Free The Demented Z (Book 3): Contagion by Derek J Thomas

from the
supply building to one of the large barracks.  
From the mass of tracks it was clear the horde of infected had come from
one of the far buildings. “Why do these
split off?” Tom said, looking at the
smaller path that led to the main building.  
     “Has to be non-infected.”
    Bear stepped up with his rifle held low.
  “This where you saw
someone?”
    “Movement, not sure what it was.”
    “Well, let’s stay tight and watch our backs.”
  Bear said.
    Tom eased up to the door and held his ear to the wood.
  After a few silent moments he looked back at
the others and shook his head, nothing.  
Holding a MAC9 in one hand, he slowly turned the doorknob and gave it a
push inward. Bear and Hannah swept past
him with their rifles raised. Tom
followed in their wake.
    There were several shouts of “clear” as the small group
burst into the room and swept the corners and walls.
  They found themselves in a rec room.
  Worn out couches surrounded a short table piled
with books. A pinball machine, pool
table, and dart board waited for players.  
Everything was tidy and in order.  
If not for a thin layer of dust it would look like the base was still in
use.
    A trail of slushy footprints made their way around the couch
and slowly disappeared near the far side of the room.
  Hank’s eyes followed the trail, knowing
whoever made them had done so recently.
    “Our friend.”
  He said.
    “Let’s hope so.” Tom
said while stepping along the tracks with his MAC9 held at the ready.
    Bear and Hannah circled around from each side of the
room. Tom glanced back to see Hank just
off his flank and Axel and April standing just inside the door.
    Tom looked at Axel and said, “You two stay here, watch our
backs.”
    Axel nodded his head and motioned April over to the couch.
    Bear and Hannah stood to each side of a large set of closed
double doors. Hank stood with his rifle
raised and pointed directly ahead. Bear
reached out and gave the doorknob a slight turn and shove.
  All four of them stood with weapons ready as
the door swung open, revealing a long, dark hallway.
  In unison Hannah and Bear swept through the
opening, quickly followed by Hank and Tom.
    The hall was dimly lit by light that spilled in from the
door they just opened and from an open doorway at the far end.
  The flat gray walls were broken up by several
doors on each side. Dark red streaks smeared
the floor.
    “Ahhh man, that is stank.”
  Bear grumbled.
    Tom used his free arm to cover his nose from the stench.
    “Dirty squirrel nuts.”  
Hank said from the back.
    “Let’s get this done…door by door.”
  Tom said while stepping next to the first
door. Large streaks of blood on the
white tile disappeared underneath.
    With the others ready, Tom pushed the door open.
  The interior was covered in gore; blood and
chunks of white flesh dotting the floor.  
Crimson streaks splattered the walls.  
The room was small, maybe ten feet square, and only contained empty bed
frames bolted to the floor. Everybody
stood stunned. After several long
seconds of silence Tom slowly pulled the door back closed.
    Nobody said a word as the group shuffled to the other side
of the hall and Tom eased the next door open.  
While less shocking the second time, it was still more of the same; a
small room filled with gore.
    They continued from door to door all the way down the hall,
finding every room empty other than gore and metal bed frames.
  None of them said anything through the entire
process. A sense of dread weighed
heavily on all of them.
    Standing at the base of a narrow stairwell that sat at the
end of the hall, Tom said, “What do you guys think, stairs or hall?”
  He pointed to the next set of double doors
after finishing the question.
    Hannah leaned in close to one of the six inch windows cut
into the doors, a frown creasing her face.  
“Don’t like leaving either behind us.”
    “Split up?”