Code: Z.E.R.O. - The Outbreak

Act 5 Ch. 1

Reunion

"Name's Marcus," The big Hazmat steps forward and meets Jordon's hand with his, "Have you seen Division 3 yet?" "No we haven't sir," Jordon replies, "We've cleared the fourth floor and this one. All we found was a dead Researcher and a few walkers." A few? There were at least a hundred of them! "Damn, you too? We found another Researcher on the first floor. That's where one of our own was taken by some mutant with a tail." Marcus tells us as he looks down. "I'm sorry for your loss." Jordon puts his hand on Marcus' shoulder. I know how that feels...

"Thanks, but there's no point in standing here feeling sorry for ourselves. We need to find the last two scientists!" Marcus states. "But we've searched all four floors! There's nothing left to explore!" The black Hazmat points out. "Well, actually," Garcia jumps in, "There's a basement floor that we haven't checked yet." "Well why didn't you say so sooner?" Marcus questions, "Let's get moving. Jerome, take point." "You got it chief." Jerome complies. Ah, his name is Jerome.

I still don't know that other Hazmat's name. I walk up next to him as we all make our way down the floors. "Hey, remember me?" I ask, "You gave me an acid container for my brothers plan." "Yeah you gave me an extra magazine when I was out," He replies, "Thanks by the way." "It was no problem, just trying to help." I laugh, he joins. "My name's Dominic, but call me Dom." "Alright Dom, well my name's Christian. My team- Uh my leader, Jordon, calls me Iguana. But you can call me whichever." I tell him. "I'll call you Christian, sounds better." He replies, "Why do they call you Iguana? I know you guys have nicknames for each other based on your positions. You're the medic right? Judging by the big red cross on your helmet." He asks me. "Oh yeah, they call me Iguana because they couldn't pronounce my last name, Irigoyen. Well my brother could but you know what I mean." I laugh. "Haha, makes sense to me." Dom laughs.

We continue to have small talk until we make it to the first floor. "Alright, how do we get to the basement floor?" Jerome asks. "There's an elevator we can take." Dom points to the elevator. "Sounds good to me, I've been walking all day." Garcia says jokingly as he pushes the elevator call button. I notice his shirt is a little bloody in his stomach area. It's clearly not a blood stain from a walker. No, that's his blood.

It takes a while for the elevator to come up but it eventually comes up. The doors open and we all get in. "Damn, this elevator is big." Dom states. "It needs to be," Garcia points out, "They need to be able to bring in equipment and stuff."

"Hey Garcia?" I speak up. He looks at me, "What?" "I noticed you're bleeding," I point out, "Does it hurt?" "What's it to you? Since when do care about me?" He growls at me. "I just want to help." I say as I pull out a syringe. He doesn't say anything; he just looks at me. I nervously step closer to him. "Lift your shirt please." I never thought I'd ever say this to a guy, let alone Garcia. "You better buy me dinner." He jokes and lifts his shirt. I remove the bandages and inject him with the healing liquid which stops the bleeding. "There, how's that feel?" "Holy shit, I feel great!" He exclaims, "Thanks bro. You know, I didn't think you would help me after all I've said to you." He extends his arm in a truce, "We cool?" I look at him and think about it for a second. "Yeah," I grab his hand and shake it. "We're cool."