Waking the Zed - By ML Katz Page 0,30

to the second officer and said, “Captain, listen to these young folks. They should be credible witnesses, but be prepared because the entire story is incredible. Also their account of events is a bit out of sync with Dr. Klein’s.”

“Yes, Sir,” Captain Crawford said. He nodded his head towards the helicopter to lead Paul and Pamela away. As they walked, they saw Dr. Klein being helped out of the truck. She looked shaky but managed to walk while propped up on the arm of one of the soldiers. Two medics bore a stretcher with the wounded driver. He looked unconscious, and Pamela supposed he had been sedated.

She repeated her warning that the wounded man should be restrained, but Captain Crawford just nodded absently. Blood covered the wounded driver’s shirt and seeped through a thin blanket. He hardly looked like a threat.

Finally, two more soldiers pulled one of the creatures along. They used a pole, with a chain around his neck, in order to control his movements. His hands had been cuffed behind his back. The creature snarled and jerked, but mostly moved along behind the strong arms of his captors.

“Do you seriously think we want to get in a helicopter with that thing?” Paul asked. He gestured wildly back in the direction of Future Faith with the arm that held the wrench. “You should see what’s going in back there.”

“That individual is under control,” Captain Crawford said. “I have my orders.”

“I don’t have any orders,” Paul persisted. “I am not getting into a helicopter with that poor mad creature.” Before this the young medical student had been fairly passive. Pam had almost thought he seemed boyish. Now he became agitated. He still had the big wrench, stained with gore from Mr. Barnes at the end, and now he was waving it around a bit as he gestured. His eyes looked wild and Pam found herself taking a step backwards.

The officer regarded him with some concern for a moment, and then he barked out, “You calm down, young man. Just do what I tell you to do. The first thing you need to do is drop that wrench.”

“Paul,” Pam said. “We don’t have any choice right now. Let’s be cool. This is the US Army, and they’re here to protect us.” Pam’s own father had served in the military before he took over his own father’s farm, and now one of her brothers was in college ROTC, hoping to become an officer when he graduated. Pam trusted the military instinctively. These are the good guys.

Paul glanced at her, and then he glared back at the officer. “No, I am not going to be cool. I am leaving right now.” With that, he turned on his heel and started up the walkway toward the parking garage. Pamela stood frozen in place. She was not eager to get on the helicopter, but she was not about to start walking around alone here. They had already seen some of the infected outside, and who could say if there were more lurking in the garage.

Another thought intruded into her mind at the same time. A bite was obviously infectious, but who knew if the virus could also be transmitted more slowly in the air they had all shared. They could all be contaminated, and for now, it seemed wisest to stick with the authorities who might offer medical treatment.

“Paul, come back,” Pam called as forcefully as she could. The young man did not turn around. “You can’t do this! I don’t think you should go off alone right now. Dozens of those things could be lurking in the parking garage for all you know.”

Captain Crawford glanced at her, and then he turned his head to watch Paul’s retreating back. As he watched Paul his jaw worked. Pam was not sure if the tough looking military officer was furious or indecisive.

Then the officer turned back to Pam. “I gave you a chance. Now we’ll do it my way.” He shouted out a command. Two burly soldiers trotted after Paul, and put their hands on his shoulders. He shrugged them off and seemed prepared to run. They glanced back at Captain Crawford. He signaled them. The soldiers nodded, and then one of them used a Taser from a few steps away. The young man dropped to the hard sidewalk.

He was quickly cuffed, and then dragged, half stumbling, back to the helicopter. Pam watched the scene with mounting distress, but her natural common sense prevailed. Despite her anxiety,