The Manhattanville Incident Read online

  Other Books by Jason Medina

  NO HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS AT KINGS PARK

  THE DIARY OF AUDREY MALONE FRAYER

  A GHOST IN NEW ORLEANS

  GHOSTS AND LEGENDS OF YONKERS

  KPPC: A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

  A NIGHT AT THE SHANLEY HOTEL (COMING SOON)

  THE

  MANHATTANVILLE

  INCIDENT

  An Undead Novel

  Jason Medina

  Copyright © 2018 by Jason Medina.

  ISBN: Softcover 978-1-5434-7659-0

  eBook 978-1-5434-7658-3

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

  Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

  Rev. date: 01/12/2018

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  Contents

  Foreword

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Part I “Biohazard Outbreak”

  Biohazard Outbreak

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Part II “Contamination Effect”

  Contamination Effect

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Part III “Brundlef ly”

  Brundlefly

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Part IV “Metropolis Of The Undead”

  Metropolis Of The Undead

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Part V “Patient Zeros”

  Patient Zeros

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Part VI “Man’s End”

  Man’s End

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Epilogue

  Facts About the Fsv

  About the Author

  FOREWORD

  IN THIS COLLECTION of apocalyptic tales we follow the events of a Biohazard Outbreak, which begins in a secret bioresearch laboratory in the Manhattanville section of New York City. While working to find a cure for cancer, a scientist inadvertently creates a deadly virus that threatens to wipe out mankind. The virus attacks the bloodstream and quickly spreads throughout the body of the victim eating away every living blood cell and replacing them with a new strain of bacteria that continues to animate the host leaving only the basic survival instincts in control, led by the need to feed.

  This virus soon spreads from “Ground Zero” in Manhattan out to the surrounding boroughs, before crossing over into Westchester County, Long Island, New Jersey, and eventually infecting countless victims within the tri-state area.

  Although each story stands alone, they are connected to one another and follow a chronological timeline of events. In the first story, we learn how the virus originated. At first, the virus is temporarily contained. However, once it is unleashed, it quickly spreads out of control, as it wreaks havoc on the unsuspecting populace of Manhattan.

  This will lead directly into the second story, Contamination Effect.

  With the infection spreading from victim to victim, at an alarming rate, chaos ensues on the streets of New York City. Soon enough, there are flesh-eating zombies overrunning the city. It will be a long hard fight for the people of New York to escape this nightmare and almost certainly not everyone will make it out alive.

  In the next story, Brundlefly, we backtrack several hours to catch up with the protagonist of the first story. After barely escaping the ordeal at the laboratory, he returns to his home on Riverside Drive, where he locks himself inside. But now, he is forced to deal with a more personal problem, which could very well mean his end is near.

  Metropolis of the Undead is the title of the fourth story, which focuses on what has become the main group of survivors. Through some miracle, they managed to escape Manhattan, but their epic battle to escape a virtual city of the walking dead has only just begun. Will they be able to fight past hordes of zombies and escape a city under quarantine, which now faces a new looming danger, or is it the end of the line?

  We are taken back to a moment in the not so distant past for the fifth story, which is a short origin tale called Patient Zeros, about the scientist responsible for the virus.

  In Man’s End, the final story, it has been a month since Day One of the Zombie Apocalypse. In that time, the virus has spread throughout the East Coast of the United States and it has, somehow, found its way to other countries beyond its borders. We find ourselves at the end of our saga, as a large group of survivors has gradually dwindled to a handful of post-apocalyptic warriors in this dramatic story about human survival.

  Will it come down to a sole survivor being the last man on Earth, or is there still a glimmer of hope for the human race?

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  FIRST, I WOULD like to thank my lovely wife, Jo-Ann, my parents, and all of my friends from the 26th Precinct in Harlem, New York, especially my close friend, Andrew Ramnanan, for his creative input. I’d also like to thank my friends and family, who went out of their way to find my book Ghosts and Legends of Yonkers at stores, earning them each a part in this story. I doubt I will ever write another story based on so many real people that I know. It was so much fun writing for their characters and capturing their unique personalities, even though some of their names were slightly changed. I hope you will all be able to tell which character represents you. Enjoy your new literary immortality!

  In addition, I’d like to thank my wife, Jo-Ann, along with my nephew, Chris Gonzalez, and my uncle, Daniel Medina for being zombies with me in my zombie photo shoot. It was so much fun taking those photos! I’m sorry I did not have more people joining us.

  Of course, I must thank the brilliant George A. Romero for his significant role in jumpstarting the zombie craze in the 1960s with his masterpiece, Night of the Living Dead. To this day, it remains my all-time favorite zombie film. Thanks to him, many lives were changed, including my own. He has been a great inspiration to so many creative artists, actors, writers, photographers, and filmmakers. I will forever be grateful to Mr. Romero for changing how the world thinks of zombies and introducing us to a whole new genre of horror. Rest in peace.

  I would also like to thank Robert Kirkman for inspiring me with his gr
oundbreaking series, The Walking Dead. Season after season, it continually keeps me at the edge of my seat with its great stories, fantastic characters, and realistic drama. It was a tremendous inspiration for the last story in this book. I dread the day The Walking Dead will come to an end, although I know it is inevitable. This show, as well as its spin-off series, Fear the Walking Dead, has had some of the best zombies, or “walkers,” ever created. Credit for that must go to the great Greg Nicotero. I must also include Scott M. Gimple, who is the writer and producer of both shows. I bow to you gentlemen for your ingenuity. To be honest, it was because of The Walking Dead that I even considered writing a novel about zombies.

  Before really getting into this book, I read a large number of zombie books to use as inspiration. I had to know what stories were out there, so I wouldn’t inadvertently write a story that might have already been done. I was also hoping to get some ideas for my book. A few stories I read were pretty good and well written, while others were disappointing. Still, I learned something from every book, so I am thankful to those authors, as well. I might have even used an idea or two, as a way of paying homage to some of those books.

  Also, a special thank you to Heliflight Tours in New Jersey and my pilot, Jake, as well as The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Manhattan and the Friends of the Croton Aqueduct Tunnel in Ossining.

  I hope there are no hard feelings from Columbia University. It was nothing personal. Over the years, I made a few friends, who work or worked at Columbia University. The new building just seemed like the perfect location to start my story. I watched it vigilantly, as it was being constructed and all the while my story was coming to fruition in my mind. The building wasn’t even completed when this story was ready for publication.

  Last, but not least, thanks to all my readers, supporters, and fans. In the end, this book was written for you because I surely don’t make a living as a writer!

  DEDICATION

  THIS BOOK IS dedicated to one of the greatest masters of horror of all time, George A. Romero. He was an innovator and originator of the way we think of zombies today. His work has inspired hundreds of minds, including my own. I only wish I had the opportunity to meet him before he passed away. I will forever be grateful to him for the years of entertainment he has given me throughout my life. It is mainly because of him this book was even written. If not for his take on zombies, I never would have fallen in love with them.

  I also want to dedicate this book to my friend, NYPD Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo of the 43rd Precinct and previously of the 26th Precinct, where we worked together. His life was tragically cut short on November 4, 2016, leaving behind a wife and two children. Rest in peace, my friend.

  Last, I would like to dedicate this book to NYPD Sergeant Michael Curtin and Police Officer John Dallara of the NYPD, who both served next door to my precinct at Emergency Service Squad 2. They died bravely in the line of duty on September 11, 2001, while rescuing people from the World Trade Center. I did not know them very well, but I did know them well enough to feel the impact of their deaths. Of all the people that died from that catastrophic day, those two were the ones that brought tears to my eyes. I knew I would never see them, again. They would never come to my aid anymore, which they had done in the past.

  Their sacrifices were not in vain because many lives were saved that day. May they, and all those other victims from the terrorist attacks that day, rest in peace and never be forgotten.

  PROLOGUE

  “For civilization to survive, the human race has to remain civilized.” - Rod Serling

  IT’S A WARM summer night in New York City. The sky is clear and the stars are shining down from above, as the moon hangs high and to the west. It is full and as bright as ever. The streets are a flurry of activity, despite the late night hour. It isn’t a normal summer night. Cars are blocking intersections, as drivers race to get to safety. The power has gone out in several sections of the city, making traveling by day or night unwise, but necessary. Just like a scene from a George A. Romero film, the infected have overrun the streets, claiming block by block and leaving a trail of blood and gore in their wake. The unmistakable sound of screams and gunfire can be heard from all directions, as people fight for their lives. Fires burn unchecked only adding to the chaos. It is a nightmare come true, as the city becomes Hell on Earth.

  Meanwhile, inside the old Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, several people are hiding in the dark. Together they endeavor to figure out their next move, hoping no one will learn of their presence.

  Built in 1917, this historic landmark was once home to the Eighth Regiment of the United States Army. That was then. Like many historic sites, it stood vacant for many years, until plans of redevelopment began to see fruition. Of course, there were delays and it remained in limbo for a while longer. Today, it serves as a makeshift fortification for a group of survivors in what appears to be the end of days.

  Only lit by the light of his bright LED flashlight, Charles Foster, an African-American sergeant in the NYPD, addresses the small group.

  “New York, the city that never sleeps. They say there are a thousand stories in the naked city. Well, this is one of them,” he said solemnly in his deep voice. “It all began on the island of Manhattan. Ever since the 1990s, Columbia University had been buying up real estate on the Upper West Side between Broadway and Twelfth Avenue to expand their assets. Unfortunately, many businesses and residents were displaced, as a result. By the year 2010, it became obvious Columbia University wanted to build a new research facility. That was the real start of it all, if you ask me.

  Plans were drawn up and construction began on a new science center that would specialize in medical, brain, and mental health research. It was a noble cause with good intentions. This state of the art facility was intended to be only one part of the new campus.

  In the beginning, there were some protests against it, but nothing major. At the time, the people were too caught up with that ‘Occupy Wall Street’ nonsense. If only they had known then what would happen. They could have focused some of their wasted time on this project, instead. It might have made a difference. Someone smart might have put a stop to it early enough, before it was too late.

  Ah, what do I know? I shouldn’t blame Columbia University. It’s not their fault. How could they have known what would happen?

  The blame really belongs to one man, who worked at the new lab. Not that it matters, at this point. Placing blame is just the human way. What’s done is done. The lab is finished and now so is life, as we knew it. This craziness all started because of him.”

  “Hey, Charles,” a male voice interrupted, calling out from the shadows of the large dark hangar of the armory. The bulk of the group sat huddled together at its center, while Police Officer Grant Hamilton patrolled the darkness around them using the powerful beam of his own LED flashlight as a guide. “This place is as secure as it can get,” he said with a sense of confidence. “We should be able to see anyone who gets close to us from here, if anyone manages to get in the building.” He paused to scan around them once more, before adding, “I believe we should be okay here for a while. This building is locked up pretty tight. After all, it is an armory!”

  “It was anyway,” Charles mumbled with regret. “Thanks, Grant. Someone should keep watch,” he replied to his friend and co-worker.

  Grant was supposed to be his driver for their tour of patrol on Friday night into Saturday morning. The graveyard shift was their normal tour of duty. It was now Saturday night and they still had not changed out of their uniforms, which were wet and filthy, following the intense madness they experienced.

  “Already on it,” Grant responded. “I got first watch. Marc is up next, then Aramis, and it will be your turn by morning. Three hours each. Sound good?”

  “I’ll help out, too. I’m not tired,” added a young Hispanic woman named Liz, who stood beside Grant, dressed in black and barely visible in the darkened room. There was something about Liz that was admirable. She carried herself in such a way that let you know she was a bad ass and the guys knew it.