New Dawn Chapter: 094

It didn't take long before everyone was in on the news. Naturally, the whole group reconvened in Saya's lab.

She was currently restrained, her eyes holding tears.

Tysone was sitting on a chair next to her, observing her every movement, every little tick, everything. Everyone wore expressions of concern. Shizuka was checking Saya's vitals, while Saeko watched on with a solemn expression.

"This is weird..." Shizuka spoke up, her brow furrowed. "Her vitals seem normal. Actually, they're far more than normal, almost like she's undergoing muscle hypertrophy."

Saya's lips thinned. "What?"

Shizuka shook her head. "I'm not sure. We'll just have to wait and see."

Tysone sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, Saya." He apologized, even though he knew he didn't have to. "But for now, you'll have to stay here."

"W-What? Why!?" The pink-haired girl's eyes widened. "I-I feel fine!" Her voice trembled, a stark contrast to her earlier bravado. "I-It doesn't hurt or itch or anything! It's not painful at all!"

"I know." Tysone replied, stroking her head gently. "But we don't know if it's just a delayed effect. We can't risk anyone else getting infected or hurt. The last thing we need is for you to turn into a powerful zombie like that cop. You'd be putting all of us at risk, you know that, don't you?"

"..." Saya's eyes welled up with tears. "I... I guess you're right." She sniffled.

"I'll be here with you." Tysone said firmly. "Let's wait one day, just to be sure."

Saya nodded slowly.

"I'm really sorry, Saya..." Shizuka sighed deeply. "I feel horrible for putting you in this position, but Ty-kyun's right."

Saya shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "It's not your fault, Shizuka-sensei. Besides, you've all done so much for me already." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I just want everyone to stay safe."

That brought uncertain smiles over everyone's faces. The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

"Okay, everyone." Tysone stood up, clapping his hands together. "For now, leave Saya alone. Shizuka and I will check on her periodically, and we'll keep an eye out for any changes. There's nothing you can do anyway, so just go about your business as usual."

"Tysone, don't you need to rest?" Takashi asked worriedly.

The dark-skinned man shook his head. "I'm alright. Go."

Takashi rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay, if you say so..."

Miku and Mai approached the chair-bound Saya and hugged her tight, much to her surprise. "We're not going to abandon you." Miku stated.

"Yeah, you've got too much cheek to turn into a zombie." Mai added. "And besides, who would help keep our big bad leader in check if you're not here?"

"Right?" Kohta chuckled, despite the situation.

Saya's eyes widened briefly before she let out a small laugh. "Thanks, guys... that means a lot to me." Her head drooped, her hair obscuring her eyes.

"Come on, let's leave."

With that, the group exited the room, leaving Tysone, Saya, and Shizuka in peace.

Tysone was sitting right next to the restrained pinkette. He sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Quit apologizing." She huffed. "It's not your fault."

Tysone smiled bitterly. "I know, but I unexpectedly placed the entire team in danger by keeping that crystal, and by giving it to you as well."

She scoffed. "Didn't you say something about a gut feeling or some shit like that?"

"Yeah, I did. I honestly can't tell you why, but it didn't feel dangerous. It still doesn't. But, then again, this is just a guess." He said thoughtfully. "Maybe I was wrong. And now I can't guarantee your safety. I'm the one who's been making all decisions, it's only natural that the burden of responsibility is on my hands."

Saya's eyes narrowed. "If you think you're going to make me feel better by telling me that you're unsure of your own judgement, you're sorely mistaken. You've never been wrong before. So shut up."

Tysone sighed. "You're such a pain in the ass, you know that?"

"Right back atcha."

...

The hours ticked by, and nothing happened. They talked about trivial topics, sometimes lapsing into silence. Shizuka left them on their own at times, attending to her other duties. Tysone eventually moved Saya from the chair to the bed, restraining her in a way that wasn't too uncomfortable.

Saya couldn't sleep. She glanced at her friend, who sat by the bedside, watching over her like a hawk. She bit her lip. "Hey..."

"Hm? What's up?"

"Thank you, Ty."

"For what?"

"For not giving up on me." She admitted softly, a small smile gracing her lips. "I mean... if you had been like the others... I probably would've been dead by now. But you... you gave me a chance. You've been my friend since the beginning. You've always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. You're the best friend anyone could ask for." Her voice wavered slightly. "If I turn into a zombie, I don't want anyone else to do it. I only want you to kill me. Please, promise me that."

"Seriously, Saya? A sappy, sentimental speech like that doesn't suit that nasty personality of yours."

"H-Hey! I'm trying to open up here!" She protested.

"Besides." He interrupted right before she could go on a tirade. "I don't believe that you're in any danger."

Saya's eyebrows shot up. "What makes you so sure?"

Tysone frowned. "Nothing. It's just that it doesn't feel like you're in any sort of danger. I don't feel like I'm in danger either. It's the same as the crystal. It didn't feel dangerous back then, and it doesn't feel dangerous now."

"You're being weird." Saya pointed out.

"Didn't you feel it...?" He muttered. "Some sort of pull. An invisible string. Like a connection, almost."

She frowned. "I... I don't know. I'm not really the type to put faith in that kind of crap, Ty."

"I'm not asking you to. But, you have to admit, it's strange, right? It's like a calling."

"A calling?" She scoffed. "Don't tell me you're getting religious or some shit like that."

He scoffed right back at her. "Not in a million years. But the infection should have spread by now, right?"

She shrugged. "You're not wrong there." She glanced at the window, where a bright moon was peeking through the clouds. "I don't know... it's been hours and nothing happened. I don't feel anything either, just the usual hunger and stuff. I'm a bit tired, but that's it."

"Exactly, and I've been watching you the entire time." Tysone pondered. "It's weird. It's so... strange. We're in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and you're telling me that nothing happened to you after you've cut yourself on that crystal? And that crystal somehow absorbed into your skin? That's... weird. Almost unnatural, even. I can't shake the feeling that everything's connected. This world, the crystal, the infection, the apocalypse. We've seen mutations in zombies..."

"Do you think we could mutate as well?" Saya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tysone stared at her, eyes narrowed. "We've seen things that were only possible in an anime or a manga. Who knows what's possible and what's not at this point?"

"I see."

"I mean... shouldn't there be some sort of balance?" He asked rhetorically. "If there's a threat, there should be a power to combat that threat, right? It just doesn't make sense. And then there's the fact that the zombie cops have already mutated. What about the other zombies? Are we setting foot on the next stage of human evolution?"

"..." 

"..."

"Sorry. I'm rambling." He chuckled.

Saya's lips twitched. "No, it's okay. I get what you mean. It's just that... it's kinda scary, isn't it?"

Tysone nodded. "Yeah... yeah, it is. But, it's also an opportunity, isn't it?" He smiled. "We have a chance to do something great, to help others, to protect ourselves. To survive. To live."

"Now, you're sounding kinda scary, Ty." Saya chuckled lightly.

He rolled his eyes. "Try to get some sleep, Saya. I'll stay here with you."

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, I'll try. Good night, Ty."

"Good night, Saya."

...

The next morning arrived without any incident.

Saya was sleeping peacefully, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Tysone was sitting on a chair next to her, his head resting against the wall, his eyes closed. It was Shizuka coming into the room that woke them both up. "Morning!" She greeted cheerfully. "I brought you some food!"

Saya groaned. "Ugh... I'm starving." She looked at her hands, which were still restrained. "Can you untie me now, Ty?"

"Sure." He got up. "If you don't feel like a zombie yet, then you're not one." He started untying her hands and feet.

"Do I look like one?"

"A very cute zombie indeed." He nodded seriously.

"Ha ha. Very funny."

He helped her sit up, and she stretched out her limbs. "Thanks, Shizuka-sensei!" She grabbed the tray of food and began to eat hungrily. After she had finished eating, she looked at Tysone and Shizuka. "So... what happens now? I feel fine. There's nothing wrong with me, I think."

Tysone stood up, stretching his limbs. "I think the chances of you turning are slim to none. I'll still keep an eye out on that pretty face of yours, though. You'll have to stay inside the house for a while. Shizuka will check up on you periodically."

"I-Idiot..." A blush spread on her cheeks. "Who's checking whose face?"

"My, my... what about my face, Ty-kyun?" Shizuka chimed in, her eyes sparkling.

A tick mark appeared on Saya's temple as she tightened her grip on her glass of water. As if on cue, the glass shattered from the growing pressure, shards of it embedding itself in the girl's hand. The liquid spilled all over her.

Shizuka squealed in surprise, while Tysone merely blinked in surprise. "What the fuck?"

Author's Note:

If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at P@treon.com/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support.