Henry was about to finish his shift in the new laboratory the government had assigned him and other scientists, after a mandatory quarantine was declared due to the threat of what he now knew was a mutated strain of a virus that had previously It only affected birds, but had somehow jumped the species barrier and was now infecting humans with devastating consequences. Everyone who was exposed to the virus quickly transformed into what, according to the internet and ordinary people, were zombies.

Henry carefully removed his gloves and mask, and headed to the meeting room where his colleagues were waiting for him. They had worked tirelessly for months, testing hundreds of samples and combinations, until they had finally managed to create the first viable prototype of a cure for the virus. It was a historic moment, and Henry was proud to be a part of it.

"Friends, we have good news," Henry announced as he entered the room. We have managed to synthesize an antiviral that inhibits virus replication and prevents cell transformation. It is the first step to reverse the process and cure those infected.

The other scientists looked at him with amazement and excitement. Some stood up to applaud, others hugged each other, and others asked him questions about the prototype. Henry explained the technical details, but also conveyed his optimism.

"I think we're looking at great progress," Henry said. For the first time in a long time, I have hope that humanity can be saved. It won't be easy or quick, but we have a chance. And we are going to take advantage of it.

The scientists were filled with enthusiasm and determination upon hearing Henry's words. They knew they now had to work harder and faster to produce and distribute the cure as quickly as possible. The fate of the world depended on them.

"We have to contact the government and the WHO," said one of them. We must inform them of our discovery and coordinate an action plan.

"Yes, and we also have to protect our sample," added another. We can't risk it falling into the wrong hands. There are many interests at stake, and not everyone wants the pandemic to end.

"Don't worry, we have the best security possible," Henry assured them. No one will be able to enter or leave without our authorization. The sample is safe.

But just at that moment, an explosion was heard in the background that made the building shake. The scientists were startled and looked at each other in panic. What was happening?

A guard ran into the room, his face pale and his uniform stained with blood.

We have a problem! the Scream-. Someone tried to steal the sample of the cure!

The scientists were paralyzed for a moment, unable to believe what they had just heard. How was it possible that someone had entered the laboratory and tried to steal the sample of the cure? Who would be capable of doing something like that?

What happened? Henry asked the guard, trying to remain calm. Who has been responsible? Where is the sample now?

"I don't know, sir," the guard responded nervously. I only know that there was an explosion in the south wing, where the sample was kept. Someone planted a bomb and blew a hole in the wall. Then several armed men entered and went to the refrigerator where the sample was. I was guarding the entrance, and I tried to stop them, but they shot me. Luckily, they only grazed my arm. Then the alarm sounded and more guards arrived. There was a shootout, and I think some of the intruders managed to escape. I don't know if they took the sample or not.

"We have to find out," Henry said urgently. Let's go to the south wing, right now. Maybe we can recover the sample, or at least identify the thieves.

"Yes, sir," the guard agreed. Follow me please.

Henry and the guard ran out of the room, followed by the other scientists. Everyone was worried and scared. What would happen if the sample fell into enemy hands? What would they do with her? Would they use it to create a biological weapon, or to extort money from the world? Or would they destroy it, condemning humanity to a hopeless future?

When they reached the south wing, they were met with a scene of chaos and destruction. Smoke and fire came from the hole in the wall, and the floor was littered with shell casings and blood. Several guards lay wounded or dead, and others continued to exchange gunfire with the intruders, who had barricaded themselves inside the laboratory.

Careful! -shouted one of the guards-. They have grenades!

Indeed, one of the thieves threw a smoke grenade towards the entrance, creating a dense curtain of smoke that made it impossible to see anything. Taking advantage of the confusion, the thieves ran out of the laboratory, taking the sample of the cure with them. The guards tried to chase them, but ran into the scientists, who had also run away. The smoke blinded them and made them cough, and they did not know which direction to shoot.

Don't shoot! -Henry shouted-. We are the scientists!

Stop the thieves! -the guard shouted-. They took the sample!

But it was too late. The thieves had managed to escape, leaving behind nothing but destruction and a great feeling of desperation among all the scientists and guards.

felix pov

Felix ran through the corridors of the laboratory, his heart beating a thousand miles per hour. He carried in his hand a small vial with a bluish liquid, which was the sample of the cure for the virus. It was the most valuable loot he had ever stolen, and also the most dangerous.

Felix was a mercenary, hired by a secret organization that wanted to get hold of the cure. He didn't know who they were, or what plans they had, only that they had paid him a fortune to participate in the assault. Along with four other men, he had entered the laboratory after the explosion, and had reached the refrigerator where the sample was. He had been the fastest to catch her, and he had run away, leaving his companions behind.

But things had not gone as expected. The laboratory guards had reacted quickly, and had started a shootout. Felix had seen two of his companions fall, and he did not know what had become of the other two. He only knew that he had to escape, and deliver the sample to his boss.

But it wasn't going to be easy. The laboratory was a maze of hallways and doors, and Lucas didn't know the way out. Furthermore, the alarm kept ringing, and the guards were looking for him everywhere. He had to find a way out, and soon.

Suddenly, he found himself in front of a door that said "Meeting Room." He remembered passing by there before, and thought that maybe he could find a window or an emergency exit. He pushed the door hard and entered the room.

But it wasn't empty. Inside was a man in a white coat, who looked at him with surprise and horror. It was Henry, the leader of the scientists, who had announced the discovery of the cure. Lucas recognized him from the photos he had seen in the media.

You! exclaimed Henry. You are one of the thieves! Give me back the sample!

Henry lunged at Felix, trying to snatch the vial from him. Lucas reacted instinctively, and punched him in the face. Henry fell to the ground, but did not give up. He got up and attacked Felix again, who dodged his blow and kicked him in the stomach. Henry doubled over in pain, but managed to grab Felix's leg and make him fall. The two men rolled on the floor, struggling over the display, not caring about the noise or the furniture they were knocking over.

Let her go! -Henry shouted-. It is humanity's only hope!

Be quiet! -Felix shouted-. It's my job, and I get paid well for it!

The two men continued fighting, unaware that the door to the room had opened, and that several guards and scientists had entered, armed and ready to stop them.

The guards and scientists entered the meeting room, and were stunned to see Henry and Lucas fighting over the vial with the cure sample. Without wasting time, they pointed their weapons and shouted:

High! Drop the sign and put your hands up!

Henry and Felix stopped, and looked at the newcomers. Henry recognized his colleagues, and nodded to them. Lucas saw that he was surrounded, and that he had no escape.

"It's okay, it's okay," Felix said, putting down the bottle. Don't shoot, I surrender.

Henry took advantage of the moment, and took the bottle with the sample. He put it in his robe, and got up from the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief, and approached his colleagues.

"Thank you for arriving on time," he told them. This man is one of the thieves who tried to steal the sample. He must be detained and interrogated.

"Don't worry, Henry," one of the guards told him. We'll take care of him. Are you OK? Has he hurt you?

"I'm fine, just a little bruised," Henry replied. The important thing is that we have the sample. It's our only hope.

The guards handcuffed Felix and took him out of the room. They took him to an empty room, where they locked him up until they decided what to do with him. Maybe he would be handed over to the police, or maybe he would be given a summary trial. Felix knew that his situation was serious, and that no one would come to rescue him. He regretted having accepted that job, and having gotten into that mess.

The scientists, for their part, met with Henry, and congratulated him on his bravery and his intelligence. They asked him about the sample, and he assured them that it was intact. He told them that they had to keep working on the cure, and that they couldn't let anyone take it away from them. He told them that it was his duty to humanity, and that they could not fail.