Chapter Text
Ben was led bounded into an empty room, aside from a large rectangular mirror on the wall. Given that it was the only thing in there, Ben assumed it was a one way window. His cuffs were removed and the men leading him stepped back to stand on either side of the closed door.
“Are we ready to start testing?” David’s voice came over the speaker.
“Yes, he’s ready.” Max answered.
“Woe, woe, what kind of ‘testing’ is going on here.” Ben sprung around to face Max and Badger.
“We’re testing your immunity.” David said. “I need to see you’re actually immune before we waste our time.”
A door on the far end of the room opened and a woman came in with a Walker on a stick collar Ben remembered seeing animal control using once. Immediately knowing what was about to happen, Ben jumped back and scrambled for the door he was brought through. Badger blocked his way, grabbing the teen’s shoulder to stop him.
“There is no way in hell that thing is biting me! You people are insane!” Ben shouted. His heart pounded out of his chest as his anxiety sky rocked. Part of him wasn’t sure his immunity would work a second time.
The Walker growled and tugged on its restrain, trying to go towards the shouting.
“Max, Badge, leave the room with the door locked.” David ordered. “Joan, release the Walker then leave as well. Lingard and I will observe what happens. And don’t worry Ben, we won’t let it eat you.”
“Wow, I feel so safe.” Ben said sarcastically.
Max and Badger left the room, locking the door behind them, Joan released the Walker from the leash and left through her door. Ben tensed up as the Walker growled and shambled towards him. He jumped out of the way barely in time as it lunged for him.
Ben missed his footing in his haste and fell onto the linoleum floor. The Walker was on him in an instant and struggling with the teen holding it back. It snapped its teeth at him, trying to bite as the teen felt it back.
Ben managed to get out from under it and crawl away, only for it to grab his ankle. The teen rolled onto his back and started kicking its head. The Walker’s head snapped back before coming forwards again and biting into Ben’s right leg.
“Fuck-” Ben cursed.
The teen kicked hard, crying out as a chunk of flesh was ripped out as the Walker fell back. The door flung open as Max came in and quickly killed the undead monster with a knife to the skull.
“I’m going to fucking kill all of you, in the most brutal way I can think of!” Ben hissed, gripping his bleeding leg.
“Yeah, yeah, come on, Kid.” Badger took hold of the teen’s elbow and pulled him up from the ground.
Max and Badger put the cuffs back onto Ben’s wrists before dragging him back to his room on David’s orders.
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Lingard finished wrapping Ben’s leg and turned away to put away the cleaning supplies. The wound had needed stitches to close it up but was now closed into a neat line on the side of his calf. Ben leaned back against the bed board as he watched the man through his uncovered lidden eye.
“You’re a doctor right? How can you agree with this?” Ben asked the man.
“David just wants to know for himself if you really are immune to the virus.” Lingard said.
“That’s not what I asked.” Ben frowned.
Lingard just hummed as he continued working. Ben coughed, feeling the effects of being bitten starting to set in. He laid back in bed, rolling onto his side and curling up. His stomach cramped up from the movement, making him groan.
“Already feeling symptoms?” Lingard asked.
“Yeah.” Ben forced out.
“All I can give you is pain medicine. Do you want some?” The man asked.
Ben nodded. Lingard moved around and pulled out a bottle of painkillers out of the first aid kit, shook out two and passed them to the teen. Ben sat up and took them, throwing them back in his mouth and swallowing them dry.
He laid back down then and pulled his blanket up to his chin. He closed his eyes to block out the light and tried to relax while waiting for the meds to kick in.
“I’ll leave you to sleep.” Lingard said.
Ben just hummed. Lingard’s footsteps moved towards the door and the lights switched off before the door clicked shut. The teen curled up in bed, letting his mind wander to his family before drifting off.