Chapter 15: The Bite
Professor Ilham's laboratory had survived longer than anyone expected.
Hidden behind reinforced walls and old military fencing, it stood like one of the last safe places left in a broken world.
Inside the lab—
lights still worked.
Equipment still functioned.
Hope still existed.
For now.
Professor Ilham adjusted his glasses as he examined the sealed container carefully.
"Are these the last samples?"
Myra nodded.
"Yes."
"Akra leaves and Fingerroot. From Akra Hill."
Professor Ilham didn't speak immediately.
Instead—
he opened the container slowly.
Respectfully.
Like he was holding something sacred.
"This might change everything," he whispered.
Farid crossed his arms.
"Can it cure the infection?"
Professor Ilham shook his head.
"No."
Everyone froze.
"But it might help the body resist it."
He looked at Adam.
"Maybe."
The word stayed in the air longer than anyone expected.
Maybe.
Not certainty.
Not promise.
Just possibility.
Adam noticed it.
But he didn't say anything.
Professor Ilham continued working through the night.
Grinding the dried Akra leaves.
Separating compounds.
Mixing diluted Fingerroot extract.
Running reaction tests.
Watching the results carefully.
Then—
something changed.
"Myra."
His voice sounded different now.
"Come here."
She moved closer immediately.
"What is it?"
He pointed at the monitor.
"The reaction rate."
Myra leaned forward.
Her eyes widened.
"It's accelerating."
Professor Ilham nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"But not stabilizing."
"What does that mean?" Malik asked.
Professor Ilham answered quietly.
"It means this compound is powerful."
He paused.
"Too powerful."
Suddenly—
an alarm sounded.
Short.
Sharp.
Unexpected.
Everyone looked up.
Farid moved first.
"That's the outer gate alarm."
Zul rushed to the monitor panel.
"They're here."
"How many?" Diana asked.
Zul swallowed.
"Too many."
Outside the laboratory compound—
figures were already climbing the fence.
Falling.
Standing again.
Running.
Breaking forward.
Infected.
Dozens of them.
Maybe more.
"They followed us," Raj said quietly.
Lyana shook her head.
"No."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"They followed the noise."
The first impact hit the outer gate.
Metal screamed.
The second impact bent the frame.
The third impact broke the lock.
"They're inside!" Malik shouted.
"Everyone move!"
Farid grabbed his weapon.
Zul secured the corridor entrance.
Diana helped Lyana move medical supplies.
Raj blocked the side access door.
Myra turned toward Professor Ilham.
"We have to go!"
But Professor Ilham didn't move.
Not yet.
"I need one more minute."
"No," Farid said immediately.
"We don't have one minute."
Glass shattered somewhere behind them.
The infected were already inside the outer hallway.
Too fast.
Too close.
Professor Ilham finally removed the sample tray from the analyzer.
He sealed it carefully.
Then handed it to Myra.
"Protect this."
Before she could answer—
an infected burst through the laboratory door behind him.
Too sudden.
Too close.
Too late.
Professor Ilham turned—
but not fast enough.
The infected grabbed him.
Bit his shoulder.
Hard.
"PROFESSOR!" Diana screamed.
Farid fired immediately.
The infected dropped.
But the damage was already done.
Professor Ilham collapsed against the table.
Blood spreading quickly across his sleeve.
He looked at Myra.
Then at Adam.
Then at the sample container in her hands.
"Don't waste this," he whispered.
Another infected rushed forward from the broken corridor.
Heading straight toward Myra.
Too close to stop.
Too fast to avoid.
Adam moved without thinking.
He stepped between them.
Blocked the attack.
Pushed the infected back.
But not before—
its teeth sank into his arm.
Everything stopped.
For one second.
One terrible second.
Farid fired again.
The infected fell.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Impossible.
Unreal.
Myra stared at Adam's arm.
"No…"
Diana stepped backward slowly.
Malik couldn't speak.
Zul lowered his weapon.
Lyana covered her mouth.
Raj froze completely.
Professor Ilham watched Adam carefully.
Even as his strength faded.
Even as his breathing slowed.
Even as the infection spread through his own body.
He whispered one last sentence.
"Maybe…"
Then he smiled weakly.
"…you were the reason."
His hand dropped.
And Professor Ilham stopped breathing.
Outside the laboratory—
more infected were already breaking through the final corridor door.
Inside the lab—
Adam stood still.
Blood running slowly down his arm.
And somewhere deep inside his body—
something had already begun to change. 🧬