INT. LOCKED ROOM – SECOND FLOOR – NIGHT
A dim oil lantern flickers. The room is dusty. BHARGAV sits on the floor, shirt off, staring at the long scratch on his shoulder, red and inflamed but not bleeding.
His breathing is slow. Focused. But the fear sits in his chest like lead.
BHARGAV(muttering to himself):No blood… it didn't break skin. It didn't.
Footsteps outside the locked door.
KARTIK (O.S.):Bhargav… You need anything? Water?
BHARGAV:Just leave it by the door.
Beat of silence.
KARTIK (O.S.):We're watching the night in shifts. You call out the second something changes.
No reply.
KARTIK (O.S.)(soft):We trust you, brother.
The footsteps fade.
Bhargav finally leans back, eyes open wide.
BHARGAV (V.O.):I've seen friends turn. Once they do… they don't come back.
INT. ROOFTOP – MIDNIGHT
AYUSH and SHIVAM stand guard in near silence. The wind whistles past the rusted metal pipes.
SHIVAM(quietly):You believe Bhargav?
AYUSH:He's family. But family or not… if he turns, I'll be the first one to end it.
Shivam nods. Doesn't flinch.
AYUSH (V.O.):That's the weight of leadership. Not just protecting your people…But killing them if it saves the rest.
INT. MAIN ROOM – SAME TIME
ANANYA kneels beside SANAA, both half-asleep under a shared blanket.
The girls have barely spoken in hours.
ANANYA:He was like a father to all of us. Not just you.
SANAA(soft, eyes wet):And I just keep replaying the scene… over and over… and he's—
ANANYA:You survived. He made sure of that. Now you make sure it means something.
Sanaa sniffles.
They lean into each other, drawing warmth not just from the blanket, but shared grief.
INT. STAIRWELL – DAWN
TANYA tiptoes up the staircase, carrying a small tray of tea.
TANYA(quietly to herself)He hasn't eaten in almost a day…
She pauses outside Bhargav's door. Gently knocks.
TANYA :Bhargav… it's me. Can I come in?
No answer.
TANYAI won't ask you to talk. Just drink. Please?
A pause… then a slow click. The door creaks open an inch.
She enters.
INT. LOCKED ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Tanya sees him sitting in a corner, huddled in a blanket, shirt still off, eyes red from exhaustion.
TANYA:You look like shit.
BHARGAV:Feel worse.
She sets down the tea. Doesn't push him.
He finally speaks.
BHARGAV:If I turn… promise me you won't let them hesitate.
TANYA:Then don't turn.
She says it like a fact.
TANYA:You're stronger than this thing.
BHARGAV:People say that… until it's eating them alive.
Their eyes lock.
A moment of raw connection.
INT. BASEMENT – LATE MORNING
KARTIK and AYUSH haul crates around, trying to stay busy.
KARTIK:We keep the weapons locked if he turns.
AYUSH:Already done.
KARTIK:I hate this feeling. Suspicion. Among our own.
AYUSH:It's not suspicion. It's readiness.
They find an old army med-kit buried under a rusted toolbox.
Inside: a vial marked "ZMB-V1 Exposure Protocol".
KARTIK:What the hell is this?
AYUSH:Experimental dose? Could be a vaccine… or poison.
KARTIK:You thinking what I'm thinking?
AYUSH:If it works, we try it. On Bhargav.
They exchange a wary glance.
INT. COMMON ROOM – AFTERNOON
The group has gathered. Tension simmers in the room.
AYUSH:We found something in the basement. Maybe a cure. Maybe not.
SANAA:You want to inject him?
AYUSH:We ask him first.
Bhargav enters slowly. Shirt on. Eyes calm now.
BHARGAV:I heard. I'll take the shot.
TANYA:Are you sure?
BHARGAV:Either I die trying… or die anyway.
Ayush nods grimly.
AYUSHLet's prep the med station.
INT. MED STATION (CONVERTED BATHROOM) – EVENING
The group watches tensely as Kartik administers the shot.
KARTIK(whispering):You better not die, man.
BHARGAV:I was born for chaos.
Ayush places a hand on his shoulder.
AYUSH:See you in 12 hours.
They leave him in the room. Door locked. Again.
INT. ROOFTOP – NIGHT
Rain starts falling.
Sanaa and Kartik sit quietly under a tarp.
SANAA:What if the injection kills him?
KARTIK:Then we remember him like he lived — a fighter.
Pause.
KARTIK:I used to think I couldn't protect anyone.
SANAA:You've protected us more than anyone.
She reaches out, touching his hand.
He doesn't pull away.
INT. ROOM – LATE NIGHT
Ayush is bandaging a cut on his hand. Ananya walks in.
ANANYA:You're always the last to rest.
AYUSH:I'll rest when we're safe.
ANANYAWe might never be safe.
She kneels beside him. Quietly takes over the bandaging.
ANANYA:But at least we'll be together.
They don't kiss. No confession. Just a lingering touch — calm, fragile trust forming.
INT. BHARGAV'S ROOM – 3AM
He lies still. Breathing shallow.
His hand twitches.
His eyes snap open.
Bloodshot.
He gasps.
Then… steady breath.
He sits up. Not turned.
He survived.
EXT. ROOFTOP – SUNRISE
Bhargav walks up. The group gathers, unsure.
He raises his arm.
Alive. Clear eyes.
Tanya runs forward and hugs him tight.
Everyone cheers — silent joy. Real relief.
AYUSH (V.O.):He lived. Maybe that means something.Maybe this world isn't done with us yet.