Chapter 2: Outbreak
2:28 PM.
I stood in the coffee shop across from the chemistry building, a latte in my hand, my eyes fixed on the security door. The CDC delivery truck was supposed to arrive in two minutes, and then the "accidental" leak would occur.
In my previous life, I watched the news live in a movie theater; now I'm going to witness the start of this disaster with my own eyes.
At 2:30 p.m. sharp, a white van pulled up at the back door of the chemistry building. Two workers in protective suits got out and began unloading metal boxes marked with biohazard symbols.
Everything was exactly the same as I remembered.
At 2:31, one of the workers slipped while carrying the third box. The metal box fell to the ground with a dull thud.
At 2:32, a pale green liquid began to seep from the box's seal.
At 2:33 PM, the two staff members realized something was wrong and began frantically making phone calls. But it was too late; the virus had already begun to spread through the air.
I put down my coffee cup and hurried towards the dormitory building. Now I have about 40 minutes to prepare, and then the first infected people will appear.
"Ethan! Ethan, wait a minute!"
Madison's voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw her jogging after me, her face showing anxiety.
"Did you see the news? There seems to be some kind of accident at the chemistry building!" she said breathlessly. "Someone said it's a biological leak!"
"I know." I adjusted my glasses, feigning concern. "We should go back to the dorm, away from that area."
"No!" She suddenly grabbed my arm, tears welling in her eyes. "Taylor is still in the chemistry lab! We have to go save him!"
They've arrived.
This was the same tactic she used in her previous life. First, create a sense of urgency, then emotional blackmail, and finally moral pressure. Each step precisely targeted the psychological weaknesses of ordinary people.
"Madison is dangerous there. We should trust the professionals to handle it."
"Professionals?" Her voice rose an octave. "Didn't you see all those people in protective suits running outside? They're scared themselves!"
She's right. CDC staff were indeed evacuating, but that's because they knew the true power of the virus. What ordinary people thought was just a simple chemical leak was actually the end of human civilization.
"Then we should get even further away from there." I tried to pull my hand away from hers. "Madison, be rational."
"Reasonable?" She suddenly burst into tears, her voice trembling. "Taylor is my boyfriend! I can't abandon him!"
Students began to gather around to watch. Madison's crying drew everyone's attention; she was like a perfect actress, every tear falling just right.
"If you don't help me, I'll go by myself!" She let go of my arm and made a gesture as if she was about to rush towards the chemistry building.
Several male students passing by immediately gathered around.
"Hey, Ethan, what's going on?" asked a guy named Jason. He had a crush on Madison, and seeing his goddess crying, he immediately switched into protector mode.
"Madison's boyfriend is trapped in the chemistry building," I explained briefly.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go save him!" Jason immediately declared. "Ethan, you're not going to just stand by and watch him die, are you?"
The other boys joined in. Under Madison's tearful onslaught, no one could remain rational.
That's what makes her so remarkable. She never directly asks others to take risks for her; instead, she uses emotional manipulation to get them to volunteer. Then, after they die, she can say, "I never forced anyone."
"Of course I won't stand by and watch someone die." I sighed, feigning a morally blackmailed expression, "But we need to make a plan; we can't act blindly."
"What plan? Just rush in and rescue them!" Jason said, patting his chest.
idiot.
In his previous life, Jason was the first to rush into the chemistry building, only to be torn to shreds by the first wave of infected. His death bought precious time for others to escape, but he himself gained nothing.
"Okay, let's go together." I pulled my phone out of my pocket, pretending to make a call, "But first, I'll contact the school hospital and have them prepare an ambulance."
Actually, I was activating the recording function.
Our group of five walked towards the chemistry building. Madison walked in front, tears still on her face, but I noticed her steps were steady, not at all like a panicked girl.
"Ethan." She suddenly slowed her pace and walked alongside me. "Thank you for helping me."
"You're welcome." I looked at her profile. "Anyone with a conscience would have done the same."
"You're so kind," she said softly. "I knew you wouldn't let me down."
Kind?
I almost burst out laughing. If she knew what I was thinking right now, she wouldn't have used the word "kind" to describe me.
As they drew closer to the chemistry building, a strange, sweet, and fishy smell began to fill the air. It was the smell of the X-type virus, which smelled like rotting flowers.
"Wait a minute." I suddenly stopped. "Have you smelled anything strange?"
Everyone stopped and took a sniff of the air.
"Something does seem a bit strange," Jason said, frowning. "Like something's broken."
"We should wear masks." I took a few N95 masks out of my backpack, "just in case."
This was certainly not to protect them; N95 masks are useless against type X viruses. I just wanted to record their next conversation.
Sure enough, after Madison took the mask, he quietly leaned close to my ear and said when the others weren't looking, "Ethan, if we encounter any danger later, you have to protect yourself."
"What's the meaning?"
"What I mean is..." she hesitated, then lowered her voice and said, "If it's really dangerous, you can go first. Don't worry about the others."
It was recorded.
This statement perfectly exposed her true thoughts. On the surface, she seemed concerned about me, but in reality, she was trying to absolve me of responsibility. If the rescue failed, she could say that I ran away first, and she was just an abandoned victim.
"I won't abandon anyone," I said earnestly. "We either go in together or we come out together."
She glanced at me, a flicker of something passing through her eyes. It might have been surprise, or it might have been displeasure, but it was quickly masked by an expression of gratitude.
"You're really special, Ethan." She gently stroked my arm. "I'm so lucky to know you."
Yes, you are indeed very lucky.
Because I will make your death more meaningful than your previous one.
We continued towards the chemistry building. It was 3:15, 15 minutes before the first infected arrived. I needed to find Taylor before then and get these idiots safely out of there.
It's not because I'm kind, but because I need them to live.
The dead cannot testify; only the living can reveal Madison's true colors at crucial moments.
The doors to the chemistry building were ajar, and panicked shouts came from inside. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for this meticulously planned rescue operation.
The first act has begun.
