The group left the facility in a hurry, wary of the threat of both the undead and now enhanced humans. Dr. Moloi lead the pack into the forest, Ntlentle right behind him, and the rest behind her, all spread out in a line.
The group were all tense and focused on their surroundings, all except Ntlentle. She wasn’t really paying attention to where they were going. She was just walking on autopilot. Deep in thought about her father.
The last time she had spoken to him was just over two years now. Back when this whole mess had just started.
***
Two Years Earlier—2159, Johannesburg
The soft hum of the city at night filtered through the slightly ajar window of Ntlentle Moloi's bedroom. She sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by textbooks and scribbled notes, her eyes strained from hours of studying.
Across the room, Charles Fortuin lounged casually on a float chair, playing a game on a virtual pad he had picked up from Ntlentle's cluttered desk. His glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose as he focused intently on the game.
"You know, taking breaks is essential for retaining information," Charles quipped, glancing up with a smirk.
Ntlentle rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "And yet, somehow, you're the one always borrowing my notes."
Before Charles could retort, the vibration of Ntlentle's phone interrupted the playful banter. She glanced at the screen, eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
"It's my dad," she murmured, swiping to answer. "He usually doesn't call this late."
Charles straightened up, sensing the sudden shift in her tone.
"Dad? Is everything okay?" Ntlentle asked, pressing the phone closer to her ear.
Dr. Robert Moloi's voice crackled through the line, laced with urgency and an undercurrent of fear that Ntlentle had never heard before.
"Ntlentle, listen to me very carefully," he began, his words rapid and strained. "Something has gone terribly wrong. The city is experiencing widespread chaos, and it's spreading faster than we can contain."
Ntlentle's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing to comprehend the gravity in her father's voice. "What do you mean? What's happening?"
"There have been... incidents," Robert hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "People are getting sick, violent. We suspect it has something to do with VX-9."
Her blood ran cold at the mention of VX-9, the celebrated cure for cancer her father had dedicated years of his life to developing. "But that's impossible. VX-9 was supposed to save lives, not—"
"I know," Robert interrupted, his voice faltering slightly before regaining its edge. "But right now, we don't have time to debate. Our lab has lost power, and all digital records are inaccessible. I need you to go to my home office, retrieve all my physical notes and data on VX-9, and bring them to the secondary facility in Pretoria."
Ntlentle's mind swirled with questions, but the desperation in her father's voice compelled her to focus. "Okay, I can do that. But what about you? Where are you?"
"I'm safe for now," he replied, though the distant sounds of chaos in the background told a different story. "But I don't know how long that will last. The information you have could be the key to stopping this before it gets worse."
Charles watched the myriad of emotions flicker across Ntlentle's face, his own concern mounting. He leaned forward, trying to catch snippets of the conversation.
"Ntlentle," Robert continued, his voice stern. "You must be extremely careful. Take the car—it's faster and more secure. Do not stop for anything or anyone until you reach the facility. Do you understand me?"
She swallowed hard, nodding even though he couldn't see her. "I understand."
"And Ntlentle... trust no one. We don't know how widespread this is or who might be affected."
A loud crash sounded on Robert's end of the line, followed by frantic shouts and what sounded like guttural groans. Ntlentle's grip tightened on the phone, panic seeping into her veins.
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"Dad? Dad, what's going on?"
"I have to go," he said hurriedly. "Remember, get to the facility and stay safe. I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered, but the line had already gone dead.
She lowered the phone slowly, her mind reeling. Charles stood up, his eyes filled with concern.
"Ntlentle, what's happening? Is your dad okay?"
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed. "I don't know. But he needs me to bring his research notes to a lab in Pretoria. Something's gone wrong with VX-9."
Charles's eyes widened, processing the information quickly. He grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair, determination settling over his features. "Then let's not waste any time. I'll drive."
"Charles, you don't have to—"
He held up a hand, his usual playful demeanour replaced by unwavering resolve. "I'm not letting you go out there alone, especially if things are as bad as they sound. Besides, two heads are better than one, right?"
She hesitated for a moment before nodding gratefully. "Thank you."
Together, they hastily gathered Dr. Moloi's extensive files, stuffing notebooks, binders, and loose papers into a sturdy backpack. The distant sounds of sirens and muffled screams began to permeate the once peaceful neighbourhood, adding a pressing urgency to their movements.
As they stepped outside, the normally serene street was awash with chaos. Neighbours ran frantically in all directions, some screaming, others dragging loved ones behind them. Fires blazed in the distance, casting ominous shadows that danced across the darkened sky.
Charles clicked the unlock button on Dr. Moloi's sleek black SUV, and they hurried inside, locking the doors immediately. Ntlentle clutched the backpack tightly to her chest, her eyes darting nervously across the unfolding pandemonium.
Charles started the engine, the powerful roar providing a small sense of security amid the turmoil. "Alright, Pretoria is about an hour away without traffic. Let's hope we can make good time."
As they pulled out onto the main road, the full extent of the devastation became apparent. Cars were abandoned haphazardly, some crashed into streetlights or storefronts, others left with doors wide open and engines still running. Figures stumbled through the streets, their movements erratic and unnatural.
"Are those... people?" Ntlentle asked, her voice trembling as she watched a group of individuals stagger aimlessly, their clothes drenched in blood.
Charles's jaw tightened as he swerved to avoid a man limping towards the car with outstretched arms, eyes glazed and lifeless. "I don't think so."
He pressed down harder on the accelerator, manoeuvring around obstacles with increasing difficulty. The GPS recalculated their route continuously, blocked roads and growing fires forcing them to take detours deeper into unfamiliar territory.
As they approached a congested intersection, a massive pile-up of vehicles obstructed their path completely. Charles cursed under his breath, scanning for an alternative route.
"We'll have to find another way," he muttered, reversing carefully.
Suddenly, a loud thud resonated from the back of the car, causing both of them to jump. Ntlentle glanced over her shoulder to see a bloodied face pressed against the rear window, teeth gnashing and hands clawing desperately at the glass.
"Go! Go!" she screamed, fear gripping her heart.
Charles didn't hesitate, slamming his foot on the gas and speeding away, the figure tumbling off and disappearing into the darkness behind them. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, adrenaline coursing through their veins.
The cityscape around them transformed into a nightmarish landscape, screams and unearthly growls echoing through the night. Smoke billowed from multiple fires, casting a suffocating haze over the streets.
As they turned onto a seemingly clear road, relief washed over them momentarily. But it was short-lived.
Ahead, a massive crowd of the undead swarmed the street, their numbers too great to count. They moved as one, a horrifying mass of decaying flesh and insatiable hunger.
Charles slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt mere meters from the horde. The creatures turned towards them in unison, drawn by the sound and the promise of fresh prey.
"Reverse! Now!" Ntlentle shouted, panic evident in her voice.
Before Charles could react, more figures emerged from the alleys on either side, closing in and cutting off their escape routes. They were surrounded.
"Hold on!" Charles yelled, gripping the steering wheel tightly. He veered the car onto the sidewalk, crashing through a chain-link fence and into an abandoned construction site.
The vehicle jolted violently as it navigated the uneven terrain, debris clattering against the undercarriage. The undead pursued relentlessly, some managing to cling onto the sides of the SUV, pounding and scratching at the windows.
"We can't keep going like this!" Ntlentle cried, her eyes wide with terror as cracks began to form on the passenger window.
Spotting a parking garage that was closed off for renovations, Charles made a split-second decision, steering the car towards it. They barrelled through the entrance, the enclosed space momentarily shielding them from the chaos outside.
He brought the car to a skidding halt on the second level, both of them panting heavily, their bodies trembling from the ordeal.
"Are you okay?" Charles asked, turning to face Ntlentle, concern etched deeply into his features.
She nodded shakily, clutching the backpack to her chest. "I think so. You?"
"Never better," he replied with a weak attempt at a smile before his expression turned serious. "We can't stay here for long. They'll find us eventually."
Ntlentle looked around, trying to formulate a plan. "We need to get out of the city. Maybe on foot? The roads are too dangerous."
Charles ran a hand through his dishevelled hair, considering their options. "Agreed. We should gather supplies and find a safer route, maybe stick to back streets and alleys."
A distant moan echoed through the parking structure, sending a chill down their spines.
Ntlentle met Charles's gaze, a newfound determination gleaming in her eyes. "We have to survive this. For my dad, for everyone."
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering a small, encouraging smile. "We will survive, we have to."