Read Online Psych Ward Zombies by James Novus - Free Book Online Page A

yelped in disgust. He held the hand away from his body and shook it. A slimy mixture of matted hair and putrefied skin fell to the floor with a juicy splat. The rotten scalp on the back of Amber’s head had simply peeled off the skull and had stuck to his palm like a handful of pudding. The gruesome sensation on his hand was too much for Eric, who lurched forward and vomited on the floor beside Amber. Despite this, he managed to keep his weight on her arm so she could not get free .
    “ Are you all right?” Dave asked.
    Eric’s face was pale, and he had a strong urge to vomit again. He swallowed hard and tried not to look at the slimy residue on his hand. He looked up to the ceiling, hoping Dave would not see the tears welling in his eyes. “Yeah, dude, let’s just get this done,” he gulped.
    “All right then,” Dave said. “We go on three... One. Two. Three!”
    On Dave’s cue, the two orderlies picked Amber up by her elbows while maintaining control of her arms. Dave stayed at the feet to prevent any kicking behavior. Janet started with the right arm and helped guide it into the sleeve. Once the arm was in place, Janet tugged the sleeve taut and held it tightly. The process was repeated for the left side. Once completed, both arms could be controlled from behind without much problem. Dave stood up and released Amber’s legs while Janet held both sleeve straps behind Amber’s back. The group felt a sense of relief in managing to get the straitjacket on so quickly. However, the moment of respite was shattered by a chirping alarm from Dave’s walkie-talkie. The brief siren was followed by the sound of a panicked voice screaming for assistance .
    “ We need help on D Ward! It’s a riot! Multiple people are hurt! We need anyone who can help. Now!”
    Dave snatched the radio off his belt and keyed the microphone .
    “ This is Doctor Hexer on B Ward. I’ll send someone right over. Hang tight!”
    He looked to Chester, who flashed a quick grin in response. Chester enjoyed the adrenaline rush of physical confrontations. His enjoyment of fighting served him well in the ring, but he also enjoyed subduing rowdy patients at the hospital. The idea of a “riot” seemed like a dream come true. Before Dave could say a word, Chester had already volunteered and was headed out the door .
    Dave looked to Eric, who seemed much less eager or confident with the idea. Eric made eye contact but quickly looked away .
    “ I think we’ve got things under control here. Go help,” Dave directed.
    Eric hesitated. His stomach was still tied in knots, although at this point it was based on fear more than nausea. He looked to Janet, hoping she would intervene. Getting no response, he resigned himself to the situation.
    “ Right. I’ll go and see what I can do,” he said. Eric’s facial expression belied his acceptance of the task, but he trotted off in Chester’s wake. Dave and Janet were left standing in the corridor holding onto Amber.
    Straitjackets are designed to restrict movement of the arms while allowing continued mobility of the legs. Dave knew he did not want Amber running around the ward, so he looped the sleeve straps around one of the handrails that lined the corridor. Amber was unable to sit down in this position, but Dave figured she was past the point of wanting to relax in a chair .
    He and Janet regrouped at the nursing station. At this point they were the only two staff members on the ward, aside from Mel who was busy watching Luther. Most of the patients had been awakened by the commotion, but they remained in their rooms. A few patients peeked out from their doorways but they did not venture into the corridor .
    “ Now this makes even less sense,” Dave said. He was struggling to come up with an explanation for what had happened. “Why is Amber like this too?”
    Janet searched her thoughts, looking for some common thread. Suddenly an idea hit her like a baseball bat .
    “Doc, whatever it is, I’ll bet