Outbreak by C.M. Gray

we were blind to the danger. None of us knew that Nurse Nellie stalked those dark chambers. The first we saw of her was when she attacked one of the men. Then he bit those around him. Only a few of us were still alive when Nurse Nellie reappeared. By then, I knew my best chance was to befriend her. She knew how to survive in the tunnels. Soon, it was only she and I.’
    He
     paused and his eyes rested on me. ‘We returned above ground and it didn’t take me
     long to “convince” the headmaster to leave. I mentioned it to you, Ben. Were you not
     paying attention?

    I told you he went mad and was last seen just before dusk, running
     from the building wearing only a hat. Of course, the reason I know that for sure is
     because I was watching him from one of the windows. I scared him away, you see, so
     Nurse Nellie and I could live here, near the tunnels, where we felt safest until the
     time came for us to move upstairs.’
    â€˜But what about the other headmasters?’ I asked. Why hadn’t anyone stopped him?

    â€˜What other headmasters? If only you could look again at the paintings, and this time, be a bit more observant. The truth was there all along, right in front of your eyes. The man in all the paintings is the same person: ME! Every few decades I had to pretend to retire and then I would simply rehire myself as the new headmaster. All it needed was a change of wardrobe and perhaps a new beard or a moustache. It was easy, actually. So easy I started giving away clues. Did none of you pick up on my name? Bill is a shortened form of William. And of course, you already know me as the Master: the head master.’
    His eyes slid over me and rested on the Knights. ‘But I am finished hiding. Until now, the undead were forced to conceal themselves among the living. But today the hunted have become the hunters.’
    â€˜We’ve got Nurse Nellie! Your plan won’t work!’ I yelled.
    The headmaster laughed. ‘It already has worked! She has served her purpose. Go ahead! Kill her if you can! Sophie will be my new servant.’
    Everybody turned back to Sophie, and at that moment, she groaned. Her eyes twitched then opened.
    â€˜That is my cue to exit! Tally-ho!’ said the headmaster. The little window on the door slid shut and all was silent.
    With Mr Bill gone, our attention turned to Sophie. Everybody watched her anxiously. Reluctantly, I picked up the Zombie Blaster. Would I need to shoot my best friend?
    â€˜Soph,’ I said quietly.
    She sat up and clutched her head.

    â€˜It’s OK,’ I said. ‘You’re OK now.’
    Sophie turned her bloodshot eyes to me. I gazed into them. Did they seem empty? Cold? I poised, ready to spring if she tried to attack. ‘Nurse Nellie gave you an injection to turn you into a zombie.’
    Was an injection of the strange elixir the same as being bitten by a zombie? Would Sophie become a half zombie like me? Perhaps she would be worse . . .
    Mrs Knight sobbed.
    Slowly, Sophie turned and surveyed the room, a bit of dribble running down her chin. She opened her mouth and leant closer to me. ‘I’m hungry! ’
    I gulped.
    â€˜Have you got . . . a biscuit?’
    â€˜Ummm,’ I said. This was an unexpected request. ‘Maybe?’
    Sophie paused as though she was thinking hard. Then she said, ‘Or some chocolate?’
    â€˜Sophie!’ cried Mrs Knight, and started sobbing, which I thought was kinda weird, ’cause it looked to me like Sophie was going to be OK.

    Chocolate . . . biscuits . . . mints . . .
    â€˜Mum! Have you got some lollies? Mints, maybe?’ Sophie sounded desperate for something sweet to eat. Mrs Knight nodded, smiling through her tears. ‘Let’s get home. You can have some there.’
    â€˜Why are you guys in sick bay?’ asked Sophie, as though she’d just noticed.
    â€˜Good question.’ I headed for the door.‘Let’s get out