The outer watch base of Zafarí bustled with activity. Soldiers carried out their daily tasks: training their aim, exercising, cleaning.
High atop the tower, a sniper lined up his shot and dropped a hostile with a clean bullet to the head.
PUM!!!!
"Nice shot, man," another soldier commented.
The sniper kept scanning through his scope until he spotted another hostile.
But before he could fire, it collapsed—shot by someone else.
Confused, he searched for the source and saw several human silhouettes approaching the base.
"What the hell does this mean?" the sniper muttered.
The base was alerted.
Soldiers opened the gates, weapons raised, surrounding the approaching group.
"Put your weapons down, hands up, and identify yourselves," a soldier ordered.
"We're survivors from the city of Zarco," Luke replied, raising his hands.
Adriano quickly added, nervous, "And… we come in peace."
The soldiers of Zafarí advanced firmly, escorting the group into the watch base.
Inside, they were led to a room.
None could believe they had actually made it alive.
The door opened, and the officer in charge entered.
"Which of you is the leader?" he asked.
"We don't have a leader," Luke answered.
"Perfect. That makes you the leader. Come with me," the officer said.
Luke followed him to his office, two soldiers guarding the door.
"Sit," the officer instructed.
"All right," Luke replied, taking a seat.
The officer stared out the window, his back to Luke.
"You really came from Zarco?"
"Yes. The city was invaded by hostiles about twelve days ago…"
"And where are the rest of Zarco's inhabitants?" the officer asked, confused.
Luke lowered his gaze.
"We're the only ones left… We've endured countless hardships to get here. Some of us need medical assistance."
"Don't worry. Your companions are being examined right now. Another question… what about the president?"
"He's dead… but his daughters, Italia and Mabel, are alive. They're in the room."
In the hall, doctors tended to the group. Relief began to show on their faces.
Ander, thoughtful, looked at Andrew, who kept to himself. He approached.
"What you said back on the hill… what did you mean?" Ander asked.
***
On the hill, everyone had seen Andrew's eyes glow gold—just like Ander's.
"You too? But… why?" Ander asked, stunned.
"What the hell?" Cody exclaimed, shocked.
Andrew's wounded arm began regenerating rapidly.
"Wait, let me explain," Andrew said, trying to calm them.
"You'd been bitten before…" Julia said, surprised.
Luke stood frozen. "Why did you hide this all along?"
"You'll understand. I ask you to trust me—and don't mention this to anyone… including about Ander," Andrew said.
"To no one? Why hide it?" Ander asked.
Andrew stepped closer. "To protect you, kid."
"Protect me from the creatures?"
"No… from humans."
Carlo stepped forward.
"Come on, guys. Andrew's fought beside us this whole time, saved many lives. I trust him."
"True, he saved us when we were cornered at the evacuation zone," Adriano added.
Ander looked at Andrew.
"All right… but I need more answers."
***
Back in the present, inside the watch base hall, Ander and Andrew continued their talk.
"Kid, you need to learn to be cautious. Not everyone is good like you," Andrew said seriously.
"I understand your distrust. You don't want others to see us as enemies," Ander replied.
Andrew gripped his shoulder.
"Have you thought about what people will do when they learn you survived a bite?"
"Hmm… probably run tests, maybe take some blood."
"You'll be their guinea pig… and that's the best-case scenario. People fear what they don't understand," Andrew concluded.
Their conversation was interrupted as the door opened.
Luke entered. "Listen carefully. Gather your things—we're heading to the city of Zafarí. We must take Italia and Mabel to the president."
Excitement filled the room.
At last, they would enter the city and rest after their long journey.
"So… did they say if more survivors made it here?" Josh asked.
Luke shook his head.
The group wondered what had happened to those missing from the evacuation train.
"Don't worry, Josh. I promise we'll find our families. We'll learn what happened to them," Ander assured.
They followed the officer deeper into the base.
Once aboard the train, soldiers offered food and water.
Everyone was ready to depart.
Inside the train, the group ate and agreed to keep Ander and Andrew's secret.
"Since we're alone, remember—don't mention anything from the hill," Carlo said.
"Luke, did you say anything?" Italia asked.
Luke checked no soldiers were nearby.
"No… we agreed not to. For now, let's follow Andrew's plan and contact his friends in the city."
"Thank you for your trust. I'm grateful," Andrew said sincerely.
"We're a team. I trust you like anyone else here," Ander added.
Néstor stood.
"Ander's right. But tell us about your friends."
"They're three old companions I spent a long part of my life with. We were like a peculiar family. We can trust them," Andrew explained.
"We can also trust Zafarí's president. He was a great friend of my father," Italia added.
"For now, don't say anything," Andrew replied firmly.
Ander looked at him, confused.
"All right… then why did you stay in Zarco?"
"You said you didn't make it to the evacuation train in time," Iván added.
Andrew stared out the window."That was a lie…" he confessed.
"Then why didn't you board the train?" Ander pressed.
"To help…"