The Virus Within (Original rough draft)

Chapter 133

We pulled up at the Stronghold gate behind the truck in front of us. This also allowed the truck following us a closer look at the back of my head since I refused to turn around to face them. It only took the lead truck a few words before we were all waved in. Most people within sight were either wearing masks or had them tucked in a pocket somewhere just in case.

Daniel parked and we all got out of the truck. The guys from the truck behind us kept sneaking glances at me. The ones from the truck ahead looked at me in confusion, recognizing me as the person who had come into the Stronghold with our group, but they had no clue why I had been so far from the Stronghold.

The leader of this Stronghold came forward, "They said you had a cure. Will it work if they have already turned into a zombie?"

Nina came forward, "If they are still in control, then yes. What did they turn into?"

"The two men turned into regular zombies. They act like the other zombies do."

Nina sighed, "Sorry, the cure won't work if they aren't sane. I have never heard any rumor of a regular zombie managing to remain in control either."

The leader looked disappointed. The two from the truck behind us also looked a bit disappointed. They were probably thinking about the Runner back home. The leader sighed, "It was worth asking. We do have someone who is still sneezing though. She is staying at a place outside the fence."

Nina nodded, "Take us there. If we are in time, then we can help."

The leader led us off on foot. Right back out the way we came. I trailed along as per usual, along with the rest of our group. The men from the truck that had been following us also tagged along. The ones from the other truck gave them a confused look, but remained behind. They must not have suspected that I was actually a zombie, let alone the elusive Nightstalker from last night.

It took five minutes of walking to get to the small house. I could hear the person sneezing, so they were still human. Nina put on her face mask as we got closer. Just to mess with the minds of those following and the leader, I also put on a face mask.

Nina knocked on the door and the woman opened it. She was also wearing a face mask, but sneezed twice before she could even manage a hello. Nina quickly explained that she wanted to give her both the cure as well as the serum to prevent her from turning into a regular zombie since she was already sneezing and the lady immediately agreed. Even if she turned, the cure would still work and she would become human again.

I watched as Nina finally used the very first vial of serum. We still had not used a single vial of the controlex. From the corner of my eye, I watched as the man from the forest slowly edged his way closer to me.

I wasn't the only one to notice though. Nicky yawned before taking one step to the side and pointedly stomping on his foot with the heel of her shoe. We had been near the back of the crowd, so the locals didn't notice a thing.

The man grunted faintly in pain as he gave Nicky a disbelieving look. The redhead either didn't notice, or didn't care. I bet the latter option. Daniel turned his head to eye up the offending man with a faint frown. His eyes weren't camouflaged and the glow increased momentarily as a mild warning. That made the man quite uneasy. He had been the one who had been scared of Terrors.

Nina finished up and put her backpack on once more. It was odd to see her wearing a facemask, but it was even stranger to be wearing one. The only person without a mask was Daniel. The woman would stay here for another three days just to be on the safe side, but it was a small price to pay for living.

We headed back to the Stronghold for the leader to give us the tour. Liz was holding my hand and pointed at some playground equipment, "Look! Can we go play?"