“You’reright,I’m not.”Theman’svoicewasdeepwitharough accent.“I’m adoctor,anditlookslikeyouneedsomemedical attention,friend.”
“Idon’tneedanything.Justgoaway.”Denverattemptedtosit upbutfellflatonceagain.Hepausedandstaredattheman.“You saidyou’readoctor?”
“Yes,sir.”HekneltdownandlookedattheholesinDenver’s shoulder.“Areyoufeelinglight-headedatall?You’velostadecent amountofbloodhere.”
“Ifeelalright.”Denverglancedupatthemanandgrimaced. “You’rejustakid.There’snowayyou’rearealdoctor.” “Oh,trustme,I’m arealdoctor.”Heplacedhishandbehind Denver’sleftsideandhelpedhim tositup.“YournameisDenver, yes?That’swhatthatmankeptcallingyou.”
“DenverGrant.”Hesmiled.“I’m thehostofyourdrivehome radioshow.Youprobablyknow whoIam.” “Noclue.’Themansmiledback.“I’m JudasGrigorev,I’m partof theIRU.Youprobablydon’tknow whatthatis.”
“Nope.”Denversmirkedagain.“Ilikeyou,kid.You’vegotthe attitude.”
“Well,thankyou.”Judaspulledhim onceagainandgothim to hisfeet.Heleanedhim againstthenearestwall.“Canyoustand?”
“Yeah,I’m fine.”Denvergavehim athumbsup.“So,areyou goingtocallanambulancetocomegetme?”Judasstaredathim inconfusionatthisstatement.“What?I’m guessingyoucan’tdo muchhere,soyouwouldneedtocallforbackup,right?”
“Notquite,sir.”Judasonceagainexaminedthewound.“You probablywon’tdie.Theshotsmissedmostoftheimportantstuff. Yourarm maybeuselessafterthis.”
“Goodtoknow.”Denverattemptedtomovehisrightarm and screamedinpain. “Ijustsaidthatyourarm willbe…”Judasstoppedshort;itwas prettyclearthisguywasn’tallthere.“Nevermind.Letsgetyouinto yourroom here.Thisisyourroom,right?”
“Yeah,here.”Denverheldoutakey.“Youhavemypermission toentermyroom.” “Oh…”Judasonceagainstaredathim inconfusion.“Thanks.” Hegrabbedthekeyandunlockedthedoortotheroom.Heshoved itopenandstaredintotheemptiness.Allofthefurniturehadbeen shovedtoonesideoftheroom withtheexceptionofachairthat wasplacedinfrontofthemirror,thetelevisionwasshatteredand lyingonthefloor,andachairwasstickingthroughthewindow. Everythingpointedtothefactthatthispersonwasalittleunstable.
“Room servicehasn’tbeenbyforawhile.”Denvermadehis jokeandpushedpastJudas.Heenteredtheroom andsatonthe oneremainingchair.“Ifyouhavetogotothebathroom,you’llhave togoelsewhere.Thetoiletisclogged.Icalleditin,buttheydon’t seem tocareaboutthoseofusthatspendourhard-earnedmoney ontheirworthlesslittlerooms.”Judaswalkedintotheroom and glancedtohisleft.Hissightfellintoaroom thatheassumedwas therestroom.Thefloorwasclearlycoveredinblood,therewas whatappearedtobeabloodymesssittinginthetoiletwiththe waterrunningover.Thescentofdecayrushedpasthim.
“That’squitedisturbing.”Judasmadeaslightcommentand continuedintotheroom.
“No,lookatthisthing!”Denverstoodupandwalkedovertothe smallrefrigeratorinthecorner.Hepulledthedooropenand removedwhatappearedtobeapenstabbedthroughacreature. “Thisthingwasinhermouth!Lookatthisbastard,he’salmostthe sizeofmyhand!”Judasstaredatthedeadparasitethatseemed tofascinateDenver.Hegrabbedthepenfrom hishandandstared thespecimenover.
“Yousomehow managedtocaptureacymothoaexigua.You,of allpeople,capturedoneoftheparasites…”Judaswasinastateof disbelief.“CanIaskyouhow youmanagedthis?”
“Itwasn’teasy!”Denveronceagainlaughed.“Ihadtocuther headoff andIdidn’thaveagoodknife.Thenthatbastardstarted screechingandtriedtoleechontomyarm,soIslammeditintothe trashcan.ThenIgrabbedthebagandthrew itinthefridge.AfterI knew itwasdeadIstabbeditwithapen.”
“That’salittlebarbaric,butIguessitgotthejobdone.”Judas glancedupatDenver,hehadanexcitedlookonhisfacedespite thetwobulletholesinhisarm.“You’reproudofthisaren’tyou?”
“I’m morethanproud!I’m damnproud!”Denvernearlyjumped upashegrabbedthepenfrom Judas.“How wasshenotchoking todeathonthisthing?Imeanseriously,lookathow bigitis!”
“It’slikeworkingwithachild…”Judasshookhishead.“You’ve donewell,Denver.”
“Thanks,Judas.”Denversmiledandplacedtheparasitedown onthechair.
“So,Denver,whyareyouhereinthehotel?Youdoknow that theyevacuatedthisplace,right?” “Isthatso?Thatmakessenseastowhyroom serviceisn’t comingaround.”Denvergrinnedagain.“IfollowedKyleherefrom thehospital.”
“Yeah,hetakesthingstooseriouslysometimes.”Denvershook hishead.“Anyway,Ifollowedthem herefrom thehospital.They weretakeninbysomeotherdoctor,hekindoflookedlikeyou.”
“Thatwasprobablymyfather.”Judassmirked.“He’squitethe scientist.”
“Maybe,butheisn’ttoogoodatgettingshot.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Judas’smirkfellintoanangrystare.“He hadKingwithhim,there’snowayhegotshot.” “Kingwasthebigguyinthemilitaryoutfit,right?”Denver laughed.“Yeah,hedidn’tmakeiteither.Kyle’sbuddykilled‘em both.PutapenintheneckofKingandthreeroundsinyourold man’schest.”
“No,youhavetobewrong.”Judasonceagainshookhishead. “Kingwasatrainedsoldierandthere’snowaymyfatherisdead. No…”
“Look,youcandisbelievemeallyouwant,butIsaw youdad’s corpseinthehospitalbasement.Poorguydefinitelydidn’tseeit coming.”Denverchuckledagain.“Oneminutehewastalkingabout takingbloodanddoingexperiments,thenextitwas‘bam-bambam’.”JudasstaredatDenver;hemayhavebeencrazy,butit seemedlikeheknew whathewastalkingabouttosomeextent.
“Doyourememberwhereinthehospitaltheywere?”Judas madehisrequest.
“Sure.Icouldtakeyourighttohim.” “Thenlet’sgo.”JudasnoddedtowardDenver.“I’lldriveyouto thehospitalandwe’llgetyoupatchedup.ThenIwanttofindmy father.”
“CanIbringmy,uh…”Hegrabbedtheskeweredparasitefrom thechair.“…this?” “Denver?”Mitchellstaredatthemaninfrontofhim.Thisone personhadcausedmoretroubleforhim thanalmostanyoneelse, andbothtimeshewasleftfordead.Thefactthathewas standingrightinfrontofMitchellatthatmomentwassomething ofamiracle.“How thehellareyoustillalive?”
“Judassavedme.”DenverputhislefthandonMitchell’s shoulder.“I’m gladtoseeyou’reingoodhealth,Kyle.”Heturned andlookedbackatthetwogirls.“And,you,Lilly.Youarelooking absolutelybeautifulthismorning.”
“Stayawayfrom her.”Mitchellloweredhistone.“Donotlaya singlehandonher,yousickpieceof–” “Mitchell,youneedtocalm down.”Judasinterruptedthe situation,HekneltdownandhelpedAlextohisfeet.“Canyou standonyourown,Alex?”
“Yeah,thanks.”Alexrealizedwhohewasthanking.“No,wait.” Heshookhishead.“Youweretryingtokillus!” “No,Iwasn’t.”JudasglancedovertoDenver.“Myfriendhere mayhavelosthistemperalittle,butyoudidputabulletinhis arm.”
“That’sthethirdtimeI’vebeenshotinmyshoulder!”Denver yelledhisstatementatAlex.“Youcouldn’thavehitmesomewhere else?”
“You’llbefine,Denver.Itlookslikeitjusthittheouterskin.” JudasignoredDenver’scomplaining.“So,thisisaninteresting situation.”Judaspulledawayfrom Alexandsmiledathisbounty. “Thisisagooddayforus,Denver.IgetmyrevengeonbothAlex andMitchell.”
“AndIgettohavealongchatwithmypal,Kyle.”
“Whydoyoukeepcallinghim Kyle?”Judasglancedoverat Denverannoyed.“HisnameisMitchell.Justcallhim Mitchell!” “No!HisnameisKyle!He’sadeliverydriverforRobin’s Pizzeriaandwegowayback.”Denversmirked,hisstainedteeth shinedinthedim lightoftheparkinggarage.“HeandIusedto talkeveryweekwhenhewoulddelivermyfood.”
“Partofmedoubtsthathewouldbethetypetoliveadouble life.”Judasshrugged.“Itdoesn’tmatter,callhim whateveryou want.”
“Yeah,that’senoughoftheidlechitchat,whatdoyouwant from us,Judas?”Alexspokeup.“Youwonthisone,now justtell uswhatyouwantfrom usbeforeIgetboredandtakecontrolof thissituation.”
“Oh,youareinnopositiontomakedemandshere, Alexander!”JudaslaughedandwalkedovertowhereDenverwas standing.Heshiftedhisriflearoundhisshoulderandplacedit overhisback.“Comewithusovertotheelevator,thenwe’ll discussourterms.”HeplacedhishandonCiara’sshoulder. “Comeon,sweetheart.It’llbeOK.”
“Don’ttouchher!”AlexjumpedforwardtowardJudas.Denver liftedhisrifleandpointeditatAlex’shead,Alexstoppedinhis tracksandstaredatDenver.DenverglancedoveratJudas,he waveddownwardandDenverloweredhisweapon.
“Ican’thaveyouactinglikethat,Alexander.”Judaspulleda smallmetalitem from hispocket.Hepulledaplasticcoverfrom it andtosseditontotheconcrete.HesteppedbehindCiara,she shiveredasheshiftedhimselftoherback.“Areyoureadyto cooperate?”
“Don’ttouchmydaughter!”Alex’svoiceelevatedtoascream asheonceagainsteppedforward.Denveronceagainliftedhis guntoblockAlex.
“Judas,canIjustshoothim?Idon’tmuchcareforhis attitude.”DenversmiledagainatAlex.“Ibetthestuffinsidehis headisquitepretty.”
“That’sdisturbing.”Judasshookhishead.“No,don’tshoot him.Iwantthistobeasfunaspossible,andifyoukillhim then it’sjustover.Thatwouldn’tbeamusingatall.”Heliftedhishand toshow Alexthescalpelhewasholding.Heplacedtheblade againstCiara’scheekandpulledquickly.Theknifeslicedherface withaveryfinelineandshestartedtobleedimmediately.She wincedinpainandbitherliptostopfrom cryingout.“Now, here’sthething,Alex.”Judasshiftedthescalpelupward,just abovethenew openingonhercheek.“Ifyoucontinuetoyelland fight,Iwillcontinuecutting.Eventually,youwillhaveadaughter withseveralcutsalloverherprettyface.TheotherpartthatI wantyoutoremember,Iam myfather’ssonandIliketobelieve thatI’m adamngooddoctor.”Heturnedthescalpelaroundinhis handandtappedthreespotsalongCiara’sneckwiththehandle end.“IfIweretostabthebladeinanyofthesespots,Ciarawould bleedoutinapproximatelyninetyseconds.Ireallywouldprefer notpaintingtheconcretewithyourdaughter’sblood.”Heshifted thebladeonceagainandaimedittowardherface.“Now,Iwill askonemoretime,dowehaveyourcooperation.”
AlexstaredatJudaswithblurredvision.Hisheartwasracing andtheroom wasstillspinning;hewasn’tsureifthiswasanger takinghim over,ortheknockontheheadfrom afew moments ago.HefocusedhiseyesonLilly,shewasstaringatDenver nervously.Whilehedidn’tknow thehistoryhere,hecouldtell thatshe’dbeeninthesameroom asthispsychobefore.Hereyes werewatering,herfacewasred,andshewasshakingeachtime shetookadeepbreath.HeglancedovertoMitchell.Mitchell’s darkeyesweretrainedonDenverwithasortofdetermination.He wasbreathingquickly,therewasasenseofpersonalvendetta betweenhimselfandthemanwiththerifleinfrontofthem.Alex knew thelookonMitchell’sface,thatwasthelookofamanthat wantedtoripanothermantopieces.
Lastly,Alex’seyesmovedovertoCiara’s.Shewasfocusedon him withalookofdesperation,almostasifsheknew hecouldn’t doanythingtosaveherthistime.Therewasasmalllineofblood fallingfrom thecutinherleftcheek,itfelldownherface,down herchin,thenquietlydrippedontotheground.Herdarkbrown eyeswerefocusedonAlex’s.Hewantedtosmileather,justtotry andshow herthatshe’dbesafe.Thiswholesituationwasa mess,anditwasAlex’sfault.Onceagain,hisdecisionshadled them tolifeordeath.
“Alright,Judas.”Alextookadeepbreath.“I’llcooperatewith you,butIhavearequest.”
“Ofcourse,I’m notamonster.”Judassmirked.
“CiaraandIwillcomewithyou,Iwillagreewiththat.”Alex lookeddownatLilly,thenglancedovertoMitchell.“Mitchelland Lillydon’tdeservetobedraggedintooursituation.Mitchell hasn’tdoneanythingtoyouandLilly’saboutasinnocentasthey come.So,asIsaid,CiaraandIwillgowithyou,butyouhaveto letthem go.”
“No,Alex,it’snotwhatyouthi–” “Don’tworry,Mitchell.”HesmirkedatMitchell.“You’vebeena goodfriend,man.Iknow we’vehadourroughpatchesinthe past,butyousavedmyskinthismorning.TheleastIcandois getyoutwooutofhere.”
“That’snotwhatImeant…”Mitchellsighed. “Ican’tletthem leave,Alex.”Judasfrowned.“Whileyour compassionismoving,Ihavetodisagreewithyourstatement. There’sareasonIsaidMitchellandLillyweremy‘icingonthe cake’.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Theyhaven’tdoneanythingtoyou…” “Actually…”Mitchellonceagainshrugged.“Iknow whathe’s gettingat.” “I’llexplainit,Mitchell.”JudaswavedatMitchelltostop talking.“Yousee,Mitchell,here,isresistanttotheinfection.That aloneisareasonthatIhavetokeephim here,he’safantastic testsubject.”Mitchellshudderedatthethought’sofbeinga‘test subject’again.
“Resistant?”Alexwasconfused.“Firstoff,how?Secondoff, how wouldyouknow?”
“I’m gettingtothat,calm down.”Judassmirked.“Youmilitary guysreallyareimpatient.”JudasmotionedtowardMitchell. “MisterSwartzwasapatientofmyfather’s.”
“Iwasnotapatient,Judas,wewereprisoners.”Mitchell angrilycorrectedJudas. “Howeveryoulookatit,hewaswantingtoexperimenton you.”Judasshookhishead.“Asforhow he’sresistant,it’smost likelythathecameincontactwiththebloodofaninfected directly.Myfatherfoundthatthiscamefrom theingestionofan infected’sblood.”HemotionedtowardDenver.“It’sthesame reasonDenverisresistant.Helikedtodohisownexperiments andtypicallydidn’tweargloves.”
“Iliketothinkofitasart.”Denver’seyeslitup.
“Itwasmutilation.Whatyoudidwasn’tart,Denver!”Mitchell onceagainchimedin. “Shutup,Kyle.”Denverchangedhisaim tobeonMitchell.“I shouldputtwoinyourarm justtomakeupforwhatyou’vedone tome.”
“Yourealizethatyoualreadyshotme,right?”Mitchellstared athim.Denversmiledwideandstartedlaughingloudly.
“CanIcontinuemyexplanationhere?Youguysaremakingit reallyhardtotakethisseriously.”Judasangrilyscowled. “Anyway,Alex,Mitchellisresistanttotheinfection,Ican’tlethim leave.AsforLilly…”Helookeddown.“Herlateparents,both KaylaandDarrenBarber,werepatientswithMitchell.They, however,werenotresistant.Myfatherinfectedbothofthem with whathecalleda‘delayedstrain’.Itwaseffective,bothofthem wereinfectedbutittookasignificantamountoftimeforthem to show anysigns.”
“Mommyanddaddyarenotmonsters!”Lillyprotestedloudly. Judaswascaughtoffguardbythelittlegirl’syelling.Hesmirked.
“Despiteherprotests,bothofherparentswere,infact, infected.”JudaslookedbacktoAlex.“Thebiggerproblem isthat Darren,herfather,tookituponhimselftomurdermyfather.”
“Wait,hekilledAndrei?”AlexlookedovertoMitchell.“You guyskilledAndrei?” “Wedidn’thaveachoice!”Mitchellprotestedthetargetedguilt. “HewasgoingtoinfectLillyandthenkillthem all.Shouldwe havejustlethim murderaninnocentchildbecausehewasa doctor?”
“Hewasprobablytheonlypersonthatcould’vefixedthis!” Judasshouted.“Youmurderedtheonepersonthatcould’ve reversedthisinfection!”
“Itwashim orus!”Mitchellraisedhistone.“IfDarrenhadn’t doneit,Iwould’ve.Yourfatherwasasickindividualand deservedfarworsethanwhathegot!”Mitchellhadclearly snappedinside,somethingaboutthiswasasensitivetopic. “Darrenwasanexcellentman.Kaylawasafantasticmother. Neitherofthem deservedwhathappenedtothem!Theywanted nothingmorethantogethomeandhaveahappylifewiththeir daughter,theyjustwantedtolivelongenoughtomakesureshe wassafe.Theygavetheirlivesforher,theygavetheirlivesto makesurethatIgothomeandgottheclosureIneeded.”Mitchell couldfeelhisfacegettingwarm.“Yourfather,ontheotherhand, deservedmorethanwhathegot.Beingshotthreetimeswasn’t enough.Iwould’vemadesurehefelteverylastsecondofit,ifI wastheonethatgotthepleasureoftakinghim down.”
“Therewego!”Judasthrew hishandsup.“That’stherageI wouldexpectfrom you,Mitchell!That’sthereactionIwanted!I hadtoknow thatyouweretrulyhuman,thatyouwerejustlike everyoneelseoutthere.Altruism istrulynotatraityoupossess.” Judas’sadisticgringrew wide.Heloweredhishandsbackto theiroriginalpositioninfrontofCiara.“Andallthistimeyou wantedtobelievethatyouwouldgiveupeverythingforeveryone else,”
“Enough!”Alexspokeup.“Whatdoyouwantfrom us,Judas? You’vewastedenoughofourtimewithyourinsanity.” “WhatdoIwantfrom you?”Judaslaughed.“Thatisa wonderfulquestion.”HetightenedhisgriponCiara.“Idon’twant anythingfrom yourightthismoment,Alexander.No.”Judas noddedinthedirectionofDenver.Denverliftedhisrifletopoint inthedirectionofMitchellandAlexandplacedhisotherhandon Lilly’sshoulder.“Myoriginalplanwastotakeallofyouand continueonwithmyfather’sexperiments.Now,however,I’m reconsideringthebestwaytodothis.Denver,whatdoyouthink weshoulddo?”
“IthinkweshouldtakeLillyandgetoutofhere.”Denver expelledalaughfrom hislungsthatimmediatelyturnedintoa thickcough.“Orwecouldshootthem andtakethegirls.”
“Mitchell?”Judaslookedovertothevisiblyangeredman. “Whatwouldyouprefer?”
“Justletusleave.”
“Let’sberealistic.”JudassqueezedCiara’sshoulder.“That’s notanoption.”Mitchellstaredathim.Heglanceddowntothe tearyeyesofLilly,thentothetensestareofCiara.
“YousaidthatI’m aninterestingsubject,right?Thentakeme andletthem go.”Mitchellmadehisplea.“Y
oucoulddomorewith methanyoucouldthem.They’rejustchildren,they’dlikelyresist andstruggle,right?Whatgoodwoulditdoforyoutoexperiment onsomeonethatwouldfightitthewholetime?”
“Hmm…”Judasnodded.“Validpoint,Mitchell.”Helooked overtoAlex.“Yourturn.” “I’m goingtokillyou.”Alex’seyesfelldarkashisfocusstarted toblur.“Iam goingtopersonallyripthelifefrom youandwatch asyoureyesfadeintoadullwhite.”
“Evenwithoutcontrolofthesituation,youstillthinkyour threatswillgetyousomewhere?”Judaslaughedloudly.“Youare somuchfun,Alexander!”Hechuckledagainandlookeddownat thetwogirls.Hiseyesrolledfrom onepersontothenextashe thoughtaboutthepossibilities.Thereweresomanywaysforhis revengetobeplayedout,somanydifferentwaysforhim tocause thepainthathedesired.“Ithinkwe’lltakethegirls.”Hewavedat DenvertopullLillywithhim.“Comeon.”
“No!”Ciarashoutedout.Theunexpectedyellcaused everythingtopausemomentarily.“Youcantakeme,butleave Lilly!”
“Oh?”Judasstareddown.“Youwantustoleaveher?” “I’llgowithyou,butjustleaveher.She’sgotherwholelife aheadofher,pleasedon’thurther.Idon’tcarewhatyoudoto me,just…”Ciaracouldfeelherselfstartingtocry.“Please,just leaveherwiththem.”
“No,Ciara!”Alexsteppedforward.“Youcantakeme,Judas.I won’tfightyou,Iwon’tresist–” “Stop,”JudasliftedhishandtosilenceAlex.“Denver,lether go.”Thetwomenstaredateachother,Denverheldagrimaceat Judas.
“Whydon’twejusttakebothofthem?”Denvergrowledat Judas.“YoutoldmethatIwouldgetLillyback!”
“Iknow whatItoldyou,Denver.”Judasnoddedagain.“ButI
feelcompelledtoacceptCiara’soffer.”Heglancedup.“See, Mitchell;thisisaltruism.Thisisapersonwillingtogive themselvesupforthegreatergood,evenifthegreatergoodis nothingmorethanafive-year-oldgirl’ssafety.”Hemotionedfor Denvertolethergoagain.Denversighedheavily,butdidashe wasrequested.
“I’llsaveyouCiara,don’tworry.”Alexonceagainspokeout. “No,youwon’t.”Judassteppedbackwardinthedirectionof theelevators,pullingCiarawithhim.Thetwomengottothe doors,Judaspressedthebuttonandenteredtheelevator.Denver followedhim closelyandkepthisstareonMitchell.Judas grinnedoncemoreatAlex.“IfIgetthefeelingthatyou’reeven tryingsomething,I’lljustkillher.”Themetaldoorsshiftedin theirtrackandclosedinfrontofthem.