Chapter 202 The Puppetmaster
Chapter 202 The Puppetmaster
“She only lost her ability recently. Mike said with a shrug,pletely oblivious to the danger “After that. she was just something for us to y with. It’s only been half a month. If you’re feeling generous, fose Us something small–we’ll call it even, make friends! I’m from Summit Camp. You folks are from
“zing Sun Alliance, Theresa answered coldly, then a sh of silver streaked behind her.
Mike suddenly doubled over, a shrick tearing from his throat as searing pain exploded between his legs.
Theresa turned, voice devoid of mercy. “Don’t let a single one of them go. Kill them all. Then broadcast to every channel–we’re putting a bounty on Summit Camp men. Anyone who brings me their heads gets food in return.”
Soon after, their truck roared down the road, heading straight for an old factory on the outskirts.
When it finally came to a stop, Tania still hadn’t let go of Theresa’s hand. Her fingers clung tightly. trembling, overwhelmed by the number of people waiting outside. Nearly all of them were men.
“Aunt Tania, this is my ce. It’s safe.”
Still, she didn’t let go.
Theresa motioned for the others to handle the women they’d rescued, making sure they were settled in first before finally leading Tania out of the vehicle herself.
“No one will every a finger on you again.”
Tania stood there for a long time, eyes still clouded with fear. Then she looked up at Theresa. “T–Terry?”
“It’s me.”
“I finally found you!” Tania pulled her into a fierce hug, her voice shaking with emotion. “I’ve been looking for you for so long!”
Theresa let her calm down little by little, studying that face that looked so much like her mother’s. “You’ve been looking for me all this time?”
“Yes! Back when I was overseas–before the apocalypse—I discovered traces of the zombie virus. I knew something big wasing. I rushed home to find all of you. Right, where’s your mom? And your grandparents?”
“They passed a long time ago.”
Tania’s smile faltered. She froze where she stood.
“Grandpa died three years after you left. Grandma didn’tst much longer after that. Mom died in a car ident when I was 14. But maybe it’s a blessing… they didn’t have to live to see what the world’s be.” Theresa’s tone was calm, almost matter–of–fact.
Tania, however, looked devastated. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been so selfish back then, none of this would’ve happened…”
12:34 Tue, <b>12 </b><b>Aug </b>ar
Chapter 202 The Puppetmaster
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“It wasn’t your fault.” Theresa gave her a firm pat on the shoulder. “Even if it was, you can’t change anything
now.”
Tania lifted a hand, gently smoothing her niece’s hair. “At the very least, I wouldn’t have left you to grow up
alone.”
“Oh–right. You said you discovered the zombie virus overseas?”
“That’s right. The virus didn’t just appear overnight. It was already lurking beneath the surface long before the outbreak. My research team had been studying it. When I realized it was beyond containment, I immediately flew back to find you. But I was still toote. The virus fully broke out the moment my ne touched down.” Tania’s expression darkened.
“Aunt Tania… you were part of the research field?!”
Tania lifted her chin, eyes gleaming with a quiet pride. “I’m not just anyone–I’m a virologist. A famous one. Anita.”
Theresa stared at her in shock. <i>Anita</i>? <i>The </i><i>Puppetmaster</i><i>–</i><i>the </i><i>only </i><i>woman </i><i>who </i><i>ever </i><i>made </i><i>it </i><i>onto </i><i>the </i><i>list </i><i>of </i><i>the </i><i>ten </i>deadliest survivors?!
The name raced through her mind. In her past life, Anita had been a ghost–her background unknown, her origins a mystery. All anyone knew was that she’d wandered from camp to camp early on, eventually ending up in Hope Camp, where she became its most formidable virologist. Her special ability? Hypnotizing zombies. She could force them to freeze for up to three seconds—just long enough to lose their target.
Word out there was that she had captured Quentin Kerr. But Anita had always kept a low profile. Her ability was her trump card, rarely used, rarely mentioned. If it hadn’t been for Quentin’s capture, no one would’ve even known she had powers.
She didn’t need them, anyway. Her intellect alone made her invaluable.
And now Theresa realized–with no small amount of awe–that the legendary virologist, the Puppetmaster herself… was her aunt.
“Terry? What’s wrong?” Tania looked at her, worried.
“Aunt Tania, you can hypnotize zombies, is that it? What kind of ability is that?”
Tania shook her head. “It’s not an ability, not really. It’s something I created–a viral spray. When I was studying the zombie virus, I discovered a weakness. It has a mild resistance to a specific ss ofpounds. I developed a form that, when sprayed in a zombie’s eyes, temporarily disrupts their senses–just enough to stop them for one to three seconds. I ran outst month, which is how I ended up being preyed on by those b*stards.”
Theresa blinked.
“Terry, if you get me thosepounds, I can make you your own self–defense spray!”
Theresa’s eyes lit up immediately. <i>Aunt </i><i>Tania </i><i>is </i><i>a </i><i>d</i><i>*</i>mn <i>treasure</i><i>! </i><i>That </i><i>spray </i><i>could </i><i>be </i><i>a </i><i>game</i><i>–</i><i>changer </i><i>at </i><i>the </i><i>right </i><i>moment</i><i>–</i><i>and </i><i>the </i><i>best </i><i>part</i>? <i>Anyone </i><i>can </i><i>use </i><i>it</i><i>. </i><i>Even </i><i>ordinary </i><i>people</i><i>. </i><i>Everyone </i><i>can </i><i>carry </i><i>one</i><i>! </i>
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