Polly, the woman from the second group, looked at A.D., her face a mixture of skepticism and hope. "A.D., what's the plan? We don't have any weapons."
"We don't need our weapons inside," A.D. replied, his eyes gleaming with a daring idea.
"What are you talking about?" Jane asked, confused.
"Listen carefully," A.D. instructed. "At midnight, try to position yourselves at all the gates. Lock this place to save the people inside. When I give you the signal, open the gates and get the zombies inside."
Polly's eyes widened. "Huh! You've got a brain!"
"But at that time, if they shoot us?" Jane worried.
"Yeah, that's the problem," A.D. conceded. "But don't worry. We only have to open the first gate. After that, they'll divert their attention to save the other parts of the base. Only the person at the first gate will be in immediate danger; the others will be safer."
The man from the second group spoke up. "Why don't you do it yourself?"
"Because I'll be going to the security room to shut the cameras down, and that's more risky," A.D. explained. "You know that."
"Why are you going?" Jane demanded. "I'll go there with you if you're going!"
"Don't be stupid," A.D. said firmly. "You'll have to stay here. I'll grant you some guns. Your job will be to stop the guards from entering this place, to save the innocent people."
"But!" Jane started.
"Now, don't argue, and do what I said," A.D. cut her off. "And all of you, except these children." He turned to the mothers of the children. "You have to take guns and help Jane to stop the gunmen from entering this place." To Polly, he explained, "You have ten people, and this place has three gates. Two people on each gate, and the others will rescue them when they open the gates to lessen the rate of danger. Now, Polly, come with me. I know a way to get some guns. I've already gotten some, but they were in the lab."
A.D. and Polly set off, secretly acquiring the weapons. By the time they returned, night had fallen. The food troll came by, and they narrowly avoided detection, pretending to be asleep.
Chapter : The Unlocked Door
Midnight arrived. Jane whispered to A.D., "How did you get them?"
"It's a gift from the late assistant doctor," A.D. replied. "He died, but left a note, and under his room, in a hidden place, he had guns. I'm really thankful for him." A.D. then looked at everyone. "Now, back to the plan. Everyone, move to your places. Good luck."
They approached the door that led outside the sleeping quarters, only to find it closed. "Shit!" Polly cursed under her breath. "How did we not realize this place is locked from outside?"
Then, the door slowly creaked open. A man stood outside, looking directly at A.D. "I'll return your curse," he said cryptically, then disappeared into the night.
"What is he talking about?" Jane whispered, utterly bewildered.
"I gave him the cure," A.D. explained, his voice low, "and made a deal."
The tension is building beautifully! The plan is set, the gates are locked, and A.D. has made a mysterious deal. The phrase "return your curse" from the man is intriguing.