Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

As Kaley said that, everyone couldn't help but agree, especially Jennifer—maybe even Rachel. Honestly, the promise of improving one's body from a simple injection was very enticing for everyone else and it's just the negatives that was holding them back from pursuing them.

But yeah, Jennifer could see the glances everyone else was giving to the freezer but she waved them off as she tried to explain her side:

"That's… That's the mindset I had when I applied to be one of the soldiers to have the privilege of taking those things—and I'm gonna be a little bit hypocritical like my father because I also did PEDs to gain muscle and mass. Was it great? Fuck yeah! For everybody else though, not so much."

Rachel let out a sigh as Jennifer said that but she still nudged her with a smile as she rubbed her shoulders, "It's okay, I'm okay…"

Jennifer touched Rachel's hand, "I focused on the positives too much I didn't even notice I was hurting the one person that's important to me *looks at Rachel* and even if I know I did those bad things, I'm still having a hard time saying that I wish I didn't take them—because in all honesty, and as I said earlier—it felt fucking great.

It felt that good to be improving that much from a simple pill or an injection…"

Quinn nodded a few times, "Been there…"

Jennifer shook her head, "Of course, you still need hard work, great nutrition, sleep, everything in order for you to maximize your gains but let's just say that what I took are fucking cheat codes. I enjoyed my time using them but at the same time, I'd say not to use them but— Ugh… All the insights I received from him *looks at me* is great and all but I'm still having a hard time letting go.

I'm still having a hard time thinking of these things *looks at her arms* to disappear."

I cut in, "I'm telling you, you're just downsizing but we're gonna try and let you keep all of that strength— how did we get to this conversation again?"

Dr. Nichols chuckled, "It's all the talk about injectables— That's something I am familiar with though hadn't had much experience because the only place I used to work in didn't do any PEDs or anything of the sort—but my private visits to other friends away from the university made me aware of its effects, especially the bad ones.

It's very illegal here and since you can't get a reliable source, some of the patients I treated were given fakes and it led to more problems. Besides steroids are not just for bodybuilders or other athletes like you guys, it has other uses."

Edith cut in, "You know… There's this one thing Sebastian used to inject on Rogue—"

Everyone else asked, "Who?"

I chuckled, "Ah, Rogue! Our bull! Tren, right?"

Dr. Nichols shook her head, "Trenbolone Acetate? Yeah… I've heard of that, It's originally used for cattle but we found other uses for that… Insulin is one other example but out of the bunch, Peptides, the real ones are much safer and it's along the lines of injectable testosterone."

June nodded a few times, "I have taken that a few times depending on my blood work… Stopped completely now though…"

"Oh… What else have you been on? If you wouldn't mind sharing?"

"Well…"

"I…"

"In my case…"

"Oh…"

"I was…"

From then on, the conversation continued on and on until I finally hit my limit and woke up in the middle of the night sleeping between Kaley and Quinn. I was still feeling the soreness in my legs and I was also itching for a trip to the kitchen for a small bite, so as I walked down the stairs to fix myself a snack, I almost jumped off my skin when I saw Ella eating a bowl of cereal alone.

"What the fu—"

"You— You scared me!"

"You scared me too! The fuck are you—"

"Hmm? It's 5 AM, it's essentially morning, you know?"

I looked at my watch and discovered it was as she said, "Huh. You're right."

"Want some? I can't believe you still have some Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch… I love these…"

"Thanks but I'll go with some Corn Flakes with a dab of honey…"

"Corn Flakes?! Ugh… Ew… You're like my dad… He just eats them as is with milk though, no honey whatsoever…"

I chuckled as I sat next to her, "You woke really early though, what's up? We could've had breakfast a little bit later."

"I'm okay, really, no worries. Dad just checked up on me but he got the timeline mixed up so he called in at 3 AM. We just finished talking and he hung up— Can't sleep after that though."

"I see…"

"Yeah…"

"You doing okay though?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean, you doing okay here? Is there anything you—"

"I-I'm fine— I'm great, actually… It's just… you know… nevermind…"

"You can tell me, you know? We can see what I could do or I can just listen to you vent, you have me until everyone wakes up. I'm gonna be pretty busy once morning comes…"

"Then…"

"Ask me anything, really—"

"Then can you stop treating me like I'm an idiot and tell me the truth?"

"Ella—"

"I thought you hate secrets— guess what? I hate them too, and I know you've been keeping a huge secret from me! I just don't know what! O-Once Dad invited you i-into that b-basement, you just l-looked at me the same way everyone who went down there looks at me! I-I act like a child— like a brat sometimes but I'm already an adult! I fucking hate when I don't get treated like one and you know what?!

I was mad— FUMING! When you threw me in the water but that's the first time someone treated me like I wouldn't break from the slightest touch! I— I'm sorry for t-telling you all this w-when you just w-woke up but I j-just have a lot of things to say t-true off my chest… A-And since you offered and all… y-you know…"

"..."

"Don't just look at me l-like that! S-Say something!"

I looked her straight in the eye, "You really wanna know? I can tell you, right here, right now. What I'm saying is just— if you're not 100% sure, tell me now or else you'd wish you haven't heard it. I'll respect your wishes but I'm not responsible for what you'd feel after, is that okay?"

Ella took a moment to ready herself before she looked back at me, "A-Alright. I'm ready—"

I let out a sigh, "Alright. Hold my wrists and listen well. It's about your Mom…"

As soon as I mentioned her Mom, Jolene, Ella's grip on me tightened considerably as her eyes just scanned every inch of my face, especially my eyes. Tears fell down from hers as I gave her the bad news and I saw every bit of emotion in her eyes as I spared her no details of her mother's condition.

It seemed she already had an inkling and the talk we had last night of the injectables—especially the one that could reinforce bones—added to her suspicions and being kept in the dark was just eating away at her—and opening the doors for her like this made her realize and understand.

While it was true that it was bit much for her to know everything her father was keeping from her, it was all she needed at the same time.

On that note, her tight grip on my wrists turned to a full-on hug as she completely cried herself out, and even Zeus joined in to give her some emotional support despite almost hitting his head on the table counter when he jumped up:

"Aww, Zeus… D-Did we wake you up? I'm sorry…"

"Woof…"

I chuckled, "He said it's okay… and that's his cereal—"

"WHAT?!"

"Of course, not! I can't speak woof, Ella, the fuck you think—"

"YOU— Stop joking around!"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

"AHHH! Stupid! Y-You're so stupid! PFFT!!! Dammit!"

In any case, I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't notice her giving me "that" look after she laughed her ass off with me, giving us a few seconds to stare at each other in silence—but it didn't take long before the kids came knocking, prompting Zeus to open the door for them as they excitedly ran in and told us that the food was ready.