บททั้งหมดของ REBORN SIXTY DAYS BEFORE THE DEAD RISE: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

The victory at the third node had cost us everything.I stood in the ruins of what had once been a small town, surrounded by the bodies of the infected and the fallen. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic tang of blood. My team was scattered around me, their faces pale, their eyes hollow.We had succeeded.We had destroyed the nodes.We had severed the Apex's connection to its horde.But the cost had been staggering.Daniel was gone.I had watched him fall.He had been fighting beside me when the second node's guardians overwhelmed us. He had pushed me out of the way, taking the blow meant for me. His eyes had met mine for a single moment before the light faded from them.He had died saving me.Elena was wounded.A deep gash across her arm, bleeding freely. Noah had stopped the bleeding, but she was pale and weak. She needed rest. She needed time.But we didn't have time.The third node had been the worst.The guardians had been everywhere. Dozens of them. Hundreds. They had

The evolved infected were relentless.They hunted us through the ruins of Fort Hamilton, through the forests, through the towns we had once called safe. They moved with terrifying intelligence, coordinating their attacks, learning from their mistakes.I had lost more people.Too many.The survivors were terrified. They looked to me for hope, for answers, for salvation. But I was running out of ideas.Until I had one.A desperate one.Crazy.Suicidal.But it was the only chance we had.I gathered the council in the command center.The room was dim, lit only by the flickering glow of emergency lights. The survivors were scattered around the base, hiding, waiting, hoping.Adrian stood beside me. Elena was across the table. Noah was tending to the wounded.I looked at them."I have a plan."Adrian tensed."What kind of plan?""A trap."I unrolled a map across the table."The evolved infected are fast. Smart. Coordinated. But they're not invincible. They can be killed. And I know how to do

The night was quiet.I sat on the wall of Fort Hamilton, staring at the stars. The marker hummed beneath my skin, a constant presence, a constant reminder of what I had become.Adrian sat beside me.He had been quiet all evening. Distant. Lost in thought.I could feel it.His thoughts.His emotions.His fears."Adrian."He looked at me."What?""Something's wrong.""Scarlett—""I can feel it. You're scared. Confused. Lost."He stared at me."How do you know that?""I can feel it. Your thoughts. Your emotions. Your fears. It's like they're inside my head."Adrian's face was pale."You can read my mind?""I can feel your emotions. Your thoughts. Like they're part of me."He was silent for a long moment.Then he said:"I can feel yours too."I stared at him."What?""I can feel your thoughts. Your emotions. Your fears. It's like we're connected."I reached for his hand.I felt it immediately.A warmth.A connection.A bond."What is this?" I whispered."I don't know.""It's like we're on

The attack came at midnight.I was standing on the wall, staring into the darkness, when I heard the footsteps. Dozens of them. Moving with purpose. Moving toward the command center.I felt their intent before I saw their faces.Fear. Anger. Desperation.They were coming for me.I turned toward Adrian."They're here.""Who?""The faction. They're attacking."Adrian tensed."What do we do?""We stop them."I walked toward the command center.The mutineers were already there.They had gathered in the courtyard, armed with weapons, their faces twisted with fear and rage. At their center stood the representative who had demanded I step down.I stopped in front of them."What is this?"The representative stepped forward."This is a mutiny, Scarlett. You refused to step down. So we're removing you.""By force?""If necessary."I looked at the mutineers.They were scared.Desperate.Misguided.But they weren't evil.They were just afraid."I don't want to hurt you," I said."Then surrender."

I made my decision that night.The Apex had offered peace. I couldn't ignore it. I couldn't pretend it hadn't happened. The war had cost us too much—too many lives, too much suffering, too much destruction. If there was a chance to end it, I had to take it.But I didn't trust the Apex.I would never trust it.I just needed to understand it."Scarlett, you can't go alone," Adrian said.I looked at him."I have to.""Scarlett—""The Apex wants to talk to me. Not to you. Not to the council. Just me. If I bring anyone else, it won't speak. It'll retreat. And we'll lose our only chance."Adrian's jaw tightened."Then I'm coming with you.""Adrian—""I'm not letting you face it alone."I looked at him.He was determined.Brave.Loyal."Okay," I said. "Together."We walked through the forest.The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground. I could feel the Apex's presence—ancient, powerful, waiting. The marker hummed beneath my skin, responding to its call."Scarlett."I turned.