Just when Nelson was losing hope, Caroline tossed him another key. This time, it worked. As soon as Nelson unlocked the shackle, he flung it far away and stared at it for several seconds, his eyes filled with resentment. It was clear that Harry's way of controlling Nelson was deeply humiliating for him. Nelson tossed the other key back to Caroline. "This one should be the key for the shackles on Dr. Sinclair's ankle." Caroline didn't know who this "Dr. Sinclair" was, but she figured once Francis found the right person, the key would come in handy. She didn't pay much attention to the fact that the doctor shared her last name. There weren't many Sinclairs, but it wasn't exactly a rare surname either. She was just about to find a soldier to give the key to Francis when she suddenly heard Nelson start to speak. "Ms. Sinclair, you saved me, killed my enemy, and gave me my freedom. From now on, my life belongs to you. If you need help with anything, just tell me. "By the way, this mutant tree is my buddy. His name is Handsy. He's a powerful friend, and in the apocalypse, he'll be a strong ally." Caroline froze for a second. The mutant tree spread its leaves and gave her a little wave, like it was saying hi. Nelson raised his hand too, copying the tree's gesture with a completely blank face. Caroline was momentarily stunned. What is happening? Is this a buy-one-get-one-free deal? Did he just force himself into becoming my friend—along with a tree? The truth was, Caroline had already been thinking about befriending Nelson. After all, he would one day become the strongest healing ability user. He was also a mad scientist, responsible for many groundbreaking post-apocalyptic discoveries in her previous life.Some were in medicinal herbs, others in mutant biology. All in all, Nelson was an all-rounder. Other than his strange way of thinking, he didn't seem to have any real weaknesses. Caroline found Nelson's sudden loyalty almost surreal. How is he already ready to follow me, and he's bringing a powerful mutant tree along too? But ... where am I supposed to keep a tree this huge? It's not like I can just plant him by the road. Caroline didn't realize Nelson had been studying her the whole time. Nelson had grown up in an orphanage, never really having any friends. He was much smarter than most people and loved working alone, but he was always cold to others. That was because he had suffered abuse and bullying as a child. He'd always been wary of everyone around him. He didn't like the army either. When he was little and got bullied, he reported it to the police. But the police barely listened to him. Instead, they went to the orphanage director and let her handle it. After that, the director scolded Nelson and told his teacher to punish him even more. She told Nelson that he had embarrassed the orphanage. She scolded him by saying things like, "Why go to the police over something so small?" To Nelson, the army was no better than the police. That was why he wanted nothing to do with them. But Caroline was different. But Caroline was different. She didn't ask for anything in return. She just handed him the key and let him unlock his shackles. That alone counted as saving Nelson's life. For Nelson, having no freedom in life was worse than death. These last few days in the lab had been torture.Nelson really felt he owed Caroline his life. He didn't care much about most things. But for the few things he did care about, he was incredibly loyal. Usually, he was cold and distant, with an "I couldn't care less about the world" attitude. But if someone managed to reach his heart, he became the type to take on all that person's problems as his own. Caroline's actions today had struck a chord with Nelson. But what she said next surprised him even more. "Honestly, if you want to come with me, I wouldn't mind. I live in an apartment above the shelter, and there are a few empty units next door. I've got two teammates. Before the apocalypse, they were mercenaries ... " As soon as she said that, Nelson's eyes lit up. "Mercenaries? Awesome! I love people who aren't afraid to break the rules. Ms. Sinclair, were you a mercenary too?" Caroline replied, "I was just a regular college student before all this."