[TWD x Resident Evil] — Chapter 562 - A Playful Impulse

Chris was watching the three mutant dogs tear into their meal in front of the iron cage, thoroughly entertained.

"You know what, I'll give it to them — mutated dogs really are something else. They can actually rip through pig hide."

The others followed Leon toward the cafeteria.

Ashley walked alongside him, her steps light.

Her mind was still buzzing with that strange sensation from moments ago, actually hearing the dogs' thoughts.

Not auditory hallucination. Not some trick of the mind. That had been real, tangible mental contact.

If she could read an animal's thoughts... then by that same logic, what about people? That should work too, right?

The human brain was far more complex than a dog's, sure. But at its core it was still just neurons and bioelectrical activity.

She had fused with Solar Stairway. She had been completely assimilated by Leon's virus. Her neural strength had long since blown past the limits of ordinary biology.

Maybe it really could work.

Once that idea surfaced, it refused to leave. It put down roots and spread fast.

Ashley's gaze swept across the yard, hunting for a suitable test subject.

Passing the open ground outside the cafeteria, she found one.

Maggie was standing beside a long folding table, a crate of beer in her arms, completely zoned out. The beer was for the welcome party. The crate looked heavy. She didn't seem to notice.

Her eyes had drifted past the crowd and fixed on Leon's retreating back, her gaze soft and unfocused. There was a faint flush on her cheeks, subtle enough that you'd miss it if you weren't looking.

She was deep in thought about something.

Her. She'll do.

Ashley slowed her steps. Her eyes narrowed.

She concentrated her full attention, staring at the back of Maggie's head, reaching for that strange click of connection she had felt with the mutant dogs.

At first, nothing.

Just a faint wash of white noise against her ears.

Then the static cut out entirely.

A woman's voice, Southern accent, unmistakable, rang inside Ashley's head without any warning at all.

"When the hell is that bastard Leon ever going to get into my bed?"

"Is my waist-to-hip ratio not hot enough? Or does he prefer the mature type, like Dawn?"

"If I get him drunk at tonight's welcome party and just drag him into a room and take what I want... I wonder if he'd even resist. Actually, resistance would be better. A little forced play is way more exciting..."

"But his bodily fluids transform people... What am I supposed to do about that?"

Ashley sucked in a sharp breath right where she stood.

She stared at Maggie, who was, not ten feet away, still calmly pretending to sort through beer crates, with wide, horrified eyes.

Those thoughts were absolutely unhinged.

Maggie had a reputation around the prison. Gentle, capable, efficient, the woman who kept logistics running like clockwork, the picture of a competent, put-together leader.

And she was sitting here mentally mapping out how to devour Leon whole.

With force, no less.

Ashley swallowed hard. She felt like her entire understanding of people had just been flipped upside down.

She cut the connection.

Her heart was hammering.

She had actually heard what someone else was thinking.

This ability was the ultimate gossip detector. It was terrifying. It was incredible.

For interrogating enemies. For gathering intelligence. For knowing exactly what someone was planning before they made their move.

This was priceless.

Up ahead, Leon noticed Ashley had stopped walking.

He turned around. Ashley was frozen in place, wearing an expression like she had just seen a ghost. He frowned.

"What's wrong? Feeling unwell?"

He walked back and pressed a hand to her forehead.

Ashley quickly shook her head, darting a guilty glance toward Maggie's direction.

"N— no." The words came out vague. "I just suddenly remembered something."

She could hardly tell Leon that the smoking-hot girl over there was plotting to get him drunk tonight and take matters into her own hands.

Leon studied her for a moment, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

"Don't push through it. Your body's still in the adjustment period — if you're tired, go sleep."

"I know, I know." Ashley looped her arm through his and steered him forward. "Let's go, I'm hungry."

Leon let himself be moved along and didn't push further.

But the fire in Ashley's chest only burned hotter.

This ability was too much fun.

She was already itching to try it again, to make sure what just happened wasn't some one-time fluke.

➤ Next: Overplayed It