They were swiftly put to work. A.D.'s group was assigned to the cleaning team. When one of the women from A.D.'s group tried to question their captors, taking a step forward, A.D. quickly grabbed her arm. "For now, do what they want," he whispered. "At night, we'll discuss this matter and try to find a way out." She nodded, her shoulders slumping, and returned to her task.
At night, A.D.'s group and all the other laborers were herded into a large, open space. People slept on the floor, given only meager blankets. A.D., Jane, and the rest of his immediate group—three women and five children—found a corner, sharing their few blankets. Minutes later, men with truncheons distributed small portions of food, provided only twice a day. A.D. and Jane received their share.
Beside them, another group of laborers, consisting of several men and women, stood up and approached A.D.'s group. A woman spoke. "Hey, I think you're newcomers."
"Yeah," Jane replied, then asked, "What is this place?"
"This is hell," the woman answered, her voice grim. "We were ten members when we were saved. At first, we thought they saved us for good, but they did it for their own purpose. Our group has been here almost two months."
"Huh! Two months?" Jane gasped.
"Yes," the woman confirmed.
One of the women from A.D.'s group spoke, her voice laced with despair. "You mean we can't get away from here? Can't get out? I have no worry for myself, but what will happen to my children?"
"Don't worry," A.D. said, his voice quiet but firm. "Everything will sort out."
"Yeah, don't worry about it," Jane added, trying to reassure them. "We will get out of here very soon."
A.D. continued, "First, we have to wait for some days to learn about this place, their men, and the leader of this place."
"We will help you," the woman from the second group offered.
"Okay," A.D. agreed.
Chapter :The Cure and The Conspiracy
For three days, A.D. meticulously observed the place. He paid particular attention to the man who had been ignored by the zombies during their rescue. On the third day, A.D. discovered the man had an unhealed leg injury from some battle. Yellowish pus oozed from the wound, but he merely stuck a bandage over it. Secretly, A.D. managed to take a sample of the pus.
That night, when both groups gathered, they shared information about the camp's escape routes, the armed guards, and their patrol timings. However, A.D. did not share any information about his discovery.
The next day, while assigned to clean the research lab, A.D. secretly tested the pus sample. He discovered that the pulp contained compounds that could be used as a vaccine for the virus, though it had some side effects. He then quickly left.
Days turned into more than a week. Almost ten days after his discovery, A.D. managed to create a purified cure for the disease. He prepared doses for both groups, plus an extra dose. He placed one extra dose, along with a letter, on a table for the assistant research doctor, instructing him to deliver it to his leader.
That night, when both groups gathered again, the woman from the second group asked A.D. impatiently, "Why aren't you making a plan? Ten days have passed!"
"How do we get out of this place?" Jane asked A.D., her voice tinged with despair. "We're losing hope."
A.D. pulled the doses from his pocket. "First, one by one, give me your arms."
"Jane looked at him, bewildered. "But why?"
"Do what I said," A.D. commanded. He took one of the children's arms, preparing to administer the dose. The child's mother immediately recoiled. "What are you doing?"
"It's a vaccination for this virus," A.D. explained.
"What?" Jane gasped.
"I recently conducted some experiments and got this," A.D. said, showing his own arm where he'd tested it. The mother hesitated, but then Jane stepped forward. "First, give me the dose." A.D. administered it. Then, both groups received the vaccination.
"If you found the cure," Jane asked, "why hasn't this level finished?"
"I think we have to cure everyone in this world," A.D. theorized.
The woman from the second group spoke. "Did you inform any of the ruling men?"
"Yeah," A.D. confirmed.
"Did you get any answer?" Jane asked.
"Tomorrow, we will know," A.D. replied.
The next morning, the man from the second group approached A.D. "He was killed."
"Who was?" A.D. asked, confused.
The second group's woman asked the man, "What are you talking about?"
"The assistant doctor was killed by his teammates," he explained.
A.D. fell into deep thought.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Jane urged.
"I think they don't want this," A.D. said, his voice grim. "They want to live this way."
"Then we have to get out of here!" one of the children's mothers exclaimed. "Now we're safe from zombies, we only have to run away from this place!"
The woman from the second group agreed. "Yeah, I also know a way out. We can leave tonight."
"No," A.D. said, his voice firm. "We don't have to."
"But why?" Jane questioned.
"Now," A.D. announced, his eyes hardening with determination, "we are going to hijack this place."
"But why?" the second group's woman asked, incredulous. "And if we are, then how?"
"Because if the game..." A.D. started, then stopped himself. "Because we have to save these people."
"Then how?" she pressed.
"Trust me," A.D. said, his gaze sweeping over their faces. "Listen to my plan..."