Rains Of The Dead: The New Mission

Chapter 4: Escape

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒: 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞
----------------------------------

"It's really hard to explain," Ace said, looking pained. "I have time to listen. Just explain what is going on and what this place actually is," I insisted.

"Hesther—my father owned this company, F.O.X. This is our company; that's why I said this is where I live," Ace explained.

"F.O.X?" I repeated, remembering what Clayton had mentioned to Augustine.

"Do you know our company?" Ace asked. I decided to keep my answer simple. "No, I don't. It's my first time hearing about F.O.X. I haven't heard of that company before." "So, what about your dad?" I asked.

"What happened to me earlier is a side effect of the vaccine he injected into me," Ace said. "What side effect?" I asked, confused.

"My dad uses me as a test subject for the vaccines he creates. Each vaccine is different, and I never know what will happen if I don't get the antizen quickly. Fortunately, I managed to get some antizens from his lab to heal myself before things got worse," Ace explained.

"Why does he do this to you? Why not use someone else?" I asked.

"He wanted to create a cure, but it all failed. He was fixated on it, and no matter how many times I told him it was wrong, he only became more strict and continued his experiments. He's convinced that he'll find a cure eventually," Ace said.

"You can tell him that he shouldn't use you and should find another test subject. Why does it have to be his own child?" I said.

"It's easy to say. Dad was different. He wouldn't listen. After I told him how I felt, he just got worse, injecting me even more. He's determined to find a cure and thinks it will justify everything he's done," Ace replied.

"Earlier, you mentioned you wanted to protect me. What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"My dad takes me outside and injects me with things that make me lose control. I finally managed to control myself and use the antizen I had. I found you while trying to escape and wanted to protect you from zombies. I didn't know if there were any around, so I covered your mouth to keep you quiet. I thought you were lost, so I brought you here to keep you safe from zombies and from my father. If he saw you, he'd do the same to you, or worse. Bringing you here was the only way I knew to keep you safe while I tried to escape. I believe my dad is a psychopath—a total psychopath," Ace explained.

I nodded slowly, piecing together the information. "Thanks for explaining everything. Now I understand. I'm Scarlett Johnson anyway, Let's just escape from here. If I'm getting out, you should too."

***

Meanwhile, outside the train, Indio brought it to a stop. "Hey, why did you—" Poppy started to ask but was interrupted when she saw what Indio was looking at.

A man dressed entirely in black stood not far from them. Clayton stood up and walked towards them. "What's wrong?" Clayton asked, but Poppy and Indio remained silent, continuing to watch the man. Clayton looked in the same direction and said, "Malcolm."

"Malcolm?" Augustine asked, standing up. "Do you know him?" Indio asked, turning to Augustine. "Your commander already told me everything," Augustine replied. "Hurry," Clayton said, grabbing guns and handing them to Indio and Poppy. They exited the train with Augustine following, gun in hand.

They took their positions as Malcolm began moving towards them. "Long time no see, my friend," Malcolm's deep voice echoed. "How do you know we are here?" Clayton asked. "There's nothing I don't know," Malcolm said. "Give me the antizen so I can leave without hurting all of you, or do you want me to kill the remaining people you have?" Malcolm demanded. "You know I don't want to kill anyone, but if it's you, you actually deserve it," Clayton said firmly. "Oh, come on. Do you really want a war? Think wisely," Malcolm said, advancing towards Clayton while Poppy and Indio readied their guns. "You know, if you had just given me the antizen earlier, some of your people wouldn't have died," Malcolm said. "You don't deserve the antizen. You only want it for yourself. The antizen should go to those who need it, not be hoarded," Clayton retorted. "Enough with the chitchat. Just give me the cure!" Malcolm demanded. "I don't have the antizen," Clayton answered. "You think I'll believe you?" Malcolm said, skeptical. "Believe what you want," Clayton said. "You're really testing my patience," Malcolm said, and then fired his gun. Clayton was hit in the shoulder. Indio and Poppy returned fire, and Augustine joined in, shooting at Malcolm.

"Go back to the train," Augustine ordered. "Poppy, help the commander. We'll cover you," Indio said, and Poppy followed suit.

Poppy and Clayton reboarded the train, while Augustine and Indio continued to shoot at Malcolm.

"If you still want to leave, abandon your commander and let me get the cure I want," Malcolm said. "We will never leave our commander. And as the commander said, we don't have the antizen anymore. Hesther has it," Indio said.

Malcolm paused, then started using a hook to climb away. Indio and Augustine stopped shooting as Malcolm retreated.

"I think he's heading to Hesther," Augustine said, rushing towards the train with Indio following. "Where did Malcolm go?" Poppy asked. "He's gone. We believe he's heading to Hesther's headquarters," Indio answered. "Malcolm isn't just a human. Is he supernatural?" Augustine asked. "Yes. When he tried to steal a sample from me, he accidentally got the wrong one, which is why he's like this," Clayton explained.