SICK


Slayer - Angel of Death

"The way that I want you to die

Slow death, immense decay"

- Tom Araya


Studying the disease, well it hadn't taken much priority in the middle of the end of the world. Hospitals and clinics were some of the first places to be overrun. You see, it was by sheer virtue of their occupation and purpose that they would be the first to fall. Anyone exhibiting symptoms would arrive, die, turn, and spread infection. It caused quite the chaos, and when the dust settled, places such as these were deemed too dangerous to investigate. Cramped conditions, large complexes, undead enmasse, it was a recipe for disaster. The remains of world governments didn't view it as worth the risk. After all, most developed countries had secure research centers and virus labs. Why should they risk valuable resources on a goose chase? Undeveloped countries had their hands full with fighting for survival, even after the initial outbreak.

The woman's eyes fluttered as she was transferred from the gurney into the room. Her vision swimming as she was pulled this way and that. Manhandled into a sitting position, arms raised above her head. She only came to full attention when the rattling of chains and the cold weight of metal clasped around her wrists.

Look, what I'm trying to get at it is simple, as of right now, there is no known cure. You get bit, you get sick, you become one of them. You know this, everyone knows this, it's been this way since the fall and will continue to be this way until someone actually does something. There's only so much to be gained from second hand accounts of DAY Z. Only so much that can be done to investigate old infected far removed from their 'habitat' as it were. What we're doing, it's huge, it's revolutionary. It's the world's best chance at finding some sort of treatment, or maybe even a cure. Your sacrifice will be in the name of science, you'll be in the annals of history! So stop crying, please cooperate with the tests, it'll be better this way. I promise.

She struggled and screamed through her gag, the steel manacles holding fast. The raven haired woman thrashed violently against the wall. She herself had lost track of how long she'd been here. No day or night cycle, only fluorescent lights flickering as the power fluctuated. No discussion of dates, or seasons, by her captors. Where were they? Had they forgotten about her? Cut their losses?

There she is! Our best subject! Are you ready to start today's programs? No? Don't worry, I'll be handling everything personally from now on, nothing bad is going to happen to you. We've taken care of that particular guard and some of the research assistants that we know were distressing you. Why do you still look so sad? Anyway, on today's schedule we have more routine blood work, a few tests against our control subject, and then a few light physical examinations. After that you're pretty much done for the day. Would you like a book or game, you know something to pass the time? No? You're absolutely sure? Well that's ok, maybe next time then. Come on, let's get this show on the road!

Tears flowed down her face. They hadn't left her behind. They had tried to save her from whatever hell this was. God only knows what may have happened to them. She started whispering a prayer, beseeching whatever deity would listen. Please, make sure they're safe, if not, at least give them the mercy of a quick death.

What a shame. I thought you showed a lot of promise, but here we are. Why? Why don't you understand? All I do, all I've ever done, is help people! Why can't you see that! The experiments, the tests, they serve a far greater good than you may ever know. This is one of the highest honors! You've been called upon to sacrifice yourself and help save this world! Listen to me damn it! There is no escape, there is no one coming to save you, as far as i'm concerned it's just you and me here. The others in the lab are all busy with their own work. They don't care about you, the ends justify the means. I mean we are trying to save the world here! If you have to break a few eggs, well, that's a small sacrifice. How selfish could you possibly be?

She groaned and lurched forward, not making much if any progress against her chains. Her skin, an unnatural gray pallor. Her raven tresses, greasy and matted. Her eyes, devoid of life.

Oh well, guess I'm going to have to try again.


Author's Note:

I know it's a bit short, but honestly I think that it works fine as is. I tried stretching it a bit but that seemed to detract from the piece altogether. I think the big takeaways here are the implications of science and madness going hand in hand and that sometimes limits aren't a badthing. Truthfully speaking, some of the biggest leaps in the medical/science fields have come from some utterly fucked up sources. But on ther other hand the ends don't always justify the means. This is heavily inspired by a scene from World of the Dead by Rassilon001, a great read by the way. I really do recommend checking out their other works as well if you haven't done so.

Hopefully I can have something more substantial out soon, I've got things written out but it doesn't quite seem to come together.

As always, thanks for reading Death, Love, & Zombies and please don't forget to drop a fav, follow, or review!