Diamond Creek Dogs

By Mark Gordon

The world has fallen to night-dwelling mutants and humanity endures in small, secure communities, where survivors are terrorised by marauders during the daylight hours and 'feeders' at night. In the outback town of Diamond Creek a community is created around the one person who seems to possess the powers to resist those who were once human. Ten-year-old Gabby might just be the mystical talisman to lead the Diamond Creek 'dogs' on a journey where there is as much hardship and violence as there is hope. If they can survive an epic battle with the marauders further challenges await, but for the sake of those who remember how the world once was, it is the only way. Diamond Creek Dogs continues the grand struggle that began on Desolation Boulevard, and now it's time to fight back.

"Shades of Stephen King's 'The Stand' and the movie version of "I Am Legend" blend together in this unique zombie tale." - Praise for 'Desolation Boulevard'.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Gordon
• Release date: Jan 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311091543

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Arrival

Is that it, do you think?

The road they had travelled was mostly behind them now, and they stood gazing towards the west, lost in their own thoughts. On the horizon, smoke drifted up into the sky, where it mingled with the clouds, turning it a dismal charcoal colour. They had almost reached their goal. The settlement ahead was where a band of survivors had chosen to eke out a new start. This was where they were going. This would be home.

Matt turned to the others. That’s Diamond Creek, he said. Let’s get moving. It’ll be dark soon and they’ll be coming out to feed.

Then they were heading west again, not talking, as the wheels droned monotonously on the road beneath them. Matt looked towards the isolated settlement, and tried to grasp the notion that this would be home. His heart, though, would always belong to the farm. The night before, when the feeders attacked, it seemed as if all would be lost, because there were so many beasts, and so few defenders. Somehow, though, the small army of followers provided enough resistance, and he managed to get away with the girl and two others.

The girl.

Some thought she was the key to everything, and so had sacrificed their lives to save her. Matt glanced at her now in the rear view mirror, as she rested her head on Sally’s shoulder. It was almost impossible to believe that this six-year-old could be a vital element in the coming battle between good and evil, but Matt had seen enough to think that it might be true. Up ahead, the settlement of Diamond Creek sprouted a little higher above the horizon as they drew closer. Soon they would be there.

In the car nobody had spoken of the friends they had left behind, fighting in the front lines, as feeder after feeder emerged from the darkness. It was too raw and too soon. Best to look ahead, and try to make the most of the future. In this violent, new world, life had become fragile beyond belief, and death hovered over the survivors, like a vulture stalking a wounded rabbit. Matt couldn’t imagine that anybody was safe any more. People were too few, and the feeders legion. Now humanity huddled together in tiny, frail communities, clinging to life until the sun rose again. One day at a time. One day at a time.

Will they let us in? asked Bonnie, the girl’s mother.

I think so, replied Matt. I’m guessing they’ll know about Gabby.

Many survivors had been dreaming of the girl. Premonitions. Save the girl, whatever it takes. At the farm people had turned up in their hundreds to protect her, and they had succeeded, but now Matt was taking her to Diamond Creek, and the future was uncertain once more.

As the car drew closer to the settlement, signs of human activity became more obvious - smoke rose from chimneys, trucks scuttled about like beetles, and people worked the fields by the side of the road. They turned to watch, as the car sailed past them, like statues, except for their heads, which followed the car until it was out of sight.

They seem pretty interested in us, noted Sally from the back seat.

I think we’re expected, Matt answered.

-

My name is John Gardener, the man said, holding out his hand.

Hi. I’m Matt. This is Sally, Bonnie and Gabby, he said, pointing at each in turn. Oh, and the dog’s name is Elvis.

They were out of the car, as a crowd congregated around them, curious and reverential.

Hello, said John, as he shook their hands in turn, before going over to the little girl and crouching down until their eyes were at the same level.

Hello Gabby. We’re glad you’re here, he said, smiling broadly.

Thank you, Gabby replied, returning his smile.

Bonnie stepped forward, interrupting the exchange. I’m Bonnie, she said. Gabby’s mother.

Oh, he said, standing up, clearly surprised. Mother and daughter! That’s extraordinary. Sorry if I seem shocked, but there are no relatives here at Diamond Creek. We’re all orphans since the event.

The man seemed to be the spokesperson for the community. He was perhaps forty years old, with sun-bleached hair and chiseled features, like movie stars used to have before they became quirky and effeminate. He looked like the kind of person you would want in charge when everything fell apart. He exuded an air of practicality and honesty. Bonnie liked him.

So John, she said, What’s the deal with this place?

Right to the point. Good, he said, smiling at Bonnie, while Matt, Sally and Gabby stood patiently in the fading daylight. Listen, it’s getting late and we need to batten down the hatches before it gets dark. How about we get you settled in to your digs, and then after you’ve had a chance to get cleaned up you can all come over to my place for dinner. I can explain everything and I have some people I’d like you to meet. I’ll have some questions for you too, if that’s okay?

Sure, said Bonnie. Food would be good. It’s been a long day. She turned to Matt and Sally. Is that okay with you guys?

They shrugged.

Ten minutes later they were making themselves at home in a simple house, two blocks from the big gates where they had entered the township. Bonnie was in the bathroom with Gabby, while Matt and Sally were trying to find something to wear from a pile of brand new clothes, which had been delivered to their front door a few minutes earlier.

Everyone seems very friendly here, said Sally, as she held up a pair of jeans to her waist.

So far, anyway, said Matt.

What? Don’t you trust them?

Matt paused and threw a shirt that was too small for him onto the couch, Oh, I guess so. It’s just hard with everything we’ve been through. I won’t relax until I’ve seen more of this place.

John seems nice. I think Bonnie was checking him out. She likes him.

Really?

Yeah, you didn’t notice?

I guess not. I’ve got other things on my mind.

Montana?

Matt nodded and looked at Sally. You must be thinking about Dylan too.

Do you think they’re dead? she asked, barely above a whisper.

Matt went to the window and looked out into the night. A few drops of rain were beginning to speckle the glass and soon it would be raining hard. It reminded Matt of the night his father had died, and he turned back to Sally, trying to find the words to answer her question.

Since this event, I’ve lost everything. My mother and father, everyone I knew in Millfield, all of my relatives, and now the farm. Montana or Dylan could not have survived that onslaught last night.

But when we left them, they were alive. They were fighting. Maybe we should have stayed and fought too. They might have made it if we stayed!

Bullshit! Matt spat. Nobody could survive that. The people that came to the farm, came for one reason - to help us protect Gabby. We’ve honoured their memory by doing that. We have to just hope that it was worth it. We need to think about the future now."

-

Thirty minutes later they were sitting around a large dining table at John’s house sipping vegetable soup and eating home made bread. The visitors were quiet. They had been introduced to Imran and Jayne, but even making small talk was difficult, weighed down as they were by grief and the good people they had left behind.

Does everyone get a welcome like this? asked Matt, spooning another mouthful of soup into his mouth.

Actually, no, answered John. New arrivals are usually looked after by a little team we have just for that purpose.

Why us then? asked Bonnie. Is it because of Gabby?

You know then?

Know what exactly? asked Bonnie, still unwilling to give anything away, even after all they had been through.

John looked at the girl, who was slumped over her bowl, slurping soup, oblivious to the conversation that was going on around her.

Can we talk in front of her? he asked.

Sure, Bonnie replied, I think she knows more than we do anyway. About some things at least.

Okay then, he went on. I’ll tell you everything I know, and when I’m finished you can fill in the gaps. Fair enough?

Sure, said Bonnie. Let’s hear it.

Chapter 2

Diamond Creek

John began his story.

Three months ago, almost everyone on the planet went into some kind of suspended animation. They hid away in dark places for a day or two, and when they woke up, they had an appetite for violence and flesh, human or otherwise. We know from eyewitness accounts, that on the first night there was almost complete chaos, as these zombies attacked not only survivors, but also their own kind and even animals like cats and dogs.

Nobody needed to say a word. They had seen the world’s drastic change for themselves. Outside the rain continued to pour down.

After the initial bedlam the creatures started to change their behaviour. They didn’t attack each other as much, and some people thought that they were starting to develop a kind of pack mentality, like wolves or something. They became stronger and their whole physiology started to change. After a few weeks their skin became pale and thick like leather, and their teeth and fingernails became more like fangs and claws. It’s unprecedented, of course - almost as if they are going through some type of accelerated evolutionary process. Anyway, a few weeks after the event, just when us survivors were getting used to the idea of the zombies, or feeders, as some people were calling them, a second phase of this crazy situation started to develop.

Matt interjected. You’re talking about the dream stuff.

John nodded. Yes, the dream stuff. It was clear that many people were having similar, maybe even identical, dreams, which was another first for us humans. There was no doubt, by the way - it wasn’t just some vague premonitions of the future like you get from a sideshow psychic. These were real, verifiable visions that were common to many. That’s why people came to Diamond Creek. Their dreams led them here.

Why? asked Bonnie, Do you have a theory?

John smiled. I’m afraid theories are all we have. But we’ll get to that later. I think someone needs to be in bed, he said, as he pointed at Gabby, who had her head down on the table, and was sound asleep.

I’ll just put her on the couch, said Bonnie, getting up from the table.

No, objected John. Put her on the spare bed, it’ll be more comfortable. I’ll get an extra blanket.

John and Bonnie went off to look after Gabby, while Matt and Sally learned a little more about the other dinner guests. Imran was originally a doctor from the city, who had also felt compelled to leave his home and head west. After he arrived at Diamond Creek, his dreams ceased, so he knew he was where he needed to be. Jayne, a high school science teacher, on the other hand, had not experienced any supernatural forces urging her to head west. She had simply tagged along with another group of survivors because there had not been a more appealing alternative. As they spoke of their journeys and their new lives, it was obvious that they all thought highly of John, and when they described some of the initiatives that he had started in the new settlement, Matt and Sally understood how he had become such a revered figure to the people of ‘The Creek’, as they called it.

What about the feeders? Matt asked. Should we be concerned?

They won’t come out tonight, because of the rain, answered Jayne, tearing a piece of bread from a large loaf. They don’t like water for some reason. When it’s not raining, though, we just about manage to keep them at bay with the fence and the lights. Oh, and armed patrols, of course. They seem to be a bit more wary of us since the beginning. We don’t see as many as we used to.

Matt was about to ask another question, when John and Bonnie returned from the bedroom.

She’s sound asleep, said Bonnie, as she sat back at the table, filling her glass with red wine.

Okay, said John, Where was I?

You were about to tell us your theories. About the feeders and the dreams, Sally reminded him.

Not just yet, he said. I need to tell you about our little town here, so you know what’s going on. Then, we’ll talk theories; that’s actually why I have my science team here. It’s certainly not for their dinner party conversation!

Ha! laughed Jayne, I’m the life of the party, and you know it!

John smiled as he turned his attention back to Bonnie.

Okay, I have to be honest with you now. I don’t seem to have any psychic abilities. I haven’t had the dreams, and I didn’t feel a strong urge to come here like others did. I came because of the electricity.

Matt interrupted. I wondered about that. Where is the power coming from? The whole town is using electricity, but I haven’t seen a single generator.

Matt, that’s the reason I came to this town in the first place. It has a potentially unlimited power supply. I was the first one here. I knew that turbines powered Diamond Creek’s electricity grid. There’s a wind farm on the western side of the hills. The government established a few farms, as experiments in sustainable energy, in small communities like this one. I thought living in a town with electricity might be safer than living in one without. I reckon I was right, too.

What about the people who came because of the dreams? What was that about?

John looked at his three guests. We have only one explanation that seems to work. We think that whatever triggered the event has had some kind of side effect which has given some people...abilities. Powers, if you like. Almost like an extra sense.

Yes, we’ve seen that, Matt added. It’s something to do with Gabby isn’t it?

John nodded.

-

Over the next half an hour or so, John explained the development of Diamond Creek to Matt, Sally and Bonnie, while Imran and Jayne organised coffees and dessert.

When I first arrived, I was alone for a couple of days, he explained. I barricaded myself in at night so the feeders wouldn’t get me, and during the day I got organised. The electricity was still operational, so I made stockpiles of all the things I thought would be useful, and then locked them up for safekeeping. Remember, at this time I thought I was the only person on the whole planet who had survived. I hadn’t seen a soul. I was preparing for a long, lonely life - just me and my electricity!

Anyway, I managed to keep busy collecting food and weapons, and I went around town, making sure that all of the really useful buildings were secure, so the feeders couldn’t nest in them. I didn’t see a single soul until my third day here. A guy called Tony just rode into town on a Harley, introduced himself, and asked me what he could do to help. It was totally unexpected, but I was extremely relieved to see another survivor, because I realised I wasn’t going to be alone. Anyway, three more people came that day, which is how we found out about the dreams. They had all had them, and over the next few weeks, people just kept coming. Most were compelled by the dream, but others had simply tagged along with groups, like Jayne did. The really good part, though, was that everyone who turned up wanted to help turn the ghost town into a real community. And we haven’t stopped since.

How many of you are there? asked Bonnie. Here in Diamond Creek, I mean.

Your arrival makes it four hundred and sixty-two residents altogether.

Wow, said Bonnie, That’s not many is it?

No it’s not, replied John. I think it’s fair to say that humans are an endangered species now. It’s going to be struggle for us, that’s for sure.

Who’s an endangered species? asked Jayne, returning from the kitchen with a tray of cakes.

Me, if I keep eating these cakes, replied John. They’re ridiculously good.

I’ll tell the chef, said Jayne, as Imran entered the room with coffee.

Matt took a cake from the tray. How long do you expect the electricity to last? he asked. "I imagine a wind farm requires quite a lot of maintenance.

Well, I can’t answer that Matt. There are too many variables to consider. I have a team of six people on rotating shifts on site at the turbines. They all have either mechanical, electrical or computer skills, and they’re trying to learn as fast as they can, but none of them had ever set foot in a wind turbine before, so we’ll have to wait and see. At the moment, though, they’ve managed to keep the system operational, so let’s hope they can keep it going.

Over the next hour, Matt, Bonnie and Sally listened intently, as John described life at Diamond Creek, and the way the community was organised. When travellers arrived at the town for the first time, the Orientation Team would greet them, and begin the process of getting them settled into their new community by providing them with accommodation. They were provided with either a room in a shared house, or a single room in a motel designated for the purpose. John didn’t allow any new arrivals to live by themselves because he thought it was bad for morale and could lead to depression for the individuals involved. The policy was never questioned. Once settled into their rooms, the new arrivals were then escorted to the town’s only department store, which had been converted into a kind of warehouse for clothing and personal requirements. People were allowed to take whatever they could carry, but no more. John’s philosophy was that rampant materialism was a luxury that was no longer sustainable. Again, nobody challenged his thinking. The last part of the induction program was to provide people with a job to do, and even though nobody ever really objected, it was not negotiable. If you lived at Diamond Creek you worked. Of course, the old ways of the world meant that many skills that were valued before the event were now rare or non-existent. So teacher’s aides became teachers, nurses became doctors, and home gardeners became farmers. In The Creek, everybody had a chance to start again, and it seemed to be working.

Well, that’s the basics, said John, looking at each of his visitors in turn. Why don’t we call it a night? Tomorrow I need to go through some other stuff, and you guys look exhausted.

No offence, said Sally, but I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Me too, said Matt. Bonnie, do you want me to carry Gabby to the car?

Bonnie looked at John, who might have had a hint of a smile on his face. No it’s okay, she said. She’s had a big day. I’ll think we’ll just stay here. You two head back to the house. I’ll see you in the morning.

Matt and Sally exchanged glances.

Okay then, we’ll see you tomorrow. It’s been great to meet you all, said Matt, as he stood and headed to the front door with Sally.

I’ll send somebody for you first thing, said John. Is eight okay?

Sure, said Matt. We’ll see you then.

Chapter 3

History

Imran looked up at the clear blue sky, as he walked to the front door of the house where the new arrivals had been placed. The rain had cleared during the night, and it was going to be a clear, warm day. He thought about the girl as he walked up the front path. Gabby. She was creating a buzz around Diamond Creek that was electrifying. Today, as people worked, all of the talk would be about her. How did she survive the feeders? Does she have special abilities like the dreams suggest? Are there others like her? Nobody would have answers to these questions, but it would give them something to grasp onto and be positive about - a reason to live, and a reason to hope that the future might be a place worth living in.

Imran had fled to Australia on a rickety, crowded boat, as a political refugee, three years ago. He had worked hard in an inner city health clinic, establishing his reputation as a hardworking doctor. One afternoon, during a particularly busy shift, a young woman called Nasima came into the clinic with a badly sprained ankle. As he bandaged her foot, they got talking, and before she left the consulting room, he knew he was in love. They were married six months later, surrounded by a few close friends, and overjoyed that they had found each other halfway around the world. Before the year was out Nasima was pregnant, and Imran was delirious with joy as he watched his wife bloom. The pregnancy was straightforward, and when his daughter was born, Imran felt that his life was complete. He had created a family from nothing, as if by magic, and each day was a blessing. As he watched his daughter grow into a beautiful, happy little girl, his love for Nasima flourished and he wondered how it would be possible to be any happier. Then, as if Allah had decided that his life was too perfect, everything he held dear was snatched away when he awoke in the middle of the night, sensing that something was not quite right with the world. The city was silent and beside him his wife seemed to have stopped breathing. He leaned over and pushed his fingertips to the carotid artery in her neck, but found that her pulse was slow, almost non-existent. He shook her, and called her name, but there was no response. He rushed to the light switch and flicked it on. Her face didn’t show any signs of stroke or heart attack. She was a normal colour and she looked as if she might simply be asleep. But he knew she wasn’t. She was in some kind of a coma. He picked up his phone from the bedside table and called the emergency number. There was no signal. He threw the phone onto the bed and rushed out into the hallway. He thumped on the door opposite. Hello! he screamed. Somebody call an ambulance please! I have an emergency! He rushed back into his apartment and saw that there was no change in Nasima’s condition. He slapped her face. Nothing. He slapped again, harder this time, but there was no response. He needed to find help, but he didn’t want to leave his daughter behind. He ran the few paces to her door and went to her cot. He lifted her out and into his arms. Her head lolled about alarmingly and there was no response to her being interrupted from her sleep. He might as well have been holding a rag doll. He screamed.

Imran realised that he was standing at the front door of the new arrivals’ house, but couldn’t remember walking up the steps. He had been in a daze quite a bit since the rise of the feeders. He knocked and waited. When the door opened, Imran held out his hand. Good morning Matt. How did you sleep?

A few nightmares, he said, shaking hands, But there’s nothing unusual about that, is there?

No sir. We all have our devils now I think. Are you ready? John would like to give you the grand tour.

Yes, we’re ready. Just give me a minute and I’ll get Sally. I think she’s putting her boots on.

Five minutes later they were pulling into the car park of Diamond Creek’s small hospital. It was a functional single storey structure surrounded by jacaranda trees and overgrown gardens. As Matt and Sally climbed out of the car, they were surprised to see Bonnie and John exit the front doors and walk towards them, smiling. John held out his hand to Matt, Good morning. How are you? Was the house okay? Hello Sally. Good to see you.

Matt returned the man’s firm handshake as Bonnie and Sally gave each other a welcoming hug. The house is fine, thank you. Where’s Gabby?

She’s gone to school, replied Bonnie, in an excited tone. Isn’t that great Matt? They have a school here with over fifty children! Gabby’s going to love it!

That’s brilliant, said Matt, as his mind went back to his own school days that had been full of laughter and expectation. Then John was speaking.

Hey guys, he said, I guess you’re wondering why I’ve brought you here first?

Kind of, said Sally. What’s the deal? Are we going to get a health check or something?

No! laughed John. Unless you want one, of course. We do have a medical team here made up of a vet and three nurses. They’re doing a great job, and they’re also training some of the others to help out. If you need any kind of health care, just say the word okay?

Sure, said Sally, feeling a little embarrassed at her minor gaff.

So why are we here then? asked Matt, as they started to walk towards the main building.

Let’s go inside and I’ll explain.

They followed John through the hospital foyer and were shown into a small meeting room where Jayne was waiting. After pleasantries were exchanged, they sat down around a modest conference table and got down to business.

Okay guys, John said. We had a chance to chat last night at dinner, and I gave you the basics about Diamond Creek and the way things operate, but there are some other facts I didn’t give you. I thought it would be best to show you instead. Some of the things that we’re about to tell you are not common knowledge around here, so I’d appreciate it if you could keep it to yourselves for now. The others will be told when the time is right. Fair enough?

Bonnie was the first to answer. Sure. We can keep a secret.

I guess so, Matt added.

Why, though? asked Sally. Why tell just us? Why can’t the others know?

John scratched the stubble on his cheek. That’s a fair question, and the answer is pretty simple. We want to keep morale as high as we can, and we’re not exactly sure if what we’re seeing is significant enough to spread fear among the people of The Creek.

Why us though? queried Matt, We don’t know any more than you do.

It’s because of Gabby, isn’t it? suggested Sally. You trust us because we’re with her.

John smiled, and Sally could see that Bonnie was watching him with admiration, and maybe just a little lust. Yes, he said. You have Gabby, and that’s why we want you on the inside, so to speak. We need a team of leaders for the upcoming challenges we’ll be facing, and you three have proven yourselves by finding each other and protecting Gabby. Will you do it? Will you become part of our inner circle?

What about the other citizens? asked Matt. Will they mind?

Not at all. They have enough on their plates right now, and they all have important roles to play. Also, they realise how important Gabby is, and they’ll be pleased to have you as a part of our team. What do you say? Are you in?

Matt looked at Bonnie and realised that she’d already made her mind up, then over at Sally who simply shrugged her shoulders. Sure, said Matt. We’ll do anything we can to help. What do you need us to do?

The first thing I need you to do is to listen.

-

Last night when we told you about our operations here at The Creek we left a few things out. Probably the most important one is that we have contact with others around the world, through the Internet.

Are you serious? asked Matt.

Very serious, replied John. There are pockets of survivors all around the world who are managing to stay in touch through the web.

That’s insane, commented Matt. I would have thought it would have been useless without electricity.

No. The opposite is true, actually. The Internet was designed to work through phone lines in times of national emergency if the electricity ever went off for an extended period. We’ve been communicating with people all over the world, although our coverage is getting smaller each day. Every time a network server or a phone line fails somewhere, we lose a part of the global network. Eventually it will stop completely. That’s why we’ve been working so hard to find out what’s happened the world. It might not be long before we’re completely isolated here.

And what have you found out by speaking to these survivors around the world?

Okay, he said, Here we go. The first thing is that this event has happened all over the world. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere on earth that has been immune to the rise of the feeders. We also know that it happened at the same time everywhere, almost like someone flicked a switch and the mutation began. There was approximately one day of hibernation, and then when night fell, everyone rose as violent monsters. You know what that looks like.

The next thing we learned from our online communication is that survivors are few - very few. I don’t want to scare you but it’s important that you realise humans are now endangered in the real sense of the word. It’s going to take a lot of determination and luck for us to not become extinct.

John studied his new friends as the clock on the wall ticked loudly. Nobody spoke as he continued. The next thing I need to tell you is that theses creatures - these feeders - are evolving. I daresay you’ve seen it for yourselves, but it seems to be more than skin deep. They are undergoing radical biomorphic changes that are turning them into a completely new species. From our investigations and studies we believe they are not only beginning to look completely different, but they are changing physiologically as well. It took us a while to confirm it, but now we know that the feeders are functioning with a much lower body temperature.

They’re becoming coldblooded, stated Sally, thinking back to the caged creatures they found and exterminated in Carswell.

Well not quite, but perhaps something like that.

But why? asked Matt. How is being coldblooded an advantage to them?

John looked at Jayne. Would you like to answer that one? You’re the biology expert.

Hardly an expert, she replied with a smile. But I’ll try. We actually don’t think the feeders are coldblooded like reptiles are. They are something else again. Just to remind you, reptiles like lizards and snakes need to get their body heat from their environment - they don’t generate their own heat like mammals do. They’re completely reliant on their environment to get warm so they can function. That’s why you find more reptiles living in warmer climates. Now, these feeders on the other hand, seem to be completely different. Unlike reptiles, they seem to be able to function perfectly well with a lower body temperature - a temperature that would be deadly for a human.

What about heat? How would that affect them? asked Matt.

Well here’s the really weird part, Jayne replied, with a hint of real concern on her face. They’re still able to function in warmer temperatures as well. In other words, they have a much wider range of temperatures they can live in comfortably. Extreme cold won’t kill them, and neither will extreme heat. We’ve seen these creatures for extended periods in environments ranging from zero Celsius up to over fifty degrees.

That’s crazy, Bonnie interjected. Those temperatures would kill a person after a few hours, wouldn’t they?

Most of the time, yes, especially if you were ill or old. It might take longer for a fit, healthy person, but eventually you would die from heatstroke or hypothermia.

But the feeders don’t?

No.

Matt had no doubt that what he was being told was true. There was no reason for these people to lie to them, after all. However, he was curious about something. How do you know this? he asked.

John gave Imran and Jayne a knowing look, before turning his attention back to the three visitors. I thought you would have worked it out by now - we have some live specimens.

Chapter 4

Specimens

As John led Matt, Sally and Bonnie through the corridors towards the rear of the hospital, they continued to find out more about the creatures, confirming some of the theories they had put forward without being able to prove. The first was the question of reproduction. The feeder research team at Diamond Creek had in fact discovered that many of the female feeders were pregnant, thereby ensuring that the ongoing struggle against them would be even more protracted and difficult than the survivors originally thought. It wasn’t going to be just a simple matter of exterminating the beasts until none were left, because they were going to keep breeding into the future.

We don’t know how long their gestation period is either, said John. All we can tell you is that it seems to be fairly similar to a human pregnancy, but there is no way of knowing for sure until one of them gives birth.

My god! exclaimed Bonnie, What kind of a mothering instinct will they have? The thought of one those savages with a baby of any sort makes my skin crawl.

Yes, it’s a difficult concept to get our heads around, but it’s just another fact of life now.

John stopped at a door near the end of the corridor and reached into his pocket for a set of keys. This is the place, he said, as he unlocked the door.

The smell hit Matt in face. It was unlike any animal odour he had ever encountered, and he had encountered quite a few. It reminded him of the wolf’s cage at the zoo, but there was something else there too - something new and disturbing. He couldn’t place it, but its reek gave him goose bumps. Bonnie noticed him shiver.

You too, huh?

Oh yeah, that’s really not good, Matt grimaced.

Yeah, you don’t get used to it either, added John.

He closed the door and led the trio to the back of the room where a large cage was draped in a vast sheet.

There are two in here and they still hibernate during the day, said Jayne. As soon as the sun sets, though, they wake up and feed. We have two armed guards monitoring them during the night in case they find a way to escape, but they seem to have settled down a lot since we first brought them here. We had three to start with but one died. It kept throwing itself at the bars on the first night. It wasn’t pretty either; as soon as it showed weakness, the other two devoured it in a matter of thirty minutes or so. It was quite a mess, but we got to see their eating habits up close, and that’s not something I’ll forget in a hurry. Oh, I almost forgot. These are both males. We can’t see any point in breeding more of these things.

Okay, said John, as he pulled the sheet away with a dramatic flourish. Here they are - just try to keep in your mind that these things were once human.

Even though Matt, Sally and Bonnie had seen the creatures up close and personal when the farm had been attacked two nights ago, they couldn’t help but hold their breath as the sleeping forms of the creatures were revealed to them. Matt noticed that Sally had her hand over her mouth as the stench of the feeders became more intense as John dropped the sheet to floor.

Oh my god! exclaimed Bonnie, That is putrid!

Matt stared at the sleeping feeders, and tried to take in as much detail as he could, despite the fact that the smell was already making him feel ill. They were lying on their backs on the concrete floor, as still as corpses, and despite the lack of any sign of breathing, Matt knew they were alive. He also noticed that their skin was pale all over now - a dirty white colour that resembled a fish’s belly, and the texture of leather.

Look at their hands! exclaimed Sally.

They really are claws now, aren’t they? Bonnie noted.

Yes, agreed John. The physical changes are extraordinary. Just a matter of months ago these things were people; now they’re armoured killing machines. Look at the ridges on their brow - it’s like extra protection for their eyes or something, but the scariest change is their teeth. They’re actually growing new, sharp teeth really quickly, and their old human teeth are falling out. They seem to have teeth like sharks now, with a new row popping up behind the front ones, like spares. It’s very efficient and disturbing at the same time. Have you seen enough?

Absolutely, said Sally. The stink is horrendous. Let’s get out of here before I puke.

Back in the comfort of the meeting room