I was halfway to my quarters when I spotted them—Jessy and Ray, storming toward me with Troy trailing right behind. Damn it.
I quickened my pace. If I can just get inside, lock the door, maybe they'll cool off… Yeah, that's it.
But then—
"Marcus!!!" Ray's voice boomed across the compound.
I froze, cursing under my breath, before slowly turning around with the fakest smile I could manage.
"Hey, Ray… what's up?"
Jessy's expression was pure thunder.
"What's up? WHAT'S UP? You idiot! Why were you out there alone?!"
I raised both hands in mock surrender.
"Ah… well… just trust me, guys. It was for the Federation."
Ray's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Really? For the Federation?" He stepped closer, voice dropping. "Then next time, you take me and Jessy with you."
"Uh… I can't do that."
"Excuse me, sir," Troy cut in carefully, his voice calm but sharp enough to make my stomach drop. "I think… you should just tell them your secret."
"Huh?"
Both Jessy and Ray turned toward me, eyes widening.
"Secret?" Jessy's voice cracked like a whip. "Since when are you keeping secrets from us, Marcus?"
Ray's jaw tightened, fists clenching at his sides.
The air between us turned heavy. I felt all three of their gazes drilling into me, demanding answers.
I forced a grin that didn't reach my eyes.
"You guys wanna do this the easy way… or the hard way?"
Jessy crossed his arms, glaring at me like he was ready to throw a punch.
"We're not leaving until you talk."
I exhaled slowly. No way out of this now.
"Fine… follow me." I jerked my head toward my quarters.
As I turned, I shot a look at Troy—a look that said, You better be ready to back me up when this blows up in my face.
He just shrugged, resigned, like a man walking into his own execution.
Great, I thought bitterly as we made our way inside. Time to drop a bombshell.
I closed the door behind us, locking it. All three of them stood there—Jessy, Ray, and Troy—waiting like a firing squad.
I took a deep breath. "Alright… you want the truth? Fine."
They leaned in, expecting something big.
"I have powers."
Silence. Three blank stares.
"A system," I continued, dead serious. "For every ten walkers I kill, I can control one."
The look on their faces? Priceless. Like I'd just told them I was the Tooth Fairy.
Ray was the first to crack. He burst out laughing so hard he nearly doubled over.
"Hahahaha! Really? Then I've got powers too! I can increase my dick size—how's that for a power, Marcus?!" He slapped his thigh, tears streaming down his face.
Jessy just pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head slowly before giving me a tired look.
"Marcus… you seriously need sleep, man. I know you're under pressure, but this?" He sighed. "Why don't you take a day off tomorrow instead of working yourself to death? I'll help Max handle things, alright?"
"I'm serious, damn it!" I snapped, slamming my hand on the table. "Hey, fuckers, I'm not joking!"
Troy's face was twitching, trying—and failing—not to laugh. His lips were pressed so tight they were turning purple, his cheeks puffed out like a damn balloon.
"Pfft—" A strangled noise escaped him.
"Don't you dare laugh, Troy!" I pointed at him like a drill sergeant, but that only made him choke harder.
For a moment, the room was nothing but their laughter and my growing irritation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the laughter died down. Jessy wiped his eyes, looking at me with disbelief.
"So… you're serious?"
I folded my arms, glaring. "Dead serious."
Ray exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"Holy shit. So that's why you went out alone?"
"Yeah," I said flatly. "That's why."
The room fell silent for a beat, the weight of my words settling in at last.
"Whew," Ray muttered. "I can't believe this…"
Ray placed a hand on my shoulder before leaving.
"Still… you should be careful, Marcus," he said, his voice firm but calm. "Me and Jessy will help Max with the others. We'll see you later."
Jessy gave me a lazy smile.
"Relax for now, man, okay? Take a damn breather for once."
"Yeah, yeah… go," I muttered, waving them off as they walked out.
The door clicked shut, leaving just me and Troy. Silence hung for a second before I turned to him slowly, narrowing my eyes.
"Why… did you snitch, Troy?" My voice was low and dangerous. "YOU SNITCH!!!"
Troy's hands shot up defensively.
"Uh—sir! It wasn't me, I swear! It was Max!"
"Max?" I growled.
"Yeah, he was worried when you didn't come back for the night."
I rolled my eyes and sank into my chair.
"Damn it… he's not my father! It was just one night!"
Troy shrugged nervously.
"Well… sir… how is it? How many have you controlled now?"
I leaned forward, a smirk tugging at my lips.
"Twelve."
His eyes widened.
"Twelve?!"
"And one of them can hold a weapon."
Troy's jaw dropped.
"Wait—seriously?!"
"Yes," I replied, casually. "I even deflected a bullet with those two."
"Holy shit…" he muttered under his breath.
I stood, stretching my arms.
"I'm going to be gone for a week tomorrow."
His head snapped toward me.
"You're… still on about that insane idea of yours, sir?"
"Yes, Troy. I am."
Troy groaned dramatically, running his hands through his hair.
"Noooo! You're not going out again! Max is gonna—"
"Shut up about Max."
"But sir—"
"Shut. Up."
That shut him up like a balloon losing air.
"So… did you arrange everything?" I asked after a pause.
"Yes, sir." Troy gave me an understanding look, and I narrowed my eyes.
"Hey. Stop that. Whatever you're thinking, you're wrong."
Troy smirked faintly.
"Really? Really?"
"Yes. Really."
"Alright then…" he muttered, clearly unconvinced.
"Prepare another set of gear and rations for me," I ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"And my lawyer?"
Troy shook his head.
"Still no contact, sir."
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"Figures…"
Just then.
The door slammed open so hard it nearly hit the wall. Max stormed in, eyes blazing like a man on a mission.
"MARCUS!"
Troy flinched. I didn't even look up.
"What now, Max?" I muttered, zipping up my gear bag.
Max marched straight up to me, jabbing a finger at my chest.
"Don't 'what now' me! I heard you're planning to leave. AGAIN. For a whole damn week?!"
I sighed and looked him dead in the eye.
"So what if I am?"
"SO WHAT IF YOU—ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Max exploded. "You think you're invincible or something?! We just got this place stable! People look up to you, Marcus. If something happens out there—if you die—this entire Federation collapses!"
I gave a small chuckle, shaking my head.
"You done?"
Max slammed his hands on the table.
"No, I'm not done! What the hell is so important out there that you can't send a team instead of running off like some lone wolf?!"
Troy glanced at me nervously.
"Max—"
"Stay out of this, Troy!" Max barked, then turned back to me. "Tell me, Marcus! Tell me what the hell is going on!"
I stared at him for a long moment. His chest was heaving. His hands were trembling with frustration. Max wasn't just mad—he was scared. Scared for me.
Finally, I spoke, voice calm but sharp.
"Because no one else can do what I can do."
Max narrowed his eyes.
"And what the hell does that mean?"
I leaned forward, resting both hands on the table, and said it slowly.
"I have something that gives me an edge. A power you wouldn't believe even if I told you."
Max blinked, then scoffed, laughing bitterly.
"Oh great. Now you've gone full comic-book hero. Jesus Christ, Marcus."
"I'm serious," I said firmly. "I can control them, Max. The dead. Every ten I kill, I can take one under my command."
He froze. For a moment, his anger faltered.
"…What?"
"You heard me. I already have twelve under my control. One of them can use a weapon."
Max stared at me like I'd grown two heads. Then he laughed—a harsh, disbelieving laugh.
"You expect me to buy that bullshit? You think stress fried my brain that bad?!"
I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out my phone and showed him a short video I recorded earlier—two walkers standing unnaturally still, waiting for orders, like obedient dogs.
His face went pale.
"…Holy shit."
I smirked.
"Believe me now?"
Max swallowed hard, looking between me and the screen.
"Marcus… if this is real, then… what the hell are you planning to do?"
I zipped my bag shut and slung it over my shoulder.
"I'm going to build something the world has never seen before. A defense no one can breach. And for that—I need more."
Max shook his head slowly.
"You're insane…"
I patted his shoulder on the way out.
"Maybe. But it's the kind of insane that keeps us alive."
As I opened the door, Max grabbed my arm one last time.
"Marcus… come back alive. Or so help me, I'll drag you out of hell myself."
I gave him a grin.
"You've got a deal."
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