Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 119:

Chapter 119: 119:

Zara moved swiftly through the dim corridors of the base, her boots barely making a sound against the concrete. She kept Leo close, his small hand gripping hers, his other clutching the stuffed rabbit he’d refused to part with.

Curfew would be starting soon. She wasn’t supposed to be here.

The med bay was restricted after hours, but if she wanted answers, she had to talk to Sam now.

Reaching the door, she knocked softly before slipping inside.

Sam looked up from his workstation, startled at first—but then his face broke into a genuine, lopsided grin.

"Well, well," he drawled, leaning back in his chair. "Didn’t think I’d be seeing you again tonight."

"Hope that’s not a problem," Zara said, stepping in.

"For you? Never." He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and stood. "Come here, kiddo."

Leo wasted no time climbing onto Sam’s lap, giggling when the doctor bounced him lightly on his knee. Sam ruffled his curls absentmindedly as he turned his attention back to Zara.

"Am I weird for being worried about Winter and Richard?" she asked, skipping pleasantries.

Sam’s smile faded. "It’s been almost a day since they were sent out. No word yet." He sighed, shaking his head. "Here’s hoping they get back in one piece."

Zara exhaled sharply, her fingers tapping against her thigh.

She didn’t like this.

But she couldn’t focus on that now.

She shifted the conversation. "The labs. Have you seen anything?"

Sam hesitated, rubbing slow circles on Leo’s back. "I’ve been thinking about something," he admitted. "Something’s off."

"How so?"

He glanced around as if making sure they were alone, then lowered his voice.

"I’ve seen infected brought in. Bad cases. The type that shouldn’t be anywhere near this base. They were quarantined at first, but then they just... vanished." His brows knitted together.

"At first, I thought they were taken out—too far gone, you know? But there was no report. No burn notice. No containment procedures. Just... gone."

Zara felt a chill run down her spine.

She thought of the note.

They’re not dead. They’re changing.

Leo, seemingly unaware of the tension, reached for Sam’s stethoscope, babbling nonsense as he tapped the metal piece.

"Sam." Zara’s voice was steady. "I need to get into the labs."

He exhaled, eyes narrowing in thought.

"I might have an idea," he said slowly. "But it’ll take time."

"I don’t have time," she countered. "I need in now."

Sam ran a hand through his hair. "Shit. Alright. I can get you partial clearance, but that won’t be enough. You’ll have to prove yourself to them—show them you’re valuable."

Zara straightened. "Fine. How?"

Sam exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "You don’t make things easy, do you?"

Zara gave him a look.

"There’s a researcher I’ve seen coming by the med bay—Dr. Calloway. He picks up medical supplies sometimes. If you can get his attention, maybe he’ll be your way in."

Zara nodded, already forming a plan. "What kind of attention?"

"He’s the type who only listens if you say something that interests him." Sam smirked.

Before she could ask more, the door creaked open, and a tall man in a white coat strode in.

Dr. Calloway.

Perfect timing.

Zara stood as he approached the counter, focused on scanning a clipboard. She stepped forward, tilting her head just enough to feign curiosity.

"I was wondering," she said casually, "if you’re still testing atmospheric readings."

Calloway barely spared her a glance. "We are."

"But the data’s inconsistent, isn’t it?" She crossed her arms. "The orb’s presence keeps changing the air pressure and radiation levels. The storms aren’t just random; they’re following a pattern."

That made him pause. His brow furrowed as he finally looked at her properly. "And you know this how?"

"I used to work in environmental sciences," she said. Not a lie, but not the full truth.

Calloway studied her. "What’s your theory?"

Zara didn’t hesitate. "The orb isn’t just causing chaos—it’s influencing what survives and what doesn’t. The mist, the poisoned water, even the way the infected behave... It’s all connected to it. If you track when the mist thickens, you’ll notice it coincides with fluctuations in the orb’s energy output."

Calloway’s eyes sharpened. "You’re saying the orb is choosing? Sentient?"

Zara met his gaze. "I’m saying it’s not just sitting there. It’s doing something."

The scientist hummed, clearly intrigued. He adjusted his glasses, glancing between her and Sam. "Interesting. We could use minds like yours in research."

Zara shrugged. "I’d love to learn more about what you’re doing."

Calloway hesitated, then nodded. "Perhaps. But lab access is restricted."

Sam cut in smoothly. "She’s trustworthy."

Calloway studied her for a moment longer before relenting. It was clear that his curiosity was piqued. "I can arrange for a limited pass."

Zara forced herself to stay calm. This was her chance.

"Good," she said. "I’ll make it worth your while."

Calloway’s gaze lingered on her, sharp and assessing, as though committing every inch of her to memory. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he asked, "Your name?"

Zara straightened, pushing down the nerves threatening to bubble up. "Zara Ashford."

He nodded slowly, turning the name over in his mind. Then, without another word, he pulled out a small notepad from his coat pocket, flipped it open, and began scribbling. The sound of pen scratching against paper filled the air.

Tearing the page free, he held it out. "Show this to anyone who tries to stop you on your way to the lab in the morning."

Zara hesitated only a second before taking it, her fingers slightly unsteady. This was going too well. It shouldn’t have been this easy. She expected more resistance, more hoops to jump through. Instead, here she was, holding permission in her hand like some kind of miracle.

Calloway studied her again, eyes once again lingering just long enough to make her feel exposed. "I’m interested to see what you come up with," he said, slipping his notepad back into his pocket.

She firmed her grip on the paper. "I won’t disappoint you."

A faint smirk ghosted across his face, and then he turned, disappearing down the hall without another glance back.

Zara exhaled, her heart pounding against her ribs as she turned to Sam. He looked just as stunned as she felt. For a moment, they just stood there, digesting what had just happened. Then Sam let out a low whistle, shaking his head.

"No way that just happened."

Zara let out a nervous laugh, staring at the note in her hands like it might vanish if she blinked too long. "I know. It feels—way too smooth. Talk about lucky."

Sam folded his arms, arching a brow at her. "That’s not luck, Ashford. You’re smart, talented, and damn good at what you do. Luck had nothing to do with it."

Zara scoffed, tucking the note into her pocket. "Maybe, but I still feel like I just cheated the system."

Sam’s gaze flickered downward, and she followed it to see Leo, now perched on the desk, holding a blank sheet of paper and scribbling nonsense with focus.

"Plus, you’ve also got something pushing you forward," Sam murmured.

Zara swallowed as she watched Leo, his tiny fingers gripping the pen with absolute determination, his tongue sticking out slightly in concentration.

A rare moment of quiet settled between them, the thought of what she was about to do pressing on her chest. Then, Sam shifted, his expression turning more serious.

"So, where are you going to put him?"

Zara blinked. "What?"

"Leo." Sam gestured at the toddler, who was now attempting to draw on his own arm. "You can’t bring him to the lab—it’s too dangerous. And he can’t stay here with me, either. Too many emergencies, too much equipment. It’s not safe."

Panic started to creep in. She hadn’t thought about that.

Leo hiding in his space was an option, but that would mean leaving a three-year-old alone in their quarters for an entire day—if not longer. If anyone found out, it would raise alarms. It was reckless, dangerous.

She started pacing, mumbling half-formed ideas under her breath, discarding them just as quickly. There had to be another way.

Sam leaned against the counter, watching her spiral for a moment before he said, "I heard something about a daycare."

Zara stopped in her tracks. "A daycare?"

Yes, she had heard about it too.

He shrugged. "Somewhere safe for kids during work hours. You should check it out."

Before she could respond, the loud blare of the curfew warning echoed through the halls, making both of them jump.

Zara cursed under her breath. "I’ll see you tomorrow," she said quickly, scooping up Leo and heading for the door.

She moved fast, pulse hammering as she clutched the note in her pocket, half-expecting someone to step out of the shadows and snatch it from her fingers. The halls were dim, yet teeming with people already hurrying home.

She made it to their room just as the final warning rang. The second the door locked behind her, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Leo yawned as she helped him change into fresh clothes, his little body already sagging with sleep. She settled them both into bed, tucking him against her chest as she gently patted his back, humming softly.

Her mind refused to quiet.

It had been too easy. The permission, the note, Calloway’s interest—it all felt like a setup. Was she walking into a trap?

She glanced at Leo, his small face peaceful, his tiny fingers curled into her shirt.

Could she do this? Could she leave him for hours—maybe even a full day?

The bed felt too big without Winter.

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to believe he was okay, that he’d make it back.

She had to believe that.

Sleep came slowly, unease curling around her like a phantom.