Early morning the next day, Russel and

the others walk out of city hall with their

belongings along with some food supplies
to bring to where Anson and the others are
waiting.

Presly and Nancy decide to ride the horse

together to get a head start first, making
sure along the way there are lesser
zombies. We will inform the
others of your
arrival. Please be
safe along the way.

You too. We
will take our
sweet time to At least Hadif
get there. has another new Is Hadif a
friend to play friendly
with. person?

Before we leave, I
need to use the toilet
He will be
real quick. Must’ve
delighted to
been the canned
see you.
beans I had this
morning.
 That goes for me Better hurry. We
too. I need to don’t want any
release a big zombies lurking
dump. nearby.

Andre and Khairul quickly go to different buildings to use the toilets. Nancy and
Presly have already left. Dr Saimon quickly pulls Russel aside to tell him something
he discovered last night.

I recognized it as
one of Woo’s way
of communicating
to their spy.

Russel. Last night I

notice someone I don’t really
deliberately left a follow but where
symbol was the sign?

Before Dr Saimon could say anything, the

two men are back but his words did cause
Russel to ponder if one of the two men is
a spy.
Inside the hall
when most are However, his memory is still a blur as he
sleeping but --- I has no idea who is this Woo that Dr
don’t trust either Saimon and the others talk about.
men.
The group did take their sweet time to get
to the other location. It is the first time
Mahira has ever been out of the town and
one or two are fascinated with the
scenery along the way.

By the time they arrive, night has arrived.

Hadif and the others have been waiting
for Russel to come back.

Hadif is also surprised to see a girl Welcome back,

around his age among the travelling Russel. It’s good to
group. Premala is also one of the few have you back
along with new
waiting but when she notices Betty isn’t
friends.
around, she assume the worst that has
happened.

Not much…..
It’s good to be When Presly told
back, Anson. us about Wai Keat Ostine is sulking in
Anything new and Betty….. his room since
while we were then. You should
away? talk with him.

Farid…. I’m Dr Nancy and I

Big sis Mahira!
glad you are help him to get
You are here!
safe. adjusted here when
(laughs)
he arrived.
 Speaking of She is in the other
Nancy, where is house making stew
she? with Esther.

Okay, kids. Let’s go

and grab some stew
since Mahira Actually, we
must’ve been haven’t eat yet. We
hungry. can eat together.

While Schervonne bring the

kids to eat some stew for I hope there is no
dinner, Kyra and the others one among the
decide to sleep in early group is a spy. I’ll
talk with others
since they are exhausted.
after the kids go to
bed.
Anson escort them to the
barn for them to sleep for
the night.

Russel, Dellandery and

David head to the house
where Nancy and Esther
are making stew.
Once Russel got in, the kids are settling down
around the brown table with Nancy pouring the stew
with a ladle on top of ten bowls. Presly is sleeping in
a sitting position on the couch. Esther is placing
spoons in each bowl.

Welcome back.
Don’t be shy since
there is still stew in
the pot.

By the
way,
where is He’s asleep on top
Bob? Let’s dig in to some
of the barn. He was
of the stew. I’m
helping out earlier
starving.
with scouting.

After dinner, the kids are escorted by Esther to sleep in her room for the night. Anson just
came in after checking the area for zombies. Presly finally wakes up and ate the last bowl
of stew. Russel decides to let the others know about this morning conversation with Dr
Saimon.

I can vouch for Dr

Saimon. He’s
trustworthy.

Can his words be

trusted? He used to
work for Woo since
he was a scientist for
them.
 I am still not
We’ll handle it
convinced if he is
later. We got to
truly our ally. What
focus what we
if he collaborate
have now..
with the spy?

Before Russel could say anything, Ostine grabs

Russel by his shirt and look at him angrily but with a
mix of sadness in his eyes.

You’re
back…. I heard Betty died
Russel…. too…. Why did
Why did you not they die?!
help Wai Keat?!
Why did he had to
die?!

Ostine let go of his grip on

Russel’s shirt and just weep. Ostine…. None of us
The surrounding gets intense. expect the outcome but
Everyone remain silent. we just have to accept
reality as it is.
David breaks the silence.
 ……. We are as sad as
you are, Ostine. But We continue to live
we continue to live on for our future
not only for his and for the sake of
sake. those that died.

Ostine quietly leaves the living room to go into his room. Everyone else decide to
sleep since it is getting late. But Russel walks out and decides to be on patrol.
Dellandery follows him.
Esther and Nancy clear up the dishes and clean the area before going to sleep.
Outside, Bob is seen sleeping in front of the barn where Kyra and the others are
sleeping. Anson is also asleep nearby. Russel just stare blankly at the stars.

Russel… It isn’t I know I could have

your fault that Wai prevented their
Keat and Betty death but…. Damn
died. You know it!!! I failed as a
that! leader.
 You did not fail as a
leader! You did the
best to try and save
everyone!

You are still human

but you did a great job
as a leader. At least
there are some who Thanks
are still alive thanks Dellandery… I
to you. appreciate your
thoughts. I guess I
just need time to
Dellandery just smile at his friend. He
adjust with
goes back into the house while Russel everything that’s
remain outside to make sure nothing going on.
wanders around the area.

He did notice the barn door open and

Kyra walking out while looking at the
stars.

Hi Kyra. You
couldn’t I couldn’t sleep. I
(sighs) I cannot stop
sleep? kept thinking what
thinking about him
would I have done
even though it’s
to save Wai Keat.
been only days.
 Wai Keat means a
lot to you… Had we
known Donna gone That’s fine. But
to the house, things for now, I’m just
would have been going to keep on
different. living.

Russel carries on with

patrolling while Kyra
just sit against the barn’s I shouldn’t blame
front wall to enjoy the Russel for Wai
stars. Keat’s and
Betty’s death….
Little did they know the But how can I
spy is watching from a forgive him for
window nearby. not saving them?

A couple of hours has

passed. Ostine is seen
walking out of the house
after Russel goes in to
sleep.
I’ll apologize to
him in the proper
morning. Right
now --- Wait. Who
is that? Isn’t that
one of Woo’s
soldiers?
 You shouldn’t be
here. But now it
Hey! What are
saves my time, I
you doing here?!
will bring you
Vishnu?!!!
back to the
Sanctuary!

I am not going Mr Woo is the

back to the best! He’s been
Sanctuary! helping
Vishnu! Are you survivors like
so blind to see me to stay alive.
what Mr Woo
has done?!
Ostine is about to alert others
when suddenly he is attacked
from the neck.

The last thing he sees is Vishnu

and the other person looking at
him with sinister look in their
You coward!
eyes. You sent the
signal but
As he loses his consciousness, wait…. What
he could hear Vishnu say are you trying to
something which of course is his do?!
last words.

Fortunately, the sound alerted everyone including

The next morning, Ostine the ones staying in the house. Esther and Bob stay
wakes up groggily to find behind to look after the kids who are still sleeping.
Vishnu’s unconscious
body on the ground with
blood soak on his
uniform.

A pitchfork is attached on
his body and quickly, he
ran to the house to wake
Vishnu
everyone about the dead
Soranam?!
body. What is he I don’t like
doing here? how this is
As he ran to the house, he going to turn
could hear one of the men out.
screaming.

Within minutes, everyone is trying to piece

together what had happened after Ostine shared
his experience.

Dr Saimon glares at the survivors from Donna’s

town. He suspects one of the men to be a spy.
 What are you
talking about,
Dr Saimon?!

Which one of
you is a spy?!

One of you
really
reported our
hideout!

Tak…. We can
Apparently, resolve this
someone left the easy way
behind a sign or we can do
for these this the hard
soldiers in way.
white back at
town. After you
rescue us,
there’s no way
we will betray
you!

Someone
must’ve lead Ostine. You said
this Mr Woo that someone
follower here. attacked you last
Who else night, correct?
could it be?
I might get
something from
the pitchfork and
Ostine’s neck.
 I think I get it
now. You’re going There’s nothing
to use science to science cannot
match the solve. But Ostine,
fingerprints. please follow me.

Ostine quickly follow Nancy to the house and get his bruise checked out. Nancy
also asked her brother to take the pitchfork and bring it to the house. The spy gets
nervous but remains composed. Russel and Dellandery deal with the dead body
while others carry on with patrolling the area.

An hour has passed. Ostine came out from the house. As he walks down, one of the
guys approach him.

You mean Dr
Hey… Dude. Nancy? She needs
What did the time to gather
chick found out? fingerprints from
everyone.

Why bother to
ask? I mean you
just got here with
Dr Saimon and
the rest.
Ostine leaves to find some food supplies
in a forest nearby. The guy he spoke
with looked a bit worried and rush over
to the house.

At the house, the kids are at the front

porch playing marbles with Esther
watching over them. But the guy just The spy has taken
excuse himself to go inside, saying that the bait…. We’ll
he has to see Dr Nancy. need to corner
him and
He doesn’t realize that Russel and a few interrogate.
others including Kyra and Tak are
watching his every move from
respective hidden spots.

Inside, Nancy is seen

sitting on the couch Sorry that I didn’t
with a book in her catch your
hand. name… But what
is your name?
She notices the man’s
presence as she look up
after reading a page
from it.

Andre. I just came

in to get some
snacks.

There are some

on the first
cabinet to your
left.

By the way, I
can’t help
noticing but you
look worried.
 Me? Nervous….
Why should I be?
(laughs) I mean
there’s nothing to
worry about.

It’s not like you

are a spy, aren’t
you?

Andre feels sweaty

when she ask that. He
decides to end her life
quietly as he approach
closer towards her.

That’s
impossible… I
mean it’s not like
Though I am
I got connections
curious how did
----
you know about
Mr Woo’s
follower?

Andre immediately throws

himself at her but she
moves quickly. Presly
comes to her rescue when Nobody touches
he has been waiting at a my sister! Get up,
nearby bedroom. Andre!

Andre gets up but receives

a sharp punch from Presly,
sending him falling unto
the couch.
Presly pull Andre up by the
shirt while Russel and everyone
else rush in. The children are
still outside with Esther and
Bob who are babysitting them
so that the children don’t have
to see what is going on inside of
the house. Although some of
us at the sanctuary
Andre looks at them angrily. recognized the
uniform Vishnu
But he is still surprised how
was wearing, you
they knew. Nancy breaks the said it out loud
answer to him. while the others
were confused.

Immediately, we
figured that you
are the spy. We set
up a little trap on
the spot.
Dang it! Had I
known better, I
would have kept
my mouth shut.

But why Andre?

I thought we Andre just remain silent. Russel tells
were friends. Anson to watch over him at the barn
as he and everyone else will decide
his fate.
After Andre left with Anson,
everyone start to talk about Andre.
Andre….
We can’t Easy there. I
kill him! didn’t say What options do
anything about we have?
killing Andre.

We could What if he ran

send him away to the
away….. Sanctuary?
We can just
make sure he
doesn’t.

But if he does, Where

we would have There is one place we
could we
to move. could go. While you were
go?
at the town, we found a
place but didn’t make a
move as we wait for you.
 Esther, Bob and
I did get rid
most of the
zombies lurking
within the area.

The space is
I took a great and we
polaroid photo can improve our
of this place but lifestyle.
we can fortify
it.
It will take
some time but
basically this
place could be
our new home.

I recognize this
place. It’s called
Red Meadows
recently.

I mean I called
it Red
Meadows. But
it does look
safer for How about this?
everyone. After we exile
Andre, let’s leave
this place to head
over to Red
Meadows.
Everyone agree with the plan.
Premala walks out to give the
update to Bob, Esther and the
kids.
Russel goes to the barn to
find Anson and Andre just
staring at each other. He
walks over to them when What the heck
just
suddenly Andre starts to
happened?!
shiver and falls to the ground.

I don’t
know but
he is I’ll go and get
getting a Nancy!
fever.

Russel runs back to the house and

gets Nancy to check on Andre.
By the time everyone arrive,
Andre is not moving like a dead
corpse. Dr Saimon checks on his
pulse. He’s dead…
He must’ve
poisoned
himself.
Dr Saimon reveals Andre’s right
wrist to be purple where there is
sign of a needle like puncture on
it.
Russel immediately instruct
Let’s hope we
everyone to start packing again don’t leave a
and head to Red Meadows which single trail….
is about three hours by foot away
from their current location.
Hours later, they arrive at Red Meadows
but the sign says “Cold Bliss”. It’s true
that the surrounding look very snowy
but Dr Nancy and Saimon explained that
the C – virus pandemic did influence the
world’s climate, resulting in unnatural
weather throughout the world.
Everyone look around, making sure that
there aren’t any zombies lurking.
I can’t believe
Thankfully there are none. that there is
snow here.

This place is
better. We could
make some I’m going to help
barricade around the kids unpack.
here. We are going to
settle in.

I’ll help you,

Bob. Esther and I
could look inside
to make sure
everything’s safe.

I will go inside
too. I don’t want
to jinx anything
but better be
certain before
regretting the
decision.
 I mean this place
is peaceful and
we don’t have to
worry a lot,
Hopefully right?
we don’t
have to For now, we
move again. should focus on
settling down.

Everyone begin to scout around the area and those who walk inside, they did a
double check before allowing the kids to go in. However, the kids are having fun
with the snow around the area. After they have settled, they decide to go into the
main building.
I found a huge
amount of
supplies to help
barricade the
area.

Dr Saimon and I
found our place
to do research on
zombies if there
are new kinds.

Ew! Why do
you need to In case if we
research new encounter
zombies? something
similar to
Donna’s
version?
By the time it is evening, everyone is tired
from unpacking and exploring within the
territory. The kids are asleep in one room
while everyone gathered in the main hall
except Bob who is babysitting the kids.

We can
finally relax.
My feet are
killing me.

I guess we are
really safe
from threats.

There are two

matters I wish
to address…. Are we going
to be in
danger?
First of all, no
sign of
zombies
around is
what surprises
me.
 I did find some
I did some journals of
scouting around someone who
the area but it used to live here.
seems this place It belonged to a
is the safest. Dr. Cho Yong Fei.

Yes. But do
you know him?

I’m sorry but

did you say Dr
Cho Yong Fei?

Is it possible if
he is alive?

What was he
He was a friend even doing
of ours. He was here?
reported
missing during
a rescue
mission.
 Did you met
him?
How long was
he out on the
rescue
mission? David, we
have to
know….

At least a year
ago. Why?

David look at
everyone in the
room. Nancy
and Dr Saimon
are mostly I’m really
concerned. sorry about
Anson, Premala his death.
and the others Sorry to say
but when I
are curious
encountered
what happened him, he was a
with Dr Cho. zombie. I had
David takes a to kill him
deep breath and three months
tells what he ago.
knows.
Dr Saimon couldn’t believe his ears and
leaves the hall. Khairul and Tak follow him
just to make sure he doesn’t do anything
stupid.
Presly hugs his sister as she burst into
tears. Anson walks out to calm down.
Premala decides to go to sleep early while Dr… I mean
Ben was a great
Dellandery and Russel just keep quiet. friend. Perhaps
Ostine falls on his knees in disbelief and he wrote
shock. something to
David hold back his tears. Kyra remains give us a clue.
silent as she place the diary on the table.

He might have
an answer of
why there are no
zombies here.
It is possible
since he is a
scientist
too….
There might be
answers….
Kyra, is his diary
complete or ---

I’m curious
about his time
from three
months ago or
perhaps before
that.

It seems the
entries go way
back to a year
ago and
stopped three
months ago.
15th March XXXX
After surviving from the ambushed that occurred and living a nomad
life, I end up here in Cold Bliss. There were a few people who are
friendly and accept me in the settlement. I helped with medicine since
I am a scientist.

There are 10 of us including me. Six are young adults and three are
senior citizens not more than 55 years old at least. I tend to one who
is badly ill.

16th March XXXX

There has been some unusual activities among the zombies that are
lurking. They seem to be gathering as a group but never attack our
settlement. The one who is badly ill suddenly pass away from high
fever. We had to burn the body since majority are worried about
suffering similar symptoms from the ill person.

19th March XXXX

Someone got infected. Kept it hidden but it turns out the person is
immune. He had been bitten two months prior. It’s hard to believe but
I manage to get a blood sample from him. I carried on with my
research. He seems normal but I will continue to observe.

23rd March XXXX

Two remaining senior citizens end up suicide because one was
recently bitten and his wife do not want him to be killed by the rest.
They end up suicide in their room. We remove the bodies and burn
them while Subject K and two others disinfect the room. Though it is
a sad event, we had to move on to continue living.
I could suggest to use Subject K’s blood as vaccine but the risk was
high as I have possibilities of “What If….”

2nd April XXXX

Three have gone missing. It’s just me, Fatima, Terence and Subject K.
We don’t know what happened to the four. Their belongings are still
here. I can only think that the four people left us. We had to save
ourselves from now on.
4th April XXXX
I continue to collect herbs when I ran into an old friend, David. He
had some deer meat in his bag and offered a part of it to me. I was
glad that he was a neighbour to me. It has been a while since I last
saw another human being. Apparently, he lives three hours walking
distance away from Cold Bliss but he calls it Red Meadows for some
reason.

12th April XXXX

I returned to find new discovery about how red roses when mix with
a certain chemical, it can cause zombies to be stun for a while. I have
a secret stash in my room and decide to keep it just in case of an
emergency.
Subject K saw my progress and decided to try and find the others. I
was against it but Terence was willing to go on his behalf to find
them.

19th April XXXX

A week has passed. Terence hasn’t return from his findings. Perhaps
something happened. I do not know but Fatima was pissed at me. She
decided to leave. It was just me and Subject K. But I might have a
theory about what if Terence stumbled upon a zombie’s hive. It is
possible. I recalled seeing a male zombie leading a group of unknown
survivors to somewhere far ahead.

24th April XXXX

Fatima came back with a bite wound that she got an hour ago. She
found Terence but he was in a zombie state. Fatima asked for a
vaccine that she heard of. I had no choice but to use Subject K’s blood
to create the vaccine and inject it into Fatima.
She isolated herself in her room and I made sure that I remained here
to observe her situation. Subject K made a decision to leave, hoping to
find some way to cure Fatima. Hopefully he doesn’t end up in the
Sanctuary.
 It seems whoever
this “Subject K” is
may be the person
we are looking for
to create a vaccine.
It’s too bad we do
not have any clues
on “Subject K”.
Did Ben leave any
important notes?

Sis…. Earlier you

Speaking of
read out loud about
isolated room,
Fatima….. Did it
which room
say what room she
was it?
was isolated in?

That sounds
like Bob!
The kids are
in danger!

Before anyone could get the kids, the three kids quickly run out while Bob is
fending off a female zombie with a bite wound on his left arm.

SAVE THE
KIDS!
THEY ARE
FINE!
Russel rushes upstairs and immediately
punch a hole through the zombie’s head
from the back. Bob sees the wound and
shed tears silently.
Before Russel could say anything, he
rushes back in and throw himself out of
the window, crushing his skull first on
the hard ground.
The kids are comforted by Esther and
Schervonne while others are shocked to
find that there is one zombie. Russel
Bob is dead…..
goes into the room where the kids were And so is
sleeping and finds that the zombie was Fatima….
hidden in the closet because he noticed
a broken lock on the floor.

It seems whoever
this “Subject K” is
may be the person
we are looking for
to create a vaccine.
For now, let’s just
check the rooms
again. Do a double
check from top to
bottom.

Russel immediately lead Schervonne,

Ostine and Dellandery to check every
room upstairs while Presly takes care of
the kids and Esther along with Nancy to
I’ll get Tak and the check the ground floor.
others to help get After everyone is done with their task,
rid of the Russel has an idea of making Cold
corpses…..
Bliss a better state. Stay tune to Book 8.