Experiment Undead

We spend the following week in the warehouse. Todd and Carrie spend most of their time locked in a room, being antisocial, smoking joints, and snorting cocaine.

Nate tried to confront Todd about where he’s been getting all the drugs from, but Carrie got involved as expected and went all psycho, telling Nate to stay the fuck away from Todd. Scary Carrie, as Oscar and I have now nicknamed her, even then went as far as to try and smack Nate in the face as she told him to mind his own business when Nate wouldn’t back down and kept pushing for answers. Nate dodged the slap easily.

Oscar and I were eavesdropping outside the door. I clenched my fists and went in there to teach Carrie a lesson for attempting to hurt Nate. As I ran into the room and lunged toward her, Nate grabbed me around the waist mid-air, stopping me from knocking that bimbo out. I was kicking and screaming to get at her. I was tired of Carrie and her constant antics. She was driving me crazy. All week she’s been snorting drugs and whinging about why we have no food left. We ran out of deer meat this morning. We’ve ignored Todd and Carrie since we clashed this morning.

James, Nate, Oscar and I are now getting ready to go rabbit hunting in the plantation reserve down the road and hopefully find a few shops to scavenge through for more food. We’ve been lucky to still have water running through the kitchenette taps, so we’ve made sure all our empty bottles have been refilled and stored in the truck for when needed.

I jump in the back of the truck with Oscar as James and Nate get in the front. Kate and Nancy wave goodbye to us, ‘Are you sure you’ll be fine? I’d feel better if you had another man stay with you while we’re gone. I can take the kids hunting and leave Nate here with you?’ James says to Kate.

‘With all the shooting practice you’ve helped me with this past week. I think we’ll be okay,’ Kate smiles.

‘Alrighty then, if you insist,’ he replies.

It only takes a few minutes to arrive at the plantation area. Oscar has found and shot one rabbit and Nate two. James and I haven’t had any sightings yet. We lie on a small slope, remaining still and quiet. Finally, a rabbit appears. I aim my rifle, but as I’m about to pull the trigger, we hear the humming of a helicopter and then another and more. Dust and shrubbery blow around us. We use our arms to block the dirt flying into our faces.

‘They’re from the army,’ I hear Nate shout over the propellers.

My heart races with dread, and I feel unease in my stomach.

‘Stay down, and don’t move,’ James shouts as grass whips across my face.

We keep down, lying in the bushes and shrubbery until the helicopters are far enough away to watch them.

‘There’s like twenty of them,’ I say, surprised, trying to count the exact number. ‘Do you think they’re here to evacuate the remaining survivors? They could have heard people have created barriers in town and killed off most of the soulless here that they’ve started a new community. Unless it’s another selection?’ I say to them.

Oscar, Nate and James all stare at each other uncomfortably.

‘I don’t know, but we should find out,’ Nate says.

‘I’ll take the kids back to the warehouse, and I’ll come with you to find out why they’re here,’ James says to Nate.

‘No! I’m going with you both,’ I tell them.

‘Me too,’ Oscar says.

‘You can both come along, but promise you will always stay behind James and me?’ Nate says.

‘Okay,’ I reply, my fingers crossed behind my back.

We duck, roll, and crawl stealthily through the residential streets. As soon as we arrive at the shopping district, we climb up a fire escape of a two-story store and lie down, poking our heads over the ledge. At least two helicopters land on each end of every road we can see in sight. Four soldiers stand outside the helicopters armed with rifles while others shove survivors around and wave a picture in their faces.

James narrows his eyes as he looks between the helicopters, ‘They’ve blocked all the main roads off. They aren’t planning on letting anyone out,’ he says.

‘It must be another selection?’ Nate says.

‘Maybe. Let’s keep monitoring them and find out,’ James replies.

Suddenly five men and a woman are dragged out from behind a barricade and are forced to kneel. A soldier walks before them and holds a picture for them to see. They either shrug or shake their heads no. The soldiers standing behind them shoot them dead where they kneel. I cover my mouth as I squeal in fright and disbelief. A few soldiers look up at the surrounding buildings as my squeal echoes. We all duck our heads back down in time.

‘They shot the civilians!’ Nate says angrily.

‘They’re looking for whoever is in the picture,’ James says.

‘What could they be looking for?’ I ask.

We stare at one another, dumbfounded. A woman screams, ‘My husband, you killed him!’

We look over the edge again to see a woman hugging one of the dead men, only for her to be shot, slumping dead over her husband’s body.

‘We have to do something. We can’t just watch and allow this to happen,’ I say, panic-stricken.

‘Penny, there’s four of us and at least one hundred of them,’ James says in defeat.

The father of Annabella is now forced onto his knees. The soldier holds the picture close to his face. Annabella’s father nods and points in the last direction he has seen us go, but we don’t think anything of it. The man is lifted onto his feet roughly and shoved to follow another soldier. I’m thankful he wasn’t killed like the others before him.

Suddenly we hear someone howl, only for more and more howls to follow.

‘The wolves!’ I smile and watch as they appear from building windows and rooftops, and others in groups on foot shooting at the soldiers. ‘Now the numbers are even,’ I grin.

We aim our rifles and shoot. Bodies of the soldiers, survivors and wolves are dropping like flies as they all attack.

The soldiers that are injured or still alive retreat to the helicopters. I notice Annabella’s father is being forced to go with them. A wolf throws a grenade inside one of the helicopters as it descends; moments later, it explodes.

We duck and cover our faces with our arms as we feel the heat from the explosion. When I look up, I see the propeller spinning toward us.

‘Run!’ I shout, grabbing Nate and Oscar’s hands.

The propeller and glass from the helicopter’s windscreen crash to where we were moments ago. I feel a subtle sharp pain, but we continue to run down the fire escape. Most of the helicopters have left. Wolves have managed to hijack one, and have tied two soldiers up, who now lay on the ground on their side.

The survivors and wolves remaining behind barricades and in the windows of buildings rush out to cry over their loved ones that have been killed while others sadly gaze upon the dead civilians. There are small fires from the helicopter debris along the road, and one store is now fully alight. The pictures the soldiers had were tossed in the air as soon as the wolves attacked them. Some are still floating in the air.

We help people off the ground and check their wounds, but suddenly the atmosphere changes from grief and heartache to anger and frustration as they all pick up a sheet of paper and stare at me.

‘Guys? What’s going on?’ I ask nervously, taking a step back.

They stop helping the injured and look around to notice the glares and changes in the air directed at me. Oscar leans down and picks up one of the papers, ‘Holy shit!’ Oscar says, ‘You all might want to see this,’ he says, anxiously.

Nate swiftly grabs it from Oscar, and I swear I could sense his heart stop beating at that moment—his hand trembles. An eerie feeling crawls up my spine.

Nate’s eyes suddenly lock with mine, ‘Run,’ he says in a dire tone I’ve never heard him speak.

One of the parchments floating in the sky suddenly drops at my feet. I stare down to see a detailed, realistic drawing of my face with the words on top reading. WANTED ALIVE! And the bottom reading, Name: PENNY approx. Twelve years of age. To be turned in, strictly alive, to any army personnel. Anyone who knows her whereabouts and refuses to hand her over will receive an immediate death sentence.

‘What the fuck,’ I mutter under my breath. I look back up to see Nate, James and Oscar, standing before me, forming a wall to protect me.

‘Penny, I said run!’ Nate snaps.

I turn and run as fast as possible, occasionally looking over my shoulder to see the people forming together as an angry mob chasing after me.

‘Stay back!’ Nate warns them, but it’s no use. They are outnumbered in people and weapons. They knock Nate, James, and Oscar over. I lose sight of them as the people stomp and run over them.

‘The soldiers killed my brother because they were after her!’ A woman shouts angrily behind me.

I weave between buildings and jump through the broken window of a ransacked pharmacy. I duck as they run past the window. I crawl to the back of the pharmacy and into an office area. Closing the door behind me, I turn the lock, slump down with my back against the wall, hug my knees, and catch my breath as I process what happened. Did all those innocent people die because of me? Those deaths can’t be my fault. They can’t be. I repeatedly bang the back of my head against the door in frustration and anguish.

A beam of sunlight shines through a small window above the desk. I climb up and push it open. It’s just big enough for me to squeeze through. I wriggle through and look around. There’s no one in sight, but I have to stay on guard. I cross the road and crouch behind a bin before running down an alleyway and climbing over a brick wall. The residential area isn’t far from here. I creep through the streets, knowing Nate and the others will meet me back at the warehouse. I’m finally back in the plantation area and sit by the dead rabbits we shot earlier to catch my breath. The muscles in my legs hurt from all the excessive running and climbing I’ve had to do.

I’m exhausted and thirsty. I flick my head toward the truck remembering we stored water inside. I force myself up and press the latch making the hidden compartment slide out. There are a dozen bottles of water. I grab one and scull it down. The last mouthful, I tip on my face and rub the dirt off. I look in the side view mirror to see I’ve only smudged it around more. You know what, whatever. I couldn’t care less how filthy I look right now. I’m too exhausted to care, and I have other fish to fry, let alone worrying about my appearance.

I hear a gunshot; a minute later, another gunshot, and then I can hear the helicopters in the distance. They can’t be coming back already? I look around and quickly hide under the truck as I watch the helicopters descend from the warehouse—my heart races. I’m scared they’ve hurt Kate, Nancy and Emma. Annabelle’s Dad must have known we’ve been staying at the warehouse and led the soldiers there.

I dare not move from my spot. James had thrown a large net of leaves and shrubs over the truck to help camouflage it. As soon as the helicopters are out of sight, I roll onto my back and breath with relief.

‘Penny,’ Oscar shouts.

I jolt, hitting my head on something metal, ‘Damn it,’ I cry out.

Feet scuffle to the truck, and I see three familiar faces looking under at me, rubbing my forehead. I crawl out and stand up.

‘Penny!’ they all try to hug me with relief at once.

‘Guys, guys!’ I say, pushing them away.

Nate has a bloody nose, James has a bruise across his cheek, and Oscar’s hair is all over the place, dishevelled. They finally step back when they hear the desperation in my voice.

Nate stares intently at me, ‘It has to be Commander Bryant. There’s no other reason the army would have any interest in you,’ Nate says.

‘We will worry about that later. The helicopters just left the warehouse a few minutes before you arrived. I heard gunshots. Nancy and the others are there. What, what if?’ I burst into tears.

Nate quickly hugs me, ‘It’s all right, Penny. Kate’s a smart woman. I’m sure they’re all okay,’ he reassures me.

I look him in the eyes, ‘But what if they’re not okay? What if they’re dead? And because of me. The army only returned here to find me and to kill anyone in their way of finding me. Those deaths are my fault,’ I cry out, falling to my knees and crying into my hands.

There is a dismal silence from the guys as they watch me cry, feeling helpless.

Nate sits next to me, ‘Penny, listen. Look at me,’ he says.

I shake my head no and sniffle.

‘Please?’ he says gently.

I wipe my puffy red eyes and stare at him. His eyes focus on mine.

‘You are never to be blamed for other people’s actions, Penny. Whether acting on orders or not, people are responsible for their own actions. You did not kill any innocent people back there, other than soldiers, to help protect the remaining survivors. Regardless of why the army is after you is no excuse for them to murder innocent civilians,’ he says.

‘But the people were angry at me. They were chasing me and even said it was my fault,’ I sob.

‘They’re grieving, Penny. They just lost the love of their lives or their close relatives or best friend. It’s normal for people to take it out on the easiest and closest target, and having your face handed out on all those parchments made you the target, but none of this is your fault, Penny, none of it,’ he says.

There’s another silence. I can hear Nate trying to breathe calmly and speak again, but he chokes on his words at first, trying not to cry, ‘Whatever we find at the warehouse when we get there isn’t your fault either,’ he says.

Oscar steps forward and stares with uncertainty toward the warehouse. ‘If there’s hope for them, we better go now before the rest of the townspeople come searching the warehouse for Penny,’ he says.

Nate helps me to stand up, and Oscar opens the door to the truck to let me in and sits close beside me. He holds my trembling hand tight, rubbing his thumb reassuringly over my hands. I remain silent and don’t say a word, as the fear of what we’re about to find is too much for me to imagine and too much to accept.

‘I’ll get in the back,’ Nate says.

We drive a few minutes up the road and enter the warehouse grounds as we approach the side door. Annabella’s father lies dead, slumped against the wall. We look at one another and the door, none of us wants to go in, but we have to know for sure.

‘One step at a time,’ Nate says to us.

We all nod and follow him inside. The warehouse is more of a mess than ever, with boxes and sports equipment strewn everywhere. There’s no sign of anyone on the first floor. We walk up the ramp to the next floor. I hear a creak and tap Nate and James on the shoulder. I point to the room I heard it. They nod and silently enter with rifles drawn, ready to shoot in case any soldiers were left to stay guard. There’s a low metal cabinet with an old pot plant knocked over on top. James and Nate nod at each other and open the cupboard to find Kate in a sitting position with her rifle locked and loaded, ready to fire at them.

‘Kate!’ they say, lowering their weapons.

‘Thank goodness, you’re here,’ she says with relief and crawls out.

‘Where’s Nancy and Emma?’ I ask in a desperate and concerned manner.

‘They’re safe,’ she says, leaving the room.

There’s a slim bookshelf against the wall. Kate pushes it along for us to see a large vent. She rips it off the wall, and we see Nancy and Emma huddled together.

‘Penny,’ Nancy says.

‘Mummy!’ Emma shouts, and they crawl out together.

‘What about Uncle Todd and Carrie?’ Oscar asks in a hopeful tone.

‘They were in the office, next to where I was hiding. The soldiers broke down the door. I heard them make a junkie reference and something about the old man wasting their time and lying to them. Then I heard a gunshot. I couldn’t leave the cupboard not knowing the soldiers could still be here,’ she says.

Oscar runs into the room but stops in the doorway. I watch as the colour drains from his face before slowly entering the room. We follow behind and enter the room.

Todd lies dead with a gunshot to his chest. There’s a cardboard box in front of him that has cocaine drafted in lines along with a bank card. There are empty alcohol bottles and trash everywhere, two joints by Todd’s feed, and a metal spoon with a lighter next to it.

The silence is deafening. James places his hand on Oscar’s shoulder,’ I’m so sorry, mate,’ he says sympathetically.

Suddenly a pile of rubbish moves, and Carrie sits up, ‘There were soldiers everywhere!’ she shouts. ‘Todd was completely unaware of his surroundings. I told him we needed to hide, but he sat there, and the idiot started to drool, so I hid in the rubbish. They asked him if he’d seen this person, and they must have shown him a picture. I couldn’t see being under all this trash. Todd didn’t reply. I don’t think he even realised there were soldiers in here. One of the soldiers then scoffed and called him a junkie, saying they would make the old man pay for wasting their time. Then they shot him, my Toddy,’ she says, wailing out the last few words in tears.

Guilt consumes me. I step closer to Oscar, ‘I’m so sorry,’ I whisper as a tear escapes and hits the ground.

His lips tremble with grief, but he turns to lock eyes with mine. I can see the hurt and pain he’s bearing right now.

He takes my hand in his, squeezing mine gently, ‘Nates right,’ he says, wiping his eyes with his other arm, ‘It’s not your fault. You’re a good person Penny. The soldiers are responsible for his death, not you,’ he says, facing his uncle again.

Carrie stops crying, ‘What? Why would anyone think Penny has anything to do with this?’ she asks in confusion.

We remain silent except for Nate, ‘We all feel guilty for not being here when the soldiers came,’ he says, but Carrie narrows an eye at him, knowing something is up, but then she starts to sob and cry again.

‘We better grab what we can and get out of here,’ James says, ‘Before the others get here,’ he adds.

‘What others?’ Kate asks.

‘We’ll explain it later, but we have to go now,’ James says as he looks out the window.

‘We don’t have to go anywhere!’ Carrie shouts.

‘Carrie, if you want to stay here alone, then so be it.’ James argues.

Carrie looks around and hugs her arms. ’Alone?’ she says, envisioning herself in the large warehouse at night with no protection, no one to hunt food or keep watch so that she can sleep.

Carrie quickly stands, ‘Since Kate and I have become so close, it wouldn’t be fair for me to leave her side,’ Carrie says.

Kate raises her eyebrow at Carrie, ‘What are you talking about?’ You called me a Mole this morning because I made you wait your turn for the toilet instead of pushing in front of my daughters only to then tell me to suck a sav….’

‘Oh Kate,’ Carrie says and leans on Kate’s shoulder, ‘I thought you knew I was joking?’

Kate looks at Carrie and shakes her arm off of her, ‘That, I highly doubt,’ she says, leaving the room to pack.

‘Do we have time to bury Todd?’ I ask James.

‘Probably not, but,’ James says, walking over to the window he rips the curtain from the wall. ‘We can roll him up in this, take him with us, and give him a proper burial later.’

‘I would appreciate that,’ Oscar says, grateful for being considerate of his uncle.

Nate helps James load Todd in the back of the truck. Carrie rides in the back with me, Kate, and Oscar, while Nancy and Emma ride with James in the front passenger seats. Nate follows on horseback.

I have no idea where we are going. I don’t think James even knows where he’s driving to, but Carrie, who still suss at us, notes the urgency to get out of here. We almost fall off the back a few times from his erratic driving, but we know we have no time to waste, and getting out of here is crucial.

The air grows colder as the sun sinks lower and lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the ruined landscape. The sun setting takes on a more ominous tone. The once vibrant and colourful skies are now tinged with a sickly red hue, reflecting the bloodshed and destruction that has become commonplace.

Despite the chaos and devastation all around, there’s a strange beauty in how the sun’s dying light illuminates the twists, broken buildings, abandoned cars and bodies of humans, and the soulless scattered along the streets.

Finally, in the dark of night, we pass a large sign that reads, Welcome to Ararat. Then another sign that sends a chill down all our spines, it reads, Ararat Home of Australia’s largest abandoned Lunatic Asylum.