Project Lazarus by Michelle Packard Page B

Cotter.”
     
    “You want them all in handcuffs?” Another voice bellowed from the crowd.
     
    “Yes, I need them all restrained somehow.  Use zip ties, chain, locks, and handcuffs, whatever you want.”
     
    “Hands or feet or both?” Another officer asked.
     
    “One or the other, unless it’s a volatile situation.  We’ve got medical staff out there to help you subdue them.  At least, we’re gonna try that route first.”
     
    “You mentioned putting them in prisons and schools,” another said.
     
    “Yes, it’s all been set up.  We’ve got cages and security ready for you.”
     
    “Is there enough room for all of them?”
     
    “We don’t know yet.  We’ve emptied out hospitals, churches and shelters.  We’re working with what we have here.  Military will arrive to set up tents soon.”
     
    “Yes, when will we have back up?  I mean…when will the military come in to help us?” Asked Dale Cutter, an officer who served with Sherriff Traves and Sherriff Umpton. He was a decorated military veteran and police officer who served the town of Cotter for many years.
     
    “Soon, God willing,” answered Sherriff Traves.
     
    There was a silence now among the room.  It seemed for now, at least, the task was up to them.
     
    “Okay then, no more questions.  Your location is on the back of the packet.  Like I said, all the geographic locations have been surmised from where we have received the most phone calls.  I’m sending you out in groups of five.  Retired school bus drivers will help you with transportation.  We’re all working together here folks.  Now, if you should see anyone suspicious, a potential living dead, pick them up along your way.  Don’t let any stragglers go by.  Vigilance is the key here.  We need to get as many of these folks locked up as possible.”
     
    He waited, while the group looked over their instructions and began to get ready for departure.
     
    “Okay then, no one stays out past dark.  I mean that.  I want everyone back at headquarters by dusk.  And for God’s sake if you encounter real people, living people, tell them to get back in their houses.  Reassure them everything is being handled.  We’ve got to keep people calm and we’ve got to get this thing contained,” he paused looking at the sea of people before him, hoping they could handle the task.
     
    “Alright then, let’s get to it,” Sherriff Traves announced.
     
    With those words, everyone left, prepared to collect the living dead.
     
    They had a plan.  But so did the living dead.
     
    Neither side saw what was coming.
     

Chapter 12- Charlie’s Secret
     
    “All hell is breaking loose Charlie.”
     
    Mr. Adams.  Charlie Dempster only knew him by his formal name.  No first name, no familiarity, no chitchat- all of that ended when Charlie brought back the Amazon man.
     
    Mr. Adams was a tall man, very tall, over six feet.  He would bend ever so slightly when entering rooms, it was indeed precautionary.  He hit his head on door frames one too many times.  He was also a lanky man.  Charlie never saw him eat.  Charlie had a strange notion that Mr. Adams was a strange man and didn’t require much food, if any.  But that was speculation for another lifetime.  Mr. Adams wore big spectacles that clouded his entire face, so only the thin bony tip of his nose was the prominent feature and of course the magnified blue eyes behind the glasses.
     
    He appeared very much like the grey aliens depicted on television, although he was not short.  It was his very tall height that made his demeanor threatening.  Despite his thin, unusual appearance, it was his height that made him untouchable.
     
    “Where’s Millicent?” Charlie asked.  They were separated upon returning back to the compound in the woods.
     
    “She’s safe Charlie.”
     
    “I want to see her,” Charlie demanded.  He wasn’t very good at making threats but his temper was flaring a bit and the fear