The Sitting Alive - Season 3

Episode 9 - Truth's Out

Fluff, Audrey, Sam, Chloe, and Dr. Henderson moved cautiously through the forest, heading towards the next facility. They remained alert, knowing the dangers that lurked both from the undead and potentially hostile humans.
As they walked, Audrey glanced at Henderson, "So, this next facility... what exactly are we looking for there?"
Henderson began speaking, his expression serious. "Well, this facility was one of Quane's secondary labs. He often transferred sensitive data and samples between locations to keep them secure. If the primary notes aren't here, there's a good chance we'll find crucial information there."
"What kind of defenses should we expect?" Questioned Fluff.
"Hard to say," Henderson replied. "It's been a while since I was there. The place could be abandoned, or it could be crawling with zombies or other survivors. We need to stay on our guard."
Sam, walking slightly ahead, scanned the path, "Let's hope for the latter. We could use a break."
"We just have to be prepared for anything. If this place holds the key to an antidote, it's worth the risk." Added Chloe.

The group pressed on, the dense forest gradually giving way to more open terrain. After sometime, they spotted the outline of a building in the distance. As they got closer, it became clear that this was the facility Henderson had mentioned. The structure was a squat, concrete building partially overgrown with vines and surrounded by a rusty chain-link fence. The gate hung ajar, swaying slightly in the breeze. It looked abandoned, but they all knew better than to assume it was safe.
Fluff signaled for the group to stop, "Alright, we need to be careful. Stay close and keep your eyes peeled."
They moved through the gate and approached the entrance of the building. The door was slightly open, creaking as they pushed it further. Inside, the air was musty, and the dim light revealed long-abandoned equipment and papers scattered across the floor.
Audrey stepped inside, her flashlight cutting through the darkness. "Looks like this place hasn't been touched in a while."
Henderson moved to a nearby desk and began sifting through the papers. "We need to find the lab area. That's where Quane would have kept the important data."
They made their way deeper into the building, their footsteps echoing in the silence. They found a staircase leading down to a basement level, and Henderson indicated they should descend. As they reached the bottom, they found themselves in a corridor lined with reinforced doors. Henderson pointed to one at the end. "This should be the main lab."
Fluff and Sam took positions on either side of the door, ready for anything. Fluff nodded to Audrey, who slowly pushed the door open. The room beyond was filled with lab equipment, computers, and filing cabinets. It seemed intact, a promising sign. Chloe moved to one of the computers, attempting to power it up, "Let's see if we can get this working."
Meanwhile, Audrey and Henderson began searching through the files. Henderson pulled out a folder labeled "Viros Morsus Project - Antidote Research."
"This is it," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "We need to go through these notes and see if we can find the missing pieces of the antidote formula."
As they worked, Fluff kept watch at the door, his mind drifting to their friends back at Glynne. He hoped they were safe, unaware of the dire situation they were facing.
Back at the computer, Chloe managed to boot it up. "I'm in. There's a lot of data here. It's going to take time to go through all of it."
Fluff nodded. "Do what you can. We need all the information we can get."
The group settled into a tense but focused rhythm, each of them driven by the hope that this facility held the key to stopping the virus.

Not too long later, Sam began hearing something from the distance. Shuffling and growling, he and Fluff went to investigate and sure enough, a horde had been followed them and was now right outside the facility. "Shit, i'll go tell the others!" Exclaimed Fluff. He rushed down to the lab and told everyone the situation. Audrey and Chloe panicking. "We'll hold them off! Stay with Dr Henderson! Okay?" Returned Audrey.
Fluff contemplated, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, you're smarter than us afterall" Smiled Audrey.
Fluff then nodded, "Okay, be careful, there's a lot out there."
At that Audrey and Chloe rushed up to join Sam.
As the tension mounted with the approaching horde outside, Fluff and Henderson found themselves in an unexpected moment of calm within the confines of the lab. With Audrey, Chloe, and Sam preparing to confront the zombies outside, Fluff and Henderson were left alone amidst the flickering lights and the faint hum of the computers.
Henderson, attempting to break the tension, decided to strike up a conversation. "So, Fluff," he began, his voice measured yet curious, "How did you all get involved in this?"
Fluff glanced at Henderson, noticing the sincerity in his tone. "It's... a long story," he replied, his mind briefly flickering back to the events that led him to this point. "We were all students when the outbreak began. We were all thrust into it, on a normal school day."
Henderson listened intently, nodding as he processed Fluff's words. "Sounds like you've been through quite the ordeal," he remarked, his expression softening with empathy. "You're all so young to be dealing with this."
Fluff managed a small smile. "Yeah, well, when the world goes to hell, you have to grow up fast."
Henderson chuckled softly, though there was sadness in his eyes. "I know the feeling. Back in the early days of the outbreak, I was still working for Director K, believing in the potential of what we were doing. Now... now I'm just trying to make amends for my part in all of this."
Fluff regarded Henderson with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, "What exactly was Director K's role in all of this? We still don't really have a clear picture of her."
Henderson sighed, his gaze turning distant as memories surfaced. "Director K was... ambitious. She saw the virus as a means to power, a tool to reshape the world. She believed in control, in dominance. But she underestimated the consequences. The virus wasn't meant to escape, wasn't meant to turn people into monsters."
As they talked, the sounds of shuffling and growling from outside grew louder, reminding them of the imminent danger. Fluff glanced towards the door, then back at Henderson. "We should probably prepare ourselves. They're going to need our help out there."