One week later, the land was buried beneath layers of snow, stretching endlessly in every direction as thick snowflakes continued to fall from the darkened sky. The camper van pushed forward slowly, its tires struggling as they entered Ullapool, the sign on the roadside barely visible beneath frost and ice. The roads were completely covered in snow, making it difficult for any vehicle to pass through. Nadia stopped the van just around a corner, moments after they had passed the main road, where the trees stood silent and heavy with snow.
All of them stepped out of the van. The moment their boots touched the ground, they sank into the deep snow beneath their feet, the cold biting instantly.
"Well, welcome to the Scottish Highlands, everyone," Nadia said calmly.
All of them stared at her in shock.
"Wait, you're saying that we already entered the Scottish Highlands?" Zero asked, disbelief in his voice.
"Yeah, since Dunkeld," Nadia replied, brushing snow off her jacket, "but now we're much closer. Still, we don't know exactly where the camp is."
"Wait, I remember Marcus telling me about Fisher Field Forest," Zero said, suddenly recalling the name.
"I get it," Nadia nodded.
"It will take us three or four days to reach there on foot."
"What!?"
They were all shocked and shouted at the same time, their voices echoing through the frozen air.
"Yes, on foot, carrying supplies and weapons. In winter," Nadia continued seriously.
"We have three major stops. First, Loch Broom Interior Glen. It will take us four to six hours to reach there. Then the second stop will be Dundonnell, which will take six to eight hours. And the third stop, I think, is the edge of Fisher Field. From Dundonnell, we continue from there."
When Nadia finished speaking, everyone fell silent, staring at her as the reality of the journey settled in.
"Then we better get going," Scarlet finally said, tightening her coat.
"Wait," Nutaila spoke, turning to Nadia.
"Is there a place nearby where we can find water? I mean, like a large body of water."
"It's snowing, and it's freezing," Raven replied impatiently. "What do you want to do with water?"
"Yes," Nadia answered, looking at Nutaila carefully. "There's a large freshwater loch high in the hills south of the head of Loch Broom. It sits in a narrow glen surrounded by mountains and feeds the River Broom, which flows down toward the sea loch. I think that's where we'll be passing next. Why did you ask?"
Nutaila slowly turned her gaze toward Milan.
"That's a good place to start your training," Nutaila said firmly.
"When we get there, you will leave me and Milan behind while you keep walking ahead. We will catch up as soon as we can."
Everyone nodded quietly, accepting her words, and continued walking forward into their journey, their figures slowly disappearing into the snowy Highlands.
At the camp outside the walls, the traps were carefully set. All guards had been ordered to fall back inside the perimeter and keep watch from there. Inside, people gathered around small fires, feeding the flames as the cold grew harsher and snow continued to fall slowly from the sky.
Ivory sat alone outside the perimeter, isolated from the others, her breath visible as clouds in the cold air. She was lost in thought, her mind heavy. Soon after, she noticed Dr. Patel passing by, heading toward her quarters. Ivory stood up and walked toward her.
"Hey… um, can I talk to you?" Ivory asked, stopping her on the way.
Dr. Patel opened the door and welcomed her inside her working area. Once inside, she handed Ivory a cup of hot coffee, steam rising gently from it. Ivory sat quietly, holding the cup, her eyes fixed on the surface.
"You said you wanted to talk?" Dr. Patel asked gently.
"Yes, um… about your work, when I—"
She didn't finish her sentence as Marcus walked inside.
Ivory froze in shock. Dr. Patel immediately stood up. Marcus glanced at Ivory, noticing her drinking coffee with Dr. Patel.
"Am I interrupting your moment?" Marcus asked coldly.
"No," Dr. Patel replied.
"Why are you here anyway?"
"I came to check how far the blood sample X has gone," Marcus said.
"As I told you, I'm still working on it. Be patient."
"It's been a week, Doctor," Marcus said sharply. "Why don't we just test the blood sample right away? I think there's something you're not telling me."
Dr. Patel shifted her gaze toward Ivory.
"You want to test it now?" Dr. Patel asked.
"That's what I'm here for."
Two guards walked inside the doctor's perimeter for the first time. Dr. Patel stiffened in shock.
"What are they doing here? This is a private place," she said.
"It was," Marcus replied.
"Get the sample ready. My men have already prepared a test subject. We're waiting for you."
Ivory stood up, her hands trembling. She tried to walk away.
"Then I'll see you another time, Doc," Ivory said softly. As she passed Marcus, he grabbed her hand tightly.
"No one is going anywhere. Stay with us until the very end of this."
Ivory began to shake with fear as Dr. Patel stared at Marcus in silence.
Dr. Patel finished preparing the Sample X blood and packed it carefully.
"It's prepared," she said, turning toward Marcus.
"Then we go," Marcus ordered.
Two guards took the blood sample from Dr. Patel's hands as they began walking toward the back of the camp, where the test subjects were kept.
Inside one of the houses, Zara stood with Ben, staring out the window at the falling snow. They watched as Dr. Patel was escorted away by guards, unease settling in their chests.
When they entered the testing area, Dr. Patel stopped cold. Her breath caught as she saw the subject they were about to test.It was one of her nurses from the hospital. Lucy.
The first one who had been bitten by Nadia in the operating room.
"This is—"
She couldn't finish.
"Lucy from St. Thomas Hospital," Marcus interrupted. "One of the staff. She was a nurse. I know." Dr. Patel turned to face him, horrified.
"You took the vampires with you inside the van?" she asked.
"Yes, the first van," Marcus replied.
"I collected as many as I could. Why? Do you know her?"
"She's my nurse. Operating department," Dr. Patel said quietly.
"Good, then," Marcus said.
"You'll do anything to save her life."
Four more guards entered the room. Dr. Patel stiffened, fear creeping into her voice.
"Excuse me… what are they doing here?"
"For safety," Marcus replied.
Dr. Patel looked at Ivory, noticing a single tear slowly sliding down her face.
"I understand, but I don't feel comfortable working with them around," Dr. Patel said. "So why don't you order them to wait outside?"
The guards raised their guns, pointing them directly at Ivory.
"What the hell is this?" Dr. Patel shouted.
"You will do exactly what you're told," Marcus said coldly.
"Anything you do, want to see, or stop—she dies. She knows me very well. I only think once. The next thing that will happen to her is a bullet in her skull. Your choice."
"Why are you doing this?" Dr. Patel asked.
Marcus loaded his gun, pulling it up. As he was about to pull the trigger, Dr. Patel stopped him.
"Okay… okay. I'll do it."
Marcus lowered the gun. Dr. Patel injected Lucy with the sample.
"Now, while we wait," Marcus said calmly, "why don't we talk some business?"
"Take her away," Marcus ordered.
One guard grabbed Ivory and dragged her out of the room.
"Now let's be honest with each other, Doc," Marcus said.
"Tell me who that blood sample X belongs to."
"I already told you—"
"Lies!" Marcus shouted, raising his hand as if to slap her. Dr. Patel trembled.
"I'm not a fool," Marcus continued.
"Tell me, or I will find out by force."
"Are you going to kill everyone in the camp until you find the one you need?" Dr. Patel asked.
Marcus laughed darkly.
"I'm willing to," he said.
"But I have a better way. Tomorrow, you will collect blood samples from everyone we have here. And I will be right beside you, watching every step myself." Dr. Patel stood frozen, completely shocked.