if he¡¯s actually what we think he is.¡± Javier said. ¡°All these shepherd pricks are hiding something; it¡¯s Iraq for Christ¡¯s sake!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see to that,¡± Malcolm said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s see how tuff he is when I say ¡®Guantanamo.¡± ¡°Easy,¡± Javier said, ¡°wouldn¡¯t wish that on my worst enemy.¡± The three had stopped by the front porch of the farmstead. Boyega drew a cigarette, ¡°I¡¯m seeing to the breed inside, go out back.¡± Malcolm and Javier saluted before sidestepping to circle the two-story house. When they weaved around, they were taken by the poppy field beyond the fence line. The big shed stood on a pathway from the backdoor, Malcolm and Javier spotted a private guarding the shed¡¯s door and he waved to them. Javier greeted the private with a shake. ¡°Good thing we happen to have you, Nelson.¡± Uttered the soldier. ¡°Well, half our boys are only bilingual in Spanish.¡± Malcolm responded. ¡°He¡¯s just in here,¡± the private said before opening the door. They entered a room with Master Sergeant Kenneth ¡®Fuckaroo Jack¡¯ Johnson standing over an Arabic man handcuffed to a chair; four additional soldiers guarded the perimeter of the room. ¡°Ahh, Space Dog!¡± said ¡®Fuckaroo Jack¡¯. ¡°Glad to have some use for you, come here.¡± Johnson brought an arm around Malcolm¡¯s shoulder while he stepped forward. The Arabic man stared with brown eyes that were filled with spite, and he frowned beneath a thick beard. ¡°Help me help this man make it easier on him by confessing he¡¯s dealing drugs to all sorts of illicit people.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a farmer Jack.¡± Javier stated. Kenneth nodded in an over-the-top manner. ¡°That¡¯ll do Pig, that¡¯ll do.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t see what we need him to confess to.¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°He¡¯s dead to rights with the crops.¡± ¡°We could also get him dead to rights for his transactions to the Iraqi militants, the Taliban, the Chinese¡­the DEA will order this farm burned anyway, but Guantanamo could always use a new justification for existing.¡± Johnson smiled at the illiterate captive. Malcolm brushed Johnson¡¯s arm off him before looking back at Javier. ¡°Go deal with the family bro.¡± ¡°Dude, this isn¡¯t legal.¡± ¡°And I want you to have no part in it; interrogations don¡¯t call for partners. Go contend with the family, we¡¯ll have to figure them out anyway.¡± Javier stared for half a minute before giving a single nod and backing out the door. With it now shut behind them, Malcolm cracked his knuckles as the soldiers brought forth a gallon of gasoline. Johnson pulled a rag out from a random bin, ¡°There¡¯s plenty of fertilizer to waterboard him too¡­in case you decide to run out.¡± ¡°And what makes you think I¡¯ll be doing that?¡± Malcolm asked coyly. ¡°Why would you not?¡± ¡°Because a champ at torture can do it with his mind.¡± Malcolm answered. Johnson pursed his lips, ¡°After you, Corporal.¡± Malcolm knelt before the frowning Iraqi man and let out a deep sigh. ¡°Do you know what Guantanamo Bay is?¡± Malcolm translated into Arabic. The Iraqi refused to answer. ¡°It¡¯s a place you¡¯re going; that¡¯s why I¡¯m not going to hurt you.¡± Malcolm leaned in. ¡°There¡¯s no point in desensitizing you now.¡± The Iraqi Farmer¡¯s head contorted at Malcolm¡¯s gaze. ¡°Why don¡¯t you burn in Hell you thug!" Malcolm smiled. ¡°Do you know what it¡¯s like to have your ass searched for escape tools? To be given your food through a slot in the sealed door? I can paint the picture of your cell all day and it will be your haven from our interrogations. You can incentivize me to help you not go there by just saying who comes and goes to this farm of yours. Who are you selling drugs to?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t sell drugs!¡± The Iraqi spat to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m a farmer!¡± ¡°Your crops are for heroin and opium. So, you can cut the shit and tell me what your deal with the terrorists.¡± ¡°I have no deal with them!¡± The Iraqi spat in Malcolm¡¯s face. ¡°Go fuck yourself!¡± Malcolm wiped the saliva off. ¡°I can also make your detainment a living hell.¡± ¡°Fuck you!¡± ¡°Oh, believe me, I can. You want to be eating your own shit out the bucket? That will be the start of it. I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t go out for ten years and when you finally do, you''ll never see your family again.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare threaten my family! I¡¯ll fucking kill you!¡± Malcolm faked a gasp. ¡°Oh, we¡¯re not going to do anything to your family. Think we need to? You¡¯ll be over there, and they¡¯ll be over here unsupported by you or your government. You¡¯ll die poor and alone, praying to your God that you get to see their faces again one day.¡± This forced a contemplation in the farmer. ¡°And what would you do if not abandon them?¡± Malcolm patted the Iraqi¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I can make sure they get immigrant status. All it will take is you finding them again when you get out, which remember, I can also make sooner.¡± The Farmer¡¯s eyes dwelled. ¡°God favors me; I¡¯ll get back to them without your help.¡± Malcolm¡¯s mouth clicked. ¡°So now it¡¯s about God? Loyalty to your compatriot too? My friend, do you think they will continue with you after our visit? I guarantee Militants will kill you for the simple suspicion of talking to us. And what of your family then?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just a farmer!¡± ¡°And a well-fed farmer for someone who plants poppy; you don¡¯t self-sustain on that. Just tell me who you¡¯re in business with and everything will be okay.¡± The Farmer¡¯s eyes dropped, avoiding Malcolm¡¯s. ¡°Me and my boys will keep your family safe. But if you don¡¯t give us anything to go on, our bosses will think of them as an unnecessary expense. I promise you this, we are not here to hurt them.¡± Malcolm began to circle the chair the Farmer was cuffed to. ¡°If I let you rub your wrists, you aren¡¯t going to let me regret it. You know you¡¯re surrounded.¡± The cuffs were wired, Malcolm simply had to untie them while the Farmer grunted beneath a hung chin. ¡°I show you something.¡± The Farmer was loose and instantly rubbed the discomfort away. Malcolm patted his shoulder again while the soldiers around them prepared their trigger fingers. Malcolm helped the farmer stand up and with a hand on his elbow, he brought the jaded farmer out the door. They circled the shed, and together they absorbed the sight of the man¡¯s poppy field. Malcolm leaned his head toward the farmer with a grin. ¡°You think THIS is your life¡¯s work, but it¡¯s inside the house and in the flesh. You have a single wife, a commitment to one woman is admirable. How many children?¡± The Farmer spoke with a forlorn sigh. ¡°Seven.¡± ¡°That¡¯s your legacy, not some crop. You think you must give them something when you gave them Life. All I¡¯ve ever done is take. And all this? Our government will burn, it¡¯s illegal where we come from. But you? We can make our protected informant. You could be set up with new land to give to your children. If that¡¯s what you need to validate your life, though the kids you created should be enough.¡± The Farmer¡¯s mouth hung, but refused to speak, as if he were thinking a prayer. The eyes darted from the field and back to Malcolm. The head began to shudder as his prayer became audible. ¡°¡­Let me see the other side¡­¡± Malcolm leaned in, prepared for any confession, when the voice of Johnson reigned from behind. ¡°Pause that, Nelson! Chavez just raised me!¡± Malcolm and the Farmer faced the squad. ¡°He¡¯s got one of ¡®em talking!¡± Johnson boasted. ¡°Don¡¯t need this sob story.¡± Malcolm looked at the Farmer and wrapped an arm around his neck. ¡°Family protections apply to anyone¡¯s confession. They¡¯ll be safe.¡± The Squad entered the house with the Famer surrounded. Immediately, they were inside the kitchen where two soldiers stood beside the wife and the two of the youngest children; they were no older than six. Malcolm, still with the Farmer under shoulder, marched into the large, yet basic living room. Three more soldiers were sitting or posting around the room while the eldest son, seventeen, comforted the other kids. ¡°Where¡¯s Chavez?¡± Johnson asked. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Corporal Williams sat on the rocking chair across from the children. ¡°He started getting sweet with the kids, now the eldest daughter is barking to him.¡± Johnson was puzzled. ¡°She knows English?¡± Williams looked up. ¡°Barely but just enough.¡± Malcolm eyed the Farmer. ¡°Which means you know what we¡¯ve been saying.¡± The Corporal spoke up as the Farmer ignored them, ¡°Chavez took her to the front porch.¡± Malcolm let his arm off the Farmer while he marched down the adjacent hallway to the front door. Javier and a sixteen-year-old in a maskless hijab turned their heads; he put a hand on her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s okay, they aren¡¯t going to do anything.¡± She still looked scared and spoke not a word. Malcolm cut a look between both. ¡°We¡¯ve had English speakers here the whole time?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Javier soothed. ¡°She knows all about her dad¡¯s dealings. Terrorists come and go every month or two, they trade poppy for anything! Guns, medicine, food.¡± Johnson approached behind Malcolm¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Well, good work. I was worried this Farmer was about to spin us some bullshit.¡± By now, several of the squad were at the door. ¡°Get ready to fall out boys. We¡¯ll bring ¡®em in and the DEA will come for the rest.¡± Javier looked at the daughter, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Go inside. I promised you¡¯ll be taken care of.¡± She nodded and stood, Malcolm parted ways for her to enter the house and she fled to the living room. ¡°Sir.¡± Javier spoke. ¡°The Family is entitled to our protection at this point. I promised her America.¡± ¡°The way I see it; the Brass gets to decide that.¡± Johnson boasted. Malcolm stood with a pursed lip. ¡°Sir. Even I promised the Farmer he¡¯d get some kind of informant status.¡± ¡°Well, he didn¡¯t cooperate. His daughter did.¡± Johnson responded. ¡°If anything-¡± A scream from the hallway interrupted them. Everyone snapped around and ran into each other with their weapons ready. Inside the living room, they witnessed the Famer standing over his eldest daughter. Despite the one soldier trying to pull him off, he bashed his fists against his girl until she was face down on the floor and was slamming repeatedly. In a flash, Malcolm pummeled the Farmer. They landed beside the cowering family and Malcolm instantly slammed the Farmer¡¯s head into the floor, he kept the prisoner pinned; suddenly, a hand reached Malcolm¡¯s sheathed knife. Malcolm caught the Farmer in a solid grip and stood with a boot on the torso while pulling his arm until the shoulder let out a sick pop. With the Farmer¡¯s cry, it was then that Malcolm gripped the fingers and bent them backwards, making a collected snapping. The family in the room was a blur of yells and shrill screams. Malcolm dropped the Farmer¡¯s hand, and he shriveled in pain, unable to move his right arm. Malcolm grabbed the Farmer by his shirt collar. ¡°Oh, you motherfucker!¡± Johnson reared behind Malcolm. ¡°Beat your children huh?!¡± The Squad crowded around the Farmer, exchanging turns to spit on him. The eldest son began to scream at the group. ¡°Get these people out of here!¡± Johnson called. Malcolm proceeded to slap the Farmer. ¡°You¡¯ve gone and fucked up!¡± He spit on the Farmer¡¯s face. ¡°MAKE WAY!¡± He began to drag the Farmer through the living room, into the hallway. Javier stood with a face of disbelief. *** ¡°We¡¯ve got two more hours until the DEA shows up!¡± Johnson called from down the staircase. ¡°We¡¯re just doing another once over.¡± Malcolm called from the top. He and Javier entered a dull room with a full-sized bed. Javier spoke solemnly. ¡°The boys have picked the place clean of valuables dude, what are you hoping to find?¡± ¡°A memento.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°What¡¯s a guy with a brain like yours need a memento for?¡± ¡°Same reason as anyone else.¡± ¡°What you¡¯re doing to him bro¡­¡± Javier scratched the back of his neck. ¡°Keep yourself uninvolved my man. Plausible deniability.¡± Malcolm¡¯s hand began to hover over the bleak and empty dresser, photos of the Farmer and his family were on it. ¡°Come on¡­It¡¯s been half a day, please let him out.¡± Javier pleaded. ¡°After I let him out the first time?¡± Malcolm waved a finger. ¡°No can do, you saw that.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not going to have him in there when the DEA shows up.¡± ¡°They¡¯re not gonna find him.¡± ¡°Bro.¡± Javier said. ¡°I can¡¯t put my name to that¡­¡± ¡°You won¡¯t. You had nothing to do with it. Just focus on what you promised the family.¡± Javier cupped his face. ¡°Mal, I know what he did was fucked. But what you¡¯re doing is torture!¡± Malcolm¡¯s looked back at Javier. ¡°That would be disrespectful...I call it karma.¡± Javier winced. ¡°You can¡¯t justify it like that¡­¡± Malcolm was beside the bed and took a seat. ¡°Javi, remember when we first met in high school?¡± He seemed confused. ¡°Shit. We were only in the same class.¡± Malcolm¡¯s M-Sixteen rested on his lap. ¡°You were with the group of meatheads throwing dweebs in their lockers. I kept my way from you back then and you all knew better than to change that; but you were there, taking part.¡± Javier shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s a reason I don¡¯t talk to those assholes anymore.¡± Malcolm grinned. ¡°You found better assholes to pal around with.¡± ¡°...I was only trying to fit in.¡± ¡°And you do that just well. Now please don¡¯t get in the way of my fitting in.¡± Malcolm pleaded. ¡°It seems to come easy for me here.¡± ¡°Dude, I¡¯m your friend. I can¡¯t let you do this to yourself.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not doing anything to me.¡± Malcolm leaned against the bed frame and his hands cupped atop his helmet. ¡°I¡¯m just teaching an Iraqi criminal a thing or two about Crime and Punishment.¡± As Malcolm pressed the frame, a compartment opened from within, suddenly dropping an AK-forty-seven onto his shoulders. The force landed a sharp pain in Malcolm, who flinched as the gun dropped behind him. He slowly pulled it out and set his m-sixteen aside for the AK¡¯s inspection. It was painted grey with white streaks which reminded Malcolm of crystals. Its magazine was fresh for emergencies and its barrel had been cleaned recently. The serial number was Chinese and upon releasing the chamber crank, a fresh round fell out. ¡°Whoa.¡± Javier said. Malcolm chuckled as he held the rifle into the light, ¡°Oh, indeed. This is a beautifully designed gun right here!¡± Javier stepped forward. ¡°It¡¯s more proof that he¡¯s dealing the poppy.¡± Malcolm remembered the prisoner as Javier reached to feel the rifle. Malcolm stood with it at his side and wrapped his m-sixteen¡¯s strap around his shoulder. He checked the time on his phone. ¡°Speaking of which: This time it¡¯s been four hours, lets say high to him!¡± Malcolm rushed out the door and was moving down the hallway with Javier following. They were down the stairs and out the front door where the dirt driveway sat with a car under the sunlit morning; its trunk end faced the house. Malcolm jumped down the porch and rushed to open the hood. A wireless audio speaker was also inside, its music was so loud that the soundwaves could be felt from the open door; to the occupant inside, it was loud enough to bleed the ears. Malcolm flung the hood open to see the Farmer crying with no gag or bindings. His other, now broken, hand raised to cowardly beg with a pinched face of purple bruises and cuts; he took to English to beg, ¡°¡­Please just stop...¡± Malcolm slapped the hand to grab the Farmer by his dirty shirt collar, pulling him to a sitting position. At eye level, Malcolm began a series of synchronized slaps to the rhythm of fast drums. Blood spittle flung to both sides from drying wounds inside the mouth and chin. It was then that Malcolm began to bash the Farmer¡¯s head into the roof of the trunk and gave a final punch to his diaphragm. Javier stood with a crossed arm and a hand over his mouth; Malcolm slammed the Famer back to his lying position and shut it. He breathed a repeated sigh of relief as the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus chorus repeated itself: ¡°¡­Do you feel like a man¡­. ¡­When you push her around¡­ ¡­Do you feel better now¡­ ¡­As she falls to the ground?¡± The Farmer¡¯s righteous suffering imbued Malcolm with poetic fulfillment. Before either he or Javier could speak, a Humvee pulled up beside their first one to the driveway¡¯s end. Johnson stepped beside Malcolm and advanced on the Humvee, four soldiers got out and waved over as they walked. ¡°You fucks got the family to base?¡± Johnson asked. ¡°Yes sir! We got em there alright!¡± the Sergeant shouted. ¡°So, where¡¯s the DEA?¡± ¡°They¡¯re a no show!¡± The Sergeant was face-to-face with Johnson. ¡°Garfield¡¯s orders are to torch the farm ourselves and get back.¡± Javier marched passed Malcolm, who still rested over the trunk. ¡°Hang on! We still have a prisoner here!¡± Johnson, the Sergeant and the squad all looked at each other. ¡°No one asked about the Farmer actually.¡± A random private answered him. ¡°Well shit.¡± Said Johnson. ¡°I mean, do we really need him? Family¡¯s talking and all that. Not to mention he¡¯s a child beating shit!¡± The squad seemed to concur; Javier was flabbergasted. ¡°We can¡¯t not bring him in! The man needs a doctor!¡± A guffaw erupted from the squad. ¡°All these goat fuckers need healthcare!¡± ¡°Beside that point,¡± Johnson rubbed his chin, ¡°The way I see it, his guilt is past due process. Also, Nelson here got creative with his punishment¡­¡± They paused: ¡°¡­While I¡¯ll tell you my friend¡­ ¡­One day this World¡¯s going to end¡­ ¡­As your lies crumble down¡­ ¡­A new life, she has found!¡± Javier was mortified. ¡°Kenny! Are you seriously contemplating what I think you are!?¡± Johnson shrugged. ¡°Just saying¡­might be more red tape bringing him in then if he just never got captured.¡± By now, a few members of the squad were walking away, taking a view of the country and some took selfies. Javier mouth hung loose. ¡°You can¡¯t do this!¡± Johnson put a hand on Javier. ¡°Look man, don¡¯t feel guilty about anything. You got the family talking, just by being you. You didn¡¯t do anything today; you didn¡¯t even see anything. Go sit in the Humvee, you behind on sleep.¡± ¡°I-I can¡¯t! I¡¯m not turning my back on this; I¡¯ll be no different!¡± ¡°But you are! You¡¯re the sticky idealism that makes us an American Unit! You made promises to the family, and you get to keep them when we get back to base. But say, for instance, we all get put under investigation. If that happens, nothing we collected here will matter and those people you made promises to will be back on the streets.¡± Johnson leaned in. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who can keep protecting them now. Think what American gangs do to snitches¡­think they¡¯ll survive out here with no home to shelter in?¡± Javier raised a finger and looked back at Malcolm who stared at both. Johnson continued. ¡°Don¡¯t you look at him. He¡¯s involved here and he¡¯s ordered to help clean up. Remember that we¡¯re all cut with red tape if you¡¯re too squeamish.¡± Javier dropped his head before leaving. He turned to Malcolm one more time. ¡°He¡¯s been suffering, dude. Don¡¯t drag it out.¡± Malcolm nodded as Javier turned and walked to one of the Humvees. Johnson clapped his hands. ¡°RIGHT! You two, keep watching the road. Everyone else fall in now! I want the shed looted of gas and fertilizer, douse the field!¡± He then turned to Malcolm and motioned his hand over the car. ¡°You. Deal with¡­this.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Yes sir.¡± He felt his pockets for the key to the car and crossed to the Driver¡¯s seat. Best that he¡¯s not identified. It''s best not to have fired any bullets. He allowed his chosen karma track to play out as he started the ignition. Malcolm drove down the driveway and made a U-turn to the patch of road leading around the back of the house. His fingers drummed the wheel to the music¡¯s rhythm as he pulled next to the Poppy field. Seeing no space between the plantations to park the car, Malcolm drove it directly through the fence. He plowed on until he was far enough into the field to blend with the environment and came to a stop. Malcolm turned the ignition off but did not bother to take the keys. He simply exited the vehicle and crossed to the back once again. The Farmer¡¯s voice screamed through the shut trunk; it was garbled and clearly begging. With a pat on the trunk, Malcolm looked behind him to the farmhouse where he could see the squad emerging with flammables to douse the fields with. Malcolm contemplated Javier¡¯s words and thought to himself: Am I really gonna make this guy burn? It was then that Malcolm looked once more to the polished AK-47 owned by the Farmer. He lost count of the seconds before tapping his earpiece. ¡°Hey guys. It¡¯s about to get loud.¡± Malcolm cautiously unlatched the trunk, stepped to the side of the car and disappeared into the poppy. He didn¡¯t crouch like a Tiger in waiting, Malcolm checked the safety on his new rifle as his Camo Kevlar was brushed by the overgrown crop. Meanwhile, the trunk was slowly lifting, and the bruised, bloodied face of the poor farmer was revealed. He frantically looked in every direction while trying to crawl out the trunk with two broken hands. Any false hopes he had of escaping were gone when Malcolm leaped directly across from him with the widest open smile. ¡°HI!¡± Malcolm sprayed a fully automatic volley until the magazine was empty. In seconds, the rifle silenced, and the wind now orchestrated his morbid depiction. The Farmer lay in the bullet ridden trunk with at least a score of rounds having passed through him. The limbs had already ceased twitching, and the face was unrecognizable as the brain dripped where a nose had been. All the blood was either spattered around or pooling at the trunk floor. There was a dripping sound which seemed to begin an echo. ¡°I left my music player...goddammit!¡± Chapter 31: Preparing for Operation ¡°This is the time we have to walk stepping on the storm.¡± ¨D Suman Pokhrel Malcolm blinked and the sound of jets ripped through the air. He stood on the carrier deck with one arm behind him and a free hand scrubbing his thickening beard. He watched the fighter formation move over the Seattle Sky Needle; the city sat with a faint smog under the musky rain, an aftermath of the riots. The carrier deck behind Malcolm contained a score of black hawks. A pilot screamed from an open door, ¡°We¡¯re taking off, Nelson!¡± Malcolm turned around, checking the chamber in his ¡®Crystal¡¯, and entered the black hawk¡¯s passenger cabin with three other Majors. They took off in sequence with the other helicopters as Malcolm strapped himself in. They rode over the massed fleet with a near permanent silence. Sitting next to the window, Malcolm took in the sight of sunken barges where tens of thousands had tried to exodus the city, rather than stay at home and follow the quarantine. It was over the city Coast Guard Base that the parade of helicopters made their descent. The Port Base was overflown with military vessels; Malcolm¡¯s helicopter made its descent into a parking lot that had traffic barriers erected around them for landings. Malcolm unstrapped himself and exited the chopper, he was slapped by flailing winds caused by the seven additional helicopters landing. Malcolm turned to his left and walked over; the other Majors went into a square building adjacent to the parking lot. The crowd of officers bustled up the building¡¯s staircase where each would take over their commands and possible strategies. Malcolm entered an armored M-ATV¡¯s driver¡¯s seat and awaited his Captains. It took another set of choppers landing in the parking lot before they entered, one-at-a-time. Captains Kemper, Thompson, and Liam Campbell; each cramped inside with the rain dripping off them. Bannon finally joined them after holding his canteen up in the air, refilling it with rainwater. ¡°Ah, pleased you all are here.¡± Malcolm spoke as he started the ignition. ¡°We have no choice.¡± Kemper quipped. ¡°Be that as is may.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°You¡¯ll be deployed out there before long.¡± Thompson clapped his hands. ¡°Right, ¡®Major¡¯ Nelson, what are our orders?¡± From a single folder left in the glove box for Malcolm, he withdrew documents which depicted strategic maps of Seattle. After passing them around, Malcolm started down the road. They pulled out of the Coast Guard Base and were driving through a city as one with a convoy. Everywhere Malcolm looked, the streets were pockmarked with trash or a smashed vehicle. Hundreds of civilians were violating quarantine by being out in public, getting soaked by the rainfall while others gathered the water. They passed a breadline stretching from a Coast Guard checkpoint all the way down several blocks by the time everyone had swapped the documents. ¡°Two distinct Quarantine zones are being carved out by the walls we¡¯re building.¡± Malcolm finally started. ¡°Ours stretches from Shorewood, up to Mountain Lake Terrace. The Second is in Bellevue, across Lake Washington.¡± Malcolm pointed over to Kemper¡¯s map next to him, his finger singled the landmass inside the lake. ¡°Command HQ and the State Government has been consolidated to Mercer Island. The Initial riots forced the National Guard to blow the bridges connecting. Now that the cavalry is here in force, the National Guard can focus on finishing the walls and keeping the civilians from going apeshit. Our priority is going to be the securing of the State¡¯s highways. Your companies are going South, passing Tacoma.¡± Kemper spoke up. ¡°We¡¯re not on the walls?¡± ¡°The walls aren¡¯t done yet.¡± Malcolm answered while their convoy passed a storage warehouse, full to the brim with ammunition and guards on posts. ¡°Every community in the State has been hit with mass looting and the roads have been gridlocked with people camping beside their cars. It¡¯s worse the further you get to California so be glad we aren¡¯t there. Clear the roads and secure the land routes while the National Guard handles town keeping and food distribution.¡± Everyone shared a silence before Liam spoke up. ¡°What if there¡¯s an outbreak?¡± Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ¡°Infected are to be isolated, if possible, then secured for transport and CDC testing. This applies to bodies dropped. Don¡¯t take chances with anyone appearing sick, get them isolated from everyone else.¡± Bannon shook his head, ¡°You are telling me we don¡¯t have a testing kit?¡± ¡°Blood samples seem to turn black minutes after being taken.¡± Malcolm reiterated. ¡°Anyone who appears manic needs to be restrained.¡± They all looked at each other. ¡°So that¡¯s it?¡± Thompson asked. Malcolm nodded. ¡°You¡¯re all deployed within the next day. Get yourselves and your companies rested, and fed. Command wants to move forward as soon as possible.¡± ¡°No, bullshit!¡± Thompson called out. ¡°We were told the wall is the priority! We should be camped in the city and waiting on a vaccine!¡± The ATV passengers nodded, except for Liam. ¡°Yea,¡± said Bannon. ¡°We should be staying where the Dead aren¡¯t gonna be.¡± Before Malcolm could muster a retort, Liam spoke up. ¡°So, you pricks want to wait for the infected to be swarming all around the walls?¡± ¡°I thought we were pooling people inside the Zones!¡± Bannon yelled. ¡°How many people can that support?¡± Liam asked. ¡°You know we need farmlands, right? We box in, we may as well wait to die.¡± This was sunken in by the group as Malcolm kept his eyes on the road. Liam continued, ¡°Not to mention the fact that we¡¯re supposed to be an ARMY. Now more than ever!¡± Malcolm finally eyed Liam through the rearview mirror, who was staring right back into him before looking at everyone else. ¡°You people want the vaccine? You want ¡®tomorrow¡¯ to get here and to see your homes again? You¡¯ll fall through on this. We have automatic weapons, armored and air support. The Amoeba doesn¡¯t.¡± By now, the structure of the southern quarantine wall could be viewed over the rooftops. Its frame stretched to two hundred feet in the air and the construction crews were making distant sparks from overworked power tools. Malcolm waited in the silence to drag out before he chose to continue. ¡°Just remember what we¡¯re fighting for. I¡¯m supposed to meet with the Lieutenant Colonel before going out there myself.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯ll be right behind us?¡± Kemper asked. ¡°Almost literally.¡± Malcolm answered as he pulled past the barbed fences of the military checkpoint beneath the Wall¡¯s gate. They pulled to a stop outside another storage depot being used as a barrack. ¡°I¡¯m hoping you people got your R and D in during our voyage,¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°Now get ready for action.¡± They exited one at a time. Once they were inside the barracks, Malcolm drove to the checkpoint¡¯s HQ, established within a local library. Malcolm parked the armored vehicle and strode through the rainy parking lot. The inside of the library had every table occupied with officers going over the various reports from quartermasters regarding supply allocations. Lieutenant Colonel Clemens was standing beside several rows of tables, having something read to him by a subordinate. Clemens noticed Malcolm and waved him over. ¡°Nelson! What¡¯s the ETA on your regiment?¡± ¡°Company C.O.s are dropped off, sir. Rest should be moving in throughout the day.¡± Clemens nodded. ¡°Good. I want you bastards going south at first light tomorrow.¡± He dismissed the subordinate and motioned for Malcolm to follow him. He was led to the library office and Clemens stopped to fill his canteen by the water fountain. Malcolm couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°How close are we to curing it?¡± Clemens batted an eye. ¡°You¡¯re asking the wrong person.¡± ¡°You are telling me the WHO announcement is still all we have on the infection?¡± ¡°Not what I said.¡± Clemens and Malcolm entered the office. The Lieutenant Colonel grabbed a folder out the office desk before sitting down; he slid the documents over. ¡°McElroy said you could see it directly. For your eyes only.¡± Clemens took a deep swig of his canteen. Malcolm took the folder, its font contained the red phrase, ¡®Classified¡¯. Malcolm looked back at Clemens, ¡°Where¡¯s McElroy?¡± Clemens appeared to have finished a quarter of his canteen. ¡°Mercer Island, with the state government and the command staff. You¡¯re not them, so don¡¯t ask to go there.¡± Malcolm grinded his teeth. ¡°He promised me my family¡­¡± ¡°Nelson! I have two sons stationed in Afghanistan and I¡¯ve heard nothing from them since the Outbreak! You can annoy McElroy once the walls are finished. For now, you shut up and be a good soldier.¡± Malcolm huffed. ¡°Yes sir.¡± Clemens leaned back. ¡°Good. Go rest. No telling when the timetable will shift.¡± Malcolm nodded and left with the documents as Clemens swirled his canteen before another deep sip. He let out a brief cough, almost having swallowed down the wrong pipe. Chapter 32: Escalating Vectors ¡°When a lot of remedies are suggested for a disease...that means it can¡¯t be cured.¡± Anton Chekov Malcolm sifted through the classified documents as he sat on a bunk with his company commanders across from him. His eyes were growing heavy, for it seemed like every paragraph was littered with medical jargon. He spoke without taking his eyes off, ¡°¡­it¡¯s swimming through the blood until it¡¯s completely burrowed in the brain¡­¡± His captains sat or paced the storage unit; Kemper looked annoyed. ¡°You¡¯re reminding us of the headshot rule, which we all figured out in Korea.¡± Malcolm tapped the folder. ¡°But this is explaining why, which matters. It says the Incubation Period is maxed at three or four days, and those have been rare.¡± ¡°So?¡± One of them asked. Malcolm answered. ¡°Unless you destroy the brain, killing the person doesn¡¯t kill the Amoeba. They could reanimate within seconds or a dozen minutes. Moral of the story? Don¡¯t trust any random corpse.¡± Thompson spoke up. ¡°What I¡¯m hearing is more about these people being Dead.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t need this to tell me that.¡± Malcolm continued. ¡°Variations in intelligence between different Berserkers has been documented. CDC thinks it has everything to do with the symptom stage the infected person is in.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­Sir?¡± Kemper quipped. Malcolm looked up. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I really need you to tell me if the World has ended out there, not these ¡®Infection Stages¡¯. Because some of us have wives we haven¡¯t talked to since Korea.¡± Malcolm gave a slow nod. ¡°Nothing¡¯s fallen apart yet, otherwise we wouldn¡¯t be here. Hell, Command is even considering new quarantine zones beyond the city.¡± Liam, sitting against the back of a chair, finally spoke up. ¡°Quarantine Zones aren¡¯t going to stop the Amoeba from spreading.¡± Malcolm looked back at the files. ¡°Nothing on the cure so far, though there¡¯s a ton of elaboration on the Amoeba being a mutation from a lesser strain. China named it after one of their plague gods, but the rest of the medical community has taken to calling it ¡®Naegleria¡¯. Good news is that Humans are the only carriers.¡± Thompson guffawed. ¡°How the fuck is that good news?¡± Malcolm bulged his eyes. ¡°You want zombie cats and dogs running around?!¡± ¡°The man is correct.¡± Kemper said, ¡°There¡¯s only several billion people to deal with. The whole fucking ecosystem getting infected would be an Endgame.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Malcolm felt validated. ¡°Bad news is that nothing says how it spread so quickly; Detroit fell on the first day, as did L.A. The California Outbreaks make sense; migrants from Asia brought the plague over¡­¡± There was a collective silence. Malcolm checked his watch and saw the time had just passed six in the morning. ¡°Bannon needs to know this shit too. Is he coming?¡± Everyone shrugged. ¡°Goddammit.¡± Malcolm stood, leaving the folder on his bunk as he put boots on. ¡°Those are for my eyes only so no one reads it. I¡¯m gonna drag Bannon in here by his foot.¡± The group said nothing as Malcolm equipped his holster, along with a knife sheath, and exited the unit. After closing the shutter, Malcolm took a moment to breathe in the beautiful silence of the morning May air. He then pulled out a cigarette and lit it, deciding he¡¯d walk leisurely to Bannon¡¯s unit. The nicotine gave Malcolm the rush of lightheadedness he was beginning to deeply cherish and the tingles down his limbs felt moderately exciting. Malcolm looked to the east where the sun was hardly visible on the horizon, yet it still reflected off the puddles which had remained since the heavy rain had passed. Malcolm passed by the chow area, where hundreds of soldiers were gathered around wooden or plastic benches to enjoy a hardy breakfast. Eggs, toast, fried hams, sausage and bacon were displayed as a buffet beneath a large Camouflage tarp. It was the smell of Coffee which Malcolm found alluring. Malcolm slowly finished his cigarette as he observed the Soldiers; some noticed Malcolm, they would point him out to the comrades they ate with. As Malcolm crossed for a cup of coffee, some of them had budged eyes like Malcolm was a Hollywood star gracing them with his presence. Malcolm gave a slight grin with one side of his mouth as he dropped the butt. A squad turned the corner and a private accidentally bumped into Malcolm¡¯s shoulder, spilling some of his fresh cup to the ground as the squad realized he was a Major. ¡°Sorry Sir!¡± The draftee named Dillan stood at attention. Malcolm nodded while refilling the cup. ¡°We¡¯re not at attention; you¡¯re good.¡± ¡°Thank-¡± ¡°M-Major Nelson?¡± The Sergeant of the squad interrupted. ¡°From November Company?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Malcolm nodded, taking his first sip of a dark black roast. The Sergeant, a man named Bundy. seemed starstruck, ¡°...My brother was at Camp Stanley guarding the H.Q...I know you were just doing your job but he made it because...¡± The Sergeant trailed off as Malcolm smiled; he grabbed the Sergeant¡¯s hand and shook it. ¡°Your brother made it because he kept his cool, and I took charge because I¡¯d want anyone else to do the same.¡± ¡°You''re a fucking hero sir!¡± one of the soldiers blurted with a salute as they turned to the chow area. Suddenly, Malcolm felt his heart rate accelerate and he felt that sensation one gets before falling. He caught his breath, unsure of what exactly was happening. Malcolm took a deep sip of his coffee while he turned around to find Bannon. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Since the troops had gathered for breakfast, there was an eyrie silence as Malcolm crossed the seemingly deserted storage yard. The only activity was the humming motors of an armored convoy seen through the fence; they were moving away from the Wall construction, which was almost complete except for the battlements. A series of helicopters were flying overhead, entering the zone from the walls. Malcolm found Bannon¡¯s storage unit and pounded a fist against the shutter. ¡°BANNON!¡± Malcolm shouted. He lifted the shutter and could hardly see anything inside; the sun was too low on the horizon. Malcolm tugged the chord, and the lights came on. Bannon was laying on his bunk with his back facing Malcolm. ¡°Sleeping in like the last day of camp?¡± Malcolm berated. ¡°HEY!¡± A gasp, followed by a deep breath, broke Bannon¡¯s sleep. He turned over on his back, letting out a violent wheeze with his eyes puffed, causing Malcolm to pause. Bannon looked at him, finally attempting to stand, only to keel off his bunk. He was dry heaving on the floor, unable to vomit any more into the bucket. ¡°¡­Nelson¡­¡± Bannon whimpered. ¡°¡­Something¡¯s wrong...¡± Malcolm dropped his coffee cup. ¡°...Tell me your hungover.¡± Bannon was now sitting with a hand behind his neck. He was twisting around to pop a tension. ¡°¡­Can¡¯t even keep food down¡­¡± Bannon said. ¡°W-when did this start?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°¡­Last night¡­got worse as I slept¡­bones feel hollow¡­¡± Gradually, Malcolm stepped over. ¡°Stay. Fucking. Still.¡± Bannon complied and Malcolm delicately put a palm on Bannon¡¯s forehead; his paling skin was cold to the touch. Malcolm¡¯s trembling hand rose, and he took a few steps back. ¡°¡­Stay right there and don¡¯t move¡­I¡¯m coming back with the medics.¡± Bannon coughed. ¡°Sir¡­¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t talk. Just stay awake¡­and stay right there.¡± Bannon¡¯s eyes seemed to roll as his head lay back, followed by deeper breaths. Malcolm took the final step out of the storage unit; he closed the shutter without blinking. He looked but found no way to lock it. Malcolm then looked around for some kind of help, yet everyone was at the Chow area. Malcolm realized his wireless earpiece was still in his storage unit; with no way to make an emergency call, Malcolm began shouting. ¡°SOMEONE! ANYONE!!¡± It took repeated shouts before Malcolm spotted two sentries turning the nearest corner. ¡°Get the Medics NOW!¡± One of them immediately tapped his wireless piece and began calling for a medical team as another wave of helicopters passed overhead. ¡°Get over here!¡± Malcolm ordered, to which they obeyed and took positions beside him. Malcolm drew his pistol, Dominic, and waited on the patter of footsteps followed by red-crossed helmets. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± one of the soldiers asked. ¡°We got a fever.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°How?¡± The other trembled. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Malcolm stammered. It had been long moments since the call was made and there was still no medic to be seen. The row of units seemed to be empty. ¡°Check the coms.¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°Find out where they are.¡± It was the moment the sentry nodded and tapped his earpiece that a reverberation of automatic rifles echoed in the distance. With a bead of sweat breaking, Malcolm slowly cranked the hammer of his pistol and looked at the sentries, their names being Privates Norris and Christy. Taking in the two people beside him, Malcolm saw the fear in their eyes as they darted to the sky above. Another recoil of gunfire echoed. ¡°Norris.¡± Malcolm calmly stated. ¡°Get in touch with-¡± Suddenly, the shutter in front of them started to bang repeatedly with a bloodcurdling moan winding to a louder pitch. Norris and Christy flinched beside Malcolm as he raised his pistol to the shutter. Suddenly, the shutter was grabbed with paling fingers; it was flung open and Bannon screamed with ferocity in his blue eyes which now turned grey. As the Berserker took its first step forward, Malcolm fired two rounds which popped blackened blood out the back of its head. More automatic gunfire was sounding off from the direction inside the Port Quarantine Zone as an emergency siren immediately erupted from the city, growing to the intensity of a jet. The barrack was suddenly springing to life as soldiers began to rush from the Chow area. In haste, Malcolm took several steps backward to see the buildings above the units. A loud boom ruptured an orange glow between the distant complexes. A collage of shouts from platoon leaders signaled the hustling of boots. Grunts of every rank were springing for their rifles. A collage officers screamed for every soldier to gather by the fence beside the main road. Malcolm looked at Norris and Christy, ¡°On me!¡± and led them back to his company commanders. As the three of them weaved around scores of clamoring boots and shouts from the entire barrack, more watchtowers were unloading their magazines in the direction of the inner Zone. Malcolm¡¯s mind was racing to navigate through the maze. Soon, Malcolm led them to the opposite side of the Storage Yard, yet there was an estimate of thirty soldiers lined up at the right-side fence. When Malcolm looked, he could see groups of Berserkers in civilian clothes clawing at the fence while the platoons free fired at anything that moved. The Dead were running people down as they fled in the open streets. The Blood, both black and crimson, was spraying and pooling everywhere Malcolm looked; from the bullets flaying skulls by the fence and the flesh ripping teeth of the Living Dead. Malcolm grabbed both soldiers and led them the other direction, but after turned the corner, Malcolm saw a squad of three unloading their magazines into the shutter they fled. Suddenly, it came from the unit; a blood-drenched private howled as he tackled one of the squad mates from behind. The other two immediately emptied their magazines into both, even as their friend begged through his mutilation. From several shutters ahead, two bullet riddled berserkers came charging. They spotted Malcolm and the other soldiers, roaring as they bolted. Malcolm¡¯s pistol was in hand and the next instant, he fired it through a berserker¡¯s ace; it dropped as Norris killed the final Berserker. Malcolm took a deep breath. The scene before them was a mess of runners; the Dead were mostly wearing civilian clothing as they targeted soldiers. Malcolm looked at his men and nodded before they sprint directly through the chaos. A soldier running the other direction knocked into and fell atop a berserker; the subsequent envelopment was gnawing his eyes out. Two squad members pulled a friend being mangled at the legs into their shutter; as a third soldier stepped forward to shoot their attackers, more came howling into the shutter as booms of sonic jets rumbled in the sky. Malcolm found his Company Commanders guarding their shutter; at least a score was huddling inside with their rifles aimed outward. ¡°SEAL IT SEAL IT!¡± Malcolm screamed before anyone could suspect him infected. Both he and the four soldiers he brought nearly rammed into a group as Malcolm skidded to a halt. Everyone scrambled to close the shutter, despite being packed tighter than sardines; they now had only the ceiling light and the ambience of warfare outside. As Malcolm gathered his breath, he focused on the piercing sound of aircraft rather than the deep breaths of his people. Malcolm made way to his bunk where he opened his duffle bag, retrieving his wireless com . Every frequency Malcolm heard was garbled yells of panicking checkpoints underscored by gunfire. ¡°THIS IS MAJOR NELSON AT THE SOUTH GATE CHECKPOINT! WE ARE BEING OVERRUN! REQUESTING AIR SUPPORT NOW!¡± He switched to the middle of a coordinated sequence of digits being recited. ¡°¡­Cavalry Regiments are moving into position¡­¡± ¡°Uh¡­sir? The zones are swarming. We can¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°All on the ground are expendable. Weapons Free! Weapons Free!¡± Malcolm nearly dropped his walkie when a dozen propeller blades battered the air outside. ¡°EVERYBODY DOWN!¡± He screamed, to which everyone obeyed. The subsequent barrage of automatic fire thundered like a storm outside, drowning out the dying screams. Chapter 33: Toublesome Symptoms ¡°...Yes...I''m Inside You... ...Tell me how does it fell to feel like this... ...Just like I do?" - Dave Willams The light had gone out long before the continuous barrage of heavy weaponry. had finally wound to a halt. Malcolm and the squads inside were enveloped by the black; every now and then, bursts of rifle fire echoed from the outside. Malcolm fumbled for wherever he set the earpiece. A voice was overpowered by propellers. ¡°¡­HQ we have confirmed sweeps of checkpoints Beacon Hill, South Gate, Blue Ridge¡­¡± Malcolm holstered his pistol and grabbed his rifle. ¡°Open the shutter! We¡¯re in the clear!¡± There was a mass hesitation before someone finally relented, they were soon helped by others and the rest prepared their triggers. The shutter was lifted, and the sunlight beamed inside. Malcolm weaved to the front and took point, stepping around the bodies. Both directions had every meter stacked and crammed with bodies that had been mangled, head to toe, with heavy caliber bullet holes. The civilians were indistinguishable from the Uniforms or Infected; every step Malcolm took was sloshing in blood and bone fragments. A single black hawk remained directly above them and the minigunner waved a thumbs up to Malcolm, who returned it. ¡°Everybody keep your eyes to the ground,¡± Malcolm commanded. ¡°Watch for any movement.¡± As he walked down the units, more soldiers came stepping out of the shutters. Some of them placed rounds in any intact head they found while others preferred to stand guard by their shelter. Another set of jet booms complimented a chorus of distant gunfire. Malcolm stepped through the area¡¯s main gate to see the local clinic was in flames, with an additional column of smoke over the buildings past it. The burning clinic was surrounded by gas-masked platoons who were preparing firehoses to contain the flames. Outside the Checkpoint fence line, Malcolm could see several armored convoys busing up and down the streets. Dozens of platoons were entering every complex or business; masses of civilians were being herded outside and loaded onto the buses. Between every other shout, pops could be heard down the roads. ¡°Halt!¡± A voice barked behind Malcolm. He turned to face two masked soldiers. Others were gathering the survivors from the storage units. ¡°Name and Rank?¡± ¡°Major Nelson.¡± He answered. ¡°We¡¯re you bitten?¡± one of them asked while eyeing Malcolm from top to bottom. ¡°No.¡± Malcolm was stern. ¡°What the hell happened out here?¡± ¡°Hospitalizations surged. Orders were to use napalm.¡± ¡°On whose authority?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°General Abrams. Sir.¡± Another round of fire echoed. ¡°Where¡¯s Clemens?¡± ¡°HQ is off limits sir. Orders are to wait on the civilian round-up.¡± Malcolm clenched his fist. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you Corporal. I¡¯m going over there.¡± Both soldiers stared at each other as Malcolm pushed past them. *** Malcolm strode through a parking lot adorned with machine gun positions and platoons honing their aim, from the building to Malcolm. ¡°HALT! IDENTIFY!¡± Malcolm refused to raise his hands; he touched his earpiece instead. ¡°Clemens! It¡¯s Nelson! Get your men to stand down!¡± A moment passed while the platoons aiming at Malcolm began to shake. ¡°Clemens! I know you can hear me! I¡¯m about to strut along in there! If you don¡¯t want to¡­¡± The doors to the library flung open and a series of warrant officers came outside. ¡°LET HIM THROUGH!¡± one of them called out and every gun lowered. Malcolm entered the library expecting to find the same busy faces yelling over the radios. Instead, he was taken to see the room half empty and for those inside, they lay on cleared tables or sat by themselves in corners; an eyrie silence was gripped by everyone. Malcolm twitched his fingers beside his holstered pistol; seeing the door to the office, it was guarded by a single warrant officer who sat against it with his rifle resting on his lap. ¡°Clemens is in there?¡± Malcolm asked. The officer looked up with dilated eyes inside a paling head. He forced a murmur. ¡°He said no one can leave¡­doesn¡¯t want to be seen¡­¡± ¡°He let me in, now stand up.¡± The Officer stood, with a pinched neck and didn¡¯t move. ¡°He ordered me to¡­¡± ¡°All of you are infected.¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°Stop taking his orders. I need to see how bad he is.¡± The officer muffled a cough with his elbow, facing away from Malcolm. He knocked once on the door, ¡°He¡¯s from outside sir.¡± The officer stepped away and Malcolm flung the door to a sorry sight. Lieutenant Colonel Clemens sat in the office rolling chair with his back facing Malcolm. The window blinds were wide open, allowing the room¡¯s only light from the sun; he stared with hands on the glass, wanting to pry the window open. When he turned slowly, one hand was holding a picture locket; Clemens stared into the picture with a solemn smile beneath a pale face and moistening brows. Malcolm gently shut the door before he finally spoke. ¡°The Quarantine Zone has already failed.¡± Clemens rocked in his chair before closing the locket. ¡°The morning¡¯s casualties are¡­unfortunately high; both civilian and personnel.¡± Malcolm sneered, ¡°More people are dead than wounded.¡± ¡°Nelson¡­¡± Clemens coughed. ¡°This is a setback, but I assure you, we are one step ahead of this plague. Otherwise, the whole zone would¡¯ve been lost.¡± Malcolm stepped forward. ¡°One of my C.O.s got infected.¡± Clemens nodded. ¡°Of course, they did¡­so did we.¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°HOW!?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°The city¡¯s water got contaminated yesterday¡­¡± Clemens relented. ¡°¡­The whole system was shut down before the situation became insolvable.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eye began to twitch as he remembered flashes of Bannon refilling his Canteen. ¡°...It rained yesterday...¡± Clemens nodded. ¡°Command tried to solve the situation before it became a full outbreak-¡± ¡°You think the problem solved if the fucking Water-Cycle became our worst enemy?¡± Malcolm hushed. ¡°The checkpoint is littered with corpses!¡± ¡°¡­General Abrams gave the order to conduct airsweeps¡­I did my job proudly, and for the last time.¡± Malcolm sunk his head in disapproval. ¡°One last command given by my dying superior. A sick pup puts down the rabid pack. What of you now, sealed up in here?¡± Clemens looked disgusted. ¡°Someone had to secure our checkpoint¡­Don¡¯t you fucking dare judge me, Nelson.¡± Malcolm leaned in. ¡°I don¡¯t, not for a second. But you get to sit here with the infection while everyone who went to the hospitals was burned? You¡¯re imposing a self-quarantine until the troops outside must shoot you through the windows.¡± Clemens shook his head. ¡°¡­doctors need every live sample they can get. We¡¯re waiting for exfil.¡± Malcolm smacked his lips. ¡°You¡¯re waiting to die anyway; nobody survives Naegleria.¡± Clemens held back the tears in his eyes. ¡°They can cure it Nelson¡­they just need more time¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes blackened. ¡°They can¡¯t cure you: first they¡¯ll restrain you. Next, they¡¯ll hook you up to whatever they need to monitor the Amoeba. They¡¯ll test whatever meds they might have, collecting your blood while you suffer. After that, you won¡¯t be you anymore; then they¡¯ll have to dissect your brain.¡± Malcolm waited to see it sink in. ¡°That¡¯s how Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Clemens died; a human experiment.¡± Under a cough, Clemens gripped the locket as he refused to cry. ¡°It all had to mean something¡­if it helps them make a vaccine¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯re not going to find it in time.¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°By this point, the plague will run its course. Borders have already been closed, travel is paralyzed, but who can stop the refugee waves from bringing the plague with them? Now that the Amoeba can precipitate, how many places will get hit like ours did before they find out? Nations will collapse, Border restrictions will become the standard. Supply lines, support networks, all gone. These fucking walls are proof of that, and we still can¡¯t keep the infection out.¡± Under closed eyes, Clemens broke a tear. He made a cross motion on his chest, leaning into the desk. ¡°¡­I¡¯m responsible for following orders¡­¡± ¡°Letting you willingly turn zombie isn¡¯t very responsible of me.¡± Malcolm continued as Clemens opened his eyes. ¡°I made that call with Daniels. And if I understood then what was really happening, I could¡¯ve stopped him from turning.¡± Dismissing a pinch of rage, Clemens kept both hands cupped together. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be one of them¡­my sons can¡¯t know that¡¯s how I died¡­¡± ¡°You choose how you die, Clemens.¡± The Lieutenant Colonel frowned. ¡°I can¡¯t kill myself¡­it¡¯s not Christian.¡± Malcolm snarled. ¡°Look out the window Clemens. I didn¡¯t see any fucking Rapture.¡± Clemens paused for a long moment before sliding his locket across the desk, he then felt for letter inside it. ¡°Make sure these get to my sons¡­they¡¯ll be landing on the eastern seaboard.¡± He forced a smile. ¡°McElroy told me before you arrived.¡± Malcolm nodded before accepting both. Clemens leaned back into his chair before touching his earpiece. ¡°To all personnel stationed at the South Gate Checkpoint, this is Lieutenant Colonel Clemens¡­I¡¯m afraid this is my sign off. Until Mercer Island can designate otherwise, I¡¯m relinquishing command over to Major Nelson. He is with me in the library and is not infected. Stand down when you see him exit¡­Godspeed everyone¡­¡± Clemens took the earpiece off and set it on the desk with took a deep breath. As he closed his eyes, he felt his holster for the pistol and leaned back to inspect it. After snapping a round in the chamber, Clemens looked to see Malcolm standing motionless. ¡°You¡¯re just going to watch?!¡± Malcolm responded beneath his black eyes. ¡°If you fuck up, you¡¯ll come back quick. Someone needs to make sure.¡± Clemens seethed out a tear and nodded. ¡°¡­Through the dome¡­¡± There was a buzz from Malcolm¡¯s earpiece. ¡°¡­Malcolm!¡± He touched it and answered, ¡°Piper! What¡¯s the status on November?¡± Liam ignored the question. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this!¡± ¡°Our commander is infected, Piper.¡± Malcolm hollowed. ¡°Remember what I said about your brother¡¯s suicide attempt. These people are all dying one way or another and we have healthy people to keep going.¡± Liam started yelling. ¡°They can still find a way to cure it!¡± Malcolm paused before responding. ¡°¡­And for how long have you been listening?¡± ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake! I know you, Malcolm, and I know what you¡¯re thinking! Just stand down and walk away before any of them infect you!¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m putting a stop to that Piper; you should know that. Rally the Company and help guard the fence line. Nelson out.¡± He switched the walkie off before Liam could scream back. Malcolm noticed that Clemens was staring at him, both hands cupped his pistol, yet it lay at the desk. Behind Clemens¡¯ eyes, a pinched look of a forlorn shock radiated. His mouth trembled, ¡°W-Who¡¯s Piper?¡± Malcolm raised a brow, ¡°What?¡± ¡°Who were you speaking to?¡± Clemens asked. Malcolm was confused. ¡°One of my C.O.s, my replacement in November.¡± Clemens made a silent gasp. ¡°I never¡­¡± ¡°You never what?¡± ¡°I-¡­Nelson¡­I never approved November¡¯s new Captain.¡± Malcolm¡¯s black eyes sank. ¡°Bullshit!¡± ¡°Nelson¡­who were you talking to?¡± ¡°It was¡­¡± Malcolm eyed the earpiece sitting on the office desk, as did Clemens. ¡°Don¡¯t be rash, Clemens.¡± The Lieutenant Colonel was breaking sweat through his brows. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, toward the ceiling, before his quick hand reached over the desk. Malcolm¡¯s pistol popped once, and the bullet tore through the base where Clemens¡¯ jaw met his neck. He recoiled back with a hand over the wound and an instant gush of blood burst from the mouth. Gore was seeping through Clemens¡¯ fingers and instantly, his whole face turned paler with every croak. Clemens¡¯ gagged on the blood with a beastly gnarl. The hand dropped from the oozing wound and the whole body seemed limp. Clemens¡¯ began to scream so loud the blood began to spittle and the limbs pinched. He stood up while snapping and threw everything off the desk to circle it. Malcolm popped another round clean through the side temple; a pink mist exfoliated black blood onto the walls and furniture behind. Clemens dropped to the floor; as the topless head smacked it, the pool started to seep a wide stain in the carpet. As the smoke cleared the barrel of Malcolm¡¯s gun, he stepped over to the body and looked for Clemens¡¯ sidearm which was set on the floor beside the chair. Malcolm then heard shouts from the earpiece on the desk and they were louder than the clamors outside the door. ¡°COLONEL!? Please respond!¡± Malcolm grabbed it and spoke, ¡°This is Major Nelson. Clemens tried to stop himself from becoming a berserker. He failed. Over.¡± ¡°Clemens is dead?!¡± Malcolm was stark. ¡°He was infected Captain.¡± ¡°What did he say before?!¡± Malcolm thought of the letter and locket. ¡°No more than what he announced to you. He tried to opt out.¡± There was a long moment of silence. Malcolm listened for the sick people outside the office and no sound came from the door. The captain¡¯s voice returned, ¡°What are your orders, Major?¡± Malcolm¡¯s black eyes focused on the door. A shrill whisper was vocalized to another from beyond it; Malcolm was prepared for the moment they turned to screams. He felt trapped in the office, with infectious time-bombs ticking outside. ¡°Major Nelson?¡± the captain¡¯s voice returned. ¡°This building is no longer under quarantine.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Send your men in, put a round in everyone.¡± ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°This library is full of infected people waiting to turn cannibal.¡± Malcolm blanketed. ¡°They¡¯re no different than a Berserker in the streets.¡± ¡°Major¡­those are servicemen in there¡­¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t up for debate, Captain.¡± Malcolm was starker. ¡°We¡¯re not waiting to shoot through the windows. Send your men in and start putting bullets through heads.¡± ¡°¡­Yes sir¡­¡± Malcolm switched the earpiece off and stared at it in hand. He began to sweat as a static began to echo from the receiver and he had to force his hand steady. Liam¡¯s voice spoke up. ¡°I keep trying with you because I have to believe you could be different¡­but you just can¡¯t fucking control yourself...can you?!¡± Chapter 34: Personified Masks "People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.¡± ¨DCarl Jung Malcolm¡¯s awareness returned to the sight of an ashen pile stacked higher than a garbage dump. The stench of charred human remains still filled his nose and the remnants of twitched limbs poked out thd tall heap. A convoy moved down the road behind him, with a single Humvee that would stop for Malcolm. He turned to enter its passenger seat, the driver, Thompson, pulled back into the long line of army vehicles and drove away from the quartered off parking lot. Malcolm looked in the rearview to see Captain Kemper and while he checked his earpiece, there was the chatter of multiple companies; there was no Liam Campbell to be found. Outside the checkpoint, the convoy drove through a city whose streets were cleared of civilians following the outbreak. Its buildings had been reduced to strategic capabilities on the maps Malcolm was looking over. They passed a hotel complex that was appropriated to house multiple infantry regiments. Several vehicles from the convoy splintered into the parking lot before the rest turned a corner. A local stadium came into view with medical signs covering every entrance. FEMA helicopters came and went from the parking lot, unloading food and basic medications beside the lot. ¡°...How many civilians are in there?¡± asked Thompson. ¡°Couple thousand.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°They have cots lining the field, and rooms made out of stalls.¡± ¡°Are they sick?¡± ¡®They¡¯d have turned already.¡± Malcolm answered. They exited the Humvee and began to walk across the scene of army tents and fortifications. As Malcolm¡¯s commanders began to splinter off to find their troops, he passed a platoon gathered by a campfire where they were boiling water. One of them had a radio sitting on their lap and the crowd continuously hushed one another so they may hear. ¡°¡­You know I¡¯d be taking your calls if the phone lines weren¡¯t down¡­¡± the host said. ¡°¡­Outbreaks of the Naegleria Flu have been confirmed in the following cities: New York, Boston, and Baltimore. Cincinnati, Des Moines, and Columbus. Tallahassee, Miami, and Savannah, in Georgia. Austin, Huston, and Albuquerque¡­¡± The private holding the radio was breaking sweat. Malcolm stepped through to retrieve an MRE as the crowd¡¯s silence dragged on. The host continued, ¡°¡­I¡¯m afraid I have worse new. Since the last of my staff left to be with their families¡­I¡¯m by myself in the studio now. So, I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ll be able to keep broadcasting. But I sat here with you during my cancer battle; I¡¯ll stay right here with you to the End¡­Now, let¡¯s wait on what tomorrow will bring. Please adhere to your local quarantine and curfew guidelines¡­¡± ¡°Fuck!¡± A random soldier yelled. ¡°That¡¯s another station copping out!¡± ¡°He said he¡¯ll stay until he can¡¯t.¡± ¡°For how long?! No one on Mercer Island is telling us what¡¯s going on out there! We¡¯re supposed to boil all our water now!¡± ¡°Would you get it together?!¡± another yelled. Malcolm, opting to stay uninvolved, filled his canteen from a previously boiled kettle. He crossed to a curb and sat with his MRE heated up. It doesn¡¯t matter how low morale gets, it¡¯s here or out there, which is getting worse by the day. He ate roasted beef with mashed potatoes, green beans and biscuits. Everywhere he looked, Malcolm looked for Liam. He expected Liam to appear as an apparition, like he did through the walkies; every face in the vicinity gave Malcolm no mind and the street beyond was deserted. No one¡¯s declared a new Commander over the checkpoint, yet everyone still calls me Major. How many days did I miss this time? He swallowed the last bite under a sigh, Malcolm then drew a cigarette from a fresh pack. The first puff was succulent, and his stress blew out with the smoke. A French voice came from behind. ¡°Mind if I poach one off you?¡± Malcolm turned and it was Lieutenant Sarah Clairet. ¡°Never thought you a smoker.¡± He translated. She walked over and placed a foot on the curb next to Malcolm. ¡°Yea well, it¡¯s the modern Black Death¡­can¡¯t care much about lung cancer.¡± Malcolm smirked and handed her his pack. She sat down as he passed the lighter. ¡°Don¡¯t go saying that; we burned all the hospitals.¡± Clairet nodded as she lit her cigarette; she coughed on her first drag. ¡°You good?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Yea¡­¡± she responded. ¡°¡­Did you hear?¡± ¡°Hear what?¡± ¡°Did you hear about Louisiana?¡± Clairet finished. Malcolm¡¯s next drag was deep. ¡°No¡­¡± Her chin dropped while puffing. ¡°One of the stations said that the Quarantine Zones in Baton Rouge and New Orleans were finished¡­¡± ¡°But?¡± ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know. People are losing their minds¡­Flu or no Flu¡­¡± She shut her eyes as she smoked. ¡°¡­Everything¡¯s falling apart¡­¡± Malcolm kept his eyes ahead. ¡°This was always going to get worse before it got better.¡± Clairet took a deep sigh. ¡°You know...I barely told you anything about my family¡­¡± Malcolm looked at her, confused; she continued. ¡°¡­You already know my parents immigrated to Louisiana from Canada, after six months in Michigan. I was technically born there, hence my Huron Ink. Believe it or not, my sister and I were both tomboys. Seemed to run in the family¡­Hell, it may have been the swamps! My point to that is...there¡¯s really no wondering how we wound up in the service¡­Rachel? She was stationed in the Philippines before we landed in Korea¡­¡± Clairet looked at Malcolm with glistening eyes. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Malcolm¡¯s mouth hung open. ¡°None of our bases were evacuated¡­¡± ¡°I talked to her the night before the operation¡­It was just like every call we¡¯ve had before. She was supposed to rotate back home two days later¡­only to mention that the Filipinos were placing travel restrictions.¡± Malcolm beamed. ¡°They already knew something was wrong.¡± ¡°And Rachel¡¯s rotation got delayed¡­The last thing I said to her was, ¡®I¡¯ll skype you from Pyongyang.¡¯ She said, ¡®I¡¯ll bag a buck with Dad for you.¡¯ And that was it...Now, I¡¯m here, and we abandoned her over there¡­¡± Clairet sucked hard on the smoke as a tear broke. ¡°She¡¯s dead. I know it.¡± Malcolm didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Sarah¡­¡± ¡°¡­What kills me is that I¡¯ll never know how she died. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse; if it was slow, or if she¡¯s a Berserker now¡­I¡­hope she didn¡¯t die like that¡­¡± Clairet nearly chocked. ¡°How fucked up is that? I want my own sister to have died quickly!¡± Malcolm¡¯s chin dropped, but he could still see her hand shaking. ¡°¡­What matters is that she did live¡­¡± Malcolm stilled her hand. ¡°The whole world¡¯s dying, plague or no plague¡­how we go out is a matter of pride. If you and her knew what Life is, then shouldn¡¯t you be glad?¡± She seemed dazed by this. ¡°If having a full childhood together is what you mean, then yes¡­¡± ¡°Hold onto that.¡± Malcolm affirmed. ¡°It may be better not knowing what really happened to her¡­and for that, I¡¯m sorry.¡± She nodded. ¡°What about Connor?¡± Malcolm almost winced, ¡°What about him?¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t seen him. Do you know if he¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°He and Meryl. I don¡¯t know where they were or what they were doing when the Outbreak started.¡± Malcolm sighed deeply. ¡°McElroy was supposed to bring them here; instead, he¡¯s held up on that island and won¡¯t speak to me.¡± Clairet looked perplexed. ¡°I thought Meryl told you she didn¡¯t want Connor to see you. Before you left.¡± Malcolm cocked a brow. ¡°She¡¯s the mother of my child. I can¡¯t rip him away from her¡­¡± How does she know that? Clairet finished her cigarette, dropped the butt, and she placed a hand on Malcolm¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry the colonel lied¡­¡± Malcolm dropped his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m¡­sorry about your sister¡­¡± She cupped his chin. ¡°I¡¯m sorry again that I was such a cunt back at the tunnel.¡± ¡°Daniels was your friend as well¡­you were right to be upset.¡± ¡°¡­You were right¡­¡± Clairet kissed Malcolm on the lips. She held it for a moment while Malcolm¡¯s eyes popped in shock. She broke contact with him and smiled while he was confused. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Malcolm leaned back. ¡°I-I¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Sarah¡­you¡¯re scared right now. That¡¯s what this is.¡± Malcolm stood up. ¡°We¡¯ve been serving together since Day One; it¡¯s a shared trauma, that¡¯s it.¡± Clairet seemed puzzled. ¡°I never needed you for confort, Mal¡­¡± Malcolm¡¯s face flushed. ¡°¡­What did you call me?¡± She winced. ¡°You want me to address you by rank?!¡± ¡°Listen¡­¡± Clairet stood up, revolted. ¡°I¡¯ll listen once you start acting like the same person.¡± She walked away and Malcolm stood flabbergasted. He took out another cigarette and fumbled to light it. Malcolm chased the nicotine buzz with a deep inhale, and then a familiar guitar rhythm began to sound faintly in the distance. He turned his head, and the rhythm grew in volume; it was coming from a building across the deserted street. Malcolm looked behind him, there was not a single face who was acknowledging the music. Looking both ways, Malcolm carefully followed the vibrations until he had crossed the street. Flicking half the cigarette to the ground as he entered the alley, Malcolm heard the rhythm coming from an ajar door as the sky¡¯s lighting began to shift dimly. He could see the backs of a squad walking to the alley¡¯s opposite end as the propellers of a helicopter whirled into the distance. Malcolm drew his pistol and cranked it beside him while peering inside. He entered the ground floor and followed the music until he was at a stairwell. Malcolm stared up for a moment, waiting in case more soldiers came out, after which he began to rush up the stairwell. As Malcolm passed the building¡¯s floors, the music became that of Blink-182: ¡°¡­What¡¯s My Age Again? ¡­What¡¯s My Age Again?¡± Malcolm followed the looped rhythm until he was at the rooftop. He bashed the door open and stepped circled every direction while stepping out. Liam¡¯s back faced Malcolm and was sitting in a foldable vacation chair, staring in the direction of Lake Washington beneath a rising sun. Malcolm was dazed by the sudden passage of time. Liam¡¯s feet were propped on a bucket, but they came down when he looked at Malcolm. He stood with a bourbon bottle, and his other hand seemingly conducted the loud music. ¡°Isn''t it dandy when shit just occurs in Nature? In our Nature? From the Undead, to real ghost stories!¡± Malcolm said nothing as he strode over to Liam, who chugged a mouthful of bourbon before Malcolm whipped him with the pistol. One hand had grabbed Liam¡¯s scalp while landing blow after blow. By the time Liam¡¯s face blooded, Malcolm was out of breath and his grip on the gun was trembling. He held it close to Liam¡¯s mouth and Malcolm¡¯s eyes were swollen to black holes, ¡°Turn that off!¡± Liam respectfully spit blood down his chin, rather than Malcolm¡¯s face. ¡°Look around¡­you see a playlist I can alter? Pulling that trigger will make you feel better for, maybe a week.¡± Malcolm grinded his teeth. ¡°You¡¯re a voice in my head!¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a doozy, isn''t it? I¡¯m in your head; the music¡¯s in your head. Could the Living Dead be a product of your head as well?¡± By now, Malcolm thought he was seeing double; he slid the gun into Liam¡¯s mouth. ¡°¡­I¡¯m not insane¡­you¡¯re not real!¡± Liam couldn¡¯t speak, but the look in his eyes said he had no words left; they closed gently. Malcolm, who had never seen this in a dying person, remembered every dying face that stared back at him. ¡°¡­This isn¡¯t murder¡­¡± Malcolm pulled the trigger. A burst of blood and brain drained out the back of Liam¡¯s skull. Malcolm had blinked once; Liam and the blood were gone. Yet a bullet hole sat on the floor of the roof where Malcolm had fired. He felt a rush of lightheadedness that nearly sent him to the ground, and he stumbled to get his footing. He turned to see Liam standing by the closed door. ¡°Did that make you feel better?¡± Malcolm tried to raise the gun, but his arm was wobbling. ¡°It used to¡­¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Liam smiled. ¡°I was there. I saw the look on your face every time. Having a wife couldn¡¯t tame you, and you just had to be a schmuck when you finally bag the hot redhead.¡± Malcolm noticed the blood dripping from his own nose. ¡°¡­Why did she kiss me? How does Clairet know that stuff about Meryl?¡± Liam rolled his eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m with a genius...She fucked you, dumbass!¡± Malcolm opened his mouth to respond, but a sharp pain stopped him. ¡°...Now ask yourself. When would she have been doing that? When would you have told her about your failed marriage? When she was spending all that time with me.¡± Malcolm had to spit blood from his mouth. He drew his smartphone to check his reflection, only to see that his face was turning purple and its swelling was a certainty. As the blood leaked down his chin and nose, Malcolm¡¯s brown eyes shriveled before dropping the phone. ¡°It¡¯s because...we¡¯re the same person¡­¡± Chapter 35: Morbid Revelation ¡°...Two suns...watching them both fighting... ...Two suns...Seeing them both dying... ...Two suns fighting... ...One¡¯s abiding...¡± - Serj Tankian Together, Malcolm and Liam heard the rumble in the air. They looked up to see a wave of jets pouring overhead from the direction of the sea. There were hundreds, all streaming over the city and flying to the opposite horizon. Malcolm turned to watch the initial wave trail away and disappear where faint smoke clouds were visible in the morning light. Liam stepped over to Malcolm and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. ¡°...I JUST returned from the field and have been waiting on your ass.¡± Malcolm¡¯s blooded mouth hung wide. ¡°¡­They¡¯re bombing the surrounding towns.¡± ¡°The beauty of having two heads!¡± Liam boasted. ¡°You get to know what I know; just as I¡¯ve always known you.¡± Malcolm broke away to approach the building¡¯s edge; he leaned over it and breathed deeply. ¡°¡­What are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m everything you aspire to be!¡± Liam gleamed. ¡°I never asked for this!¡± Liam clicked his tongue. ¡°Except you created me; from a time when you realized there was no being yourself. You tried to erase the memory of your first impression on Goodness¡­only the human brain don¡¯t work that way. I was never gone, only blocked off, and with me came your conscience...¡± As Malcolm stammered speechlessly, Liam shrugged giddily. ¡°...I¡¯m your eyes when you¡¯re asleep and the dream you thought you had. And I must say¡­I¡¯m so sick of cleaning up after you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it!? You¡¯re my alter-ego?!¡± Liam shrugged. ¡°More or less; though I''m the one who tries to be a good person...Only I must wake up to your ¡®morbid depictions.¡± Malcolm was trembling. ¡°¡­That wasn¡¯t all me¡­¡± ¡°Yes. Blame it on your ¡®Carnal Beast.¡± Liam leaned in. ¡°It¡¯s as much you as you are me.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop it?¡± Liam shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not a thing I¡¯m able to see any more than you are; it was always lurking in between us. I think it¡¯s only driven by instinct: Your instinct.¡± Liam stepped forward. ¡°You think it drove you to kill, when it¡¯s all just a different side of you; repressed when you realized you couldn¡¯t indulge it.¡± Malcolm felt shocked. ¡°If...the Beast is me...I¡¯m¡­guilty.¡± Liam bulged his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re responsible. You. Are not. An artist; you¡¯re just a pretentious maniac¡­¡± Malcolm felt another headrush as he hyperventilated. ¡°¡­Serial Killer¡­¡± Malcolm shoved Liam. ¡°¡­NO, I¡¯M NOT!¡± Liam had barely flinched. ¡°You think loving a family absolves you?¡± ¡°I stopped for them!¡± Liam faked a gasp. ¡°Is a weening period supposed to fix what you already did? The lives your ¡®artistic¡¯ crimes ruined?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°I saved people! I¡¯m where I am because of that!¡± Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Liam fluttered his eyes with a smile. ¡°Taking all the credit? You think you could pass a psych evaluation?¡± Malcolm winced. ¡°I fit in with the-¡± Liam shook his head, disapprovingly. ¡°You flunk college with an I.Q. over One-Eighty and never asked how you blended in so well with Basic Training? Someone had to get you through the starting gate.¡± Malcolm could feel his legs wobble. ¡°T-those were my accomplishments...¡± Liam cocked his head. ¡°Who do you think was texting Meryl leading up to her asking you out? I even tried to let you keep Clairet, only for you to shun her. Hence the reason I kept every previous girl a secret from you; you¡¯re a fucking psycho!" ¡°...I-I was a virgin before Meryl¡­¡± Liam waved his hand. ¡°The serial banging in college was just my initial attempt to calm you! After that...I had to accept that you wouldn¡¯t stop. I was scared for Meryl, and more so when she got pregnant, but I stayed in the back seat. She had no fucking idea who she married yet having that in your life was...Good. The violence became rarer. Then? You created something with her...and for a time you were the best father you could be.¡± Malcolm dropped his chin, and his eyes bulged. ¡°¡­until that burglar picked my house¡­¡± Liam pursed his lips. ¡°And you just couldn¡¯t help yourself.¡± ¡°¡­I would¡¯ve stopped again¡­I love them.¡± Malcolm held back tears. ¡°All that matters is that you didn¡¯t stop. Meryl had to leave you when she saw you, and that became your excuse to start a new spree.¡± Liam squinted. ¡°You think Connor is safe being raised by his murderous dad?¡± Malcolm clenched his other fist. ¡°I¡¯m still his dad¡­The World is Ending. What is my five-year-old son to do without his dad to keep him safe?!¡± Liam chuckled. ¡°If this is an Apocalypse, all the more reason that boy needs to be raised by his mother¡­He¡¯s not your son anymore, Malcolm; you¡¯ll never see them again.¡± Malcolm shut his eyes as the migraine intensified; it failed to halt the tears. ¡°¡­I¡¯m a Serial Killer¡­¡± He looked at Liam, who stood with a grin as another squadron of jets rumbled above. ¡°Tell me this is real...¡± Liam continued his grin, with confusion. ¡°What?¡± Malcolm pulled the hammer of his pistol and pressed the barrel to his temple. ¡°Tell me everything is real right now! Before I blow our head off!¡± Liam raised both his hands over. ¡°Now, Malcolm¡­Listen to me. Fight Club is a movie! Pull that trigger, I don¡¯t die; we all die!¡± Malcolm barked blood. ¡°I¡¯ll take my chances! Now tell me if all this is real!¡± Liam shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m just gonna take control. Like I did every time you¡¯ve tried this.¡± ¡°Why?!¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°You won¡¯t save my victims, but you¡¯ll stop me from putting a bullet through my brain!?¡± ¡°Well Yea!¡± Liam took out a cigarette. ¡°I fucking live there, you selfish asshole!¡± He lit the cigarette. ¡°This is you smoking. Now hand me the gun already.¡± The gun shook against Malcolm¡¯s head. ¡°Why let me, instead of taking over?¡± Liam tapped his foot with his hands on his hips. ¡°Like I said, I¡¯m sick of cleaning up your mess. If that doesn¡¯t answer your question, then yes. The Dead are reanimating, and your life lived is the truth¡­for all the ¡®good¡¯ that is.¡± Malcolm lowered the gun. ¡°So why are you revealing yourself now of all times?¡± Liam shrugged. ¡°You kind of exhausted my options. Besides, you became a commander. Someone had to stop you from ¡®depicting¡¯ shit on a mass scale.¡± Malcolm gave a pained chuckle. ¡°Good fucking job! You haven''t changed a thing!¡± Liam raised a finger. ¡°You must be the change you want to see! Now, since you failed at that, I¡¯m the next best thing.¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°You¡¯ve been a screaming monkey on my back since we met. But you failed to stop me, repeatedly. For every awful thing I¡¯ve done since this started, more of my men survived. So, what good have you been?¡± Liam was face to face. ¡°I am the mask you wear, Slasher. We¡¯re it not for me, you¡¯d never have had a family. You¡¯d get caught, if not just to get your credit, and you¡¯d never see the light of day again. You¡¯re alive and free because of everything I¡¯ve done. Now, once more, give me the gun. And preferably before someone comes investigating your first shot.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes shriveled again. ¡°...You bragged about stopping suicides before¡­¡± ¡°And you entice it in people.¡± ¡°You stopped¡­my suicides.¡± Liam¡¯s smile stretched from ear to ear. ¡°Over and over again.¡± ¡°¡­You said, on the ship, that was your brother¡­¡± Liam nodded. ¡°Look whose catching up with the plot.¡± Malcolm shuddered, ¡°But you¡¯re me¡­how can I be¡­¡± ¡°Another funny thing about the human brain.¡± Liam interrupted. ¡°We can¡¯t conjure an original face. Every dream you¡¯ve had has a face that you¡¯ve seen before. And I¡­was you¡¯re first impression on Goodness. But you didn¡¯t want to remember me until now.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Here I am; it¡¯s been a long time.¡± Malcolm recoiled against the edge of the building, feeling hollow. ¡°¡­We¡¯re¡­I had a brother¡­¡± Liam placed a hand on Malcolm¡¯s shoulder, stopping him from falling. ¡°Hey buddy...¡± His smile was sincere. ¡°I know this is scary, but I have to make you disappear now¡­it¡¯s really for both of our sakes. Everything¡¯s going to be okay.¡± Chapter 36: Bargained Hauntings "Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.¡± ¨D Sigmund Freud Malcolm found himself standing on the entrance to a cul-de-sac, staring at his house toward the end. The light from a solar eclipse pierced through dark clouds that looked like smog; the surrounding sounds became a blur, as if the enveloping fog was a distortion. Malcolm was crossing the driveway to his house when the sounds subtly became guitar rhythms, blasting from the inside. ¡°¡­If you thought I¡¯d leave then you were wrong¡­ ¡­Cause I won¡¯t stop holding on¡­¡± Malcolm opened the front door, and the fog followed him inside. There was no direction which the song came from; it was everywhere and nowhere. Malcolm looked down the hall and could see his dad on the couch; he was watching the television over a newspaper. Mom called from the kitchen. ¡°Get your biscuits before I chuck them.¡± Dad looked back. ¡°Just bring them here!¡± ¡°What? I¡¯m already the only cook left in this house. Now I must be your wifely maid? I think not, now get your breakfast before you have to get takeout.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Dad stood and went to the Kitchen. Malcolm stepped over to the dining room to stare inside. Mom was making coffee; Dad began to cut his biscuits. ¡°I only see two here. Did our little taxidermist get his share?¡± ¡°He better have.¡± Mom answered. ¡°Considering how that child has the energy of a Pitbull. Last thing we need is a hospital bill because he had to pass out while running to God-knows where.¡± Dad looked at her. ¡°Where is the little accident anyway?¡± ¡°Why should I know? He¡¯s probably out looking for roadkill to put in another block of ice. He wants to freeze a racoon next; can you believe that?¡± Dad opened the freezer. ¡°Well, he¡¯s already got two squirrels in here. Boy gets bored quick.¡± ¡°Well why did you have to teach him about boiling water before freezing it?¡± Dad looked back. ¡°I didn¡¯t do that! The boy probably looked it up or some shit, I don¡¯t know!¡± ¡°Be that as it may. You¡¯ll be dumping them whenever he grows out of it. I cook the meals; I clean the house.¡± ¡°What? Dispose of his mess? I can put him to work on that one! Boy needs to learn to clean up after himself right now, while he¡¯s young.¡± Mom shook her head. ¡°¡­To think I¡¯d prefer his stupid little butterfly necklaces. At least with that phase he was being crafty.¡± Dad guffawed. ¡°They were rotting!¡± ¡°Well, I did say it was stupid. Now I¡¯m going to water the flowers out back, you get to find our black sheep. I did the job of birthing him; you could pitch in more than just your load you know?¡± Dad cupped his face, ¡°I don¡¯t have work, I¡¯m not spending the day babysitting. Fuck, let me polish my bourbon.¡± ¡°Yes, yes. Mix with your coffee before a hard day of betting on sports with your co-workers. I¡¯m sure your living child won¡¯t grow up to be an over masculine deadbeat.¡± Dad was sighing. ¡°He¡¯s not a child anymore! He just turned fourteen!¡± Mom was leaving out the backdoor. ¡°That Boy avoids contact worse than you when you have a ¡®flashback¡¯. It¡¯s on you if he grows up to be an addict; I was abstinent for nine months.¡± She spoke without looking back and closed the door. Dad pursed his lips for a moment in frustration as he ate his sausage biscuits. Without cleaning crumbs, he slapped the counter surface, ¡°Goddamnit!¡± He grabbed the house phone and quickly dialed. ¡°Yea, it¡¯s me. I¡¯ll have to try seeing yawl later. I gotta drive around looking for my son; there¡¯s no one to watch the doofus¡­yea, I¡¯m sorry for me too. Anyway, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at worst.¡± Dad hung the phone up and grabbed his car keys; he strode past Malcolm like he was invisible and exited the house. Malcolm stood with fixated eyes and ears on all surroundings. The rhythmic sounds were starting to pick up again and focalized up the stairs. ¡°¡­If you thought I¡¯d leave then you were wrong¡­ ¡­Cause I won¡¯t stop holding on¡­¡± He came to the top of the steps and looked in both directions. To the right, was the room he remembered having; the music was blaring from his left. Behind a closed door, the sounds seemed like Malcolm was hearing it underwater. He walked over to the door slowly; Malcolm stood at the handle and breathed in deeply. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. When the door opened, a newly adolescent Malcolm sat on the first bed with a massive set of headphones over his ears. There was a stack of books on the bedside table; they were by true crime authors, mostly biographical, following the exploits of popular mafia figures: Assassins like Richard Kuklinski and Tommy Patera, along with bosses such as Al Capone and John Gotti. In little Malcolm¡¯s folded lap, he was busy doodling. The adult Malcolm stepped over to see the journal; it was a flawless drawing of a fish preserved in ice. Half of the fish had been flensed from the tail down; its other half was remarkably intact and detailed in scales. Little Malcolm, paying his adult self no mind, finished the picture¡¯s outline and reached for his colored pencils to fill it in. Malcolm looked behind him, to the room¡¯s adjacent bed. Its sheets were perfectly made, and the corner had a dusty casing with an acoustic guitar inside. He looked back at his young self; the child was sitting with cupped hands over the journal and glistening eyes. He removed the headphones and gasped, ¡°Liam!¡± Malcolm felt like a shard of ice stabbed him, yet his response was known to him like an imprinted transcript. ¡°Hey there¡­¡± His young self began to stammer. ¡°I-I tried to tell Mom that you¡¯re still around. I know you said not to, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Malcolm sat beside his young self, ¡°It¡¯s okay buddy¡­I know it¡¯s been scary since I left.¡± The words felt programed. ¡°What did Mom do to you?¡± Little Malcolm sat in fear. ¡°You can tell me anything.¡± ¡°¡­She started crying¡­then Dad started screaming. He said I was being a moron and that you were gone; ¡®Everyone already lives in Hell.¡± The child broke a tear. Malcolm placed a hand on his young self¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s best I was our dirty little secret.¡± A big hand cupped young Malcolm¡¯s together. ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to be here, but I want to be. And even though no-one else can see me, they don¡¯t have to; you will always be able to talk to me.¡± Little Malcolm dropped his chin, and tears fell to the open journal. ¡°What¡¯ve you got in there?¡± Malcolm asked. The child passed the journal over, and Malcolm began to sift through the pages. The back of one was never used, and each picture was remarkable. The first pages held the previously frozen roadkill, like the squirrels, and an illustration of a frog dissection with detailed notes from class. Malcolm reversed through a connected series of illustrations, a dead cat discovered outside, and every page recorded its decomposition perfectly. The first page Malcolm flipped to in the sequence had the animal¡¯s organs pulled out beside it, the final page he saw had a perfectly intact feline, naturally dead it seemed. Malcolm looked back to his young version, who seemed ashamed. ¡°We did talk about this.¡± The child looked up. ¡°I wanted to see how fast it spoiled¡­record it like a comic book.¡± Malcolm shut the journal. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with being too smart for your own good. But it isn¡¯t good for you to be filling pages with something that people will judge you for.¡± The child began to mumble. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°¡­It hurts too much to do what we used to do. I tried to write a song the other day, and the migraine lasted all night...Seeing the dead cat helped me focus. As bad as things are, I could have been that cat right now¡­And if that¡¯s true, then everything else that gets hurt helps my chances of avoiding pain.¡± Malcolm turned his head to the wall beyond the foot of the bed. It was covered in what looked like a white plaster sheet with additional band posters pinned on top. Malcolm went over and ripped the large sheet off. Every inch of the white wall had indented writings and passages. Some of them were squeezed between others and of small fonts while others stretched out. Every passage was written in various, but strict rhyme patterns; Malcolm looked closer and saw the larger ones were free verse. He faced his young self again. ¡°Buddy¡­¡± The child broke. ¡°Mom and Dad still want to paint over it! I told them not to but I can¡¯t look at it!¡± ¡°Hey¡­¡± Malcolm walked back to himself. ¡°I promise you; I¡¯m not gone. I¡¯ll live on with you¡­forever.¡± Little Malcolm reached over to his adult self, sniffling. ¡°Promise me we¡¯ll always be brothers. No matter what I do?¡± Malcolm grabbed his young self¡¯s hand. ¡°Nothing that you do will change what we are. I¡¯ll be there for you.¡± ¡°Please do that¡­¡± Malcolm grabbed the journal off the bed. ¡°Let me get rid of that for you, kiddo¡­Everything¡¯s going to be okay.¡± The child nodded and put the headphones back on to lie down; he covered his head with one of the pillows. Malcolm had the journal in hand as he entered the living room. He crossed to the fireplace to check the logs for flammability. He then looked for a lighter inside the kitchen; when he entered the living room again, the back of his head stared at him from the couch. It turned and Liam¡¯s features were revealed, he stood to face Malcolm with a smile. ¡°As hard as I tried, I willingly keep trying¡­not long after today, you discovered how to dissolve things with lye. And like that, the boulder started rolling downhill again. Even though¡­you did ask for this.¡± Malcolm shivered. ¡°¡­I was a kid!¡± ¡°You¡¯re still a child, Malcolm. You stopped growing the day you lost me. Hence, my existence.¡± Liam stepped around the couch. Malcolm felt tense. ¡°¡­The violence¡­¡± ¡°Gave you an escape. It gave you a method to vent.¡± ¡°¡­It made me feel the way I did when you weren¡¯t dead.¡± Liam raised a brow as he held out a hand. ¡°Describe that feeling, Slasher.¡± Malcolm passed the journal to him. ¡°Everything new seemed amazing¡­¡± Liam rubbed the surface of the journal. ¡°And how did it feel after that ¡®play¡¯ became a morbid tourniquet?¡± ¡°¡­I felt number¡­¡± ¡°And you craved it like an opioid.¡± Malcolm looked up as Liam walked to the fireplace, he tossed the journal inside it. ¡°What good are you if you can¡¯t control what I do?¡± Malcolm asked. Liam looked back. ¡°I made sure the FBI had nothing to profile you with. Please remember that getting caught means we both never see the light of day again.¡± He lit the journal on fire. ¡°Do keep our story straight when you wake up.¡± Malcolm stared into the burning pages and could see the world he called home turning to ashen embers. Chapter 37: Waking to Perdition ¡°...Into the Nothing... ...Faded and weary... ...I won¡¯t leave and let you fall behind...¡± - Benjamine Burnley Malcolm¡¯s eyes fluttered as he woke; he became aware that he was lying down. His vision returned to him as he rubbed the scruff of his face, creasing his full, black beard. A voice called out, ¡°Medic! He¡¯s waking up again!¡± Malcolm became aware of the tent ceiling above him. He looked over to see that Lieutenant Kenneth Johnson was waiting by the tent flap for the medic to enter. Johnson stepped aside for the grunt with a medical cross on his helmet to approach Malcolm. The Medic spoke. ¡°Glad you¡¯re awake Major. You know how lucky you are to not have long term damage?¡± Malcolm noticed the light pouring through, indicating evening. ¡°How long was I out?¡± ¡°Shit, five days by now.¡± The medic answered. ¡°Lay still, let me get your heartrate.¡± He pulled out a stethoscope. Malcolm took the brunt of the news as the medic listened to Malcolm¡¯s bear chest. Johnson spoke up. ¡°Been coming and going in terms of awareness the whole time too. ¡®Accosted me¡¯ kept getting said.¡± Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°Someone give me a mirror.¡± He watched Johnson hesitate with a funny grin. ¡°Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake, I can¡¯t possibly be disfigured!¡± ¡°Na¡­,¡± said Johnson. ¡°You just look like a hobo who took a dead guy¡¯s uniform to blend in!¡± The Medic humored Malcolm by passing a nearby mirror. He analyzed his features and saw that the bruises were slowly receding, though his face still had patches of purple. He thought about the self-inflicted wounds, remembering the squad that had left the building he entered as a potential diversion. ¡°Someone tried to kill me¡­¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± The medic said. ¡°You were babbling shit about ¡®factions¡¯ forming.¡± Johnson spoke up. ¡°The dudes on Mercer Island are gonna love hearing that shit! You been going on about how ¡®they¡¯re¡¯ posing a threat to the whole quarantine!¡± The Medic took out a notepad. ¡°About all that¡­I need to double check how aware you are, plus questions. Malcolm huffed. ¡°Get it done.¡± ¡°Do you know what day it is?¡± ¡°Go fuck yourself; I just woke up!¡± ¡°No then. It¡¯s Friday, May Twenty-First. What unit are you in command of?¡± ¡°South Gate Checkpoint last I knew.¡± ¡°Not since your beating. Command has been in the hands of Major Raynes.¡± The Medic told him. ¡°We brought you there by the way.¡± ¡°Well then.¡± Malcolm quipped. ¡°I¡¯m not helpful delirious.¡± ¡°Indeed. I guess I can assume you know what city you¡¯re in and all the rest.¡± The Medic made several checks on the board. ¡°Now then, you were assaulted?¡± ¡°They tried to kill me!¡± ¡°They?¡± The Medic seemed confused. ¡°One or multiple?¡± ¡°Two. They were wearing camo masks; could¡¯ve been hermaphrodites for all I know.¡± The medic took a deep swig of a flask. ¡°Walk me through the assault, now that you¡¯re lucid.¡± Malcolm spoke off the top of his head. ¡°I got back from the field and was relaxing on the rooftop when I was grabbed from behind. First, they tried to choke me, then I threw them off, but they had my gun. One whipped me senselessly while the other was keeping watch by the door. Once I was down, they had the gun against my head. Then they spoke about how this was all my fault; said Clemens died because of me. I think they knew someone else we euthanized.¡± Malcolm stopped himself from blinking. ¡°And how¡¯d you get out of that one?¡± Johnson asked. ¡°Adrenaline. I twisted their arm at the last moment. Then I was on the attack and they both bolted out of there. I collapsed from dizziness or else I would¡¯ve killed them myself.¡± The medic was noting everything quickly. ¡°Well then. Any other indication as to what unit they may have been with?¡± ¡°Nothing...Not even a badge.¡± ¡°Interesting¡­Perhaps some draftees are snapping?¡± Johnson postulated. Malcolm continued. ¡°When they ran away, one of them mentioned a name but I was blacking out.¡± The Medic wrote that down. ¡°Well fuck. Good thing we kept you under guard. If someone did this for revenge, they¡¯re at this checkpoint¡­¡± he took a sip of liquor from a small flask. ¡°¡­Last goddamn thing we need right now is a witch hunt.¡± Malcolm finally began to sit up. ¡°On the contrary, it¡¯s exactly what we need.¡± ¡°Explain the fucking logic of that.¡± Johnson demanded. ¡°Because the whole Q.Z. could face a homicide wave, at best, if revenge killings go unanswered.¡± Malcolm rationalized. ¡°Worst case is anarchy.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fucking counterproductive¡­¡± The jaded Medic sighed. ¡°The Living Dead are upon us, meanwhile you want public trials¡­let¡¯s bring back hangings too.¡± Malcolm remembered current events. ¡°What¡¯s the sitrep on that anyway?¡± ¡°On what?¡± asked Johnson. ¡°The fucking world.¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°I returned from an op outside the walls when jets passed overhead. You said that was five days ago?¡± The Medic took a deeper swig of the flask. ¡°Naegleria Infections were running rampant in the towns outside Seattle. It gets impossible to tell the Berserkers from the living, so the General said, ¡®Burn them¡¯. Similar story playing out in other states from what I¡¯ve been hearing.¡± ¡°What about the cities?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°The other Walls and the-¡° Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°We don¡¯t know dude.¡± The Jaded Medic interrupted. ¡°Every continent is getting hit hard; everyone says that China and India got the worst of it. Assuming anyone''s still alive over there.¡± ¡°Japan too.¡± Said Johnson. ¡°It¡¯s a tight-ass Island nation; lots of people. Really you should¡¯ve just said all Asia is getting Necro-raped.¡± ¡°Well logic dictates that.¡± Malcolm answered as the Medic looked pissed off at Johnson. ¡°What¡¯s Mercer Island doing since the bombings?¡± The Medic stood and leaned against a post near the tent flap, he absorbed the evening sun as he drank. ¡°Telling us less than what our own broadcasts can. Your replacement for the checkpoint command was declared, but no new promotions to fill vacancies. Every living civilian in town is penned up inside their local community center,¡± he looked at Malcolm with a flushed face. ¡°I¡¯m ordering people screened for Naegleria if they so much as have insulin withdrawals! I just came from seeing a diabetic and he was lucky to have died; lots of people get sent to Mercer Island if they have any sickness!¡± Malcolm stood as he began to dawn his camo shirt. ¡°We burned the hospitals. Command must improvise now.¡± ¡°Except people are saying that anyone who does have the Flu gets sent to those science ships we have with the fleet! They¡¯re getting experimented on over there! People aren¡¯t stupid, we can tell what¡¯s what!¡± ¡°Calm down.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking boiled water, right?¡± The medic nodded. ¡°I¡¯m really just drinking.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t get bitten.¡± Malcolm affirmed. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. Now lead me to Major Raynes, someone tried to kill me, and I intend to root them out.¡± ¡°Sir. If they blame you for Clemens and whoever else, how do you know they weren¡¯t reporting to Raynes?¡± Johnson asked. ¡°Because if that¡¯s so, it had to be a friend of Clemens at another checkpoint. While I¡¯m no friend of Raynes, we got history; I¡¯m safe here.¡± The Medic sighed again. ¡°He¡¯s likely on top of the wall. Take the elevator beside the gate.¡± Malcolm grabbed his utility belt and stepped outside while strapping on his weapon holster. Everywhere he looked, he expected Liam to make an interference, instead he saw masses of grunts crossing the mess area for dinner. Malcolm considered his low food intake and weak legs after days on bedrest, he then looked to the wall which blocked off their zone. He opted to grab a bowl of stew and joined a trail of grunts entering the fenced off area. Malcolm passed wooden tables with bench chairs packed with soldiers, some grizzled by the events over previous weeks while the rest were just rotated from the fleets. There was a sense of malaise about every conversation blending: ¡°¡­Dude. When I tell you that Manhattan is gone. I mean, it¡¯s gone.¡± One private uttered. Someone at their table gasped. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be bullshit! I thought the Zones in New York were set up?!¡± ¡°Tune in to our own fucking broadcasts!¡± The Private continued. ¡°Place was swarming with Berserkers! No one was left alive, and our forces outside were getting battered! We burned it too!¡± A gaff was heard. ¡°There goes Wall Street!¡± Malcolm stood in a queue leading to the tented slop services with cooks providing food to all who came in several lines. He listened intently to all the chattering voices; the line next to his had two sergeants. ¡°¡­No dude, England said ¡®fuck all¡¯ to any refugees pouring in.¡± One of them finished. ¡°Whatever man. Last thing I heard out of Europe was that massive exodus of refugees starting to trickle over to them.¡± ¡°That was four weeks ago! Last I saw on the news was ships, boats, and rafts, all dead in the water¡­¡± *** Malcolm ate his bowl of stew on the ride up the wall¡¯s elevator which was hoisted by chain pulleys. As he gulped his food, he caught a direct sight of a squadron of Black Hawks hovering towards him and passed above the gate line. Malcolm stepped onto the wall palisades and only had to search for the operator tower above the gate. Inside Malcolm found a former Camp Benning roommate, the newly promoted Major Raynes. He was standing beside the gate operators and relaying commands to the squadrons of helicopters outside. Malcolm set his empty bowl on a table nearby and belched before calling. ¡°Sir! Your predecessor has risen.¡± Raynes eyed Malcolm with confusion. ¡°No one told me you were recovered. I¡¯d have figured you¡¯d be chilling before your next assignment.¡± Malcolm approached. ¡°I¡¯ve been sleeping for days; I¡¯d call that rest.¡± ¡°Huh...I take your point.¡± Raynes stepped away from a long table covered with area maps and approached Malcolm. They shook hands, ¡°Rumor has it, you made a better name for yourself than I expected.¡± Fuck you too. Malcolm nodded and forced a half smile. ¡°I did what good that I could.¡± Raynes smiled back. ¡°You pulled out boys out the fire like a proper leader, from the front.¡± Malcolm felt compelled. ¡°And where were you when this all started?¡± Raynes¡¯ smile seemed to become forced. ¡°Japan.¡± Malcolm pretended to wince. ¡°Oomph...reports said things got nasty. Which base did you lead from? Behind all your-¡± Raynes yanked away from the handshake annoyed. ¡°I don¡¯t need to justify my career to you.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°I climbed the ranks. You skipped them, so the criticism is damn fair.¡± ¡°If you want to sulk over losing you command, take the whole fucking day for all I care.¡± Raynes was turning back to his technicians and officers, who remained focused on relaying messages and commands across the Seattle Zones. ¡°I¡¯d rather get my orders and take my mind off things by dealing with Berserkers.¡± Raynes stared at Malcolm disapprovingly. ¡°Your orders are that there are no new orders. Every post has been on rotation, we¡¯ll work you back into the swing of things.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s work on who tried to kill me.¡± Raynes looked starkly puzzled. ¡°Nelson! This whole zone has been on edge since the water got infected and you want Mercer Island to start an inquisition for you?¡± Malcolm stepped forward, sternly. ¡°If we let it go, a wave of homicides will follow once word spreads! Now I broke one of their arms; start looking at the other checkpoints for injuries the day I got jumped.¡± Raynes rubbed his temple in frustration. ¡°Nelson, I barely have any more pull with the higher ups than you did with your brief tenure running this checkpoint. And the gravity of my situation belays any goddamn detective work you want from me.¡± He then looked past Malcolm and out the windows. Malcolm turned around and approached the windows, witnessing a sea of cars, tents and campfires stretching as far as the horizon. Refugees were clogging every street and intersection with more squatting inside adjacent buildings. Malcolm looked directly below to see a gathered mass of civilians throwing their garbage at the closed gate while some were spraying graffiti. The black hawks hovering above seemed to be recognizing the width and length of the civilian swarm as their headlights shone down on the masses. Malcolm looked back at Raynes who was rubbing baggy eyes as he spoke. ¡°Firebombing the local towns slowed the infection spread; only now the refugees from the outbreak sites have nowhere to go. Crowds have been growing outside the gates all week. It¡¯s at the point now that all missions outside the walls are coming and going by air.¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°¡­Mercer Island is just letting these people gather?¡± Raynes looked at Malcolm again. ¡°The Zones are at capacity for the moment. Until we can quickly screen Naegleria without drawing blood samples from everyone, there they stay.¡± ¡°Raynes¡­¡± Malcolm hollowed. ¡°These people already brought the Flu amongst them. They know less than we do.¡± Raynes answered with a hollow tone. ¡°...I know...¡± ¡°Then do something. It¡¯s a fucking outdoor slaughterhouse down there!¡± ¡°We have walls Nelson; the Dead don¡¯t form ladders.¡± Malcolm¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°This is about not getting penned in and dependent on air support from the Navy! Smother them with tear gas; get them out of there!¡± ¡°I¡¯m waiting on HQ¡¯s authorization on the matter.¡± ¡°Why are they needing time to decide!?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Raynes was flabbergasted. ¡°I heard someone talking about a possible vaccine deployment soon¡­We¡¯re no short on test samples; they got to be close to something!¡± ¡°There is no medicine for THIS!¡± Malcolm pointed out the window. ¡°We can¡¯t let these people in, they¡¯ll die if they stay out there! When that happens, all of them will turn into a zombie horde swarming our perimeter!¡± Raynes swallowed a loud gulp. ¡°Good soldiers follow orders Nelson. Stand down and report to your barrack.¡± Malcolm nearly raised his finger but relented and turned to leave. He stopped while looking out the window. Down below, Malcolm could almost make out the meaningless SOS signs held up by refugees. ¡°LET US IN¡±, ¡°WHERE¡¯S UNCLE SAM?¡±, ¡°PROTECT AND SERVE??!¡± Chapter 38: Between Nature and Nurture ¡°...Giving up a part of me...I¡¯ve let myself become you...¡± -Chester Bennington Malcolm had found the past two nights restless, for he was tormented by every second. He was at a wood table in the mess area eating his omelet for breakfast, mindlessly staring at his smartphone in hand. The Internet¡¯s been down for a long time by now...no cell service is working. His eyes traced from the zero internet bars to the digital clock, the time was nine in the morning on May 23rd. Twiddling his fork with the other hand; finding Meryl¡¯s number wasn¡¯t hard; he had few social contacts, he knew her number by heart. Even if I had her house number, who the fuck is squatting there to answer? Malcolm gripped the barely useful phone so tight he threatened to snap the cover. He shut his eyes to the morbid prospect of his wife and son being nameless figures for casualty statistics; worse was the prospect of Meryl at a hospital when the Outbreak hit. McElroy promised my family¡¯s safety on the fleet. And he instead joins the silence at Mercer Island...After everything I¡¯ve done for him!? Malcolm blinked and realized he had finished eating his omelet. It was the abrupt arrival of a Specialist to a conversation down the table which snapped Malcolm out of it; the soldier seemed petrified. ¡°Guys¡­whose been listening to the broadcasts?¡± ¡°Christ, man.¡± Someone answered. ¡°Shit depressed me pre-plague, no I ain¡¯t tunned in!¡± ¡°Goddamn Flu has hit Britain!¡± ¡°Whoa, what the fuck!?¡± Someone else gasped. ¡°I thought it was safe there!¡± ¡°Tune in for yourself!¡± the Specialist continued. ¡°They say it¡¯s in London, Birmingham¡­it¡¯s fucking bad from how they¡¯re sounding¡­¡± Malcolm finished twiddling his plastic fork and threw his garbage in a closed bin; twenty minutes had passed when he checked his phone. Malcolm decided to venture over to the checkpoint HQ, which had been moved to a local computer store. Malcolm strode inside after an additional twelve minutes, there were soldiers stationed at various radio stations and others drew notes and statistics on whiteboards. Malcolm walked down each isle until he found his first Communications Officer. He was sitting behind a cashier counter and looked up from his radio, taking off his headphones to greet Malcolm. ¡°Major Nelson?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Malcolm said. The officer shook Malcolm¡¯s hand. ¡°The boys have been saying you offed fifty Berserkers back in Korea.¡± ¡°Possibly...¡± ¡°Well, I honor every hero!¡± The officer boasted. ¡°What do you need?¡± Malcolm leaned in. ¡°I need to get a message to the New Orleans Quarantine Zone.¡± ¡°I can squeeze that, who¡¯s it for?¡± ¡°A woman named Meryl Rosen; she¡¯s a nurse, should be working in their medical wards.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the message?¡± Malcolm thought to himself for a moment. ¡°...I made it out of the peninsula, I¡¯m still alive¡­and I never stopped thinking of you. I need to know that you¡¯re alive too, even if it¡¯s just that.¡± Malcolm began to choke up. ¡°¡­I know why you had to leave the way you did. But for everything wrong with me, you¡¯re the only right choice I made. And I need you and Connor to be safe with me in Seattle; you two are the only working compass I ever had¡­That¡¯s it¡­¡± The officer finished writing, ¡°You good?¡± ¡°Yea¡­¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°Find me as soon as there¡¯s a response, or nothing.¡± ¡°Gotcha.¡± The officer stated. ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°No. As you were.¡± Malcolm found himself flushed and dizzy while exiting the store. When his vision returned, Malcolm realized he was standing on a foggy rural road, and it had suddenly become night. Oh, God-fucking-dammit! Where am I?! Malcolm fell for his weapons and realized he had none. Malcolm looked in both directions of the road and saw no traffic, except there was a single green car pulled to the side of the road. Liam¡¯s voice echoed from nowhere. ¡°Go and look at why you need me.¡± Malcolm looked in the other direction and saw no traffic, only streetlights dotted on both sides of the road. The next set of lights had a figure lying on the road, a second was pacing in both directions; one was lying motionless, and the other was a youth. Malcolm stopped and could see that the youth was wearing a black shirt with blue jeans. He had a phone in hand but only held it at his side while he paced around; he made no call, only muttering to himself. ¡°Hey.¡± Malcolm reflexively spoke. He looked at Malcolm through bangs of black hair. ¡°Whoa, WHOA!¡±. Malcolm estimated the youth to be a high school graduate, at best. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­Everything¡¯s okay.¡± Malcolm raised his hands calmingly. The youth fell back. ¡°W-Who the fuck are you!? Did you see this shit!? I didn¡¯t mean to! I was jamming and he jumped out at me! I couldn¡¯t stop in time, I swear!¡± ¡°Hey¡­¡± Malcolm soothed. ¡°Everybody makes mistakes.¡± ¡°Exactly! I can¡¯t go down for this, can I?¡± He sat with both knees curled to him, and he began to rock like a toddler. ¡°Manslaughter means unintentional! got college coming up! I can¡¯t lose it all on this!¡± Like a puppet on strings, Malcolm closed in on the youth. ¡°I¡¯m here so the pigs don¡¯t have to. Look at me.¡± The youth obeyed. ¡°First, go back to your car and gather all the booze you¡¯ve got in there; throw em out. Then recline the chair, breathe, and wait for me. Understand?¡± The kid nodded slowly. ¡°You¡¯re not going to turn me in?¡± ¡°I told you that everything¡¯s going to be okay.¡± Malcolm assured. ¡°But you have to get your shit together, understand?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The kid stood and hustled over to the parked car, leaving Malcolm to inspect the scene. The body was contorted and when Malcolm found a stick to poke with, he realized the body was crushed. It was a male, but the blood smears made distinguishing his features and age impossible. Malcolm knew transporting the body risked it falling apart in the youth¡¯s trunk, creating a worse mess to clean. He knelt and carefully grabbed one arm and leg. He was sure to drag the body gently so as not to pull it apart, he looked in every direction for a spot to hide it. Malcolm noticed a drainage pipe in the ditch below the road. He pulled the carcass over to the pipe and dropped the body below. Malcolm then hopped down and folded the carcass so that it was squeezed inside the pipe; the running water and dirt was now mostly clogged. Malcolm had climbed back onto the road, and he went back to the parked car and he slapped the roof, startling the youth. He moved the seat forward. ¡°Is everything good?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°You still have a way to go before you¡¯re in the clear.¡± ¡°Well, what happened?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s start out.¡± Malcolm began. ¡°You got lucky; the body went under your car, otherwise, your hood and windshield would be fucked. So, first thing¡¯s first is you go home and clean your car. Your clothes? Trash them. You have got blood on yourself and your shoes, don¡¯t bring them in the house with you at all; place them in the garage. Wake up at your normal time tomorrow morning and get your car cleaned by hand. For god¡¯s sake, make sure there¡¯s no blood beneath it. The only problem you got going for you is the blood trail on the road. Fortunately, it¡¯s the bayou and I see no cars coming. Anyone who does notice is likely to assume it¡¯s from an animal.¡± The youth seemed to breathe calmly with a hand on the wheel. ¡°So it¡¯s gonna be okay¡­No one¡¯s going to know what happened.¡± ¡°Not until it¡¯s too late.¡± Malcolm assured. The kid almost turned happy. ¡°Thanks mister!¡± ¡°Accidents happen buddy.¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Now act right, and don¡¯t get pulled over.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± The kid looked at the road as he started the engine. ¡°Okay.¡± The kid drove off, and Malcolm¡¯s immediate sight was Liam standing on the other side. He clicked his grin and walked over with his hands in pockets. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Malcolm demanded. ¡°In the present!¡± Liam hushed, ¡°Before I segway you there with a lesson? That would spoil the point.¡± Malcolm became flushed. ¡°Is this the first time I crossed the line? You brought me here to see that I snapped in an instant?!¡± Liam shook his head, ¡°It wasn¡¯t in an ¡®instant¡¯ but throughout the following days: Mom and Dad asked nothing of your lateness. The damage beneath the car was explainable by a pothole. And by the forty eighth hour, when not a cop had been seen, you knew you were in the clear. Then...fear became relief turned to pride which became a high.¡± Liam looked back down the road where Malcolm stuffed the body. ¡°I tried to erase this memory the moment I sensed you thrilled at getting away with it. Instead? You later ventured into the killings, knowing in the back of your head that you could get away with it.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Malcolm flustered. ¡°What am I supposed to take away? Because I¡¯m learning what a great accomplice you¡¯ve been!¡± ¡°What can I say?¡± Liam shrugged. ¡°You made a mistake, and you simply wanted to survive it. An instinct so intrinsic, yet so primitive. I should know because you know I¡¯d be going down with you. What else was I to do?¡± ¡°You may as well have turned me loose on the state!¡± Malcolm exclaimed. ¡°You think you¡¯re my conscience, but you taught a kid how to get away with murder!¡± Liam gave a ¡®pfft¡¯ followed by a small chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m to be judged by you; he who works death like magic? One word, ¡®abracadabra¡¯, and they¡¯re gone?¡± Malcolm came to pull a sly grin across his face. ¡°I know now that there¡¯s no trick to my homicides, and your whole act is to make me blend in rather than fitting in.¡± To that, Liam recoiled. ¡°And what of your life without me, your trustee mask? How would you face the Victim Statements?¡± He huffed. ¡°It would be a fucking army tribunal at this point.¡± ¡°Answer the question, Malcolm!¡± Liam demanded. ¡°How does the ¡®tortured artist¡¯ tell the families that their loved ones died for a ¡®morbid depiction?¡± ¡°I already admitted it wasn¡¯t art!¡± Malcolm yelled. Liam laughed. ¡°So how then, do you take responsibility for your actions?¡± Malcolm stared blankly and began to stammer. ¡°Can you even account for the number you¡¯ve killed?¡± Malcolm¡¯s head felt as if it was close to combustion as he hyperventilated. ¡°No...¡± Liam nodded with puckered lips. ¡°I can Malcolm. From the Carnal Beast¡¯s turns in charge, to you deliberately giving in.¡± Liam tapped his temple. ¡°I had to experience them as well.¡± Malcolm¡¯s headache was accompanied by frustration, yet he laughed. ¡°If I see a mugging in an alley, and I just watch, aren¡¯t I not culpable?¡± Liam stared and held a handout as if to count fingers. ¡°Clemens and everyone else inside the library...you realize that¡¯s over twenty already? Then we have the sixty people executed outside the tunnel, Daniels included, and I¡¯m also counting the poor military officers you marched into it. Now we¡¯ve passed Eighty...You spun the Burglar as self-defense, then we have twenty-six kills in active service.¡± Liam was running out of fingers before he dropped his hands. ¡°Your body count is in the triple digits, and I haven¡¯t even started with the homicides.¡± Malcolm¡¯s mouth hung like a drunk. ¡°...I can¡¯t take any of that back. I can¡¯t change that I liked it...and maybe to some extent, I¡¯ll always feel like God afterwards. But that doesn''t mean it''s all I''ll ever do.¡± Liam smiled again as he stepped over to a recoiling Malcolm. ¡°You say so now, as you did the last time you swore to stop. Going back to the first time.¡± Liam gave Malcolm a firm shove which sent him falling against the ground. As Malcolm landed, his head smacked grass, and his vision blurred. Malcolm regained awareness sitting behind the wheel of a car. Outside the windows, he was sitting in an empty parking lot, dimly lit during the dead of night. Malcolm looked in both directions and realized the parking lot was inside a hunting park. When he turned his head again, Liam was sitting in the passenger seat with a sly grin as he reached over and took the keys out of the ignition. They sat in the gathering air. ¡°...Is this?¡± ¡°You know what this is.¡± Liam blankly answered. ¡°It¡¯s September Twenty Fifth.¡± ¡°...2008...¡± Malcolm looked down to see he was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with black jeans. He looked back at Liam. ¡°I¡¯m not doing this!¡± ¡°You already did it, Malcolm.¡± Liam clicked his tongue. ¡°I thought Serial Killers loved reliving the memories.¡± He leaned his head back and shut his eyes. ¡°This would¡¯ve happened before college even started.¡± ¡°The early high-school graduate threw his sanity down the drain.¡± ¡°Why are you showing me this?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°Because you''re the one who wants to be responsible going forward...Don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes...¡± ¡°Then you live with it,¡± Liam spoke firmly. ¡°And you be better for it. You don¡¯t get to rationalize it all away, and you don¡¯t get to blame what¡¯s in you on the Carnal Beast you created. It¡¯s not the fault of our parents, as awful as they were, and losing me was a prelude at worst...you were right about one thing: maybe, to some extent, you¡¯ll always be a sociopath...that means it¡¯s on you to try harder Malcolm! Be a better person. Goddammit!¡± Malcolm blinked, and Liam disappeared. In the silence of the night, Malcolm stepped out of the car, seeing it was the same as before. The trunk had a duffle bag that Malcolm opened, finding a bolt-action rifle and supplies to set a camp site with. A voice called out from behind him. ¡°That you?¡± When Malcolm turned around, he saw a seventeen-year-old approaching him wearing a camouflage vest and cap. Despite his appearance, his face and square glasses implicated him to be a dweeb rather than a redneck. ¡°You found me!¡± Malcolm spoke reflexively. ¡°Why¡¯d you park so far away?¡± The kid asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°The trail is right over there.¡± Liam¡¯s voice echoed. Remember his name? ¡°...Craig...¡± Malcolm stammered. ¡°What?¡± He asked. ¡°Do your parents know we¡¯re here.¡± ¡°No.¡± Malcolm nodded He pulled out the bolt-action rifle and wrapped the sling around him before handing Craig a set of binoculars. Craig seemed to shudder as he reached for them. ¡°Do I have to...¡± ¡°It¡¯s my hunting licence so I have to be the one who shoots..¡± Malcolm answered. ¡°You¡¯ll help me spot...and maybe put the deer out it¡¯s misery.¡± ¡°...Okay...¡± Craig took the binoculars and sheathed the knife Malcolm passed. As Malcolm grabbed the duffle bag, he motioned Craig to follow him down the closest trail. As they stepped through the darkened woods, Malcolm realized he had a watch and that the time was eleven at night. He eyed Craig, now that they were moving deeper into the woods. He nervously darted his eyes everywhere, ¡°You sure I don¡®t need my own licence to be here?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Malcolm lied. Craig scratched the back of his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know about this...¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°I never killed anything before...It feels weird.¡± Malcolm huffed. ¡°You¡¯re not the one pulling the trigger. And I thought you were sick of being scared of everything?¡± ¡°I am...but...¡± Together, they entered an open field where small watchtower stood. Malcolm was leading Craig across the field as he stammered. ¡°Then you¡¯ll quit acting like a kid.¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°The reason why your scared, is cause you feel helpless. Ain¡¯t that a consequence of getting picked on your whole life? This shit...feeling like you provided for yourself; this beats any boy scout¡¯s badge.¡± Craig rubbed his chin. ¡°I know...but now that I¡¯m here...I love animals.¡± ¡°Deer aren¡¯t pets.¡± Malcolm stated. ¡°...They¡¯re still cute.¡± ¡°Ain¡¯t you tried their meat before?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°No. Why?¡± ¡°Cause I¡¯ve seen you eat meat in the cafeteria plenty of times.¡± Craig shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s different from killing them.¡± Malcolm rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m the one doing the killing.¡± ¡°...I¡¯m sorry Mal. I just don¡¯t think I can do this anymore.¡± ¡°You already came out here; you even lied to your parents!¡± ¡°And I feel bad for it!¡± ¡°They brought that on themselves for coddling you! You owe it to yourself to make something out of this! How else are you going to learn to stand up for yourself!?¡± Craig seemed to pull back in disgust. ¡°This is coming from the same kid who convinced me to get buried in Kindergarten?¡± Malcolm rubbed his face. ¡°I thought we put that behind us! I was six!¡± Craig handed Malcolm the binoculars and knife. ¡°We did, and I am standing up, to you. Let''s go do something else Mal, we don¡¯t need to kill a defenseless animal.¡± Malcolm huffed. ¡°I came out here for a reason, Craig. If you want out, then go back to Mommy and Daddy.¡± ¡°Come on man...¡± ¡°What?¡± Malcolm was sardonic. ¡°You got Mommy¡¯s nest to shelter in.¡± Craig looked dejected as he slowly turned around and began to walk back to the trail at the end of the field. Malcolm felt a rush of emotions: forlornness, annoyance, and a longing for understanding. His mind returned to Craig, still walking away, and Malcolm¡¯s face flushed with the color red. He¡¯d rather be with those coddling parents than be a man? Malcolm felt a sensation of frost taking hold of his veins. His frustration was dying down to a calm and collected rhythm of breaths. He thoughtlessly turned around and climbed the ladder to the watchtower. After climbing to the top, Malcolm set the duffle bag down and looked at Craig. Craig seemed to take his time as he wandered with a tilted head. Look at him. He even knows his home life is awful. That¡¯s why he and I should be peas in a pod... Suddenly, Malcolm remembered the first deer he killed, and the pride his father showed toward him for the first time. Patrick Nelson¡¯s voice echoed. Atta boy, kiddo. By now, Malcolm had pulled the bolt-action rifle around and was slowly lowering his eye to the scope. After adjusting it his view was cleared. Craig was finally at the entrance to the trails as Malcolm remembered every sniper scene from every war movie he watched. Malcolm felt like he was in an imaginary land he¡¯d play in during childhood, where he could be legendary war heroes like Vasili Zaitsev or Noah Adamia. All the prospects had swollen Malcolm¡¯s eye to a black orb staring into the scope. He aimed where Craig was going to be and pulled the trigger. The bang sent a familiar echo across the hunting grounds, and it took Malcolm a long, lingering moment to start breathing once again; he started to hyperventilate and nearly dropped the rifle. Malcolm slowly composed himself and felt cold as he climbed down the ladder. It was a shuddering walk to the trail, Malcolm stepped into the tree line and almost panicked when there was no sign of Craig. After a frantic search, Malcolm saw a scuff in the dirt with blood having pooled. The blood formed a gradually thicker trail down the path which Malcolm followed. Finally, Malcolm found Craig sitting against a tree. Craig was desperately and painfully clenching his left jugular, where it met the collar bone, yet the blood had oozed in liters through the wound and out his mouth. There was a look in Craig¡¯s eyes, one that seemed petrified and confused. Reflexively, Malcolm fired a single shot into Craig¡¯s chest. As the gunshot echoed, Craig¡¯s bloodied hands dropped to the ground and a final, blooded gurgle signaled his death rattle. Malcolm felt as if time had frozen before him. The afterglow of his first violent indulgence reminded him of a heavy weight being replaced by an anvil. Malcolm¡¯s legs trembled beneath him, and he fell to his knees before the trail of blood. What the fuck did you just do? Mom and Dad will hate you even more now! Liam strode from behind the tree Craig lay beneath. ¡°Yes...the ¡®woe is me¡¯ routine.¡± Malcolm suddenly felt nauseous and dry heaved. ¡°I was daydreaming...¡± ¡°Lost in fantasies of glory and an outlet to show how you feel.¡± Liam gloated; he turned to Craig. ¡°After getting away with it, fear became relief and relief became pride.¡± Malcolm began to stammer. ¡°But...I felt the Beast.¡± ¡°Which, as we established, was always you.¡± Malcolm nodded; his hand touched the blood. ¡°The worst parts of me brought to life.¡± Liam placed a hand on his chest. ¡°After a long time of pretending it wasn¡¯t there; caught between your nature, and everything I taught you.¡± Malcolm frowned. ¡°You? Or my brother?¡± ¡°Your brother...I¡¯m sorry you can¡¯t remember him.¡± Malcolm held back a tear. ¡°What was he like?¡± Liam smiled. ¡°He was every bit the Genius that you are...But...He was a prodigy in Music...¡± Liam knelt beside Malcolm. ¡°He could play any instrument and he knew Theory before you came along. Most importantly, he knew you. He taught you how to express yourself healthily; even when you were stalking neighbors for fun, Liam chose to see the Good.¡± Malcolm shuddered from Liam¡¯s warm hand. ¡°How can I be good after everything I did?¡± ¡°Because we¡¯re still Human, Malcolm.¡± ¡°...What about the world out there?¡± Liam poked Malcolm¡¯s chest. ¡°You need control yourself-¡± ¡°How do I do that with you and the Beast taking over?!¡± Malcolm interrupted. ¡°You can¡¯t do that without me.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°No, I can¡¯t...I need all the parts of me that are wrapped up in you.¡± Liam rubbed his chin. ¡°By that logic-¡± ¡°I need the Beast as well.¡± Malcolm blurted out. ¡°There¡¯s a world that¡¯s ending out there.¡± Liam stared contemplatively. Malcolm¡¯s eyes glistened as he stood up. ¡°I can¡¯t change the past, but I can save the people who need me out there. Maybe that redeems nothing, and I¡¯ll always be a piece of shit. But as far as I can tell? I can¡¯t fix myself with you pulling me away!¡± Liam cocked his head with a wince. ¡°You mean to save the entire Seattle Zone?¡± ¡°The troops are pissed and scared. High Command isn''t doing a goddamn thing but sitting and waiting.¡± ¡°Patience Malcolm. There¡¯s plenty of grunts who want you back in charge.¡± Malcolm chuckled. ¡°Then let¡¯s lead as one, shall we?¡± Liam raised a finger. ¡°And why do you think I haven¡¯t been leading in your absence?¡± ¡°...Pulling strings behind the scenes, are we?¡± Malcolm asked. Liam wagged. ¡°Can¡¯t trust you with that until you¡¯ve shown that you can make your own decisions.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Then get me the fuck out of this dream.¡± Liam rubbed his chin. ¡°Very well then.¡± After snapping his fingers, a strange fog rapidlyt descended upon Malcolm, who looked into the dead eyes of his victim once more. Chapter 39: Pandoras Box You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Chapter 40: Taking Over ¡°How can we live without our lives? How will we know it¡¯s us without our past?¡±- John Steinbeck The migraine was pulsating, but Malcolm returned to awareness while sitting against the wall panels. Everything was blurry, even the ambience of automatic fire outside. Slowly, Malcolm¡¯s vision cleared, and he saw a room of blood and bodies. He stood and walked over to the control panels; every operator had been repeatedly shot. Malcolm found Raynes laying in a pool of mixed blood by the radio; despite the exit wounds in his torso, his head had been smashed to unrecognizability. Malcolm kneeled over to see Raynes¡¯ eyes were pinched with seeming rage. The radio on the table echoed with gunfire and screaming. ¡°MAJOR RAYNES!? THE QUARANTINE ZONE IS BREACHED! I REPEAT, THE ZONE IS- AGH!!!¡± Malcolm finally realized the pain coming from his torso and knuckles. When he inspected his hands, there was not a dot of white skin, but blood instead. Hearing a new sound of automatic fire, Malcolm crossed the room to step onto the palisade and nearly tripped over the dead sentry. Liam was sitting with his back facing the checkpoint, he heaved deeply and coughed on his own chest pain. His face was newly bruised, and his camo was stained. ¡°¡­This is how the World Ends?¡± Malcolm looked at the checkpoint below. Swarms of indiscernible people poured through the open gate, and everywhere had the sight of mutilation or rifle fire. A single fortification had a squad of soldiers shooting every direction until the swarm closed on them like a whirlpool. Malcolm grabbed his own walkie. ¡°CLAIRET?!¡± he screamed. ¡°WHERE ARE YOU!?¡± There was no response except the recoil of warfare. Malcolm looked back at Liam. ¡°What did you do?!¡± Liam looked at Malcolm with disgust. ¡°What I thought was the right thing¡­What do you think?¡± Malcolm wanted to kick Liam where he sat, he seemed to know this. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t act like I did anything you haven¡¯t.¡± ¡°Killing our own soldiers!?¡± Malcolm barked. Liam shook his head as the palisade machine guns rained fire down the walls. ¡°They tried to stop me from making everything okay. I had to stop them, didn¡¯t I?¡± Malcolm shook as the helicopter landed on the adjacent towers, evacuating all the heavy gunner squads. Malcolm tried again to raise his people. ¡°CLAIRET!? ANYBODY!?¡± An unfamiliar voice responded. ¡°Major Nelson¡­Confirm your location.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m outside the operator tower, over...¡± ¡°Evac is coming to you now. Stand by¡­Over.¡± Malcolm gripped the walkie so hard he could¡¯ve crushed it. He stared back at Liam. ¡°I tried to tell you, didn¡¯t I!? Now you¡¯ve got us both fucked!¡± Malcolm held a hand to the blood-filled tower. ¡°How is THAT to be explained!?¡± Liam dropped his head and shook it. ¡°There won¡¯t be any explaining anything anymore¡­¡± ¡°What are you talking about?!¡± Malcolm barked. ¡°YOU FUCKED THE WHOLE ZONE!¡± Liam stared at Malcolm as he struggled to stand. His face radiated sorrow as he spoke. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve been bad for you. Haven¡¯t I?¡± Malcolm was confused. ¡°You¡¯re saying that now?¡± Liam put a hand on Malcolm¡¯s shoulder, causing him to flinch. ¡°Without me, you¡¯re all you could be.¡± A helicopter began to descend next to them. A squad of soldiers came out to surround Malcolm with their weapons drawn. ¡°Say something Major.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not infected.¡± Malcolm spoke. Immediately, the soldiers began to pull Malcolm towards the helicopter as Liam stared into solace. One of them shouted, ¡°Command, we¡¯ve secured Major Nelson! We are en route to Mercer Island now!¡± They were strapping Malcolm into the side seat with all weapons on him when the same soldier slapped the side of the chopper. ¡°We¡¯re good, GO!¡± As the Black Hawk joined the formation to Mercer Island, Malcolm stared out the spreading scene of chaos from his window. Every building closest to the gate was lit up with machine gun fire on the sprawling crowd. Malcolm stared into the eyes of the soldier across from him, her rifle was pointed directly at his head as Malcolm fell back and was asleep. Malcolm awakened to a calm cabin and every rifle rested on their laps. A rumble of turbulence hit them as the Black Hawk descended into a crowded park. The propellers stopped and the soldiers escorted Malcolm outside; he was taken by a wide field of army tents and makeshift watchtowers. There was a rush of doctors from the nearest medical tent, accompanied by armed guards. Malcolm nearly collapsed as one shouted, ¡°BITE CHECK!¡± The soldiers were rushing him inside of the large medical tent. The doctors brought him behind a medical screen, and the soldiers stood out of view. One of the doctors held a notepad. ¡°Please remove your uniform and rotate, Major.¡± Malcolm slowly obeyed, staining the clean patches of his uniform while undressing. His forearms were sticky, as was one of his pant legs. Malcolm slowly did a three sixty turn while the Doctors leaned in to ensure the blood was not Malcolm¡¯s. ¡°Clear!¡± A doctor shouted. ¡°Get this man to the showers!¡± The medical professionals rushed Malcolm to the back of the tent outside where a series of makeshift faucets were connected to multiple water boilers. He was taken to the closest one available and given a bar of soap in his delirium. Malcolm rushed a feeble cleanup within two minutes and the near sauna-like water was immediately shut off, by then he was starting to energize. He realized that helicopters were pouring in from the Port Quarantine Zone; from the inside of the tent, Malcolm could hear a panicked voice. ¡°IT¡¯S JUST A SCRATCH! I¡¯M NOT SICK!¡± Another sergeant spoke from beside the showers. ¡°Here¡¯s a change of uniform, Major. Please follow me to your tent.¡± Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Malcolm took the new camo and asked, ¡°Where are my companies?¡± ¡°We¡¯re assessing sir¡­Please change and follow me. Once Malcolm dawned a simple uniform often given to draftees, he was brought some distance across the field until they stopped by a tent next to the park¡¯s main road. ¡°There are other officers inside, sir.¡± The sergeant spoke. ¡°Someone will get back to you shortly.¡± ¡®Shortly¡¯ would not come after some hours, Malcolm regretted taking off his watch as he sat with three other majors; one paced and two sat, remaining silent. The tent opened and a coated doctor stepped inside with four medics. ¡°¡­Hello officers¡­¡± He sounded forlorn. ¡°We just need to double-check that no one here is symptomatic.¡± The medics crossed over to each major, including Malcolm. The Doctor stepped over to him and pulled a bottle from his pocket. ¡°I understand that you got injured out there. This should ease the pain.¡± Malcolm accepted the single oxy pill the Doctor placed in his hand. He swallowed it without a drink and asked, ¡°Where are my people? I was with the¡­¡± ¡°Major Nelson, I take it?¡± The Medic interrupted as he inspected Malcolm¡¯s pupils with a little light. ¡°Yes.¡± Malcolm saw the medic was a sergeant. ¡°Are you chilly, sweaty, crampy in the neck, or all three?¡± he asked. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Please rotate your neck. Try to pop a muscle.¡± Malcolm thoughtlessly obeyed, popping his neck in both directions. The medic pulled out a syringe. ¡°Please hold out your arm.¡± Malcolm slowly obeyed. ¡°Is the entire Zone lost?¡± He asked. Neither of them responded. ¡°Answer me!¡± The doctor muttered, ¡°¡­We¡¯re still early into the incident. Evacuations are still-¡± ¡°The whole zone is evacuating?¡± ¡°Please hold still.¡± the medic muttered. The doctor nervously rubbed his hands before grabbing a small notepad. ¡°¡­I understand you were at the control tower when the gate was opened, correct?¡± ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°The Colonel.¡± He answered. ¡°What happened leading up to the gas dispersal?¡± ¡°Raynes was nerve wrecked.¡± Malcolm lied. ¡°He had to relieve himself and I found myself back in command of the checkpoint.¡± ¡°Did you order the gas dispersal without authorization?¡± ¡°I thought it was Tear gas.¡± Malcolm said truthfully. ¡°So, a yes then?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Doctor noted this. ¡°Why did the gate open?¡± ¡°Because Raynes freaked out and hit the button. After that, all hell broke loose; it devolved into an armed standoff.¡± . ¡°How are you the only one left?¡± Malcolm thought for a moment. ¡°Luck.¡± The Doctor noted this as well. ¡°Was anyone in the room infected?¡± ¡°...No.¡± The Doctor acknowledged Malcolm¡¯s hesitation before noting his response, he then placed the notepad beneath his shoulder. ¡°You should rest up; the Colonel will want to speak to you himself. You¡¯ll be driven into town tonight or tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°Which Colonel?¡± ¡°McElroy.¡± The doctor and medics took their leave with blood samples and all; he left a spare pill in Malcolm¡¯s hand. Malcolm and the other majors looked each other in the eyes, all trying to mask their trepidation. After several minutes, Malcolm took the second pill despite already feeling the numbing effects of the first. He then leaned against the wall of his tent while the other Majors droned on to each other helplessly. Malcolm closed his eyes to a numbing rush down his spine. His eyes opened to the sight of Liam sitting alongside the bed. Liam rubbed his own folded hands with his chin held down. When he finally looked over at Malcolm, he stammered as he tried to speak. ¡°¡­I have to hear you say something¡­before I go.¡± Malcolm¡¯s head slouched and nodded. Liam seemed mopey eyed. ¡°¡­Do you think that if we could start it all again, be all the things we could¡¯ve been¡­do you think that would¡¯ve changed the end?¡± Malcolm¡¯s eyes sank as he contemplated the collateral Hell following his life, causing his pupils to shrivel for the first time; his mind then dwelled on the Hell this world was descending to. Liam stared at him like their lives depended on it before Malcolm could answer. ¡°...Why wonder what we could¡¯ve had when everyone else is dying?¡± Liam chuckled pitifully. ¡°I was worried you¡¯d say that¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯re alive¡­¡± Malcolm emphasized. ¡°That has to be enough.¡± Liam sighed. ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s alive.¡± Malcolm tried to sit up but almost fell over. ¡°We¡¯re the same!¡± ¡°Yes, Malcolm¡­I don¡¯t exist, I¡¯m you.¡± Malcolm felt confused. ¡°You¡¯re my brother!¡± Liam reached over to him but was just out of touch and set his hand down. ¡°Liam¡¯s dead, Malcolm.¡± Now, Malcolm¡¯s eyes started to flush, and he clenched them shut. ¡°I can¡¯t remember a single time with you¡­¡± ¡°Hey hey¡­¡± Liam hushed. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be okay¡­¡± Malcolm sniffled. ¡°...Where will you go?¡± Liam smiled. ¡°Wherever you take me.¡± Malcolm opened his eyes. ¡°...What will you do?¡± ¡°After my final note? Whatever you do.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ll never see you again!¡± Liam scooted closer. ¡°It¡¯s okay buddy¡­I¡¯ve always been a part of you. I¡¯ll always be right here.¡± Malcolm stared down and clenched the bunk to the point of near tearing. Liam then wrapped a single arm around Malcolm to hug him; He continued to soothe, ¡°The memories will start to come back¡­¡± Malcolm panted. ¡°Why did you never turn me in?¡± Liam was confused. ¡°Because that¡¯s never why I was with you.¡± ¡°Not for the killings¡­¡± Malcolm said. ¡°When you first realized that I was psychopathic.¡± Liam seemed startled and his eyes began to wander off Malcolm. Now, his eyes began to flush. ¡°¡­I think¡­¡± Liam almost trailed off. ¡°¡­I think that he felt guilty about being the prodigal son in the family; unlike you, the accident. I know that you¡¯re unique, Malcolm. I know that¡¯s why everything will be okay for you. I just want you to know that¡­Even though I¡¯m not really him, when you look back on the surfacing memories, what he taught you will always be your match in this world.¡± Malcolm seethed with sadness as Liam whispered. ¡°I have to go now.¡± Malcolm looked up. ¡°What about the Beast?¡± ¡°You never have to let that part of you control you. Especially once I¡¯m done borrowing it.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You may see me one more time before the End.¡± Liam stood up and gently nudged Malcolm to lie down. ¡°Just relax, I got you through worse close calls.¡± Chapter 41: Morbid Unifications ¡°No Time for Goodbye¡­¡¯ He said, as he faded away¡­¡± Adam Gontier ¡°Major Nelson!¡± a voice barked Malcolm from sleep. ¡°It¡¯s time to get moving!¡± Malcolm looked up from his bunk to see a platoon of armed grunts standing with an open tent flap. The Lieutenant leaned his head in. ¡°I believe the Colonel wants to see you.¡± Malcolm slowly stood up and relieved the tension. He exited the tent with the other majors nodding, seemingly in solidarity. Malcolm stepped outside to a starless night sky occasionally dotted by a helicopter formation; he saw the line of Humvees waiting on him. ¡°Take a seat in the middle car, Major.¡± The platoon leader said, and Malcolm obeyed. He was still numb from the oxy as the soldiers took their seats, the lieutenant sat in the passenger seat of Malcolm¡¯s Humvee and signaled on his radio. ¡°We have Nelson; we are en route to HQ.¡± Malcolm was driven up the northbound roads, crossing through foliage and park fields converted into camps; the population was swelling following the evacuations. The Lieutenant was staring out his window and seemed deep in thought. He spoke without looking back, ¡°I understand that you¡¯re the ¡®Space Dog¡¯ Nelson, am I right? Good god, you¡¯re young!¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± ¡°Well, aren¡¯t we honored? Anyone else getting a priority transport to HQ would befuddle me at a time like this.¡± Malcolm raised a brow. ¡°And why is that?¡± ¡°You kidding me?¡± The Lieutenant looked back. ¡°You ought to have been the fucking Lord Christ you saved so many of our boys in Korea! It behooves me that they want to see you just as shit hits the fan; I¡¯d have you ON staff were I the General.¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not a hero.¡± ¡°Now don¡¯t go saying that before we kick this off! Lot of people are looking up to you to pull us through.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Malcolm asked. The Lieutenant laughed. ¡°Listen to this guy; a double-think master!¡± The whole Humvee joined the chuckle. ¡°I get it; loose lips sink ships and all that.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Shutting up now Major.¡± The Lieutenant pretended to zip his lips, and all the Humvee wandered back into their own thoughts. They entered the metropolitan limits of Mercer Island; a smaller, fifty-foot wall quarantined off the perimeter. Malcolm expected to find a semblance of civilian life, but instead the whole town seemed like a garrison. The convoy pulled into the fenced parking lot of the town¡¯s high school and came to a lined stop. Armed guards opened the doors for every occupant and Malcolm was escorted into the building. Malcolm was flanked on four sides while they walked through the darkened hallways bustling with officers, strategists, and technicians. He was escorted to a stairwell, and they rose to the building¡¯s second floor; they arrived at the administrative area, inside was the door to the principal¡¯s office. Colonel McElroy was desperately trying to ignite a cigar with a dead lighter beside a desk lamp. It took a moment for him to snap out of his frustration and acknowledge Malcolm. ¡°...Nelson¡­¡± ¡°Colonel.¡± ¡°¡­Please. Have a seat.¡± Malcolm did so and was sitting across the desk from McElroy, two guards shut the door behind him and stood vigilant over the room. Malcolm gave McElroy a single moment to speak, yet he still tried to light his cigar; Malcolm¡¯s patience ran thin. ¡°You promised me my family.¡± ¡°Nelson¡­¡± The Colonel cupped his nose bridge. ¡°You think those two, behind you, spoke to their loved ones recently?¡± Malcolm shook his head. ¡°You promised me.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t Nelson!¡± ¡°You never meant to!¡± ¡°No, Nelson¡­I literally can¡¯t!¡± McElroy sounded like he was masking panic. ¡°We¡¯re losing contact with the East Coast¡­¡± Malcolm cocked his head. ¡°You promised me before that started.¡± McElroy shook again. ¡°...They were never in a Quarantine Zone, were they?¡± Malcolm hushed. ¡°¡­I couldn¡¯t find them¡­¡± ¡°And you kept it hidden from me.¡± McElroy almost shook. ¡°I needed you of all people to focus! I need you now!¡± ¡°Why?¡± McElroy leaned in. ¡°I¡¯m all that¡¯s left of the command staff.¡± Malcolm was puzzled. ¡°How?¡± ¡°¡­They were with the Fleet, or they deserted¡­My last call with General Abrams connected to a landline in Anchorage, Alaska...I haven¡¯t talked to the Fleet in two days.¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°...All the Quarantine Zones are being abandoned...¡± McElroy shuddered. ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°What about the vaccine?¡± ¡°We think that the Cubans were close to something. I don¡¯t know anything else...¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°It¡¯s over...We lost.¡± McElroy¡¯s hands clenched on top of the desk. ¡°I will not turn my back on this country!¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°What country?¡± ¡°We can still salvage this, Nelson!¡± ¡°The Port Zone has fallen apart!¡± McElroy raised his hand. ¡°We can resecure it from our operations here and in the Bellevue Zone.¡± ¡°You want to meet the Undead in battle? In city streets? How¡¯s that worked for us so far?¡± McElroy pointed to a strategic map of the zones atop his desk. ¡°The Air sweeps thinned the Berserkers when the city¡¯s water was contaminated; we still have air support. In the next few days, we¡¯ll conduct formation sweeps on anything that moves while the troops make landings in the zone.¡± He looked at Malcolm again. ¡°I¡¯ll need new staff for the command chain.¡± ¡°You want to promote me again.¡± McElroy nodded emphatically. ¡°I always knew there was potential in you, Nelson. And I was right! There¡¯s still good in the world¡­¡± A faint sound recoiled from outside. Malcolm felt a warmth beside him, but the coldness rendered him totally limp. Unable to move, Malcolm¡¯s eyes shifted to see Liam having stepped into the room as if the door was opaque. He took a seat beside Malcolm and crossed one leg. Malcolm looked back at McElroy and struggled to speak. His Colonel stared at him behind stilled, watery eyes; the only sound was the ticking of a clock. ¡°Nelson?¡± McElroy asked. ¡°¡­Say something.¡± Liam cupped his hands before speaking. ¡°Could you riddle me something first?¡± McElroy almost winced. ¡°Please don¡¯t be facetious, Nelson¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to be...if not me?¡± ¡°Nelson!¡± Liam raised both hands. ¡°Just a real quick question.¡± Malcolm eyed Liam as he began to twiddle his fingers individually. ¡°How many promises did you fail to keep?¡± ¡°...What?¡± Liam shrugged. ¡°I doubt I have enough fingers for it but give a rough count on how many officers out there were given assurances. Their families, their homes, that everything would be okay? A score-No! Two Score?¡± McElroy began to slouch into his chair once again; his expression was solemn and frustrated. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to keep it together¡­¡± Another recoil echoed from outside. ¡°It¡¯s. Come. Undone.¡± Liam spoke. ¡°...However, it¡¯s only an Apocalypse. A second question Colonel, would you help me fend off the Living Dead?¡± ¡°We need to help each other, Nelson!¡± Liam waved a finger. ¡°That¡¯s not how command chains work.¡± ¡°I hardly have one to work with!¡± ¡°Why then are you issuing commands?¡± Liam¡¯s pupils began to swell. ¡°Enough Nelson! We don¡¯t have time for this-¡± ¡°Oh, on the contrary¡­there¡¯s plenty of time.¡± Liam clicked his tongue. ¡°Time to decide what¡¯s next, and it¡¯s time that you unburden yourself...I¡¯ll be very clear now; there can be a place for you in our society, or we can lend you a jeep with supplies to venture off...Then there¡¯s the one where we just fucking kill you.¡± McElroy gasped and the armed guards beside the door were dumbfounded. ¡°You have the nerve to threaten me!?¡± ¡°I offered mercy. Twice.¡± ¡°Mercy!? You offer ¡®mercy?!¡± Liam nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a ¡®no¡¯ to our initial proposals. Fuck. I mean...I knew you Colonels on up can be idealistic, but you¡¯re so caught in your sense of duty that reality just orbits you like a planetary ring!¡± Liam turned his head over to Malcolm. ¡°A man must try, right? On both fronts.¡± McElroy seemed afraid, ¡°Who are you talking to?!¡± Liam grinned. ¡°You. And we come to you offering new purpose. But instead, you act like the ¡®President¡¯s Authority¡¯ is still in effect¡­¡± A siren¡¯s blare began to penetrate the office. McElroy took his radio speaker, ¡°¡­What¡¯s happening out there?!¡± Liam cocked his head at Malcolm. ¡°He still doesn¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°NELSON!¡± McElroy screamed and the sentries shuddered. ¡°What have you done!?¡± Liam pursed his lips, looking between Malcolm and the Colonel. He said to McElroy, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s better you didn¡¯t know.¡± He then said to Malcolm, ¡°¡­Thank you for the Venom...¡± Malcolm was invigorated in a heartbeat and was driven by instinct. He grabbed the rifle by its barrel, yanked it and spun around the sentry and he unloaded the rifle into the second; exit wounds punctured him from the torso to the head. Malcolm proceeded to trip the first sentry with his foot, dropping him to the floor as Malcolm began to swing the rifle, by the barrel, brutally bludgeoning the sentry. By the time Malcolm turned, Liam was standing up and had leaped over the desk. McElroy¡¯s panicked hands fumbled for his pistol, ¡°GET BACK!¡± Liam pulled the Colonel in for a headbutt; he then spun McElroy around and threw him on top of the desk as he flailed against Liam. ¡°I WAS GOOD TO YOU MALCOLM!¡± Liam unsheathed a combat blade inside McElroy¡¯s belt and closed the serrated edge near his eye. Liam turned the knife and punched McElroy in the nose, then he plummeted the blade into McElroy¡¯s sternum with both hands. McElroy heaved in agony, rupturing the blood up his mouth and down the chin. Liam began to drag the blade down the torso; the Colonel gasped and croaked. It was then that Liam grabbed a random pencil off the desk and jabbed its point into both eye sockets with instant succession; each half of pencil remained embedded. First, McElroy¡¯s hands turned to pitiful grasps against Liam¡¯s camo as the blood sprayed. Next, they started clawing and grasping; McElroy jaw began to snap as Liam held him by the neck. Liam pulled the blade out of McElroy¡¯s stomach, sheathed it and pulled the pistol out his belt. Liam slid off the desk, pulling McElroy by his neck and scalp. Blood and entrails began to drain from the slash, creating a large trail across the office, one that began to turn black. Liam quickly threw open the door and tossed McElroy forward to the closest guard. Liam¡¯s pistol was drawn on everybody in the office, and McElroy was sinking his teeth into the soldier beside the main desk; entrails hung atop him as he screamed on the floor. Someone sitting beside the desk radio drew their gun, but Liam instantly popped a round through his jugular. He clenched his neck as the intact round gushed the blood, and every officer around him tried to help. Another guard tried to bash McElroy off his friend. Malcolm¡¯s platoon escort was assembled outside the office windows, but no one knew what to do. Suddenly, Malcolm¡¯s eyes turned to notice the operator Liam shot jolted; he was now ripping into the closest soldier helping him. As the room panicked, Liam then stood before the squad at the windows and casually exited the office. ¡°Weapons Free.¡± Liam stepped outside of view and disappeared. Chapter 42: Merry Bloodletting ¡°...So, you built up a world of magic... Because your real life is tragic...¡± -Hailee Williams Malcolm stepped outside the main office just as the squad of seven started to fire their magazines through the glass. Malcolm looked for Liam, who had already vanished into the air and he was walking down the hallway as every rifle emptied. Macolm looked back to see the squad frantically reload; multiple riddled Berserkers hopped out from the windowpanes to tackle whoever they could grab. Two screamed as they were bitten, and the rest took off in both directions of the hallway. Malcolm turned a corner as others were bursting from the teacher¡¯s lounge. Another Major had his sidearm drawn on Malcolm. ¡°What the FUCK is happening!?¡± Two soldiers rushed up the hallway as Malcolm answered slyly. ¡°The Apocalypse. Haven¡¯t you heard?¡± More automatic fire sounded down the adjacent hallway. The Major cocked his hammer. ¡°WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!?¡± Malcolm looked down to see the Major was staring at his blood splattered torso. ¡°I took control.¡± A soldier screamed and sprinted down the adjacent hallway, catching the two upcoming by surprise. One screamed, ¡°SHIT!!!¡± He would open fire too late. A Berserker took the rounds and grappled him to the ground; as his buddy tried to help, he was pummeled by two. The Major mistakenly turned his focus to the scene of terror. Malcolm tackled the Major against the wall and unsheathed his own bloodied blade to sliced the Major across the throat. Malcolm grabbed the gun out the limp arm and popped a round through another officer taking aim, the forehead ruptured, and he fell. Malcolm saw one soldier spinning around to retreat as two more Berserkers skidded from the adjacent hallway. Malcolm fired another round into the soldier¡¯s hip, plummeting him face down to the floor. He desperately tried to crawl as the berserkers descended on him. Malcolm turned right and walked away from the Major, writhing with both hands over the gushing wound. There was one more soldier who stepped out of the lounge and checked his dying major. He turned to aim the gun at Malcolm, who saw the Major keel over and grab the soldier¡¯s leg. The soldier panicked as he was already falling to the floor; the Major climbed from biting the leg to his stomach, causing the soldier to shriek in pain. Malcolm had strapped a dropped rifle to his side and checked the bullets left in his second pistol¡¯s magazine, then disregarded the second pistol and sheathed the mag. He entered the staircase to the first floor in time to encounter a platoon ascending. The front trooper held his rifle up and screamed, ¡°FREEZE!¡± Malcolm unleashed a spray of bullets from the rifle at his hip, tearing through the clueless front soldier and three behind him. Malcolm stepped forward to throw the front soldier over the railing as the others fell atop their comrades on the stairs. The rest of the Platoon began to scream furiously, too late to stop Malcolm. The dropped soldier was ripping into the grunt he landed on, and the rest were sinking into anyone they fell into on the stairs. Suddenly, rifles were firing in any direction. Malcolm dropped the empty rifle and stepped back through the door. He looked down the hallway¡¯s next direction and began to walk through a collage of technicians sprinting for the door Malcolm had just left. He came upon a hallway junction where an officer was on the floor, desperately holding a Berserker back. Teeth were ripping the muscles and he screamed terror. Malcolm placed a pistol round into the Berserker¡¯s temple, spraying black blood. Malcolm didn¡¯t acknowledge the curling weeps of the technician as he approached, another round spattered his brain before he could beg. Malcolm looked down at the hallway those two had come from, it was a blur of fighting figures. Soldiers tried to gun the berserkers down and others sprang for safety; no one could escape the Undead. Malcolm entered the next stairwell without notice. He hurried down to the first floor, Malcolm emerged and a squad halted him as another platoon entered. ¡°Halt! Identify!¡± ¡°¡­They¡¯re all Infected.¡± Malcolm uttered, ¡°Go and look.¡± Every gun pointed at him began to shake and another squad hurried into the stairwell. Suddenly, a rupture of automatic weapons echoed down one of the hallways. ¡°FUCK!¡± A random lieutenant gasped. ¡°SQUAD C! GET OVER THERE!¡± More soldiers sprinted down the hallway as the rest of the platoon shook. The Lieutenant screamed. ¡°MCELROY!?¡± Malcolm had a second to act when the soldier holding the rifle to him turned his eyes. Malcolm grasped the barrel and spun behind the grunt; Malcolm shifted the rifle and fired a short burst into the loyal Lieutenant¡¯s torso. Then Malcolm kneed his shield in the spine and shoved him into the falling Lieutenant. Immediately, Malcolm fired another burst into a nearby grunt¡¯s face and a final burst sent another flying back with a swirl of bullet holes in his camo. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Malcolm dropped the empty rifle and drew his pistol. The rest of the soldiers were prepared to gun him from different angles, then they noticed the Lieutenant was embracing the pushed soldier; he screamed as teeth dug into a ripped cheek. As two turned to help, the third killed grunt sprang over to pull a random soldier to the ground. None of the squad knew what to do in their panic. Malcolm stepped behind, through a classroom door. A random operator surprised him, as he did the operator. With a smile, Malcolm pressed the pistol against the man¡¯s throat as he pulled the trigger. There was four left in the science lab and a soldier tried to aim at Malcolm. Malcolm shot the soldier in the face as he aimed, the face broke and he turned limp before falling. Malcolm stepped forward and placed successive shots in two officers as a private fell to the floor, panicking. Malcolm shot both officers in the head as he passed them; the private fumbled to stand and pull his pistol out. ¡°D-DON¡¯T MAKE ME DO THIS, MAJOR!!¡± Malcolm¡¯s head sunk, still staring as he walked over. Malcolm smashed the pistol¡¯s grip into the private¡¯s eye socket, collapsing the soldier into the door. Malcolm then tugged at the Private¡¯s helmet strap and fired his pistol twice. Malcolm threw the Private across the floor; he skidded through blood and fell limp. The Private quickly squirmed to his feet while croaking blood out his mouth, Malcolm whistled as he opened the door to the next room where a fire team of five soldiers held their positions. Malcolm was shielded by the door and the Undead Private roared as he charged through it. Malcolm heard the squad panic and as every rifle opened fire, Malcolm loaded his last pistol magazine. Every rifle emptied and the zombie thudded against the floor; Malcolm bolted though the open doorway and rapidly fired his pistol atop a classroom desk. The loyalist squad was busy reloading, and Malcolm shot the Sergeant in the neck and another through his Kevlar. Now there were two Berserkers in the classroom, and they were trying to grasp at any of their former comrades. In the panic, Malcolm sprinted across the desks unabated before hoping in front of the door leading to the next hallway. Malcolm exited the classroom just after a platoon rushed past, they split up down different hallways while screaming for non-combatants to evacuate. Malcolm saw the double-door to the entrance lobby and pushed through them, he looked around and found only a chain pile to make use of. Malcolm quickly tied the chain around both door handles as a flood of officers and technicians were fleeing down the main hall. He pulled a tight thread in time to step back, the crowd of noncombatants smashed into the door; their faces expressed panicked desperation through the windows. Malcolm arched his back as he inhaled sharply; the sound of machine gun fire pierced from the outside. Suddenly, Malcolm heard rifles cranking and orders being shouted as more double doors flung open. The dots from a score of laser sights shined at him as the platoon stepped inside, all trembling as they fanned out. As he investigated every set of eyes, a familiar voice commanded, ¡°Hold fire!¡± Malcolm saw Caleb ¡®Bullet Tarry¡¯ Garth; he held his fist firm to signal the squad as he aimed his rifle. Malcolm felt his eyes sting as the spattered blood leaked through his brows; he used a single, stained hand to brush off his face. Garth¡¯s eyes darted from the drips of falling blood to the banging doors tied shut; the screams behind amplified before gradually turning to indecipherable shrieks. ¡°Say something, Major.¡± Malcolm stared at the pooling red beneath him. Slowly clenching a grin, he looked back at Garth with his eyes stabilized. ¡°¡­Everything¡¯s going to be okay¡­¡± He shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re all infected.¡± All the grunts in the platoon looked at each other helplessly. Garth squinted as he listened to the ravenous shrieks. ¡°Well then¡­fuck.¡± Malcolm spit a collection around his lips. ¡°What¡¯s the sitrep?¡± ¡°Our little coup would be a hit if it weren¡¯t for the corpses springing to life.¡± Garth answered. ¡°Is the fighting Island wide?¡± ¡°By now? It will be.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°And the Bellevue Zone?¡± Garth shrugged. ¡°Not that I know of.¡± ¡°Well let¡¯s find out then.¡± Malcolm sneered. ¡°Contact the Cavalry Regiments and get us airlifted out.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s on your authority?¡± Malcolm gleamed. ¡°It is now.¡± Garth smiled. ¡°Well done.¡± He looked at one of his soldiers. ¡°You heard the man, make the call!¡± The clawing against the chained doors became ravenously louder. Garth strode forward, and fired a shot that shattered the door¡¯s glass. He then used the broken frame as a mantle for his rifle, free firing through the door. A score of screaming heads burst apart from the barrage. Two grunts approached Malcolm, hesitating to nudge him by the arms. ¡°This way sir.¡± Malcolm stepped outside to see every watchtower around the fenced perimeter blazing the night. All along the fence line, soldiers stood and valiantly shot the face of anything that came clawing against it. Malcolm was brought to a clearing in the parking lot, where a headshot soldier lay every several feet. A squadron of chinook helicopters appeared from the sky. Malcolm was escorted first into the nearest; two squads followed him. Near the cockpit, Malcolm peered his stained head over, ¡°Hey.¡± The pilot was nearly mortified. ¡°¡­Nelson, Sir?¡± ¡°Give me the radio; patch me to all channels.¡± The pilot did so as the hatch sealed, and Malcolm held the speaker as they took off. ¡°This is Malcolm Nelson, broadcasting to all units. Mercer Island is falling; command staff is dead or M.I.A. All remaining forces retreat to the Bellevue Zone. Be advised, everyone who dies is turning Berserker. I repeat, everyone who dies is turning. Absolutely no wounded are to be evacuated to Bellevue, bite or no bite. To all units stationed in Bellevue, seal the civilian centers until clearances can be given. Nelson out.¡± Chapter 43: Posthumous Stability ¡°The point is...there ain¡¯t no point...¡±- Cormac McCarthy An alarm from a digital wristwatch woke Malcolm, who silenced it while shedding the REM sleep; the time was seven-twenty. He rose from a full-sized bed inside a hotel room and marked the calendar for the new day: June 1st. He unfolded the window drapes and crossed the room with the morning sun beaming through. He dressed inside three minutes, dawning a basic set of camo trousers under a buttoned camo shirt. As he rinsed his teeth with high-alcohol mouthwash, he stared into his calm reflection in the mirror with a shaved head and clean face; Malcolm¡¯s eyes were stilled. He equipped his utility belt and placed a military cap on his head, in time for a knock on his door. Malcolm opened it to the newly promoted Jason ¡®No-Nut McGee¡¯ Price, who was accompanied by his flank of officers who all saluted Malcolm. ¡°At ease.¡± Price dropped his salute, ¡°The round ups were finished overnight sir.¡± Malcolm cupped his hands, ¡°Pass the Congrats to the other Majors, Price. Take me to them.¡± Price nodded. ¡°Follow us.¡± Malcolm was escorted outside, where a carpool of army vehicles sat by gas pumps. He sat in an ATV¡¯s passenger seat, and they drove through a city street with checkpoint fences at every intersection. Getting waved through each one dragged the trip for an hour. The ATV stopped in a parking lot outside of a police station, Malcolm stepped out first with his convoy escort. He waved down the salutes from the patrol guards as the escort opened the doors for him. Behind the entrance desk, more technicians stood to salute Malcolm. ¡°At ease.¡± He stated. The double doors swung open, and Kenneth Johnson stepped out with two lieutenants at his side. ¡°Good to see you, sir.¡± Johnson spoke. ¡°Take me to the holding cells.¡± Malcolm ordered. Johnson smiled. ¡°We squeezed them all into one, as requested.¡± Inside the next hallway, Malcolm was escorted to the station¡¯s drunk tank. The single holding cell contained over two scores of prisoners still in army uniforms. They wore badges indicating their ranks as colonels or majors; others were members of the State Legislature. Malcolm, with a hanging head, dragged a metal chair before the bars and sat with a toothless grin as he stared at each face inside the drunk tank. A Brigadier General ran up to the bars and almost throttled them as he began to shout. "Let us out now Nelson!" Malcolm clicked a tongue. "Careful now...before my boys mistake you for the Dead." The Brigadier General spat at Malcolm''s boot, which rested on a second chair. "Trying to get me sick?" Malcolm slyed. "I think you already are!" The general barked, "What did you do to the Zone?!" Malcolm shrugged. "It''s so ''chaotic'' out there that we have you secured..." A former State Senator stepped forward, pulling the brigadier general from the bars. "Nelson?" "Ranks are ceremonial. Call me Malcolm." The Senator nodded. "Why are you doing this Malcolm?" Malcolm tapped his hand on his lap. "Because you failed to adapt to the world''s change...the pack picked a new Alpha." The senator gripped the cell bars. "What did what we did to keep order-" "And I don''t fault you for that..." Malcolm nodded. "Which means you can understand why the boys taking orders got fed up?" The Senator nodded. "Why then do you think you;ve found yourself in this postition?" Malcolm asked. "The Best of Us reduced to the bottom of the food chain?" The air was sucked out of the room. "...You don''t have to do this..." Malcolm smiled and closed his eyes. "I''ve heard those words alot. It''s okay...I get it. Your holding on to something and who the fuck am I to take it away?" "What do you mean?" Malcolm shrugged. "Im not going to kill you...you can''t stay here but the least I could do is let you hold on until all of you is gone." The Senator almost breathed relief. "What do you mean by that?" Malcolm stood abruply. "You...the best of society, will either die out there, or all that you are will be stripped bear...and when that happens? You''ll realize that I was always ahead of the curve. Passed that point? You''ll wish I never showed mercy today." A set of keys appeared in Malcolm''s hands and he unlocked the cell door. The Senator looked at Malcolm, trembling as the crowd gathered behind him. "Thank you..." "I know..." Malcolm shook his hand as Johnson''s soldiers stepped into the drunk tank. "Give them vehicles to take off in, small rations as well. That''s it!" The squad nodded. Then one of them flinched as the brigadier general grabbed Malcolm''s throat with a tight clench. "YOU TREACHEROUS SHIT!" Malcolm allowed the general to push into him, smiling as the push became a drag. Malcolm now weaved hinself atop the general with his bowie knife already drawn; he plunged the blade inside the general''s heart and with both hands pressing. After a sick crack. and a spatter of blood, the general gurgled and began trying to snap at Malcolm. He kept the throat pinned and pulled out his gun to fire a round through the Berserker''s skull.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The whole room was panicked and the Senator had collapsed onto the ground. As he hyperventilated, someone screamed "WHY!?" "Stand down and get these people out of our city!" Malcolm shouted at his soldiers. He panted and he sat beside the dead general, before making eye contact with the Senator. "You''re fucking insane!" The senator screamed. Malcolm stood and tiptoed around the pooling blood. "That''s not true anymore... I know that this is tragic. I get why he acted out; he couldn''t take it...I don''t blame him. Becoming me is no fate for anyone..." The Troops began to corall the prisioners as Johnson stepped forward. cocking a grin at them. "Best not piss us off before we''ve let you out." ''Cool it, Kenny." Malcolm smeared the blood across the floor as he grinded his boot. ¡°Get Kemper on the line.¡± Kenneth pulled his walkie out as the squad marched, the prisoners outside. ¡°Kemper, come in.¡± ¡°I¡¯m hearing you, over.¡± ¡°I¡¯m passing over to Nelson.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the status on our volunteers?¡± Malcolm asked. ¡°First scouts have landed at the Port Zone; they¡¯re setting up and waiting on the rest to move in.¡± "I''m giving the green light. Start the landings." ¡°Yes sir.¡± Kemper signed off. Malcolm passed the walkie back to Kenneth. ¡°Get me on a chopper.¡± ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°We''re done if we don¡¯t pull this off.¡± Malcolm stared blankly. ¡°I¡¯m not waiting on others to do it.¡± Kenneth nodded. This way sir.¡± Together, they walked down the hallway; Malcolm strode along with focused eyes while anticipating success or failure. *** Malcolm¡¯s Black Hawk landed in a tiny park which was formerly public, it rested on a miniature peninsula jutting into Lake Washington. He stepped out of the helicopter and was escorted through a forward outpost established throughout the parking lots and tree lines. When Malcolm looked to the sun-shined lake behind them, dozens of boats were making landings and depositing scores of soldiers while others unloaded supplies. Malcolm was led to the perimeter of the park, facing the city zone. Each side of the path held tents and posts where individual squads lined up to receive their ammo slings. Malcolm came upon Alan ¡®Da Cow¡¯ Williams, who was assembling the platoons at the park¡¯s gated fence. He noticed Malcolm, ¡°Sir!¡± Malcolm kept his eyes on the buildings dotting the forward perimeter. ¡°Did the scouts clear those?¡± Williams looked over. ¡°I thought of that when we got here. Squads have swept most of them.¡± Malcolm nodded. ¡°Take everyone here and back them up. Take posts at every second-floor window upward and block all the stairwells.¡± Williams nodded. ¡°Yes sir.¡± He looked at the companies. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± At boulevard intersections just beyond the fences, rows of soldiers were assembling into lines while Williams¡¯ soldiers hustled and splintered into groups. Malcolm, to the surprise of his escort, crossed to one of the quartermaster posts near the fence. Without a word, he pointed to a rack behind the sergeant and nodded to. Malcolm was given a machete, serrated on the edges and sharp at the tip. ¡°Sir?¡± Kenneth asked. Malcolm looked at him. ¡°Everyone grab theirs.¡± He coldly marched past the gate of the forward fence as the escort confusedly armed themselves for melee. Malcolm signaled for his escort to splinter to the different intersections as he crossed to the largest road. As the technicians by a streetlamp were activating a set of high-tech drones, they nodded at Malcolm and signaled to the other technician groups. The captain of the street intersection noticed Malcolm¡¯s approach and ran to salute. ¡°At ease.¡± Malcolm blurted. There was an estimate of seventy soldiers behind the captain, half were equipped with riot shields and basic combat knives while the rest had longer blades in hand; all wore camo trousers and military boots, yet their uniforms were substituted for firefighter leather. The masses noticed Malcolm as he walked the perimeter; their fearful eyes indicated their begging him for a speech of reassurance. Malcolm paused while the company stared: ¡°...If you want a savior, you¡¯ll get none. If you want an answer, then ponder how it ends. Because my mouth is a talking point, and it¡¯s nothing you haven¡¯t heard before. But I can show you how to move along because this is where you¡¯ve found yourselves. Look back if you choose, but you better be going forward with the rest because nothing that you wish is here.¡± Malcolm held firm as the soldiers nodded slowly. ¡°Get the shield wall together now!¡± In droves, the riot shields were assembled by the heaviest muscled soldiers, while the rest took position on their flanks. Malcolm looked to the other intersections, receiving the hand signals from Kenneth and his other officers that the companies were prepared. Malcolm pulled out his walkie, ¡°Williams, are you and the garrisons positioned?¡± ¡°Everyone¡¯s checked in.¡± Williams stated. ¡°I¡¯m about to bring them in.¡± Malcolm ordered. ¡°Hold fire until I give the word.¡± ¡°Yes sir. Good Luck.¡± Malcolm switched to his technicians¡¯ frequency. ¡°Everyone is ready; bring the Horde in.¡± A moment later, countless scores of drones were hovering over the intersections and flying down the streets. The rhythm was synchronically amplified by the drone¡¯s speakers until the music was engulfing the air. Malcolm held unblinking eyes on the intersection ahead of him as the chorus was led to. The Berserkers came individually from the turns in the street, one at first before small groups. Few turned their heads to Malcolm¡¯s position, and their roar brought the attention of the rest. The ravenous corpses started sprinting with all their cold faces empty except for dripping blood and fleshy teeth. The raves of the Undead were smothered by the loud music which drew them in. The first to smash against the company¡¯s shield wall was easily held at bay while it mindlessly snapped, face pressing to them. Malcolm stepped over to swing his machete downward and sunk it deep into the berserker¡¯s scalp. He effortlessly yanked his machete and the corpse fell. ¡°Hold your ground and thin them out!¡± As more berserkers collided with the formation, other soldiers took part in piercing skulls. Now, Malcolm could see wider packs of the Undead streaming from the streets and within the buildings; they started coalescing into the Horde. Malcolm already pulled out his walkie, ¡°FIRE AT WILL!¡± Every pop from the surrounding windows came in single-fire settings; as they became an indiscernible orchestra, the bullets rained upon the berserkers from a high trajectory. In escalating scores, the Undead were collapsing with headshots as more scores were tripped by falling bodies; hundreds were endlessly pouring into the charging horde and their stomps rhythms with the music. ¡°¡­Cause I''m still Standing after all this time... ...Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind...¡± With the clash of the horde against the shield wall, the flanking soldiers began to stab the Dead as a chain reaction. Malcolm did his part to stab and hack between the slits in the wall while the soldiers taking point stabbed beneath dead chins. The Berserkers flailed and fell in tune with the spray of blackened blood. The corpses piled beneath their feet as the view through the shields were blotted with coagulated black. Malcolm tapped his earpiece for the company¡¯s frequency, ¡°FIRST PUSH! NOW!¡± The shielded formation shoved the berserkers back and took two steps over the fallen dead. The shields were planted, and the flanking troops followed with, together they continued hacking the horde until it seemed to be thinning. The street¡¯s horizon contained hundreds of head-shattered corpses, mystifying their surroundings with black as more were shot and joined with. Even as more berserker¡¯s joined the horde, the formation held strong. The bodies started piling up again as the black pooled around them. ¡°SECOND PUSH! NOW!¡± The next advance was made as the trail of death could only be left behind. Chapter 44: Epilogue The garage was a musty scene of darkness and grime; Liam Nelson was strumming away on his amplified guitar as he stood over a foot activated switchboard. Standing in a multi-colored haze, his eighteen-year disposition reflected the light with his vitals. With clicking switches, two of his friends became visible on their respective instruments, a bass, and a drum set. The final light glowed on a ten-year-old Malcolm who kept his eyes shut while following the rhythm to the post-chorus. ¡°¡­Feel the ocean blue¡­Engulfing you! ¡­I view the deep blue sea¡­It¡¯s turning red, right in front of me!¡± Then the door to the house opened abruptly with their dad¡¯s head peering into the garage. ¡°Liam.¡± He calmly called. Everyone paused with the lights still flashing. ¡°Your mother is having another one of her episodes.¡± He spoke only to Liam with a dejected tone. Liam blinked and sighed. ¡°What is she doing?¡± ¡°She¡¯s talking tuition with that college you¡¯re choosing to go to.¡± Dad answered. Liam rubbed his chin. ¡°So, she needs me to come get her.¡± Their Dad pursed his lips. ¡°Yes, considering how you should¡¯ve gone with; I got buddies coming over and I¡¯m not losing that on her account.¡± Liam rubbed his face. ¡°Got it, Dad.¡± The man winked. ¡°That¡¯s my boy.¡± He shut the door. Liam removed his guitar and set it against his amplifier. ¡°That¡¯s life for you.¡± He said to his friends. ¡°I¡¯ll drop you guys off on the way.¡± One gathered his things while following the other into the kitchen to retrieve a backpack. Malcolm stood with a dropping chin after Liam had already noticed him. He circled to a tool chest in the center and motioned for his brother to come. Little Malcolm approached and he sat beside his elder brother, who gave Malcolm space from across while leaning in attentively. Liam allowed Malcolm a pause to speak first, always allowing him his sense of independence. After Malcolm said nothing, Liam¡¯s smile remained genuine and finally spoke, ¡°You¡¯re getting better every day, buddy.¡± Little Malcolm looked at Liam yet avoided eye contact. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­they¡¯re just words.¡± He turned his head. ¡°I can¡¯t do what you can yet.¡± Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Liam allowed his brother¡¯s mind to wander where he wanted before he answered. ¡°There¡¯s no long road that you gotta walk down just to become something else. The world is always going to come to you, and you¡¯ll always change with it, but you¡¯re always going to be who you are; that¡¯s what makes the ideas learned yours to give back.¡± Malcolm finally looked Liam in the eyes. Before he could speak, Liam¡¯s two friends barged into the garage with their stuff, ¡°Let¡¯s go, dude!¡± One spoke while the other opened the garage shutter. Liam pulled out his keys and tossed them over. ¡°Get in, I¡¯m coming.¡± Malcolm looked forlorn while Liam turned back to him. The child stammered, ¡°Please let me go with.¡± Liam blinked sorrowfully. ¡°I¡¯m coming back.¡± ¡°You¡¯re moving out soon!¡± Malcolm cracked. ¡°I¡¯m always coming back for you buddy.¡± His brother smiled. ¡°And when you get to move out, we¡¯ll have your bunk waiting in the studio.¡± One of his friends peered from outside the open shutter. ¡°Yo! Let¡¯s go!¡± Liam stood, looking back at Malcolm, he tilted his resting guitar as he exited. ¡°I¡¯ll start teaching you proper once I¡¯m home.¡± Liam Nelson exited the open shutter beneath black storm clouds. Malcolm sat with his arm barely reached out and he felt the coursing sense of hollow ice. He continued to sit alone in the darkened garage with his eyes turning from the closed shutters to the door, he could see his father¡¯s shadow moving in the light shining beneath. Malcolm waited for the shadow to move before he could enter the house. He felt something crawling upon his fingers which sat on the tool chest, Malcolm had no response as the long legs crawled. He finally looked down to see a Golden-Brown Tarantula crawling up his arm, the boy moved his other hand to let it crawl on his fingers where it would sit still. Malcolm inspected the creature as he crossed to a tool desk against the wall, and let it walk across the wood. The spider scurried back and forth on top of the desk as the child¡¯s eyes turned to a set of thin nails beside pliers... ¡­The garage shutter opened behind Malcolm; he turned to see the day shining him blind, the silhouette of Liam grew to tower above, and the child could only see Liam smiling at him¡­ Malcolm¡¯s eyes brightened and his grin flashed widely. Liam placed a hand on Malcolm¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Now where did we leave off kiddo?¡± The delightful Malcolm sniffled as he turned his head to the guitar. ¡°¡­You mentioned the Circle of Fifths once¡­¡± Liam motioned his brother over, and together they sat down as he picked the guitar up. Liam started to tune the strings, a amplified static echoed the garage with Malcolm enthralled by Liam testing the tune. The static muffled a growing collection of howls emanating from everywhere outside the garage; a stampede of pounding feet carried the curdling screaming to a deafening frequency before nails were clawing into the walls. Two brothers had no knowledge of the light being clogged by running silhouettes; they were oblivious to the coming ravenous.