Subject 48

Prologue

1 year before the outbreak

"We did it! Finally! After so many attempts and failed experiments we finally did it! We brought back the dead!"

"We did great, sir. I'll make sure to mark Subject 47 as a success."

"If it wasn't for the scars and extremely pale skin she would look almost like a real human!"

"Yep. Her behavior patterns are a lot like a real human. We put food and water in the cell with her when she seemed successful but she didn't anything with the food and drank only a small amount of water."

"Astonishing! If she doesn't eat, how does she get energy?"

"We think she solely gets it from sleeping and heat exposure."

"In that case, make sure the cell is heated. We will continue to watch her behavior before attempting to recreate this."

"Yes, sir."

10 months before the outbreak

"Sir, are you sure about this?"

"Of course, Cassidy! Why wouldn't I be?"

"We've already done the impossible and broke almost every law of nature. You're- I mean, we're going down in history whether you like it or not. We've just conquered death. What more is there to accomplish?"

"Making sure the process we wrote down was correct."

"You have a point there, but what about Subject 47?"

"What about her?"

"She's becoming bored and honestly annoying. She's always talking to herself. Is there a way to get her to stop?"

"Cut her tongue off."

"EXCUSE ME?!"

"You heard me. If you're desperate that's a way to get her to stop talking."

"That's not the only option! We could let her out of the cell! There's plenty more to do outside it!"

"Are you crazy?! There's no way we're doing that! She's unpredictable. For all we know she could destroy my lab in an instant!"

"Our lab."

"Right, our lab. If she's coming out of the cell she'd be at my side for every second of it."

"Then it's settled. She does some things for you and you keep her from doing anything rash."

"Fine. But are we doing this project one last time?"

"I don't see why not. You would do it without my consent anyways."

"Ha! This is why you're my favorite assistant, you know me best. Don't tell the others I just said I liked you better."

"Don't worry, sir. I didn't plan to."

3 months before the outbreak

"Cassidy! There you are!"

"What is that you need me for?"

"What's the progress report on Subject 48?"

"I have good news and bad news."

"Well, shoot. I'll hear the good news first."

"Subject 48 has finally awoken."

"Great! That means another success proving we've done it!"

"Actually..."

"Oh no. I don't like the sound of that."

"He's acting very hostile, not talking, and... wait a minute."

"What? Is there more or not?"

"I've just noticed Subject 47 has been with us this whole time, yet hasn't spoken a word."

"I'll explain it in a bit. Please, continue on Subject 48's progress report."

"He's been hostile, hasn't been talking, hasn't regained any of his original hue. He also seems to be having difficulty controlling his body. It's worrisome and frankly, quite disturbing. Other than the color and his previous injuries he looks a lot like 47 does, but she's regained an almost normal skin tone and eye color."

"Strange. Make sure to keep an extra watchful eye over 48."

"Yes, sir."

1 day before the outbreak

"Doctor Jenkins!"

"Yes?"

"It's Subject 48. The cell, it-- it. . ."

"Dear lord, Cassidy! I've never seen you so pale. What happened?"

"Subject 48. He-- it-- Doctor Edwards is. . ."

"Cassidy calm down. Take your time."

"There is no time! Doctor Edwards is dead!"

"What?! What on Earth happened?"

"The glass we had put on the wall of 48's cell. It just-- shattered! It wasn't thick enough."

"How did it break?!"

"Subject 48 had been pounding on the glass, like it was trying to reach us. And it was! It was like a scene from horror film!"

"Did it. . . kill. . ?"

"Yes. We need to get as many people dryas we can and get to the safe room."

"I knew there was a reason we made that."

That lab was a secret. A secret project the government had made their job to hide. If they brought back the dead it would help humanity. While they were successful in bringing back the dead they were unsuccessful at recreating it. That unleashed an unimaginably dangerous "virus" onto the world. In the end the studies probably did more harm than good. Instead of saving humanity they most likely spelled its doom.

But. . . what about their success?
What ever did happen to her?