Rage by Lee Pletzers

me. I looked at the camera and shot it. I went into the main waiting room and shot those two cameras. To the zombies I said, “Search every room. Do not kill . Bring them here and wait for me.”
    They looked past me to George. An unspoken agreement seemed to pass between them and the six zombies went off in search. There was another camera down the hallway. I shot that one as well. First two shots missed. Third time lucky. I knew I had to conserve these bullets but I wanted to blind him. These cameras sent live feeds straight to his computer. He saw everything that went on in these halls and rooms.
    The room I had ignored called to me. I knew he wasn’t in there but still I had to check. I walked the hall to where the corridor started. I stopped at the corner and peeked around. Nothing had changed in the minutes I had been away.
    Leveling the M-16, I aimed at the doorknob. I took my time. I aimed, breathed slowly in and out, in and out. The sight was in-line and my hands were steady. In my head I chanted a mantra: I will not miss. I will not miss. I will not miss. The machine kicked as the bullet flew and the door exploded. Shards of wood flipped past me, some whacked me in the face before I had a chance to take cover but none did any damage.
    The sound of the explosion hurt my ears and I dropped the M-16, and pressed my hands against my ears. There was a constant high pitch ring bouncing around in my skull. I shook my head to clear the sound but it didn’t help at first. I counted to ten for most of the smoke to clear and headed to the busted door.
    I stepped through the entrance. The room was a mess from the explosion; papers were scattered everywhere, filing cabinets were over turned, some draws open but mostly the metal was twisted and bent. On the study table, I found an old-fashioned tape player spinning with no tape. Outside the doctor’s voice droned on. There was a mic lying on its side with the talk button taped down, and next to that was a pair of wireless speakers. I removed the tape and turned off the speakers. The doctor’s voice stopped echoing through the hallways.
    Looking behind me, I saw the smashed window frame was raised open.
    Stepping to the window, I saw my Glock, my watch and my photo on the floor. My wedding ring and braided necklace were also on the floor near the filing cabinet. I scooped up the Glock and placed it in the back of my jeans. I squatted in front of the photo and gently picked it up and stared at Skyler’s beautiful face. A deep calmness flowed through me. The rage faded into the background. My skin returned to a normal state at a rapid pace and vibrant color flooded my vision.
    The photo went into my back pocket where it belonged. I grabbed both my wedding ring and watch, and put them on. I left the braided necklace on the floor, it was cut in half and unusable. The doctor was going to pay for this as well. The rage started to bubble under my skin, so I took a deep breath and returned to a state of calmness. The necklace was an important part of my past, a solid link to a time that would never return; and now it was destroyed.
    I went to the window. Leaning out, my hands on the sills, a cool breeze blew against my skin and it felt great. There was a touch of cold to it, indicating that autumn was on the way. The grounds were empty. Not for long though. That explosion was intended to bring zombies here as they were attracted by sound more than anything else. This explosion was not meant to destroy me as I first thought. The doctor knew I wouldn’t turn that knob.
    I climbed through the window and out onto the hospital grounds. That bastard was around here somewhere. He wouldn’t have hit the road, not on foot. He had too good a set up here to just leave it all behind. Then I remembered where George had found the security guards, nurses, and whatnot—at the other end of the hospital.
    Shaking my head at my foolishness, I dashed to the front of the hospital and entered the