by Brahm Stroker from the research of Dr. Lapdrop
Dr. Emmet Lapdrop is a character in the new novel Rated Z: Money Shot by Brahm Stroker published by Verboten Books
Let’s face it, something that dies begins to stink. Changes start to take place in and outside the body. But how soon and what are the processes a body goes through after death? Let’s examine this fellow zombie fans, shall we?
There’s something called the death chill. Right after the heart stops beating, the body quickly cools down, a stage called Algor Mortis. Without the heart beating, the blood in the veins coagulates which causes the body to stiffen. Some cells (on the flesh) remain alive for several days after death. When these cells begin to die, petrification starts (decomposition of proteins).
Soon after, the body begins to turn green, then purple, and then eventually black. The body gives off sulfurous gas, which smells like rotten eggs (you’d be able to smell these buggers from a mile away). This gas also builds inside the body which causes the corpse to expand, the eyes to be pushed out of their sockets and also forces the tongue out of the mouth.
A week after death, the body’s skin blisters and the slightest touch will cause it to fall off. And finally, a month after death a corpse’s hair and nails will fall out, and the organs liquefy. The body then swells until it bursts open, leaving nothing but the skeleton behind.
With all this said, how could a corpse still be animated after a month’s period time? Technically, it couldn’t. You could merely camp with uninfected people and after the plague had run its course, humanity could rebuild again. That is if simple quarantine could be managed in a world gone to hell. Of course, you’d have those foolish enough to venture out rather than hunker down, extending the apocalypse for years instead of a month or less. Even if you take foolish acts of bravery (trying to confront the infected) or the desperation to ‘survive’ (venturing out for survivors and food if you are ill-prepared) into account, the zombie apocalypse could potentially be eradicated within a few short years as it plowed its way through the people.
But I’m betting on the contagion to be around for a long time because human nature is … flawed. People will confront the dead and each other as supplies begin to run low. Small groups will form, others large and overpowering, taking from the smaller, weaker pockets. Dictators will rise and fall as people will try and seek power in a time of crisis. After all, I did say people are flawed.
Suppose you knew these things going in and were interested in preserving the dead as I am. Would there be a way to slow the decay and expand their ‘life’? Could you imagine controlling an army of the undead whilst they have limited understanding of why they still exist with the brain of a rabid animal? Imagine them still wanting to live as they cling to hope a cure will come. Imagine using that to your advantage and having them in service to you! You, the only person with the knowledge how to keep them from falling apart!
My knowing these things that I stated above I must confess that there is indeed a way to preserve the body of the zombie and I know it to be highly effective as I have already done exactly as I claimed could be done. Although they’re not under my control yet because someone else stands in my way—someone that is power-hungry and sick in the mind—but they will be soon enough.
You see, the secrets of this ‘cure’ are mine because I am the most brilliant mind yet alive. You can call me a bragger or someone who likes to gloat, I don’t care. I call myself an innovator, a survivor and a man with many resources. Maybe one day you’ll be hoping that I save you and I’ll call you one of my servants!
Insincerely,
Emmet Lapdrop
Check out Rated Z: Money Shot: An Anti-Romance by Brahm Stroker.
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