“How elsedoyouthinktheypaidforthatfancymaternity ward?”Alexmaintainedhissnarkygrin.“Theirexcusewasthat theoutsideparkingwasfree,theyonlychargedforusingthe parkinggarage.Itwasaloadofbull,that’swhatitwas.Itwasn’t enoughtochargehundredsofdollarsforbasicpractice,ohno; theyhadtostartchargingthevisitorstoo!”
“Ididn’tthinkyou’dhavesuchastrongopiniononthematter, Alex.”Mitchelllaughedandglancedthroughthewindows.“Do youseeyourtruckanywhere?”
“Ihaven’tevenbeenlooking.”Alexturnedtostareoutintothe garage.“It’sanolderpickup,brightred.Thetailgateisblack.”He glancedaround.“Areweonthethirdfloor?”
“Notyet,thisisthesecond.Figureditwouldbeeasiertostart heresinceyouseemedunsure.”Mitchellstoppedthevehicleand glancedaroundagain.“Someonedidsomecleanupthroughhere. I’veseenacouplebodies,butnolivinginfected.”Heslowly pressedonandturnedthecorner.Thevehicletiltedasitclimbed uptherampthatwaslabeledwithaboldnumberthree.
“It’sactuallyprettydarkuphere.”Alexlookedupatthe ceiling.“Yeah,mostofthelightsaren’tworking.” “Thatjustmeanswe’llneedtoreallybecareful.”Mitchell continuedhislightpressonthepedal.“Isthatyourtruck,back thereinthecorner?”
“No,blacktailgate.”Alexshookhishead.Heleanedforward andstaredaroundineachdirection.“Keepgoing,please.”His statementmadeitseem likeMitchellhadanyotherchoice.
“Idon’tlikeithere,misterMitchell.It’stoodark.”Lilly’svoice wavered.“Canwegohome?” “It’salright,Lilly.”Mitchellglancedbackather.“Don’tbe scared.Iknow it’sdarkandabitfrightening,butwe’llbeOK.”He smiled.
“Areyousure?”Lillypoutedassheaskedherquestion.
“Yeah,I’m sure.”Hereachedhishandbackandpattedherleg. “Nothing’sgoingtohappentoyou,Ipromise.”
“Hey,Mitch,stopthecar!”Alex’stonewasdirectand demanding.“Doyouhaveaflashlight?” “Yeah,there’soneintheglovebox.”Mitchellturnedtolook throughthewindshield.“Whathappened?WhatdidImiss?”Alex pulledthegloveboxopenandgrabbedthelong,metaltube.
“Therewasmovement.”Alexrolledthewindow onhissideof thevehicledownandleanedout.Hepointedtheflashlightout intothegarage.Thebright,yellow,circleoflightpenetratedthe darknessthathadtakenresidenceinbetweenvariousshapes andsizesofmotorvehicle.ItshiftedslowlyasAlexmovedhisarm tosweepthesmallareainfrontofthem.Thelightseemedto revealnothingoutoftheordinary,andcertainlynomovement.“I swearIsaw someone.”
“Itmayhavebeenyourbraintryingtofillinthegaps.” Mitchellshrugged.“Withhow darkandquietitisinhere,I wouldn’tbesurprised.”
“Probably…”Alexkepthiseyespeeringoutintotheparked cars.MaybeMitchellwasright;theentiredayhadbeenfullof random happenings,andnoneofthem werekind.Itwasn’t impossiblethathisbrainwasfillingemptyspaceswithactivity duetolegitimateparanoia.Alexglancedfrom lefttorightone moretimetosatisfyhiscuriosity,ifnothingelse.Hepausedhis sweepingstareonsomethingthatseemedoutofplace.Despite seeingtheoutlineoftheobjectandseeingthatitwasreflective, hisbrainwasunabletoplaceaproperdescriptiononthe anomaly.Heliftedtheflashlightoncemoreandmovedhishand topressthepowerswitch.Asthelightflickedon,therewasa loudsoundthatbouncedaroundtheconcretewalls.Thesound wasfollowedbyasuddenrushofair,thentheringingofmetal hittingmetal.Alex’shandfeltthesuddenjoltastheflashlight flew from hishand,thevibrationwasalmostunbearable.The flashlightflew backwardwithastrongpropulsionandsmacked againsttherearofthevehiclebeforelandingontheconcrete. “Mitch,thatwas–”Alex’sexclamationwascutshortbyanother bang.Thisexplosionwasfollowedbythesoundoftheside-view mirrorburstingintoanuncountablenumberofglassandplastic shards.“Go!”AlexscreamedatMitchell.Thiswasenoughforhim toslam hisfootonthegaspedalandcausethevehicletojerk forwardinaroughmotion.Thecarrushedtowardthesourceof theprojectiles,thenmadeahardturntotheleftandupthenext ramp.Mitchellkepthisfootpressedfirmlydownand
“IseveryoneOK?”Mitchelllookedbackatthetwogirls,bothof them werebreathingquicklyandlookingaroundinconfusion. “Areeitherofyouhurt?”
“No,we’refine.”Ciaraspokeuptorespond.“Whatwasthat?” “Thatwasahigh-poweredrifle.”AlexglancedoveratMitchell. “Keepgoing.Parkitinanemptyspot.”
“Alex,wecan’tparkandwaitforthisguytocomeupwith gunsblazing!”Mitchell’stoneincreased. “We’rekindoftrappedhere,Mitch.”Alexpointedforward.“You can’texitbygoingup!We’regoingtohavetomakeamovehere. Wehavetotaketheoffensive,otherwisewe’rescrewed.”
“Yeah,but…”MitchellglancedbackatLillyandCiara,then backtoAlex.
“Don’tworry,Mitchell.Ihavenointentiononlettinganything happentothem.“AlexSmiledbackatCiara. “Youbetterhaveaplan,Alex.”Mitchellpressedlightlyonthe acceleratoroncemoreandcontinuedforward.Thecarshot forwardbeyondtherampandintothemostlyemptyfloorofthe parkinggarage.Mitchellstaredaroundatalltheemptyspots, therewasn’tmuchinwaysofcover.“WhereshouldIpark?We shouldn’tjuststopoutintheopen.”
“Topfloor,lethim thinkhe’scorneredus.Ifhebelieveshehas theupper-hand,he’llprobablygetcareless.”Alex'svoicehada senseofdetermination.“Onceheletshisguarddown,we’lltake him down.”Mitchellcontinuedontothefifthfloorandstopped justpassedtheramp.“Alright,parkit.”Alexpointedovertoan emptyspotneartherampentrance.Mitchellcontinuedintothe spotandstoppedthecaroncemore.
“Yes,sir…”Mitchelshiftedthecarintoparkandkilledthe engine.“Now,what?”Alexopenedhisdoorandsteppedoutofthe vehicle.“OK,Iguessthat’swhat.”MitchellfollowedAlex’slead andexited.
“You’rearmed,right?”Alexpulledhishandgunfrom hisside. “Yeah.”Mitchellpulledhishandgunaswell.“Buthe’sgota rifle,right?Asin,long-range,high-caliber,designedtotake targetsoutinonehit?”
“Two-on-onethough,Mitchell.Pluswe’vegotthehigh ground.”Alexopenedthebackdooronthepassengerside.“Ciara, youandLillyneedtogetoutandheadbehind…”Hestared aroundthelotandpausedonalargevanafew carsdown. “There.”Hepointed.“Bothofyougohideattherearofthatvan. Keepyourbackstotheconcreteandstaylow.”
“Alex,Idon’tliketheideaofthem notbeingnearus.” “Idon’teither,butI’dratherthem beafew carsdownand awayfrom whoeverthispsychois.”AlexhelpedCiarafrom the car.“Ciara,keephercalm andcollected,OK?”Alexglancedupat Mitchell;hecouldtellthathehadaproblem withthissituation. WhileheagreedwithMitchell,Alexdidn’tseeanyotheroption giventhecircumstances.
“Gotit.”CiaranoddedandgrabbedLilly’shandtohelpherout ofthecar.“Comeon,Lilly.” “OK.”Shequietlyagreedandhoppeddown.Thetwoofthem steppedasquicklyastheycouldtowardthelargewhitevanand thenmovedtotheback.Alexwatchedthem tomakesurethey weresafe,thenturnedbacktowardMitchellandnodded.
“Alright,Mitch,we’vegottabepreparedforthis.Whoeverthis nutjobis,he’sadamngoodshot.” “How so?”Mitchellstaredwithaconfusedlook.“Heshotat youtwiceand,from whatIcantell,you’redoingjustfine.Ifthis guywasagoodshot,Idon’tthinkyouandIwouldbehavingthis conversation.”
“Oh,youknow,acouple.”Mitchellstaredoffintothedistance. “Tobehonestthough,mostofthem aredead.”Heturnedtolook backatAlex.“Yourself?”
“I’vebeenathome.”Alexshookhishead.“TheonlyenemiesI madewereallshotinmylivingroom andburnedwithmyhouse.” ThelookonMitchell’sfacewasenoughtotellAlexthathe misinterpretedhisstatement.“No,Mitch,theywereallinfected. Therewasn’tanyoneinmyhouseotherthanthefew infectedthat Itookout.”Mitchellshookhisheadandstaredbackbehindthe vehicle.
“Whyisthisguytakingsolong?”Mitchellheldhisfingeron thetriggerofhishandgun.“Ifthisisgoingtohappen,I’drather justgetitoverwith.”
“Agreed.”Alexsteppedbacktothesideofthecarandstared overtowardtheramp.“Iknow hehadacouplefloorstowalkup, buthe’ssuretakinghissweettime.”HelookedtowardMitchell andmotionedforhim tostayput.Mitchellnoddedandcrouched down,watchingAlexashecreptaway.Alexcontinuedtowardthe rampandstoppedagainstthewall.Hepausedan
dthoughtabout thesituation;iftheshooterwasontheramp,andhelookedpast thewall,therewasagoodpossibilitythathewouldjustbegiving him theshot.Ifthisguywasjusttoyingwiththem anddidintend tokillthem all,thatwouldbeabadidea.Theothersideofthis situationwasthepossibilitythatthisguydidn’twanttokill them.Maybeitwasallamisunderstandingandheshotatthem inself-defense,orjustasareflex.Maybehedidn’tshoottokill becausehewasn’tapsychoticmurderer,justscared.Withhow everythingwasgoing,Alexwouldn’tblamesomeoneforhavinga ‘shootfirst,thenaskquestions’mentality,evenifitwashim beingshotat.Thebiggestissuewiththistheorywasthefactthat hewasveryclearinhismessagethathecould’vekilledAlex withoutquestion.Ifthispersonwasjusttryingtostandtheir groundandfireawarningshot,whywouldtheyfireitsocloseto anotherpersonwhenthegroundorceilingwouldhavehadthe sameeffect.Thesoundofagungoingoffwouldhavelikelybeen enoughtogetthem togoaway;theydidn’thavetoshootthe flashlightfrom hishandortakeouttheside-view mirror.No,that wasintentional;thiswasapersonalassault.
Alexquicklyranpastthewallandacrosstheramp.Ashe steppedintotheopenareabetweenthetwoconcretebarriers,the soundofariflereleasingitsroundechoedthroughthegarage. Themetalroundshotuptherampandricochetedoffthe concretefloorbyAlex’sfeetasherananddovebehindtheother walloftheramp.Hestoppedandtookadeepbreath,hisheart waspumpingfasterthanithadinalongtimeandtheadrenaline wascoursingrapidlythroughhisveins.Hischestroseandfell rapidlyasthesweatbeadeduponhisforehead.Beforehecould getcomfortablewithhisnew location,anotherexplosionrang from therampandsnappedalargepieceofconcretefrom the barricade.Thesmallchunksofrockflew outintothegarageand madeclickingnoisesastheyfoundtheirnew homesonthe ground.Alexcontinuedforwardandtookhisnew coverby anothervehiclethatwasleftbehind.Therewereseveralmore secondsofsilencebeforeanythingelsehadhappened.Alex’seyes shotovertothebackwallwheretherewasthedingingnoiseofa bell.Theelevatoropenedtorevealamanstandinginit;Alex’s eyeslockedontotheriflethathewasholding.Alexliftedhis handgunandpointedtowardthemanintheelevator.Thetwoof them meteyesasAlexpulledthetrigger;themandoveforward andranbehindthewall.Hepointedhisgunaroundthecorner towardAlexandreleasedseveralroundsinhisdirection.Allthree missedtheirtargetastheypiercedthemetalandshatteredthe windowsonthevehiclebehindAlex.
“Mitch!There’stwoofthem!Theotheroneisarmedwitha rifleaswell!”AlexshoutedtheinformationtowardMitchell. “Areyouhit?”MitchellshoutedhisquestioninreturntoAlex’s statement. “Negative!He’snotasgoodashot!”Thisstatementwouldhave beenpromisinghadthesituationnotjustturnedintotwomen withriflesandnothingtolosefiringontwomenwithhandguns tryingtoprotecttwoyounggirls.“He’satthebackwall!Watch theramp!”AlexshoutedtowardMitchellandstooduptorunas fastashecouldtowardanothervehiclethatwasclosertowhere helastsaw thesecondgunman.Hestoppedandlookedoverthe car.Anotherprojectileflew towardhim,butsmackedintothe hoodofthecar.Alextookabreathandliftedhimself,pointinghis weaponattheotherman.Hepulledthetriggertwice,oneround smashedtheconcrete,buttheotherhititsmarkastheman screamedinagony.
“Youalright,Alex?”Mitchellshoutedoutinresponsetothe scream. “Thatwasn’tme.IthinkIgothim inthearm!”Alex’s celebratorystatementwascutoffbyseveralmoreroundsflying inhisdirection,notasingleonehititstarget.Thegunmanwas clearlyfiringbackinfrustrationwithnocareaboutwhathehit. Severalroundshittheparkedvehicles,causingmetaltocrunch inwardandglasstoshatterinalldirections.Alexkepthimselfas smallaspossiblebehindhiscover,hewasn’tgoingtobeableto makeamovewiththisguyshootingeverythinginfrontofhim. Throughtheroundsthatwereflyinginfrontofhim heheard anothershotbeingtakenfrom thedirectionoftheramp.Despite thelackoffocusofthesecondgunman,theplantheyhadmade wasworking.MitchellwasononesideofthewallandAlexwas ontheother,theyweresplitupandbothwerebeingtargetedby oneofthegunman.“Dammit,Ishouldn’thavecomeoverhere.”
“Ican’tmove,Alex.He’sgotmepinneddown!”Mitchell returnedfiretowardtheramp,hittingthewall.Anotherround flew pastMitchell’sheadandintotheworldbeyondthewindow of thegarage.Mitchellstaredoutthewindow andatthebuildings acrosstheway;therewasnomotionintheoutsideworld.The onlyactioninthecitywasintheparkinggarageofthehospital, onthefifthfloorand,ofcourse,Mitchellwasstuckinthemiddle ofit.Heclosedhiseyes;hehadtomoveawayfrom theescape vehiclebeforethisguyblew thetiresoutordestroyedsomething needed.Heturnedhisheadtolookatthecarsbesidehim.“I reallywishDarrenwashere…”Mitchellmadehiscomment quietlyandjumpedovertothesmallgapbetweenthesmallgreen sedanandthewall.Anotherroundflew from therampand smashedthewindshieldofthecar,thenflew outthroughtherear windshield.Mitchellrepeatedthisactionontothenextcar, makinghiswayclosertowherethegirlswerehiding.
Alexstareduptowardthebackwall;thesecondgunmanhad stoppedfiring.ThismeantoneofthreethingstoAlex;hewas hurtmorethanAlexthought,hewasintendingtoworkwiththe othergunmantoflankMitchellandtakehim out,orhewasgoing forthegirls.Thefirstonewasthepreferredsituation,butwas unlikely.Alexstoodandrantowardthebackwall,stayingas closetotheconcreteashecould.Hereachedthecornerandtook aquicklookaround.Therewasnoonethere.
“Mitchell,numbertwoisheadingyourway.“Alexshoutedout inhopestogettheshooter’sattentionordissuadehim from continuingtowardthegirls.
“Ihearyou,Alex.”Mitchellhadaslightsoundofdesperation inhisvoice.Alexkeptgoingalongthebackwallthenpauseda secondtime.
“Mitchell,Ineedyoutomove,man!” “No,IthoughtIwouldjuststayrighthere!”Mitchellmovedhis headtolookbacktowardtheramp.Itwassilent,therewereno shotsbeingfiredinhisdirection.Hecontinuedtomoveslowly behindthecarsasbesthecould.
“Dad!”Ciarascreamedoutindistress.“Dad,help!”Alex’s heartbegantopoundashelookedaroundthecorner,hecouldn’t seethegirlsfrom wherehewas.Hetookabreathandstepped pastthecorner.
“Mitch,comeon,wehavetogetto–”Hissentencewasstopped bythefeelingofabluntobjectsmackinghim inthebackofthe head.Hefellontotheground,theimpactwaspainful.Heslowly openedhiseyesandwatchedMitchellashewalkedinhis direction.Theworldfeltlikeitwasspinningashewatched Mitchellslowlystepforward,hisfocuswasonwhateverwasin frontofhim.Hesteppedafew moretimesbeforepausing.
“OnemorestepandIblow hisheadoff.”Afamiliarvoice stateditsdemands.“Dropyourweapon.”Mitchellkepthisaim focusedonthepersonthatwasnow standinginfrontofAlex. Alex’seyesmetthebarreloftherifle,thenslowlyclimbedupto thehandthatwasholdingthetrigger.“Isaiddropit!”Therewas anotherpause.“Look,Mitchell,youcouldshootme,butthenI shoothim.Nottomentionmypartnerovertherewillkillthegirls. Ifyouloweryourweapon,noonehastodiehere.”Alexshiftedhis dizziedstaretowardMitchell.Hesighedandloweredhishandgun downtohiswaist.“Therewego.Now,putitontheground.” Mitchellloweredthegunontotheconcrete.“Goodboy.”Alexfelta handonhisshoulder.“Iexpectedyoutobetougherthanthat, Alexander.”Alexmovedwiththedirectionthatthehandwas pushinghim.Herolledontohisbackandstaredupatthehazy imageofanotherman.“Yourememberme,rightAlex?”The familiarityofthevoicewasslowlyregisteringinAlex’shead.He blinkedafew timesandstaredup.
“Judas?”Alex’supwardinflectionindicatedhisconfusion. “JudasGrigorev?”
“Grigorev?”Mitchell’stonereflectedAlex’s.“AsinAndrei?” “Goodjob,Alex!Youdorememberme!”Judaslaughed.“Asfor you,Iknow thatyouwerewellacquaintedwithmyfather.Isn’t thatright,Mitchell?”ThelookonMitchell’sfacewasenoughto tellJudasallheneeded.“Whatafantasticreunionthisis!Iwas hopingtoseeyouagain,misterLangley.”Helookedbackupat Mitchell.“You,myfriendarejusticingonthecake.I’vewatched thetapes,Iknow allaboutyouandtheBarbers.”Hefeignedasif hewaslookingaroundMitchell.“Oh,butitlooksliketheymight nothavemadeit,huh?How sadthatis.Evenworse,theyleftyou withtheirdaughter.”
“Youshutyourdamnmouthyousonofa–”Mitchellstarted backtowardwhereJudaswasstanding.Judasraisedhisrifle andtookashot.Theprojectileblew rightpastMitchell’shead,he couldfeeltheairbeingdisruptedasitcontinuedbehindhim.He stoppedonceagain.
“Youtakeanotherstep,andthenextonedoesn’tmiss.Iwill promiseyouthat.”JudassmiledatMitchell.“Alright,now that thisisoutoftheway.”HesteppedoverAlexandkickedhis handgunofftotheside.“Whydon’tyoucomeonoutand introduceyourself,friend.”Judasshothisstatementoverto wherehispartnerwasstanding.Thegrumbledvoiceofthe secondindividualturnedintoalightchuckle.
“Oh,thatwon’tbenecessaryatall.”Themanwalkedoutfrom behindthevanandstareddirectlyatMitchell.“Willit,Kyle?” “Kyle!”Denverscreamedoutintothehallwayasloudashe possiblycould.“Kyle!Comeback!”He’dbeenlyingflat,bleeding ontothecarpetforwhatfe
ltlikeforever.“Thisjokeisn’tfunny anymore,Kyle!You’resupposedtomakemethinkyou’renotgoing tohelpme,thencomebackforme!”Histonegrew angrier. “Dammit,Kyle!Whyareyousoworthless!”Hetriedtorollover,the painwasunbearable.Hegaspedairinashardashecouldand bithislip,hewasn’tgoinganywhere.“Kyle,youreallyhurtme.I’m reallyhurthere,Ican’thardlymove.”Hisangergrew to desperationimmediately.“Please,comeback…”
Denverremainedflatonhisbackandstaredupattheceilingof thehotel.Hecouldfeelthetearsfallingfrom hiseyesandhishead wasstartingtofeellight.Heglancedaroundateachofthedoors;a billionthoughtsrushedthroughhisbrain.Someofthem made sense;‘Ihavetogetup’,‘Ican’tdiehere’.Otherswerecertain nonsenseandwerecursingKyleforvariousfailures.Everything, from theincreaseinpriceofhisfoodfrom Robin’s,tothetwo bulletsthathadrippedhisshoulderopen;allofitwasKyle’sfault.
“Well,thisisit,Denver…”Hetookadeepbreathandstared backatthelights.“Youmessedupgoodthistime,that’sforsure.” “Shutup,mama!”Denvershookhisheadashardashecould. “Thisisn’tmyfault!Iwasjusttryingtobringyouanew family! YoualwaystoldmethatIneededtohavekids!Youalwayskepton abouthow Ishouldfindawifeandgiveyouagrand-babybeforeI shriveledupanddiedinmyapartment.That’sallIwantedtodo!”
“Youtriedtokidnapachild,Denver!Youcan’tdothat!Kylewas righttoshootyou!” “Youshutyourmouth,youdisgustingoldhag!”Denveronce againshookhisheadviolently.“I’m gladIkilledyou!Nothing makesmehappierthantorememberthatdaythatIsmothered you.How longagowasthat?Forty-twoyears.That’sright,you’ve beenburninginhellforforty-twoyears.Whydon’tyoujuststay there?Whydoyouhavetokeepbotheringme?”Denversmiled wideasheclosedhiseyes.“Youknow,Irelivethatmomentwhen yourbodystoppedmovingeverymorning.Mosteight-year-oldboys can’teventietheirshoesnowadays,andIwasalreadytaking controlofmylife.”Denverlaughedquietlyasthetearskeptflowing downhischeek.Hislaughterpausedwhenheheardwhat soundedlikeadooropeningsomewhereinthehall.Heliftedhis headandlookeddown;hestruggledtomakeoutwhatthefigure was.“Kyle?Isthatyou,buddy?Iknew you’dcomebackforme…,” Hiseyesfocusedonthemanthatwasnow standingoverhim. “You’renotKyle!”