The boy who leaped in the year 2050

TBWL#17: temporary peace amidst apocalypse.

Science could learn an important lesson from the literati–who love contingency for the same basic reason that scientists tend to regard the theme with suspicion. Because, in contingency lies the power of each person, to make a difference in an unconstrained world bristling with possibilities, and nudgeable by the smallest of unpredictable inputs into markedly different channels spelling either vast improvement or potential disaster.

— A quote by Stephen Jay Gould.

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Information reminder:

'Neuro-stenosis' the team found a strange middle finger size parasite living on the head of the nightwalkers. They named it Neuro-stenosis, research needs to be done to unveil its nature. 

Description: Transparent in color but appears to be crimson when attached to its host. It has varying root sizes that transmit blood and control its host. Has resemblance with bugs, however, it has peculiar vectors.

Origin: Unknown

*Secret society, a place discovered by Jiro’s group. It serves as their quarter. Located on a rocky and Isolated mountain.

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Calixto’s Point of view

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What is this place? It's well lit even though it's underground. Just how much energy are they using, and how did they obtain such electricity? I expected a dark place that we are talking about hiding out. I can't believe my eyes... Are they using generators? If that is so, isn't it limited? I am amazed because I never expected that this place would exist. Only ruins and corpses are the usual sight for me, but this place is beyond my imagination.

"As you can see, we are using natural resources to light this place. It would take five years before this energy depletes. This place is the safest place for now, from day walkers and nightwalkers."

"How does this place become a haven safe from a zombie? Are you sure that they could not invade this place?"

"Yes. This place, the underground society, can only hold 30 persons. Hmm... we are 15 as of now, that includes you and the rest. As I have told you, this place is well lit by natural resources. The nightwalkers are less likely to attack in heat and light because they will explode. The day walkers are dumb to realize that this place exists in the first place."

"How about the oxygen? Aren't we going to be suffocated here?"

"There are holes that are specifically designed to circulate and balance the carbon and oxygen for us to breathe underground. About the electricity, Underground natural sources of visible light are considered. The main light producer is Cerenkov radiation emitted in the air, water, and rock by cosmic ray muons, which depends, in a complex way, on the shape of the mountain and of caves. In general, the illumination increases linearly with the cavity dimensions. Other light sources are from secondary processes generated by radioactive decay in rock from minerals luminescence. Also, we have a hydroelectricity generator as another source of electricity.  The sunlight is also beneficial since we are using it as reserve energy."

I don't understand anything, but I know that science is quite complicated. People who understand science have an advantage in a situation like this. Surviving is not just about determination and skill in killing, being smart is also the advantage of a human being. 

"Also, we already made many escape routes because we are not sure if we are always this lucky." 

I nodded my head. These guys are so cool. I never imagined encountering such people at this moment. It seems like they are interested in unleashing the mystery of this apocalypse.

"You came back? Who might these people be? It's only the professor and his wife that we are familiar with," says a guy who is holding a piece of bread. Our tummy automatically reacted to the food presented before our eyes. What an embarrassing moment; why would my tummy groan like that? 

"They are professors' friends. I accidentally saw them on the empty road, so I brought them here.  Besides, we should help our fellow survivors. Anyway, let's continue the introduction of a place where we can eat," says the guy. 

They assisted us, and we headed to their dining area. My eyes roamed around and found only a box of dilapidated storage of foods. There are no tables or chairs, of course, I should not expect something like that. 

"Here, buddy, eat this. My name is Jiro, the guy who drove the truck is Leo. Meet Jaxon, Levi, Harvey, Seve, Kael; they are the best technicians on our team. We have girl power for conducting an experiment. Meet Daisy, Leny, Kiara, and Karen.

"I am Calixto," I replied. I offered a handshake which they gladly accepted.

"My name is Lorelei."

"Mine is Romer."

"About that child's body. We brought it to the facility to run an experiment. She is another weird occurrence of zombification. As you observe, we are conducting a study about the zombie, we suspected that it was a virus. The reason the dead rise and attack is unknown, rendering the whole situation inexplicable. Our theory is that it is a virus or infection, well, it is not absolute yet but is most likely to be the cause, framing events much like a plague. Turning into a zombie as of now is exposed by their saliva. If saliva enters your body, then your immunity will weaken. It will directly prevent your heart from beating. It would take four hours to be one of them."

"That child was six hours with us, and she has no zombie bite."

"I found it strange too, it is as if her body had healed. However, the virus had entered her body, and she could not reject it. This is driving me insane too if only we had obtained information beforehand. The motherf*cking government had kept quiet and never revealed this situation until it finally broke out. I bet they intended to keep this from being known, that is why they shut down the media and publications."

"Have you ever conducted an experiment with nightwalkers?" Romer suddenly asked. 

"As much as possible we are actually avoiding such dangerous variants of zombies."

"Well, the thing is, I think nightwalkers and day walkers have different origins. This may sound crazy but we discovered a peculiar thing in nightwalkers. We called this thing a 'Neuro-stenosis', a strange middle finger size parasite living on the head of the nightwalkers. It is transparent in color but appears to be crimson when attached to its host."

Jiro put his fingers below his chin before uttering, "That's interesting... should we start hunting nightwalkers?" 

That is suicide but it is probably the best. We are risking everything here to unquench our thirst for revelation. 

"Are you guys ready to die, right?"

"That won't happen. Humans are still the superior race. We will wipe those f*ckers," says Jiro.