Fault Lines

The lab was unnervingly quiet after the chaos of stabilizing Apollo. His breaths were steady now, his fever reduced, but the fragility of his condition lingered in the air. Every minute we spent underground felt like another wager with fate—one we might not win if the infection adapted.

I sat next to Apollo's cot, gripping his hand loosely. For the first time in days, his face wasn't etched with pain. He looked almost peaceful, but I knew better than to believe it would last.

Lecroix paced across the room, his frustration barely contained. "We need a new plan."

Zeke leaned against a table littered with equipment, arms crossed tightly. "Yeah? How about not trusting the people who helped start this mess?" His glare landed squarely on Mara, who stood quietly by the monitors.

Mara didn't flinch. "I get it. But we're not your enemy."

"You sure?" Zeke shot back. "Because from where I'm standing, you fit the role perfectly."

"Enough," I snapped, standing between them. "We don't have time for this. We need each other—whether we like it or not."

Mara gave me a slight nod, her expression guarded. "We have a shared goal."

"Let's assume we're on the same side—for now," Lecroix said, his voice low but sharp. "What's next? What's the endgame?"

Mara exhaled slowly. "The infection's mutation is spreading faster than any of us expected. Stabilizing your friend bought us time, but not much." She paused, studying Apollo's still form. "To stop it entirely, we have to destroy the source."

Zeke raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly is this 'source?'"

Mara turned toward the dimly lit monitor, pulling up a map. A red pin blinked over the heart of the quarantine zone—a military research center buried deep within infected territory.

"It's there," she said. "The original pathogen—the heart of everything. If we destroy it, we destroy the infection's ability to evolve."

The air thickened with tension. Every eye in the room locked on the blinking dot on the map. It felt like a line had been drawn—one that would force us to make impossible decisions.

Lecroix broke the silence. "We go in, destroy the source, and hope the infection dies with it?"

"That's the only shot we've got," Mara replied. "If the infection continues to evolve, it won't just stop with your state. It'll spread—and we won't be able to contain it."

I clenched my fists. "And what about the government?"

Mara's jaw tightened. "They know. They're waiting for it to spread—waiting for the right moment to weaponize it."

Zeke let out a low curse. "So not only are we fighting the infected, but we've got the government breathing down our necks too?"

"Basically," Mara said, her expression grim.

Lecroix turned toward me. "What do you think, Lib?"

My mind raced through the options—if we stayed, Apollo might not have another chance. If we moved toward the research center, it could be our only shot at stopping the infection. But it wasn't just about us anymore. Destroying the source might be the last hope for everyone.

"I think," I said slowly, "we need to end this. Once and for all."

Zeke scoffed. "That's suicide, Lib."

"Maybe," Lecroix said softly, "but it's the only way."

Mara stepped forward. "There's a chance we can cut through some of the infected zones—if we leave soon. But it'll be dangerous."

"Of course it will," Zeke muttered. "Because why wouldn't it be?"

Apollo stirred on the cot, his hand twitching in mine. His eyelids fluttered open for a moment—just long enough to meet my gaze.

"Lib…" His voice was faint, but it was enough to make my heart ache. "Don't… leave me behind."

"You're coming with us," I whispered, brushing his hair back gently. "We're going to finish this. Together."

Lecroix shot me a small, reassuring glance. "We've made it this far."

I squeezed Apollo's hand once more, determination settling over me like armor. We weren't running anymore. We were going to end this.

Mara pulled a rifle from the wall, checking the ammunition. "We leave within the hour. Pack what you can carry—anything more will slow us down."

Lecroix adjusted the strap on his own weapon, his movements fluid and practiced. He had always known we'd end up here—facing impossible odds, chasing the truth to the very end.

Zeke threw his hands up. "Great. Just another day of fighting for our lives." But even he couldn't hide the small grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth.

We gathered what we needed—weapons, medical supplies, maps. And with every item packed, the weight of what lay ahead grew heavier.

Before we left, I stood by Apollo, helping him to his feet. He swayed slightly, but Lecroix was there, steadying him.

"Got you," Lecroix murmured, his hand gripping Apollo's arm firmly.

Apollo gave a weak smile. "Told you I wasn't going down that easily."

I smiled back, though my heart twisted with fear. We had no guarantees—but we had each other. And for now, that would have to be enough.

As we stepped out into the ruined streets once more, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the crumbling city. Ahead of us lay the quarantine zone—and the research center buried deep within it.

The infected were waiting. The government was waiting. But so were we.

And this time, we were ready.