Dead Hunger IV: Evolution by Eric A. Shelman

hours.  We’ll buzz you with updates if we’re in range.”
    “Be fucking careful,” said Gem, her eyes boring into Flex’s.  “Both of you.  And take another WAT-6 before you go.”
    With regard to the immediate effects of the drug, t hey had discovered some good news shortly after their return from Vermont.  The wafers eaten when already under the influence of WAT-6 did not cause you to go to sleep.  However, let the effects of the drug wear off for even a couple of minutes , and you were out like a light just seconds after swallowing it.  
    It had not happened to anyone, but it made sense that should you be discovered by zombies as you lay there unconscious following the consumption of WAT-6, that they would pass you right on by.  The olfactory invisibility should apply and you should not hold any savory appeal to the zombies at that moment.
    Gem gave each of them a fresh wafer from the refrigerator and the men ate them down with water chasers.
    “Get more from Kev and bring back a big supply of the wafers,” said Charlie.  “We’re going to need to stock up the orphans with a lot of it.”
    “The orphans?” asked Hemp.
    “Yeah,” said Charlie.  “That’s what they are, right?”
    “Absolutely,” said Dave.   “And yeah, we’ll get the stuff.”
    “We’re heading out,” said Flex.  “Wish more of you could go.”
    “Not as much as I do,” said Charlie, eyeing the Parker Tornado crossbow leaning in the corner. 
    Gem put her arms around Flex and kissed his neck.  “Be careful.”
    “I will,” he said, pecking her lips.
    A couple m ore hugs , and Dave and Flex left. 
    “Gem,” said Hemp, “have your nap.”
    He went to the door and looked through the window, then turned back to Gem and Charlie.  “They’re rat and zombie free for now,” he said.  “I want to get the girl into the lab now.  Charlie, will you help?”
    “Say no more,” said Gem, staggering to the sofa where she fell down and put her legs up, pulling a light cotton blanket over her.
    “That looks too comfortable , Gem. ”
    Charlie ran and leapt onto the opposite sofa and lay on her side, bringing her knees up to her chest, her head on a throw pillow.   “ Sorry, baby.  I need to take a powder, too .  You’re on your own with the zombie chick.”
    Hemp looked perplexed.  “Are you serious?”
    Charlie laughed and sat up .  “Are you serious?  When’s the last time I refused you anything?”
    Hemp smirked.  “True enough.  Let’s do it.  I think there are some interesting things to learn from that one.”
     
    *****
     
    After they both pulled on nitrile gloves from a ever-present box in the kitchen, Hemp eased open the garage door, but nothing jumped out at him.  The generator did not power anything in the garage but the refrigerator, and Hemp could hear the slight purr of the compressor, but nothing else.
    No knocking, crashing, or even footsteps.
    “That’s eerie,” said Charlie.  “Headlight time.”
    He reached into his pocket for his always-handy headlight, even as Charlie slid the elasticized band of her light over her hair and turned it on.  In the front of the garage, next to the overhead door, sat the lady in red. 
    Sitting.  Just like Blue Eyes had done in her cell.  Again , with the zombies resting .  Red Dress turned her head toward their lights. 
    “We ne ed you to come here,” said Hemp, waving her over with a hand gesture.
    Charlie looked at him.  “Why are you talking to her and motioning like she’s human? ”
    “Something’s different about her, my dear.  I need to treat her more like a pet that we talk to rather than a creature with no capacity for learning or understanding.”
    “But for fuck’s sake, babe, isn’t that exactly what she is?  A creature with no capacity for that stuff?”
    The zombie stood.  She did not use her hands.  She got on her knees, then moved her legs beneath her and got on her feet. 
    “See that?” asked Hemp.