Chapter 3- A State of Fear

My Beretta had instantly become my best friend. I remained loaded and ready to kill anything that might sneak up on me and wouldn't take any chances. Taking chances is what gets people killed, keep a weapon with you, follow your gut, that's the only advice I can give. I remained wide awake for the rest of the night on the means of Red Bull and watched the sunrise through the dusty blinds on my kitchen windows. When it came time I returned to the police station for my shift. It was only 8:30 and the place was already buzzing with activity. The chief, a short black man with wide proportions, filled out a hefty load of paper work while he sat in his big leather chair. I knocked on the door firmly before he called me in promptly.

"Morn'n Leon, what can I do for ya?"

"Chief, we got a huge problem on our hands…"

"Problem? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the thing sitting in the back of cell number three."

"That guy? He shouldn't even be here, he can't remember a damn thing, it's obvious he ain't right in the head."

"There's nothing right about that guy chief. Look I've seen something like this before from where I came from, and I think I might know whats going on…that man, he's sick."

"I know, I'm guessing it's from shock, or something."

"No actually…I've done some research and it's actually this virus known as solanum."

"Solanum?" The chief looked puzzled and stroked his whiskered covered chin, "So, is it…like a food poisening or something?"

"No, it's actually a virus that enters your bloodstream and attacks the braincells to the point where the brain isn't working, only the heart remains alive… this disease is also known as..well..zombification."

The chief looked at me as if I had a second head. I nervously began to scratch the back of my head, running my hands through my brown locks as I awaited for a delayed response.

"Leon, I really don't know what you expect me to say"

"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I swear to God, I know what I say rings true."

He dropped his hands on the wood desk, closed his eyes and shook his head disagreeing

"The way I see it there are to possible responses that I can have to this. The first, I take your advice about this man, or zombie and handle it with extreme caution. Or, I call you crazy, and immature, and tell you to get the hell out of my office."

I stood not knowing what to say.

"I'll go with the second one." he said with a frown, "Now, get the hell out of my office Leon."

"Look, you're making a big mistake, I only shared this information to keep you and everyone in this city safe."

"I'll take my chances Officer Kennedy, there's far to much going on here as it is, we don't need any pointless matters added into the mix. They're just a waste of my time."

The chief and I remained silent before being disturbed by loud shouting and screaming coming from down the hall.

"AH SON OF BITCH! YOU BASTARD! I SWEAR TO GOD YOU'RE DEAD." the chief and I raced out of his office and down the corridor towards the holding cells. I entered the drafty hall to find Jack leaning against the wall across from cell number three. The zombie was knocked out and Jack's blackjack layedon the floor between two of the bars. A small puddle of blood formed on the concrete from a massive wound on Jack's arm.

I ran up to him as fast as I could. "Good lord Jack! What the hell happened!"

"The asshole bit me! He actually fucking bit me!"

You could see the teeth indentions as clear as day in Jack's arm. He wrapped his hand around the wound in attempt to stablilze the bleeding.

My heart slowed to the speed of a snail.

…

Jack was bit. That means he was now infected. In an hour Jack would start to experience the symptoms. Mild at first, just pain and discoloration, but then, Jack would lose all control. He would then get a fever, followed by paralysis, and then eventually, cease in brain activity.

I never sped so fast in all of my life. I weeved in and out of traffic with my sirens roaring as I raced Jack to the ER. He bled through the bandages on his arm and breathed loudly through his gritted teeth.

"Shit, shit shit.." he said softly under his breath.

"Just hang in there buddy." I managed to squeeze out through my tightened throut. He leaned on me as I helped him into the emergency room. They immediately sent him to the urgent care unit and I pulled his doctor aside as soon as I could.

"Doc you got a minute?" I asked the pale skinny, black haird man.

"Don't worry I assure you you're friend will be fine."

"…No he won't…you don't understand. It's a human bite."

"Yes we know, I'm sure its just an infection.

"No, its solanum…"

"Solanum? No, that doesn't even exist. It's just a serious infection, we'll give him a rabees shot just in case okay?

"No, it's not ok. Look, I know who bit this man, and I tell you, he is a zombie! I swear by it on my own life. Haven't you ever heard of Racoon City? The breakout in Racoon City?

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to step back before I have securtiy remove you. I assure you, your friend is going to be fine."

They might as well have just pronounced him dead, considering he would be in just a matter of hours.

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