Chapter 7 – Isolation
Wu Fan did not go deep into the Hive.
He stood at the entrance of the third underground level, staring into the long, dark corridor. The mechanical female voice echoed its welcome again and again, cold and emotionless.
Then he turned around.
The metal door slowly closed behind him, the red Umbrella logo flashing once before disappearing into darkness.
Not now.
There was no time to explore.
People were still outside.
People who would die if he delayed even a little.
He rushed back to the surface.
The moment he reached the first floor, a harsh metallic sound rang out.
RUMBLE—
The rolling shutter door slammed down like a steel waterfall, shaking the entire building.
Then came the sound.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Countless fists hammered against the metal from outside.
Wu Fan moved quickly to the observation window.
Outside—
A gray tide.
Dozens… then hundreds… of Walkers pressed against the shutter. Their faces distorted, mouths opening and closing, teeth scraping metal with unbearable noise.
But the door held.
Three centimeters of reinforced steel.
Solid.
Unbreakable—at least for now.
Wu Fan exhaled slowly.
Safe.
For the moment.
Inside the lobby, a group of survivors had already gathered.
Eleven people.
Some sitting on the floor.
Some leaning against walls, gasping.
Some crying silently.
All of them covered in sweat, dirt, and blood.
But no obvious bite marks.
Researchers in white coats moved between them, trying to assess injuries.
Then a voice cut through the chaos.
"Who is in charge here?"
Everyone turned.
Wu Fan stepped forward.
"I am."
An old man in a lab coat walked out.
Gray hair. Glasses. Exhausted eyes, but still sharp.
"I'm Dr. Jenner."
"Wu Fan. Atlanta Police Department."
No greetings. No hesitation.
Wu Fan immediately pointed at the survivors.
"Prepare twelve isolation rooms. Take blood samples. Observe them."
The room exploded.
"What?!"
"You have no right!"
"Who are you to lock us up?!"
A bald man stormed forward.
"Try me," he snapped, reaching out—
Click.
A gun pressed against his forehead.
Silence.
Wu Fan's voice was calm.
"Anyone who wants to argue about rights can go argue with God."
Only the sound of the pounding outside remained.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Like a heartbeat.
Dr. Jenner raised his hands quickly.
"Don't shoot inside the facility! We have samples here—this place cannot be damaged!"
"Then move," Wu Fan said.
"Now."
Second floor.
Twelve isolation rooms.
Simple. Clean. Clinical.
Each one with a bed, sink, and toilet.
One by one, the survivors were guided inside.
Amy paused at her door.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Wu Fan gave a small nod.
Nothing more.
One by one, the doors closed.
Only two people remained outside.
The bald man stared at Wu Fan with hatred.
The other—a thin man in glasses—shook uncontrollably, eyes filled with panic.
"I wasn't bitten! I swear I wasn't!" he blurted. "Please—don't lock me in!"
Wu Fan frowned slightly.
Too afraid.
Too desperate.
That was not normal.
"Go in," Wu Fan said.
The man hesitated… then obeyed.
Clang.
The door locked.
Dr. Jenner handed over a folder.
"These are their records. And now… you need isolation too."
Wu Fan looked up.
"Me?"
"It's protocol," Jenner said. "Anyone entering from outside must be observed."
Wu Fan reached into his pocket.
And pulled out the ID card.
White background.
Red umbrella logo.
Dr. Jenner looked at it.
Confused.
"What is this supposed to be?"
"Umbrella Corporation," Wu Fan said.
Silence.
Then Jenner laughed.
Not because it was funny.
But because it sounded absurd.
"A corporation? Here? In a CDC facility?"
He shook his head.
"Kid, I don't know what fantasy you're living in, but this is reality. The CDC is a government facility."
Wu Fan didn't argue.
He simply put the card away.
"Fine," he said.
"But answer me one thing."
"Go ahead."
"What about the thousands of Walkers outside?"
Jenner paused.
"They can't get in. The building is secure. We have power, food, water. We can hold out for a month."
"And after a month?"
Jenner didn't answer.
He turned and walked away.
Wu Fan stood alone in the hallway.
Behind him—
Locked doors.
Silent rooms.
Behind those doors, uncertain people waiting to be judged by time.
Ahead—
A building that claimed to be safe.
But would not be safe forever.
Wu Fan looked toward the shuttered entrance below.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The sound never stopped.
"Only a month…" he muttered.
Then his eyes sharpened slightly.
Good.
A month was enough time to prepare.