Chapter 1

During a zombie-clearing mission, I was infected with the zombie virus while protecting the squad.

But my boyfriend, Ethan Cross—the team leader—used “I can’t show favoritism” as an excuse and gave the only Type III serum to a teammate who had snuck out and gotten infected.

He gripped my shoulders, his voice low.

“Vera. Trust me. Within the three-day incubation period, I will find you a Type III serum.”

I endured the burning pain inside my body and nodded.

The next day, he actually brought back a Type III serum.

But just one second before the injection was about to enter my veins, Sophie Blair—the teammate who had never once left the camp—suddenly clutched her arm, her voice trembling.

“Ethan… I think my wound is heating up… I don’t want to be a burden, but I’m really scared.”

In front of everyone, Ethan didn’t hesitate. He handed the Type III serum to Sophie.

“Sophie is a team member. If something happens to her, that’s my failure as a leader.”

“Vera, you’re the deputy leader—and you’re my girlfriend. I can’t make an exception for you. If I give you the serum and not her, everyone will say you only survived because of me. How am I supposed to lead this team then?”

I looked at the smugness that flashed through Sophie’s eyes, and the unquestionable firmness on Ethan’s face, and I let out a humorless laugh.

No favoritism?

Fine.

He’d understand soon enough that without me, he was nothing.

…

When Ethan handed the Type III serum to Sophie, he didn’t even look at me.

“Sophie. You get the Type III serum first.”

His tone was so casual, like he was passing her a bottle of water.

Sophie took it, lowered her head slightly, and spoke so softly it was like she was afraid her voice might break.

“Thank you, Ethan… I’m sorry. I caused you trouble again.”

The smug look in her eyes was hidden well.

But I saw it.

Then Ethan handed me a small bottle of cloudy, clear liquid.

He avoided my gaze.

“An inhibitor. It’ll help you hold on a little longer.”

That cheap inhibitor was useless for an infection at my level.

My voice stayed calm.

“You know this won’t work on me.”

Ethan’s eyes flickered. He frowned.

“Vera, don’t get emotional. Sophie’s weak. If she really got infected…”

I cut him off with a cold laugh.

“She hasn’t gone on a single mission since joining. She doesn’t even have a wound. How could she be infected?”

Ethan raised his voice.

“That’s just what it looks like on the surface!”

“You know the zombie virus has a three-day incubation period! As the leader, I have to be responsible for every team member!”

“And you’re my girlfriend. You’re also my deputy. If I give you the serum and not her, what will the others think? They’ll all say you only survived because you’re sleeping with the leader. I can’t let anyone think I’m playing favorites.”

The same speech again.

The gray-white pattern on my right arm was creeping slowly toward my shoulder, and the burning under my skin came in waves—each one worse than the last.

I stared at him and took a slow breath.

“So my life matters less than your reputation? You’re really going to fob me off with an inhibitor?”

Ethan’s expression shifted.

“What are you talking about? I promised you—tomorrow I’ll go to the West District lab. I will bring back a Type III serum.”

“Can’t you trust me one more time?”

Before the apocalypse, back in college ROTC officer training, Ethan and I had been the best team.

He commanded. I charged.

He made the plan. I executed the details.

Everyone said we were made for each other.

That evening before graduation, the Colorado sunset stained the training grounds gold and red. He told me—

“Vera. You can trust me completely for the rest of your life.”

After the apocalypse hit, I stayed by his side while he built this survivor squad, willingly taking the second seat.

I gave him all the credit.

I took all the danger.

Three years.

This team grew from seven people to over forty. He became Captain Ethan—respected by everyone.

And what did I get?

“Can’t show favoritism.”

“Next time.”

Over and over again.

If my ability hadn’t disappeared after I got infected—if going outside didn’t mean becoming zombie food—I would never have depended on him to find me a Type III serum.

I felt tired down to the bone.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve promised.”

He grabbed my hand, his eyes earnest.

“This time, I mean it.”

“Just like every mission before. Like when you used to trust me with your back. Vera. Trust me one last time.”

I looked at his hand—the same hand that had once gripped mine through gunfire—and heard myself say—

“Fine. One last time.”

Ethan exhaled, relieved.

“Go back and rest. I’ll arrange tomorrow’s people and route. Everything will be fine tomorrow.”

I turned and left without looking back.

The moment I stepped outside, I heard Sophie’s lowered voice.

“Ethan… she looked so scary just now. What if she’s already…”

Ethan’s tone was soothing.

“Don’t be afraid. She’s fine for now.”

Back in the isolation room, I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.

The burning in my right arm was getting worse.

This was the second day since I’d been infected.

Under normal progression, I should’ve started showing early signs of muscle stiffness and sensory decline by now.

But I hadn’t.

Other than the heat and occasional stabbing pain, my mind was unnaturally clear.

Strangest of all, I could feel something inside me waking up.

From the distant direction of the Rockies came the zombies’ shrieks, rising and falling in waves.

That wasn’t the sound a small horde could make.

The camp’s outer defenses—without my ability reinforcing them—wouldn’t hold much longer.

I clenched my fist until my nails dug into my palm.

Tomorrow would be day three.

Ethan.

This is your last chance.