One Of Them

001

5 Months earlier

Heavy boots crunched rhythmically over the debris-strewn street, each step a testament to his unwavering determination. The forsaken lab loomed ahead, his singular mission etched in his mind. Ignoring the oblivious faces of the undead, who shuffled on like somber shadows, he booted the nearly dislodged double doors, revealing another chamber of ruin.

The irony of the sign above bit deep, "Bringing Life to Tomorrow's Future!" He scoffed and with a bitter twist of his lips, let loose a glob of disdain that splattered on the blood-smeared floor. Two years had passed since a living soul set foot in this place. Even with its centuries of misery this place had been working in the shadows. Now, only the dead walked its forsaken corridors—a place he despised, where scientists had played at being gods, birthing chaos.

The distant pop of gunshots heard through the corridors, a symphony of chaos, as his pursuit remained relentless. The Sunset beamed through the dusty windows above, catching his line of vision. For a brief moment, the darkness in his gaze gave way to the warmth glow reflecting the same of his own. The glow faded as quickly as it had come. He raised a hand to shield against the brightness before continuing his task. He meticulously cleared the lower levels, his actions a display of his singular intent.

"Kilian, bring it back alive" the voice reminded him.

As he ascended the creaking staircase,a sharp gaze swept over the upper floor, his mind calculating the possibilities. Rooms once brimming with life now lay in desolate decay. Scanning each corner, every shadow, combat skills serving as both sword and shield.

In the dim, pre-dawn shadows, two figures trailed cautiously behind, eyes fixated on the man with the mask and arsenal of weaponry. The large sword strapped to his back didn't go unnoticed.

As he dispatched the moving dead with a calculated efficiency the couple observed from a distance. The man, unable to contain his commentary, whispered to the woman next to him, "You see that? Sword on his back? Dude's compensating for something."

The petite woman shot him an exasperated glare. "Jeremy, we're in the middle of an apocalypse, and you're fixated on sword sizes?"

He shrugged, a devilish grin quirking his lips. "Just saying, that thing's probably heavier than his sense of humor."

Whoever he was whatever he was doing didn't sound like a good idea to go anywhere near him, Jeremy thought. Right now, nothing was more important than food, warmth, a first-aid kit, clean water, and shelter. Any person carrying around guns or multiple at that wasn't someone to be messed with.

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. "Focus, Jeremy."

Gunshots echoed through decrepit halls, breaking tension, as Kilian continued the relentless pursuit. Jeremy pulled his girlfriend against the wall, her anxious eyes widening as she pressed close, heartbeats in sync...

"Shit," he hissed, protective instincts in full gear. "Stay close, Ami."

"Any closer and you can carry me" she said, taking in how close he had her to his side! Her whole face pressed into his jacket that smelled of dust and sweat. 'No rides today my love! Maybe later' he winked down at her before she scoffed pushing him away!

Minutes later, they stepped into a lab room. The couple had gathered an assortment of supplies: bandages and the odd trinket. With a push of an old collapsed wall Jeremy discovered a white door that lay ahead, Jeremy's curiosity got the best of him as he followed through. Seconds later, a voice pierced the silence once more as he stumbled upon the many snake-like wires that lay on the ground. When he got back up, his eyes lit up like headlights in front of him: a human-sized capsule! Two of them, but only one was closed; the other wide open red streaks painted all over it.

"Shit! Babe, come check this out," Excitement evident in his call.

"Jeremy, for the love of—"

The sound of more gunshots interrupted her, and the couple flinched in unison.

"Did you turn it on?" she whispered, yelling at him! He was gonna be the death of her one day! He was like an oversized toddler touching random shit all the time.

"Babe, no, seriously, it just started glowing," Jeremy protested, his gullibility juxtaposed with the dire situation.

"Don't touch it, Jeremy," she snapped, her strictness battling her growing unease. "It could be dangerous."

"Nah, that guy's cleaned most of the area out," Taking a step forward. "Bet it's something epic, like a zombie repellent." That guy seemed to have missed this room, he thought. Because surely he would not have missed a capsule this size!

Ami's eyes rolled heavenward! "Zombie repellent? Really?"

His grin remained unyielding. "Or maybe it's a jackpot of iPhone XIX, oh a PlayCube or a Big Mac burger, ya know, end-of-the-world comfort food!?" Before she could retort, the excited man stumbled over one of the wires and crashed onto the capsule. His palms reached out to steady himself, making contact with the cold metal that suddenly lit up.

"Oh fuck!" he muttered, his girlfriend rushing to his side. As the lid creaked open a slow, mechanical whine. The couple clung to each other, waiting for what was behind the lid.

Metallic casing split open, revealing a figure inside, shrouded in mist. His eyes widened in awe and fear, The usual bravado slipping away.

Ami leaned in, her curiosity overcoming her caution. A pale glow of the room reflected off the glass, revealing delicate features beneath frost. A figure was still, seemingly frozen in time, as if caught in a long-forgotten dream.

"Jeremy, are you sure this is a good idea?" Ami's voice was barely above a whisper, her hand gripping his arm tightly.

"Relax, babe," Jeremy replied, forcing a laugh. "What's the worst that could happen?" He joked as they both stared in shock at the sleeping girl in the capsule.