Daybreak Chapter 2

I stared at him, bewildered. "What are you talking about? Didn't you get the distress call to come rescue us?"

Chris stood blocking my path, his gaze full of contempt. "You're not trying to escape, are you?"

"Early this morning, Captain Sarah found me. She told me everything, asked me to block you right here! Ethan Vance, we looked up to you! To think your 'serum' was just a facade, a sick joke. May you rot in hell!"

I stood there, frozen, the words taking a long moment to sink in. Dying in my last life, Sarah had said similar things. She’d claimed I deliberately lured the horde to get rid of Liam, to then steal his research — the cure. My heart sank, a sudden, horrifying clarity dawning on me. Sarah had reincarnated too.

That's why Mike's pleas had fallen on deaf ears. She’d deliberately cut off the Compound's last lifeline. The thought of the desperate souls fighting inside overshadowed everything else.

"Chris! Take your team, come back to the Compound with me! If I'm lying, you can do whatever you want to me!"

"So many lives in there, I wouldn't joke about something like this!"

Chris just rolled his eyes, a derisive laugh escaping him. "Talking big now, but who knows what stunt you're pulling? Even if the zombies did break through, Sarah and her squad would handle it easily, wouldn't they? Don't tell me all those Gifted couldn't handle a few zombies?"

I grabbed Chris by his collar, my voice raw with fury. "Yes! With Sarah, it's easy! But she took everyone with her to celebrate Liam's birthday! There are no Gifted left in the Compound! Do you know why Sarah came to you a day early?"

"Because she planned for you to hold me back! She didn't want anyone disturbing her celebration for Liam!"

My face was burning red as I shrieked the words, my voice hoarse. Chris looked at me, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

"Impossible! Sarah would never abandon an entire Compound, leave her post, for personal feelings! You're lying!"

I gazed at Chris, despair washing over me. I used to trust Sarah just as blindly. We were college sweethearts, fought side by side through the apocalypse until now. In my heart, Sarah was the person I trusted most. I thought we’d face the end of the world together, but everything changed the moment Liam arrived.

She’d accuse me, without rhyme or reason, of ostracizing new recruits, simply because Liam was in a bad mood. Even though Liam was the one with connections, clueless about research. She’d carve out time from her busy schedule to cook for Liam, openly favoring him in front of everyone. Even though I was her husband.

A bitter ache swelled in my chest, but this wasn't the time to dwell. I looked at Chris, only helplessness remained. If he wouldn’t help me, I’d go directly to other outposts for aid. Even a single squad would be enough for the Compound to hold on.

With that thought, I scrambled back into the car, slamming the accelerator to the floor, ready to leave. But Chris, quick as a flash, maneuvered his car directly in front of mine, blocking my path.

"Ethan Vance, you're not getting away today!"

Seeing Chris's stubborn refusal, I ignored him, stomping the pedal. I’d crash right through him if I had to. Even if it killed me, I would bring back reinforcements!

Chris startled, then reacted instantly, unleashing his ability to wreck my car.

I screamed at him, my voice breaking. "Chris! Don't you dare stop me from saving lives! The Compound is about to fall!"

But Chris ignored my fury, steadfastly blocking my way. "I'll go with you to the Compound! But if you're actually lying to me—"

I cut him off. "Message your team! I'm not lying!"

Chris alone wasn't enough; my Compound needed more Gifted. Chris looked at me, torn, then pulled out his comm.

The next second, the distinct emergency broadcast blared.

[ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Southern Outpost under severe zombie threat! All able-bodied Gifted from nearby sectors are requested to provide immediate assistance!]

[All Gifted from nearby sectors are requested to provide immediate assistance!]

Chris’s face drained of all color.