In the ten years since the apocalypse hit, I’d awakened my spatial powers and become the toughest supply hunter our base had. During one mission, I put myself in harm’s way to save my boyfriend, only to be swarmed by zombies. But instead of helping, he just ran, taking my best friend, Briar, with him. Three months later, I fought my way back, covered in blood and fury. I kicked open the War Council chamber doors, only to see Briar. She was wearing my combat uniform, distributing supplies like she owned the place, like she was the deputy commander. The moment she saw me, Briar shrieked, instantly defensive. “You’re supposed to be dead! How are you even *here*? Are you infected?” She scoffed, a smug look on her face. “Fine, out of old mercy, I’ll let you stew in the isolation zone. You need to see how things work now. This is *our* base now.” “Oh, and don’t even *think* about causing trouble. I’ll be the first to gun you down like a zombie.” I ignored her, my eyes locked on the water bottle clipped to her belt. She instinctively shielded it, then flaunted it at me. “What are you staring at? Never seen a spatial water bottle before? My boyfriend gave it to me! The water inside can purify your body.” Hah, a spatial water bottle? That was just a little trinket I’d casually conjured, a mere *trick*. That measly bit of water? It was just some of the cheapest healing spring water from my spatial dimension. Briar really thought she’d found a treasure, but she had no idea – the *real* riches were still far beyond her grasp! I snatched the bottle from her belt, unscrewing the cap. “My space. You really think you’re worthy?”
Briar’s face drained of color. She shrieked, trying to grab it back. “What are you doing! Give it back!” I tilted my head back, chugging the water down in one go. “Ahhh—” A sigh of pure satisfaction escaped me. “My water. Still tastes so good.” “Cassidy! You absolute psycho!” Her piercing scream drew a crowd from outside the War Council chamber. Footsteps pounded closer, and a tall figure appeared in the doorway. It was Jax, my ex-boyfriend. When he saw me, his face just… froze. For a split second, it was like his perfect facade cracked. “Cassidy?” Briar found her anchor. She instantly threw herself into his arms, sobbing. “Jax, she’s back! She stole the water bottle you gave me and drank all the water!” “She must be infected! That’s why she’s acting so violent, so completely unhinged!” Jax held Briar close, his shock twisting into wariness, then pure disgust. “What are you doing back here?” “This is my home. Why shouldn’t I be back?” I shot back. “Your home?” Jax sneered. “You’ve been missing for three months. You were declared dead weeks ago. Your pension, your room, your position – Briar’s inherited all of it.” “Now, you’re just an unknown returnee. You have to undergo examination.” He waved his hand. “Guards! Take her to the isolation zone!” The combat team members hesitated. They were my former teammates. I’d helped them out countless times. One of them, a guy named Milo, couldn’t help but speak up. “Captain, Cassidy… she doesn’t look infected.” Jax’s face clouded over. “What? Are you defying my orders?” “She vanished into a zombie horde for three months. Who can guarantee she’s 100% clean? What if she’s carrying a new virus and infects the entire base? Are *you* going to take responsibility for that?” Milo fell silent, looking down. “I’ll go myself.” I tossed the empty water bottle to the ground. “Jax. Briar.” I called out their names, making sure they heard every word. “I clawed my way out of that horde once, and I’ll do it again. You two better pray I *am* infected, because if I’m not…” As their faces contorted in ugly expressions, I turned and walked towards the isolation zone. Behind me, I could hear Briar’s voice, thick with feigned tears, yet brimming with triumph. “Oh, Jax, I’m so scared. She looked terrifying just now. What if she comes back for us?” “Don’t worry, I’ve got you. A washed-up power user like her won’t be stirring up any trouble.” Washed-up power user? They thought my spatial powers were just that little water bottle?
The isolation zone was the farthest, most desolate corner of the base, fenced off with barbed wire. It housed suspected infected individuals and exiles banished for severe crimes. I was shoved into a dilapidated metal shack, the heavy door clanging shut and locking behind me. I found a relatively clean corner, slumped down, and closed my eyes, trying to conserve energy. Later that night, the shack door creaked open a crack. Milo slipped in, clutching two hard, black loaves of bread and a bottle of water. “Cassidy, you need to eat something.” He pressed the items into my hands. “I’m sorry, Cassidy, we…” “It’s not your fault.” I cut him off. “Jax is the captain now. You’re supposed to follow his orders.” Milo sighed. “Cassidy, you don’t know what Captain Jax and Briar said after you went missing.” “They told everyone you willingly charged into the horde to cover our retreat, detonating all your explosives, going down with the zombies.” “The base even held a funeral for you and declared you a hero. Everyone was heartbroken.” “Captain Jax… he really looked devastated, holed himself up for days. It was Briar who finally coaxed him out. Then, he started telling everyone – and himself, I guess – that he had to be strong, to carry on your legacy, to lead the base in your honor.” “That’s how he convinced himself, and that’s how he convinced everyone else. Now, they all believe they got together to inherit your will. Briar smoothly stepped into your position as deputy commander and even moved into your room.” “And Jax? He handed over *all* my gear, *all* my supplies, to her.” I gnawed on the dry, hard bread. So, in their version of the story, I’d become a great sacrifice. My death, a stepping stone for their love and power. “Cassidy, you need to be really careful now that you’re back,” Milo warned. “Captain Jax… he’s like a different person. He’s got a lot of animosity towards you.” “I know.” “And Briar, she’s the toast of the base right now. Everyone sees her as the new hope, believing she’s carrying on your legacy.” Inheriting my legacy? Not even close. Milo shared more about the base’s changes over the past three months, then left. I swallowed the last bite of bread, feeling the energy flow through my body. The healing spring water was still working its magic; my injuries were mending. Now, all I needed was an opportunity. An opportunity to walk out of here, head held high, and reclaim everything that was mine.
The next day, the iron door of the isolation zone was kicked open. Briar sauntered in, surrounded by a crowd of sycophants. Finally, her gaze landed on me. “Well, well, if it isn’t our great hero, Cassidy.” The other prisoners in the isolation zone shrank into the corners, not daring to utter a sound. I leaned against the wall, eyes still closed. My blatant disregard infuriated her. “Cassidy, I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?!” She stalked over, looking down at me. “Don’t you dare think you can be as arrogant as before. Now, you’re nothing but a suspected infected prisoner, a captive. Your life is in my hands.” She pulled a dagger from her waist—my dagger. My initials, CL, were still etched into the hilt. She used the tip of the blade to lift my chin. “Do you know? Since we were kids, everyone only ever saw *you*! Now, it’s finally *my* turn!” “Jax is mine, the deputy commander position is mine, your room, your glory – it’s *all* mine!” “After we ran that day, Jax was so riddled with guilt, so much pain. It was *me*, I was by his side day and night, comforting him, helping him through it until he finally pulled himself together.” “He said he must have been blind to ever have fallen for a butch, battle-hungry woman like you.” “He said *I* was the woman for him. Gentle, caring, and capable.” “Are you done?” I finally opened my eyes, looking at her with cold indifference. “Done? Get lost.” Briar’s face turned an ugly shade of green. “You… you dare talk to me like that!” “I came here today to tell you one thing.” She gritted her teeth. “Jax, and everything you once had, is mine now. You came back, but you can’t change a thing.” “Oh really?” I scoffed, a faint smile playing on my lips. “Briar, do you truly believe you have everything?” “You’re just a thief, a pathetic worm who clawed her way up through lies and betrayal.” “You!” Briar raised the dagger, ready to strike. But I was faster. My hand shot out, seizing her wrist, the one clutching the dagger. With a sickening *CRACK*, her scream ripped through the air as her wrist snapped under my grip. The dagger clattered to the ground. “Ahhh—! My hand!” Briar cradled her broken wrist, writhing on the ground in agony. The people who came with her were frozen in terror; no one dared to step forward. I picked up the dagger from the ground. “Stolen things, eventually, have to be returned.”
Jax stormed in shortly after, a squad of his men hot on his heels. When he saw Briar’s horrific state, his eyes practically bugged out with rage. “Cassidy! You audacious bitch!” But his raised hand froze mid-air when his eyes met my utterly cold stare. The team members behind him exchanged uneasy glances. Jax took a deep breath, forcing down his fury, and managed a cold, twisted smile. “Cassidy, you’re still as impulsive as ever.” He turned to the fearful prisoners in the isolation zone, his voice rising. “You all saw it. Cassidy disappeared for three months and came back changed, extremely aggressive.” “But I, Jax, am not one to forget old ties.” “How about this, I’ll give you a chance.” He looked at me. “The base urgently needs a batch of medical supplies, especially those gene-enhancement serums from Central Hospital.” “I know you’re strong. If you’re willing to participate in this mission, atone for your actions, and succeed, I can overlook everything and grant you your freedom.” “Of course, the mission is extremely dangerous. A mutated Alpha zombie has taken root in that hospital.” His words plunged the entire isolation zone into a dead silence. Central Hospital. Alpha zombie. That was a recognized death trap. He was clearly sending me to my death. Briar, clutching her broken hand, wore a venomous yet triumphant expression. She knew. Jax was trying to get rid of me. “Jax, don’t let her off that easy! She broke my hand!” Briar shrieked. Jax patted her back reassuringly, but his voice was cold. “She’s a dead woman walking. Why bother with her?” He looked at me again. “Well? Cassidy, this is your only chance.” “I’ll take it.” I replied. Jax’s face registered surprise, then his smile twisted into something grotesque. “Very good. I hope you don’t disappoint me.” He ordered someone to take away the still-wailing Briar, then turned and left. His back radiated arrogance. He thought he’d set a trap. But he had no idea, I was waiting for one too. Central Hospital, mutated Alpha zombie? Perfect. Time to test my new skills from the past three months. The sky was overcast on the day of our departure. We, the ‘cannon fodder’ from the isolation zone, were assigned to the very outer perimeter of the convoy, armed with rusty knives and short spears. Jax stood on the roof of an SUV, delivering a pre-mission pep talk.
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