Starsky drove, windows down enjoying the warmth of the sun on a late fall day. He turned on the radio hoping to hear a few tunes before he arrived at his partner’s apartment; they had two days off and were planning on spending those two days in a tiny beach house own by Starsky most recent girlfriend.
The song he was enjoying was interrupted mid way by a special news report, details of the incident were stretchy and the reporter seemed a little unnerved. Seems as though a man had attacked several people in a park in broad day light, and there was a standoff with the man in question.
Starsky shook his head and flipped the radio off, he was at Hutch’s apartment anyway, he pulled in behind Hutch’s beat up brown Ford and got out of the car. He looked around, the streets were unusually quiet there were always people out walking their dogs, kids on bikes, joggers but there was no one not even a car was in sight. He shrugged and climbed the stairs to Hutch’s place. He knocked then tried the knob which was locked, he knocked again and then reached above the door for the key that was always there. Starsky unlocked the door, replaced the key and went in. Hutch was nowhere to be seen, “Hutch?”
Hutch came out of the bed room strapping on his shoulder holster. “I was starting to get worried about you.” Hutch said as he brushed past his partner.
“Ah, did you forget we are off for the next two days buddy?” Starsky asked puzzled.
“Dobey called, it’s all hands on deck, calls are coming in faster than they can be handled.” Hutch threw on this jacket. “We better run back by your place so you can get ready, I told Dobey we would be in within the hour.”
“There was some crazy story on the radio on the drive over.” Starsky said as he flipped on the TV. There was a special report on Starsky sat down and stared at the TV, “Look at this Hutch. What is going on?”
The anchor at the news desk looked spooked and sound as unnerved as the reporter on the radio. A series of photos flashed on the screen of people that had been attacked, they were blood splattered and had vacant looks on their faces. “We have a reporter on the scene now,” the anchor announced, “We will be live any moment from….” He stopped mid sentence as somebody came on set and whispered something in his ear. The news anchor went pale looked directly into the camera and stated, “Our team has been attacked. People stay inside, lock your doors.” He then got up, leaving an empty chair for the audience to look at.
Starsky looked up at Hutch, “What is going on?” he repeated.
Hutch shrugged, “I don’t know but we need to get out there.”
As they descended the stairs from Hutch’s second floor apartment the smell of smoke assaulted their noses. Hutch pushed open the door and looked out; they could see a big plume of smoke in the sky that looked several blocks away. They could also hear sirens, then there was a few ear piercing screams that sent shivers down both of their backs.
“Come on,” Hutch tugged on Starsky’s arm.
Starsky was rooted to the ground staring in the direction of the screams, they sounded almost unearthly. “Hutch, I don’t know about this.”
Hutch shook his head, “You watch too many horror movies.” He knew his partner too well and knew what was going on in his head.
“Movies? This isn’t a movie,” Starsky pointed to the sky at the blacking smoke.
“No it’s a fire, they happen,” Hutch said the voice of reason.
“What about those horrible screams?”
Hutch had no explanation for those, “Let’s just get down to the station and I’m sure there it’s not as bad as it sounded on TV, they always make things sound worse than they are.”
Reluctantly Starsky got into the driver’s seat of his car, he reached across Hutch and took his gun and holster out of his glove box and strapped it on. He didn’t know what was going on but he was ready. “Let’s skip going back to my place, I got all I need right here,” He patted his gun.
As they got closer to Headquarters they were seeing more people in the streets, most were running, some were crouched in doorways as if they were hiding. There were several minor car accidents in a couple of intersections, one of which they had to swerve around, there was already an officer on the scene so they kept going. Once they reached the station, Starsky parked, they both cautiously got out of the car. A large group of people pushed passed them, they were armed with clubs and large sticks.
“Should we go after them?” Starsky wanted to know.
Hutch shook his head, “I don’t think you and I can do much with that mob. We’ll let them know at the desk there is problem.”
As they entered the station it was chaotic, the desk sergeant was shouting into the phone and scribbling on a pad of paper, several officers covered with blood were sitting on a bench near the door. Other officers were running carrying assault rifles with riot gear on.
As the desk sergeant hung up the phone, Hutch approached, “What the hell is going on?”
“Haven’t you seen the news?” the sergeant asked. “It’s crazy out there, it’s like everybody has gone insane at once. The hospitals can’t handle the injured there are so many.”
“Injured?” Hutch asked, “Has there been an accident?”
Starsky looked pale and poked Hutch, he had been watching groups of people running down the streets and now a large group was heading toward the station doors, they would be over run in minutes. “Hutch,” Starsky finally yelled as he dashed toward the doors hoping to get them locked in time to keep the mob out.
Hutch turned just as Starsky reach the doors and turned the lock. People smashed into the doors blooding their faces, others behind them just keep pushing and those in the front began to fall to the ground and were trampled. The noise from the angry mob was also deafening, screams like the two detectives heard earlier came from the group.
“We need some help here.” Starsky shouted he turned only to see an empty room. The desk sergeant was gone as were all the officers with the riot gear, even the bleeding men had run for their lives. Starsky looked at Hutch, there was no way they could keep the people out they would eventually break through the glass doors.
“On my count, head for the elevator doors, if they don’t open in time head up the stairs.” Hutch said. “One…..two…..three.”
They dashed for the elevator, Starsky jabbed the button and hoped the doors would open before the mob got in and ripped them apart. There was the sound of breaking glass and splintering wood as more and more people pressed against the door.
“Come on,” Starsky roared at the elevator as he watched the numbers count down to the first floor.
Hutch drew his gun although he knew it would be useless. The front doors of the station flew open and people covered in blood and gore shoved their way in. The light flashed one on the elevator, and they heard the car settle into position, the doors slid open both detectives jumped in as the sea of people pushed toward them. Hutch pounded the closed button as if that would make the doors close faster. It seemed as if the doors were closing in slow motion but they finally snapped shut just as the first few people reached the elevator.
The two men looked at each other in horror, “What in the hell?” Hutch asked breathlessly.
Starsky shrugged and was glad to be in the safety of the elevator, little did he know what would be waiting for them when the doors opened onto their floor….
…..The detectives had their guns trained on the elevator doors as they slid open not knowing what to expect on the other side. Much to their relief the hallway was empty but the hall was littered with paper as if somebody had taken a hand full of reports and tossed them in the air. They peered into the squad room, chairs were over turned and more paper on the floor, there was a bloody smear on the glass in the door but there was no movement.
Starsky poked Hutch as he pointed toward Dobey’s closed office door. “Let’s see if Cap is still there.”
Hutch nodded and silently pushed open the squad room door, there was a squeak that they have never noticed before, it was always much too noisy to hear. They held their breath but there was no sign that there was anybody else to hear the sound. They quickly made their way to the Dobey’s door; Hutch put his hand on the knob and looked at his partner who nodded at him. Hutch flung the door open they can face to face with their captain who was aiming a gun at them.
Dobey checked himself just before he fired; his laid the gun on his desk and fell into his chair. “You made it.”
“Barely,” Starsky said as he looked out into the squad room to make sure they were still alone then shut and locked the office door.
“Where is everybody?” Hutch asked his captain.
“Several officers covered in blood got off the elevator and everything went to hell.” Dobey looked rattled; he stared out his office window to the street below. “I locked two of those officers in a room down the hall, they were acting crazy! When I got back to the squad room everybody was gone, I came in my office to call for help but the lines are dead, then you two showed up.”
“We need to get out of here,” Starsky said.
Dobey nodded in agreement, “I need to get to Edith and the kids. We can head to the cabin.” Starsky didn’t even balk at the suggestion.
“What do we need to do,” Hutch looked at his partner.
“You are asking me?” Starsky was surprised. “You will only laugh at me.”
“Nobody is laughing buddy, what is our next move?” Hutch put his ear to the door that led into the hall.
“Back stairs,” Starsky said, “Elevator is out of the question.”
“My car is out back.” Dobey said, he had parked in an enclosed area where the squad cars were kept. “I don’t know if I can make it down five flights of stairs, I’m a little out of shape.” He patted his round belly.
“You will make it.” Hutch said.
“Are you ready?” Starsky asked drawing his gun. He looked over his shoulder at his partner and captain, “Shoot to kill, in the head nowhere else.”
Hutch’s brow furrowed but he nodded, “Come on Cap.”
Starsky opened the door and peered out into the hallway it was still empty. The distance to the stairwell was not far but if somebody came out of the one of the offices between them and the stairs they would have to be ready the made it without incident and headed down the stairs.
By the time Dobey hit the third floor landing he was breathing heavy and sweating profusely. Starsky put his hand on his captain’s back, “Are you alright?” Dobey only nodded as he tried to catch his breath. “Let’s rest a few minutes.”
Dobey took a deep breath, “You guys go on, get to my house I want my wife and the kids safe.”
“We are all getting out of here together.” Hutch said. Dobey dug in his pocket and handed Hutch his keys. “You keep those.”
Dobey shook his head, “Once we get to the ground floor someone is going to have to get the car, you are faster.” Hutch took the keys and slipped them in his pocket. “Let’s go.” Dobey said taking a deep breath.
They made it to the ground floor without stopping again. Starsky opened the door that led outside, there was no movement. “Where is your car Cap?” Starsky asked.
“Third one over,” Dobey pointed at his car. “How are we going to get out?” The gate was closed and it didn’t apparent anybody was in the guard house.
“Let’s worry about getting the car first.” Hutch said as he surveyed the area looking for any movement. “I’ll make a run for it, close the door and I’ll honk when I pulled up to the door.”
“NO!” Starsky said, “No loud noises, it will draw…them.”
Hutch nodded, “Just watch then if anything happens shut that door you got me?” Hutch took Dobey’s keys from his pocket; he stepped outside and looked around. He could see a few people moving around on the other side of the fence but nobody inside the gated area. He made it to Dobey’s car open the door softly remembering Starsky’s warning about noises, as he started the car he saw a head poke up out of the guard house.
It was Mike a new rookie that had pulled the dreaded gate guard duty. Mike waved at Hutch and was relieved when Hutch waved back. Hutch pulled the car up by the door, Dobey go the front next to Hutch and Starsky piled in the back.
They stopped at the closed gate Dobey rolled down the window, “Son you push that button to open the gate then get in the back with Starsky.”
“Make it quick,” Starsky added.
Mike nodded; he glanced toward the street where people were starting to congregate around the gate drawn by the sound of the engine. Starsky opened the back door of the car, Mike pushed the button marked open and jumped into the backseat with Starsky. He looked spooked but glad to see the three men. “What is going on?” He asked, “I have seen some strange things. I feel like I’m in some sort of horror movie.”
“You are in some sort of horror movie.” Starsky said. He looked out the windshield to see a group heading toward them. “Floor it Hutch, don’t stop or we will get mobbed.”
Hutch did as Starsky said but he quickly slammed on the brakes when a woman lumbered in front of the car, she was covered with and her eyes crazed. “DRIVE!” Starsky shouted from the back seat. “If you don’t have the stomach for this let me drive!”
The woman had now approached car and several others had taken notice. “I can’t just run her over.” Hutch shouted back.
“She’s not…” Starsky trailed off.
“She’s not what Starsk, she’s not WHAT?” Hutch watched horrified as the woman began pawing the hood of the car leaving bloody streaks.
“Damn it Hutch! DRIVE!”
Hutch romped on the accelerator, the car jerked forward and the woman slid under the car. They could feel the tires roll over her body; Hutch looked as though he might throw up.
Dobey reached over and put his hand on his detectives shoulder. “There are more coming, let’s get out of here.”
Without looking back Hutch pulled onto the street brushing several people, he wasn’t even sure if that was what they were anymore to the ground as they turned. Starsky looked out the back window he could see his beloved Torino sitting on the street, he knew there was no going back.
The scene they saw as they drove was hard to process even for Starsky who had an inkling of what was going on but only from movies he had seen. It just seemed impossible it could actually be happening.
A couple of streets were blocked by burning cars that no fire department was responding too. There was a muffled yelp from the back seat as Mike saw a man with a blood face look up from what looked like a body laying on the ground, Mike rubbed his eyes he couldn’t have seen what he had thought he had seen.
“Don’t look,” Starsky said, trying to keeps his eyes on the road in front of them in case Hutch missed a danger that could be coming at them.
“Do you think Edith and the kids are alright?” Dobey asked rubbing his hands over his face. He didn’t know what he would find when they got to his home. Would his wife and kids be one of them whatever they were?
“Edith is a smart lady,” Hutch said, Dobey nodded but wasn’t comforted by the words.
As they drove in to the suburbs the horrors got less and less, although there was nobody out and about, it was clear everyone was hiding in doors. Dobey was feeling hopeful that his family was safe. As they turned onto Dobey’s street he could see the family station wagon in the drive way and Cal as loading boxes in the back. Hutch pulled up behind the wagon, Dobey got out of the car, “Cal!”
“Dad!” Cal was overjoyed to see is father the boy threw himself into his father’s arms, “What is going on?”
Dobey hugged his son tightly, “Let’s not worry about that right now, where are your mother and sister?”
“Inside, mom has us packing up food she said you would be here soon.” Cal beamed at Dobey.
Dobey started up the steps, as Edith followed by Rosie were coming out the door carrying more boxes. She nearly dropped the box when she saw her husband, “Harold.”
Starsky who had followed his captain up the steps grabbed the box from Edith, “I got this.”
Dobey hugged his wife and daughter as he took the box Rosie was carrying.
“I was just going to head to the cabin,” Edith said, “I knew if you came here and we were gone that is where you would go.” She smiled at Starsky and waved at Hutch who was helping Cal rearrange boxes in the back of the station wagon. “Glad to see you all of you made it.”
“Smart woman!” Starsky sat the box on the steps and picked up Rosie giving her a squeeze.
She looked at him with big eyes, “I’m scared.”
“It’s okay sweetheart we are here and we are going to go some place safe until things calm down.” Starsky reassured her.
Rosie nodded, Starsky set her on her feet and she ran down the steps to give Hutch a hug. Then went back in the house to retrieve several stuff animals she piled by the door.
Starsky looked at Edith, “Get whatever you think you are going to need.”
“We aren’t coming back are we?” Edith said her eyes were sad, her husband patted her hand.
Starsky didn’t answer just picked up the box he had set on the steps and ran it down to Hutch and Cal, Mike was watching looked shell shocked. Starsky put his hand on the young rookies shoulder, “Are you okay?”
Mike looked at him, “I’m worry about my girlfriend and my ma. Where am I going to go?”
“You are coming with us,” Dobey said as he approached the car with Rosie and her arm load of animals.
“I guess there is no time to check on them?” Mike asked.
“Where do they live?” Hutch asked not relishing the idea of doing more than heading straight to the cabin.
“Sara would have been at work, she is a kindergarten teacher and ma lives in a little apartment, both in the heart of down town.” Mike looked as though he might cry, “They have been overrun haven’t they?” He had seen his share of moves like Starsky.
“Probably, maybe after things calm down we can come back to town and look for them.” Hutch suggested, he saw his partner shaking his head and he knew there really was no coming back.
Edith had the last box and a couple of suit cases sitting on the porch and was locking the front door; she dropped the key in her purse and turned to see the men watching her. “I can hope.”
Dobey climbed in the station wagon with his family while the two detectives along with the rookie climbed in Dobey’s car and they headed toward the cabin. They were going to stop and get gas but it was clear from the long line of empty cars sitting at the pumps that it wasn’t a good idea to stop so they kept moving. They got to the interstate that would take them to the cabin it was clogged with cars; they could see many people shuffling in between the cars.
Hutch pulled up next to the wagon and rolled down the window. “Now what?” He asked his captain.
“I know a back way, it will take a lot longer but maybe there won’t be as many cars sitting on the road.” Dobey answered. “Follow me.”
They only ran into a couple of areas where the cars jammed the road but they were able to get around them. Everybody began to relax as they got further and further away from the horrors and hadn’t seen any cars for miles.
Dobey turned onto the dirt road that led to the cabin, he slowed and stopped as they approached the driveway to wanting to make sure it was safe, if they pulled in it would be hard to get back out. Starsky pulled up behind his captain and got out, Mike and Hutch also go out, the two detectives drawing their guns. “We’ll go check it out,” Starsky said told Dobey, “You stay here.”
Fifteen minutes later Hutch waved to Dobey and his family to let them know it was safe. Mike walked down the drive way to get the car, as the wagon passed him, he said “Thanks Captain Dobey, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t brought me along.”
“No thanks need son,” Dobey parked, Edith and the kids began unloading the boxes of food they had brought with them.
Mike backed the car down the drive way only enough to get it out of the road; he was doing what Starsky had told him, in case they needed to make a fast getaway. He would do the same to the station wagon as soon as it was unpacked.
It was dark, Starsky stood on the porch with a shotgun resting in the crook of his arm and he was listening intently but there was no sound, not even a cricket chirped. Hutch joined him and stared out into the night, “Is this our life now?” he asked.
Starsky looked at his partner, “To tell you the truth I just don’t know, I guess it depends on what you believe. Come on.”
“Where are we going?” Hutch wanted to know following Starsky out into the grass.
“Dobey said he has a map in the station wagon, I think we need an escape route just in case.” Starsky said, he was alert scanning for any movement or sound but there was nothing, they were safe for now.
Happy Halloween!
story by Tooki
beta read by Tonya