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The Deserters
(© Ian Mountz)

Page 1

Peter Jennings was on ABC explaining that North Korea, Colombia, and Uganda were experiencing random acts of violence committed by small bands of its own citizens.

"They seem to be in what you might call a catatonic state," Jennings said reading from scripted paper instead of the monitor. "Their movements are slow and they are incoherent. They are attempting to bite anyone who comes into contact with them. We also have similar reports coming in from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles California. We turn now to ABC news correspondent James Miller. James, what can you tell us?"

The news now shifted to a tall overweigh journalist holding a microphone and walking down a sunny street in L.A. Police sirens filled the audio and there appeared to be a fire burning in the background. Finally James Miller could be heard.

"Peter I'm here at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and what I can tell you is Doctors are dumbfounded as to the cause. These people who are obviously infected with some kind of illness are having to be restrained and tied down. There have been numerous incidents where they have bitten doctors, nurses, police officers and even members of their own family. Right now the staff here at Cedar Sinai are receiving patients who seem to be infected or who have been bitten. Roadblocks

have been erected by the Police Department blocking entry into the hospital. They are obviously trying to control the flow of infected people coming in."

A skinny Hispanic man walked slowly up behind James Miller. He looked blue in the face and his eyes seemed gray. James Miller turned around and took a step back bumping into the camera man.

"Peter right here is a case of someone who has been infected," the reporter said taking two steps back for every step the Hispanic man took forward. "I'll give you an example of what we're dealing with here. I'll try to communicate with this man."

"Sir," James shouted. "Sir can you hear me? Sir if you can hear me I need you to stop." The Hispanic man kept walking towards him with his hands raised out. Suddenly from out of nowhere, two police officers tackled the man to the pavement and immediately handcuffed him.

"As you can see Peter, they cannot be reasoned with and no one seems to know what is causing this. Right now I'd like to take you to one of the police officers who has agreed to be interviewed. He was bitten earlier this morning by someone he helped escort to Cedar and was treated."

James walked dutifully over to a dazed police officer who sat on a gurney outside the front entrance. His arm was bandaged in gauze. "What is you name, sir?"

"Officer Jeff Doss," replied the officer.

"And can you tell us what happened?"

"This morning we received a call from Oakwood Elementary School. Apparently an elderly woman had wandered outside on to the playground and began biting some of the children. One of the victims was bitten on the neck and is critical condition inside. We restrained the woman and brought her here."

"And you were bitten yourself, sir? How'd that happen?"

"While trying to restrain this woman she decided to bite my arm." The officer offered an exhausted smile.

"And have you been treated yet?"

"Well," the officer said looking around at the chaos of patients outside waiting to be admitted inside. "Right now I'm low on the priority list. A paramedic wrapped my arm up and I'm just waiting to receive some stitches."

"And how do you feel?"

"I'm a little tired."

"Understandable. Have you heard of many reports regarding random acts of violence in the area?"

"Apparently this has been happening since early this morning," the officer said. "We've had reports all over the city of the same thing going on."

"Any word on the elderly woman you brought here?"

"I haven't heard anything."


The phone rang giving both Clark and I a good startle. "1st Battalion, 68th Armor, Headquarters Company, Specialist Doss speaking." I answered.

"Doss," an angry voice came through. "I want you to call all the sections and get their people down here to start drawing out weapons. Get one of your guys to go all over that building and confiscate every phone, radio and television. Then call me back when it happens."

"And who am I talking to?"

"This is Colonel Piscol," he growled.

"Yes sir."

"Get to it."

[ Continue to page 2 ]

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Genre:Living Dead
Type:Short story
Rating:7.35 / 10
Rated By:201 users
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