As the appointed time for their second meeting with the mysterious group approached, the members of their small band gathered anxiously in their makeshift safehouse, anticipation coursing through their veins like electricity. Dusty, William, Samantha, and Sarah stood together, their eyes alight with excitement and trepidation as they prepared to embark on this pivotal encounter.
When the time came, they set out into the city, navigating the deserted streets with a sense of purpose and determination. As they approached the designated meeting spot, they spotted the group waiting for them, their faces drawn with concern but also tinged with relief at the sight of their familiar faces.
"Welcome back," one of the members greeted them warmly, a hint of relief evident in their voice. "We're glad to see you made it safely."
Sarah's presence among them was met with genuine excitement and curiosity, the other group members eager to learn more about the intelligent zombie who had become an unexpected ally in their fight for survival.
Once the initial greetings had been exchanged, the conversation turned serious as Dusty, William, Samantha, and Sarah shared the information they had gathered about the armed men with vehicles and guns who roamed the city streets.
"They're dangerous," Dusty warned, his voice low and urgent. "They're not afraid to use violence to get what they want. You need to stay away from them at all costs."
Alex, who had returned along with the new people, nodded in agreement. "We are aware of them, and you are correct, they are dangerous. The people they work for are involved in this mess. If they were to get their hands on Sarah, it would be devastating."
The group members listened intently, their expressions grim as they absorbed the gravity of the situation. They nodded in agreement, silently vowing to heed the warning and steer clear of the dangerous faction that now threatened their safety.
The two scientists that Alex had mentioned came forward. They were introduced as Dr. Andrew Mullins and Dr. Patricia Merchant. "We are excited to meet you all, thank you for agreeing to meet with us." Patricia said.
Sarah slowly stepped forward. Seeing Sarah, Patricia's eyes began to light with excitement. "Is it true, are you able to speak? Are you "Human"?"
Sarah nodded, "Yes, I can speak" she said, feeling somewhat insulted and very uncomfortable.
Dusty stepped forward, "This is Sarah, she is part of our group and she is our friend."
Dr. Mullins came forward offering his hand, " Please I am Andrew and this is my colleague Patricia. Please forgive us staring, you are amazing, a dream we have barely dared to dream." he said as he looked at Sarah.
Dusty shook his hand and then Sarah did the same.
Sarah spoke, her voice trembling with uncertainty, "Please tell me what happened."
The discussion then shifted to the nature of the experiments that had led to the creation of the zombies that now roamed the city streets. The two spoke of BioTech's plans to create a way for people to live longer. Everything they did was with that goal in mind. Andrew and Patricia were quick to point out that they were not with BioTech and had not been involved in any of the work they had been doing. In fact, they made it clear that they did not support any of the things that had been done by the company in its experiments. "But things went terribly wrong, and now we're left to pick up the pieces and try to undo the damage that's been done." one of the others spoke up.
"Unfortunately, now, we are trying to find a cure," Patricia added, her voice heavy with regret.
Sarah listened intently, her mind racing with memories of her own experiences as a test subject in the twisted experiments that had robbed her of her humanity and left her with a hunger for human flesh.
"I can help," she offered quietly, her voice tinged with determination. "I have unique insights into what they were doing. Maybe together, we can find a way to reverse the effects of their experiments and put an end to this nightmare once and for all."
Dusty spoke up, "But no experiments, she is not going back into a lab for you or anyone else to experiment on. We won't allow it."
Sarah looked over and gave him a warm smile.
The group members nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with renewed hope and determination. They knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but with Sarah's help and their unwavering resolve, they perhaps found the way forward they had been searching for.
Can we sit and you tell us everything you remember? Andrew asked. Sarah nodded her agreement and Andrew, Patricia and Sarah walked over to a table in the corner.
As she turned to go, Dusty took her hand and asked if she was ok. She smiled and nodded, as she walked away.
Sarah explained everything she could now remember, the things the doctors had said, what she saw, about loosing her memory. Even about the need to eat flesh on a regular basis. As her story continued Patricia and Andrew absorbed every word and quickly made notes of important things that they would need to follow up on.
When she had finished speaking and answering their questions, she dug out all of the papers they had collected. The others had given them to her since it was really her live they were dealing with. Seeing the notes and the reference to a formula, the two looked at each other with determination in their eyes. "This information, and you might be the keys we have been searching for all this time." Andrew said with a large grin of excitement.
"I am not saying we want to experiment on you but I need to be honest with you Sarah," Andrew spoke, if we find what we believe is a cure at some point you might be the best person to test it on. We will try on the full zombies but that may not give us the information we need."
With some hesitation Sarah nodded her understanding.
"You don't have to decide anything today, and no matter what, I promise we will not force you into anything that you do not want to do." Patricia added.
I would ask if you would be willing to give us a sample of your blood, it would greatly help us in our research" Andrew asked.
Sarah looked at him with determination, "Yes, I can take your sample. While I may not want to ever go into a lab again I do want to do anything I can that will help me end this nightmare I have woken up into."
With that Andrew withdrew a needle and a couple containers from his bag and collected samples of her blood.
Alex looked at the group as Sarah and the doctors rejoined them. "I would suggest we remove all of the signs you had put up. At this point it might draw unwanted attention. We will use the one board when we need to communicate so we can each check it on a regular basis."
Dusty agreed and said that he would look after removing the signs. "Perhaps we could plan to meet once every two weeks just to see where things stand."
Alex agreed to this suggestion.
"Do you mind telling us what you know about zombies, what will happen this winter, anything you think might help us." Dusty asked.