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RAPID Z 1. The Prison of Bankcrook
The electricity went out. Every night at eleven o'clock, and it usually lasted for ten minutes. Jalen had been observing this for three consecutive days in the Bankcrook prison. But for those who had been there longer, the power outage had been going on for two months. "Scared of the dark, Jail?" a mocking voice came from the opposite bed. "I fear God," he replied, adding, "And it’s Jalen." On the first day, Jalen had already faced much pressure and mockery. First, there were the altered names, like Jail-in or Jail, that they called him. Second, the case he was in for—money laundering involving billions of dollars, which, apparently, wasn't considered cool by the other inmates. But that was the scenario Jalen had to play along with. Jalen Hunt was a government agent who had to infiltrate Bankcrook to investigate it. It was a dangerous mission and highly confidential. He could have refused, but at his quarter-century age and dealing with significant cases, it was a once-in-a-l
RAPID Z 2. The Revenants?
Jalen snatched the baton from the guard's hand and sprinted, smashing it against the prisoner's head. 'Thwack!' Instantly, a spray of red splattered across the prisoner's face as he collapsed, lifeless. His body lay crumpled not far from the injured guard. "Shit!!" shouted all the witnesses, terror-stricken. The flashlight illuminated the fallen guard. Other guards rushed to assist him, their steps hurried. The injured guard gurgled, his mouth gaping for air. The guards carried their wounded comrade, who was now convulsing violently. Meanwhile, the prisoners stood bewildered, witnessing the horrifying scene unfold before their eyes. One of the guards seized the baton from Jalen's hand. "To the dining hall, now!" "Wait..." Jalen couldn't believe what he saw as the previously injured prisoner suddenly rose. The prisoner emitted a louder growl and attacked an unsuspecting guard. The other prisoners began to retreat slowly, uncertain where to go in the darkness surrounding them.
RAPID Z 3. 12 Hours and Counting
There were 20 inmates and a guard named Clyde left in the dining area. Among them, eight prisoners, including Jalen, were still in handcuffs. The key Clyde had couldn't be used, which frustrated Jalen.Last night, Jalen hadn't seen clearly who put the handcuffs on him. Now, he had no idea where that guard was. Was he really dead, or maybe he managed to escape?With his hands in handcuffs, Jalen couldn't move freely.Jalen approached the window with iron grills. He had walked back and forth countless times. This time, his gaze focused on the prison yard.It was eerily quiet outside."What should we do?" Chip suddenly appeared beside Jalen.They had been in the dining area for over 12 hours, but there were no signs of a rescue team.None of the prisoners dared to open the door. Outside, growls and screams could still be heard. If they wanted to evacuate, Jalen had no idea where to go.Bankcrook Prison was vast."It seems like we have to wait," replied Jalen.If something happened in Ban
RAPID Z 4. Finding Keys
"Stay away from him," Clyde commanded.The giant figure shifted to the side, and his eyes fixed on Clyde."Ar-are you okay?" Clyde sounded nervous with one hand extended to Jalen.Jalen nodded, then accepted Clyde's outstretched hand. "Thank you.""Pft, guard's lackey!" sneered the prominent figure.He stood up and staggered toward the kitchen.Jalen oversaw him. The big guy was pretty safe; Jalen could handle him. However, the guy's impulsive actions could endanger the others."He's Finn," Clyde suddenly blurted out.It seemed the guard had been observing Jalen silently. Jalen turned and looked at him without suspicion."That big guy?"Clyde nodded. "He's a gang member, something like that. Arrested for weapons trafficking.""No wonder he likes pointing a gun at people," Jalen commented."All prisoners are dangerous," Clyde said, reholstering his pistol. He tucked it into a holster on his suspenders.Jalen smirked. "Including me."Clyde's head nodded awkwardly. "I guess so."They bot
RAPID Z 5. Doors Open
The prisoners were attacked savagely by a guard. His facial flesh was torn, bitten, and ripped apart greedily. The assailant emitted satisfied growls.Other prisoners recoiled, panicking. Clyde and Chip stood frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.Without hesitation, Jalen swung a frying pan towards the guard, now turned into a zombie. He struck the pan repeatedly, causing the zombie to stagger backwards. Then he hit again and again until the zombie's head cracked open, and its body went limp.Jalen sank to the floor, gasping for breath. Pain radiated from his wrist, but what shook him the most was having killed someone."Jalen, are you okay?" Clyde asked.As tough as Jalen was from his military training, he was still human. "I'm not okay, actually," Jalen replied."Are you injured?"Jalen shook his head, exhaling tiredly. "Just open the door," he requested.Chip peeked toward the door but didn't find their other companions there. "They left us!""The door is locked.
RAPID Z 6. Retrieve The Locks
Jalen couldn't bear to witness the massacre outside. In less than forty minutes, he heard the cries for help from hundreds of people gradually diminishing, eventually fading into growls all around.The sports field, now a pool of deep red, held no survivors.It took less than ten minutes for those infected to turn into zombies."So, the likely cause is a virus," Jalen murmured.Chip stared at Jalen sceptically. "Are you sure?""Then what? There's no epidemic; no one ever enters or leaves the prison. I think it's the vaccine," Jalen said again.Jalen's temporary theory was that the prisoners received a vaccine, triggering wild, uncontrollable behaviour. Although he didn't have an answer yet for how they came back to life after dying. Could the vaccine have such a potent effect?There were a few doctors who came, not the prison's resident doctor, but from what Clyde said, they were the ones giving the vaccine under the supervision of the prison's resident doctor and Bankcrook's leadersh
RAPID Z 7. Another Threat
Clyde grabbed Jalen's arm. "Stairs," he whispered.The three moved backwards and then reached the stairs leading to the second floor. They hid behind the stairs, squeezing together, concealed only by artificial flowerpots intentionally placed there.It wasn't a safe place to hide. They were too exposed."Clyde, go to the control room with Chip and run as fast as you can after I give the signal," Jalen said."What signal?" Chip needed clarification."Just do it!" Jalen hissed, slightly annoyed.Jalen emerged from their hiding spot and climbed the stairs to the second floor. He could hear the growls, numbering perhaps in the dozens or hundreds. Once he felt he was at a safe distance, Jalen turned on the flashlight in his hand.Then he took a deep breath and exhaled.'Blam!'The sound of a gunshot echoed from the rifle in Jalen's hand.Then he ran as fast as he could in the darkness of the corridor. It didn't take long for the growls to catch up. Hunting footsteps followed Jalen from beh
RAPID Z 8. Form a Plan
The faces of Chip and Clyde looked panicked as they opened the door and iron gate. Jalen, along with the prisoner, leapt through the gate. The three of them held the gate, which was almost being broken by dozens of zombies outside, while Clyde tried to lock the gate door.Then, they quickly entered and closed the door. They locked it hastily.Outside, the growls grew wilder. Whether the gate could hold the zombies was still being determined."Open the cell door on the fifth floor, just to distract them," Jalen ordered quickly.Clyde nodded and pressed the key release button, and Chip illuminated him with a flashlight. Outside, the zombies began to move, searching for the noise source on the top floor.The prisoner's attention was distracted, watching Clyde busy with the door, and he became careless. Quickly, Jalen grabbed the gun from his hand. This time, the gun was aimed at the prisoner."No, don't shoot me!" the prisoner pleaded, his voice trembling.The flashlight was aimed at him