Obelisks, Book One by Ari Marmell
Author:Ari Marmell [Marmell, Ari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi horror, apocalpytic
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2022-06-24T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter Eleven
* * *
In a sane world, they could never have heard it. Only the hospitalâs unnatural silenceâabsent a thousand conversations, absent its orchestra of countless machines, absent the susurrus of the traffic and the radios and the rest of the outside worldâallowed the cry to reach them.
In a sane world, they could never have heard it, but in a sane world, it would never have happened.
Despite the spike of panic that threatened to set off another headache, despite the growing sense of futility, the conviction that she couldnât handle any more horror, Cynthia felt an instantâs relief at leaving that chamber of death and decay behind. She and Ethan bolted back down the long hall, feet pounding and occasionally threatening to slip on the tile.
JD and Downing had propped open the doors to the stairwell with nearby trashcans, perhaps another reason the scream had reached all the way from the floor above. Cynthia wasnât sure whyâsheâd ask later, if she thought of itâfor now simply swinging the doors wider so she could pass through.
The floor above carried the same faint odor, the same early warning of far worse to come. Ethan and Cynthia exchanged sideways glances, said nothing, didnât slow.
They found JD on his knees, shaking, his scream having devolved into broken sobs. Downing, who Cynthia had been convinced lacked anything resembling a human heart, crouched beside the lanky Texan, an arm around his shoulder. He glanced up at Cynthia and Ethan, glasses unable to hide his own brimming tears.
âI told you,â he accused over a quivering lip, though his tone was far more despairing than challenging. âI told you we were all fucked. I told you it was stupid to hope.â
âWhat happened?â Cynthia asked.
Downing didnât seem to hear. âI told you.â
âWe should take a look around,â Ethan began, âsee whatââ
âNo!â That, the CEO clearly had heard. Then, more softly, âNo, please. Just⦠Please. Donât go in there.â
âI donât understand.â Cynthia wanted to slap him, make him be sensible. âDonât go in whââ
Her gaze finally landed on the hallway from which JD and Downing had apparently come, the doorway theyâd passed through. And on the sign above that door.
Maternity Ward.
Her own vision blurring, she dropped to one knee to put a hand on JDâs shoulder, and the other, yes, on Downingâs.
âThey left âem, Cyn,â JD rasped between gasping sobs, echoing her own words of moments agoâand thinking, she knew, of his own little girls. âThey just left âem to die. Those poor babiesâ¦â
âI know, JD. Shh. I know.â
âWhat happened to everyone? What happened to the world?â
She craned her head up toward Ethan, who stood with a hand clasped over his mouth in horror. âWe have to get him out of here. Both of them.â
âWhat? We⦠Yes. Yes, of course.â He didnât physically shake himself, but Cynthia sensed the effort anyway. âWeâll go back downstairs, wait for Grigory. The chapel,â he decided, with a meaningful glance at JD.
âYeah. Good call.â Cynthia stood, helping Downing who in turn helped JD. At a plodding stagger, they moved back toward the stairwell.
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