Slow Burn: A Zombie Novel by Mike Fosen, Hollis Weller Page B

police who were stationed outside. A cashier who escaped as the attack began, and was being transported to a hospital for treatment of some minor wounds, told police how several sick looking men had attacked customers in various checkout lines, and that gunfire erupted when one of the victims pulled a gun and started shooting. The shooting had all stopped, and the store was quiet upon the arrival of law enforcement. The police had not issued any official statements in regards to rumors of possible Al-Qaida involvement.
    KCNC-TV in Denver was reporting on a possible attack at an urban elementary school. The story was just breaking and was still sketchy on the details. It seemed that a crazed man entered the school and attacked a classroom full of young students with only his bare hands. The camera shot from outside showed long lines of students filing out of the building. Several ambulances could be seen treating wounded students as first responders were pouring inside. Sustained gunfire was being reported from the area of the gymnasium.
    And finally in Dallas, KTVT was reporting on a large fight at the Galleria Mall that started in the food court and escalated into a full blown riot. Images taken from the parking lot confirmed a huge police response in which officers were seen entering the complex with assault style rifles. People were seen streaming out of the hastily set up perimeter and many appeared wounded. The area was being cordoned off from the media and bystanders by police, and the reporter was now hearing gunfire coming from the large complex as well. One woman was screaming at the reporters about demons from hell and the end of days before being dragged away by police.
    Matvei had the last television on CNN. As the anchor began to report unrest in several large hospitals around the country, Matvei turned to his aides that were with him in the trailer.
    “ It has started,” Matvei told them. “Soon America will be ripe for the taking. All we have to do is sit back and wait. Once the virus reaches full strength in the population, it’ll take hold in a new host in mere minutes."
    He knew that in a few hours reports would be flooding in from all over the country, and the full scope of the disaster would soon be known to the entire world.
    “ Congratulations, sir,” Hector, one of the mercenaries, replied with a grin. “Soon all of it will be ours.”
    Matvei smiled, “Yes, yes it will be.”
    He remembered a quote he heard at the academy in Malinovsky, spoken long ago by Abraham Lincoln, a man who later in his life would become president of the United States:
    "…Shall some trans-Atlantic military giant step the earth and crush us at a blow? Never. All the armies of Europe and Asia...could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in the trial of a thousand years…”
    “ I just might need to go take that drink.”
    Matvei walked out of the command center for a smoke and to take care of the one last thing he wanted to do to make himself feel even better.
    Americans always did make the best smokes , he thought as he lit a cigarette.
    Matvei made the short walk to the infirmary and entered the room where the one remaining infected was kept. Matvei looked at the creature with sunken, lifeless eyes that once passed as human. His skin was yellow, drawn tight around his cheek bones, with dried blood around his nose and mouth. Even in this deteriorated state, the infected man let out a sickening hiss and tried vainly to grab Matvei through his restraints. In a smooth and calculated move, Matvei drew his USP .45 and shot the infected man once, right between the eyes.

5

August 26
Day 1

    The squad car crested the top of the hill that led into the housing projects where the fight was taking place. Stephen slammed on the brakes and stopped the squad car as both officers stared at what was unfolding before their eyes.
    “ Holy shit!” Stephen said quietly.
    Roy could only sit