Falling into the Undead

Chapter Eighteen

Sparks of Hope

So, things are going to start to take a turn from here on out. Already we've seen a bunch of changes to events that were supposed to happen because of Remington, but it's only going to keep changing. Events are going to start becoming more and more unrecognizable and my own twist to things will be shining through.

As for the pairing of this story, I've decided on something a long time ago, or at least the characters decided, and I've just been writing what comes to me. It's slowly begun to start to shine through in my writing, but it picks up heavily starting next chapter.

Due to all of the changes I've made, and among other things, I understand that not everyone is going to continue to enjoy this story and some of you are. A few of you have already begun to figure some stuff out but no matter what I'm excited to continue writing and revealing to you all what I have planned!

This would have been out much sooner but my daughter has come down with some kind of illness and I'm just now getting around to editing and posting this chapter.

I hope you all enjoy!

I hear the criticism loud and clear

That is how I know that the time is near

see what we become alive in the time of fear

-Fly by Nicki Minaj

Nerves set fire to her insides.

They were well on their way to the CDC. Jim had been left behind as per request, and Remington didn't think he had much longer before changing. He hadn't looked well, but he was still clear in the head, he knew what he wanted, and though Rick had tried to persuade him otherwise, he stood firm with his wishes. Remington had backed him up, and surprisingly Shane had as well. She wondered if it was because of the same reason she had, or if he just didn't want a potential danger to be near any of them.

Merle had helped with gathering any of her things that hadn't been packed into the car yet, and she had offered space in her vehicle for any of the Dixons things. She had seen the way Merle eyed his truck, and the bike. She understood what he was thinking. It wouldn't make much sense to bring both, especially with their limited success in gathering more gas, and in the end took up her offer to ride with her family. Daryl had hopped onto the bike, shooing Merle away, stating that he still hadn't recovered, and had weak spells. Remington had jumped in, agreeing with the younger Dixon, and forcing Merle into a corner. Neither wanted to see him get hurt, but Merle refused to be the passenger. In the end Remington happily handed over the job of driving to Merle as long as he stopped if he ever felt ill.

She felt relieved that one of those she felt protective over would be in the car with her. It wouldn't ease all of the tension within her, but it helped.

Remington kept an eye on the bike that Daryl rode. Behind them, Shane took up the rear and she constantly peaked into the review mirror to check in on him. Her children and Merle were all a part of the constant swivel she couldn't quite stop. It was like a tick she couldn't break free from. At least it eased her mind and allowed her room to breathe.

At least until they pulled up to the CDC. The building loomed over them, but more importantly, Remington took in her surroundings and felt her heart stutter as she spotted all the corpses. It was impossible to believe that she could keep Maisie and Landon from seeing this. Death was constantly around them. You couldn't walk down a road without stumbling across a possible corpse, animated or not, but this place here was nothing but a graveyard.

Piles of sandbag barricades littered the area. Corpses were draped across them, blood splattered across the grass and cement, and when Remington opened her door, she almost gagged at the smell. Maisie made a noise of disgust and squirmed in her seat. Landon reached over to grab her hand. Merle was out the door in the next moment, following Remington's lead, as he began to release Maisie from her seat. As Remington grabbed Landon, keeping him close to her side, her hand began to cramp from the hold she had on her gun.

She watched as Nala followed after Merle, who had picked up Maisie, glancing around with a frown, and didn't look like he was going to set her down anytime soon. He looked tense. Maisie's arms wrapped around his neck, his arm supporting her, as she whimpered at the sight that was around her.

"Don' look, sweetheart," Merle muttered lowly to her.

Around them the others were quick to exit, low murmurs filling the air, as discontent wrapped around the group.

"It doesn't smell good," Maisie whined. Daryl, with the crossbow in his hands, walked over to wrap a bandana around her face, helping to keep the smell at bay, as they walked.

"Let's stay together," Shane called out lowly. "Keep moving. Stay silent." He moved to take up the rear, walking close by Remington and Carl.

Landon buried his face in Remington's shirt as she carefully guided them toward the front of the CDC. She watched as Carol held on tightly to Sophia, both only a few steps ahead of her, as Remington sent a small encouraging smile their way when they glanced back.

She knew what was about to happen. Knew that the Walkers would come soon, that Jenner wouldn't answer their calls at first, and everyone would grow desperate and fearful.

She hoped to ease some of the fear. To hurry things along. Rick had desperately pled with the man through the camera, and Remington wasn't looking forward to seeing them get ignored. She wasn't looking forward to anything that came from the CDC. Trusting this place, to rely on events to go as they are supposed to, it caused an uneasy sensation to fill her stomach and as they grew closer to the entrance, she found herself falling behind.

Her breathing had shortened, and Remington had to focus hard not to squeeze Landon's hand too tightly. She did not like leaving things up to fate. In her experience, it only screwed you over, and she was tired of leaving things up to a higher deity. All of the good that happened in her life only happened when she grabbed it for herself.

To put her trust in a string of events that possibly wouldn't even happen went against everything Remington struggled to keep a hold of.

She didn't notice how far back they had fallen until Daryl was next to her. He jutted his chin silently out toward the others. His hand lightly pushed against the small of her back but disappeared as quickly as it came. She blinked noticing Rick was already in the process of trying to find a way inside. Merle was clutching stiffly to Maisie who hadn't once unburied her head from where it stayed in the crook of his neck.

"Yah shouldn't get so far from everyone," Daryl whispered, his voice staying low, as his eyes pivoted all around them. Remington bit her lip knowing it was an idiot move. Her breathing just refused to even out and every imaginable scenario of danger kept flashing across her eyes.

Was she allowing everyone to walk to their deaths?

"Woman," Daryl whispered again. His voice had risen just slightly. Enough to recapture her attention. "Yah alright?"

"Yeah." She nodded her head. Forced a smile onto her lips as she turned to Landon who had been gazing up at her in curiosity and wariness. He was reading her like a book. Her shoulders straightened, and she forced her steps to move a little faster, a little firmer, as she pretended to be more confident than she actually felt.

Daryl stayed a half step behind her, making sure she didn't fall back behind again, as he felt apprehension at her reaction to the place.

As they made it back to the group Rick was trying to force the door open, while Shane could already be seen growing frustrated and annoyed at the lack of progress they were making. Remington took a deep breath. Her nerves were swirling dangerously but she shoved them aside. Right now, a group of people needed her help. They didn't have anywhere to go, and even though they had another hour left of daylight, Remington didn't want to try searching for somewhere safe tonight.

They were here ahead of schedule because of her.

It gave them more time to rest unlike in the TV show. She would find out a way to get them out before Jenner tried to off them all in his mass suicide scheme. She would sit the doctor down and make sure they left with time to spare. She even managed to snag the grenade away from Carol just to be on the safe side.

She was responsible for these people. She had already changed so much. Remington needed to make sure they stayed safe.

Stepping away from Daryl, toward the camera, she watched as it swiveled, moving the smallest amount, to take them all in more clearly. He was already watching them. Debating on allowing them in or not. She worried he might not this time. What if she had changed something else?

Forcing back any thoughts of doubt Remington focused all of her attention on that camera. She knew he would notice her intent. Unlike the others she wasn't trying to force her way inside, just calmly watching him, as he watched them.

"Walkers!" Daryl called out. He took a step forward. Crowding into Remington and Landon's space but moving to stand protectively in front of them as he raised his crossbow.

"You led us into a god damn graveyard!" Daryl hollered out to Rick as he let off his first arrow.

She could hear the others begin to panic.

Her head tilted, nodding toward the pandemonium. Her fingers curled firmly around Landon. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the way Merle inched toward her, his eyes trained on the walkers, gun in hand, as he kept a comforting grip on Maisie. She watched as his lips moved, speaking far too low for her to hear, but she assumed it was something in ways of reassurance to the girl.

"Please," she said aloud. "Help us."

"Come on!" Shane hollered out. "I get it. You made a call, but it was the wrong damn call." He halfheartedly glared at Rick as he spoke. "We've got to go." He turned, just barely, as he made a move to grab Remington. "Let's go Solace! There's nothing here for us."

"You can help us." She spoke a little louder. Gunshots shattered the quiet that had followed them on their trek up to the building. "Please, let us in! We're good people. Don't turn us away. Don't let my kids die like this." Remington couldn't help the frustration and fear leak into her voice. Shane had snatched at her arm, trying to lead her away, but she held firm. The grip on Landon moved him to stand in front of her. She made the boy stand in front of the camera, showing him clearly the fear on his face, as she acted as a shield away from everything going on around them.

"Save us."

It wouldn't be long. Remington knew. Their safety would be short-lived, but this group deserved a day's rest from death and fear.

"Don't make me drag you away, Solace," Shane threatened, as he turned fully to the woman. The others were hesitant to leave. They watched as she spoke to the camera. Her voice didn't rise into a scream. It was steady. Loud enough for whoever was listening in could hear her and nothing more. She was the calm in the middle of a storm. They weren't sure what was going on but were hesitant to leave if she didn't.

"We should go," Lori said. "They're getting closer. Remington, whatever you're looking at, it's hopeless. You're gonna get us all killed."

Remington was determined. She knew if they turned away now they wouldn't make it back to the cars without some kind of casualty. She hadn't busted her ass, planning for weeks, leaving hints, and hoping beyond hope that those she tried to keep alive would listen and follow her advice just to turn around and get them killed now.

Shane reached out, his arms moved to wrap around her waist, to pick her up, off the ground, determined to drag her away as Daryl moved to cover Landon. The boy yelled out moving to grab after Remington who never took her eyes off the camera.

"Let us in!" She was beginning to feel as her opportunity slipped away from her. Her eyes were wide. The anxiety from earlier was hitting her once more, full force, as she struggled to get out of Shane's hold, but he was stronger.

"Come on, hun," Shane grunted as he easily tugged her up into his arms. She had never been overly skinny, but since falling into this world she was on the tinier side than normal. It didn't take a lot for him to start to carry her away.

Merle's mouth was set in a firm line. His eyes were narrowed. He didn't like what was going down and wanted to tell Shane to take his hands off her, but even he felt it was time to leave dodge.

Out of desperation and the lack of knowing what else to do Remington tried one last ditch effort. She remembered the words Rick had uttered when it was him yelling at the camera. This time around he seemed determined to flee, to ditch his attempt at safety, and get his family back to their car.

"You're killing us!" Her voice was louder than before. Any and all calm fled from her as she was drug back toward where the Walkers were converging. She thought of her children, of what might become of them, and the need for this to go right.

"You're killing them!"

"Solace it's a loss," Shane muttered sadly into her hair. "Pull yourself together. Grab that gun. We gotta fight our way back."

Her eyes were wide and knowing it would only allow the danger to grow closer she continued to plead to the unmoving camera.

Merle stepped forward ready to intervene when suddenly a bright light lit up the darkness. A clanging drowned out the moans of the undead. The previously closed doors shuttered as they opened.

They all blinked against the brightness as the silhouette of a man appeared before their eyes.

․° °․

He let them in.

That eerie warning had caused Remington's stomach to plummet, but she pulled her children inside and hovered close to Merle as she tried shoving aside any leftover fear.

She had missed the way Merle watched her.

Remington had felt weak as her strength began to fade when Jenner drew her blood. Had grown weaker when Maisie, who had gone last, got her blood drawn. It hadn't gone well but Remington spoke soothingly to the girl as she persuaded her to give the blood sample. There was more than simply being worried about being infected that forced Remington into pushing this issue. She could see the fear on Maisie's face. The girl had never had blood drawn before. Remington was worried about how they had arrived here and if it had affected them in any wrong way.

Bloodwork may not show much, especially with anything Jenner may have searched for, but it made her feel better all the same. She would just make time out of her schedule to corner the doctor later. After she had some sleep, or perhaps after the racing of her heart finally calmed back down.

She was beginning to worry that it wouldn't ever go back to normal. Remington suspected it may not as long as they were staying in this building. She already felt trapped and hadn't spent longer than a half hour within its walls.

The others were quick to relax. The idea that they finally had somewhere safe, a building that even Walkers couldn't get into, felt like heaven. Remington couldn't bear to break their hearts.

She decided to do everything within her power to allow them this peace of mind while she worked in the background.

Jenner easily gave them access to his food, offering more than they had, had in a long time. Remington eyed the alcohol that the adults were pouring into cups for themselves and the soda given to the children. Knowing that tonight would be safe, that realistically they would be able to spend two nights here, without worrying over the building shutting down, caused her to contemplate letting loose for a bit. Lord knew that Remington deserved a few hours to detox the last couple of months from her system, to better prepare her for the never-ending weeks ahead of them.

In the end, she stuck to water. She would put her children to sleep, make sure they were safely settled in for the night, track down Jenner, and then depending on what went on she would dip into the alcohol.

As those around her celebrated their newfound safety Remington watched Jenner. She didn't say anything when Shane killed the mood. She easily followed after the others when they were shown to the room available, and silently celebrated along with everyone over the announcement of hot water.

She allowed time around her to blur together as she thought over what her next move would be. Grabbing at her and the kid's bags Remington made to move to find a room when a hand landed on her arm. That same hand grabbed at the bags that weighed her down and she was met with the easy-going smirk of Merle Dixon.

"Talked ta mah brother and he agreed that ta lot of yah will be stayin' wit us."

Remington blinked in confusion, her lips frowning, as she watched him turn away.

"What?"

"Sumtin' don't feel right bout this." He raised an eyebrow at her as she hadn't begun to follow him. "Ta way your reacting got me ta thinking that it's probably best ta keep yah close."

"You don't have to do that." She shook her head, moving to grab her things from him, but he shifted them out of her reach. "Come on, Merle. There's a lot of us. It's going to be crowded. I swear the kids and dogs take up way more space than they look like they would."

"Not a problem." Merle slid his right arm through each strap of the three bags to free up his left arm which he then used to wrap around her waist. She had more contact with Merle than she ever had with Daryl, but that didn't mean their friendship was full of it. Moments like these had been rare up until recently. Now, she found he was touching her a lot more than before. "Yah let ole' Merle worry bout that."

"Are you sure?" She sighed, feeling too tired to put much more of a fight into the conversation. It actually made her feel a little relieved. It brought comfort to her to know that she wouldn't be alone in a strange room with her children. That there would be two others that she trusted to keep them safe. She had never liked being alone. Now more than ever.

"Just say thanks, Merle."

"Thanks, Merle." She shook her head a little but was more than happy to follow along after him. After she had helped Merle move in an extra couple of cots into the room, he had motioned for her to grab the children and get them bathed first. Remington didn't hesitate. She scrubbed each of them down before doing it to the dogs next. Then she took care of herself. This shower was faster than the others she had assisted in. She already felt the guilt tugging at her that the brothers had to wait for so long already.

When she was finished, wearing clean clothing that Jenner had handed each of them, all generic grey sweats, and shirts with the CDC logo on them, Remington found she felt better. The warmth of the water, a luxury she had almost forgotten all about, had brought some life back into her.

"Look at the beauty buried underneath all that dirt and grime," Merle hollered when Remington stepped from the bathroom. He held a bottle in his hand that he had steadily been drinking from. Maisie, who was cuddled up on one of the cots giggled, as she smiled widely at her mother.

"Momma is pretty," Maisie giggled.

"That yer momma is, Mango." Maisie's smile widened at the nickname. It had been something knew Merle had thrown at her one day and Maisie lit up like the stars every time it had been used. Merle had been confused about why it brought the girl so much joy to hear until Remington had shrugged her shoulders and stated no one had ever called her that before. It was something new, and unique, and Maisie loved such things. Other than ankle biter it had become his go-to name for the girl.

"Quit it, Merle." He snickered, the shit-eating grin on his face wider than normal, as she was certain the alcohol helped with. "Where's Daryl?"

"Off ta find more booze and a shower I recon."

"Sorry," she frowned a bit as she finished drying her hair with the towel. "I tried to go as fast as possible."

"Nuttin ta apologize for, darlin'. The boy betta find some more of that whiskey." Merle made to move past her, walking toward the shower, and Remington stepped out of his way.

"Why don't we go find Carol and Sophia," Remington announced to the children. "I think they mentioned something about a board game."

"Yeah!" Maisie exclaimed as she scrambled off the cot. Landon smiled, a small smile, as he followed after her, reaching out to hold her hand. Remington watched fondly as they walked in front of her. Maisie rambled on about which game she hoped it was as Landon nodded along looking serious as he listened.

The two were the cutest things she had ever seen and Remington, not for the first time, felt happy with the fact that they had found Landon.

"Sophia!" Maisie called out as she set eyes on the familiar girl.

"We were able to find Sorry," Carol said, smiling at Remington as she sat down next to the older woman. "I hope that's okay. There wasn't much of a selection, and I didn't think Monopoly would be a good choice with the young ones."

"It's perfect." Remington smiled at her. "It gives them something new to do. Maybe we should break out Monopoly with some of the adults that are drinking. Give ourselves some free entertainment." Carol giggled quietly as she hid her smile.

"That would be entertaining."

They spent the next half hour playing the game while Remington tried to keep Carol laughing, and the kids' spirits high. She made it her mission to have everyone smiling until she saw Jenner walking past the doorway.

She paused mid-sentence, eyeing him, and wishing to go after him. He looked troubled and Remington had her own concerns to voice.

"Is something wrong?" Carol asked.

"Um," Remington hesitated. "I hate to ask Carol, but I have a few questions for our host, would you mind watching after Maisie and Landon for me? Just for thirty minutes?"

Reaching over Carol laid a hand on Remington's shaking shoulders. She felt stressed. It had never been easy to ask for help, especially when it came to someone watching after Maisie, as Remington always felt she should just be able to do it all herself.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure whatever you feel the need to talk about is important, and regardless I don't mind helping out with these two. You don't have to do it all yourself." She squeezed Remington's shoulder lightly. "You're a good person. A good mom. I can see it in your eyes sometimes, but you never have to feel bad about asking for help. Especially from me."

"Thank you, Carol." Remington couldn't help it. She hugged the older woman.

"You've been a huge help in keeping us all safe and have given me someone I feel I can really rely on. Sophia wanted to ask something anyway. Have you found a room yet? She was thinking of inviting Landon and Maisie over for a sleepover-like thing. She's already constructed up forts and everything for them." Carol leaned forward, pitching her voice lower, as she continued. "I think she just wants to feel a little normal for once. We've never been in a place like this since the outbreak. It's almost like you can ignore what's going on outside."

Remington froze. Sophia had begun to send her wishful looks and Maisie's whole face had perked up at hearing anything to do with forts. Landon was hiding it better but even he looked excited at the prospect, even if that meant he was hanging out with girls all night.

"Momma! That sounds like fun! I've never been to a sleepover before." Maisie's excitement twisted into her favorite wide eyes, and wobbling lip, as she raised her tiny hands into the air before pushing them together.

"Are you sure?" Remington couldn't help but ask. She felt bad at the thought of Carol looking after all three of them by herself.

"It's no problem. I'm looking forward to it. We never got to do things like this before, cause, of, well… Ed." Her voice stuttered toward the end. Shame flooded her voice and Remington's eyes widened.

"I just don't want it to be too much for you! I think it's a great idea if the kids are really wanting to do it."

"Yes!" Maisie exclaimed. Sophia bounced happily in her seat as she smiled widely at Maisie. The two had really taken a liking to one another.

The smile on Landon's face had started to widen.

"I can help."

"No. I saw the way you were eyeing the others earlier. You deserve some time to yourself. Get yourself a drink. Talk to Jenner about whatever it is that is worrying you, and just take a night for yourself. I can see how stressed you've been, and I can't blame you. You've placed a lot on your shoulders these last several weeks." Carol stood up, motioning for Remington to follow her, as Carol began to whisper. "I heard what happened on the run to save Merle. You should take tonight and deal with everything."

Remington felt herself go stiff at Carol's words. She almost forgot about what had happened in Atlanta. Of course, she could never forget, but she had been so busy, she hadn't had time to think about it.

"You really don't have to do this."

"Nobody should have to hold all of that in. I know we're not as close as you are to the Dixons, and that you may not want to talk to me about it, but you should talk to someone. Don't let it get buried inside. We need you, Remington. You've kept us all safe. You're a real leader and I know I'd feel better knowing you've taken time to care for yourself."

Remington couldn't help it. For one moment she felt the urge to cry. She swallowed quickly, forcing the feeling back down, before pulling Carol in for another hug.

"Let me care for the children tonight," Carol whispered into her hair. "Let me pay you back for all that you've done."

"Fine." She tightened her hold for a moment longer before releasing her from her hold. "But you let me do the same for you in the future. I adore Sophia, and the kids love her, I wouldn't mind having her around for a night so that you can have one to yourself. Ed was a piece of work, but he was your husband and he's gone now. There are emotions to deal with. I know that."

It was Carol's turn to look like she was about to cry before she regained control over herself.

"You're right. Thank you. How about I take the children tonight, and you can do it tomorrow."

"Sounds perfect. We've got to watch out and take care of one another."

"I agree."

Remington moved to kiss Maisie and Landon goodbye before she took off in search of the lone doctor.

She passed by where T-Dog and a few others were sitting around a table, sharing drinks, as they laughed and swapped stories. It caused a flutter of happiness to fill Remington's heart as she watched.

When Remington stumbled upon Jenner, he was sitting in a room full of computers. She thought she recognized it from the show, when he was showing the vigil, but couldn't be sure.

"You have something on your mind as well?" Jenner called out as she entered.

"Did someone else talk to you?" She was curious, wondering if it had been Rick, but knew it probably had been. He was just like that. Looking out for the others, but even Rick had a breaking point.

"Another of your group. You've all been through a lot."

"We have." She sighed, moving to snag the seat next to him. "It could have gone worse. We were lucky to have more in our group than we do."

"It's a different world out there."

"You have no idea." She eyed him, from out of the corner of her vision, seeing the way he held himself. He looked uncomfortable. She wondered if it was because of the way Rick had broken down and the promises he told the man. They wouldn't realize those promises lay within a devastating blast that would incinerate everything within its path. "How's the blood work?"

Jenner chuckled at her words.

"He asked the same thing. You two are a lot alike."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Rick is a good man."

"I don't believe I mentioned who he was." Remington shrugged, not bothering to look sheepish, as the point of her visit urged her forward.

"Easy guess."

"You're worried about the blood samples?"

"I know none of us are infected. That's not my reasoning for being here."

"But you suspect something is wrong?" Jenner frowned at her, but Remington could see it, there was something, just as she worried about.

"I'm a mother. I worry constantly over my children regardless of whether or not there is a reason to."

"Except one of them isn't yours. He doesn't belong to anyone in the group. It didn't match."

"No," Remington agreed. Her voice had softened. "He's not. I saved him. He's a part of my family regardless of blood."

"That states what kind of person you are," Jenner hummed as he nodded. "I don't think there's many that would do something like that these days. Take in another mouth to feed when they don't have a responsibility to."

"I prefer to keep as much of who I was before all of this as I can. I don't want to lose my humanity."

"Most don't."

Remington leaned forward, her gaze which had been honest and open, turned serious.

"I'm sorry doctor, I know we intruded on your space, but I've got to demand a little more. I need answers. What are you keeping from us?"

He hung his head, licking his lips, as he stood to his feet. He motioned for her to follow him and as he walked by the bottle of wine, he snatched it up.

"I could use something stronger, but I need my wits about me." Remington hurried to follow him out of the room and toward a small-looking laboratory. He held out a coat for her to put on. White, long, almost like a doctor's coat, but it protected more of her body. "Put this on and come inside."

"What are you showing me?"

"Two of you came in. Two of you have blood that while I was inspecting them caused me to retest them." Remington frowned as they stepped into the room, and he showed her the blood sample.

"Is it bad?"

She felt that nagging itch under her skin. The only two differences, major differences, were her and Maisie. They didn't belong in this universe. She couldn't imagine the horrors that he might tell her. Was something wrong?"

"Bad?" He chuckled, the sound warped, not quite happy, but more of a disbelief, and strangled tone. "Not quite. Good? I couldn't possibly know at this point." He shook his head in frustration as he motioned for her to take a look at the first sample. "Everyone and I mean everyone, is infected with this disease. We're all going to turn. It doesn't matter if you are bit or not."

Remington hesitated, she already knew this, didn't bother to look surprised before she tentatively looked into the lens.

"This is someone from your group, you won't be able to spot that difference, the way I know is different from blood from before this pandemic, but it's there. People will continue to turn, even if all the dead were too suddenly up and disappear. We'd just make more."

He grabbed the sample before replacing it. Remington bit her lip but leant back over to look as he gestured for her to do so.

She wasn't sure what she was looking at exactly. They looked the same. She was sure there was some kind of difference, one she just couldn't spot, didn't have the knowledge to, but knew he was going to explain it to her anyway.

"When I saw this, I couldn't help but take several more glances. It was impossible. I almost believed I had mixed it up with a sample from before. We have some of those hanging around, but I knew it was impossible. I looked at your daughters right after. I found it was the same thing. There's no infection within either of you. If you were to die, you'd just stay dead."

Her breath caught in her throat as she stumbled back from the Microscope.

"It's like looking at the world before all of this started." His words were almost accusing with a hint of wonder and hope. He seemed gleeful and weary. His emotions hadn't settled, and she could tell he was still trying to come to terms with what this might mean. What it could mean.

"Are you trying to tell me that my blood could hold a cure?"

It was kind of poetic in a way. She was an anomaly in this world but could also be it's salvation. She had only ever wanted to help since coming here. Remington couldn't wrap her mind around it.

"I don't know. It shouldn't be possible. The two of you are abnormalities in this world. It almost feels too good to be true."

His words were like ice water drenching her. Her eyes flickered up in confusion as a shiver fell down her spine.

"What would you need to be sure?"

"Time." He brought the bottle up to his lips and gulped down the red substance. The frustration deepened as the grip on the bottle tightened. "I don't have enough time. My first breakthrough, something promising, and it comes too late. You didn't arrive in time. This building is fucked. I'm running low on fuel. Soon everything will shut down and with it, it will all be gone. Even you, our possible savior."

The bitterness in his voice caused her to flinch.

"What do you mean?"

"The CDC holds some very nasty stuff. Things we can't ever let out. The building is designed to protect us from a time when it fails to keep moving forward. Decontamination. That's what it's called."

"How long?" Remington knew all of this. She knew what would happen. She didn't need him to explain. Just needed him to move on to the point she needed to know.

"You all came just in time. We've got forty-eight hours give or take. After that, it'll seal itself completely and take care of everything else."

"I'm not dying here." Her words were stern. Her eyes were filled with fire. Jenner couldn't help but take that in as he glanced up at her. She looked godly in that moment. "My children are not dying here. That is not why I allowed them to come here. So, sir, you tell me what it is you need to keep this building going."

"Fuel. More for the generators. I only keep this section of the building going. It's impossible. I never went out before because someone needs to stay here and control everything."

"There's more of us now. You have people who have a common goal. Can you open those doors up top?"

"You heard me say they wouldn't be opening again."

"Yeah," she bitterly scoffed. "I caught that little twist of words."

"And yet you entered anyway."

"I didn't want anyone to die."

"Then you never should have brought them here."

Irritation bubbled up, anger coursed through her veins, and she found her hand slamming down against the table, rattling glass bottles, and instruments. She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing it all back down, not wanting to explode, and ruining any chance of getting him to work with her. She needed to keep control over her emotions.

"Tell me if it's possible to open those doors up." Her eyes narrowed, the look on her face, the fierceness, she wasn't going to let it go without an answer, and Jenner felt himself feeling a flicker of hope.

"If you can find me more fuel, I could keep this building running longer. All of you would be welcome to stay. All that I have is yours, as long as you stay, and let me run tests."

"The doors open tomorrow morning."

"I can make it happen. It's a short window. Are you sure you can make it?"

"Do you know where I can look?"

"There's a place. A military base. They would have what you would need."

"If I do this everyone can stay for as long as the fuel lasts?"

"Of course."

Remington took a step forward. Her expression was severe.

"You'll warn me before we run out. I don't care if your experiments come up with nothing, I will not let these people die here, not without it being their choice. Once this building is no longer safe you let us leave before it locks up."

He opened his mouth to respond but Remington wanted to make sure her point got across. She stepped forward until she was standing directly in front of him. Her chest brushed against his own. Remington had looked confident, severe even, as they talked, but here she had changed. Her aura grew darker, and the look that fell across her face was deadly.

"What comes out of your mouth next better be the truth. I don't care if you decide to go out in a flame of glory in some kind of suicide attempt to finally take yourself out. You will not be making that choice for anyone in my group. You will give us enough time to get out, and if we manage not to find anything tomorrow, you let us go."

He gulped, feeling the need to drain the bottle of wine next to him, as he nodded.

"I promise."

Taking a step back Remington nodded. A little of the weight lifted from her shoulders before a much more crushing one slammed full force down upon her.

She needed to get to that fuel.

She had to buy time for Jenner to run his tests. Her group deserved all of the safety they could get. Remington pushed any thoughts of the Greens from her mind. They were still on the to-do list. She wouldn't just abandon them, and she hoped, if they found the fuel, and stayed longer, that nothing would end up happening to Maggie and her family.

It would seem another change needed to be made.

One that could change the fate of the whole world.

"No matter what you have to stay," Jenner said, breaking her from her thoughts. "I need your blood or your daughters. You could hold answers. I need those answers."

It was Jenner's turn to take a step forward. To crowd into her personal space.

"I can't let something happen to either of you before I get my answers. You stay here and in return, I give anything your group could ever need."

Remington felt her head swim as the new reality of her actions crashed down around her.

It didn't matter what Remington had to do. She had to try. For her family, for this group, those people she had started to care for.

"I go with them tomorrow, to get the fuel, and then after that, you can run whatever test you want on me, but you leave my daughter alone. I don't need her feeling like a test subject."

"I can't take that risk. If you wish for your daughter to be kept out of this, then I need you to be safe."

"I have to be certain that those I send out will come back. I need to go with them."

"You'll stay, and hope that they can do it without you." Jenner shook his head, bending low to come nose to nose with her, as he let it be shown how serious he was about this. "Your important right now." He took a step back pushing the bottle further away from him as he turned around. "Can I get more of your blood? I'd like to run a few more tests tonight. I want to get started on this as soon as possible just in case your group fails tomorrow."

Remington bristled at his words but brushed them aside. He made sense. It just rubbed her the wrong way. She didn't want to stay behind and worry, but she didn't want Maisie being the one to have to give blood. It had been traumatizing the first, and last time, she wouldn't make the girl go through it again.

"Sure. Go ahead."

She sat down in the seat he motioned towards and closed her eyes as she began to break down and reform her plans.