21 Days

XIX: The Facility

                After being captured and brought to the unknown facility where they were at, they were treated like a prisoner. They were clothed with white everywhere and there were collars attached onto their necks. It was explained to them that those collar’s purpose was to detect their movements and if ever they attempted to remove it by themselves, it would tighten up and cause problems on their part. Everyone in the facility have them except the researchers.

                They were also designated to their own rooms. Inside the rooms were two beds that were put in opposite corners, the covers of the bed was white, similar to the rooms and ceiling that were also painted with white.

                Jay’s frown deepens as he sat opposite to Jake. Jake has been avoiding Jay’s eyes on the other hand.

                “Why are you staring at me like that?” Jake snorted.

                “Tell me what you know?” Jay was still frowning.

                “What do you mean?” Jake was now looking. “What I only know and figured out was the fact that my parents are some big names involved in this situation. Isn’t it the same with your dad? You heard everything.”

                “I still have some doubts.” Jay leaned back and was then started to stare at the ceilings. He noticed how there were CCTV cameras installed on the corners of the room. “I am disappointed but what can I do now?”

                “Of course we can’t do anything.” Jake sighed. He also looked at the ceilings and noticed the cameras as well. “We’re being recorded?”

                “Looks like it.”

                The research facility that they were in was located somewhere inside New York as well. It was a good distance out of the civilization and it was a restricted property that’s the reason why nobody knows its whereabouts.

                The facility was once a run-down factory, converted and renovated for the sake of research. It was personally funded by the big shots client who wants to put a personal request regarding creating a virus, creating a vaccine for it was well as other medications. It was a corrupt society that has not been registered at all yet was functioning.

                Since the zombie virus was created accidentally, no one knew what the formulas that were able to complete it were. Many other trials were conducted as to create a similar virus but it was too complicated that everyone was taking up so much time in studying it. Even with the latest technology, they find it difficult to retain the longevity of the virus as it was unrealistic yet somehow made possible.

                It wasn’t supposed to be pulled out of the laboratory as it could be the last cue to humanity but an accident happened. As it was being figured out, the main person responsible for creating the virus was infected and the first person he bit was his assistant. The assistant thought that it was something of a rude joke and went home the same night with the history. That same evening, symptoms started to come up and he murdered his family. He was arrested for cannibalism but things came worst in the prison.

                When the researchers found out about the activation of the virus, the ones involved were distributed with information reasons why they started working their way to find a cure while the effect was still minimal. But someone betrayed the faction for their greed; it was the Willow Park Boy’s School director. He wanted things to be done by himself so he told someone to randomly grab an infected person and release it inside the school. The school was on the verge of bankruptcy after the government released a tax statement that they were not paying well.

                The VIPs were the ones who received about the exclusive spread first so they can save themselves while treatment from zombiefying was still being underdeveloped. Jake’s parents, The Sim’s submitted themselves to the facility once they found out the original location of the virus and because it was filled with corruption, they forced them to sign a contract of exclusivity. Then, when the news of the spread broke, they were already at the facility, still learning how the spread of virus occurs and what the conditions were. But their conclusion was the fact that it now turned into a biochemical war between countries.

---

                After being injected a serum that made him fall back into unconsciousness, Seven woke up once again in the same setting room Jake has. He was with Nicky who was already awake but was numb everywhere. Seven tried to make his way towards where Nicky was but his body was too heavy to even comply with the action his brain wants.

                “N…Ni..ck..y—“ Seven called out and reached out his hand but Nicky was unresponsive.

                On Nicky’s part, he could hear Seven groaning on the next bed to him yet his heart and brain seems to be the only part of him that’s working. Nicky’s brain has been screaming in pain as his body was reacting differently to what hit him earlier. His brain was demanding his whole body to move but it seems impossible on Nicky’s part.

--

                Ethan and Sunny meanwhile was thrown in a room of four. There were two other strangers next to their double beds and their feet were chained to the post of their bedroom. Their room, unlike the others was dimly lighted and lacks the presence of air. Ethan concluded that they were in the underground level of the facility as they have to ride the elevators down before forced to have a bath and change their clothes to the similar white. They also wear the same collars as everyone else.

                “Where do you think Sunny goes?” Jean asked him.

                “Not sure.” Ethan answered.

                Ethan’s eyes found the two others in front of them. They looked alike so they know that they’re brothers and Ethan estimated that their age was that of 8-15 years old.

                “Ar…Are you going to hurt us?” One brother said.

                “Why would I?” Ethan asked coldly.

                “Have you been here for long?” Jean asked them kindly and the elder brother shakes his head.

                “I’m not sure. I just know that my dad sold us to these men a few months ago and we’ve been here since.” He answered.

                “What do you mean? You’ve been here for some months you don’t know of? What do they usually do with people here?” Jean was starting to get worried.

                “I’m not sure—“ it was still the elder brother.

                “I.. I see the people there before get eaten by monsters. I was receiving my injections then.” The younger brother pointed out on the one was mirror located on their right.

                He was right, their actions are being watched and the reason the researchers wanted to take a good watch of them was because those brothers seems to be not having that much side effects to the virus.

                “I…It’s the 21 days monster.” The little brother muttered. “O…Once you get poked by the needle, after 21 days, you become a monster as well. I’ve seen it.”

                He said followed by a continuous sobs.

                “I… I’ve been friends with them but I don’t know till when. That’s why I don’t want to be friends with you two.” He said .

                Ethan and Jean exchanged looks. They already have an idea what they could expect and the fact that indeed, they were test subjects to those beings. Other than that, Ethan was worried where the others were. He seems to be the eldest out of all the teenage boys and he wanted to make sure if everyone was safe but after being separated, he doesn’t understand anymore what to expect to happen next.

--

                Ava was dumbfounded. She was rooming in a luxurious room with a leather sofa on it and all the appliances she needed. But her center of remorse was there as well, Hiro, the one who betrayed them.

                “Why do you have to do that?” Ava said angrily.

                Although she was being treated with care, she wanted to be angry as she cannot protect everyone. She was even blaming herself that they were caught because of her but it was all Hiro’s fault, for pretending that he was a friend and that his only mission was to get back to the base safely.

                “It’s for the good. The world is a rotten place and we must get rid of some of the toxins.” Hiro answered shortly. “I’m here because I wanted some connections. How about that?”

                “What?”

                “I wanted to do a trade involving you and one of our teammates who was captured by the military. Of course it doesn’t limit to that.” Hiro chuckled.

                “What do you want?” Ava said angrily.

                “Your cooperation. I just want you to sign here and here and here so that it means you’re agreeing with your idea. You get to go back safely to the base with your parents and live in serenity with them.” Hiro explained.

                “What about the boys? The others?” Ava frowned.

                “They’re a lost cause. Just sign here and we’ll be okay.” Hiro smiled as he handed her a pen.

                Ava took it, pretended to write her signature but threw the pen back onto Hiro’s face and ripped the papers into shred.

                “There’s no way I’ll fall for scums like you.” He cursed and even spat onto Hiro who seems to be dissatisfied by her behavior yet remained calm.

                Ava stomped her way to the bed which was located only in a corner and hid herself under them. There’s no way she would be leaving the boys here. He wanted to make the facility drown down and rip Hiro’s face into pieces.

                What Ava felt then was full anguish. She was clenching her fists tightly onto the pillow as she tried to hide her sobs away from Hiro’s sharp ears. Considering that Hiro wasn’t able to settle it, he fixed himself and stood up from where he was seated.

                “I’ll be back to you tomorrow.” He said as he left the room