During a zombie clearing mission, I got infected protecting my team. My girlfriend, Chloe, who was also our captain, used “fairness” as an excuse to give the only antidote to a team member who’d snuck out and gotten infected. Her eyes red, she promised me: “Alex, trust me. I’ll find an antidote for you within the three-day incubation period.” I gritted my teeth against the searing pain burning inside me and nodded. The next day, she actually did bring back an antidote. But just a second before the serum could be injected into my veins, Brandon, a team member who’d never even left the camp, suddenly frowned. “Chloe, my head hurts so bad… I’m so scared I might be infected.” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Chloe didn’t hesitate. She handed that antidote to Brandon. “Brandon is a team member. If something happens to him, it means I’m an incompetent captain.” “Alex, you’re the deputy captain, and my boyfriend. For the sake of fairness, I have to give the medicine to Brandon.” I saw the flicker of triumph in Brandon’s eyes and Chloe’s unyielding expression. I almost laughed–a bitter, furious laugh. For fairness? Fine. She’ll soon realize she’s nothing without me.
Chloe didn’t even spare me a glance as she handed Brandon the antidote. “Brandon, the antidote is for you first.” Her tone was as casual as if she were handing him a bottle of water. Brandon took the antidote, a flicker of unconcealed triumph in his eyes. Chloe then handed me a small bottle of cloudy, transparent liquid. She avoided my gaze. “It’s a suppressor. It’ll buy you some more time.” That cheap suppressor was utterly useless for an infection of my severity. My voice was eerily calm. “You know this won’t help me.” Chloe’s eyes darted away, and she frowned. “Alex, don’t be dramatic. Brandon is weak. What if he really is infected…” I cut her off with a cold laugh. “He hasn’t been on a single mission since joining the team, and he has no wounds. How could he possibly be infected?” Chloe’s voice rose. “That’s just on the surface!” “You know the zombie virus has a three-day incubation period! As captain, I have to be responsible for every team member!” “You’re my boyfriend, and the deputy captain. If I give the medicine to you and not him, what will the other team members think of me? How can I lead this team? I have to be fair!” Always the same excuse. The gray-white veins on my right arm were slowly creeping towards my shoulder, and the burning sensation under my skin was growing more intense with each passing moment. I stared at her, taking a deep, ragged breath. “So, my life is less important than your authority? You’re just trying to fob me off with this pathetic suppressor?” Chloe’s face shifted. “What kind of talk is that? I promised I’d go to the West District Research Facility tomorrow and bring back an antidote!” “Can’t you just trust me one more time?” Before the apocalypse, in military academy, Chloe and I were the perfect team. She commanded, I charged. She made the plans, I executed the details. Everyone said we were meant to be. On graduation day, she told me on the training grounds: “Alex, you can trust me completely for the rest of your life.” After the apocalypse hit, I helped her build our survivor squad, willingly taking the role of deputy. I let her take all the credit, and I took all the risks. Three years. The team grew from seven to over forty. She became Captain Chloe, revered by everyone. And what did I get in return? A litany of “fairness,” an endless “next time.” If my powers hadn’t vanished after getting infected, leaving me zombie bait outside, I’d never rely on her to find an antidote. I felt a deep weariness. “This isn’t the first time you’ve promised.” She grabbed my hand, her eyes pleading. “This time, I swear!” “Just like every mission before, when you trusted me with your back. Alex, trust me one last time.” I looked at that hand, the one that used to tightly grip mine through hails of bullets, and heard myself say: “Fine. One last time.” Chloe visibly relaxed. “You go get some rest. I’ll arrange tomorrow’s team and route. Everything will be fine tomorrow.” I turned and left, without looking back. As soon as I stepped outside, I heard Brandon’s hushed voice: “Chloe, he was so scary just now. What if he’s already…” Chloe’s tone was soothing. “Don’t be scared, he’ll be fine for now.” Back in the isolation room, I leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. The burning sensation in my right arm grew steadily worse. This was my second day infected with the zombie virus. According to the usual infection progression, I should be showing early signs of muscle rigidity and sensory degradation by now. But I wasn’t. Apart from the burning and occasional sharp pangs, my mind was unnervingly clear. The strangest thing was, I felt something awakening inside me. From the distant ruins, zombie roars echoed, rising and falling. That wasn’t the sound of a small horde. The camp’s outer defenses, without my powers to reinforce them, wouldn’t hold for long. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Tomorrow would be the third day. Chloe, this is the last chance I’m giving you.
The moment dawn broke, I burst out of the isolation room. The gray-white veins on my right arm now covered half my shoulder. Overnight, the stench of decay in the air seemed to have thickened. I could feel the zombies closing in. Without my primary combat strength, the camp would fall, sooner or later. Chloe’s room door was ajar. I pushed it open. And froze. Chloe was curled up on a simple cot, and Brandon was lying beside her, both covered by the same blanket. Brandon’s arm was around Chloe’s waist, and she was nestled in his embrace, sleeping soundly. My mind went blank for three seconds. Then it exploded. “Chloe!” I roared, then charged in, yanking Brandon up and slamming my fist into his face. Brandon shrieked, tumbled off the bed, and his nose instantly gushed blood. Chloe jolted awake, her face turning ashen at the sight. “Alex! What are you doing?!” I pointed at Brandon, my voice trembling. “What am I doing?” “You’re asking me what I’m doing?! Chloe, look at what you two are doing!” Brandon scrambled up, clutching his face, and hid behind Chloe. “I just… last night, I suddenly had symptoms of infection, and I was scared, so I came to talk to the captain about the antidote…” I laughed, a humorless sound. “And that required you to be in the same bed? To be hugging someone else’s girlfriend?” Chloe shielded Brandon, her eyes showing a flicker of panic, but mostly anger. “Alex, that’s enough! Brandon did show early infection symptoms last night. Is it wrong for me, as captain, to look after a team member?” “We didn’t do anything!” I stared at her disheveled collar. “Chloe, do you take me for a fool?” Chloe’s voice suddenly sharpened. “Look at yourself right now! Paranoid, impulsive, violent! Do you even remember you’re the deputy captain?!” I froze. I remembered, before the apocalypse, in the military academy infirmary. I’d pushed myself too hard in training, aggravating an old injury, and spiked a fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Chloe skipped an entire afternoon of classes, staying by my bedside, changing my compresses, giving me water, finally falling asleep curled up beside my bed. When she woke, she said: “Alex, if you dare die before me, I’ll chase you to hell and beat you back to life.” Back then, her eyes held tenderness, and the raw fear of losing me. Now? She looked at me, her eyes icy. “Today’s mission is crucial. I don’t have time to argue with you. Brandon, prepare to move out.” Brandon immediately nodded, wiping the blood from his nose as he walked out. As he passed me, he shot me a triumphant, taunting look. I grabbed Chloe’s wrist. “You’re taking him?” Chloe pulled her arm away. “He knows the West District terrain.” “Alex, in your current state, how can I trust you with the team?” “You just wait here at camp. I’ll bring back the antidote.” She adjusted her gear and left without a backward glance. I stood rooted to the spot, looking at the empty room, at the blanket still warm with their body heat. The power within me suddenly surged violently, and the gray-white veins instantly spread to my chest. My skin felt like it was tearing apart, the burning sensation threatening to consume me. But I held on. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, blood dripping from between my fingers. Chloe, you chose him again. Then this is where we end. I stumbled back to the isolation room, leaning against the wall, gasping for air. I was now absolutely certain this infection was not normal. From outside the window, I heard the sound of an engine starting. I walked to the window and saw three modified SUVs drive out of the camp gate. Chloe sat in the passenger seat of the lead vehicle. Brandon was next to her in the back. Brandon leaned over, talking to Chloe. She laughed – a relaxed, unguarded laugh. It had been a long time since I’d seen her laugh like that. The convoy disappeared at the end of the ruins. I closed my eyes. Chloe, if you don’t return before sunset today, You will regret your choice today.
I endured the burning pain and waited until nightfall. Whispers spread that unusual, large-scale zombie movements had been sighted. And I could only watch, helplessly, hoping Chloe would bring back the antidote soon. The sun dipped below the horizon, and scattered emergency lights flickered on in the camp. Finally, engine roars echoed from the distance. Three vehicles, not one missing. My heart pounded. She was back. I rushed downstairs, hurrying to the center of the camp. The car doors opened. Chloe was the first to jump out, then the other team members, and finally, Brandon. My gaze was fixed on their hands. Chloe’s hands were empty. Brandon’s were too. Team members unloaded several supply crates, but there was no antidote. My breath hitched. “Where’s the antidote?” My voice sounded raw, barely a whisper. The area instantly fell silent. Chloe’s eyes flickered, then she avoided my gaze. “The antidote… we… we found it.” My heart lifted. She bit her lip. “But on the way back, we ran into a zombie horde. Brandon, protecting the supply vehicle, accidentally got scratched.” “It was an emergency, so I had to use the antidote on him first.” I looked at Brandon. He immediately raised his bandaged hand, a look of profound guilt on his face. “Alex, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to…” “Which hand?” I asked. Brandon froze. “Wh-what?” I took a step closer. “How deep is the wound? How much blood did you lose?” “Are there any signs of infection?” Brandon’s eyes darted frantically to Chloe. Chloe stepped in front of Brandon. “Alex! He’s already hurt, and you’re still interrogating him?” I ripped open my collar, revealing the gray-white veins that now covered my chest. “Chloe, look at me. I can barely last until midnight.” “And your ‘injured’ Brandon? His voice is strong, his eyes are clear. Does that look like an infection?” Several team members lowered their heads. Marcus, a team member, muttered quietly, “Actually, Brandon could have easily dodged that…” “Marcus!” Chloe snapped, sharply. But it was too late. I understood everything. Brandon did it on purpose. Chloe had given the antidote to him again, choosing Brandon once more, right in front of the entire team. I spoke softly. “Chloe, you abandoned me for him again.” Chloe’s face went white. “I didn’t abandon you! I just…” I smiled, a tired, bitter smile, and spoke softly, my exhaustion overriding my anger. “Just because, as captain, you have to be responsible for every team member? Just because you have to be fair?” “Or is it just that I was never truly in your heart at all?” She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Brandon grabbed her arm. “Chloe, does Alex not believe me? I really am infected, look…” He made to remove his bandage. Chloe pressed his hand down. “Don’t move!” Then she turned to me, her eyes filled with disappointment. “Alex, you disappoint me so much. Brandon is a team member, he was hurt. Was I wrong to save him?” “Were you expecting me to just let him die before you’d be satisfied?” “Exactly. You did the right thing. A captain should be like that. Fair. Just.” Chloe stared at me, dumbfounded. I watched her protect Brandon, watched Brandon’s triumphant sneer from behind her, watched the other team members’ glances – some pitying, some evasive. The power within me suddenly thrashed. But I held it back. I continued, my voice flat, like stagnant water. “So, now that this ‘team member’ is about to turn, Captain, how do you plan to take responsibility?” A deathly silence fell over the camp. All eyes were on Chloe. Her face cycled through several emotions, finally settling on a grim resolve as she gritted her teeth. “I’ll keep looking. There’s another one in the North District…” “Too late,” I cut her off. She fell silent. Brandon spoke softly, just loud enough for everyone to hear. “Chloe, Alex is too dangerous like this. What if he suddenly turns…” Chloe’s body stiffened. I looked into her eyes, those eyes that once held so much love, now filled with struggle and hesitation. The power within me surged again. This time, I could barely suppress it.
“Alex.” Chloe finally spoke, her voice dry and raspy. She straightened her spine. “You’re the deputy captain. You know the rules.” “Before an infected person turns, they must leave the camp. Or… the captain must deal with them personally.” Deal with them personally. Those three words, spoken so lightly, felt like daggers piercing my heart. The surrounding team members stirred uneasily. Some turned away, unable to watch. Some quietly stepped back. Others had already rested their hands on their weapons. Brandon, pressing close to Chloe, whispered, “Chloe, you have to think about the whole team… Alex, in this state, what if he really suddenly…” “You shut up,” I snapped, staring at him. Brandon flinched, shrinking further behind Chloe. Chloe took a deep breath. “I’ll give you a choice. First, leave now.” “Second,” her hand moved to the dagger at her waist, “I’ll help you.” Help me die. I looked at the hand gripping the dagger, the same hand that once led me down the military academy’s tree-lined avenues, the hand that had clung to mine relentlessly on the first night of the apocalypse. Now, it wanted to end me. The power within me surged wildly, the gray-white veins spreading to cover half my face. I took a deep breath, the pain inside me sharpening my focus. “I choose option one. I’ll leave.” My voice was so calm, it even surprised me. Chloe visibly deflated with relief. But Brandon spoke up again, his voice a little louder this time. “Chloe, you can’t just let him go like that! His gear, his supplies—they all belong to the team! What if he takes all that stuff and the zombies get it…” Chloe frowned. “Brandon! That’s enough!” Brandon raised his voice. “I’m just stating facts!” “He’s not the deputy captain anymore, he’s an infected! How can team resources be given to an infected person to take away?” A few team members exchanged glances. Some nodded, some shook their heads. Just then, a short, shrill scream ripped through the air from the camp’s outer perimeter. Everyone looked towards the sound, panic flashing in their eyes. Chloe immediately dispatched a few team members to investigate. Then, she looked at me, her gaze complicated, and spoke with difficulty. “Alex, your gear… it has to stay.” I laughed. Laughed until tears welled in my eyes. I nodded. “Fine. Take it all.” I started to unequip. Tactical vest, combat knife, backpack, food, water. Each piece, I tossed to the ground. The clatter of metal on the ground was jarring in the silence. Chloe turned her face away, unable to look at me. Brandon’s eyes, however, gleamed, fixated on the pile of gear like a hungry wolf on meat. When I was done, I was left with only a standard combat uniform. “Is that enough?” I asked. Chloe’s lips trembled, but she couldn’t speak. Brandon chimed in quickly. “Yes, plenty! Chloe, just let him go!” Chloe finally looked at me, something flickering in her eyes. “Alex, I’m sorry, but I have to…” I cut her off. “Don’t bother. From today on, we’re even. We’re done.” “Chloe, you’d better start thinking about how you’re going to manage your camp and your team without me!” Her body stiffened. I didn’t look at her, or anyone else. I turned and walked towards the camp gate. The gray-white veins had already spread to my left cheek. The power within me was thrashing wildly, threatening to tear me apart. Every step felt like walking on razor blades, but I walked straight, without looking back. Behind me, I heard Brandon’s excited voice. “Chloe, this gear can be redistributed now…” Then Chloe’s choked, furious command: “Shut up!” I walked out of the camp and entered a section of ruins I’d observed to be relatively safe these past few days. The power within me could no longer be suppressed. It erupted with a roar. Excruciating pain tore through every fiber of my being, like my bones were being shattered and then reassembled. I collapsed, curling into a tight ball on the ground. The gray-white veins writhed wildly beneath my skin. Everywhere they spread, my skin cracked, oozed blood, scabbed over, and then cracked open again. Zombie roars echoed from the distance, drawing closer and closer. But I couldn’t move. My consciousness was slipping, my body burning. Chloe, Brandon, I’ll be waiting for the day you come begging to me. Then, I fell into boundless darkness.
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