10. Fleur
10
FLEUR
F leur slowly came to. Her wrists were tied tightly, her body aching from being dragged through the corridors of the building. She tried to steady her breathing, to quiet the fear rising in her chest as she was pushed into a room and forced to sit on a metal chair. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing through the empty space. She swallowed hard, taking in her surroundings. A dim, windowless room, sterile and unwelcoming. A single hanging bulb casting harsh shadows across the concrete floor.
Dr. Walt stood across from her, a smug smile playing at the corners of his lips as he observed her. He was tall, his hair streaked with gray, and he exuded an air of superiority that made Fleur’s stomach turn. She kept her expression calm, neutral, though every fiber of her being wanted to scream, to lash out. But now wasn’t the time for rage. Now was the time to think.
“How many people are here?” Fleur asked, her voice steady despite her discomfort. She wanted to gauge what she was up against, how many eyes might be watching.
Dr. Walt raised an eyebrow, amused. “Why? Looking for an escape route?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re in no position to be worrying about that.”
Fleur forced a weak smile, shrugging her shoulders as much as her bonds would allow. “I’m just curious. Since you brought me here, I figure I should at least know what I’m dealing with.”
Dr. Walt eyed her for a moment, then leaned back, seemingly considering her question. He smirked. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to indulge you, would it? There are thirty-two men in this facility, trained guards. And all of them know exactly what to do if someone tries to escape.”
Fleur studied his face carefully. His eyes darted slightly as he spoke, and there was something almost too rehearsed about his answer. She kept her expression passive, but inside, she knew he was lying. Thirty-two men? No. The building had been too quiet, too empty. There was no sense of bustling activity, no sound of movement, which she would have expected if that many armed guards were present.
It was just her and Dr. Walt—if that was even his real name. Perhaps a handful of others at most. Fleur allowed herself a small, internal glimmer of hope. This lie was his weakness. He thought the illusion of overwhelming power would keep her compliant.
“Thirty-two, huh?” Fleur repeated, feigning nonchalance. “I guess I shouldn’t even bother trying, then. But why so many men for me?” She tried to soften her voice, leaning into her vulnerability, making herself seem small and harmless. “I’m not exactly a threat to all of you.”
Dr. Walt snorted, amused by her act. He took a step closer, clearly enjoying this display of power. “Well you’re tied up tight, dear. I don’t think a pretty little thing like you would bother me. And, Fleur, you are a very valuable asset. I caught wind of your journey to the Ohio Research Center and knew I had to stop you from getting there, if you hadn’t been killed on the way. There are a lot of people who would like to see what’s inside your head or what you’re capable of. I know you have some very important information in there.” He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “It’s not about you being a threat. It’s about making sure you don’t do something... regrettable.”
Fleur swallowed, her mind racing. She needed more information, more details she could use. “Regrettable? Like not helping you finish this plan?” she asked, tilting her head, pretending to mull it over. “Maybe... maybe I was wrong before. Maybe I don’t need to resist you. Maybe I could be a part of it.”
Dr. Walt’s eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn’t expected that. His smile grew wider. “Oh? You’re beginning to see the bigger picture, are you? Or are you just fucking with me?” He took another step closer, his arrogance getting the better of him. He was buying her act, and she needed to keep it going.
Fleur nodded, forcing a shaky sigh. “I just... I want to understand what it is you’re trying to accomplish. If it’s really for the greater good, maybe I could help. The journey I've been on has been awful, and if I'm valuable, I want to be… alive.”
She kept her eyes on him, trying to read his face. His ego was palpable. He truly believed he was the hero in all this, that he was on the brink of saving the world. And she wanted to make him believe she was going to join him.
Dr. Walt began to pace, clearly enjoying the opportunity to share his grand vision. “We are at the cusp of a new era, Fleur. One where we take control of this virus, harness it to build a stronger future. It’s all about power. Ensuring that the right people are left standing, the right people thrive.” He gestured grandly as he spoke, his voice growing more animated. “And you, with your expertise, could be a part of that future. We could do great things together. I know the lab you’ve come from, I know they had similar plans, but my plans are… better.”
Fleur listened intently, nodding in all the right places, keeping her face neutral. Inside, she felt sickened by his words, the way he spoke of using the virus as a weapon. But she kept that disgust hidden, focused instead on the ropes around her wrists, the way they dug into her skin. She shifted slightly, testing their give. The knots were tight, but not impossible. She just needed a distraction, needed him to keep talking.
“What exactly is your plan, then?” she asked, her voice as smooth as she could make it. “How do you plan to make all of this work?”
Dr. Walt grinned, clearly pleased with her interest. He stepped closer, oblivious to her subtle movements, her fingers working at the knot behind her back. “The plan is already in motion,” he said, his voice low, conspiratorial. “We’ve secured the data, and soon we’ll have everything we need to finish the cure, one that we control. With it, we can rebuild society from the ashes, but only with those who deserve it.”
Fleur kept her eyes locked on his, her mind racing. She could feel the ropes loosening, her fingers trembling slightly as they worked. She needed to buy just a little more time. “And what happens to those who don’t deserve it?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Dr. Walt sneered, his eyes narrowing. “They’ll become part of the past. Collateral damage. It’s the only way forward. You know the deal.”
Fleur’s heart pounded as she finally felt the ropes slip free, her wrists aching but now untethered. She kept her posture still, not letting him see her triumph, instead leaning forward as if genuinely interested. “I see,” she murmured. “And you really think you can make this work?”
Dr. Walt nodded, his confidence radiating off him. “I know I can,” he said, his chest puffing with pride. He stepped closer, within arm's reach now, oblivious to the danger. “With someone like you by my side, it’s inevitable. I have more information that I need you to help me with. And you either help me by your own choice, or I make you help me. It’s as simple as that.”
Fleur forced a smile, her hands moving behind her back, flexing as she prepared herself. “Well, Dr. Walt, I’m afraid there’s one thing you didn’t consider,” she said, her voice dropping to a cold, calm tone.
Dr. Walt frowned, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “What’s that?”
Fleur didn’t hesitate. In one swift motion, she lunged forward, her hands shooting out, grabbing him by the collar. His eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t have time to react. He didn’t grab his weapon. She twisted, using her momentum to slam him against the wall. The impact stunned him, and she didn’t let up, her body moving on instinct, fueled by fear and adrenaline. She grabbed a piece of broken glass from the floor. Something she had noticed earlier, something that now served her purpose.
Dr. Walt tried to fight back, but he was unprepared, his arrogance having blinded him to the threat she posed. Fleur brought the shard down with a force that surprised even her, driving it into his side. His eyes went wide, his mouth opening in a silent scream. She twisted the shard. She didn’t stop until he slumped against her, his weight heavy, lifeless.
She stepped back, breathing heavily, her hands trembling as she looked at what she had done. Dr. Walt lay on the ground, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Fleur felt a pang of something—guilt? Fear? She wasn’t sure. But she pushed it aside. There was no time for hesitation, no time for regret. She didn’t even want to check if he was really gone. She didn’t need to.
She turned, moving quickly to the door, her heart racing as she listened for any sign of movement outside. The building was eerily quiet, the echo of her own breathing the only sound. She knew she had to find Lena, had to get them out of here before anyone realized what had happened. She opened the door slowly, peering out into the hallway. Empty. She slipped out, her bare feet barely making a sound as she moved.
Fleur’s chest tightened as she hurried through the dirty hallways, her bare feet silent on the cold concrete. She had to get to Lena before it was too late. She moved faster, her body aching but her determination pushing her forward. She wouldn’t let them win. Not now, not after everything they had been through.
A green exit sign was flashing on top of the stairwell entrance.
“She’s strong—maybe she got out. But she would’ve looked for me,” Fleur thought out loud.
She took a deep breath and made her way down the stairs. And when she reached the bottom, that's where she saw her.
Lena lay slumped against the wall, her eyes closed, her face pale and streaked with dirt and blood. She’d managed to drag herself inside and close the door behind her. Fleur’s heart dropped, and she rushed over, falling to her knees beside her. She reached out, her fingers trembling as she touched Lena’s shoulder, giving her a gentle shake. “Lena?” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Lena, wake up.”
Lena’s eyes fluttered open, but there was something wrong. Something was off about her gaze. They weren’t the sharp, focused eyes Fleur had come to know. They were duller, clouded, with a hint of something dark swimming within them. Fleur’s stomach twisted in fear as she noticed the wound on Lena’s arm, a jagged bite mark that was already beginning to darken, the skin around it a sickly gray.
“No,” Fleur breathed, her eyes widening in horror. “No, no, no.” She cupped Lena’s face with her hands, her fingers brushing against her cheek as if her touch alone could bring her back to herself. Lena’s breathing was shallow, her skin clammy beneath Fleur’s touch.
Fleur shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. “Stay with me, Lena. Please, stay with me,” she pleaded. She couldn’t let Lena go, not like this, not after everything they had been through together. Fleur’s eyes darted around the room, searching for anything that could help, anything she could use to fight this. She knew what the bite meant, knew that time was slipping away far too quickly.
A backpack. It must be from one of Dr. Walt’s men , she thought. She rummaged inside frantically.
A miracle. She found supplies.
Gauze, bandages, disinfectant. Nothing that would be enough. Then her eyes landed on a packet with a vial and syringe. It was unlabeled and it could be a risk, but what was there to lose now?
“Could this be what Walt and his men have been working on?” she mumbled, a tear running down her face.
It surely wasn’t a cure, but it might be something enough to slow the infection, to give Lena more time. Fleur rushed back to her, dropping to her knees again, her hands already working to prepare the injection. She looked at Lena, her heart aching at how weak she looked, how unlike herself.
“This is going to hurt,” Fleur whispered, her voice cracking as she looked into Lena’s eyes. “But I need you to stay with me, okay? I need you to fight. Don’t go anywhere.”
Lena’s gaze met hers, and for a moment, there was a flicker of recognition, a spark of the woman Fleur knew.
Fleur swallowed hard, her vision blurring with tears as she injected the serum into Lena’s arm, right above the bite. Lena winced, her body tensing, and Fleur held her, her arms wrapping around her as if she could shield her from the pain. “It’s okay,” she whispered, her lips brushing against Lena’s temple. “You’re going to be okay. I’m right here. I’m going to save you.”
Lena’s breathing slowed, her eyes squeezing shut as the serum worked its way through her system. Fleur could feel her trembling, her muscles twitching beneath her touch. It was agonizing to watch, to see Lena in pain and know there was so little she could do. But she had to believe this would work, that it would buy them the time they needed.
Minutes felt like hours, and Fleur held Lena through it all, whispering words of comfort, her fingers stroking her hair. Slowly, the trembling began to subside, Lena’s breathing evened out, and the tension in her body eased. Fleur pulled back slightly, her eyes scanning Lena’s face, searching for any sign of change. The serum must’ve been useful for something, otherwise why would they keep it in their supplies?
Lena opened her eyes, and Fleur’s breath caught in her throat. The cloudiness was still there, but it seemed less pronounced, the darkness held at bay for now. Lena blinked, her gaze focusing on Fleur, her lips curving into a weak smile. “You did it,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Fleur let out a shaky breath, a sob of relief escaping her lips as she nodded. “We’re not out of this yet,” she said, her voice trembling. “But we’ve bought some time. Just stay with me, okay?”
Lena nodded, her eyes closing for a moment, her body leaning into Fleur’s. They weren’t safe yet, and the infection was still there, lurking beneath the surface. But for now, Lena was here, she was alive. And Fleur would do whatever it took to keep her that way.
Fleur glanced around the room, her mind already working on their next move. They couldn’t stay here, not with the risk of more men coming, or worse, more of the dead. They needed to get out, to find somewhere safe where Fleur could continue to help Lena. She looked down at Lena, her heart swelling.
“Can you stand?” Fleur asked, her voice soft as she brushed a strand of hair away from Lena’s face. Lena opened her eyes, nodding slowly. Fleur helped her to her feet, her arm wrapped tightly around her waist to support her. Lena swayed for a moment, her legs unsteady, but she leaned into Fleur, her eyes meeting hers.
“My leg, it’s… bad, but I can try,” Lena whispered, her voice filled with a quiet strength. Despite everything, Lena was still fighting, still holding on. Fleur nodded, relief spreading across her face.
“I’ll take a closer look when we’re someplace safer,” Fleur said, her voice steadying. “We’ve got this.”
With Lena leaning against her, Fleur led them toward the exit door. The building seemed ghostly quiet.
She reached for the door and pushed it open, the cool evening air washing over them, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the darkness. There were no immediate signs of danger, and Fleur felt a flicker of hope. They still had a chance. A chance to escape, to survive. She noticed another one of Dr. Walt’s men slumped on the floor, half eaten.
“The dead got him. Just like they got me,” Lena said quietly as she pointed to another backpack left at the side of his body in the struggle.
“I’ll take a look.” Fleur moved slowly toward the bag, opening it up to examine the contents.
There was a small notebook with a scribbled map inside. She scanned the map for clues in the location names.
HQ Walt
Camp Zone A
Lurker Pit B
Ohio Research Main
Fleur gasped as she traced her fingers over the words. There it was! The lab she had been searching for.
Lena grunted and nodded as she leaned against the wall, unable to take her own weight.
“Hang in there, Lena,” Fleur whispered, casting a glance back at her.
She rustled through the bag more and felt something cold, metallic.
Keys.
Car keys.
“Fuck, yes! You motherfuckers are good for something at least.” She grabbed the keys and started looking around as she pressed the unlock button.
Eventually she saw a flash from a car on the other side of the street. She looked at Lena, who managed a thumbs-up sign, and put her arm around her to help her to the car.
The journey through the deserted streets was difficult. The dead were lurking around, but they kept to the safety of the vehicle. Fleur grabbed the map drawing and followed it as best as she could in the dimly lit evening.
“Don’t you give up on me, Lena,” Fleur said, her voice cracking. She could feel tears welling up, but she blinked them away. She needed to stay focused, needed to get them there in time.
Finally, the research center came into view. A nondescript building that blended into its surroundings, easily overlooked by anyone who didn’t know what they were looking for. Fleur pulled up to the entrance, slamming the car into park and rushing to get Lena out. She supported Lena as they made their way to the door.
“Open up! Please, we need help!” Fleur shouted, pounding on the door with her fist, the sound echoing through the empty night.
A moment later, the door swung open, and a man in a white lab coat appeared, his eyes widening at the sight of Lena. He stepped aside, letting Fleur lead her inside. “She’s been bitten,” Fleur said, her voice trembling. “But I slowed it down. Please, you have to help her.”
The man nodded, motioning for two other lab workers to come forward. They took Lena from Fleur, placing her on a stretcher and wheeling her away. Fleur stood there, her heart racing, watching as they disappeared down the hallway.
“She’s in good hands,” the man said, his voice softer now. He looked at Fleur, his expression one of concern. “You did well getting her here, Dr. Fleur.”
Fleur swallowed hard, her chest tight. “She’s strong,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “She’s a fighter.”
The man nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. “We’ll do everything we can.”
Fleur watched as the door closed behind them, her knees suddenly weak. She had no time to ask questions or tell them about Walt. She sank into a chair, her hands trembling as she covered her face. She had done everything she could; now it was up to them. The fight wasn’t over, but for the first time since Lena had been bitten, Fleur allowed herself to hope.