[Chapter Ten]

The next days were very hectic for everyone, nine doctors came to their place to research the zombie that was caught. The group was very reserved, no words were uttered between them. They only threw glances of curiosity as they were being shown around and a simple nod and smile of acknowledgment whenever they pass the people working in the facility. Dr. Aberly was taken from his previous research team to aid the group since he was the one who had preserved the body of the zombie. Dr. Lucy, who had also come into contact with the zombie was made to enter the team at the request of Dr. Aberly. The newly arrived were shown to their quarters and every essential place related to their study.

The room they were shown were simple, clean, and purposeful. The walls were painted a creamy yellow, double-deck beds are placed at either side of the room with sunlight pouring gently from the french window. There was a table surrounded by four chairs, a few built-in cabinets were present and the place was spacious. A door from the side of the room leads toward the bathroom. After, their bedrooms they were shown the cafeteria and lastly their work area.

The group was led by Dr. Aberly towards a room with a door number 173. The old man smiled at the people following him. “We might as well end the tour here, we can start conducting the study tomorrow. Please gather the necessary equipment before going back to the dormitory to rest.” He was very nervous showing these people around, they were not new to their line of work and the facility that they came from has higher standards than theirs. “The director would have wanted to welcome you all, but he is caught up with the monthly meetings. I hope your stay with us will be to your liking.” After he said that there were a few questions that were answered before they walked back to the dormitory on their own to unload their luggage.

The next day, Dr. Aberly and Dr. Lucy waited for them at the entrance of room 173. The team may be able to enter the door but the next few doors would be hard to unlock since the security system was higher than the preceding one. When they first knew that they were given a zombie as a package they were quite nervous at the thought of working with it, whether the zombie was an adult or any age, it was still an infected individual nonetheless.

Half an hour passed before they saw the group walking quickly around the corner, they were clad in the protective equipment that had been delivered and provided to their facility for the sole purpose of studying the specimen. They nod to each other in greeting before they proceeded to introduce themselves first. These people were adverse in the virus and bacteria department, some were well accustomed to either operating machinery, surgical, body preserving, and neuro.

“Please be reminded that after going inside, we leave after sanitation and burning this equipment that we are wearing. Anything that has been taken inside the room where we keep the specimen cannot leave the third door for the safety of everyone. The specimen is considered highly contagious at the moment until proven otherwise.”

“Highly doubtful about that there, doc”, Dr. Lucy quickly interjected with a toothy smile. Her sentence earned a few nods in approval from them and a raised eyebrow from Dr. Aberly, his head shaking in disapproval.

The first door unlocked and they all went in, they were sanitized inside before the next door opened up. Inside the second door, there were stacks of neatly folded protective suits with oxygen tanks connected to them. Dr. Aberly took his time briefly explaining about the pieces of equipment there before they wore it. He looked through the peephole and did a retinal scan before putting the headwear on. By this time, they all looked like either deep-sea divers or astronauts. The equipment is light but is airtight to prevent air from outside the suit from being inhaled.

When they had finally done everything needed and passed the final door, they were greeted by an enormous room with a big glass tube in the middle. There were tubes and wires connected to the glass tube and the floating figure contained inside it.

“This is the specimen, we have thought of everything that might be necessary for studying it.” Dr. Lucy pointed towards the naked little girl inside the tube.

“Why’s there a heart monitor here for then?” A female asked, she thought that it was not necessary since those that were infected initially had no heartbeat.

“Apparently, as I was supposed to submerge it, I noticed that it was breathing slightly hence the tubes of oxygen connected to it. The heart monitor was later brought here to monitor the heartbeat of the specimen.” Dr. Aberly said as his gaze focused on the specimen that was curled up in a fetal position. “It will be connected to it in a moment while the body will be prepped.”

“Per the reports of the military, they were suggesting that the specimen had brain activities”. Dr. Lucy smiled despite knowing that no one would be able to clearly see much of her face from the headgear they were wearing.

“Dr. Marquez, proceed with prepping the body”, Dr. Philips took over after they were informed of the current situation and observation. Both Dr. Aberly and Dr. Lucy had moved back in leading the group, the next course of actions was supposed to be decided by these people and not them. The specimen was taken from the tube and laid on a metal table.

She felt coldness hit her behind her, the sudden sensation surprised her and pulled her from her dormant state. Her fingers and toes curled in response to the sensation, alarming the surrounding people. Dr. Anton hurriedly took the shackles from the selection of tools that were provided for them. Each one took liberty in pushing each of the specimen’s limb down on the metal bed as it struggled against their hold.

The sudden restriction to her movements brought on the emotion of fear inside her. She struggled to see what was happening around her, her eyelids flutter in her attempt. It was hard on her and it was also hard for the people restraining her, the tubes that were connected to her were disconnected in the process. The sleeping drug that they were using on her was mixed in the air, those who oversaw operating the machines turned the equipment off. The specimen had finally opened its eyes, looking at them questionably after it had stopped its struggling. Its dull eyes probing each and every one of them.

“Hurry, put it back to sleep again.” Someone urged Dr. Lucy as she scrambled to connect it back. Dr. Aberly found himself sweating heavily inside the suite, he would have wanted to wipe it but they are in a bad situation presently. The zombie which he had taken great pains to keep sedated has finally awoken.