Chapter 8: The Mysterious Room on the Third Underground Floor
The next day.
Wu Fan was awakened by a commotion.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for two seconds before remembering where he was—the isolation room on the second floor of the CDC.
The banging on the rolling shutter outside continued, but it was lighter than yesterday.
Did those things get tired too? Or had they moved on to a different target?
It didn't matter.
The noise was coming from the end of the hallway.
Wu Fan rolled out of bed and walked to the observation window.
Several researchers in white coats hurried past, notebooks in hand. Their expressions were strange—not fear, but excitement.
He had seen that look before. It was the same expression detectives wore when they stumbled onto a major case.
Frowning, he followed the direction of the commotion.
The last isolation room.
The middle-aged man with glasses.
Through the observation glass, Wu Fan saw him convulsing violently on the bed.
His face had turned a deep purplish-black. Dark blood foam spilled from his mouth, soaking the sheets.
His body shook uncontrollably. His eyes slowly rolled back until they became a dead, gray-white.
Wu Fan's expression darkened.
Early infection symptoms.
Outside the room, Dr. Jenner and several researchers were already observing through the window, recording notes rapidly.
"Body temperature rising faster than expected."
"Vomiting blood confirmed. Internal organ damage suspected."
"Ocular clouding in under ten minutes…"
Wu Fan pushed open the door and stepped into the hallway.
No one stopped him.
Everyone's attention was fixed on the isolation room.
Inside, the man stopped moving.
Then—
He sat up.
Slowly.
Mechanically.
His head turned toward the window.
A low, raspy sound escaped his throat.
"Hrrr…"
"Aggressive behavior confirmed," a researcher said quietly. "Transformation complete in eight minutes."
The man slammed into the door again and again, teeth clicking against the glass.
But the researchers did not retreat.
Instead, they stepped closer.
"Preserve the sample," Dr. Jenner said calmly. "Designation ATL-001. Record all data."
Wu Fan's eyes narrowed.
They weren't afraid.
They were studying it.
"Project Wildfire… the direction was wrong after all," an old professor muttered.
"We are the ones who caused this disaster," another said quietly.
"We must develop a vaccine," a third said firmly. "We have to fix this."
Wu Fan stood silently, absorbing every word.
So there was a project behind all this.
And they knew more than they were saying.
But now was not the time.
Three days passed.
The banging outside the building had faded into the background. The walkers still remained—but they were no longer focused.
They drifted like shadows around the CDC.
On the third day, Dr. Jenner opened the isolation rooms.
Eleven people had entered.
Seven came out.
Amy's room stayed closed.
Wu Fan stepped forward.
"What about her?"
Dr. Jenner did not answer.
He stepped aside.
Inside the room, Amy pressed against the glass.
Her blonde hair was matted. Her blue eyes had turned gray-white.
Her mouth opened and closed, filled with broken teeth and dark blood.
She was gone.
Wu Fan stared at her for a long moment.
Then he exhaled.
"She turned during the night," one survivor said quietly. "If not for the isolation… we would've all died."
The group nodded.
"We were wrong," another said.
Wu Fan didn't respond.
"Remember this rule," he finally said. "Anyone coming from outside must be isolated for three days. No exceptions."
The survivors agreed.
Dr. Jenner tried to lighten the mood. "Good to know you're not infected."
Wu Fan glanced at him. "That joke isn't funny, Edwin."
Candice Jenner introduced herself shortly after, and for a moment, the hallway felt almost normal again.
Almost.
Then Wu Fan spoke.
"The basement."
The group hesitated.
"There's nothing down there except utilities," Jenner said. "We've worked here for years."
"Then let's check again."
A minute later, they stood on the third underground level.
Pipes. Concrete. Dim light.
Nothing unusual.
Until Wu Fan stepped forward.
He pulled out the ID card.
Swiped it.
Beep.
A wall shifted.
Metal slid apart.
A hidden door appeared.
Ten centimeters of reinforced steel.
And on it—
A red and white umbrella.
Silence fell instantly.
Jenner staggered back. Candice covered her mouth. The professors froze.
"This… this can't be…" Jenner whispered.
Wu Fan stepped forward.
"Welcome to Umbrella Corporation," he said calmly.
The door slowly opened.
A dark corridor stretched ahead, lights flickering on one by one.
At the far end—
Another door.
Marked with the same umbrella symbol.
Waiting.