The Monster In Me

Alpha Cerebrum

“Not far from this place, I found several packs of suspicious white powder. And thanks to my experience that I don't want to tell you, I can find out what it is.”

“When it's done, let go of me!” yelled Adira suddenly. He is now busy pulling his own legs as if he does not care if he is released with only one leg intact.

Zean looked at the girl. If only he could not remember how good Adnan had been to him, perhaps at this time he would have gone and let Adira continue to run amok like a fidelity. “I'm not done yet. The substance I found was Alpha Cerebrum, which had burned a lot. Most likely, the substance has spread throughout this Playground.”

“Don't beat around! We must immediately find the missing gate key!” evan protests later. The young man no longer listened carefully and went around with his head down. Both of his eyes scanned every inch of asphalt he passed through. “If you don't want to help, go somewhere else!”

Zean's teeth were grinding before he finally uttered the essence of his speech. “What happens in this place is not caused by a virus, but drug poisoning. A bite won't just make you a zombie.”

“What?”

“So, stop succumbing to your anger!” zean's word to Adira. “It's all just in your head!”

Adira raised one corner of her lips. “You only said that because you were afraid to die in my hands!”

“Absolutely not,” replied Zean full of confidence. He spread his arms right in front of Adira's face. “If you don't believe me, try biting me! That too if you have the desire to tear my body.”

Everyone who witnessed the interaction of Adira and Zean compact stiffened. Each held his breath, preparing to see what would happen next. Even Evan stopped moving for a moment so curious.

Zean's courage is able to make Adira stunned. As powerful as the girl tried to restrain her turbulent emotions in order to clear her mind. There is something from Zean's speech that makes Adira feel that she must understand it. There was something from Zean's expression that made Adira so interested.

Especially after Zean continued his words.

“Adnan, your older brother, already knew about this Alpha Cerebrum, its effects, and how could a drug as small as this cause so many people to change. He knows everything. I'm sure, if only you guys had the chance to talk to each other, he'd tell you that everything that's happening right now isn't what you imagined.” Zean let out a heavy sigh with a sad look. “When Adnan first understood everything I said, he looked very excited and could not wait to get you out of here. As it turns out, things are still fine out there. Non-infectious virus makes chaos not spread.”

“D-outside is fine?” Danita asked with a little stammering. His body suddenly went limp, but hope emanated in both of his eyes. While Trisha and Firda started crying while hugging each other.

On the other hand, Adira felt electrocuted by Zean's words, especially when the sentence ‘ is not contagious’ is spoken. He grimaced with an excruciating pain in his head. His two tightly closed eyes were unable to stop his mind that was beginning to be filled by the various questions of his own.

‘It's impossible that none of this is contagious! I've seen so many zombies roam around! If not from the bite, then where?’

Adira suddenly shouted loudly, surprising everyone. However, the girl simply bit her own lower lip while continuing to grimace in pain.

‘This stranger said my brother already knows everything and will tell me? Is that true?’

The girl quickly shook her head.

Suddenly an urgent memory entered, removing the various thoughts that were still raging. Adira opened her eyes wide, shocked by the memory that was now vividly drawn in her mind.

Since the zombie attack began, Adira did see many dead people beaten or wretched because of panic and then hit by a damaged vehicle.

However, not once did he see firsthand, that there was someone who turned into a zombie after being bitten by a zombie.

Not even once.

There aren't.

Both Adira's lips were shaking. He banged his head back. Trying to urge his brain to return to thinking more clearly. “No! Impossible!” his protest.

Zean looked at the girl with great pity, while Danita and her students could only peck on the spot. Trying to understand what's going on.

With all her abilities, Adira tries to look at her wrist which is filled with zombie bite wounds. The wound seemed to have begun to dry up, surrounded by a blackened deep red stain. In addition, there were no more signs indicating the severity of the wound. The girl tried to sharpen her eyesight, hoping to see a single strained pulse that might signal a virus or any disease that was running in her blood from the bite wound.

Again, he found nothing.

“Ada .. There are so many zombies. I swear I saw them there were hundreds!” yell Adira again. It was not clear who he was talking to, because both his eyes were still moving in an uncertain direction, but Zean seemed ready to listen to his question carefully. “If it wasn't because of the infection, then why? There's no way they're all taking the same drug!”

After successfully saying everything, Adira finally turned her head towards Zean. Demand answers that satisfy his confusion.

Zean closed his eyes for a moment before looking back at Adira and Danita's entourage in turn. “Before I told you that this medicine must have spread to all corners of the Cakrabuana Playground. I don't know exactly how it started, but it looks like the smoke of the fire that occurred in the flower garden contributed to its spread,” explained the young man. “For another possibility, this is just my opinion. But I guess, from the beginning there was something strange about this place. Looks like there is another hidden purpose of this Playground operation.”

“Hah ...” Adira let out a long breath and started laughing. Initially only slowly, but over time the sound gets louder to make the entire feathers I sit on the person who heard it goosebumps.

Slowly, the girl realized that her life had not been as beautiful as she remembered. Every day, he was instead greeted by a quiet, trouble-free day as he had always believed. Adira was simply too unconcerned about the situation around her.

Errata. Not no matter, but ‘try’ to behave uncaringly.

Both of Adira's eyes slowly glanced towards Firda. The first friend he ever had in a lifetime.

***