An Apple for Zoë ~ The Forsaken by Thomas Amo Page A

reached down and picked the tin up. Reading the side of it his face became flushed with horror, this was a German word he didn't need translating. There in bold letters the tin read, "Zyklon B".
    James pulled his radio from his hip and called Kirkland. "Mike what's going on up there? You okay?"
    Kirkland slowly stood up realizing the horror that surrounded him. Cases and crates full of Zyklon B filled the attic. His radio beeped again. "Mike, answer me. Mike if you don't answer I'm coming up."  
    Kirkland took his radio out and answered. "Tom, don't come up! You've got to get out of here and now."
    "What is it, Mike?"
    "The attic, it's full of cases and crates of Zyklon B, and I'm standing in the middle of it all. There must be thousands of crates up here."
    James froze as he stared into the radio. Looking at the empty tin James's body shook with fear as it all now made sense.
      "That's what Kritzler was doing in the airshafts at night. Crawling around placing these cans near the open vents of the rooms. He's turned the hotel into a 27 floor gas chamber."
    James clicked his radio. "Mike, don't move! I'm calling for help! Steve Vermillion, come in." Seconds later James's radio beeped an answer.
    "This is Vermillion."
    "Steve, it's Thomas James."
    "Yeah Tom, what have you got?"
    "It's Zyklon B, Steve! That's what we're dealing with!"  
      "Are you sure?"
    "It's everywhere! It's in all the ventilation shafts. We need you up here right away. Detective Kirkland is trapped in the hotel attic surrounded by it!" said James.
    "Oh Jesus. You better be careful handling that, it's not only lethal on contact, but it's explosive anywhere near fire! Jake and I are on our way up!" replied Steve.  
    Kirkland flicked his lighter again, but to no avail. It had already exhausted all the fuel. He would have to save what little he had left to get himself to another door or wall and out of this maze of crates. His radio beeped. Reaching for it in the darkness it fell from his holster. "Son of a bitch!"  
    "Mike, hang on I'm coming up!" said James. Kirkland could hear the sounds of James crawling up the ladder to make his way inside the airshaft. Kirkland put his hands out straight as he tried to find his way in the darkness. Suddenly he felt as if he was in open space. Throwing his hands back and forth he slowly staggered across the cavernous attic of The Aleris Hotel. Once more he tried his lighter. For a brief moment there was enough light for him to see a wall straight ahead of him with some writing on it. It looked like an exit. He couldn't make out the words as his light was now completely burned out. Reaching the wall, Kirkland gave a sigh of relief and rested his face against what felt like cold metal bars. He then could hear the rustling of another person.
    "Mike!" called James from a distance.
    "Over here!" shouted Kirkland as he anxiously waited to see his best friend and partner. A strong bright beam of light pierced the blackness of the attic. It crossed back and forth across the room like a prison searchlight.
    "Here Tom, I'm here," he called as the light grew closer. "Mike just hang on!" said James. Kirkland turned to the sound of James's voice when suddenly the bright beam of light then reached his face startling him. "Oh thank God Tom, I thought I was never going to get out of here," he exclaimed.  
    James slowly moved closer, keeping his light on Kirkland. He looked so pale and ghost-like in the beam of the light. "It's okay now buddy," said James as his light illuminated Kirkland's euphoric expression. "Thanks a million Tom, I'm happy as hell to see you, but could you point that thing somewhere other than my eyes, I think I'm blind enough as it is," laughed Kirkland.   James shared in his laugh for a moment and then aimed the flashlight directly at Kirkland's chest.  
    "Ready to get the hell out of here?" said Kirkland as he then saw James's expression change.  
    "What is it, Tom?"  
    James aimed the light at the wall