CHAPTER 215: Infection

CHAPTER 215: Infection

The service tunnels were completely different from the sewers. The walls were smooth, white, and hermetic, illuminated by cold lights embedded in the ceiling. The air was clean, almost sterile, and the echo of their steps resonated clearly in the narrow corridor.

Joe advanced only a few meters before staggering.

—No… I can't… —he murmured, leaning against the wall.

Blood ran uncontrollably from the bite on his leg, staining the white floor with a dark trail.

Selene reacted immediately. She made him sit down and tore part of her own suit to improvise a bandage, pressing hard on the wound.

—Stay still —she said firmly—. You have to hold on.

Joe clenched his teeth. The pain ran through his entire body.

—It burns… it hurts… damn it… —he stammered, unable to articulate his words well.

Lucian, from Selene's arms, tilted his head and sniffed the air attentively.

—Selene… —he warned—. It's not just a bite.

She looked at him with tension.

—What do you mean?

—The lycan blood has already entered his body —Lucian explained—. He's infected. Right now it's running through his veins.

Joe tried to laugh, but only managed a groan.

—Infected… how… like Marcus…? —he asked, his voice broken.

—Not necessarily —Lucian replied—, but it can become unstable. Aggressive. Even dangerous if the body doesn't resist.

Selene pressed the bandage even harder.

—I don't care. I'm not leaving him here.

Joe closed his eyes for a second, breathing with difficulty.

—Selene… it burns… I feel… like they're sticking needles into me… from the inside…

—Look at me —she ordered, forcing him to keep his eyes open—. Don't fall asleep. Breathe slowly.

Joe nodded weakly, though the pain kept him from concentrating.

Lucian observed the wound with concern.

—We have to move —he said—. If he stays here too long, the infection can advance faster.

Selene swallowed, adjusted the bandage better, and put Joe's arm over her shoulder.

—Let's go. Lean on me.

Joe tried to stand, but his leg failed him.

—Shit… no… it won't respond…

—Easy —Selene replied—. Little by little.

Lucian raised his head slightly from Selene's arms.

—These tunnels aren't just for maintenance —he explained—. They connect to several secondary Enid Corp laboratories. If we keep going forward, chances are we'll find one. There might be something there to help Joe.

Selene clenched her jaw, without slowing down.

—Then we're going in the right direction.

Joe swallowed. His face was pale and covered in sweat.

—I… I'm seeing things… —he murmured with effort—. Memories… but… they're not mine… though… they feel like they are…

Selene stopped for an instant and looked at him with concern.

—What kind of memories?

Joe closed his eyes for a second, trying to organize his thoughts.

—Darkness… tunnels… hunger… noise… —he stammered—. And… a feeling… of rage… I don't know… it's strange…

Lucian did not seem surprised.

—It's normal —he said calmly—. When a lycan bites a human, it doesn't just transmit the infection. It can also transfer fragments of memories.

Selene frowned.

—How is that possible?

—It happens when fluids mix —Lucian replied—. Blood, saliva, any kind of fluid. That connection drags along impulses, sensations, and sometimes memories.

Joe let out a trembling breath.

—Great… now I also have… borrowed memories… —he tried to joke, but only managed a grimace of pain.

—Focus on keeping walking —Selene said—. When we get to the laboratory, we'll see what can be done.

Joe nodded weakly.

—I just… hope… I don't go crazy… before we get there…

Lucian observed them in silence for a few seconds.

—If we keep up the pace, nothing serious should happen immediately —he added—. But it's not wise to delay.

Selene adjusted the support on her shoulder better and resumed the march.

—Then let's not waste time.

Joe advanced almost dragging his leg. His breathing was irregular and, at times, he seemed to lose focus. Suddenly, he raised his head, as if something had clicked in his mind.

—I… I see him… in the memories… —he said, stuttering—. Fenix… with Marcus… they were… very good friends…

Selene looked at him attentively.

—What are you saying?

—Th-they were always together… they trained… they laughed… —he continued, struggling to articulate—. Fenix… wasn't like this… he wasn't this… m-monster…

He brought a hand to his temple, dizzy.

—There was something… a trauma… something very strong… it… it broke him inside… and that created… the personality he has now… but… somewhere in his mind… the original Fenix… is still there…

Lucian slowly opened his eyes, surprised.

—That fits… —he murmured—. Before all this, Fenix was a good person. A noble young man, loyal, with principles. He had none of the coldness or sadism he shows now.

Joe nodded weakly.

—I… I feel it… as if it were mine… as if I… were there with them…

The corridor finally opened into a metal door with a damaged access panel. Selene pushed it with effort and they managed to enter a secondary laboratory. Emergency lights illuminated the place with a cold, constant tone. There were work tables, medical cabinets, and a stretcher in the center.

—Lie down —Selene ordered, helping Joe lie back.

Joe obeyed with a groan of pain.

Selene began checking the drawers, looking for bandages, disinfectants, or any kind of serum that could help.

—There has to be something useful here…

Lucian observed the surroundings in silence for a few seconds, frowning.

—All of this… —he finally said— is Enid's fault. Every monster that walks these hallways, every broken life… everything is born from her decisions.

Selene clenched her teeth as she found a sealed first aid kit.