CADAVER:

BOOK OF PANDORA

PART ONE:

Devil’s City

Lily has not seen her mother in over five years, the result of a nasty dispute over child custody. Her mother, Rosenna, was a drinker and abusive at times. But Lily tended not to think about that. She only thought of the times her mother had lain in her bed with her, telling her stories of a princess named Lillith who lived in a castle and who talked to dragon and mouse alike… Yes, the good memories. It would be a long trip, from Boston to Deathlily Valley, but that didn’t bother her. Deathlily Valley would hold good things for her…or so she thought.

* * * * *

Fear made Lily’s hands tremble, sent her body to be racked by half repressed sobs. Eric shushing her did nothing to soothe her. Kyle crouched at the half broken door, firing off shots when the fiends neared too close. It was all too surreal. Lily thought back to the hours before she had boarded the plane from Boston with her two friends, Eric and Kyle. It all seemed a promising trip into the town of her birth, Deathlily Valley. She had fondly remembered the smell of the pines, or the cold wind that swept down the mountains standing like godly sentinels at the northern part of town. Lily had sorely missed the quiet little city where everybody knew each other’s name and possibly even their family history. She even missed the creepy edifice that was situated at the foothills of the mountain. She had laughed at the rumors of terrible Frankensteinian experiments that went on in there. But now, as her and her friends had entered an empty city, the rumors seemed more than just here-say. They had come into her mother’s house only to find the inhabitants mangled and barely recognizable. Their flesh was torn from their bodies in patches and some missing an arm or a leg. The bloody stubs were ringed by a dark churning mass: flies feasting on death. Blood stained the walls behind his mother’s head like a Chinese fan. Her little sister, the one that Lily had never met before, lay in a tangled heap at her mother’s lap, stubby little arms around her mother’s neck. Lily’s voice still burned from the screaming. And that screaming, that hatred filled sound that came from the very depths of her soul, attracted the ones that had massacred her estranged family.

Zombies.

They came like maggots spilling from a cadaver’s cavity, through the doorway and upstairs. They looked diseased, their skin shades of green and sickly yellow. Teeth, shining like ivory through the backdrop of their ruined mouths, worked and produced nothing more than moans and guttural growls. Their hands, long limbed like serpents, clawed the air, reaching for the three friends. They were naked, and ribs protruded from their stomachs. Blue and purple veins roped their tendons. Their skin sagged on their bones. These were zombies. And they were hungry.

Kyle had shouted something and led them into the basement, where they had locked themselves in. They managed to stay alive for over two hours. Kyle had a pistol in his hands, though from where he had acquired such a weapon was beyond Lily.

He was shouting down the stair case,

“I think I got them all.”

“Make sure!” Eric retorted, fear making him angry. He clutched the pipe he had found tighter, lips pulled back in a display of resolve conceived of terror. Lily gripped his muscled arm and bit her lip. He looked at her, and his face softened. He bent down to her and whispered in her ear.

“Don’t worry Lily, we’ll get you out of here safe and sound. Good as gold.”

Lily looked up at him, hoping that he was right. She jumped as Kyle squeezed off another shot. They heard a grunt and a thump as the already dead assailant slumped to the floor. The smell of decay was overpowering and choked Lily as Kyle opened the door a crack. Eric ran up besides him with the Lily close behind. Kyle turned his head to look at the shivering girl.

“You need a weapon. Just grab anything.”

Lily didn’t like the prospect of wielding a weapon, much less the chance that she might have to use it.

“Here, take this.” Kyle said, reaching in to his boot. He pulled out a long bladed knife. Lily’s eyes widened.

“Why do you have that?”

“Like right now is the best time to ask questions. Do you want it or not?”

Reluctantly, Lily took the knife. It felt bulky and awkward in her small hands but she had to admit, she felt a little bit safer.

“Come on, let’s go.” Kyle said. Lily tried to ignore the shake in his voice.

* * * * *

Kyle took a deep breath and held it as he moved into the carrion-strewn hallway. There was surprisingly little blood, but having to step over severed arms that twitched or decapitated heads that still blinked was enough to make nausea rise violently in his throat.

He dropped the magazine and reloaded the gun. He knew that both Eric and Lily stared at him curiously because of his swift handling of his gun, but now wasn’t the best time to explain. He led them out of the hall and into the living room where Lily’s dead family lay. A swarm of flies coated the small girl like a living sweater, shifting and moving to better devour her flesh. Now it was that Eric turned and vomited. Kyle retched but did not purge. Lily turned her head, hands covering her eyes and straining to keep the crying from bursting forth.

“Please, let’s get out of here,” Lily pleaded. Eric wiped his arm with the sleeve of his shirt. They continued on.

Through the shattered windows of the veranda Kyle could see no immediate danger. The sounds of moaning, and piteous screaming did not reach them here. Still, Kyle was not convinced that they were in the green as of yet.

“Keep your guard guys,” Eric nodded. Lily said nothing. They descended the porch steps and went northward. Never had they all felt so vulnerable- nor so terrified.

“Kyle,” Lily squeaked.

“What is it?”

“Where are we going?”

“I was hoping you could tell me that, seeing as how you’re from here.”

Lily bit her lip. She looked down, as though the sudden burden of leadership bore down on her.

“There’s a hurricane center further north, near the mountains. It’s as safe as any place I can think of.”

Eric nodded, pleased. “Okay,” Kyle said. “Come walk besides me, to show me where to go.” The girl nearly yelped at the suggestion. She didn’t want to leave the comfort of Eric’s arm. “It’s okay Lily. Don’t be scared. We’ll protect you.” Kyle said. Lily breathed in deeply and squared her shoulders. She tossed her strawberry blond hair over her shoulders and took bold steps near their unofficial leader. Eric joined her, and they walked abreast, with her in the middle.

The night was heavy and gray, bearing down upon the only survivors in the world- or so it seemed to them. The silence was almost palpable, like a demon who strove to steal their breaths. They passed Woodcutter Drive and emerged into what looked like downtown. A grocery store called Joe’s Needs cast light, like a beacon in dark waters.

“How about we make a pit stop?” Eric suggested.

“How could you be hungry at a time like this?” Kyle reprimanded.

“No, he has a point.” Lily came to his rescue. “Joe’s Needs sells firearms. Shot guns and whatnot.”

“All right, let’s go in.”

They made their way under cover of shadow, on the periphery of the copper rings that street lamps shed. Kyle had the faintest thoughts of playing Man Hunt, and that it would all end with victorious laughs and the cursing of a sour loser. But no, they had to be wary. This was not some game, nor some story. This was real.

The automatic doors slid open and they passed in with cautious steps. There was only the familiar hum of cool air passing through ventilation shafts, or of the freezers keeping their wares frosty. They looked up to the hanging signs denoting which aisles contained which items.

“Maybe we should call for assistance?” No one laughed at Eric’s joke.

Far in the back did they find the fire arms department.

Black and silver hand guns hung on wire racks or separate on iron hooks. A hunting rifle was suspended in its own case, a lethal looking thing. Kyle went immediately for it.

“Lily, I need you to go get some back packs to hold ammunition. Get three.” Lily seemed about to protest going by herself when Eric volunteered for her place.

“I’ll go. Knowing Lily she’ll probably get us some pink purses studded with diamonds.” He smirked at Lily and disappeared.

Lily yelped as Kyle shattered the glass case with his fist.

“Dammit!” He said, withdrawing his bleeding knuckles.

“Dumb ass,” Lily teased, feeling better. She went to him and held his calloused hand in her own. “Come on,” she sat atop the counter and studied his hand. She delicately picked out the little shards of glass that had embedded themselves in his palm.

“So how did you get so familiar with guns?” Lily asked tentatively. She knew from experience that Kyle did not talk much about his past to anyone.

“My old man used to be part of the Army, part of the Green Beret. He was a general even. My mom was a soldier too. My dad took me to the Range every Saturday, like it was church or something.”

Lily regarded him with surprise, then decided to try her luck.

“Looks like it came in handy. Guess your dad was a top dog huh?”

“I suppose,” Lily had the feeling that a door had just been slammed shut in her face. Ah well, that was Kyle for you. At length, she had successfully removed all the pieces of glass.

“I’ll go look for band-aids.”

“By yourself?” his blue eyes were surprised.

“Yeah, I think it’s about time I change my name to Lillith.” She gave one last look of determination and disappeared as well. “Lillith” had not made an appearance in a long time. “Lillith” was the adventurous Lily, the dangerous girl. Maybe she’s growing up, Kyle mused. Kyle shrugged and went about looking for a better way to open the display cases. The keys were on a hook beneath the register. He took them and after scrutinizing several pistols took a silver one with a black muzzle. This was a .45. Another was black with a sharp snout and equipped with a laser pointer- that would be for Lily. He would be wielding his own pistol and the hunting rifle. God I hope this enough, Kyle thought. But enough for what? a darker part of him whispered.

* * * * *

Eric’s thoughts were suddenly too loud in his own head. He half expected a zombie to hear his stifled breathing and pop out of whatever crevice it had crawled into. His fingers were beginning to cramp up from holding the stout pipe too tightly.

“I’m scared shitless,” Eric had no problem saying that. He didn’t suspect that many could withstand the assault of terror for long until they finally cracked. As it was, Eric was strained. But he had to be strong for Lily. She depended on him. He had to be strong for her, if not for himself as well. With every step he took farther from his friends Eric’s heart beat increased. He found the right aisle and saw that it was already occupied-by a zombie. It charged him so fast that he had not a moment to scream. It’s nearly fleshless face loomed inches above his. It’s lipless pink mouth snapped at his nose, hungry for him. It’s fetid stench pulled tears from his eyes. Eric had brought up his pipe in self defense. They grappled for a moment before the zombie managed to knock Eric to the floor. The pipe clattered away out of his grasp.

“Shit!” he scrambled for it, sneakers slipping on the blood that pooled around the undead fiend. The zombie dragged itself forward, mouth slack, ropey veins bulging out of its face. Eric couldn’t even tell its sex. He managed to get up but the creature grabbed a hold of his belt and pulled with surprising strength. Eric was thrown back, crashing into the clothes rack, falling, head slamming against the white tile floor. He grunted and pain exploded in his eyes in blossoms of colors. He fought against disorientation as he blindly reached for the wire racks but found no purchase. Then, he heard a feral cry and the sickening sound of metal striking bone and shattering it. The pain cleared from his eyes and Eric looked up. A woman with hair the color of dark cherries and eyes green like limes was battling the creature. She swung the pipe effectively, smashing its face in. She struck at the base of its neck and crushed its spinal cord. The zombie went limp and clattered to the ground, not quite dead. But by that time Kyle had come running to the scene, a wicked looking rifle in his hands. He looked first at the zombie and shot it. The sleek bullet easily pierced the rotted flesh and burrowed into the things’ heart.

Then, Kyle aimed the gun at the strange woman. She stood tall, almost Eric’s height, and had a strong build. She wore black jeans with a bloodied gray wool jacket. She looked at Kyle, then at his gun, and decided him a formidable threat.

“Drop the pipe lady,” Kyle said. He trained his eyes on her movements.

“What’s going on?!” came Lily’s terrified voice. She came into view, her honey eyes wide with fright. Kyle did not look at her.

“I’m a cop,” the woman replied. Kyle’s blue eyes moved up and down, and obvious disbelief showed on his face. “I was on my break. Can I show you my badge?”

Eric sat up, shaking his groggy head.

“She’s cool man. She saved me.”

“Show me your badge.” Kyle ordered.

“Kyle-” Eric began angrily.

“No, it’s all right. He has a reason to be freaked.” The woman reached into her back pocket slowly. She pulled out her wallet and flipped it open. A badge with the letters D.V.P emblazoned on it.

“Officer Rodriguez, in the service of the people. Well, what’s left of them anyway.”

“Where’s your gun?” Kyle asked, still not wholly convinced.

“In my car. Like I said, I was on my break when I heard the evacuation call. We were to get the citizens moving into the hospital and the hurricane shelter. We weren’t told why and the people wanted a better reason to leave their homes than, ‘Cuz I said so’. I came here to get the people out but they had already left. Though where to I have no idea.”

Eric had stood and joined Rodriguez.

“You can come with us.” He said. “We’re going to the shelter. Maybe there are some other survivors.” “Maybe,” the officer echoed. She looked at the gory pipe and dropped it on the floor. It rang loudly in the silence. “This goes against the law but I think my superiors would understand if I take a gun without paying.”

“Kyle, drop that rifle. She’s not a zombie.”

“I can see where he would be mistaken. I didn’t have time to put my face on,” she joked. Right then and there Eric decided that he liked her.

Kyle lowered the weapon and went back to the firearms department. Eric completed his errand and they loaded the school bags full of shells and bullets. Rodriguez selected a shot gun that had massive power. Lily treated Kyle with antiseptic and cotton binding.

“There’s bound to be more of those creatures,” the cop told them as she loaded her shot gun.

“And here they are.” Lillith said, taking up her gun. Somehow she managed to keep the fear out of her voice. Far in the distance, through the large glass windows they could see a host of mutated citizens, drawn by the commotion and the smell of prey, slowly making their way to them. The chorus of blood lust rose to a cacophony.

Kyle cocked his rifle.

“Let’s go.”

The survivors charge and lead flew, cutting the air as bullets ripped into decayed flesh. Rodriguez blasted a large hole in the torso of one and blew off the head of another. Lillith, the warrior woman, riddled her opponents with bullets and slashed with her knife blade. Eric bashed with his pipe and squeezed off several shots, shouting incoherently like a madman. They fought savagely, like animals trapped in a corner. Primal instincts for war erupted and buried the zombies. The survivors cut a bloody swath through the creatures and emerged outside Joe‘s Needs. They saw the hurricane center further down, about half a mile, and started to race for their lives.