Page 21 of The Last of Love

Lena considered this and nodded slowly. “Alright, but let’s keep our guard up. We can’t let him think we’re completely buying into this. But I also do not want to get killed by crazy scientists who want to take over the world.”

They turned back to Dr. Walt, who seemed to sense the shift in their demeanor. Lena studied him for a long moment, trying to read the truth in his eyes. Finally, she gave a slow nod. “Alright. Lead the way.”

Dr. Walt’s expression brightened slightly, but Lena could still see the tension in his shoulders as he started to move. Fleur remained close to Lena, both women on high alert as they followed the man through the abandoned streets, ready to react at a moment’s notice.

“Come on, we need to head through here.” He pointed to the next street along.

“I thought there would be more dead here,” Lena said, as her eyes scanned everywhere around them.

“We set up deep pits a while ago, just outside the city. We still get a few wandering around, but most of them get lured away. They fall into the pits and then we set them on fire. It sounds awful, but it’s wiped out thousands, maybe even millions.”

As they followed Dr. Walt through the winding streets, he began to share more information about the lab, building more trust. He described the security measures in place, the researchers they would meet, and how critical Fleur’s data would be for the final steps of the cure.

Lena and Fleur exchanged skeptical glances, their weapons still at the ready. Before they could voice their thoughts, Dr. Walt spoke up, his tone friendly but tinged with fatigue. “Listen, I need to stop for a moment. I’m tired, and my leg is starting to hurt from all this walking.”

Lena raised an eyebrow but gestured for him to halt. They hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and Fleur felt a pang of hunger. “Fine, we’ll take a quick break. But let’s get somewhere safer than out in the open,” she said, lowering her weapon but remaining vigilant.

Dr. Walt pointed over to an apartment block with some stairs on the side alley. “Let’s head up there. There’s a few empty apartments that we’ve scouted through recently.”

“Sure, lead the way,” Lena replied.

After an easy climb up the side stairs, they entered a large apartment, which had all the comforts of the old world, just a little broken and moldy. A big old couch. A large television. Newspapers and takeout boxes. Empty bottles of Coca-Cola.

They sat down on the floor space around the couch. Fleur rummaged through her pack for the meager snacks they had. Dr. Walt reached into his bag and pulled out a small, carefully wrapped bundle. “I saved this just in case these are my last moments out here,” he said.

He unwrapped the bundle to reveal some dried fruits and jerky, and they passed it around, grateful for the small nourishment.

“I’ve been with the lab since the early days,” Dr. Walt said, his voice steady and sincere. “We’ve seen some terrible things, but we’re committed to making sure the cure is used for the right reasons. We know what’s been going on, Fleur. We know you can help us make the world a better place, not like those evil dictators back where you came from.”

Fleur nodded, her heart tightening as she listened. “I hope so, I really do.”

Dr. Walt's gaze softened. “It’s brutal out here,” he replied quietly. “But it also drives me. I want to save the world, to make sure that those who have suffered don’t have to do so in vain. We need to ensure the cure reaches those who truly need it, not just the powerful.”

“I’m glad we’re all getting along, but I’m really eager to get going. Let’s finish up this food and go,” Lena commanded, still feeling too anxious to trust this new person.

Soon they were on the street heading out from the central city zone. The familiar landmarks they had expected to see near the lab didn’t appear, and Lena’s expression hardened again. “We should be there by now,” she said, her voice edged with suspicion. “Why does it feel like we’re going in circles?”

Walt’s smile didn’t waver, but his eyes flickered with something darker. “We’re almost there. Just a little further,” he reassured them. Fleur was determined to trust in this moment, to believe in their shared goal.

“It’s hard to believe we’re finally getting close,” Fleur said, glancing at Lena, who was walking beside her with a pensive expression.

“Yeah,” Lena replied, a flicker of determination in her eyes. “It’s just... after everything, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. I don’t trust it when things seem too good to be true. Not in this world.”

Fleur nodded, her mind racing. “I understand. But we’ve come this far. We can’t turn back now, not when we’re so close to finding the cure.”

Just as the weight of their conversation settled, a sudden, sharp cry of pain pierced the air. Fleur’s heart dropped when she saw Lena stumble, a startled expression crossing her face. “Lena!” Fleur called out, rushing forward as Lena crumpled to the ground.

“Fleur…” Lena gasped, her eyes wide with confusion and alarm. “Something’s wrong…”

Before Fleur could reach her, Lena’s body went slack, and she collapsed, her eyes rolling back. Panic surged through Fleur as she knelt beside her, frantically checking for signs of consciousness. “Lena! Wake up! Please, stay with me!”

Her heart raced as she looked around, desperate for help. That’s when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps, heavy and deliberate. A chill ran down her spine as sheinstinctively positioned herself between Lena and the direction of the noise, ready to fight.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. She’s not going anywhere,” a voice taunted, laced with smug satisfaction.

Fleur's stomach dropped as a group of figures emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by hoods. They rushed forward, swiftly binding her arms behind her back, their movements practiced and efficient. “Get off her!” Fleur screamed, struggling against her restraints. “What do you want?”

Dr. Walt stepped forward, a cold smile spreading across his face. “You’re a clever girl, Fleur, but it seems you’ve underestimated me.” He knelt beside Lena, examining her unconscious form with an unsettling calmness. “What a pity. It’s always the ones with the potential to make a real difference who end up getting in the way.”

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