Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 107:

Chapter 107: 107:

Winter sat in the cold confinement cell, his back pressed against the cold wall as he stared at the floor.

The silence was oppressive, the lack of any ticking clock or windows to indicate the passage of time only added to the uncertainty of his situation. How many days had passed since he was brought here?

The food came regularly, but that didn’t help in the slightest. The meals came in at irregular hours, he would know, he had counted.

He had taken to meditation, forcing his mind into stillness whenever his frustration grew too loud. His body was becoming restless, so he would also exercise—push-ups, sit-ups, squats—anything to keep the muscles from seizing up with disuse.

But the isolation was draining.

His thoughts drifted too easily, spiraling out of control when he didn’t have something to focus on.

Which was sort of a lie. He had so many things going through his head that it felt like nothing was getting through.

He should be out there trying to find a way to get information to the higher ups about a possible breach.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of the door opening. Winter straightened, his hand instinctively flexing, ready for whatever was coming. He didn’t move, though, just stared as the man walked into the cell with that same damn smirk plastered on his face.

The door clicked shut behind him, and Winter stiffened.

"Time to go, Winter," the man said smoothly, as if they were old friends, as if Winter hadn’t been sitting here in this cell for God knows how long.

"What?"

Winter narrowed his eyes but didn’t move. Time to go? Had he spent that long already? He wasn’t going anywhere until he had a damn good reason to trust this man.

The man raised an eyebrow, as if he could sense Winter’s hesitation. "I hope you’ve given my offer some thought," he continued, his voice dripping with false politeness.

"You’re a valuable asset, Winter. A shame to waste such talent."

Winter’s jaw tightened. "I’m not interested in your offer."

The man’s smile didn’t falter. He wasn’t the slightest bit fazed by the coldness in Winter’s voice. Instead, he stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with that unsettling intensity. "I’m not asking you to join me. I’m offering you a position, a place. Something more than just a tool to be discarded." His gaze flicked over Winter’s body, lingering with a strange hunger. "But, if you’re not interested..."

Winter felt the prickling sensation on the back of his neck. He didn’t trust this man, not for a second. But before he could say anything else, the man smiled brightly, completely changing his personality.

"No matter," the man said, stepping aside. "You can leave now. I’m sure we’ll be able to come to an agreement once you’ve seen the surprise I got for you."

That made Winter’s eyes narrow. What surprise?

The moment he stepped into the hall, the sudden shift in lighting made his eyes squint, adjusting to the change. The harsh, artificial lights of the hallway was very different from that of the dim cell, and he had to blink a few times, feeling disoriented. He grabbed his personal effects, slung his rifle over his shoulder after making sure it wasn’t tampered with and made his way down the hall.

And what was this surprise he mentioned?

Then, as he turned a corner, he froze.

Zara and Leo.

Standing right in front of him, waiting?

His heart stopped for a split second as he looked at them. How had they known he was here? Zara, her face thinner than the last time he saw her, seemed to be trying to force a smile. Leo, however, was oblivious to the tension and immediately ran to him, calling out "Uncle!" in his cheerful little voice.

Winter’s chest tightened. He couldn’t move as he tried to process what was happening. Zara was here, with Leo. How had they known he was here?

He looked up at Zara, then back to the man with the green eyes, who had appeared behind him without Winter even realizing it. That smile—the one that sent a chill down Winter’s spine—was still in place.

"Winter," the man said, his voice as smooth as ever, but there was an edge now. "It seems you have quite the lovely family. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to them, you understand?"

Winter’s blood boiled. He felt a deep, animalistic rage build up inside him at the threat that lingered in the man’s words. How dare he speak like that?

His grip tightened on the gear in his hand, but then instinct took over. His arm shot out, and before he knew it, Leo was in his arms, his small body held protectively against Winter’s chest. He didn’t even look at Zara as he grabbed her wrist, his movements quick and forceful.

"Come on," he growled, his voice low, rough with emotion. "We’re leaving."

Zara hesitated, confusion flashing in her eyes, but she didn’t fight him as he dragged her away from the man with the green eyes. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his mind still reeling from the shock of seeing Zara and Leo here. He had to get them out. Away from that man.

As he marched forward, his thoughts were scattered. Had the green-eyed man seen their abilities? Did he know who they really were? And why the hell had they come here, anyway?

The rage simmered inside him. He couldn’t believe that bastard had the audacity to threaten them. But there was something else, too—a dread that settled in the pit of Winter’s stomach. He needed to keep Zara and Leo safe. He would do anything for that.

*****

Back to the present

Winter’s footsteps echoed down the sterile hallways as he led Zara and Leo to their quarters, his grip tight on Zara’s wrist.

Leo’s tiny hand rested in Winter’s other hand, his innocent chatter drifting up to Winter’s ears as they walked. But Winter hardly noticed.

As they reached the door to their quarters, Winter pushed it open with a sharp twist of his wrist, practically dragging Zara inside. He didn’t wait for her to sit before rounding on her, his eyes dark with concern and frustration.

"Zara," Winter began, his voice low and clipped, "Why the hell are you here? What did that man say to you?" He watched her closely, his gaze piercing, searching for any sign of hesitation, any lie she might try to hide. "Did he do anything to you?"

Zara flinched slightly at the force in Winter’s voice, but she didn’t shrink back.

Winter clenched his jaw, frustration mounting. "Did he threaten you? Did he—"

"No," Zara cut him off quickly, shaking her head. "He didn’t do anything. He just asked me a few questions, but nothing... nothing that felt wrong."

Winter’s heart, which had been steadily pounding in his chest, finally began to slow just a fraction. He needed to calm down, acting this way to Zara was unfair. Still, the edge of anger and worry didn’t leave him. That man was too damn smooth, cunning even.

A small tug at his sleeve pulled his attention downward. Leo was standing at his side now, eyes wide and expectant. "Where were you, Uncle Winter?" he asked, his voice soft.

He bent down slowly, crouching to Leo’s level, his knees creaking in protest but his heart swelling in tenderness.

"I missed you too, Leo," Winter said, his voice soft and warm, unable to resist the urge to pull the boy into his arms for a quick hug. He gave him a gentle squeeze before setting him back down.

Leo grinned, his eyes sparkling with happiness, the tension momentarily melting away from Winter’s chest.

The little boy deserved that, and Winter was determined to protect that innocence for as long as he could.

He looked up then, his gaze once again finding Zara, his brow furrowing in concentration. "How did you know where to find me?" he asked, the question pressing on his mind.

Zara blinked at him, a slight flush creeping up her neck as if she hadn’t expected that question. "I—I thought to check the barracks for you. I was waiting in front of the barracks when he came by. He said you would be there, and he led me to the building." She hesitated, biting her lip before adding, "I didn’t know where else to go, Winter. I was just trying to find you."

Winter raked his hand through his hair, grimacing in disgust at the texture. He needed to take a bath. He must have spent more than three days there for her to be this worried. "you wnt over to Sam and the others?"

Zara gave a small, hesitant nod. "I didn’t—"

"Zara," Winter interrupted her, his voice cutting through her words with a sternness that surprised even him. "You need to stay away from him. From that man." He clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "He’s a very big problem. And I don’t want you or Leo anywhere near him, understand?" His gaze flickered to Leo, who had already wandered off to explore the room, blissfully unaware of the possible trouble they were in.

Zara seemed to shrink at his words, her eyes filled with something akin to worry—or maybe guilt. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but the words died on her lips. Winter could feel her tension in the air, thick and uncomfortable.

Finally, she nodded.

Winter sighed, cradling his arm in his head.

He leaned back against the wall, his head sinking as he tried to control his breathing. "I’m not afraid of him," Winter muttered, "I just don’t trust him. Not for a second. And I don’t trust anyone who works with him either. His ability allows him to see what’s hidden. He probably knows you and Leo have abilities."

Zara’s eyes widened. ’What!" she gasped, paling drastically.

The room felt cold, despite the warmth of the heater humming in the corner of the room.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling in her lap, though she tried to keep herself composed. Her mind was racing, thoughts jumbled in a storm of panic. The man with the green eyes haunted her thoughts, his gaze cutting through her, sharp, knowing. He knows? He knows about Leo and me?

"Zara? Zara, calm down." Winter shook her gently.

Her breath came faster, each inhale shallow as if the very air in the room was too thick to breathe. Winter was kneeling in front of her, his broad frame close, though his usual presence of calm and control seemed to be just as absent as hers. His eyes were dark with the same worry, his jaw clenched, but as always, he was trying to calm her down.

"You don’t understand," Zara whispered, her voice shaking as she looked up at him, fear clutching her chest. "They’ll use him. They’ll... they’ll make him into a weapon. We cant...we cant allow that..."

She didnt care about herself. Anything could happen to her, but not Leo, never Leo.

Winter’s hands were gentle when they came to rest on her knees, grounding her with his touch. His dark hair hung over his brow, a few stray strands that had come loose from his quick escape.

But Zara was spiraling...