Brain-Dead Wastes

He was faced with dead silence. Hissing, he continued. "No one? Are none of you brave enough to speak? We're crammed into this space, so someone must have noticed.

The silence lasted.

"You must be joking with me!" he yelled, disturbing even the policemen. "This is absurd! Can't any of you worthless idiots use your eyes? I wouldn't be upset if the zombies took you all, you brain-dead wastes!

A small man dared to stand up and say, "Sir." "Sir? Major...

"Talk like you have a backbone!" Hamm roared.

The crowd encouraged the man despite his apparent illness. "I noticed a Black man nearby who wasn't usually there at the first killing."

"A guy of color? What a creative idea—blame the Blacks! Hamm scoffed. "Do you believe they are prone to crime?"

"I didn't mean that—" the man stumbled.

"How did he appear?"

"All right, Black."

"And?"

An accused person said, "A soldier."

Jenna muttered, "Mike." "Brant isn't... he isn't."

Mike Benko's lips were bitten silently as his face contorted in agony. He wore fatigues and was Black.

"Is there anything else?" With a little calm, Hamm asked.

"No," the man said with relief, "I didn't see well."

"All right. the second murder? Hamm asked.

"Mister! Something caught my eye! A woman lifted her hand and yelled. Hamm eyed her and she stood. "I witnessed Michael Waren, a person I know, assault that woman!"

"No!" exclaimed another woman. "That is untrue!"

"What are your names?" Hamm made a demand.

"That's Michaela Waren, and that's Maria Procter!" The accused pointed to a startled Michaela and yelled. "She killed her. I saw her."

"I didn't! She's telling lies!

"You two—on stage!" Hamm roared. "Take that woman into custody!"

Someone shouted, "They have her." Michaela was subjected to taunts and profanities as the armory erupted.

Guardsmen grabbed her and pulled her onstage as she shouted. Maria Procter reluctantly followed. Young and blond, Michaela looked a little like Jenna. Maria extended a finger accusingly, straightforward and severe.

As Michaela was positioned onstage with three troops on either side, the audience applauded. "We have her! They have captured the zombie!

“What did you see, Mrs. Procter?” Hamm inquired.

Maria stated, agitated, "I was in a bathroom stall when Michaela Waren entered." I raised my legs to avoid her noticing me out of fear of danger. I heard a sound like someone slicing meat as she opened another stall. A woman's throat was slit after she let out a little cry. Her stall spilled blood into mine.

"No... I never did. Michaela begged. She was detained by two Guardsmen, and Gordy was told to place his rifle to her forehead.

"She also consumed a portion of her!" Maria adamantly accused, almost crying. "Even before she passed away! Then she departed, leaving gore and blood in her wake!

"That's accurate," General Picket said. "The victim was discovered partially consumed, with a slit in the throat, in the restroom."

"Why would I lie, no? She is the one who is lying! Michaela broke down in tears.

"What is your self-defense strategy?" Hamm pushed.

"I'm with her husband," Michaela grudgingly admitted. "I've been having an affair with Gregory, Maria's husband."

The audience became quiet. Maria's anger turned her face crimson.

"How dare you—" she started, then paused to gather her thoughts. She raged, her words laced with hatred, "I saw you kill that woman."

Is your spouse present? An innocent person cannot be put to death," Hamm declared. "Get up and come onstage, Gregory Procter."

From the crowd, a resigned man emerged, climbing the platform while grumbling. His expression drooped in defeat.

"Mr. Procter, did you and Michaela Waren have an affair?" Hamm inquired.

Gregory looked from Michaela's weeping plea to his wife's icy rage. His mouth parted, but he was unable to speak.

"I said—"

"No!" Gregory blurted out, sobbing. "I didn't, I never did."

"There!" Maria scoffed. "You heard him. Right now.

Gregory, I can't believe you! Michaela sobbed. How were you able to? We—Gregory! We were in the same place! Keep me alive!

Gregory sank into a folding chair with his face buried in his hands and groaned, "Michaela."

"Gregory, are you certain?" With a hint of uneasiness, Hamm inquired. "You don't seem sure."

"She was bitten by a zombie, leaving a scar on her arm!" Pointing to Michaela's forearm, Maria sobbed.

It was inspected by soldiers. One person remarked, "Could be zombie." "Sharp edges, possibly teeth."

The reason Michaela insisted was because it came from a broken bottle. "Not teeth—I'm not What do you think?

"Death her! Chants of "Kill the zombie!" came from the throng.

"How can they harm her?" When Hamm dug further, Jenna gasped.

"There is no way they could kill her, is there?" Mike whispered. "I guess they'd have to get rid of the infection quickly."

“Michaela Waren,” said Hamm, his face etched with dread, “I declare you guilty and infected for the safety of this compound. In contrast to Gregory's unrestrained tears, Maria's grave retaliation caused the crowd to cheer in delight. "Private Gordy, carry out the punishment."

"No!" Michaela let out a scream.

Gordy moved to the front. "What is that, sir?"

Hamm gave the order to "kill her immediately, as humanely as possible." Because zombies are unusually strong, restrain her. To silence her, gag her.

Two Guardsmen pushed Michaela to her knees and shoved fabric in her mouth as the mob erupted in bloodlust. Gordy stood behind her, arming his M-16, nausea building as her head bowed and her body shook.

"Goddy, do it," Hamm muttered. "Just do it—I don't like it either."

Gordy's gaze was fixed on Michaela's back. A clamor that called for her murder grew as cameras flashed. Maria grinned at her failure.

He was forced to. It was essential. Barrell a foot from her skull, he aimed.

His eyes closed as he steadied his arm and choked, "I'm sorry."

He fired. She sagged forward, hitting the stage with her head. Vengeful glee erupted in the throng. Gordy thought those brief moments would last forever. He opened his eyes and saw at Michaela's ruined, bloody head. The Guardsmen suppressed their tears, startled by this but hardened by zombie fights.

"Is it finished?" With her face buried in Mike's shoulder, Jenna inquired.

Pallor stark, Mike sighed, "It's over." "Everywhere."