Free Zombie Mage by Jonathan J. Drake Page B

remained frozen to the spot, his beady eyes
fixed solidly on his patient.
    “Let me tell you something,” Olligh continued. “Just
because someone is splattered with volatile boils and they look a bit
different, doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve had a bad upbringing and can’t
contribute to society.”
    “Erm... Sir... You’re quite correct but never mind
that.  It was purely mindless babble.  It helps me focus on my job.  The main
thing is, you’re alive! This is a wondrous occasion.”  The doctor shook his
head in disbelief. “You, sir!  You’ve managed to return from the beyond.”
    Olligh sighed. “Indeed, and it took you how long to
determine this?”
    The doctor reached for a clipboard from the table. “I
must conduct tests.  I must find out more.   I mean, we've all heard rumours
about the dead rising but, until you've actually witnessed this for yourself,
it's purely mindless speculation. This is a truly remarkable day for me and for
science."
    “Yes, but unfortunately, I must be leaving.  I have
important things to do.”
    “No, but you can’t.  I’ve saved your life.”
    “What?  You’ve done nothing of the sort. You were
about to slice me up and remove my body parts.”
    “You were brought in here from a muddy ditch in the
forest.  If my colleagues hadn't found you, wild beasts would've most likely
devoured you by now.”
    “Nonsense, no wild beast would have the stomach to eat
me.”
    Olligh stepped down from the stone table and Doctor
Sykes grabbed his arm tightly. “I can’t allow you to leave.”
    “Yes, you can.”
    “No, I can’t.”
    “You will.”
    “I won’t.”
    Olligh scowled, baring his yellow teeth. “Do you
realise, I haven’t eaten anything for at least ten days and you’re beginning to
look rather appetising?”
    Doctor Sykes blinked. He released Olligh’s arm and
took a step backwards. “Well, when you explain it that way, you do have a most
valid point.”
    Olligh glanced around the room searching for an exit.  Spotting
the doorway, he rushed past the bemused doctor towards it.
    “Erm... Please don’t go. Look, I’ll get you anything
you want.”
    Olligh grabbed the door handle and yanked it open.
“Not interested.  I do, however, hope your next patient is more subdued for you
than what I've been.”
    “Please! I can get you chicken legs, tripe and even
some slabs of lamb if you desire. In return, I’ll only perform a few basic
tests.”
    “I don’t think so.  If you were to get me back on that
table, you’d be slicing me up without remorse. Besides, I lied. I’m not in the
slightest bit hungry!”
    With that, Olligh slammed the door shut and climbed up
some stone steps leading to an open trapdoor into an empty kitchen.  To ensure
the doctor wasn’t able to pursue him, he closed the trapdoor and dragged a
heavy table on top of it.  Just as he got the table leg in position over it,
somebody screamed.  Turning, he noticed a serving maid cowering in the corner
of the kitchen next to an open door.  She pointed at him shakily.
    “Who are you?  Where’s Doctor Sykes?”
    Olligh scratched his nose, his eyes darting around the
kitchen searching for an escape route. Unfortunately, the only exit he could
see was behind the maid.
    “Shh!” Olligh said, holding a finger to his mouth.
“There’s no need to get all stressed and agitated.  He’s fine.  He’s down in
the cellar sharpening his blades.”
    “The... the cellar?”  She glanced at the kitchen floor
before returning her gaze back to Olligh.
    “If he’s down there, why’ve you blocked the way out? 
Is he dead?  Have you eaten him?”
    “Eaten him?  What do you mean, eaten him? Do I have
the word cannibal scrawled on my forehead or something?”
    The maid sobbed. “Don’t lie! You’ve eaten him, haven’t
you?  Please, I beg of you, don’t harm me. I’m sure I wouldn't taste very
nice.”
    She slowly stepped backwards towards the open doorway
anticipating her