UNDEAD ARISING

Chapter 8 - A Piece Of The Puzzle

"What's this?" Jin asked with brows all furrowed after he opened the metal container that carried the blood sample Aris just gave him. Opening it, Jin took the syringe and looked at it in confusion before sighing out loud. 

It's another blood sample from the countless others the colonel had delivered to him in anonymity and confidentiality.

"Obviously, that's blood," Aris answered nonchalantly before leaning on the free space of Jin's chaotic countertop inside his own laboratory inside the Research Division. 

"Thanks for stating what's obvious." Jin rolled his eyes at the man earning the taller guy's soft chuckles. "What I mean is what's so special with this one that you want me to have it tested... and what kind tests should I run? The last samples you gave me were from an Anomaly and this looks like it's a regular living human's blood sample. But more importantly, what do I get out of this?" Jin's eyes squinted at the last question, leaning on the same counter, copying Aris's position as he looked at the other guy intently.

The colonel told him to keep everything between the two of them as he is still unsure of what he had observed from tonight's events. Jin already received the gist of what happened at the new recruits's courage test through the confidential e-mail from the brigadier-general, which had this young advance microbiologist confused. 

Nevertheless, Aris had already asked him favors a few times already so he just rolls with it.

"That is the blood of the person that attracted an Anomaly..." Aris revealed, making Jin's eyes wide in utter surprise and excitement.

"For real?!" Jin asked, looking at the syringe again with the same expression but now in utter disbelief. 

"Not really an Anomaly but a class 2 transfiguring to a class 3. It has its eyes locked on said person even if I was there. Plus, the ghouls behaved quite unusually tonight, ever since the person in question was out the field. What I want you to find out is if there's anything special in that blood... run a few tests or experiments, will you? I don't know what kind of test you should run but now that you know, you should know what to do and look for." Aris stated, looking at the other's eyes intently and sternly. 

"Sure... I mean, it's my job. But, why the secrecy? I mean, it's easier to run tests if the top brass knows this. All results of the sample we tested in the past were then disclosed..." Jin asked before adding, "I mean, it'll be easier if they know." 

"It's different this time." Aris then sighed. 

Jin then scrunched his nose, unsatisfied with Aris' answer but sighed back in defeat, "Alright, I'm also gonna need a blood sample from the ghoul in question—that specific zombie that was attracted to the owner of this blood. But then again... it's easier and much faster to extract a sample if everybody is tasked to do it, wouldn't it?" Jin retorted back, insisting on the idea that the top brass should know about Aris' observation. 

All the resources will be given to Aris if the top brass knows the situation. Acting alone could raise suspicion from comrades and it may endanger him as well.

"I'm gonna give you what you need. Just... keep this between us for now until I'm sure. Informing the top brass will make everything complicated for that person's life and you and both of us know how that feels like, right?"

"Ha! Those fucking loons afraid to get themselves out there." Jin scoffs, shaking his head at the same time but he stopped so suddenly, brow-raising as he leans again, "But most importantly, Aris... what can you give me in return?"

Aris then stood straight before crossing his arms upon his chest, "Depends on what you want..." he answers. 

A smirk then grew on Jin's lips before he also stood up straight, "... introduce me to Irene Bae... please?"