Chapter 9 On our way back, Noah kept chasing after us, pleading, "Sky, after everything we've been through, give me one more chance to make things right. I swear I won't screw up again!" "Shut up!" the deputy team leader cut him off sharply. "I can't believe you still have the nerve to bring that up! Because of that bitch, you made us miss the evacuation, wasted the precious serum, and almost got us all killed! Get the hell out of here before I put a bullet in you, you fucking idiot!" I yanked a dagger from my belt and tossed it at his feet. "You're on your own now. From this moment on, you've been removed from the team. "Also, in case it hasn't sunk in, we broke up a long time ago. Don't you dare come after me again!" After hearing that, Noah crawled forward on his knees and held onto my leg, refusing to let go. "Sky, I know I was foolish. I made a mistake..." His tears soaked my pants. "I swear I'll only listen to you from now on. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it!" 1 pried his fingers off. "Forget it. Do you really think I'd ever trust you again?" He hurriedly shook his head. "Things are different this time. I finally see Esmeralda for who she truly is. Now, I know you are the only one who has ever truly cared about me-" The deputy team leader sneered, "Oh, so now you're sorry? It's way too late for that now!" Noah acted like he didn't hear a thing. He lifted his tear-streaked face to look up at me and choked out, "Please... Give me one last chance!" Ignoring him, I led the team out. Before leaving, I said, "You've used up all your chances." As we made our way through the dark hallways of the research lab, Noah's heart-wrenching sobs echoed behind us. "Sky... Please give me one more chance! Don't leave me! I-I know I was wrong." The deputy leader spat on the floor. "He's not sorry; he's just scared!" I remained silent at the front, with my gun raised and ready the whole time. The emergency lights in the research lab flickered on and off, and the air stank of blood and decay. Distant growls of the zombies rumbled through the halls. We were about to reach the exit when a familiar wail cut through the darkness. "Help... Please, help me!" I took a closer look and saw Esmeralda pinned against a wall by three zombies, their teeth sinking into her. Her right arm had been ripped off, blood gushing like a fountain. When she spotted us, her eyes lit up with hope. "Skyla! Save me!" She thrashed and reached for us with her only hand, her nails leaving streaks of blood on the floor. I stopped in my tracks and watched as she struggled, on the brink of death. Her abdomen was torn open, her intestines spilling out, yet she clung to life. The deputy leader gritted his teeth and aimed his gun at her head. "I'll blow your brains out right now, you bitch!" He was about to pull the trigger, but I raised my head to stop him. "Don't do it." He stared at me in disbelief when he heard that. "Have you forgotten what this traitor did to us, Skyla? Do you still want to let her live?" 1/2