Honeybee

Chapter 33

28^th January 2018, Bristol, England

Covering twelve acres of land, Bristol Zoological Gardens, at the last count, boasted over seven-thousand animals, consisting of four-hundred and nineteen different species. Well known for conserving threatened species, the zoo prides itself on studying and breeding endangered species. Bristol Zoo has an impressive history of breeding in captivity, including, Black Rhinoceros, Pygmy Hippopotamus, Red Pandas and Asiatic Lions. Working with other zoos around the world, the zoo supports education, wildlife conservation and breeding programmes worldwide.

After unsuccessfully wrestling with the main entrance doors, Jason decided it would be easier to climb up and over the roof of the single storey entrance building. He tried to jump up and grip the guttering so he could pull himself up, but it was just out of reach. He looked around for something to stand on but there was nothing suitable. He considered hoisting Amanda up so that she could then pull him up, but there was no way she would be able to lift his weight. And then an idea came to him. He went back to the truck and drove it as close to the building as he could get it, then he climbed out and onto the roof of the truck. Holding a hand out to Amanda, he helped her up onto the truck and the pair of them pulled themselves onto the roof of the building. The roof was pitched at a low angle, making it easy to walk over the ridge and onto the other side. They were met by the view of a wasted park. The water in the various ponds and pools was brown and full of rotting leaves. The grasses and shrubs were an overgrown mess. It was only the tree’s that were free from growth, their leaves scattered on the ground and their buds yet to appear for the spring.

The zoo was arranged in a large square with buildings around the perimeter and an open area in the middle. Jason eyed up the buildings which would have once housed the various animals, gift shops, cafés and offices. The good news was that the zoo was undisturbed, they might find some food and drink. The bad news was that they would probably find a lot of dead animals. Jason put it out of his mind as he lowered himself down off the roof and into the zoo. He waited while Amanda lowered herself and then guided her legs onto his shoulders, before gripping her around the waist and easing her down to the ground. Deciding to explore the park in a clockwise direction, the first attraction they came to was the Lion enclosure. They gazed in but the enclosure was so over grown that they couldn’t see anything. Somewhere, they knew the bodies of the Asiatic Lions would be peacefully laying in the overgrowth.

They continued along the enclosures, Red Panda’s, Fruit Bats, Giant Tortoises, all of them empty of life. In the aquarium, the tanks were almost empty, the water long since evaporated, and green algae growing in the remaining water.

Next up was the main restaurant. It was tidy and looked untouched and Jason walked straight past the tables and chairs to the kitchen. Everything was tidy and clean and he held a lot of hope at finding food that wasn’t rotting. In the food pantry, he found large bags of rice and pasta, jars of sauces, tins of soup and beans, but no rotting food. No potatoes rotting away and sprouting, no lettuce and salad items turning to mush. It was all clean. Something wasn’t right. He knew it. Everything was too clean.

Moving quietly over to Amanda, who was behind the main counter, he pulled her to a squatting position and shushed her with his finger.

‘Someone is here.’ He whispered.

‘What? Where?’ Amanda said.

‘I don’t know, but this place is way to clean. Someone is living here.’ He said. ‘Let’s get outside and see what else we can find.’

They moved silently and exited the restaurant the same way they had entered and continued their clockwise route around the zoo, only this time more cautiously. On the left was a large enclosure with a sign stating “Monkey Jungle”, and on the right was a raised island surrounded by water with a sign that read “Gorilla Island”. As they entered the Monkey Jungle building they were greeted with the howls, whooping and chatter of various species of primates.

‘Oh my god!’ Amanda said, as she stood in awe, ‘They’re alive.’

Jason watched as the monkeys and apes swung from branches and played, obviously excited to see new visitors. A Chimpanzee played around with a plastic container. One moment attempting to drink from it, the next moment placing it on its head like a hat. Some primates were separated from others and Jason knew it was because they don’t play well together. In all, there were almost twenty monkeys, Chimpanzee’s, Baboons, Orangutans and a few other species Jason was unfamiliar with.

‘This is unbelievable.’ Jason said, as he smiled at the chimp.

‘How is this possible?’ Amanda said.

‘I made it possible.’ A voice said from behind them.

They both swung around and saw the figure who had just spoken. Standing in front of them was slim, wiry man who looked to be in his early fifties. He wore thick, black framed, stylish glasses and a Bristol Zoo Gardens fleece.

‘Might I ask what you are doing here?’ The man spoke in a soft voice.

‘Sorry.’ Jason said. ‘Didn’t mean to intrude. We assumed the zoo would be empty.’

‘Well, at least you’re not infected. And you don’t appear to be a threat.’ The wiry man said.

‘Absolutely not. We seem to be immune.’ Jason said. ‘My name is Jason. I am... sorry, was, a park ranger. And Amanda here researched and cared for bees on a natural honey farm.’

‘Really.’ The man got excited. ‘I could use any help I can get. My name is Doctor Eric Stanton, chief zoologist and micro biologist here. You’re immune you say?’

‘Yeah, we seem to be. We’ve been surviving for the past… however long it’s been. Don’t know how many of those things I’ve killed.’

‘Well, hopefully you won’t have to kill any more.’ The zoologist said, as a smile appeared on his face. ‘I think I’ve developed a vaccine.’