Project 2115

Chapter 18: No Rest

Anne felt a profound sense of relief as she concluded their tale, quickly followed by an overwhelming wave of grief. Her husband was gone, taken by the undead. The idea seemed preposterous, even in the midst of their grim reality. A part of her mind struggled to comprehend it, teetering on the edge of a vast, dark abyss.

Just as she was about to succumb to her despair, she felt Kai's small hand on hers, pulling her back from the precipice. She forced a smile at her son, her only son, who was still alive and by her side. She covered his hand with hers, squeezed it gently. "Let's do our best, okay?" she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Kai's gaze hardened, an understanding flickering in his young eyes. He could sense the change in his mother, but he needed to believe that she was going to be okay. "Yeah, we'll keep that promise and move forward," he affirmed, his voice strong and steady.

Jane rose to her feet and addressed Macky. "They need bedding. Find them something to rest on. They've been through as much as us." Macky started to protest, but Jane silenced him with a stern look. "And stop that childish grumbling. Do you understand me?" she commanded. Macky acquiesced with a reluctant "Yes, boss," and led Kai and Anne to a makeshift resting area.

Once they were alone, Jane turned to Doc. "A 10-foot zombie? Is that even possible?"

Doc considered the question. "There's a possibility that a small giant could have been in Boston."

Jane scoffed, "I doubt there's anyone that tall, let alone as massive as she suggested."

"Jane, we have... no, let me be frank. We have no fucking idea what's going on. Is this a virus? A mutation? Biological warfare? The only thing I know for sure is that if you're bitten, there's an 80 to 100 percent chance you'll turn into one of them. You were lucky," Doc said, his gaze drifting to the bandage on Jane's arm.

Jane touched the bandage, a stark reminder of her close encounter. "I know, Doc. I'm so grateful. I don't know if I could've left my little brother behind."

Doc nodded. "Yeah... But that kid, he's the first I've seen alive so far. He's lucky."

Jane pondered his words. "Maybe. But we have to consider if these Z's are changing. Have we heard anything from the WBZ?"

"Hmm... Last thing we heard was that something had changed with the behavior of a Z they saw through their monitor and they asked for help. But the only people who can help them are the National Guard," Doc replied.

Jane thought for a moment. "Something in a Z's behavior changed, huh? Sounds familiar?"

Doc looked thoughtful, a spark of realization lighting up his eyes. "Wait, I do recall something," he stated, his voice picking up pace. "In the initial stages, people in the hotel transformed without any visible bite marks. Specifically, those on the upper levels fell victim first. Then came the shamblers, the Z's we encounter now."

Jane nodded, her gaze distant, lost in her own memories. "I remember too. The one that bit me... I mistook her for a little girl searching for her mother. I didn't imagine I'd be her next meal."