CHAPTER 27: 27: THE WORLD WAS FULL OF WEIRDOS

City B, November 5th? Year 0 of the Great Collapse

The faint glow of a battered candle flickered weakly in Winter’s room, casting shadows that danced across the peeling walls. He sat on the edge of a worn cot, his shirt discarded on the floor, a faint metallic scent of blood and antiseptic lingering in the air.

His hand hovered over the bandage that woman had wrapped around his wound, her touch still ghosting his skin. He scowled at the memory—not only at her, but at the base they were stuck in, and at himself for letting his guard slip.

The separation wasn’t a coincidence. He’d noticed the careful positioning of their rooms, the way their paths never seemed to cross again after arriving.

It has been a day now and he was yet to see his so called "wife."

They wanted control, to keep him and Zara isolated, vulnerable. He didn’t need to ask why; this wasn’t the first time he’d dealt with manipulative survivors.

His fingers flexed, nails biting into his palm as he thought of his old base. Their downfall had come not from the zombies but from betrayal within. Would his squad have made it to City H? Were they waiting for him, or had they written him off as dead?

Winter sighed, dragging his hand through his hair. These people didn’t know about his superhuman abilities, and he planned to keep it that way. Power had a way of making others jealous—or desperate. He needed to stay sharp, find an escape route, and figure out who in this place could be trusted.

*****

On the other side of the base, Zara’s eyes scanned her surroundings, noting every detail as she walked. Leo squirmed slightly against her chest, safely hidden beneath her oversized coat. The straps holding him in place pressed against her shoulders, but the reassuring weight of his little body was worth it.

It had been a day since they got here or rather, they had spent a night in the base and Zara would be a liar if she said the bed hadn’t been comfortable. But she hadn’t been able to let her guard down fully. Not since what happened the last time.

Zara pulled Damon’s coat closer around her as she walked through the sprawling corridors of the base, her eyes darting to every face she passed. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched.

The coat’s bulk hid Leo well enough, his tiny frame strapped securely to her chest beneath layers of fabric. His small breaths warmed her skin, a grounding sensation in the chaotic environment.

She had debated staying put, but the gnawing anxiety of being separated from Winter pushed her to explore. She wasn’t attached or dependent on him or anything like that, it would just be weird to be alone in this creepy place, especially since they had a goal in mind.

Turning a corner, she bumped into a group of people carrying baskets of laundry. One of them, a sharp-eyed woman, wrinkled her nose. "You’ve already bathed. Why are you still wearing those dirty clothes?"

Zara bristled. "I don’t have anything else to wear."

The woman’s frown deepened. "We’ve got clothes you can use. And get rid of that thing."

Zara’s grip on Damon’s coat tightened. "I just need to wash it."

"It’s all torn up. Might as well let it go," the woman grumbled something under her breath but led her to a makeshift clothing depot—a section of the base that had once been a high-end store.

The sight gave her pause. Designer jackets, evening gowns, and accessories hung untouched, pushed aside for durable jeans and woollen sweaters.

A year ago, these racks would have been mobbed by eager shoppers. Now, they were useless relics of a lost world.

"Give me the coat and find something to wear here," she gestured towards the clothes.

Zara stepped into the room and quickly browsed through the clothes.

She selected a new coat, big enough to comfortably hide Leo, and some clothes for her and Leo.

Ducking into a corner, she quickly stripped and changed their clothes. After that, she slipped on the new coat and walked out to see the woman standing impatiently at the entrance.

"Thank you," she said sheepishly, handing over the coat.

"I’ll have it sent to you once it’s dry," the woman nodded curtly before leaving.

Zara waited until she left before going back into the storeroom. It would have been a waste not to try this while she had the chance.

She quickly grabbed Leo a few blankets and smaller clothing items before sitting with him in a hidden corner.

Setting Leo down, she whispered, "Can you try to put these in your space?"

He nodded, his little face serious as he concentrated. A few items disappeared, but the effort left him visibly tired.

Alarmed, Zara quickly stopped him, "That’s enough," she whispered, pulling him back into her arms. "You did great."

He gave her a small smile before rubbing his eyes sleepily. At least this gave her an idea of how many things he could put into the space at a time.

"Come here, baby," Zara wrapped him snugly before tucking him back into her coat.

Leo yawned, his tiny body going limp as sleep overtook him.

*****

She decided to continue her search for winter. Would they have healed his injury the same way they healed hers? Would they risk him being at full strength?

Speaking of healing, something about that healer had made her uncomfortable. Maybe it was the look in his eyes or the way he spoke..., but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

Zara had just rounded a corner when a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped into her path. His face was sharp and almost too perfect, his smile wide but unsettling. Speak of the devil! It was the healer—the man everyone seemed to admire, yet his energy set Zara on edge.

"Well, if it isn’t the lady of the hour," he said smoothly, his eyes darting to the bulge in her coat. "And how’s the little one?"

Zara stiffened but maintained her composure.

"Fine," she said shortly, moving to step around him.

He mirrored her movement, blocking her path. "You know, you should rest more. Carrying a child is hard work, especially in times like these."

"I’ll keep that in mind, bye," she repeated, her tone icy.

"Come now, there’s no need to be shy. I just want to help."

"Thank you, I’ll take my leave," she said turning in the other direction.

The healer chuckled, leaning in closer. "You’re awfully defensive. It must be your husband’s influence. He seems like a... strong personality."

Zara clenched her teeth. She was about to snap a reply when a commotion down the hall drew her attention.

A group of people entered the base, carrying a man whose leg was twisted at an unnatural angle, his flesh torn and raw from what looked like a zombie attack. Zara’s stomach churned as she caught sight of the jagged bone poking through his skin, blood pouring in rivulets onto the floor.

"Step aside," the healer barked, his voice suddenly commanding as he moved toward the injured man.

Zara watched in horrified fascination as the healer knelt beside the victim. His hands glowed faintly as he worked, pulling the shattered bone back into place with a sickening crunch. The man screamed, his voice echoing through the corridors, but no one seemed surprised or moved by the sight.

She turned away, her hands trembling as she pressed them to her coat. She needed to get out of there before the scene overwhelmed her.

Zara quickly scrambled down the hallway away from the screams. It seemed Leo had been knackered out as he still slept through all that noise. She wandered aimlessly, her mind racing. These people were willing to risk everything, even their humanity, to survive. They were also reckless because they believed they had a golden finger that would heal them.

Like a stain that wouldn’t go away, the healer suddenly appeared beside her. Shirt bloodied as he cleaned his hands with an equally bloody rag.

"Sorry you had to see that," he smiled at her. "The smell might have been too much," his eyes flitted over to the bulge again.

Zara took a step back. Was it already over? Sure, he had healed her ankle, but this was a whole leg that had been hanging off by mere skin.

Then she saw the injured man was alive and whole, albeit pale and trembling. But already walking on his own, his whole body covered with blood.

Zara turned away, bile rising in her throat. These people were playing with fire, pushing the limits of survival in ways that felt... unnatural.

The healer returned to her side, his smile as bright as ever. "Impressive, isn’t it?"

"I —I guess..." Zara swallowed the bile in her throat, wanting to leave this place even more than ever.

****

Winter had been mapping the base in his mind, noting exits, choke points, and potential weak spots. When he finally crossed paths with Zara, her face was pale, and her hands were trembling slightly as she pretended to inspect a map pinned to the wall. He approached silently, his presence enough to make her shoulders relax.

He noticed her tense posture immediately. She didn’t say anything, but her quick glance over her shoulder spoke volumes.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his voice low.

Zara turned to him, her expression softening in surprise and relief. "We need to leave."

"I know," he replied, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. "But we’re not ready yet."

Before she could argue, the healer appeared again, his smile faltering when he saw Winter. "Ah, the husband," he said, his tone forced. "We were just talking."

Winter’s eyes narrowed. "Were you?"

The healer’s gaze flickered, but he recovered quickly. "Yes, yes. Just making sure she’s comfortable. Pregnancy can be tricky."

"Thank you then, I’ll take it from here." Winter stepped between Zara and the healer, his height and presence dwarfing the other man. His voice was calm, but his tone carried a warning. "We’re fine. And busy."

The healer’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing briefly before he plastered it back on. "Of course, of course. Just let me know if you need anything."

He gave Winter one last glare over his shoulder as he walked away.

Winter didn’t care, his attention shifting to Zara. His gaze softened slightly as he took in her pale face and the way she clutched her coat protectively. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "We need to talk. Alone."

Before they could move, a voice called out, "You two! The heads want to see you in the control room."