by Lim, Candice
“Good night!” crooned Mandy as she shut the grunting and writhing ATP in.
“We better get going before we run out of cargo space.” Vaxine snatched the ID from Mandy, spun around, and led the way to the glass door.
The group marched into the lobby. Mandy spun around in circles feasting her eyes at the grandeur of the facility. A crystal chandelier hung down the ten-story atrium. Everything in the lobby from the immaculate golden mirrored door of the elevators to the crystal-studded trash can exuded luxury and reflected Cash’s expensive taste.
“Now what do we do?” asked Sam.
“There’s a built-in GPS tracker on the probes. If we follow the beacon, we might be able to find Roxy,” said Tameera.
“Lead the way, then.” Vaxine sidestepped.
Tameera hit the elevator button and returned to her tablet. “I’ve finally established the connection to the host’s virus genome. I’m going to reverse the infection now!” She tapped ‘Enter’.
The elevator arrived with a ping and the group stepped in.
“We’ll keep going up following the signal.” Tameera pressed the button to the highest floor at 88th but it wouldn’t light up. Even after Vaxine tapped the ID on the scanner. She sighed and tapped ‘Up’ instead.
The door snapped close. “It’s getting closer,” muttered Tameera. Her eyes darted between the screen and the number on the elevator.
Mandy stood next to the panel, ready to press any button Tameera would yell out. She bounced her legs nervously. The tension built up in her ears and the air. It felt as if she was diffusing a bomb and had a reaction time window of few nanoseconds.
A rivulet of sweat drizzled down the side of Tameera’s face. “Now!”
Mandy hit the ‘Stop’ button. The elevator jerked to a complete stop on the 77th floor. “That’s where we’ve just been this morning.”
“Load your weapons, guys. We don’t know what we’re expecting.” Vaxine checked her Zapper and gene gun when the door opened to the familiar quiet hallway.
A sense of déjà vu struck Mandy as she set her foot in it. As if she could predict already what would happen next. Vaxine and Axon took the led while Mandy and Carlisa took up the rear.
Mandy glanced back constantly as they moved along.
“The signal is picking up,” said Tameera. “It must be around here—” The group pulled up at once.
Mandy’s heart stopped at the sight of the body on the floor. “Blot my gel. Please don’t be dead.”
“Roxy!” Sam bolted towards the body when Axon grabbed hold of his arm. He turned around and shot him a glare.
“Be careful. She’s infected.”
Sam wriggled off and dropped to a crouch next to Roxy. The group loomed over the two.
“That’s where the signal has come from,” muttered Tameera.
“Terminate the connection,” said Sam.
“But she’s doing well—”
“Terminate the connection right now!” shouted Sam.
Vaxine shushed him. “Keep your voice low, Sam. They can hear us.”
Sam’s eyes flashed with murder. It was the first time Sam had ever been so pissed. “Are you gonna terminate the damn connection or not?”
“There isn’t any risk of apoptosis yet,” said Tameera. “This is what she wanted us to do. Why else would she do this?”
“So we’re gonna wait until it’s too late to save her?” snarled Sam.
Mandy’s eyes bounced between Sam and Tameera as the fear trickled down her spine. As desperate as she wanted the world to return to normal, she wouldn’t do it at the expense of Roxy’s life. She was about to put in her two cents when Sam bowed and plucked the gene gun from Roxy’s pocket.
“Screw you guys! I’m saving her now!” Sam fired the gene gun at Roxy.
“No!!!” Tameera screamed. ‘Connection terminated’ message box popped up on her tablet.
Axon and Vaxine shushed her at once.
Sam’s hands were shaking as he gripped the gun tightly. The frightened look on his face reflected Mandy’s state of mind. All eyes fell on Roxy whilst hands on their weapons. Mandy couldn't tell if she was more afraid of losing Roxy or what she would become.
Mandy felt the thunder in her chest when she realized it had come from the other end of the hallway. The footsteps gained in a crescendo in their direction. The group sprang into alert mode.
“We need to get outta here!” Tameera sounded bitter. She huffed and tucked the tablet under her arm.
“No, we’re not leaving Roxy behind.” Mandy whipped out her Zapper.
“For how long? We don’t even know if she’s coming back.” Exasperation dripped over Tameera’s words. “We haven’t tested the gene on anyone yet.”
A hollow hole burned in Mandy’s stomach. She purged the doubts in her head and swallowed her fears. “We’ll wait until whenever. We’ll fight them all off.”
Vaxine and Axon gave Mandy a reassuring nod.
Tameera shook her head with a sigh. “You know what, you guys can wait as long as you want to. I’m leaving.”
“No, wait!” Carlisa shouted.
Tameera waved dismissively and walked off.
With a sigh, Carlisa dropped next to Roxy with Sam. “How long does it usually take for the gene to work?”
“Two minutes.” Vaxine’s face painted a grim picture. “But this is a different gene. I didn’t even think Roxy could get re-infected after the first time. There are so many questions.”
“They’re coming this way!” Axon cried out. His frown deepened as he peered into the distance. “I—I don’t think they’re what we imagine them to be.”
“Father of Science! Why are there Infected in the facility?” cried Mandy.
“They know we’re here.” Vaxine traded her Zapper for a gene gun.
As if the Infected weren’t handful enough, the horde in ATP armored suit advanced in their direction.
“I don’t think the gene guns can penetrate through the protective suit,” said Axon.
“Of course not!” Sam retrieved a Gene Blast and pitched it at the horde. “Duck!” He dove towards Roxy, throwing his arms over his head and shielding her with his body.
The rest followed suit and turned their backs against the horde as the shockwave swept over the air shaking the ground. The sudden impact threw them off their feet and flung them against the wall. Grunts rose from all directions.
Mandy felt like every bone in her was broken. Her ears were ringing from the amplified blast. When she looked up, all the Infected dropped dead. Only the glass doors and windows stood the test and remained unscratched.
“Perhaps if you read the protocol, it will tell you not to deploy it in an enclosed area.” Vaxine pinched her temple. She cracked her back and wobbled a few steps before holding onto the wall for balance.
“Blot my gel!” Roxy jerked to life with a sharp inhale. Her eyes widened at every face. “What’s going on here?”
34
ROXY
All my senses came back at once, together with the dull pain in my hand. I unclenched my fist to reveal the bloodied probe and winced in pain as I pulled it out. Why did I even think it was a great idea to do that?
A happy smile split Sam’s face. He threw his arms around me and squeezed me for all he was worth. “Roxy, you’re back! I was worried sick for you!” He stayed for a full minute before pulling away.
“Maybe give us a heads-up before you do something crazy like this next time,” remarked Vaxine, displeasure heavy in her voice. “Now let’s get outta here before we’re visited by more Infected.”
Sam helped pull me up. I dusted myself and rolled my shoulders. My joints were on fire, unsure if it was the side effect of infection or the awkward posture I was in.
“Bro, you okay?” Mandy clapped on my back.
“Yeah, I just had some wild trips.” I massaged my temple trying to recall the details of my hallucination but my
mind drew a blank. There were bits I remembered but I couldn't piece them together.
“So did we.”
“Hey, guys…” Carlisa called out. “We have to go now.”
More Infected filled up the hallway, catapulting us towards the other direction of the hallway. The fear I thought I wouldn’t feel anymore swelled in my chest. We turned around the corner and saw Tameera enter the elevator. My heart leaped with hope thinking she was holding it for us but the door was closing.
“Wait!” I cried out.
Tameera smirked through the closing gap.
“Why is she doing that?” A mix of shock and hurt shot through me.
“Tameera wanted to reverse the infection through you but we wouldn’t let her so she was pissed with us,” said Carlisa.
“Oh.” My face fell.
“Come on, guys. There’s a staircase this way. We better keep going.” Vaxine bolted down the other end of the hallway and the rest followed suit. “Blot my gel!” Vaxine suddenly pulled up. We almost bumped onto one another and skidded to a halt at the incoming horde in front of the emergency staircase.
Axon fired the first shot. The next second, the clear beams bent through the air.
“Let’s use the Gene Blast!” I reached for my backpack Sam’s got when all heads snapped at me at once. “No!!!”
I raised my hands in defeat. “Wookay, calm down.”
The horde cleared in front of the emergency staircase. “Cover me, guys!” Vaxine shot for the door, held it open, and waved at us. “Get in here!”
Axon cartwheeled towards her and flattened himself against the door where he poked his head to fire at the horde. “I’ll hold them back!”
I was about to make the run when the opposite glass door burst open and the Infected poured out. Their gnashing teeth and jagged nails were inches from my face before Mandy pulled me back. “Watch out!”
“Blot my gel!” Axon slammed the door close.
Sam, Mandy, Carlisa, and I staggered close with our backs against one another as the horde closed us in from both ends. Our fingers squeezed the triggers repeatedly but it couldn't hold the Infected back forever. Especially my Zapper battery was screaming in red.
The rest had switched to gene guns. I reached for mine when I remembered it was a different gene. It would do no good to the normal Infected.
My mind burned for ideas. I scanned the hallway when the double door caught my eyes. “Cover me!” I tugged at the door but it wouldn’t budge. A grunt dropped my shoulders.
I perked up when my eyes fell on the scanner next to the door. I pulled out Dismon’s ID and tapped on it. The red light turned green and the door clicked open.
“Guys, here!” The rest didn’t have to be told twice. They poured in through the door I slammed shut and latched.
The violent thumping on the door after reflected my erratic heartbeat. It probably wouldn’t hold the horde for long but at least it would provide a temporary refuge for us to replenish our supplies and energy.
Sam, Mandy, and Carlisa moved the heavy cabinet and tumbled it against the door. The muffled growls and scratching echoed through the empty room that happened to be a lab.
I tore my eyes from the door and focused on finding a way out. Three pairs of benches sat in a row across the length. For a lab, it appeared pretty lousy to have only a few waterbaths and a fridge, especially for a lab in MAD. A gloomy aura hung over the air reflecting our impending doom.
The windows where the light had come from were sealed shut. Even if they weren’t, the chance of survival for jumping off the 77th floor would be pretty low.
“There’s no way outta here.” Mandy plopped on the floor and propped her head against the wall with a sigh. She checked her gene gun and tossed it next to her. “And we’re running out of ammo.” Her sullen eyes interlocked with mine. “It’s over. We’re done.”
The grim reality sank in me, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. The questions for our future or rather the lack of one plagued my head. I placed the Zapper and gene gun on the bench and dropped it next to Mandy. Carlisa and Sam followed suit, forming a circle on the floor.
I buried my face in my palms. The desperation got better of me. It was the first time I thought of my impending death and I could smell it inched closer. The fear I’d never felt before swelled in my chest, boring a hole in my heart. It gave me irrational thoughts making me contemplate if I should swallow my pride and surrender to Cash and Peyton.
I looked at Mandy, Carlisa, and Sam in turn, their faces exuded the same hopelessness and acceptance.
Mandy clapped me on the shoulder. “It’s been great knowing you, Roxy.”
A burning lump stuck in my throat. I couldn't believe this was the end. I couldn't believe a lifetime of dedication in the Community led me to this.
“I never thought you would break into ANNUS to rescue my ass.” Mandy sniggered to herself without the look in her eyes. Like she was drunk-talking. “I didn’t think anyone would do something like that for me. I mean, even when I first got into CU, I didn’t think I would make friends with the elitists. Then, you sort of adopted me as your friend. I didn’t think you would. When I first met you, I thought you were one of them snobbish nerds!”
Carlisa hugged her legs close to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. “If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve died during the outbreak at ANNUS. It’s been a great adventure with you, Roxy.” Her lips quirked up into a half-smile as she glanced at the door that would cave at any moment. “Even if this is the end…” Her mouth quivered. “It would be worth it.”
Carlisa pursed her lips and spun around to kiss Mandy on the lips. Mandy cupped her on the face and returned her kiss.
Sam slipped his hand into mine. I squeezed him tightly as my gaze affixed on his face. He forced a smile, though his eyes turned glassy and pink. “It’s okay, Roxy. We’ve tried our best. We did what we were supposed to do.”
Mandy and Carlisa pulled apart a few minutes later. “Sorry. I couldn't hold it back. There’s no more next time.” She turned around and they kissed again.
Hot tears brimmed my eyes. The mental images of Sam and I in Whiteshore seeped into my mind with the regret it bore. I should’ve told him how much I loved him while I had the chance. The words hung at the tip of my mouth but I couldn't bring myself to utter them. We were dying and it was all I could think about. I couldn’t bear to lose Sam.
I squeezed Sam harder, fighting the ugly tears and thoughts populating in my brain.
“No, we’re not giving up!” I sprang to my feet and dug through the drawers, looking for anything that might come in handy. Nothing but a couple of yellowed pipettes that had seen better days.
The heat got to me. Sweat trickled down my spine. I couldn't think straight. I needed to cool off. I went to the fridge and opened the door. A refreshing chill breeze blew over me. Great. At least there was electricity.
“Hey guys, great news. I found us some ethanol here.” Mandy lifted the 20-L container of absolute ethanol onto the bench. “Hey, Rox. Can you look if there’s any ice there? We could have some vodka on the rocks. At least we’ll go out with a bang.”
Sam scrunched his face with his arms crossed over his chest. “You sure it’s a good idea? Is it even safe to drink?”
“Ethanol is about the only alcohol you can safely drink. Vodka’s technically 40% ethyl alcohol.” Mandy made herself at home and pulled out some beakers.
With a sigh, I dug through the fridge when an unopened box of PCR kit caught my eye. An idea struck me. I scanned the lab. We had the PCR kit, pipettes, and ethanol. The only thing missing was the PCR machine—the most crucial part of the PCR process. “Hey, Mandy, can you make me 70% ethanol?”
“Oooh, somebody’s getting hammered!” Mandy arched her brow and did a little dance.
“I still don’t think it’s wise.” Sam threw his hands up in defeat.
“At least we won’t feel a thing when we go.” Car
lisa took Mandy’s side and tapped her on the arm. “I’ll have 70% too.”
“Good point. Me too.” Mandy unscrewed the cap and poured the alcohol into the measuring cylinder.
“I’m not drinking! I need it to disinfect!” I opened the icebox and found a freezing plate. “I’m doing PCR.”
They frowned at me and traded strange looks.
“How? We don’t have a PCR machine.” Mandy lowered the alcohol container and filled up the measuring cylinder with the distilled water dispenser.