Dying Breath: Unveiling Secrets

Sergeant Salerno

The next day had a refreshing morning for everyone. Askova and Derek slept better knowing they both had each other, and the rest had a seemingly peaceful Valentines Day. Everyone was still in awe that Askova was immune to the disease, but paid very close attention to her actions, just in case.

As for Dr. Atkinson, he stayed up all night making the serum stronger to fight off the infection, with the help of Maggy. The Solanum Virus is a very hard infection to cure and has many necrobiotic qualities to it. Askova and Derek went on a patrol outside to help secure the area, and the rest inspected and interrogated the army guy, which was later known as Sergeant Salerno afterward. They found out more about the experiment.

" So, this experiment you keep talking about. Is it long term, like you said?" Ray asked him. He looked up.

"As I said, it's a two-year experiment." He couldn't move, he was tied up with a devil's tongue knot. The room was very cold and very dark. The only light source came from the old and worn down ceiling light above them. Michaela, Dave, Willow, and Lindsay were also in the room. Dave stepped up.

" So, what exactly does this experiment have to offer?" Salerno sighed.

" The government needed to help control America's overall population, and apparently what better way to do that, than to release one of the most powerful viruses ever. The CDC needed to do more research on it, so they agreed to it, but on one condition."

" And what's that?" Michaela asked, curious, arms crossed.

" They would not spill any beans on the experiment, pretending like it was an accident. The government spread out officer officials around the US to determine who would live and who wouldn't. The officials were set to record how the overall experiment was doing, and they would have to house survivors for the sake of the data." They were all quiet.

" So, the bases were just places for the government to see how their stupid experiment was doing? And all of the officials were their spies?" Ray restated. Salerno nodded,

" So what about the president? Did he know?" Salerno shook his head. Willow sighed. Lindsay stepped up, holding a piece of paper, and slammed it on the table.

" Then what the hell is this?" Salerno looked at it. It was the experiments details that they have detained from him. It said:

Name: Sylwoolfe "DeadI" Salerno

Rank: Sergeant

Operation: Operation Z.O.M.B.I.E.

Started: February 3rd, 2018- 1:35 p.m. PST

Finished:

Alias: None

Administrator: --CLASSIFIED--

Notice: The East shall NOT know about this. If any documentation is leaked, all remaining subjects will be killed, and America will be off limits. All those who know about the experiment not partaking in will be quarantined and questioned. The rest will be left to the administrator.

Details: Government officials will release a viable alternative to overpopulation. They will release a virus that will kill off thousands, maybe millions and data show that very few will survive. The virus will be inherited by the bugs and animals and will spread amongst humankind. Operation Z.O.M.B.I.E. will be set to release at 1:35 p.m. PST. Before release, the news will be forced to set out a warning, not leaking any true reasoning. It will first inherit Washington DC, and will slowly spread to the west. Bases around states will provide housing for government officials and will record their findings and present state status, later sent to the administrator. The remaining alive will be rewarded for strong cooperation, survival, and will be promoted to a higher rank in society. The experiment will last exactly two years and will be recorded for future events. Anything is possible.

" So, this is basically a real-life version of Hunger Games, except more brutal?" Willow asked Salerno.

" I think this is more of a Maze Runner situation," Lindsay interrupted.

" That's not the point."

" Then what is?"

" The point is that we are subjects to a very brutal experiment, eventually standing to be the very last. The East doesn't even know about this for Christs sakes!" Dave commented.

" So.... that means that if they don't know, then they are just living normal lives?" Ray stated. Everyone looked at her, then back at Salerno, " She's got a point." Dave grabbed the piece of paper, and looked at it, " and what does the 'DeadI' in your name mean?"

" It's my nickname." They all nodded.

" So, if the East doesn't know about this," Michaela bit her lip, " then could we possibly go there? Based on what this says?" Salerno nodded.

" It's possible, but maybe not very plausible."

" Why?"

" Because even if you somehow made it to the East like, let's say, England, then the government here will eventually find out about. They have bounty hunters and spies. And what if I am a spy myself?" Salerno concluded. They were all quiet again, and they looked at each other. Askova and Derek suddenly walked in. Askova had her sword, all bloodied up.

" We just got back from our patrol outside. So... how's it going?" Askova asked. Derek looked at Salerno.

" He's cooperating, but he's not telling us everything," Dave responded, flat toned.

" Like what?" Derek asked.

" Like where the government is now," Michaela finished, " we asked him that earlier, and he wouldn't respond." Askova thought and snapped her fingers.

" India."

" What?" Willow asked.

" India. I remember the day before all of this, the warning was set out, and a news report about Trump going to India followed. I shut off the TV before they could finish the newscast, but I digress," They looked at Salerno. He sighed, " wait, was I really right?" Salerno nodded. Askova scoffed.

" And I am never right about anything," Askova admits.

" That's not the point right now. There's something very important we have to tell you," Willow concluded.

" And what's that?" Askova inquisitively asked.

" Well, since you are the leader of this group," Askova flinched when she said that, " it is my duty to tell you everything that this fat-fuck has to offer." Salerno looked betrayed.

" Okay, first of all, no name calling, and second of all, this leader of the establishment will shut your mouth for you if you won't tell me what so important." Willow shut her mouth.

" The East doesn't know about this," Ray finished.

" What does that mean?"

" It means that while they live their daily little lives, not knowing about this fucked up world, we are dying and risking our lives over here for some stupid party trick." Askova looked at Salerno.

" So, what your saying is that places in the East like England and Asia have no idea what the hell is going on over here?" Derek asked. Everyone nodded, including Salerno. Askova nodded, and walked over to Salerno, and readied her sword. He flinched, but just heard the sounds of a blade sawing rope.

" You are going to help us get to the East, got it?" Salerno solemnly nodded, " any fuck-ups, and you will leave you on your own accord, got it?" He nodded again. She nodded back and helped him up.

" Why are you releasing me?"

" Just go. There are extra rooms down that way. I suggest going to the lounge to get some food first. Tell them Askova sent you if anything. More questions await tonight so be prepared." He nodded and left. Everyone looked at Askova.

" What the hell are you doing? We can't trust him," Dave said.

" Give him time. Everyone is trustworthy if given the opportunity." And with that, Askova left.