Dead Awake: Episode 1 Read online

  Dead Awake:

  Episode 1

  By: Christian Green

  January 2017

  Published by

  Legacy Press

  Aurora, Illinois

  Copyright © 2017 by Christian Green

  This work is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

  ISBN:

  Acknowledgements

  Special thanks to: First and foremost, my mom and dad, Mama Rose and Uncle Brad. Mizenburg, Donovan, Marc, Jenni, Jovanna and the rest of the Wolfpack crew. It’s 2017 and still living this writing dream.

  I appreciate all of the support and feedback people have given me and believe me I have listened. To all my fans out there your support means the world to me and I hope to continue seeing you on this incredible journey!

  Dead Awake

  Episode 1

  Christian Green

  © 2017.

  The air was black, thick clouds formed and deafening roars of lightning echoed throughout the town. Fire burned through the small community of Pine Ridge Valley.

  Ethan Hunter grimaced and made it to his feet. He looked around with a sense of bewilderment. In that instant, his sight had betrayed him, but his sense of smell ran at maximum capacity.

  Ethan coughed. He could detect the burning fire around him. He skimmed through his surroundings with a sense of desperation.

  “Where am I?” Ethan mumbled to himself.

  He felt a moistness on the hind part of his skull, and placed his left hand back there to feel around.

  When he returned his hand in front of him, he gasped at the sight of his own blood.

  “What happened here? How long have I been out?”

  Ethan noticed turned over tables, desks, ripped books, and burned papers around him. In the middle of the classroom was a map, to the left a broken computer, and to the right the door.

  “Classroom, I’m still in the school.”

  Ethan’s memories began to resurface. He remembered he was in the middle of a lesson on Touch Point Math when everything went to hell.

  “Is anyone here? Call out if you can hear me!” Ethan shouted.

  “Where the hell is my class?”

  Ethan’s eyebrow rose, and he heard a loud crackling sound. With a swift dive to his left, Ethan evaded a large block of debris that crashed down in his direction.

  A thunderous bang rang out, and the ceiling shattered into several pieces. The dust scattered and Ethan grimaced as it landed in his eye.

  With a loud swear, Ethan rubbed his right eye, but that did little to ease his pain.

  He kept his eye closed and walked to the bathroom.

  Ethan turned on the sink and splashed as much cold water as it took before the irritating pain went away. He squinted and refocused his attention on getting out of his classroom.

  Two tables blocked Ethan’s exit and the fire was close. Ethan’s head throbbed, and with each step he took, the pain became more excruciating.

  Debris continued to fall and the intensity of the fire increased.

  Ethan fell to his knees and struggled to breathe. He coughed and fought to stay focused.

  “Just a little way farther.”

  Ethan made his way to the entrance. With squinted eyes and his breathing slow, Ethan reached for the knob. In mid motion, Ethan stopped, tilted his head and looked back inside the classroom.

  “I’m not crazy, am I?”

  “Is someone in here?” Ethan called out as he scanned the burning classroom.

  There was no answer.

  “Is anybody in here?”

  There was still no answer.

  Ethan grabbed the doorknob and turned it.

  “Mr. Hunter,” A faint voice said.

  There was no doubt about it; someone else was in there with him.

  Ethan hopped to his feet and moved in the direction of the voice.

  “Where are you?” Ethan asked. “Call out!”

  He got no response, but had an idea of the general area of the faint voice.

  Ethan ran to the back and moved the boxes and chairs out of the way. Under the boxes were piles of books. As the pile grew smaller, Ethan saw the small hand of a child buried at the bottom.

  He moved the rest of the items out of his way. His caramel skin turned pale as he saw the small child.

  “Oh God.”

  Ethan swallowed spit and fought back tears.

  “Crista, wake up sweetheart.”

  Ethan touched Crista’s face and her eyes focused on the sound of his voice.

  “Hey Crista, everything will be okay.”

  For Crista’s sake, Ethan did his best to put on a fake smile.

  Crista returned the smile and stared back at his hazel colored eyes.

  Unfortunately, her comfort evaporated as debris continued to fall.

  “Okay, we have to get moving sweetie. Can you stand?”

  Crista grimaced as soon as she tried to move. Ethan lifted her off the ground and put her into his well-defined arms.

  “Mr. Hunter.”

  “Yes?”

  “I want my mom.”

  Ethan gave Crista a small smile and nodded.

  “She’s at work.”

  Ethan set Crista down and checked her for bruises, cuts, and anything else that he might have missed.

  Crista looked at Ethan and her lip quivered.

  “Don’t worry. We will be fine.”

  He needed to tell her that even if he wasn’t so sure himself. It didn’t matter though, sensible and soothing words had little effect on a scared child.

  Crista cried. Her face turned into a fountain of water as tears flowed.

  “Crista, please don’t cry. Everything will be okay.”

  Ethan wanted to say more, but without any comprehension of what transpired at the school, he thought it wise to keep his words to himself.

  Crista settled.

  “Good job Crista, okay sweetie, let’s keep moving.”

  With Crista pressed over his shoulders, Ethan headed for the exit, twisted the doorknob and cursed.

  “Mr. Hunter, you said a bad word.”

  “You're right, I apologize.”

  “Why did you say that word Mr. Hunter?”

  “I shouldn’t have. The doorknob is boiling and I can’t open it without hurting myself.”

  “What’s boiling?” Crista replied.

  “It means really hot.”

  Crista nodded.

  Ethan waited for her to finish processing the information. He anticipated she would have questions that needed to be answered.

  “So, what do we do now Mr. Hunter?”

  Ethan glanced around the room. Every fiber within his body wanted to panic, but he refused to let fear take over him.

  “Give me a second.”

  Ethan had limited options. Since he had Crista with him, he did not want to take any chances, so going out the front door wasn't a choice.

  He searched for another way out. He thought about going out the window, but he remembered he was on the third floor.

  Ethan glanced up and concluded their only chance of escape was through the ceiling.

  Ethan put Crista down, but kept her nearby. He walked over and hopped up on the table.

  “Crista, scoot back.”

  “Why?”<
br />
  “Because I said so!”

  The small child paused.

  Ethan's authoritative voice reminded her she still needed to follow instructions.

  It took Ethan more than one attempt, but eventually he was successful in knocking out the remainder of the ceiling’s panels.

  “Crista, climb up here on this table.”

  She hesitated.

  “Sweetheart, we need to go up here to get out of this room.”

  “Door?” the little girl asked.

  “It’s too hot.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Crista I’m sure!” Ethan said.

  The level of patience Ethan often displayed was admirable, but in that moment, patience wasn’t something he could afford.

  Ethan took a sympathetic breath and climbed back down off the table. He held his hand out for Crista to take.

  “Crista, please take my hand. I will take you to your mom as soon as I can.”

  “Promise?”

  Ethan smiled. “Yes, I promise.”

  Tears formed in the corner of Crista's eye again. Ethan knelt down in front of her and stared into her blue eyes.

  He took a deep breath and spoke with a soft, soothing voice. He had become an expert with using the appropriate tone. Especially when it came to Crista.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes Mr. Hunter.”

  “Then listen carefully. I’m going to pick you up and I need you to crawl until we reach the other side. I will be right behind you and I won't let anything happen to you.”

  Ethan waited. Crista’s learning disability often caused her to process information at a slower pace.

  “Okay,” Crista said.

  Ethan climbed back up and motioned her to join him. Ethan put his hands around Crista’s waist and lifted her onto the opening.

  “Mr. Hunter it’s dark!”

  “I’m right behind you dear.”

  Ethan readied himself, and jumped up. His left hand caught the ledge by the fingertips and he used his considerable strength to propel himself up.

  “Too dark!” Crista cried.

  Ethan used his cell phone’s light to brighten the dark vent. “We’re almost there. Keep moving!”

  Crista listened to her teacher’s calm voice, and did as told. She crawled and crawled until they reached the end of the vent.

  “Now what?” Crista asked.

  Ethan came up beside her and looked down to the floor. The damage and destruction left him in complete shock.

  The entire hallway was a wreck. There was blood all around the area. Severed limbs and fire engulfed the entire area.

  “Crista, close your eyes.”

  “Are we playing a game Mr. Hunter?”

  “Something like that. I need you to close your eyes and keep them closed until I tell you to open them. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Crista followed Ethan’s instructions. Ethan kicked and kicked until the vent flew to the bottom. He jumped down and took a look around the area.

  Satisfied the coast was clear, Ethan peered up at the opening.

  “Okay Crista, jump into my arms.”

  “I don't want to!”

  “Don't worry, I will catch you.”

  “You promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Crista smiled. She jumped, and as promised Ethan caught her. He took her by the hand and held on.

  “Remember Crista, keep your eyes closed.”

  It was too late. Crista’s curiosity and impulsive nature got the best of her. Her eyes opened and just as Ethan expected, she screamed.

  “I told you keep your eyes close. Why didn’t you listen?”

  “Because I couldn’t see how to walk.”

  Ethan chuckled. Her reasoning was rationale to him. Ethan made his way towards a motionless body.

  “What are you doing Mr. Hunter?”

  “Checking for a pulse.”

  “A pulse? What’s that?”

  “It helps me determine if people are awake or taking a nap.”

  Ethan didn’t know how else to explain it to her. He was determined to shield her from the truth.

  “Don't touch,” Crista said.

  “I have to check.”

  Crista closed her eyes and squeezed Ethan’s hand. For such a small girl, she had a tight grip.

  Ethan's right hand cuffed the side of his coworker’s neck.

  “Did you find the purse?”

  “Purse? Oh, you mean pulse,” Ethan said.

  Crista nodded.

  “No, I didn’t find a pulse.”

  “So, that means he’s napping?”

  “Yes Crista, he’s taking a long nap.”

  Crista stared at the dead man. Her expression demonstrated confusion and curiosity.

  “Well, I hope he wakes up soon.”

  Ethan thought it best not to reply. Instead, he moved to his right and checked the pulse of the woman near the dead man.

  “Does she have an umm pulse?”

  Ethan sighed. “No Crista, she doesn’t have a pulse either.”

  “How long are they going to be sleeping?”

  “For a long-time Crista, but we have to leave them. It’s time to go.”

  “Will they wake up later?”

  “Yes,” Ethan replied.

  Ethan and Crista continued down the hall until Crista stopped.

  “Crista?”

  Crista looked in the other direction.

  Ethan stood with his back near the area they had just left and stared at Crista.

  “Crista, what is it?”

  Crista had a confused look on her face.

  “I thought you said they were going to be napping for a long-time.”

  “That’s right.”

  “No, it’s not,” Crista said and pointed.

  Ethan whipped around just in time to see the unthinkable.

  “That’s impossible,” Ethan mumbled.

  “Look Mr. Hunter, they’re waking up!”

  Ethan couldn’t believe what he saw.

  “See, I told you!” Crista said.

  Ethan watched as his coworkers moved in their direction.

  “Why are they moving so slow?”

  “They’re probably just tired,” Ethan replied with a cautious tone.

  Something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He felt no pulse, but somehow, they had life.

  “Hi Mrs. Tilton!” Crista shouted.

  Crista was very excited to see the woman. Mrs. Tilton was one of the teacher’s that always came to visit Mr. Hunter’s class. She would always bring goodies for the kids and Mr. Hunter.

  The woman’s head turned in Crista's direction. Ethan’s eyes locked in on Mrs. Tilton and gasped when he noticed the color change in her eyes.

  “Why are her eyes so red?” Crista asked.

  “I’m not sure dear.”

  “Hi Mrs. Tilton!” Crista called out a second time.

  The woman did not respond with words but instead with sounds. She growled at Crista.

  Crista jumped back and her lips shivered.

  More sounds of growling engulfed the room. Ethan looked around and noticed the lifeless individuals he encountered moments earlier weren’t so lifeless anymore.

  “This can’t be good. Crista, it’s time to leave… Now!”

  Ethan scooped Crista up into his arms and ran in the opposite direction.

  The coworkers followed behind and growled. They moved with an intent that wasn’t pleasant.

  “Why are they chasing us?”

  “I don’t know.”

  The stench of decayed flesh was unbearable. Smoke surrounded them as did the lifeless bodies they encountered with every step they took.

  Crista shouted as she gazed upon the faces of so many dead people.

  Ethan remained unshaken. This wasn’t Ethan’s first exposure to so much blood and carnage.

  “Where are we going?” Crista asked.

  “We’r
e moving to a safer location.”

  About midway through the hall, Ethan came to an unexpected stop. His momentum caused Crista to fall, and scrape her knee.

  She cried in agony from the pain and screeched in horror when she observed the blood on her leg.

  “Crista, we have to move.”

  “It hurts, it hurts bad.”

  The growling sounds grew nearer. Ethan sensed they were gaining on his position.

  “I know, I’ll look at it soon, but for now we need to keep going.”

  Crista moved, but she looked over to her left, and stopped dead in her tracks.

  “Do you want me to carry you again?” Ethan asked.

  “Mr. Hunter, is that Ms. Carlson?”

  Ethan faced Crista’s direction and sighed. The sight of the burned woman’s remains made Ethan sick to his stomach.

  “I don’t know for certain, I can’t tell.”

  “What happened?”

  Ethan looked fixedly at the disfigured body and could only speculate.

  “I’m not sure,” Ethan said.

  “Will she be okay?”

  “In time.”

  Ethan gritted his teeth. That was the second time in the matter of minutes he lied to her. He didn’t like the feeling; he didn’t like it one bit.

  The duo rounded the corner and entered Ms. Rodriguez’s room to temporarily escaped the clutches of Ethan’s delirious coworkers.

  Ethan walked over to look for the first aid kit, but it was missing. He went through the cabinet near the back wall, but it wasn’t there either.

  “What are you looking for?” Crista asked.

  “Some supplies that will help.”

  Ethan walked over to Ms. Rodriguez’s desk and just as he was about to search for supplies, a part of the ceiling crashed down in his direction.

  “Mr. Hunter!” Crista shrieked.

  Ethan jump over the desk and evaded the debris.

  “I’m alright, no worries.”

  Ethan waited for her to reply, but she didn’t.

  “Crista?”

  Ethan scanned his surroundings, but there was no sign of Crista.

  He looked under the tables and behind the bookshelves, but Crista was nowhere in sight. Ethan hurried to the entrance and checked the hallway, but again, there was no trace of her anywhere.