Fred announced with a resolute tone, "We have to prepare ourselves. First thing tomorrow morning, we're heading back to Helen. We'll go to that zone and get the equipment."
Turning to his team, he added, "Harrison, Cassandra, I need you both to gather everything we might need—bombs, guns, and any other gear required for the mission."
The head of the family bumped into their discussion, curiosity show on his face. "What's going on here? When are you heading out to get the equipment?"
Fred responded firmly, "We're leaving tomorrow morning. We'll get the equipment and return as soon as possible. Don't worry."
The head of the family nodded approvingly. "Alright. Good luck to you all. But remember something, nobody must get bitten by a zombie. If it happens, kill that person instantly!"
Fred and others were surprised. And Fred said, "Nobody will get bitten, don't worry."
"Fine then!" The head of the family said and left.
The next day, with everything arranged, the team piled into the van. Just as they were about to leave, Susan approached them. "Can I come with you guys?" she asked earnestly.
Fred hesitated. "No, you can't. What about your child?"
Susan replied confidently, "Juliet is taking care of my baby. I'm sure my child will be fine. Trust me, I want to help in this situation."
Fred sighed and lean closer to her. "Look Susan, there's a possibility that we might not make it back alive. I lied to the head of the family that no one will get bitten, but trust me, I'm scared because outside there, is fucking dangerous!"
"I know Fred, I just want to help. Can't sit around knowing too well that you guys are out there facing danger. Please, Fred..".
Fred exhale, "Alright, no problem. Come with us."
Susan climbed into the van, and they set off. However, on the way, the van hit a flat tire. While the others worked on fixing it, Susan said, "I need to pee."
"Go ahead," Harrison replied, keeping watch.
As they repaired the tire, zombies began to shuffle toward them from the distance. "They're coming!" Jane shouted, "Everyone get your weapon! Now!"
The group quickly armed themselves, as the zombies were moving closer. They begin to engage the undead in a brutal fight, shooting aggressively. After taking them all down, Fred wiped sweat from his brow. "We need to hurry up and leave this place. It's too dangerous. I am sure more are coming. "
Immediately the tire was fixed, they resumed their journey, eventually reaching Helen. The road was blocked with an array of chairs and debris.
"I'll handle this," Fred said, stepping out of the van.
"Be careful," Harrison called after him.
Fred removed the obstacles, allowing them to drive into the zone. As the van crept forward, Jane turned to Michael. "Can you describe where we're going?"
Michael's response was curt. "Just keep going."
After taking three turns, they neared the military zone, only to find zombies swarming outside its entrance.
"holy shit!!" Fred said.
Harrison grimaced. "We have no choice. We need to take them down if we're going to get in there."
Jane nodded. "Everyone, get ready."
The group sprang into action, shooting zombies in the head while some resorted to stabbing them. Amid the chaos, Susan suffered a deep scratch but concealed her injury, saying nothing to the others.
Finally, they reached the zone doors, which were locked. It took considerable effort to force them open.
Cassandra whispered as they stepped inside, "It's so quiet... but this place is clean. I think someone's here. We need to be careful."
Before she could finish her word, someone attacked them with a gun shot. Reacting swiftly, Margret quickly shot the assailant in the head.
They locked the door behind them and proceeded further into the building. Margret spotted another door and forced it open, revealing four people in lab coats working on a vaccine.
Harrison pointed his gun at one of their heads. "Who are you people? What's going on here?"
One of the scientists subtly reached for a vial of acid, attempting to throw it at Harrison, but Susan intervened. She rushed forward, pulling Harrison back, and the acid splashed onto her face instead.
Susan screamed in agony. Despite their efforts to help her, she stopped them. "Don't bother," she said weakly. "I've already been scratched by a zombie. I'm going to die anyway. Don't worry about me."
With those words, Susan passed away. Cassandra, overcome with anger, shot her in the forehead to prevent her from turning, then turned her gun on the man who had thrown the acid.
Cassandra point her gun at the person who pour the acid, but Fred told her to calm down because the gun noise will attract the zombies. With anger Cassandra gritted her teeth with frustration.
Jane's voice trembled. "What the hell is going on here?"
One of the lab workers answered nervously, "Our boss ordered us to create vaccines here, but we don't test them on humans—only animals. If they fail, we kill the animals."
Fred erupted in anger. "Are you insane? Look at what's happening! People are dying and turning into monsters because of you guys!"
Jane added, "I remember what Luis wrote in his notes—that the water in the East was contaminated. Did you poison it?"
The scientist hesitated before replying, "No... but there was an incident. We injected animals with the virus and transported them to Hilltop in the East to dispose of them. One escaped when our vehicle got a flat tire. We tried to catch it, but our boss said it wasn't dangerous. It was just an antelope."
Jane's mind raced. "Maybe someone killed it and dumped it into the dam that supplies the East with water…"
Fred, furious, shot one of the scientists. "Enough of your excuses!"
Jane intervened. "Stop! We need them alive to fix this mess."
Harrison growled, "How did you even get this virus?"
The scientist replied, "It came from an alien that fell from the sky. Our boss made us perform experiments on it."
"You're all monsters!" Harrison spat. "Is there a cure vaccine?"
The scientist admitted, "We don't know. We've only tested it on animals and never think of creating the cure for it. But we can try."
Margret demanded, "What are you working on now?"
The scientist hesitated. "A vaccine… but if released, anyone who inhales it will die instantly."
Fred pointed his gun at them. "Where the hell is your boss?"
"They're all dead," the scientist admitted. "But they left us orders to continue their work."
Cassandra, tired of the back-and-forth, said, "Pack your equipment. You're coming with us to create a vaccine to fix this shit you'll created. Got it?"
The scientists resisted. "We can't leave. It would be like disobeying our late boss."
Fred cocked his gun. "Do we look like we are joking with you? You're coming, or I'll blow your head off."
Fearful, the scientists relented, gathering their equipment as the team prepared to leave. Harrison growled, "Let's get out of here."
The group left the zone, instantly before getting attacked.