FUCK!
FUCK!
"An um- a maintenance guy was acting strange earlier in the staff cafeteria. I thought they were just having an argument as they were shouting and pushing at each o-other. A few people already ran up to them to break it off so I didn't pay it much mind. However, James, who was our pilot, tried to talk to the guy when he got closer. All of a sudden, the guy pounced on James but he managed to hold him down." Kaley explained.
"Then..." Kaley's hand tightened a bit on the bag she was holding. "The guy broke free and decided to bite James on his arm. After that, the guy just stood up and ran outside the door. Everyone was shocked and the guards that witnessed it chased after him. James' arm bled a lot but the nurse and I managed to give first-aid but we called the hospital right after."
'Shit! Shit! Shit! Please don't let it be what I think it is!' I shouted in my head. I swallowed a bit of my saliva and I felt sweat coming out of my forehead.
Kaley continued, "As the nurse was checking his arm, I could see where the guy bit him. It just bled a lot and not like that in the news where it's starting to discolor. Some time has passed but it shouldn't be looking like t-that..."
When Kaley finished speaking, the feeling in my gut was acting up. I looked at her and I saw her worried face. I checked the gate and Oscar still wasn't there. I had to make a quick plan to get him and Kaley out of this place.
I looked at the door on the left where the security guards were and they were still there. However, the guy with the rifle was speaking with someone on his radio. The dog being held by the other guy was pacing around, he seemed to be sensing something, giving him discomfort as he let out a whimper. I grabbed my phone and sent Oscar a text.
[What is taking you so long, old man? Something fucking bad is about to happen, you might be fucking right.]
[I'm at a checkpoint at the tarmac below, a medic is checking our temperatures. I'm close to the line but someone is being held up at the front. Can you pick me up? I think Code Zulu Alpha is happening and it's much more different compared to what we've seen on the files.]
As I read Oscar's reply, I turned to Kaley and asked if there was a way I could be let inside the door on the left.
"I could go through that door but I think they wouldn't allow you. I also don't know what Oscar looks like if I went and picked him up m-myself." Kaley replied.
I started to look around and saw something by the door on the left. I faintly smiled as I mouthed at her to follow my lead.
I walked near the guards, toward another passage, where the restrooms were. I was acting normal as I pulled my phone out then I went straight for a yellow sign on the floor. I readied myself as I slid my foot towards the floor where the 'caution wet floor' sign was at. My body slid forward and I kicked my feet up as I landed with my back.
Perfect.
I tried to make it as convincing as possible but I flailed my hand holding the bags, to hide my head as I hit the floor. A thud was produced loud enough for the guards to hear and notice. At that same exact moment, Kaley sprinted to me as she understood my plan.
"A-Are you okay sir?! Can y-you..." Kaley said a few sentences as she began to open her medical kit after examining my head. Furthermore, a smirk was hidden on her face when we made eye contact. One of the guards ran towards our direction and checked up on me.
"You need to be careful sir; I think you haven't noticed the sign here." the guard said.
"I'm very s-sorry, I was walking towards the restroom but I got a text. I forgot to see where I was going and… ow… my head kinda h-hurts..." I groaned while clutching a part of my head. I even let my saliva fall from my mouth to add to our act.
"Our nurse needs to take a closer look at you, sir. I suggest we take you to the doctor's office inside, just in case of a concussion." Kaley said convincingly.
'Nice job.' I chuckled inwardly.
I tried to hold back my laughter as best as I could when I was being escorted inside. The guard even handed me a pass to show to employees just in case someone questioned my presence inside. I was laid down on one of the few beds and the guard excused himself to go back to his station. The radio he was carrying was receiving different calls for backup and his face gave a look of worry when he heard them.
The nurse started to check me and she concluded that nothing seemed to be wrong.
"Sir, you really need to be careful next time..." the nurse said then she looked at her phone.
"Umm, I am being called down by the doctor. Miss Kaley, kindly escort him back after a few minutes. I need to go down at the checkpoint, excuse me." the nurse made a small bow as she walked towards the other exit.
The moment she left, I grabbed a doctor's bag and filled it with different sorts of medical supplies available: antibiotics, ointments, bandages, pills, painkillers, and a few bottles of alcohol. I picked up a white coat and a stethoscope and I wore both of these items. However, I noticed that Kaley was looking at me with worry and confusion.
"W-What are you doing?! I thought we were just going to pick your friend up! Is something wrong?!"
I held Kaley's shoulders and I looked at her in the eye, "There is something fucking wrong about to happen right now and I can't get into the details yet. All I can say is I've only heard whispers and seen a few reports of this but I really hope I'm wrong. In the case I'm right, we need to be out of this airport as fast as possible."
We followed the same path the nurse went into earlier and I checked my watch for the time. Kaley's face was still distraught but she knew I wasn't playing a prank.
"Do you have family here now?" I asked as we walked briskly.
"W-Wait a minute, ummmmm- I- I-I need to process this. You're sounding scary right now! Umm- I- Wait a sec!" Kaley shouted though she continued to follow me.
"Contact them immediately! Tell them to prep-" I wasn't able to finish my sentence when she pulled my arm back.
"Wait! I have my younger sister at home but my parents are away right now! Please tell me what's going on!" Kaley exclaimed.
We were at the front of the door and we stopped walking. I was about to tell her about Code Zulu Alpha later but the faster we get Oscar, the faster we could get home. If all she needed was a brief explanation, I would give it to her. I know that she wouldn't freak out if she knew about it.
However, her phone rang.
*bzzt* *bzzt*
Kaley picked it up and a female voice came, [Kaley~! OMG! Where are you?! Some homeless dude at the street attacked Mrs. Tan outside! Her neck was bitten and there was blood everywhere! The guy kept on chewing on her so I called the cops! B-But when they came, Mrs. Tan was already dead! Please come home quick!]
"W-W-Wait, WHAT?! Mrs. Tan?! W-What?! Don't go anywhere and stay at home! Try calling mom and dad!" Kaley exclaimed.
As I heard everything they were saying, I calmed her for a moment and I looked at her, "Tell her to lock and bar the doors and tell her to don't open it for anyone besides us. Have her pack clothes, food, water, and medicine. Tell her to wait for us, grab something for protection, and find a hiding spot. Do you still live at the same place we made that model rocket?"
"Y-Yeah, the same place in the Bulacan..." Kaley replied as she nodded a few times.
I then noticed that she was just staring at me with a pensive look. Her breathing was slowly returning to normal and she looked at me with a different expression.
"Is this all connected with the incident with James earlier? Is this what I think it is?" Kaley's look of confusion and worry was now gone. Her eyes were still a bit watery but I was met with a sharp stare.
'She picked it up fast. Just like old times.' I thought to myself.
I nodded after a brief sigh, "Yeah, I know it sounds crazy and you need to be with your sister immediately but we need to pick up Oscar first. After that, we'll head to your place, I promise."
Kaley just looked at me and said, "T-Thank you, I don't have a car to go there immediately. I just picked up a cab to get here..."
After that short talk, she proceeded to tell her sister what I said. As we were walking briskly on the tarmac, I noticed Oscar among one of the groups and I texted him.
[Old man, I see you now. What's holding you up? Look near the stairs at I-15. I'm wearing a white coat with a flight attendant.]
I saw Oscar's head scanning around then it locked in my direction. After that, he pulled out his phone and started tapping on it.
[Kid, is that a pack of candies? Let's do Project Sweets.]
I gave him a small salute and we headed to his group.
I shouted, "I'm looking for Col. Oscar Goodman, we need you to come with us!"
When Oscar stood up walked towards my direction, a few guards blocked the way between us.
As I was about to lie through the skin of my teeth, Kaley took a step forward and said, "He's Dr. Ishiyama from St. Luke's, and I was told to accompany him by the head of security to pick up a man named Mr. Goodman. He has a medical emergency and our doctors here don't have the equipment to check on him. If he's delayed one more second everyone present here would be in deep trouble."
"Colonel, young lass, Colonel. I'm flabbergasted that these no-ranks wouldn't let me through, I think I'll call their superior officer and have them removed from this post immediately!" Oscar interrupted.
I almost rolled my eyes from his over the top acting but Kaley continued, "I'm sorry, Col. Goodman. You said that you need to have your shots now, is that right? We don't have them at the ready but a vehicle is already waiting for you just outside."
Oscar gave both of us a look of approval then he said, "That's correct, I broke my bottle of Insulin and I need to get to a clinic or a hospital to get one because I'm starting to get dizzy."
Oscar raised one of his small bags and a medicinal smell wafted. After that, a clinking noise followed as he lightly shook the bag.
The guards gave our group a look of hesitation so I opened one of the bags in my hand and said, "Grab a handful Col. Goodman, this could help for a bit with your sugar levels. If you hold us for long, I'm gonna call your supervising officer, guard."
I looked at the two guards with a glare and after a moment, they were 'convinced' to let us go.
We walked back the way we came from and when the door closed behind us, we all gave a sigh of relief.
"That went better than expected, good thing those guards didn't do anything." I said.
"Hah! That's what I like about this country compared to mine. People tasked with security here are fucking lax and some of them feel like they don't even want to get in trouble. When you two came and I waved my rank around them, they stood there like wet puppies!" Oscar cackled while still munching on the cranberries from his hand.
"And who's this looker here~? Your girlfriend?" Oscar said as he leaned close to me with this suggestive look on his face. His eyebrows were going up and down and I started to panic.
"Umm, ah- she's ah-" I stammered as I couldn't believe Oscar would bring it up in this situation. He clearly knew that I've never been in a serious relationship with anyone and he kept on setting me up with people I didn't care about.
I glanced at Kaley but I couldn't see her face from this angle and I was hoping she didn't feel uncomfortable with that.
However, all that followed was Oscar chuckling in response to the silence.
"Well, I'd be surprised if this kid would have one. All these years I've known him, never saw him on a proper date. I've been setting him up with anybody with potential but he keeps turning them down, I was worried he'd go to a temple to be a Buddhist Monk!" Oscar's chuckling turned to a cackle.
"I see~ Still haven't changed, huh?" Kaley smiled as she looked back at me.
"Well, aren't you the same? Hmm?" I rebutted.
Kaley threw a slight jab on my arm as I said it. It was a short moment but we remained silent when we were about to reach the exit.
"Kid, did you bring Betty?" Oscar asked.
"Betty? The SUV? Of course." I replied.
"Sweet! Alright, Alright, Alright…" Oscar chuckled as he attempted to do an impression of a certain actor.
"That was so bad." I thought to myself.
I placed my hand on my forehead as I told him my plan to go to Kaley's house first. He agreed under the condition that I tell him more about her when we get back. As I have no time to argue, I just agreed and we moved on.
As we were getting near the doctor's office, on the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a figure coming out of the maintenance room.
The person rushed outside, holding his neck with both of his hands. His blue uniform had started to darken from the top and a few streaks of blood were trickling down on the floor. His movements started to get erratic so I pushed Kaley and Oscar back.
However, a loud bang came from the door he exited. His face showed fear when he heard the noise then he rushed to the other exit where the two guards earlier were stationed.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE Y-" a loud bellow was heard but another voice interrupted.
"AHHHH!!!" a shout was heard from where the guy rushed in.
*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*
Screams resounded from that side and we had no time to think what to do next.
'FUCK!' I shouted in my head.
Another series of screams followed then a couple of gunshots rang out. We tensed after that quick encounter but it was soon followed by another loud bang when the door from the maintenance room swung open.
A figure, face bloody beyond recognition stepped out.
It was snarling, hands were crooked, leaving a trail of blood, and moving in an erratic pattern. Its head snapped in our direction then it suddenly lunged with incredible speed. As soon as it closed in, we heard a shout from behind:
"DUCK!"