Keep Your Eyes Open

To the Lab We Go

After having researched even more and after having successfully breaking in to Vaseva's laptop, I told the rest of the group about my discovery.

"Look, guys, I need to tell you something," I said one night during dinner.

"You're pregnant!" Vaseva said joyfully.

"No, I most certainly am not. You know that leaf I asked you to get for me Lennon?" Lennon nodded, "Well, I did some research on the leaf and apparently it's a sort of anti-toxic thing that removes pretty much any harmful poisons or some sort of altering thing and it's only native to Germany. So I guess that's lucky for us. But I also researched the person who is basically responsible for all this, her lab is only an hour or so away from here, which is also lucky. I managed to break into Vaseva's laptop using skills that I have learned over the internet. So, with both those two pieces of information AND some information on her background, we will probably be able to break into the lab and I will be able to break into her computer for any information."

"What happens if she shredded the information?" Prasan asked.

"Scientists always have multiple electronic copies of their research on multiple devices, especially computers in the lab. So the chances are, if she did shred any physical copy of her research, there will undoubtedly be an electronic copy of some sort."

"Fair enough," Prasan said, nodding.

"But if we leave, who will look after the pets?" Rhys asked.

"One us could stay behind, to look after the pets and the resources," Vaseva said as she shrugged.

"Yeah, who will that be?" I asked.

"I'll stay," Harri said, putting his hand up.

"Are you sure?" I asked, getting slightly nervous at the prospect of him being alone and not with me.

"Yes, I'm sure. I can fend for myself," he said, giving me a reassuring look.

"Okay..."

"So when do we leave?" Vaseva asked happily.

"As soon as possible," I said.

"I'll get the guns!" Rhys yelled, he got up and ran down to the cellar.

"Right, so Rhys has the guns sorted, who wants to be on food and medical supplies?" Prasan asked.

"I'll get the food, Lennon can get the medical supplies and Tabitha can get the car ready," Vaseva said confidently. We all nodded in agreement.

"Harri, can you come with me to the car? Y'know, to watch my back and all."

"'Course I can," he gave me a wink and walked off to the front door with me following him.

I poked my head out the door to make sure there weren't any zombies in sight. Thankfully, it was clear. I moved my body slowly out the door, the car keys heavy in my hand. I walked quickly to the car with Harri next to me. I unlocked the driver's door by putting the car key in the lock, not daring to unlock the full car because of the noise it could cause. I slipped in and turned the car on, I watched the fuel meter go up slowly. It stopped just short of the halfway line.

"Harri, check if there is a fuel canister in the boot," I whisper, checking the other dials. Harri returned a few moments later, with a big red fuel canister in his hand. Luck was with us that day, but I wasn't going to test it. "How full is it?"

"Quite full," he said, moving the canister from side-to-side. I heard a loud sloshing noise come inside.

"Awesome, put it in the fuel thingy," I said smiling happily. I got out and closed the door quietly.

---

Everyone was in the car, I waved goodbye to Harri quickly as I drove out of the driveway. Seeing him being left behind was painful, I didn't know if I was ever going to see him again. No, I will. I'll make sure of it.

"Right, which motorway?" I asked as I drove up to the exits.

"The Dortmund one," Vaseva said from behind me, looking at the map she screenshotted on her iPod. "Follow it for ages until I say so."

"How helpful, thanks Vaseva." I turned onto the Dortmund-bound motorway.

"Are we there yet?!" Vaseva screamed, making me swerve slightly.

"Vaseva! You nearly made me crash the car!" I screamed back as I changed gears to suit my needs.

"Well I'm sorry," she said sassily.

"I'm bored," Lennon complained.

"Really, I feel like the mother here right now," I said, checking the mirrors.

"Muuuuuuum, Rhys is annoying me!" Prasan whined.

"Rhys, why are you annoying Prasan?" This was what it was going to be for the next hour or so. I might as well play along.

"He's breathing too close to my face," Prasan whined again.

"What?! I am not!"

"Rhys, breathe away from Prasan if you can, Prasan," I stopped for effect.

"Yeah?" He asked when I hadn't continued my sentence.

"Grow up."

"Ooooo, burn!" Lennon laughed from behind me. I smiled to myself.

----

"TABITHA!" Vaseva screamed from beside me, I jolted upwards and gripped the steering wheel tightly, ready for anything.

"What?!"

"The turning's up ahead," she said calmly. I gave her a death glare and she smiled back.

"This one?" I asked, pointing to the sign up ahead that read 'Ausfahrt'.

"Ya." I nodded and turned towards the exit. My mind danced back to Harri, wondering if he was okay. No, he was going to be okay, I'll make sure of it. "Okay, let me direct you to the laboratory."

I followed Vaseva's directions. As we got closer and closer to the lab, the land around became more and more worn down, and more and more deserted. Lennon whistled as he spotted a burnt car and a shop with it's windows broken.

"Okay, this should be it," Vaseva pointed to a big building that was almost tumbling down. No zombies were seen. My heart pounded out of my chest. Vaseva opened a pack of gum and gave one to each of us. I chewed it nervously as I opened the car door and walked briskly to the lab doors. Or what was left of them. The glass was completely shattered, and dried blood tipped every shard. I looked into the dark building. I reached into my pocket and took out the mini torch, I turned it on and scanned the ground floor, stepping inside after being convinced there were no living things. Regardless, bodies littered the floor. Deep holes in their necks and anywhere else where the zombies could've possible gotten to. "Man..." Vaseva said from behind me. "Do you know where this scientist worked?" I shook my head.

We would have to find out for ourselves.