Zombie Kong - Anthology Read Free Page A

being unemployed.
    “Let’s hope this plan’s better, buddy.” He tried to impress it upon Manny, who sometimes still pounded his own head as if to stop whatever pain was tormenting him, to stay where he was. He used hand gestures and stepped away from him slowly. “Stay there until I give you the signal. You have no idea what the fuck I’m saying. But just stay, Manny.” He stared into Manny’s eyes, hoping whatever connection they had somehow made him understand.
    Manny stayed in place while Cesar backed all the way to the door, hands in front of himself. Cesar thought it would look pretty good on the tape, him backing up as if he were terrified, trying to get out. He kept facing Manny even while he inserted the little card that disengaged the lock. He opened the door, backed up until he was in the doorway, then said, “Manny, Manny!” waving his hands as if he were startled or scared to death while he really meant to signal Manny to come.
    Manny raced toward him. Cesar pretended he was in a cartoon where the character’s so scared he runs in place for a minute before actually being able to move. He knew Lindstrom already thought he was little more than Mexican trash, couldn’t write proper English, sometimes didn’t speak that well, probably a dope fiend. Hopefully, he also wouldn’t expect Cesar to be particularly smart or brave when being charged by an angry-looking gorilla that appeared to be five or six times his weight, though up close, he now seemed even more than that.
    As soon as Manny reached him, Cesar put his hands on Manny’s arms as if he were trying to hold him back or push away, when he was really pulling, encouraging him through the door. God, he hoped it looked legit. And he hoped the cameras were video only. If not… it was too late to turn back now.
    Cesar ran, leading Manny through the halls, hoping Manny stayed behind him like they were playing. If the gorilla got in front of him, it would look damn suspicious if Cesar didn’t run the other direction. The other custodial staff would be spread into the other wings––he hoped they were where they should be, just this once.
    The outer door—how was he going to get Manny through that without giving himself away? He stopped at the door and turned, his arms splayed against it as if he now might fear for his life. Manny roared and charged as Cesar slid to the side. Manny punched the panel by the handle, pounded it until his blood smeared the dented metal and the light went out. An alarm sounded then, and Manny swung his arms, his scream close to a man’s, Cesar thought. Manny slammed himself against the door, bending the thick steel, buckling it, over and over again until finally it gave. Once on the other side, Manny stopped and looked back at Cesar. Friend .
    Those pleading eyes. Cesar hadn’t thought this far ahead. “Go. Hide, Manny, hide in the trees. I’ll find you.” He held his hands up and made a pushing movement. “Go, go!” He backed away as he did it, hoping to look scared on the camera, and hoping Manny understood. Manny roared, and ran.
     
     
    * * *
     
     
    “What the fuck ?”
    In all the times Cesar had seen Lindstrom upset, he’d never heard him carry on like he’d been doing for the last half hour. He’d seen the security tapes, and Cesar knew the man hated that he hadn’t sacrificed his own safety for the good of the work that was being done here. Contempt dripped from every look the doctor gave him. As long as he didn’t lose his job, he didn’t give a shit what this man thought.
    Men had already been sent in search of Manny. And now Lindstrom and Cesar were alone in a small office, with Cesar in an uncomfortable metal chair and Lindstrom pacing, his hands clenched behind his back.
    “Tell me again what happened.”
    For the fifth time, Cesar told him.
    “Do you have any idea what all of this means? That he’s loose out there? If we’re lucky, he’ll get caught in some sort of trap and die, or