Chapter 3

3

With the rescue coming and plenty of food, Lila felt completely at ease.

She and Lane started wasting everything.

They used the filtered drinking water to wash their clothes. They ate emergency antibiotics like they were multivitamins.

They even tore batteries out of vital gear to power an old music player.

On the evening of the third day, just thirty minutes before the pickup.

Lila burst into the room, interrupting my meeting with the team.

"Cade, give me the serum. Now," she demanded.

I frowned. "Why do you need the serum? Is someone infected?"

Her answer left everyone speechless.

"No! But Lane has a fever. It's a hundred and two, and the Tylenol isn't working!"

"Stop wasting time and give it to me. I need to inject him."

I stood up slowly, my voice turning cold.

"Do you have any idea what that serum is? I spent three years developing it. It's the only thing that can stop the virus within five minutes of a bite."

"It's still in the trial phase, but it's the last hope for humanity. And I only have one dose left."

"Ugh, I know!" Lila waved her hand dismissively.

"But it kills viruses, right? Lane is suffering. Stop being a jerk and just give it over!"

The room went dead silent.

The deputy slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"Lila Miller, have you lost your damn mind? You want to waste the world's most valuable medicine on a common fever?!"

"It's not a waste!" Lila shrieked.

"Lane is fragile! What if his brain fries? Besides... medicine is meant to save people, isn't it?"

When I didn't move, her eyes turned vicious.

She pulled her gun and aimed it right at my forehead.

"Hand it over. Don't make me pull the trigger!"

"Lila, stop! You can't..."

One teammate tried to step in, but she almost shot him.

I looked at this woman I once loved. It felt pathetic.

In my past life, I risked everything to protect her.

Now, she was ready to kill me for Lane's minor cold.

The team had no choice. They handed over the serum under the threat of her gun.

We watched in silence as Lila injected Lane with the last hope of the human race.