Unseen Terror

By D.P. Pankratz

Nicole Kate, a woman who has it all, including a dark side. After the death of her baby girl, and being betrayed by her boyfriend Mark Chadwick, who married her sister Amanda instead. Nicole comes up with a plan for revenge, one that will be known throughout the living world. As a plague slowly engulfs the earth, killing billions within years. The world powers begin crumbling at the mere tolls this virus is taking, they enlist the help of one woman who can save them. Nicole Kate gladly helps them try and stop this pandemic from spreading, but with Nicole, you’d had better watch out, you never know what she’s planning next?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perry Pankratz
• Release date: Feb 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781999241780

Book preview

Unseen Terror

Unseen Terror

D.P. Pankratz

Copyright

Unseen Terror is a fictitious story inspired by a good friend who passed away last year. Crystal Douglass enjoyed stories about plagues, zombies, and vampires etc. This story is set in 2025, so the places that exist now, may not then. All characters, events are fictitious, and in the event that this does happen, just ignore this message. Any and all resemblances to actual persons, living or dead are purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2020 D.P. Pankratz

Published in the United States by Lulu.com

LIBRARY AND ARCHEIVES CANADA CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Pankratz, Perry (Perry P.)

Unseen Terror/D.P. Pankratz

Unseen Terror/D.P. Pankratz

ISBN 978-1-9992417-8-0

Printed in the United States of America

Lulu.com

First Edition

Dedications

This book is dedicated to the lady who inspired this story, Crystal Douglass, who unfortunately passed away March 22, 2019. You will be missed by all who knew you. Rest well, my friend.

A couple great big Thank you(s) to these next two ladies, without them, this book wouldn’t be possible;

Amanda Williams @ Dark Raven Edits for editing this book. I know the headaches I must cause you but thank you for being here for me.

Thank you to anyone I may have missed along the way.

Chapter 1

March 8th, 2025

The alarm buzzing away wakes me up, turning to see if Mark is still sleeping beside me. Rubbing my belly softly while whispering, Good morning my baby girl. You feeling hungry? Trying my best to roll over, and get out of bed comfortably. After struggling for what seemed like forever, holding my belly up as I waddle to the bathroom slowly. Sitting down, sensing somethings not right, but what could it be? Every appointment with Dr. Beck, my OBGYN have been great, but what is this growing pain…? The pain crosses my back and front and keeps intensifying little bits at a time.

Waddling to the kitchen, every step becomes more labored. Reaching for the phone, and pressing one for Mark. Going straight to voicemail. Trying a couple more times before calling the hospital. Listening as the woman asks,

St Paul’s hospital, how may I direct your call?

Gripping my stomach tighter, as tears start trickling down my face.

Taking a deep breath before straining to answer, Mark Chadwick, doctor… Gritting my teeth while another wave of pain rampages through my back, then my stomach. As the woman responds,

I’m sorry, Dr. Chadwick isn’t answering his page.

My eyes widen as another serge of pain almost sends me to the floor, as I whisper, Send an ambulance to… Falling to the floor, reeling in excruciating pain, while muttering, Please be okay my girl… please. Holding my stomach even tighter as the pain increases to me almost passing out. Hearing sirens coming in the distance, closing my eyes and begging, Mark, why aren’t you here? I told you to stay home with me, why’d you leave?

Being rushed into St Paul’s hospital. Clutching my stomach tightly, screaming in pain. A nurse quickly walks beside the gurney, writing down what the paramedics are telling her. Rushing me into the delivery room, screaming frightened, as the surging pain becomes unbearable. As nurses rush to hook up equipment, to listen to my baby’s heartbeat. The moment her heartbeat comes through the speaker, I know something’s wrong. Faint, and weak while looking at the concerned expressions on the nurse’s faces while they begin getting me into position to deliver. Turning to the nearest nurse wincing while asking, Is Mark here yet? She turns towards another nurse, who shakes her head, no.

An hour goes by, as the pain inside becomes unbearable, knowing something is extremely wrong with my girl. Seeing the disheartening look on the nurse’s faces, while they whisper amongst each other. Mark comes walking in, the moment he sees me, he comes running over, grabbing my hand, and whispering,

Oh, my love. Are you doing alright? How’s our baby doing?

Between the pains, I answer weakly, I don’t know… I feel there’s something terribly wrong…? Turning to look at Mark’s face, seeing what looks like red lipstick smeared on his bottom lip, as another series of contractions hits me like a train. Screaming in agony, as the nurses hurriedly push Mark out of their way. The contraction’s become more intensified, and painful. He looks frightened, as he glances at the nurse, and then heads out of the delivery room. Mark… I shout through the pain, as the nurse responds,

He got called to the emergency room Nicole, he should be back shortly?

Looking up at her through the tears of pain, I hope so, I need him here with me… I know something’s wrong with our baby…? The nurse replies sympathetically,

As soon as Dr. Beck, gets here, we’ll all know more of what’s going on, Nicole, just breathe in and out.

Looking up through the pain of labor, watching the nurse quickly looking back towards the door. Thirty minutes or more go by, still, this searing pain comes back, more frequently and intense. Grabbing the nurse’s arm, and asking while holding back the pain, Where’s Mark? She looks worried, and responds,

I’ll go check the emergency room, and see if I can find him for you, Nicole?

The nurse goes to find him, leaving me alone for a moment. During that moment in time, the unthinkable happens. Screaming as the pain makes me want to curl up into a ball. Listening to something splashing on the floor, as I hurried attempt to reach the call button. Just barely out of reach, screaming at the top of my lungs, HELP ME! MY BABY’S COMING! Frantically, grasping for the call button, as a nurse comes running back in yelling frightened,

DEAR GOD!

Watching the nurse running over to me panicked, as she presses the call button repeatedly, and responds hysterically,

Nicole, please resist the urge to push until the doctor gets here… please.

Other nurses rush into the room, fear on their faces makes me worry even more. They all gather by my legs, as I let scream after scream out. Feeling more pain, as I hear one little cry, and silence. The pain down at my lower stomach eases, while a couple of nurses run across the room, and start hurriedly trying to do something with my girl. A nurse tries to obstruct my view, as I manage to peek around her occasionally.

Ten-minutes later, a nurse solemnly walks towards me, holding my baby wrapped in a blanket. She tearfully hands me, my baby girl, while whispering,

I’m sorry Nicole.

Holding out my trembling hands, tears stream down my cheeks as I grab the cool blanket. Closing my eyes, imagining her moving around, perhaps giving a smile. Opening up my eyes, and peeling the blanket off her face slowly. Revealing a pale face, taking a deep tearful breath, knowing my girl is dead in my arms. Leaning towards her, placing a kiss on her forehead softly. Running my finger across her little button nose gently. Another nurse comes walking over, glaring at the nurse who handed me my girl, and rips my baby from my arms quickly, as she turns her back, and steps away hurriedly.

The nurse who’s standing beside me looking bewildered, as I sit here shocked. She leans down to my ear, and whispers quietly. Turning, and looking at her shocked while her words sink in, as she nods slightly, and then hurriedly walks away as my eyes follow her out of the room. Wiping my eyes, as I start feeling even sicker to my stomach, wondering if she’s right, and how Mark could’ve betrayed me this way? Especially knowing there was something wrong with our baby, and now she’s dead!

2025 The First Outbreak

Looking at the waiting room, shaking my head bewildered. Walking past the nurse’s station on my way to grab my white coat. Picking up a clipboard along my way, glancing at my watch, then writing down, Dr. Mark Chadwick, June 14th Saskatoon Saskatchewan 8:23 PM St. Paul’s hospital. Glancing at the patient list, an unusual number of these patients, complaining of flu-like symptoms. Flipping the page, as it continues. Slight bleeding from the eyes, bloody stool, urine, and blood filling the lungs. Looking up out at the waiting room, pondering, these symptoms seemingly resemble Ebola? 

Watching doctors rushing from room to room, trying to treat these unusual symptoms, as quick as they can, hours go by, seeing patient after patient. Walking into a room, looking up and seeing Tiffany, a sixteen-year-old girl, barely having the strength to turn her head towards me. Blood intertwined with her blonde hair, from where she vomited. Walking over to the bed, sighing, as her mother begins pleading with me,

Please, help her? You have to doctor. She just started bleeding this afternoon, and it hasn’t stopped.

Looking at Tiffany’s mom with concern, as Tiffany’s hand grabs mine weakly, looking up at me, speckles of blood sitting in and

around her eyes. Her mouth twitches while trying to speak through the extreme pain she must be feeling,

I’m, I’m, going to, die…?

Quickly placing my finger over my lip, as I answer reassuringly, No, I’m not going to let you die Tiffany. We will figure out what nasty little bug this is, and you’ll be back to your spry self again, soon. Grinning, as Tiffany, facsimiles back while she begins moaning in agony, as her mother grabs my arm tight, and leads me to the far corner of the room. A hopeful expression befalls her while she asks terrified,

Doctor… you do have an idea what this is? You know my little girl is going to be okay?

Staring at the grasping look of hope in her eyes. Quickly looking down at my charts, trying to find the words that may ease her distress. Meeting her eyes while I respond unsure, I truly hope Tiffany’s going to be alright, but right now, I can’t say what this virus might be. Once I have some test results back, I’ll make sure to come tell you first. She glares at me hatefully, as she turns and walks away. Heading outside the room, stopping a nearby nurse, she turns and asks,

Yes, doctor?

Trying to clear my throat, as I answer, Yes, nurse Janice. Could you get some blood cultures from Tiffany, in room 103? She nods, as she replies,

Already done doctor, an hour ago.

Smiling gratefully, as she points to another room. Watching her hurriedly go into the next room, I shake my head, as the moans of pain echo throughout the emergency room. Walking towards the nurse’s desk, staring out at the growing number of worried people waiting to get help for this unknown sickness?

A week into this unknown virus strain, chemists/biologists continue to create quick antidotes to take a bite out of the virus, only known by the name, Y factor. Mainly for the mysterious components that make up this deadly cell. Sitting back in my chair, staring at the lists of fatalities, including Tiffany Champaign. Looking down the page for something, anything that stands out as strange? 

After the second week, Nicole Kate came to the rescue and found a commonality between the viruses. After experimenting on numerous patients, and finding good results. Her team rushed to make enough of the experimental drug, to hand out to everyone. 

After 3 weeks, only 38 people lose the battle to this virus, as we try to figure out what, or where this virus originated? I feel an overwhelming sense of relief, both to the other doctors, and my ex,

Nicole. Knowing, she’s probably still angry over the way I left her after the death of our baby.

Walking into the conference room, holding files from the victims. A few doctors shout,

Mark Chadwick?

I hold my hand up, as some clap, while others look confused. Walking to the front of the room, setting down the files. Looking at the doctors, as they still seem to be perplexed as to why this meeting was called? Pulling a folder out, opening it up. Glancing around the room nervously, as the door opens, and a secretary quickly runs over, and whispers in my ear,

Amanda will be here within five minutes.

Nodding, as I look forward, and respond, "Good morning everyone. As we all know this recent viral outbreak has shaken us up for the past few weeks. The final tests have come back, and it isn’t Ebola, like what was first thought. This is a new unknown strain that we have dubbed, the Y factor, for its unknown biological address. Biologists and chemists are working on trying to find out its origin as we speak. If you all look at the screen, you’ll see that this strain of Y factor, has a few similarities to different Viruses, Ebola, Plague, and Influenza, but if you look closely at the center, it looks as if it has

nothing in common with any of these viruses?" Dr. Slive raises his hand, and replies muddled,

But how? How can there be a virus that manages to intertwine into 3, of the top 10 viruses, and create this havoc before us now?

Dr. Slive, along with others continue seeming perplexed. Watching them become more suspiciously, as I answer, I don’t know Dr. Slive! That is what we are hoping to find out. Not wanting to get anyone in a panic over this virus, but there is some random talk about terrorists, creating this virus. Right now, we don’t have enough evidence to claim this, one way or other? Dr. Karnov, glares towards the screen, almost as if he’s drawing conclusions. He stands up, and responds loudly while pointing at the screen,

Mark, seriously, if it was terrorists who created this virus strain, wouldn’t they have just used it, and be done with it?

Nodding agreeing, as they begin grumbling between themselves. I respond nervously, Yes Dr. Karnov, that’s the million dollars question? Is it Biological warfare, or isn’t it? So far, we are just in the…? Dr. Beil stands up abruptly, and states,

Dr. Chadwick, you look like you know something more than you’re telling us here? If you know something, spill it?

Holding my hands up towards them, as I respond, No, no, no. Dr. Beil, the only thing I know for sure is, we lost 38, out of 311 people, and the medications we used to treat them in the beginning barely worked. We were using almost 30 different kinds of medication, and we failed to save those 38 people. That to me is unacceptable. Dr. Beil, loudly responds,

Dr. Chadwick! That is a relatively small number of fatalities…wouldn’t you agree? Twelve percent isn’t bad, but I’m still wondering what you are keeping from us?

Feeling my throat getting dryer, as I reply, Yes, it is Dr. Beil, but we would have lost a lot more if Nurse O’Shay hadn’t given that one patient, the wrong medication, and died. But as soon he was brought back to life, the virus virtually disappeared, and we were able to treat the rest of them, the same way. Again, I’m not hiding anything from you. Dr. Beil, bangs the table with his hand, as Dr. Karnov pipes up,

I will agree that yes, there may have been more bodies if we hadn’t taken that route. Why don’t we wait, and reconvene when the scientists have this virus figured out. Then at least we will all have more of an idea of what we are dealing with, and if terrorism is a factor in all this? What do you think, Dr. Chadwick?

Feeling relieved, as I answer, "Yes, Dr. Karnov, we will wait, until we have everything to make a sound judgement. Hopefully, they

will have something for us in the next couple of days?" Everyone grudgingly agrees, Dr. Beil continues to eye me hard, as if he believes I’m hiding something from them.

Everyone begins leaving the room, and goes about their business, helping the sick people still trickling into the hospital. Feeling relived this virus hasn’t taken a life in a week. I sit here, trying to figure out what had happened weeks ago? Looking through the pile of papers, trying desperately to find out, where this virus may have come from? Looking at each deceased person’s case, hoping to find that smoking gun in this mile-high haystack.

August 9th, 7:00 AM

Getting out of my car, flinging my hair to the side while the wind blows gently in my face. Knowing everyone is sitting, waiting for me inside the conference room. A security guard hurriedly comes over and grabs two boxes from the backseat. He smiles while stating,

You must be Amanda Kate, and if you are, nice to meet you. I was told to wait for you. You’re a little young to be a biologist, aren’t you?

Returning the smile, as I shut the car door, and respond snidely, Perhaps I am, but doesn’t take away from what I know. He nods approvingly, as we quickly make our way inside. Hurriedly trying not to be extremely late. Getting by the door, hearing voices murmuring on the other side. Looking at my watch, 7:23 A.M. The security guard nods, as I push the door open, and all the doctor’s heads turn to look my way, they stand up grinning, as I reply, Hello Gentlemen, I have some great news for you all. As they all shuffle back into their seats, ready to listen to what I have to say. The security guard places the boxes on the table nearest the door. A doctor stands up and responds annoyed,

Well don’t leave us hanging…what is the great news you’ve got to tell us?

Looking him over curiously trying to make out from which field he’s in, as I answer, You are? He responds,

Dr. Beil!

Nodding, as I motion for