Chapter 8

On their way, the van broken down by making fuzz sound, "Ishhh". Fred stop the van to repair it. Jane noticed Fred attitude, he doesn't look happy. Jane block his way and asked, "What is it Fred? You have something to say?" 

Fred nodded and said, "Once we get there, I'll be the one to talk to him."

Jane replied, "Whatever. Just make sure he agrees with you."

They loaded everything back into the van, after repairing it, and took off. As Jane drove the van, ten zombies blocked the road, roaming aimlessly. Michael leaned out of the van door and shot each one in the head with perfect precision.

Fred and Harrison stared in disbelief. "Oh my gosh! You're damn good, boy!" Fred exclaimed. He turned to Jane. "Where did you pick him up from?"

Cassandra smirked. "From Helen."

Fred's eyes widened. "You went to Helen?"

Jane nodded. "Yeah, but that place is literal hell."

Cassandra grinned. "But I got a beautiful gift from that hell."

Fred's face turned somber instantly. Cassandra noticed and asked, "What's wrong?"

Fred sighed. "I wish my uncle will be alive. He lived in Helen."

Jane shook her head. "I doubt it. It seems like everyone in that city has turned."

Cassandra placed a comforting hand on Fred's shoulder. "Don't think about it. Here, I've got a gift for you. Take this headband; it'll cheer you up."

Fred examined the headband and frowned. "Cassandra, where did you get this?"

She shrugged. "It's a gift—from a zombie I killed."

Fred's expression darkened. "You mean you took this from a zombie?"

Cassandra nodded casually. "Yep, I took it from a zombie."

Fred clenched his fists and yelled, "Stop the van! Stop it now!"

Jane pulled over and looked at him in concern. "What's wrong with you Fred?"

Fred held up the headband, his voice shaking. "This belonged to my uncle. I gave it to him on his birthday."

Margaret rolled her eyes. "You don't have to pity him. If he's dead, he deserved it. He was a crude man anyways."

Jane glanced at Margaret, surprised. "You knew him?"

Margaret nodded. "Yes, and he wasn't a good person."

Fred's voice broke. "No matter what, he didn't deserve to die."

Margaret sighed. "Fine, mourn him if you must, but we need to move on. Let's get the hell of out here!"

Jane turned to Fred. "Can you still talk to the head of the family, or should I do it?"

Fred took a deep breath. "I'll handle it."

"Fine," Jane said as she drove the van.

When they arrived at the community, Harrison banged on the gate. A voice from inside called out, "Family number?"

"Number 10," Fred replied.

The gate creaked open, but Harrison pointed his gun at the guard and ordered, "Move."

The head of the family came downstairs, startled. "Who are these people? Oh my God! My friends are back! Wait did you get the vaccine?" Enoch turned to his guards, "Let's bring in more zombies to test it! Wait—who are these new faces? Are they part of your vaccine project?"

Fred stepped forward. "We need to talk."

The head of the family frowned. "If you don't have the vaccine, I suggest you leave. Also, how did you even get in here?" He turned to the gatekeeper. "You let strangers in? Goddammit!" He grabbed a guard's gun and shot the gatekeeper.

Jane exploded with anger. "Wait, what the hell is going on here? Is this how you're treating people like animals? Why did you kill him?"

The head of the family sneered. "If I may ask, who are you to talk to me like that?"

Fred intervened. "Enough! Let me handle this." He turned to the head. "We need your cooperation to produce the vaccine. We'll need space for a lab and some equipment. Jane will lead the work. Are you in? Can we count on you?"

The head of the family scowled. "You want to turn my community into an experiment center? You promised to bring a vaccine, not make one here. If you can't deliver, you need to leave."

Fred raised his hands. "Calm down. Let's work together. This will benefit everyone."

After a pause, the head of the family sighed. "Fine. You have three days."

Harrison protested. "Three days? That's too short!"

Fred nodded. "We need at least a week."

"No! Three days, or no deal." Enoch said.

"Come on, you and I known three days won't be enough. Just give us one week please." Fred said to him.

The head of the family considered, then said, "Alright, one week. If you don't deliver, you're out."

Fred extended his hand. "Deal."

The head of the family grunted. "Welcome to my villa. You'll get a place to stay, but remember—one week."

Fred nodded, and Jane look at Fred and said, "We can't trust this man."

"We have no choice Jane, and look around, here is saver than that outside!"

As they were having this conversation, one of the guards came to meet them and said, the head of the family asked him to take them to where they will be staying and they followed him. 

The next day, Fred, Margaret, Harrison, Michael, and Cassandra gathered to brainstorm. Fred began, "We've got one week to produce the vaccine. Any ideas?"

Michael raised his hand. "I know where we can get equipment."

Fred's eyes lit up. "Where?"

Michael hesitated. "Helen."

Fred blinked. "Helen? Are you sure?"

Michael nodded. "My father was in the military. They used to produce vaccines and run experiments in their zone there before this tragedy happened."

Cassandra snorted. "Vaccine experiments in a military zone? That's insane!"

Jane crossed her arms. "Something feels off about this." She turned to Fred. "What happened the day your uncle sent you out?"

Margaret cut in sharply. "Stop it, Jane. That was a horrible night, I don't want to remember it. Let's just follow Michael's lead. He said, he's father produced vaccine, then let go for the equipment."

Jane sighed but relented. "Michael, are you sure you remember the location in Helen?"

Michael nodded firmly. "Yes, I do."

Jane stood. "Alright, then. We're going to Helen."

Michael added, "I've seen them load animals into trucks there. I never knew why, but I'm sure we'll find what we need there."

Fred glanced around the group. "Then it's settled. Let's prepared and move."