Zone 10: Project Genesis
Chapter 6
Shadow's POV, Ops center, Fort Beate, 9:15pm.
This world. It's cold. Cold and unfair.
As I sat in the back of the ops center listening to the voices of all the officers and techs through the door, I kept my head down, and in deep thought I questioned to myself.
"Why did I survive Zone 10? Why did Kid die? Why is Project 23 so obsessed with me? What did I ever do to him?"
More came to mind as I continued to listen on the comm link Ralph gave me. General Hoffer was moving in soon, and according to the recon teams the infected have not made it to any of the open exits. It makes me wonder what's going on. Normally they wander after there is nothing left to eat. One of them should have gotten out to an emergency exit by now.
As I held my hands together in a focused disposition, I felt my neck spike in pain.
"Ughhhh!" I growled as I pinned my right palm along the skin to feel something wet rest on my palm.
In confusion, I pulled back to look at my hand and see some of that brown goo from before. I had this happen not too long after I was bitten, but why is it back now? I asked myself as I looked up to see Ralph walking in through the door to see me sitting in pain.
"What's wrong?" He asked in concern as I lowered my eyes to reply.
"My neck. It's burning again."
"Again?" Questioned Ralph in confusion as I looked back into his eyes to see him make his way over to my side to see for himself.
Placing his fingers on the surface of my infection, I replied.
"When I first got infected, my neck felt like it was on fire. It took a while for it to go away but now its back."
"What's this shit?" He asked as he pulled away to look at the goo on his fingers.
Shaking my head I replied.
"I don't know. It's another thing that came with this curse. Whenever my neck seems to act up it follows."
"Maybe it's an aloe of some sort." Urged Ralph as I mumbled.
"Doesn't feel like it."
Focusing back on me Ralph asked.
"Do you need anything? Is there something I can do to help?"
Shaking in my seat I replied.
"No. Just let me burn for now. Hopefully it goes away soon."
Ralph seemed to hate letting that happen, but not giving me another word I asked.
"How's that team Hoffer sent to Zone 10 doing?"
Letting his butt rest down on top of the table beside me he replied.
"We're still awaiting their all clear. Place must be pretty big if their taking this long."
Nodding I replied to him.
"The whole facility put together is no less then massive. It could take a while."
Looking to my side as I stopped talking, Ralph replied.
"Still, shouldn't be too long till I hear from them. If they split up to search the place it shouldn't take them too long, right?"
Looking to the ground, I ignored his question.
"Lieutenant?"
Keeping my head down, I could only feel sadness for that team.
Getting worried, Ralph got up to approach my front. Gently patting my side, I looked back to his eyes as he asked.
"What are you thinking?"
Gulping and letting out a thick cough, I replied.
"Nothing."
As I went to look away, Ralph grew annoyed and hit my chest with his backhand to shout.
"Shadow!?"
Getting up to pin my face into his with force and rage, Ralph widened his eyes not expecting the reaction he just got.
Now standing a few inches over him, Ralph gulped down some fear to stare into my eyes.
His eyes looked deluded. He doesn't yet understand how bad this is and how bad it's going to get. Gently placing my finger on his chest I said in a deepened tone.
"I think no one but me understands how this works."
"How what works?" Wondered Ralph as our eyes locked.
Grabbing the end of my combat vest and black tee, I pulled them down to expose my bite fully to him.
With a darkened glare I replied.
"How "this" works. You and everyone in the world don't see it, but this is more than a simple infection. This isn't something a normal soldier can beat. This isn't something an army can beat."
Ralph stared deeply into me as I paused myself to the burn still generating from my neck.
It went up to my head and with a heavy breath I stared directly back into his eyes.
"Those men are dead. I'm betting my life on it. Go. Go and see for yourself what this infection truly does Ralph. Cause after you experience half of what I have, you'll open your eyes to the truth of this reality. The infection takes all."
Letting my shirt and vest go back in place, I reached next to Ralph to take back my G36C. As it came back into my arms, I tossed it on my back and looked back into his eyes. Ralph stared at me. Such a stare was filled with woo and concern for what I said to him. But after letting out one more grunt of thick pain from my neck, I turned for the door to leave. He remained where he was in deep thought. And inside I knew he was scared.
Ralph's POV, 9:23pm.
Watching as his black quills, torn body, and dark eyes left my sight. I looked down towards the ground to think about what he said. The look in his eyes made my heart skip a beat it was so piercing. Yet...what he right about Kilo?
Inching my way towards the door, I caught a glimpse of the lieutenant exit the tent before watching him vanish into the dark with his quills and black armor. He was broken. I could see it in him. No matter how tough you are I guess it can happen to anyone. And dealing with all this again so soon much be like getting sentenced to death for a crime you didn't commit. But...I wonder...why does he seem so afflicted?
Calmly making my way back over to the comm system where my fellow officer waited, he asked as I approached.
"Something wrong?"
Looking into his eyes I replied.
"I think so."
Looking at me in confusion, the officer watched as I went to comm.
"Kilo 1-9, this is command over?"
The officer next to me stared on in concern as I got silence from their end.
Feeling the truth behind Shadow's words, I tried again to attempt to question the fate.
"Kilo 1-9, this is command. Captain Benning? Are you there?"
With more silence the officer began to worry as I gave it one last chance.
"Anyone from Kilo 1-9, this is command. If your there please report in. Benning? Victor? Grim? Anyone?"
The static was the only thing left among us as I put down the comm and lowered my eyes to close on themselves. As I now knew the truth the officer next to me asked.
"What's wrong? Why aren't they responding?"
Slowly lifting myself off the table I replied in sadness.
"Their gone."
In utter confusion the officer questioned.
"What the hell do mean their gone?"
Looking into his eyes I replied.
"Their dead."
His face looked so lost as he questioned again.
"What the hell are you talking about?! Their special forces for fucks sake Ralph! They can't be dead!"
Remaining calm I replied.
"Then you keep trying to raise them if you'd like. I'm going to go inform the General."
Making my way apart from his side, the officer stared at me in complete confusion as I walked out the door to look around.
The lieutenant was nowhere in sight.
"Ahhhh." Letting out a small sigh, I went for my comm.
"General Hoffer, this Ralph. Come in sir."
Making my way towards the airfield, I got back.
"Ralph what is it? I got a whole fucking mess down here at the HQ to deal with."
Looking towards the helicopters I replied.
"I'm sorry sir, but we have a problem."
Nearing the open hatch to one of the birds, I got in as he asked.
"What is it?"
Getting my body on the edge to face the moon I replied in a confused but sad tone.
"Kilo 1-9 is gone sir. We lost all contact with the team."
General Hoffer had clearly gone silent as he soon asked after his pause of speech.
"When was the last contact you had with them?"
Looking to my watch I replied.
"It's been over an hour since I last got word from Captain Benning. They were just heading through to Zone 10 at that point."
As the nighttime breeze brushed over my quills he replied.
"That base is huge Ralph. If their altogether, it will take some time for them to secure it and if their on the planet there may be some comm issues from them to us. Give them time. If there is an issue, Captain Benning will report back once he determines the base clear and he gets his guys back to earth."
In confusion I replied.
"The lieutenant thinks differently."
Hearing his clear sigh the General stated.
"Shadow has his concerns I understand. But Captain Benning is the leader of one of the best Special Forces teams in the R.R.T.S. He knows what to do. Shadow just needs time to relax and clear his head. And inform him when you have the chance that I have a team assigned to find that doctor friend of his."
"Yes sir." I replied in a lowered tone as he then said to me.
"My teams move in to secure the HQ in two. It shouldn't take too long for us to handle everyone inside. I'll radio you when I'm heading back."
I kept quiet in deep thought as General Hoffer muttered.
"Ralph?"
"Yes sir. I'm going to go find the lieutenant now."
"Alright. Report in if you hear from Kilo. Hoffer out."
Letting my comm go as I slowly refocused back on the night filled sky, I listened to the sounds of the night as I heard from behind me.
"You my wing man?"
Upon looking back I found that pilot from the air-pad standing on the other end of the chopper looking directly at me.
"Ahhh...no. I'm sorry. I was just out here thinking is all."
Nodding the hedgehog replied.
"It's okay. Little hectic the days been huh?"
Nodding back, I watched as he flicked on the overhead lights in the crew's hatch we were in.
His white quills still looked like a mess, but with the time he had to relax from not being killed he managed to expose some of the black streaks underneath.
"Yeah." The guy noticed my position and in confusion took a seat to say.
"Names Clark. Clark Brody."
"Ralph." I replied as he nodded and said.
"You're a pretty good shot Ralph. Back at the pad you held your own."
Giving off a quick chuckle I replied.
"That's cause I had three others shooting next to me. I wasn't the only hero there Clark."
Nodding Clark questioned.
"Yeah, but you were the only one hitting each round in your clip. I missed almost half my mag on two of them, but I'm a pilot. Not much of a rifleman to say the least."
Looking over into his eyes, I continued to listen as he then asked.
"What squad you in?"
Shaking my head I replied to him.
"I'm not in one. I'm General Hoffer's personal bodyguard."
Looking impressed slightly Clark questioned.
"Shouldn't you be back at the HQ with him then?"
As I went to answer we heard from the front of the chopper.
"He should be."
Both Clark and I looked to the way the voice came to watch as that other guy from the pad came out from the dark to say.
"Yet I hear Hoffer ordered you to watch Kilo and their Zone 10 op. That right?"
I had seen this guy a few times before, but enough to know he's a smart one. Guess that explains why he survived that battle and his whole team died.
Nodding as Clark smiled sightly he asked.
"What you doing here Striker?"
Hopping in to take a seat across from Clark, Striker replied.
"I could ask the two of you the same thing. This a date or something?"
Immediately laughing Clark replied.
"Nah. I was just getting ready to go check in for the night when I saw Ralph here looking off into the night like a wet cat in my chopper."
With both eyes now on me as I continued to think about Kilo squad, Striker asked.
"So what's the problem Ralph? Something on your mind?"
Nodding I replied.
"It's the lieutenant."
"That freak from Delta 8-0?" He Questioned as I quickly replied.
"He's not a freak."
Giving me a quick smirk Striker replied.
"Could have fooled me man. Guy can fucking heal himself almost instantly. And his eyes are sketchy. Didn't you see the yellow spots mixed in his crimson?"
Going silent Clark then asked.
"And wasn't he bit by one of those crazies too? I wouldn't let him nowhere near me in fear he would take my head off when I had my back turned."
Shaking my head I replied in an annoyed tone.
"He's not like that. He's infected but stable. You heard him Striker. He was cured before he could turn."
Nodding Striker then said.
"Yeah, but cured or not he's still infected. My whole team was killed in no less than five minutes because of that shit and stable or not I don't trust him."
On the defense for him I replied.
"His whole team died too man. They were like family. Almost three years together. They went through tours in Afghanistan and Pakistan just to get wiped out alone on a strange planet by those things that killed your team and many others."
Striker went silent as I went on.
"He's hurting. And don't you think he knows your thinking of him like this? I'm sure he out of everyone in the world right now wishes he was dead. The infection isn't something he can just ignore. I mean look at him when you get the chance Striker. He's broken. Lost. He knows he's a freak and he knows he'll never be treated the same when people find out the truth. He's never going to be the same again, but he's still a marine. He's still a brother and both of you should treat him like one. Infected or not that's part of the oath we all took joining in this corps. Brotherhood. Through thick and thin. Right?"
Clark nodded as Striker soon did the same but to question.
"Isn't he spec ops though? It's hard to believe his team got clapped by those walkers back at the HQ."
Shaking my head I replied.
"It wasn't just them."
"What do you mean?" Wondered Clark as I looked to him to reply.
"There's a source to all this shit according to the lieutenant."
Nodding Striker replied in a curious tone.
"That Project 23 shit he mentioned?"
Giving him a straight look I replied.
"Yeah. He's the reason his whole team was killed. They went in blind according to him and they didn't see it coming till it was too late."
"So how did he survive?" Asked Clark with a need to know as I shook my head.
"I don't know the whole story. All I know is he came back a different person. And Project is looking for him."
Both Clark and Striker stared at me in concern as I looked back out the crew hatch and up towards the moon.
Seconds began to pass without a word, but as I shut my eyes to the breeze Striker asked.
"So what about Kilo?"
Gently looking back towards the two men I replied.
"I think their dead."
Both Striker and Clark widened eyes towards my response and in no less then a second Clark questioned.
"Dead?"
Nodding once I replied.
"Yeah, dead."
"How?" Wondered Striker as I shrugged my shoulders to reply.
"I don't know for sure. It's just what the lieutenant said that has my mind confused."
"What did he say?" Wondered Clark as I calmly replied to them both.
"That the infection takes all."
Neither of them and somewhere in me didn't understand that statement, but no one had a word to respond with as water came splashing down from the sky.
Our eyes all glided around the area. The rain came from a single cloud. One that was slowly coming from the north. The moon would soon be overtaken come ten minutes. I knew it was a sign of bad luck to come.
Quickly getting up from the chopper I urged the pair of them.
"You two should go get some rest. I'll keep trying to check in with Kilo for now."
"And what if they really are gone?" Wondered Clark as I looked to him to reply.
"Then we have another big problem to deal with."
Both Striker and Clark watched as I began my walk back towards the ops center. Slowly breaking through the cold rain, I stopped in the doorway to look up into the sky. The water landed on my face like an angel's tears from heaven. I swear I could feel something bad to come. Maybe it was Project. Or Maybe it was something else.
Shadow's POV, Officer's quarters, 9:35pm.
"Aughh! Aughkk!"
Blood landed in the small sink as I looked up into the mirror to see it slowly dripping out from mouth.
My eyes locked. The thin yellow orbs mixing with my original crimson eyes were now getting larger and more profound. It was as if they were soon going to wash away all of who I once was and the infection inside me was getting deeper into my DNA. Was I turning? Did the cure not work on me ether like it didn't with Kid? Was this my last few moments alive on this world? Would Project find me at last to see he was too late to claim my soul? Or what's left of it?
Looking back down towards my hands I noticed they were growing colder by the second. The blood in my veins were freezing like ice. I could feel them growing heavier by the moment.
Gently bringing my right hand up to my neck, I lifted down my shirt and vest again to stare at the disfigured infection. The skin was turning black. That could mean two things. One, my quills are growing back. Or two, my muscles were turning. Same as they did Reaper and all the infected friends I once had before.
With the pain growing, my skin getting colder, and my blood still dripping from out my mouth, I decided the only thing left to do was finish what I started back on Zone 10.
Slowly walking backwards from the mirror, I made contact with the wall to begin to lower my body down to the ground under me.
"Sniff!" Sniffing up my feelings and any form of good decision making I had left, I reached down towards my holster to grab onto the grip of Cruz's M1911.
If I was going to turn, then I would be sure the infection couldn't hurt anyone else I cared about.
Checking the chamber to see the loaded round, I widened my eyes slightly to see a drop of my blood land on the frame of the barrel.
It was thick. Thick and dark red. Just like the infected. I was a monster. And no normal one. I was going to turn. But not into a walking zombie, but David Chester. The color of my eyes alone told me that. And I won't let that happen.
Looking up towards the mirror I stared at myself from across the bathroom as I slowly began to drag the weapon onto my lap.
With each passing second I felt more and pain. More and more of myself leaving me. It was only a matter of time I suppose. The infection does take all.
Forcing the gun up my body and to the point where I felt the barrel touch under my chin, I began to breathe heavily as I continued to watch myself in the mirror above.
Placing my finger in the trigger guard, I shook to the action and lifted up my head for the better shot at which would be the one to kill me and this curse in it's tracks.
With the cold steel fully pressed to my skin, I slowly forced my eyes closed and took my last breath. But even with the pressure of the infection and the pain I felt for my own condition and need to die, I opened them to look right back at myself in the mirror to hear from my past.
Flashback, Sewers, Zone 10.
"You do me a favor?"
Giving my eyes a gentle tone, I listened as he asked.
"You make it out of here, go tell my wife and baby girl I love them all right?"
I stared deeply at Cruz as he let out a sad loss of hope for himself.
"Tell them I did all I could here, and that I'm sorry."
Cruz slowly shut his eyes and as I continued to stare I noticed a tear leave his face.
In seconds I moved my hand to his.
Cruz didn't fight it as I grasped it tightly.
"We'll both get out here. You, me and Kid. We're going home sir." I stated as he showed a slight smile to the statement.
"You always knew how to make me smile at times like this Shadow. You know that?" He wondered as I released his hand to roll onto my front.
"It's all I got left now Cap."
"What? Making me smile?" He questioned as he got up slowly.
As we both rose back to our feet I replied.
"No. Hope."
End of flashback.
With lowered eyes and a sadness cutting deeper than any blade, I lowered the gun down to my lap to look back into the mirror.
I can't do it. I still have two things left. Somewhere his family needed to know. And even further lost in me was hope. Yet I don't know what for. Maybe part of me was just clinging to it for my Captain's sake. Or maybe I'm just a fucking crazy fool who doesn't know if it's truly time yet to pull the trigger.
As the yellow in my eyes became clear to me like the coldness of this fate, I panicked as the lights went out.
Gripping on tight to my gun, I looked up towards the ceiling as the emergency power came on exposing the faint red light built into the foundation.
Quickly looking left to right to make sure Project wasn't the cause of this, I tried my best to also relax and lower my heart rate. After some time alone in the feeble dark lights, I managed to get back on my feet to head back into the main room to find my door still shut tight.
"Ahhhh." Letting my fear out into the air, I placed my weapon back in it's holster to head out into the hall to find it still empty.
Dragging myself through the halls felt just like they did at Zone 10. Dark, weary, confusing. No one making a sound but your own feet.
Through the thick of it though, I found myself soon back at the entrance to the barracks to find it raining outside really badly. The sheer force of the drops hitting the roof could be heard, and as the sky began to light up from bolts of thunder and lightening, I widened my eyes to see the bright white light expose a directly clear image of someone down the hall behind me staring at me. And I knew who it was, but the second I turned she was gone.
"Maria!?" I said out loud as I heard from off in the distance what sounded like laughter.
In utter confusion I began to move my legs towards the end of the hall to find each way empty with no signs of people anywhere.
With each passing second my head thumped louder and louder from the infection and as I placed my hand on the top of my skull I heard.
"Shadow."
From behind me.
"Ugahhh!" I shouted in fear as I turned to see no one there.
"Where are you!?" I asked in anger as I heard.
"Down here Shadow. Come find me."
With my brain nearly bursting from within my head, I obeyed with lack of concern for myself to head further off into the darkness.
As I took my paces, ever part of my mind was hoping she was alive. She had to be. I need her to be.
"Maria!?" I shouted in loss of where she went.
"Further Shadow. Come on. I'm down here."
Her voice sounded like it was coming from my own mind, but at the same time it projected itself down the hall towards the other sector of officer quarters.
With the sound of rain leaving my ears and the thunder in the distance, I neared another end to find it only going to the right. At the end was a set of room. Every door was closed...but one.
"Maria?" I muttered to myself as I heard.
"In here Shadow."
With my body taking me forward I asked.
"Are you okay? How did you get out of the ARK?"
Getting no response I said to her.
"Project is alive Maria. He's alive and he's trying to kill me."
As I came closer to the door, I heard.
"It's okay. Come in and see me Shadow. I wana talk to you."
I lost all control of my mind and in an instant I pushed through the door to see nothing but the pitch black.
Standing with my eyes wide in confusion and concern for my first and only love, I lifted up my ears as the door behind me shut.
Hearing nothing but silence I whispered into the dark.
"Maria?"
With my body tense and my neck boiling from the infection, I stared straight as her beautiful face made itself known in front of me no less than a few feet away.
With a smile beaming across my face I began to cry in happiness and disbelief that she was alive.
"Maria?" I asked in complete shock as she gave me nothing but an empty expression and a soulless stare.
Growing cold around me, I uttered.
"Maria? Are you...!"
As I went to finish, I was cut off directly as her eyes went white and her expressionless face began to smile. Fear overcame me faster than it ever had before as she took a step forward forcing me back into the door frame.
Going for my sidearm, I lifted it up to get caught by her teeth dragging into my already bitten neck. She hit it exactly. As if someone had put a bulls eye on the previous chunk taken out of me.
With wide open eyes and utter shock, I dropped the gun to lower slowly down onto the floor below. Maria continued to enjoy me as I passed out feeling no pain.
Ralph's POV, Ops center, 9:45pm.
As I said. Bad luck. With the power out only half the equipment works and we're now completely cut off from Kilo 1-9 and Zone 10.
With everyone trying their best to get a line for me and my fellow officer partner in crime, I looked to him as he remained next to me in his seat to say.
"I'm going to head out there and see what snapped. Maybe I can fix it somehow and get this power problem resolved."
Nodding he asked.
"You want me to send a few guys with you?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"No, I'll be fine. Just a lot of rain. I'll radio in when I find the issue."
Nodding, the officer waved me off as I went out into the rain.
The base around me was pitch black, and inside some of the barracks were only the emergency lights.
As I began the walk towards the power lines near the back of the base, I had to pass by the officer quarters where I stopped to look through the glass door leading inside. The halls were completely dark. The emergency lights should be on at least, unless the storm just got this part of the base real bad.
Gently turning back for the power lines, I found the control box was knocked open from the wind. The force must have disrupted a circuit.
"Great." I mumbled to myself as I approached the pole.
Upon looking up I took hold of the ladder and began the climb up to the box. Thunder was going off around me and I swear if it was any closer it could strike me.
In time I reached the top where I found out I was right. A couple of the breakers had been forced off from the power of the wind and one of them was on the verge of breaking off the switch.
Getting the box door to balance on my shoulder I muttered to myself while setting the three good switches back.
"Someone needs to put a lock on this box."
Through the rain I could see the lights turning back on, but the officer quarters were still blank due to the breaking switch. Quickly reaching to my side I pulled up my blade to jam it under the bending side and used my other hand to push up. With enough force it went back in place and I was able to watch from here when the lights came back for the barracks.
"Nice and easy." I stated as I shut the box and tried to find a way of keeping it from opening again.
Reaching into my pockets I found a pen and said.
"You'll have to do for now. I'll get a guy out here after the storm."
Forcing the pen inside the small hole where a lock would go, I checked to make sure it wouldn't move after I left. Seeing as it wouldn't budge I nodded to my success and began the way back down the the ground.
My quills were drenched and this rain was freaking cold. Last thing I want is to stay out here any longer.
Landing back on the pavement, I turned to head back.
As I made haste, I glanced back through the door into the barracks to see Shadow heading really fast down a hall to the right from inside. Stopping in confusion of his speed, I made my way for the entrance to open the door and get inside.
Hearing nothing around, I walked towards the hall where he went and looked around the corner to see him gone.
"Lieutenant?" I said out loud in confusion as I took my feet further.
Nearing the end of the hall, I could only guess he was heading back to his room seeing as the only way to go was left and I knew from being here before not too long ago that it led that way.
Turning the last corner I again found him not in sight.
Something was making my back shiver as I slowly paced towards his door.
As I came in front of it I found his knob was covered in blood.
"What the fuck?" I whispered as I grew scared.
Reaching down for my M9 I pulled it up along my chest to reach for the knob.
"Shadow?" I whispered as I began to push it open.
Getting no answer, I widened my eyes as I found him resting on his bed with his right hand across his neck covered in blood, and his rifle on the table with his vest resting on the floor.
"Lieutenant? You okay sir?"
Giving me no sign of response, I kept my gun down to my side fearing he may be hostile.
Very slowly I took a step towards him to hear his breathing was heavy.
Gulping down some of my emotions I got closer to reach for his shoulder.
"Lt?" I mumbled as my hand made contact with his bare shirt.
Shaking slightly to how cold he was, I now stood above him in confusion of what was wrong?
"Shadow? What's wrong?"
With the question leaving my mouth, I watched as he slowly lifted up his eyes to lock with mine.
It didn't take more than a second for me to see the issue.
Staring deeply at me, I stood there with utter loss for words as his eyes...were...?
Yellow.
Putting my gun away almost instantly I asked.
"What happened?"
Looking to his neck, he gently removed his hand to show me his neck was bleeding. It had no open cuts or wounds. It just seemed to be "turning" bloody. If that makes sense. The skin was red and in spots were some mixes of brown and black.
"I'm turning." He stated under his breath as I kept my eyes wide in complete loss for what to say.
Looking back into my eyes he saw my confusion and said to me.
"The infection is getting stronger Ralph. I can't stop it."
"Your...you're going to be okay." I tried to state as he lowered his head back down to reply.
"I'm turning into that beast. The exact demon who's trying to kill me now. I can't control it. It's getting worse and more painful."
"But the cure?" I questioned as he looked back to me.
"I guess it didn't work after all. Just like Kid."
My mind jumped back to the photo of his team and I could picture the face that went with that name. Kid. He was the youngest on the team. The rookie.
Reaching for his side, I widened my eyes further as he pulled up his M1911.
Looking back into my eyes I saw he was crying.
"I don't want to be a monster Ralph!" His voice was shaky with his tears as I watched the gun remain on his lap.
"This shit is too much! It doesn't stop hurting me and I can't do anything about it!"
"You just have to ignore it Shadow." I urged as he shook his head to reply.
"I tried that! It doesn't work! The more and more I fight; the more and more it takes from me! Look! It already took my eyes!" He stated in force as his tears began to run down his cheeks and onto his lap.
My mind knew I couldn't help. But I had to try my best to keep him from hurting himself. He's still alive.
"You're still alive Shadow. It hasn't taken you."
Smiling in sarcasm Shadow asked.
"How long till it does?! How long till I begin to hurt you and the people around me!?"
Going silent, I let him go on.
"I'm already a monster Ralph! Everyone who knows I'm infected will never treat me the same way! To them all I'm just a time bomb waiting to go off!"
"You're not." I stated as he then asked.
"Then what am I!?"
Reaching for his gun I replied.
"You're a brother. A soldier like me and everyone here. Your still one of us, infected or not."
Smiling into my eyes, I took hold of his handgun to feel the presence of his stronger grip along the trigger.
With our eyes locked together he asked calmly.
"Can a soldier do this?"
Pulling the gun away, I widened my eyes in fear as he pressed it into his solid chest.
"NO!" I shouted as he pulled the trigger.
"BANG!"
With his eyes shut, I stood there in shock as he slowly lowered the gun back down to his lap. The barrel was covered with a small splash of his own blood and even more began to ooze down under his shirt as he ordered.
"Look."
Noting the fact he just shot himself in front of me, I hesitated as he was urging me to look under his shirt at the wound.
With shaking hands and tense muscles, I pieced my way to the rim of it and began to pull it up.
Getting towards his wound, I felt only more shock as the bullet came dropping out onto his lap covered in more blood.
Staying in place as his free hand took the round into its palm, I refocused back on his chest to widened my eyes at the hole being sealed from broken skin to skin.
"It doesn't even burn anymore." He stated as I let go of his shirt to look back at him.
His eyes examined the bullet.
"It's just a part of me now. One of the cruel unknowns."
Having not much more to say I questioned.
"Isn't this a good thing?"
Looking back into my eyes with a dead face he asked.
"Will it be a good thing when I turn and come to kill you?"
Even though he didn't mean it as a threat with his tone I saw the truth in it.
"We couldn't kill Project with bullets. We couldn't kill him with gas. We couldn't kill him a fucking bomb. And after it all we killed only ourselves in the end."
Looking back to his gun and gripping it hard. He said with a dark tone.
"But I know one thing that I can do to make sure that never happens again. To make sure it never happens to you kid, and the people you care about."
I knew what he was going to do and in force I replied.
"You're not doing that."
Looking back into my eyes he questioned.
"But it's the only way I can stop all this pain. It's the only way I can save you Ralph. Save you from me."
Shaking my head I replied.
"We can cure you."
Instantly a smile came upon his face and in a laughing way he replied.
"It's too late for that. It's already too deep Ralph. And the only person who knows anything about a cure is either dead or missing."
"We can find her Shadow." I stated as he went silent.
Getting down to his level, I took hold of his shoulder to say in a lowered and calmer tone.
"Hoffer just sent everyone into the HQ, if she's there he promised to bring her back."
Shaking me off him Shadow replied.
"You don't get it!"
My whole body went down as he looked right back into my eyes to say.
"It's over for me. I had my chance to be fixed and it didn't work. Even if she's alive now, do you understand what it would take for her to go back to Zone 10? Especially if there's infected roaming the halls?"
Nodding my head I continued to listen as he went on to say.
"And do you even think for a fucking second that I want to go back to that hell?!"
Shadow's eyes were locked. I felt like a target now as he continued.
"I lost everything on that planet. And I'm not about to go back."
"But there could be something there. Something to help you." I stated in confusion of his stubbornness.
"Nothing can help me Ralph."
Shaking my head in hope I shouted at him in anger for his loss of himself.
"We have to try!"
The lieutenant went silent as I continued to yell at him.
"You can't just give up on yourself! There could be a way to help you and your just too beaten down you won't make the effort!"
I began to notice he was shaking.
"You still have time! You're not dead yet! And I'll be damned if I just let you kill yourself!"
Ripping the gun out of his hand, Shadow immediately looked up at me in rage as I looked over to grab his rifle from off the table. But just as I took the weapon in my hands he took hold of my wrist in all his power getting me to look right into his eyes.
Standing my ground, Shadow nor myself said another word, and after my wrist was bound to break, he released me and I finished wrapping his G36C around my back to head for the door.
"Ralph!"
Stopping in my tracks to look back at him, I watched as he held his combat blade in the palm of his hand.
"Take it." He ordered me as I slowly came back to take it by the handle.
Pulling it away from his grip, I waited as it was clear he had something to say.
Looking back into my eyes one last time he said with a direct approach from his tone.
"I'm sorry."
Nodding very slowly, I backed my way up towards the door to hear.
"I'm sorry if I kill you. Cause one way or the other, I will get you killed. It's inevitable."
The words frightened me. His tone was true. I knew he meant what he was saying, but I just didn't want to believe it.
Opening the door while not letting my eyes off him, I moved carefully out into the hall to let out a deep breath of air.
With sweat starting to run down my forehead, I wiped it clean off with my backhand and tried my hardest to regain some composure. After getting myself together I began to head back outside where the storm was still striking like an iron hammer.
Shadow's POV, 10:04pm.
I gave him his warning. I know he wants what's best right now for me, but I know the truth. I can feel the truth. My neck is clinging to me like a tree does to the earth. The blood coming through my skin was just the start to the process. In time I bet all of my normal blood will be replaced by that demon's David Chester. Thick and dark red. The pain coming with it was no worse then bullet I just gave myself. I could barely feel it, but for some reason I could feel everything else around me. All my feelings being torn away. All of what was Shadow the hedgehog being taken from me. The infection is beating out every last inch of my DNA from my body, and it won't stop. I still have control, but for how long? How long till I'm gone and all that's left is another Project?
Staring at the bloody bullet shell that fell out of my chest. I twirled it in between my fingers till I felt every side it had. This simple invention would have killed a normal person. But it just bounced off me. Same as every bullet did Project.
Deep in my muscles, I could feel that strength I had before on Zone 10 coming back. Along with it was the urge to hurt someone. But I had to try and maintain control over it. God only knows how many I might hurt if I lose it.
Looking to my hands I took note that my skin was getting rougher. Some parts were even peeling off. The next question in my mind was when will my quills begin to fall out? How long till I turn brown and grow into a monster? How much longer to I have left being me?
As the questions rattled around in my head, I slowly managed to push myself back onto my feet. But as I gained control of the ground I lost the same control over my legs.
"Ughh!" I groaned as I fell onto my knees to go numb.
Now unable to move them, I rolled onto my side to feel them both begin to warm up. I don't know if they feel asleep on me while I was with Ralph, but I can bet it's the infection altering them. Making me faster.
After a minute of them going warmer and warmer, I decided to try and move. Each inch felt like razors, but after getting by the agony I managed to get back on them both.
"God damn it!" I mumbled as I attempted to move back for the bathroom.
Barely able to stand, I attached myself to everything around me till I was at the door.
Looking inside, I made my way to the sink to look into the mirror.
Locking onto myself I widened up to see Maria behind me.
Instantly I turned to see she wasn't really there.
"Fuck you!" I yelled to no one other than the infection. It was trying to break me down. It got me once already with her. And if I could I would fucking murder it for even reminding me of her. But it knew it was my weakness. One of the only things that got my attention. It used her to gain my eyes and my legs, but I won't let it gain anything else.
Turning back around to the sink, I went tense in anger as she was now right behind me.
Her mouth covered in my blood from before. And her yellow eyes staring at me.
Keeping my eyes directly on her this time, I asked in rage.
"What do you want!?"
She only remained smiling as I ordered.
"Leave me the hell alone! You're not Maria!"
Instantly her smile turned to a wicked, anger filled expression. One I knew. She was mad.
Taking a step towards the door, I grew colder as she walked back into the room.
Through my own fear and my own rage, I managed to get back to the door to see she was gone. My naked eyes saw nothing as I questioned the area around me.
Limping my way over to the bed, I retook my seat and felt a sharp breeze of cold wind. It made my quills stand on end.
They say a ghost is near you if that happens, but Maria is dead and at peace. It is just the infection playing with me and my body. Maria is dead.
Feeling a lack of control over my torso, I leveled back on the pillow to feel the chill on my right side.
Again I could see anything. It's just my imagination.
Unable to do anything more then move my hands, I looked to my left to find the tin tray still covered in food I failed to eat resting next to me.
In a stumble of my fingers, the food all fell to the floor, but I didn't care. I had to see.
Pulling the tray onto my lap, I leveled the back of it to see my reflection.
The next move would put fear into my heart, but it was already too late to go back.
Moving it to the right, I shut my eyes as I knew it was in position to show her face once more.
I didn't want to know. I didn't want to see her. But I still made myself look.
As my eyes reopened, I felt only a slope of fear as Cruz laid next to me. A bullet was in his head and his face was expressionless with his eyes just watching me. My heart jumped and my body leaped off the side of the bed as I the tray landed next to me.
In severe pain, I kept my eyes shut as I begged the infection.
"Stop! Stop doing this to me!"
Normal POV, 10:07pm.
Leave me alone! Begged the broken hedgehog as he soon began to pass out among his pain and fear for the world around him.
As he became still and lost in sleep, the tray next to him began to shine with multiple images standing above his head. Each just staring blankly at the nearly beaten hero.
Be it his Captain Cruz, or his joker Foley. All eight men and Maria watched from above. Each with death alongside them. The infection was making it's point. It does, and will, take all.
General Hoffer's POV, R.R.T.S headquarters, 10:08pm.
This was worse than I thought. Bodies covered the ground of all my fellow workers who were stationed here who didn't make it out, and so far I lost six more soldiers to a hell that I thought never existed.
Staying in behind all the combat teams who were clearing the rest of the building, I went to comm to try and radio Ralph who I hoped was talking with Kilo squad by now. If we really lost that team, I don't know what to do next.
"Ralph, come in!" I ordered over the gunfire as he soon replied.
"Go ahead sir."
As my men finished off the last infected on this floor, I moved my hand to signal them up to the next level before saying to Ralph.
"We're about done here at the HQ! We have a few more floors to clear then I'll be heading back! How's Kilo!?" I wondered as he soon replied.
Still nothing from them sir.
Going silent to think, I ordered.
"Well keep trying to hail them! I'm going to finish this up as fast as possible so I can get to you!"
After giving the command I was bound to release the comm before he said.
"General Hoffer sir, I'm concerned."
Sensing he had an issue I questioned.
"What concern!?"
With gunfire continuing to go off as I met the teams upstairs, he replied.
"I think the lieutenant is in really bad shape and he's getting worse sir. We need to do something for him."
"We'll what's wrong with him!?" I asked in confusion as I already figured the lieutenant is fucked beyond more than one level. I mean come on. The man is sleep deprived, probably hasn't and can't eat. He's wounded as far as I'm concerned both physically and mentally from the loss of his whole team in a matter of hours. And on top he's infected and god only knows what that may be doing to him.
"He's acting rash. I don't think he can handle much more sir. I already took his weapons away in fear he may hurt himself."
Stopping now in my tracks I questioned.
"Did he try to off himself!?"
Ralph who was clearly concerned replied.
"He wanted too. I don't think he can really do it, but it's getting bad. He's not only experiencing this, but his body is reacting to it. I don't know what's wrong with him sir, but he's not doing good."
Taking a moment to think I ordered.
"We'll for now just keep him away from any firearms, and try your best to make sure he doesn't do anything till I get back!"
"What are you going to do?" He wondered as I looked ahead to see one of the men get taken down my an infected.
Immediately ignoring Ralph I ordered.
"Help him!" The rest of the team soon got the infected up but it was already too late and my boys knew it.
Looking to me, I approached the dying man to say.
"I'm sorry son. BANG!"
Dropping a round in his head, my men continued on as I went back to Ralph.
"I don't know yet. Just keep an eye on him for now."
"Yes sir." Replied Ralph as I added.
"I'll be back soon. Hang in there."
Letting go of my comm link, I took a look around to see all the more bodies being given to god. This was fucking nightmare. And now thinking about it all, I haven't seen the lieutenant's doctor bitch, nor that thing he called Project who's supposed to be here. He could just be lying about him. But after today I don't know if I can call a thing like that a lie. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.
And that is it for this chapter. Sorry for getting this on so late guys. I've been talking with a recruiter and I'm getting ready to join the Army. I hope you will all continue to support me through the process. And at the least drop a review and tell me what you think, and what you expect to happen next. Zone 10 is still going to keep rolling.
mT Shadow.