Lacey was lost in her thoughts, imagining the panic that would consume Celia once she realized she was locked inside the lab when suddenly, a piercing scream broke the silence.

"Ah!"

Lacey was snapped back to reality, a hint of impatience flickering in her eyes. She turned her head to see that Paul Barker, a seasoned senior researcher, was shouting.

Despite his seasoned years and extensive experience at the Virus Center, Paul, in his fifties, found himself surprisingly ...