Page 2 of The Last of Love

The guard gave a sheepish shrug, clearly confused.

She shook her head. Unbelievable. Of course she knew who it was. How could she not? Even through the grainy footage, the woman’s stance was unmistakable. She was bold, confident, completely unbothered by the desolation around her. The world could be burning down, and Fleur would stand there like it was just another Tuesday.

“What brings you here to grace us with your presence?” Lena’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she leaned into the mic.

The woman on the other side of the gate, Fleur Harrison, stood there looking impatient. She had the same cold expression Lena had seen in a thousand interviews, right before the world fell apart. Fleur, the brilliant geneticist whose studies in viral genealogy had made her both famous and infamous. A woman with a reputation for being a know-it-all with no time for anyone else’s nonsense. A woman whom she thought might one day bring hope to end all of this.

“I desperately need an escort.” Fleur said plainly, her voice crisp and without a hint of emotion. Like this was all a formality.

Lena’s lip curled. “And you came here?”

Fleur tilted her head slightly, her gaze unyielding even through the camera lens. “Can’t you just let me in already? If you keep me out here any longer, maybe I’ll get attacked, and you’ll never know what information I have. I’m pretty useful, you know!”

Lena paused, her hand hovering over the button that would release the gate. The last thing she needed was this woman, someone who seemed to treat life-and-death situations as an inconvenience, barging into their camp. But if Fleur had information, real information, it could change everything.

“Fine,” Lena muttered, pressing the button to open the gate.

As the metal groaned and slid open, she stepped out to meet her. Fleur moved with the same confidence in person, and now that Lena could see her up close, she wasn’t surprised. Fleur looked exactly as she had in all the photos and news coverage before everything went to hell: poised, composed, and dressed like the apocalypse couldn’t touch her.

And that irritated Lena to no end.

“Welcome.” Lena said with an irritated and sarcastic tone.

Fleur raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She looked around quickly before locking on to Lena.

Lena crossed her arms, standing firm. “So, what’s this information you have?”

Fleur made a less-than-pleased expression. “We’ll talk once I’m inside. I can’t risk others hearing me.”

Lena rolled her eyes but motioned for Fleur to follow her into the compound. She had no idea what this woman was playing at, but one thing was clear: Fleur was trouble. And as much as Lena hated to admit it, there was something about her that made Lena’s pulse quicken, a fierce pull she couldn’t shake.

Leading Fleur down the narrow hall, Lena clenched her jaw, her mind racing. She didn’t want anyone in the compound overhearing what was about to be said. Not yet. Fleur's arrival had already caused enough disruption, and Lena was determined to keep this conversation private. Her community didn’t need false hope. They had been through enough.

She struggled to trust Fleur. The name was too well-known, too attached to promises that, in Lena’s eyes, couldn’t possiblybe real. Could there really be a cure? It was all wishful thinking, a way to keep people clinging to a fantasy while the world fell apart. And hope... hope had no place here anymore. It was a dangerous distraction. Lena had let that go a long time ago. Now, she operated on facts, on what she could see, hear, and feel. Anything else was just a pipe dream.

They reached the meeting room. Lena glanced at Fleur, who hadn’t spoken a word during the walk. Fleur’s face was unreadable, her eyes cool and calculating. But Lena knew better. People only came here when they were desperate. She opened the door, ushering her in, and closed it firmly behind them, locking it with a quiet click. The sound seemed to echo in the small room, creating an atmosphere thick with tension.

Fleur didn’t waste any time. “I need an escort,” she said, her voice crisp and to the point.

Lena narrowed her eyes as she leaned against the door, arms crossed. Now that they were alone, something shifted in Fleur. Her stiff, cold exterior started to crack. The aloofness gave way to something Lena recognized all too well. It was desperation. The great Dr. Fleur Harrison, the woman of intellect and renown, suddenly didn’t seem as in control as she projected. The fire of urgency was flickering behind her eyes, and Lena could feel it.

“An escort?” Lena’s voice came out sharp, skepticism lacing every word. “Who? Why come here? And for what?”

Fleur took a breath, her gaze steady but her posture tense. “I had to leave the lab. It wasn’t safe anymore. I can’t go into all the details. Not yet.”

Lena raised an eyebrow, her distrust deepening. “What makes you think it’s safe here? You think I’m not a threat?”

Fleur’s expression faltered for a split second, then she regained her composure. “Honestly, I’m not sure,” she admitted,her voice softer now. “But I’ve heard of your reputation, and you seemed like the only person who could get the job done.”

“Who knows you’re here?” Lena’s tone was sharp, each question more pointed than the last.

“No one,” Fleur replied, shaking her head quickly. “I told no one, and I snuck out without anyone knowing.”

Lena studied her, weighing every word. She didn’t believe in coincidences, and Fleur showing up on her doorstep felt too convenient, too perfect. “Where exactly do you need to go?”

“I need to get to the research base in Ohio. We need a cure, and I think the information I have could help with that—maybe,” Fleur said. Her voice was steady, but Lena caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes.

Lena let out a short, humorless laugh. “Ohio? I heard that place was just a rumor. Just another wild story to keep people chasing something that doesn’t exist. I know exactly who you are, but this is a huge ask.”

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