Drip Drop

L.P. Madera

Drip-drop-drip-drop-drip-drop…the rhythmic drumming of the flooded benchtop as it spilled out onto the floor was the only sound that could be heard now. Something had set the fire alarm off a few hours ago, sending the sprinklers on the ceiling into a shower of water, almost flooding the lab. After that, the electricity cut out, leaving me in this dark room, devoid of all sound or life. The dim, red emergency lighting trickled through the window of the door, casting an eerie red glow in the room. My eyes strained to see the steady flow of water trailing from the bench across the floor. Like a snake, it slithered its way across the floor down into the small drain by my feet.

                I licked my sticky lips and arcs of lightning shot through my body as I got up off the cold, hard floor. What day is it? I must’ve been trapped in this lab for at least four days now. It wouldn’t have been my first choice but given the circumstances, it was the best I could find in such short time. Drip-drop-drip-I cupped my hands under the edge of the bench and felt the cold liquid splash against my hands until a small pool formed in my palms. When enough water was gathered, I brought them close to my face and slurped.

                The way the water hit my lips sent a surge of cold relief through my body. If I wasn’t so dehydrated, I’m pretty sure tears would’ve welled up in my dry eyes. I looked around at the dark room. Aside from how drenched everything was, it looked to be the same small, tidy PCR room as before. It gave off a false sense of security. As though I could just step outside and leave if I wanted. Or just stay here forever. That wasn’t possible though. Four days without food, and with what water I had, I would starve to death before having to face ‘them’. Maybe that was for the best though.

                A harsh shriek broke my thoughts and my body turned to stone as I shifted my attention to the door leading out into the hallway. I squinted my burning eyes to see in the dark and I could feel my heart thumping against my chest. I was sure it could be heard from outside. Unable to move, I watched with wide eyes as a shadowy silhouette staggered its way down the hall toward my sanctuary. My skin turned to ice as it grew closer and closer. Drip-drop-drip-drop. Every noise in the room sent waves of fear through me.

                The object blocked out the lighting and cast a shadow into the lab as it wavered in front of the door. Surely, it could see me. I tried to duck out of view, but paralysis turned my body into a rigid statue. Gruesome, bloodshot eyes pierced into my soul and the loud clacking of teeth, coupled with the occasional snarl sent me into a full body shiver. I trembled and my breathing became more rapid as I watched the creature stare into the lab for a few minutes before meandering further down the long dark corridor.

                Waves of cold washed through me as I closed my eyes and let out a quiet breath. I slinked down onto the floor, running my hands through my damp hair before putting my head between my knees.

                “He can’t get in here. Even if he tried. Remember?” a quiet voice pierced through the silence “The electricity is out. The biolocks are broken. The door can only be opened from the inside.”

                My head shot up from my lap and looked in the direction the voice was coming from. My now resting heart rate quickened once more.

                “No…” my voice cracked. “It can’t be…”

                “Shhh.” The voice put a finger to their lips. “Doesn’t mean he won’t come back and try.”

                “You’re not here!” I whispered in agony.

                “You’re right. I’m not here. Not really ‘here’ in this lab anyway.” The figure gestured to the murky surroundings.

                I looked away and closed my eyes.

                “Get out of my head.” I scolded.

                “I wish I could. It’s not a place I want to be.” The voice responded. “Four days without food. The only water you’ve had is what came out of the tap the first day and what you just drank from the sprinklers. Which is contaminated with lead by the way.”

                I turned and glared at the smug individual.

                “That’s the least of your worries though. Now that the power is out, so is the ventilation and you know what that means.”

                I cocked my head to the side and furrowed my brows.

                “No, I don’t. Please elaborate.”

                I didn’t even know why I was giving this hallucination the time of day. I guess it was better than having no one to talk to.

                The individual scoffed and their face twisted into a smirk.

                “You never really were the brightest, were you?” They responded shaking their head. “It’s airborne now. Been airborne all along. You were safe because you had your PAPR and made it to a clean lab. It only stayed clean because of the ventilation pushing all the air out of the room and replenishing it with fresh oxygen. You’re screwed now my friend. Look at the crack under the door. The air from the outside is coming in and contaminating this room. It probably made its way into the nasty lead-contaminated water you just slurped up like a Midwesterner getting drunk at a tailgating party.”

                My mouth fell open and my eyes shot to the slit beneath the door. Before I could fully process what had been said, I found myself grasping for my mask and belt.

                “It’s not going to help you now. The spores have already made their way into your system. And besides, you only have a few batteries left. You can’t wait it out any longer. You can’t go without food or water. It’s only a matter of time now.”

                “Get out of my head!” I shouted as I swatted at the shady figure in front of me.

                I took the small mask and strapped it to my face. Beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead as I swapped the battery in my belt. My heart was beating in my ears. Almost drowning out the sound of the water plopping onto the floor.

                Drip-drop-drip-drop-drip-clicking a new battery in, I pressed the button on my belt to activate the breathing apparatus. The hot, musty air was replaced with a cool, fresh breeze and a steady hypnotic hum filled my ears. My eyes darted around the lab, checking every corner. The shadowy figure was gone but the voice was still there.

                “Still not going to help you. But…if it makes you feel better.” It said in a matter-of-fact tone.

                I was shaking like a blender. All control I once had over my body was now gone and I was sure now a cardiac arrest was going to be what took me out. More shrieking pierced through the hum of my battery-powered face mask. It came from the same direction as before and was followed by loud popping noises.

                “Oh, you drew someone’s attention. You’re in trouble now.” The voice said.

                My legs felt like vices as I stood up and backed into the corner of the lab. My hands felt around at the wall behind me until they found a large, cylindrical object. I turned to see a fire extinguisher. Quickly, I unfastened the straps securing it against the wall and cradled it in my arms. As I did, a few more shadowy figures made their way towards the door.

                “It’s now or never.”

                The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up as my vision started to blur. There were two large figures at the window. Loud, rhythmic thudding sounded as they beat against the door. I couldn’t see their faces, but I was sure they were also creatures that had overrun this laboratory. There was no one else left alive. I braced myself and readied my fire extinguisher as I tried to slow my breathing. One final blow sent the door flying open. I screamed and held my weapon up, charging toward a blinding light.