Chapter 13 Request
Inside the armored vehicle, the engine's deep roar was blocked by thick armor, leaving only a dull hum.
Andrea held her sister Amy's hand tightly, feeling the sweat in her palm.
They sat on a metal bench facing five fully armed soldiers. Black combat uniforms, bulletproof vests, helmets, and M4 rifles pointed downward but ready at any moment.
Andrea suddenly felt regret.
She had acted too impulsively.
What if this was a trap?
The female soldier opposite her noticed her tension and removed her helmet.
She was in her early thirties, with short dark brown hair and a calm, disciplined expression.
"Relax," she said. "Everyone feels like this the first time. I'm Sandra."
Andrea forced a smile. "I'm Andrea. This is my sister, Amy."
Amy gave a small nod.
"Are you sisters?" Sandra asked.
"Yes," Andrea replied.
Sandra leaned back slightly. "I joined a week ago."
"A week ago?" Amy asked in surprise.
Sandra nodded. "National Guard. Retired. When the outbreak started, I was at home. I hid for three days before meeting the boss."
"Boss?" Andrea repeated.
"The one who brought you in—Wu Fan."
Andrea hesitated. "Does the base really exist? The CDC? The vaccine research?"
Sandra nodded seriously. "It's real. Researchers, labs, everything. I've seen them dissect Walkers myself."
Andrea and Amy exchanged a look.
"And there are hot showers," Sandra added casually.
Amy's eyes widened. "Hot showers?"
"Ten minutes a day," Sandra said.
Amy whispered excitedly, "Sis, we made the right choice."
Andrea still looked cautious, but less tense.
Half an hour later, the vehicle slowed.
"We've arrived," Sandra said.
They stepped out.
The CDC building stood ahead—gray, reinforced, surrounded by barbed wire.
"It really is the CDC…" Amy whispered.
Wu Fan approached. "Before you enter, there's one rule. Everyone must undergo a three-day quarantine."
Amy tensed. "Blood test?"
"Small sample," Wu Fan said. "For infection detection."
Andrea nodded slowly. "Understood."
Researchers led them inside.
"Boss."
Dr. Abraham Green approached quickly, looking anxious.
"My daughter… she studied at the University of Georgia. I haven't been able to contact her since the outbreak."
He lowered his head. "If she's alive… I want you to help find her."
Wu Fan stayed silent.
The university was far away. Dangerous. Manpower was limited.
But Abraham's eyes were full of hope.
"I understand if it's impossible," Abraham added. "Just… if she's gone, I need to know I tried."
Wu Fan patted his shoulder. "I'll think of something."
Later, Wu Fan opened the system panel.
Current Points: 3520
Required for next Hive level: 5000
Still not enough.
He turned and left.
Ten minutes later, the armored vehicle rolled out again.
Only three people this time: Wu Fan, Sandra, and Marcus.
"We're going to clear a large group of Walkers," Wu Fan said.
The vehicle moved through ruined streets.
Sandra lay on the roof with a sniper rifle.
"This is boring," she muttered.
"Then go back and drink later," Wu Fan replied.
Marcus gripped the wheel tightly.
Suddenly—
"Boss, there's someone ahead!"
Two figures stood by an overturned SUV.
A middle-aged man and a thin boy waved desperately.
"Stop," Wu Fan said.
The armored vehicle came to a halt.
Sandra jumped out first, weapon raised.
"Hands up!"
The man immediately obeyed. The boy followed, terrified.
"We're alive!" the man shouted. "We haven't been bitten!"
Wu Fan stepped forward, studying them in silence.
A father and son—dirty, exhausted, but uninfected.
The world outside was getting bigger again.
And so were the choices.