42 42. The forgotten stairs

Days passed and the zombie tide became stronger and bigger as it seems. the killed all those weaker zombies that would be bothersome and then accepted those that could continue on their way. Actually looking at their slow pace they felt kind of relaxed.

But Emma was not relaxed at all. She felt giddy now for days. Somehow she felt that this tide is not so simple as it seems. Whenever they stopped she could feel a stir in her body. Like current going in her veins. That strange feeling happened absolutely every time and that made her feel rather restless.

The more zombies appeared and joined the zombie tide more nervousness could be seen on her face. No matter how much Mario, Oliver or even her own daughter tried to talk her to stop she stubbornly watched their movement.

One morning she woke up in the main room where she just had a nap in her chair. Mario made her chair more comfortable so she could sleep whenever she felt like. She practically jumped from chair scaring a few of the people that just passed by and with sleep red eyes stared at the main screen.

''Computer. Check other cities in the country. Look for oddities. Commander...'' she turned her head towards Oliver. ''Prepare everyone. Red alert. Everyone outside should get inside asap. Hurry. Things will change now. Rapidly. Quick. I do not believe those from the government that they will tell us on time if they strike the tide. Hurry...''

Everyone gasped as suddenly the whole room started sounding alert. ''Red alert, everyone gets back inside shelter. Attention! Everyone should get back to the shelter. Attention!''

Since the first moment, everyone came here people felt safe and protected. But now hearing the red alert some of them became scared, but most of them felt a large amount of adrenaline rushing through their veins. They were ready for a fight.

Emma sat down and closed her eyes. ''Red alert for you as well.'' Her soft voice resounded in their heads. ''I think that zombies will change after the government attack again and I fear for your safety. Please be careful if you are outside. And hide. If you are inside waiting for worst to pass. I wish I can give you a better life, but, unfortunately, I fear that it is impossible. Please be careful. I will let you know when you can come out again.''

She could clearly feel their feelings, but unfortunately, as their bodies changed their way of feeling and thinking is off at times. But now feeling her care they changed again. But that change was for their own good. Even tho they had a mind of the small children they knew what is right and what wrong.

They understood that zombies could be dangerous for their '' mother'' so they went onto killing spree. Unfortunately, not all of them were in safety. Some of thems till roamed in towns. And by nightfall, they would leave their hiding spots and kill zombies.

She felt strongly connected to them. Somehow she knew that the changes in them are connected to her and the newly developed drug. But what is actually going on? Did doctor Stavros find something?

In the main office, she sat and with wooden expression stared at the moving zombie tide while one pair of anxious-looking pairs of eyes stared at the back of her head. Emma suddenly turned around and could see just a woman running away from the main office.

''Computer, lock the elevator doors and call the security officers. By the way, how did she even get in without permission?'' All that worked inside the main office needed an entrance scan ard to enter. For her to be able to enter was a strange occurrence.

''Entrance was not breached. The card was valid on the name of one of our workers. Chris Edvard.'' One of the security officers came in with a discarded card and showed it to Emma.

She looked coldly at the exit and smiled widely making everyone get goosebumps. ''It seems we have rats in our lines and its time to play exterminator. Find the way they moved. Find them, all!''

There was no time for her to waste. Now is a dangerous time and she had no wish to end up dead with a bullet in her head when she expected the least.

''Computer, are there other ways to enter this level?'' Her stern voice resounded in a silent room.

''Yes. Maintenance staircases and hallways. The map shall be shown.'' Her eyes darted around and ice-cold expression spread on her face. ''They can even enter my level?''

''Yes. You never sealed it.''

''Good, very good. Do we have cameras there?'' Her loud sound could be heard as she hit the table next to her.

''There are no cameras in maintenance hallways. There was never order to make it covered.'' The computer answered.

''Use of cameras in this place, extract a picture of that woman and find her in files. Quickly.'' Her heart grew cold. How much did she not cover? Who can she trust and who not?

Her eyes trebled for second but then became again calm. ''Computer, can you seal all the doors in maintenance staircases and hallways?''

''They are mechanical, not automatic. I can't lock them down.''

''Why... Oh, I am a fool.'' It was her idea to let it that way just in case of a computer malfunction or electricity disappearance. ''Never mind. I will change the lock to my place with automatic lock and soon all the places will have cameras on.''

''Jason!'' One of the computer technicians appeared near her. ''Yes, Boss?''

''Your duty will be important. Get every corner of the maintenance stairs covered, no blind spots. From now on we will need a few more people that will check on cams. Do you have people you can trust?'' She stared at him with calm expression but her gaze was dark so he shivered involuntarily.

''It will take us time...'' But was cut off by her.

''No. No time whatever. Go and put as many cams as you can there and later on cover blind spots with those spycams. Let them have a feeling of success. You know what I mean?'' She smiled at him warmly and mischievously winked at him.

He just then understood her idea. ''Yes, Boss. That is indeed possible. We will bring on many cameras in maintenance hallways. That will be faster. And in hiding, we can add many smaller ones that have the same use, but won't be seen in those murky places.''

''Murky... Should we not just add more light? I think that would help us somewhat as well.'' She just realized that those staircases really had creepy light. Poor maintenance people. They probably have fear walking around in those places. As it is not enough to be in the zombie apocalypse.

Jason just shrugged. ''We shall do that then.''

Emma nodded as she got a call from Oliver. ''Yes, Commander? Everyone inside?''

''No mam. That fool is still with a bunch of trucks on his way back. They will be here in about an hour. What should we do?'' His voice seemed quite anxious.

''Get helicopters up and tell him to give up on the trucks and move his idiotic behind the back home! There is a red alert and he is thinking about such foolish things? Does he even consider their lives?'' She started yelling while the screen switched to the long line of trucks that held as it seems tons of grain.

Suddenly she felt danger. Her eyes turned towards zombie tide and her eyes constricted as over them suddenly appeared a bunch of airplanes. ''Damn! Tell him to hurry up. Those fools will bomb tide now and the radiation will spread fast. It seems those fools plan to drop multiple bombs, not just one. Tell him to hurry up!''