Pandora: A Novel of the Zombie Apocalypse Read Free

Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the World Health Organization have just confirmed that all the people who have fallen sick and then become violent are individuals who previously contracted the Pandora virus that recently spread as a worldwide pandemic.
    “The federal government has called for all Pandora survivors to immediately report to any nearby hospital for testing and probable quarantine. Radio and television alerts are to be—”
    Just then a kitchen chair fell over, banging noisily on the tile floor. As one, the three friends jumped in their seats. They were so absorbed in the newscast that the loud bang scared the shit out of them.
    “Crap, spilled my coffee,” complained Jack.
    “Yeah, me too,” added Mike.
    Sean walked into the kitchen to check on the noise when he ran into Brian.
    “Sorry, guys,” Brian mumbled sheepishly. “I’m feeling a little dizzy this morning.”
    Sean looked at his friend in the bright morning light that shone into the kitchen. He was shocked at how sick his buddy looked. “Dude, are you all right? You look like shit. I mean, you really look bad,” he said, now very concerned.
    Brian Dunn stood in the middle of the kitchen, practically swaying back and forth. He looked ashen, and his skin appeared clammy. When he looked at Sean, his eyes were very bloodshot and seemed almost dull.
    “Hey…here, man,” Sean told Brian, grabbing another chair. “Sit down before you fall down.”
    He guided Brian onto the chair and glanced up to see Mike and Jack standing in the doorway, looking worried. They came in as Sean got down on one knee in front of the now-seated big man.
    “Do you want some water? I think it may help,” Sean said. Turning to Jack, he added, “Hey, give Brian a glass of water. Okay?”
    Jack ran to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of Poland Spring water and, twisting off the cap, hurriedly brought it back and handed it to Brian. After taking the bottle with a shaky hand, Brian slowly brought it to his mouth and took a sip.
    “I dunno53, guys,” groaned Brian. “I really feel like crap.”
    “What do you think it is?” asked Sean. “What symptoms are you feeling?”
    “I have this splitting headache.” Brian closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “It starts from the back of my neck and runs over the top of my head to behind my eyes. It feels like my head is about to explode. All my joints and muscles feel sore and kind of stiff. Even my hands feel achy.” Brian looked down and picked his hand up from his lap, then curled and uncurled his fingers like claws. He let his breath out in a long exhalation. “Man, this sucks!” He took another sip of water.
    “What do you need us to do?” asked Jack.
    Brian gave a disgusted shrug. He sat there for a minute or two, just staring into his lap. In the quiet of the moment, they heard the reporter ontelevision talking about a new attack at New York-Presbyterian University Hospital and something else up in Boston.
    Sean stood and looked at Mike. Mike met his gaze and raised his eyebrows; both of them had the same unspoken thought. They looked at Jack, but he kept alternating his gaze back and forth between the television, which he could just see around the doorway to the living room, and Brian, who was sitting dejectedly in the chair, softly groaning.
    Mike took a step closer to Brian, rested a hand on his shoulder, and bent down. “Brian? I think this might have something to do with what’s on the news. They said anyone who’s had the Pandora virus is getting sick again. I think we should take you back to the hospital. I know you don’t want to go there again, but this is real serious, bro.”
    “Yeah, what do you say, Brian?” asked Sean.
    Brian looked up at them then looked down again, rubbing his hand through his uncombed blond hair.
    “All right,” he said simply.
    “Great!” said Sean, brightening up slightly. “We’ll all come with you.”
    “I’ll get my Jeep,” Jack offered.