Valdes hummed a jaunty little tune, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Just bear with the discomfort a bit longer. It’s work, you know? I’ve got no choice.”
“Mmph!”
I had a whole rapping stream of obscenities lined up, but the gag jammed between my teeth kept them tragically unspoken.
I was tied to a chair like a villain in a bad play: neck, hands, feet, the works. I couldn’t so much as twitch.
Oh, and to top it all off, there was a magic restraint device latched tight around my neck. Lovely.
I glared daggers at Valdes with eyes that were probably two inches away from full-on bloodshot rage.
I had no idea how long I’d been stuck like this. Ever since that little electric kiss knocked me out cold, I’d been completely at his mercy.
Not a single sane person left in this world…
I watched him bustle around with entirely too much cheer.
The trap he’d set hadn’t been to protect himself—it was bait for zombies. And guess who’d walked right into it like a prize idiot?
From his perspective, I was probably the jackpot. A prize-winning, talking zombie with a pulse and personality.
“I’ve been out here for over two weeks without a single result. You can’t imagine how lucky I feel right now.”
Apparently, ever since Aria had vanished, he’d been blindly following Loa orders and running experiments.
Not a particularly elegant method, but supposedly all part of his grand plan to develop immunity antibodies.
What an absolute moron.
Immunity antibodies aren’t something you whip up in a lab—they’re something you’re born with!
“It’s all for the greater good, you understand. Can’t be helped. Besides, you’re a zombie. Let’s move on to the next trial, shall we? I used up all the blood from earlier, so I’ll need a bit more.”
“Mmph!”
If only I could sink my teeth into the back of his neck and tear him apart like a well-cooked roast. That thought alone made my stomach growl.
Oh, right… I hadn’t eaten since lunch.
“Oh dear, let me wipe that.”
Valdes dabbed away the drool dribbling down my chin like some concerned nanny. The mix of cruelty and casual politeness made me want to hurl.
“This might sting a little. Just a pinch!”
He jabbed a needle into my arm without hesitation.
It didn’t hurt much, but seeing my own blood fill a vial while being utterly helpless? Infuriating.
If this is the world now, who the hell am I supposed to trust?
Yoan’s face floated unbidden into my thoughts. Even if everyone else betrayed me, I had this persistent, irrational belief that he wouldn’t.
He’d probably been worried sick. He hadn’t wanted me to go off on my own to begin with.
Was he out searching for me? God, I hoped not.
Please just stay put. I’ll get back on my own.
Valdes, for all his madness, didn’t seem like he planned to kill me. He was too invested in poking and prodding me with experimental curiosity.
And poke he did.
He drew blood, carved little chunks out of my arm, sliced my skin with scalpels, jabbed me with needles filled with who-knew-what, and scribbled it all down like a lunatic scientist on a sugar high.
“Your regeneration speed matches the average zombie. Maybe a touch faster? But there’s something else... some detoxification property... Hmm, I’ll need more blood to be sure.”
“Huff... huff...”
Even beyond-human bodies have limits, and I was fast approaching mine. I could barely see straight.
But I forced myself to stay conscious. To remember everything he said.
“Fascinating. Zombies can cry. Is it a bodily reflex or emotional response? So many exciting new discoveries today.”
Oh, I’m gonna have my revenge on you, Valdes Daker. You'd better brace yourself!
I gnashed my teeth, glaring at him.
And that’s when I heard it—a noise from outside.
Valdes paused. “Hmm? Who could that be at this hour…? Oh right, you had companions, didn’t you? They must be here for you. I’ll need to seal things up.”
He darted to the door and yanked a metal shutter down, then began cleaning the room like a man possessed.
Clearly, he’d been ready for this moment. Everything—equipment, papers, vials—vanished in seconds thanks to some magic device or another.
“I figure this’ll do,” he said, clearly pleased with himself.
Then he pulled a black cloth over my eyes.
“Sorry, but I’m leaving the gag in. You screaming will cut into my escape time. Thanks for the useful data. Maybe we’ll meet again… who knows?”
Like hell we will!
“Mmph mmph!”
He vanished. Just disappeared.
I writhed and snorted like a feral beast, snot and tears pouring down my face. Not that it helped me break free.
BANG!
Someone kicked the shutter, the metallic crash echoing through the space.
“Hurry! Hurry up already! Can a grown man not even open a stupid door?”
“If it’s that frustrating, why don’t you do it?”
“Fine! Move!”
“As if that’ll work. Step aside.”
Yoan and Derek. Their voices were the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.
The crashing continued. Then stopped.
Footsteps pounded toward me. Cold fingers pulled off the blindfold, and Yoan’s face filled my vision.
He didn’t hesitate—ripped out the gag, sliced through the ropes, then tapped the back of my neck with the flat of his blade.
“A magic device? Don’t move.”
CRACK!
The magic restraint snapped clean, and finally—finally—I was free.
I let out a cry of pure, pitiful relief. Along with a few choice swear words for good measure.
“Sasha!” Derek launched himself at me and wrapped his arms around me tight. “I’m so glad you’re okay. So, so glad.”
I couldn’t respond. Could barely breathe.
But I looked at Yoan.
He was calm. Too calm. His expression was murderously polite.
Grrk.
The sound came from me.
Derek looked up at me in alarm. My eyes widened.
I couldn’t stop it—my instincts were taking over. I was starving.
I gotta get him away—
Graagh!
But then—out of nowhere—a thick slice of ham was shoved into my mouth.
I blinked dumbly and chewed.
Next came a perfectly medium-rare cut of beef. Then another. And then jerky.
Oh, thank everything! My reason came back with every bite.
“Hehe.”
“…”
“Sorry.”
“For what?” Yoan didn’t even look at me. He was already checking the perimeter.
“See where he went?” he asked.
“Nope.”
“Number of people? Gender?”
“One man. Alone.”
“Not ordinary, is he? The bold bastard. Anyway… Sasha. Care to explain?”
He said it with a bright smile. But his eyes? Pure murder.
I flinched.
“Don’t talk to her like that! You jerk!” Derek turned and snapped, full mama bear mode.
“I was just asking.”
“That’s what you call ‘just asking’? You were grilling her. With your voice like that? Come on.”
“You’re being loud. Move aside for a bit.”
“Ack! Leggo of me! I said! Let go!”
Derek flailed like a fish as Yoan hauled him off. Kid never stood a chance.
Then Yoan turned back to me and gave me a slow once-over. His brows pinched together.
“You look awful.”
“Was careless.”
Just thinking about Valdes made my blood boil again. That creep used me and just ran off?
Just wait till I get my hands on you…
“Don’t trust people so easily.”
“Not even you?”
“Only me.”
“You can trust me too, sis!” Derek interjected. “I’m on your side!”
“No. Only me.”
“Oh this is how you’re gonna play?”
Yoan ignored him. “I’ll get the full story once we’re back.”
With that, he turned and crouched down.
He was offering me a piggyback.
I wasn’t actually injured—just low on energy—but... I kind of wanted to be spoiled. Just for a little bit.
So I climbed on, wrapped my arms around his neck, and rested my cheek on his shoulder. Broad and steady.
Thanks to the two of them, I made it back safely—wounds, trauma, and all.
“Sasha, you little—! Ugh, I swear I’m gonna—! Gahh…”
"Haha! Well I’ll be. Look who came struttin’ back, all three runaway pups in one piece!"
Amidst the warm welcome, I held up two fingers in a V for victory.
“What exactly do you think you won?”
“Hey, old man! Back off!”
Rob raised a fist, but Derek jumped in front of me like a fierce little knight.
Either way, I was home. Safe.
Now all that remained was my private chat with Yoan. Joy.