Chapter 4

Pointing at the guards outside, Zach said, "They're mocking us, calling us morons."

"You know their dialect?"

Zach's look turned grim as he explained, "No, they are speaking in Chillan, which I understand. And they are saying that this so-called apocalypse is just Chilla conducting a bioweapon experiment on Hadonia!

"However, it seems that even they are surprised that the effect of their drug is too weak. It doesn't affect the mind, which is why an exception like you can understand us!"

Pausing, he looked at me as he gingerly continued, "Oh, and he said you're really dumb for leading us straight into a trap…"

Everyone became dead silent right then, while I pursed my lips and wanted to hide in embarrassment. "So we're basically a failed live specimen experiment? Well, is there any way to get us out?"

The zombies shook their heads. "The bars are made of special materials—can't chew through them or pry them off!"

That was when Zach calmly took a grenade out of his pocket. "Perhaps we can try this…"

I was left gaping. "W-Where did you get that?"

"From your fortress, before we came here," he replied, scratching his head in embarrassment.

Still, the zombies were excited to see the grenade. "Well, that works! We can just blow this place open since we're not going to die anyway!"

"Hurray! We're saved!"

I pursed my lips. "Have any of you considered that I might die?"

That was when a guard came, pointing at me as he barked, "You! Come here! There's someone who wants to see you!"

Talk about perfect timing!

Still, I had to hide my smile as I hissed at the zombies, "Wait until I'm gone for thirty minutes, then blow this place up!"

"Yes, boss! We will be there right on time!"

"We will keep it quiet and only get started after you get further away!"

I nodded and was soon taken into a dark room.

Helen sat opposite me at the interrogation table. "Surprise! It's me agin!"

I feigned surprise. "Didn't they get you too?"

She raised a brow, watching me like I had just asked a really stupid question. "You are such a moron! Let me give it to you straight—this place is my turf! And I command everyone here!"

I kept playing dumb to lure her into telling the truth. "What?! No way! You're just lying to steal Max from me!"

"Hah!" She snorted. "You really thought I'm in love with Max Lydon? Hell no—I just want to tear down your fortress! Our great nation of Chilla had been setting up this live bioweapon test for ten years to wipe out all Hadonians in one fell swoop, but you had to butt in!

"Well I guess it's fine—none of you are getting away now! We will now inject you with the new version of the drug so that you will truly be a mindless freak!"

"What?!" I exclaimed. "That means… we walked straight into a trap?!"

Helen laughed triumphantly in turn. "That's right! You idiots walked straight to your own doom! And those zombies were so stupid enough to follow you that it almost makes me want to cut open your skull and see what's inside!"

"Pfft!" I snickered, putting my feet on the table. "Sure, but did nobody teach you this?"

Helen was taken aback. "Teach me what?"

"To never celebrate too early!"

Crash!

Suddenly, hordes of zombies leaped in, crashing through the windows!