dave:
I'm running in frantic circles, searching for Ashley. Where are those drones coming from? "Ashley! Ashley!" I keep shouting, over and over. Then I spot her and sprint toward her. Helicopters roar above us, slicing through the sky. In a panic, I crash to Ashley. "We need to get out of here—now!" I grab her arm and pull her with me. I can already see government agents closing in. And then— It feels like the ground disappears beneath me. I'm falling. I hear Ashley laughing, loud and wild. Is this a trap?
Ashley:
I see Dave staring dazedly at all the drinks on the table. We're in my secret laboratory now. I watch him glance around, confused. I lean in and mumble into his ear, "We're safe here." I help him to his feet. Dave picks up a crumpled piece of paper near the trash can and unfolds it. I rush over and snatch it from his hands. "The government sent a letter. If we don't act, the world ends. They've invited me to join some special discussions and—blah, blah, blah—more polite nonsense. They think I can help. But I've got something better. Something that will actually make a difference." I gesture dramatically. "Meet my two brilliant projects! One of them will cost me an eye… but that's fine. The other—" "Ashley." Dave places a hand on my shoulder. "Whatever you're planning… we're doing it together." Suddenly, two more people drop down from above. I stare, confused, at a tan-skinned boy with black curls and casual clothes. Next to him lies a girl clutching a keyboard. Long dark blonde hair, punk-style glasses, a crop top and jeans. I don't know them. "Hi. We… Jazzy." The blonde girl points to herself. "Jason." She gestures to the boy. Jason nods. "Is talking too hard for you two?" Dave sighs, clearly annoyed. Jason rolls his eyes. Jazzy pulls a topadi from Jason's backpack. "Jason…has attacked ?! His voice… vocal cords gone! My head? Chaos… I… My thoughts… too fast." "What is that?" I ask, eyes wide, staring at the topadi. "Kind of… a computer. For hacking," Jazzy replies "Meninkens… outside," Jason croaks, struggling to speak. Then I freeze. The monster I designed—is it real? The faster, stronger version of a zombie? Their faces are stitched shut Are they my allies… or my enemies? Then I point to my eye: "Then I have to do it now. Even though the experiment isn't finished."