Sera had turned into a zombie. That was why Thalira wasn't worried that she wouldn't have anything to eat. She didn't need any food. Well, maybe the occasional hunger that normal zombies feel when they smell living beings.
"Thalira, where are you going?" Scarlett yelled, but the girl acted as if she didn't hear at all.
She used every last ounce of strength she had before she finally arrived at the northwest building, just in time when some soldiers were knocking on Sera's room. Her heart jolted, and she used her mental power to see the inside of Sera's room.
The girl was still sleeping, just like how she had left her two days ago.
"Who lives here?" The female soldier looked at her, raising her eyebrow at Thalira's haggard look.
"It's my friend." She breathed out. "She might still be sleeping."
"Then we need to wake her up and run a check. Every student who hasn't returned home should undergo inspection to make sure that they wouldn't suddenly turn into zombies," The female soldier explained.
"I understand." Thalira nodded. "Maybe you can inspect me first, Ma'am."
Some soldiers looked at each other. Then one of the male soldiers spoke. "We have a good deal of personnel here. No need to do it one by one at a time. We can inspect many people at once just to be quick."
Thalira took a deep breath and pursed her lips. She had no choice. Taking out a key from her bag, she held it up. "Alright. I have my friend's key here. I will help to open her room and call her."
Her mind spun as she was thinking of a countermeasure. With a click, the door opened. She knew that she might have aroused suspicion by showing she had Sera's room key; however, that wasn't the most pressing matter now.
"I will go inside." Without caring about their reaction, Thalira opened the door and went in.
She hurriedly went to Sera's bed, heaving a sigh of relief when she saw that Sera wasn't turning into a zombie-like appearance. Such an anomaly.
"Sera?" She shook Sera's body slightly. If they found out that Sera was sick and sent her to the infirmary… maybe they wouldn't find out that Sera was a zombie? Her organs should still be normal, like humans.
Her voice gradually turned into one of worry. "Sera, are you alright?"
Some female soldiers had already stepped inside, approaching them. Thalira frowned, and just as she was about to get up from the bed, someone grabbed her hand.
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she felt Sera's colder hand in hers. With a stiff expression, she slowly turned to look at her friend. "Sera?"
"Thalira?" Sera rubbed her eyes sleepily. "What happened? Oh, I had a nightmare…"
Thalira exhaled, letting go of the breath she was subconsciously holding. Unexpectedly, Sera recovered her consciousness at the right moment.
"Sorry for waking you up." She muttered sympathetically. "We need to register our names and undergo some inspection."
A look of confusion still painted Sera's face. The soldiers already arrived near the bed and they asked Sera's name.
"Sera Whitmore." She obediently reported. Then she stood up just as they ordered. When Thalira saw that they were about to check Sera's temperature, she jolted when she remembered that ice-cold hand.
"You have no wounds." The female soldier gave an approving smile. "But your temperature is quite strange… are you sick?"
Thalira blinked at her, giving her a hint. Thankfully, although Sera's brain was confused, she was quite quick-witted. "Yes, the temperature is growing colder lately, and with the fog… I just feel a little sick."
They nodded at her words. "We have some medicines at the infirmary. Some people get sick too before they awaken their abilities. Let's see if you are one of the lucky ones."
After that, it was Thalira's turn to be inspected. She reported her names, and they checked her for any wounds and temperature.
"Where have you been? You are all dirty." The soldier commented.
"Outside." Thalira answered succinctly. They didn't ask anymore and after a while, they left.
She waited until they all had left and walked to Sera. The girl's forehead was full of frowns. Disappointment was evident on her face, coupled with a despondent look. When Thalira walked closer, she muttered quietly, "I am still a zombie."
With a complex look, Thalira tilted her head and said, "You have recovered your consciousness…"
Sera's face turned expressionless again, but her eyes were full of troubled emotions. "Yes… but not completely. Thalira, I feel that I might lose control at any moment. It's like those people before the apocalypse."
With a serious face, Thalira pondered for a moment. Then, she assured her, "You are special. You might control your zombie instinct completely soon."
"Really?" Sera's eyes held doubt.
Thalira was too exhausted, and thus, she didn't stay for too long. As soon as she cleaned herself and hit the bed, she drifted off to the dreamland. Sera had requested for her to lock the door again.
She wasn't too sure about Sera's current state, but she looked somewhat weak. So, she gave Sera the meat she had from one of her space rings. Just as she guessed, Sera's eyes glowed. Seeing her hesitation, Thalira tactfully left.
Most likely, Sera didn't want Thalira to see her gnawing on fresh meat.
She woke up around midnight. The hunger had awoken her, making her munch on some snacks as she gazed out to the complete darkness outside.
The fog had subsided greatly, and would soon completely disappear. The strange color hung in the sky, in the shape of a faint round light. It must have been the moon.
"Thalira! Thalira! Are you inside?"
Thalira jolted. She tossed the plastic packaging into the trash bin and wiped the traces of spiciness from her lips.
When she opened the door, she saw Evelyn standing outside with a panicked look on her face. She looked like she was on the verge of breaking down as she tried to wipe her tears.
"What happened?" Thalira asked.
"Thalira!" Evelyn latched herself onto her like she was clutching her last hope. Then she tugged on Thalira's arms. "You have to help, Thalira. Please, help."
A frown marred her forehead. "What happened?"
"It's Scarlett…" Evelyn trailed off, not explaining further. She once again desperately tugged on Thalira's arm and requested her to follow.
With a frown, Thalira could only follow Evelyn. She was worried about Scarlett, anyway. Evelyn looked frightened the entire time they walked there. Anxiety was swirling in her eyes from the darkness and something unknown.
After they arrived, Evelyn looked very vigilant. She nervously motioned for Thalira to open the door.
Thalira narrowed her eyes, and she slowly opened the door.