The Infected: Fogo Island (11)

eleven: leave no prisoners

I'm in the dark. I have the time to think, to ponder. I have time to imagine the horrors that must be happening in the other rooms. I have all the time in the world. And that worries me.

No longer chained to the wall, I wander aimlessly around the tight space, examining every crevice, every crack that lines the mildewed walls. None of them offers me a chance to escape. There is nothing to escape to, I tell myself. Felix must be dead by now, tortured for answers he did not have; only God knows what happened to Greta.

The thought of her brings back a distant memory. I'm playing cards (or was it monopoly) with David; Greta interupts us to watch a documentary - some stupid amateur horror film. I don't remember it being - Did the knob just shake?

I back against the wall, fearful Connor will come in to torture me. Two days I've been in here without water, without food. I fix the door knob but it doesn't rattle anymore. I question my sanity. I go to rub my belly, wondering if the baby is still alive, when the door swings open and Malory comes in.

"Come on, we're leaving." She orders in that too-annoying British accent.

With her arrival comes the sound of blaring sirens. I process what she says and add that to the sound of the alarm; something is wrong on Fogo Island.

"Where's Felix?" I ask, walking towards the door. I stop. "I'm not leaving without him. And Greta."

"Felix is fine, Charlotte. We have to leave, now."

"What is going on? What the fuck is going on?!" I lash out, angry. So fucking angry. "I've done nothing to harm you or your people! All I want is my friends and I want to leave! Why can't you just let us go?"

Malory lingers in the doorframe. For a second I believe she's going to answer me, show me at least a bit of respect. But instead she giggles. If it weren't for the two men behind her, I would have stoned her right where she stood. And enjoyed it.

"You still don't get it, Charlotte. I can't let you go. You might not see it now but you better open your bloody eyes soon, girl. What you left behind, you're so called family - they are out to get you. They brought Aleksandra to you. They appointed Greta as their spy and because of them she is dead. They are the reason the dead walk and they will be the reason behind mankind's extinction if they get to you. You know why?"

My heart flutters. It hasn't skipped a beat since Felix and I enjoyed our first night togheter. I'm afraid of what she is about to say yet deep down I already know what it is. The cure.

"Why?" I managed to say, but it comes out as barely a whisper.

"Because there is something you have that can end this all. Some people will benefit from infecting mankind and then selling a cure at high prices. Some people have a lot to gain."

My eyes grow as hers remain fixed on mine. She shakes her head and orders the men to grab me. I don't resist. I'm too shocked. I have the cure against the walking dead. Its absurd. She's crazy.

They drag me past Malory. The bitch is smiling.

"Better prey they didn't hide the cure inside you." She says and we start walking down the dimly lit corridor as the sirens scream all around us.

W/E: Look ma, I'm on TV!

The whole wide world probably knows by now that Big Brother, that super awesome reality tv show where people live togheter for a determined period of time, is now coming to Canada.


I've been a die-hard fan of Big Brother ever since it began in 2000. The gameplay that evolves between those four walls is insane! It is very hard to predict what will happen next and it lives up to its tagline of "Expect the Unexpected".

When V - a Quebec television channel - launched its very own version of Big Brother, I was quick to jump on the bandwagon and applied to have a chance to enter the famous house. Sadly, I didn't get chosen but one of my friend's dad played. I played vicariously through him.

But the obsession to play a game like that doesn't stop there. I participated in three online versions of Phil's Facebook Survivor. It's quite addictive and you actually form alliances and have strategy just through your facebook message center. You think paranoïa is bad when you see two people walk off into the jungle to talk, imagine when you don't even know who's talking to who (unless you're a hacker).

First time I played, my parents computer was fucked and so I was voted off first for being non-existent. The second time I got the chance to play, I was determined to make it to the end. With the help of my cousin, we made final two - I won. Na-na-na-na *sticks out tongue to Katie, the cousin.*

Then a year later (I couldn't have waited any longer), I participated in a special Phil's Facebook Survivor All-Star: Winners VS Runner-ups. I was way too anxious and paranoïd to play this time around, especially against players who had pre-existing alliances. I was like 2nd or 3rd voted out and dumb-ass me, I gave the secret immunity clues to the one person who was playing one step ahead of me.

But now Big Brother is coming to Canada and I have another chance at playing a game of strategy. Wish me luck!

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Grave Encounters: A Movie Review

Wow, I haven't blogged in so long. I am busy with the move, with the new digs, the summer. It's so easy to lose track of time and what we enjoy doing the most. So with this in mind, I'm starting the week fresh with new blog posts!! Enjoy!

Director: The Vicious Brothers
Starring: Sean Rogerson, Ashleigh Gryzko, Mackenzie Grey, Juan Riedinger
The Plot: A cast and crew of a Paranormal Reality Television show lock themselves in a psychiatric hospital that is rumoured to be haunted. The message on the door warned them. Death Awaits.
Review: I have not been this scared in a very long time. Last time I jumped in my seat was during the midnight screening of What Lies Beneath. I love scary movies but paranormal ones tend to send jolts of fear running up my spine. Grave Encounters is no different! There is a sense of claustrophobia as the group is locked in and they cannot escape. Darkness settles in, corridors spring out of nowhere, stairs lead to nowhere. Hair is touched, people are shoved, and time has no meaning. They don't even believe in ghosts - the psychic is a fake, the host a douche, and the cameramen are there for the money. When night settles in, skeptics become believers, and believers become victims.
Rating: 7/10

I'm not too impressed with the trailer but take my word for it - this movie is really eerie. The complete movie can be found on Youtube in HQ with french subtitles. Enjoy... with lights open.

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

The Infected: What Happened to Greta Price (3)

three: island-bound for eternity

Five Days Prior to the Infection

"So what do we do to pass the time? Wanna play cards?" David asked me. He seemed to know what I would answer before I ever opened by mouth. He was already walking towards the closet where the Prices kept their games.

"Not Queen of Hearts," I snicker, "you always win."

David comes back with the deck of cards in his hands and sits down across from me. As he opens the pack, the door to the basement swings wide open and Greta stumbles out - her laptop cradled in her hands.

"Ohmygod David, you'll never believe what I found on the net! Hey Charlie!" She barely looks at me, sits right beside her brother. "I thought It would be perfect for your blog!"

"You guys have way too much time on your hands!" I laugh to myself. Greta and David were always tossing theories around and discussing the latest science buzz.

"You don't get it, Charlie, this is really wack. It was filmed in 1979 and the girl in the vid mentions your name," Greta says, looking at me with wide eyes; just waiting for my reaction.

It doesn't come.

"You know how many Charlotte's there must be in the world? Greta -"

"Just watch it!" She shrieks and presses the play button. David and I exchange a glance before the recording begins.

****

The screen was black for several seconds until one single eye came in view. The image cleared up and zoomed out putting in focus the girl that held the digital camcorder. She had straight black hair with a heavy bang that shadowed her eyes. Mascara ran down her right cheek and she had several deep cuts that ran along the leftside of her face.

The camara shook in her hands and she had trouble staying in the frame. Their wasn't much light on her and the background was undistinguishable. Everything was black.

"This is day five, I am in the subway tunnels below Honshu. They have taken over the city-"

Strange noises could be heard in the distance. The fragile Japanese girl turned around quickly and panic gripped her, evident by the steady shaking of the cam. She brought her attention back to the camera and brushed her hair from her face, revealing another gash across her forehead.

"I don't know how much time I have left before I change but whoever finds this has to know that there is a cure. There is a cure. You have to find - Oh God...no!"

The noises that peppered the darkened tunnels were coming closer and closer. The girl held the camera firmly in her hands as she began running down the lenghty tunnels. The small light attached to the camcorder created straight luminous lines as it juggled wildly in it's owners panicked hands. She could be heard screaming and shouting for help even as she stumbled to the ground.

The camera fell a few feet away from her, the light shining directly in her terrified eyes. She tried to grab the camera but it was just out of reach.

"Find CharloooOOOO -"

Something grabbed her foot from the darkness and dragged the Japanese girl out of sight but her screams could be heard from the dark and her suffering was recorded until the batteries died and the light went out.

****

"Charlo? How is that my name?" I asked, confused as to why Greta was so excited to show us that obviously fake video.

"I don't know, it just made me think of you."

Sometimes I forget just how young Greta is, how vulnerable she is to the world. She's fragile. She's so young.

Now

Malory was quite surprised, yet pleased, that Greta had such a compelling memory. Yet her knowledge of the crisis scared her. The little girl knew too much.

"That is very alarming." Malory said, fumbling with something in the back of her pants.

"Why?"

"Because Denton Drake is my father." The red headed woman answered before turning around, turning the gun on little Greta Price. "And he has no idea about what I am doing in his name."

Malory shot three bullets in the ground, just at Greta's feet. The little girl jumped back, shrieking.

"I know you're not saying the whole truth. Now tell me everything or the next bullet will be in your head." Malory spat, her voice unfaltering even when threatening a small child.

"I told you everything I know," Greta said between tears. One more word and she would be sobbing.

"What do you know about the cure, Greta? Does Charlie have it?"

"I don't know."

"Where is it?"

"I said I don't know!" Greta shouted, angry and hurt. Pained.

"Well say hello to your brother, then."

Malory raised the pistol and pulled the trigger without hesitation. She didn't even linger in respect as Greta crumbled to the floor. She sidestepped the body and walked out. Joining the fleeing crowd.

Leaving Greta on Fogo Island forever.

The Infected: What Happened to Greta Price (2)

two: filling the gap

Malory was leading Greta down a dark corridor, most likely held under the camp site. The metal sheets that covered the walls and shaking pipes overhead were here long before the Infection began. Fogo Island was an old mining island and many of its old tunnels and digsites still remained.

Greta was getting tired of walking, checking back often to see if Charlotte was following them. She wasn't. They turned into one of the rooms that was most likely used for the miners resting quarters, judging by the beds that lined the walls.

"We'll stay here for a while." Malory said and closed the door behind them.

"What is going on? Did I say something wrong?" Greta answered warily, aware of the sound of shuffling feet outside the door.

Malory kneeled down, just low enough to look directly in the little girl's eyes.

"You said exactly what I wanted to hear. Now tell me, how did you find us? Was it Sarabeth that led you here? Charlotte's mother?"

Greta was afraid herself, but she knew she wasn't as scared as the red-headed woman that knelt before her.

"Yes. She promised that she could end this. I don't want to hurt anyone but I was alone; my family is dead. When Aleksandra killed my brother, I ran out. I ran to hurt her, to see my brother. That's when Charlie's mom showed up with men. She seemed angry about something. Charlotte had been in Del Rio  and supposedly took something from her mom.

"Sarabeth wanted it back. She said it could help us end the war against the dead. She said the only way for us to survive, to be happy, was to find Charlotte and get that thing back."

"What is it? Do you know?" There was a fire in Malory's eyes, one burning bright as her fiery red hair.

"It's a tracking device. That's all I know."

"And you were suppose to retrieve it?"

"Yes. But I promise Charlie and Felix had nothing to do with this."

Malory contemplated what the little girl just said. Her brow lowered as she stood back up. She paced slightly around the room, going over the details that were just leaked to her.

"Greta, did Sarabeth talk about a cure?"

"The night before I signaled your boat, I overheard her talking with Aleksandra about Denton Drake, the CEO of Drake Foods. She said he had a lot more riding on this then her and that if he got the cure before them, the situation would only get worse."

Malory was quite surprised, yet pleased, that Greta had such a compelling memory. Yet her knowledge of the crisis scared her. The little girl knew too much.

"That is very alarming." Malory said, fumbling with something in the back of her pants.

"Why?"

"Because Denton Drake is my father." The red headed woman answered before turning around, turning the gun on little Greta Price. "And he has no idea about what I am doing in his name."


POW POW POW


(to be continued)

The Infected: What Happened to Greta Price (1)

one: Q&A

Malory had no intention on going easy with the child. She could see right through the trio's plan to take over the settling, with the help from that blonde girl across the sea. It was plain as sight that Charlotte Olsen hadn't strayed far from the family dynamics. Betrayal and deception was in her blood.

The British readhead stepped out of the first room and accompanied by Connor, made her way towards the other room, the one furthest from the stairs. That's where Greta was being held. Malory nodded to Connor, letting him know she would enter the room herself.

When Malory entered, she half-expected Greta to leap out at her, unleash her youthful rage. But none of that happened. Greta was curled up into a ball, tucked away in one of the corners of the room.

"Hello Greta."

The little girl didn't respond. Malory took a chair out from the closet and sat crossed-leg in front of Greta.

"I have a few questions for you. Just to better assess what is going on. You like Q&A's, Greta?"

Malory was sweet talking the child. Smiling and speaking softly. Greta responded well to this, and nodded in approval.

"Good, because I have a few questions for you. Are you David Price's sister?

Greta nodded again, this time unfolding her arms from around her bent knees, slowly exposing herself. A sign of trust.

"And did the girl from across the sea, Aleksandra; did she murder your brother?"

"Yes." Greta managed to say, although so close to sobbing.

"And did you lead her here? Did you know about this place?"

This time Greta shook her head. "She brought me here."

"So Aleksandra knew of this place?"

It took a while for Greta to answer. She was struggling with an answer.

"Yes. She..." Greta looks around the room then back at the floor. "I promised I wouldn't say anything. She made me promise."

"Aleksandra did?" Malory asked, although she seemed to know that that was not the answer Greta was about to give her.

"No. Charlotte's mother."

And at that answer, Malory's eyes grew twice their size and her jaw dropped. She jumped out of her chair and slammed her hand against the large red push-button by the door, sounding off an alarm. Connor rushed inside the room.

"Is everything -"

"Get Charlotte and Felix. We need to leave."

"Why? What's wrong?"
"She found us. The bitch is here."

"What about your father? He can -"

"Leave him. He deserves whatever it is that comes his way."


(to be continued)