“I’ve only been off-grid a week or so. If there was something big going on globally, I’d have heard about it. This thing was too fast and I have no idea how far and wide it’s gone. I’ve been checking the international news outlets and nothing, they aren’t even putting anything out. Neither is our national news, CNN is quiet, just set on repeat, like they’ve looped the news. We’ve gone through three states now and have been driving for hours and it’s the same. People scuttling around, fear written all over them and cars and such abandoned. Dead laying around and man, I just don’t know. It could well have come from another country, but whoever set this virus loose, they got bitten in the ass as well,” she ended in a huff.
“We’re almost to the unit. I think we might want to see about trading up. We passed a dealership a few miles back and I saw a white Hummer. Maybe pick up a few five-gallon fuel cans to bring along. I have a really bad feeling shit is going to start shutting down,” he said.
“What? You mean like the power grids and that kind of shit? Internet?” she asked, sitting up straight on the bench seat. The interior of the 57 Chevy was a restored aqua color with the original dials and gauges. He had lovingly restored it in his down time. He hated the thought of giving the vehicle up.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Look around. There is no law enforcement anywhere to be seen. I’ve seen a few police vehicles, but those were abandoned. Huntsville is a good size city and these streets are devoid of people. I’m pretty sure Huntsville also had a National Guard, but there are no troops and I see nothing that would indicate that they’ve been activated. This thing hit fast and hard.” He scanned the streets around him and saw his destination ahead. They had also been hearing an increase in gunshots through the towns that they’d passed through. Even here, the echo of gunfire bounced around the taller buildings.
Xander pulled off the main drive and pulled up to a high fence. He reached back in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He dug out the credit card looking key card and leaned out the window and placed the key card into the slot. He punched four numbers and the gate to the storage facility began to open. He pulled ahead slowly and he pulled up to the door of the unit. He shut off the engine and got out, searching his pocket for the keys to the shed’s lock. He looked over when Zahara got out and stretched. He nearly dropped his keys as her shirt moved up her midriff and he saw the soft skin of her middle and a weapon tucked in front and in back. Then she froze and he did too.
“Hello Agent Vector,” she purred, not turning around.
“How in the hell did you know it was me?” Ethan asked, surprise in his voice. Xander turned slowly, seeing the weapon in Ethan’s hand. It was pointed at Zahara and he looked over at the woman.
“I could smell that cheap-ass cologne you wear. News flash, I could smell you a mile away, dumbass,” she said, a wide smile on her face. Ethan’s eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened.
“Why in the hell are you here?” Xander growled.
“Agent Zed’s name came up. Ding, ding, ding. Winner, winner, chicken dinner,” Ethan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“If my name did come up, then why am I still standing here?” she asked, her hands on her hips.
“Even though I’m a killer, I figured you deserved to see it coming. Not just some kind of shitty execution. Besides, I’m not even sure I would do it. Seems a cowardly way to deal with an agent,” Ethan Moreno said softly. Zahara laughed, it filled the air, tinkling music. Xander’s mouth twitched with humor.
“You think you can kill me with a little old bullet? That fast and that easy?” she asked, almost in a coy voice. Ethan’s face registered confusion and irritation. Xander understood those emotions well when it came to Zahara. He watched as Zahara sashayed forward, her slim hips swaying hypnotically. Xander had a hard time keeping his thoughts on Ethan and his presence here. Shit was starting to get out of hand here and he needed to put a stop to it fast.
“Ah, uh, guys? Look, I think we’ve got bigger problems than a retirement ceremony. It’s getting later in the day and the lights are starting to shift toward evening. You know what that means?” he asked and looked at the two. Ethan’s eyes shifted to him.
“Zombies.” Ethan placed the weapon under his shirt and into the hidden holster.
“You know anything about this?” Zahara asked.
“Nope. I’ve been trying all day to get instructions and no one is answering. I’ve got a shitty feeling we’re on our own. I think something really bad has happened and it’s widespread, as in global. As in beyond reining in and controlling it,” Ethan said and all three jerked when the chain link fence began to rattle. At the far end of the storage facility, there looked to be well over a hundred of the creatures pushing and shoving against the fence. The fence rocked loudly and some of the zombies in front were crushed against the chain link, bits of their flesh was forced through the small openings and pieces of flesh and gore fell to the ground. The fence rocked dangerously and Xander thought it wouldn’t take long before the whole thing fell over.
