Zombie Guy

Chapter 29: The Beginning of the End

Kevin's Perspective

The drive back to the lab was suffocatingly quiet. The weight of my decision pressed down on me, making each breath feel heavier than the last. When I arrived, Dr. Hayes was already waiting at the entrance, his expression unreadable. Linda stood just behind him, her arms crossed and her face pale.

"Welcome back, Kevin," Hayes said, his tone clinical as ever. "Are you ready?"

I nodded stiffly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

He gestured for me to follow him, and we walked through the familiar sterile hallways. The scent of antiseptic hit me like a wave, dredging up memories I'd rather forget. Linda trailed behind us, silent and somber.

When we reached his office, Hayes turned to me, folding his hands neatly on the desk. "Before we proceed, let me explain what's going to happen."

I sat down, trying to steady the shaking in my hands. "Go ahead."

Hayes pulled up a digital chart on his monitor, pointing to a detailed scan of my brainstem. "We'll begin by administering a sedative to ensure you remain still and calm. Then, we'll use a series of precision-guided instruments to extract samples from the brainstem. These samples will contain the protein we need for Nathan's treatment and for our broader research."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "And... how long will it take?"

"Several hours," Hayes replied. "The process is delicate. Any sudden movements or disruptions could cause irreparable damage."

"And what happens to me?" I asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it anyway.

Hayes hesitated, then said, "Once we've extracted what we need, your body will begin to deteriorate. The pathogen's regenerative properties are tied directly to the brainstem's functionality. Without it, the rest of your system will fail."

I nodded slowly, my chest tightening. "I understand."

Hayes leaned forward, his voice softer. "What I don't understand, Kevin, is why you came back. You could have run. You could have hidden. So why?"

I looked at him, then at Linda, who was staring at the floor. The words came slowly, each one heavy with emotion. "Because it's the right thing to do. Nathan deserves a chance. Jaime deserves to have her brother back. And... I can't keep living like this, knowing I'm a danger to everyone I care about."

Linda let out a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with tears. "Kevin, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice breaking. "For everything. For betraying you. For letting them—"

"It's okay," I interrupted gently. "You thought you were helping. I don't blame you."

Linda wiped her eyes, but the guilt in her expression didn't fade. "Jaime's going to hate me," she whispered.

"No," I said firmly. "She'll understand. But I need you to do something for me."

She nodded quickly. "Anything."

"If Jaime comes looking for me," I said, my voice cracking slightly, "keep her away. Don't let her see me like this."

Linda bit her lip, tears streaming down her face, but she nodded. "I promise."

---

Hayes led me to the procedure room, a sterile, blindingly white space filled with monitors, equipment, and an operating table surrounded by machinery that hummed softly.

"Lie down, Kevin," Hayes said, gesturing to the table.

I hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto the cold metal surface. The lights above were harsh, making me squint as I tried to focus on anything but the fear clawing at my chest.

A nurse appeared, attaching electrodes to my temples and chest. Another began setting up an IV, the sharp prick in my arm barely registering through the haze of my thoughts.

"You'll feel a mild sedative kick in shortly," Hayes said, his voice steady. "It's normal to feel some anxiety, but we'll monitor you closely."

As the sedative began to take effect, my limbs grew heavy, and my heart pounded in my chest. "This is really happening," I muttered, my voice slurring slightly. "I'm really doing this."

Hayes nodded, his expression unreadable. "You're doing something extraordinary, Kevin."

But the fear didn't subside. My mind raced with what-ifs, and the image of Jaime's face flashed before my eyes. *What would she think of me? Would she hate me for this? Or would she understand?*

I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. *I'm doing this for her,* I told myself. *For her, for Nathan, and for countless other people who need this.*

---

Jaime's Perspective

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the silence. The second was the empty space beside me.

"Kevin?" I called, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. When there was no response, unease settled in my chest.

I got up, walking around the small room. "Kevin, where are you?" I called again, louder this time. Still nothing. Panic began to creep in as I checked the bathroom, the porch—everywhere he might have gone.

Then I saw it: a folded piece of paper on the bedside table with my name scrawled across the front in Kevin's unmistakable handwriting.

My heart sank as I grabbed it, unfolding it with trembling hands. The first line made my stomach drop, and by the time I finished reading, the panic had fully taken over.

"No," I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "No, no, no."

I bolted out the door, the note clutched tightly in my hand. My chest heaved as I stumbled down the road, the weight of the words replaying in my mind. I didn't know how far he'd gone or if I could catch him, but I didn't care.

Tears streamed down my face as I ran, my sobs breaking the stillness of the morning. "Kevin!" I screamed into the empty air, hoping—praying—that he could hear me. "Kevin, don't do this!"

But the silence was deafening, and the dread in my heart only grew.