“So, when are you going to kill me?” She looked up at him as she sipped her chocolate milk.
“Not today,” he said with a grin as he continued to eat.
Allison finished her food and leaned forward onto her elbows. She watched the son of a bitch eat his turkey sandwich and drink his water while he read the paper in front of him. Like they were just colleagues sharing a meal on their lunch break. Not the captor and captive they were.
“I have learned something new about your genetic abnormalities today. Your cells not only repair injuries at an astounding rate, they are aging slower than before. Your lifespan has been extended because you had the virus. Absolutely fascinating.” Dr. Neff looked up at her. “You are a walking fountain of youth.”
“Yay for me,” she said as she pushed her tray across the table. “I’m sure your son will appreciate being the subject of your next big scientific discovery.”
“My son will appreciate being free of N87.” The doctor’s forehead creased, his eyes darkened, his jaw tightened.
“I wonder what he will think of all the sadistic things his daddy did to find the cure. All the torture and death. All the—”
“Enough,” he said. His fist slammed down onto the table, sending the trays smashing to the floor.
“You sure are touchy for a merciless killer. I can’t wait for your son to see what a piece of shit his father has become.” She spit at him.
Dr. Neff’s fist collided with her face. Blood filled her mouth, poured onto the white tile. She fell back, landing on the icy floor as he climbed on top of her, his hands wrapped around her neck, tightening around her windpipe.
“Don’t you ever talk about my son again. Unlike you, my son is innocent. He has killed no one. He wasn’t in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing when he got infected. None of what has happened to him is his fault.” His grip tightened around her throat.
She struggled against him, feeling the heat build in her core with each squeeze from his hands. Heavy footsteps filled the room. She pushed on his chest sending him straight up into the air; she rolled to the side as he came crashing back to the floor next to her. Black boots appeared by her head. Then came the burning shocks. Over and over and over again. As Allison started fading into blackness a deep rumble shook the building and she forced her eyes to remain open. That felt like an explosion. The black boots near her head disappeared running, out the door to the hall. Shouting bounced along the concrete walls.
As Dr. Neff stood in the door, the rattle of the building caused him to call to the floor, his forehead lined with worry. Stay awake, Allison. Allison shook her head trying to rid her brain of the fog that clouded it. What’s happening? Collectors ran past the door as Dr. Neff scrambled to his feet shouting instructions. Anything is better than this. Allison pulled herself to her feet using the table. She reached for the burn at her core and felt it come alive. It rushed over her, clearing her fogged mind, filling her fatigued muscles with strength. It’s now or never. Allison ran across the room, slamming her body into Dr. Neff so forcefully they both went barreling through the concrete wall behind him. Without missing a beat Allison rose to her feet and sprinted toward the sign labeled “Exit.” Dr. Neff grabbed her ankle, pulling her to the ground as he climbed on top of her, pressing his hands into her neck. Allison pushed her hand into his face while her other hand looked for something to grab on the floor. She clenched the first thing she felt and swung it toward the doctor. A chair rammed into his back, causing him to lose his grip on her neck. Allison felt the warmth building in her core, but no blinding anger. Her pulse beat in her ears, but it wasn’t at its usual deafening volume. She used the opportunity to throw Dr. Neff off of her using all of her strength. He went flying upward, through the ceiling tiles. Allison quickly rolled to the side before he came back down again along with most of the ceiling. Dr. Neff rose to his feet, almost unfazed by the trauma. Allison’s eyes grew wide. He’s like me.
“What the fuck?” Allison said. Dr. Neff smiled as he charged her. He hit her full force, knocking her into a metal cabinet, causing it to buckle. Allison felt the air leave her lungs, and she struggled to catch it as she slid down the cabinet to the ground. Her vision dimmed as she started losing consciousness. Stay awake! Allison ordered herself.
“As I said,” Dr. Neff reminded her. “You’re special. Your blood may not be enough to create a cure for all, but it has been very helpful in other ways.” He kicked Allison in the face and she felt the inside of her cheek split against her teeth. A daze overtook her. Dr. Neff lifted Allison from the ground and swung her onto his shoulder like a dead dog while he looked at his watch. The room was now upside down and spinning. Allison tried to lift her head and focus her vision, to gain her bearings. “This facility has been compromised. We will be late.” Dr. Neff said. He walked out of the room as Collectors and people in lab coats frantically ran past. Another explosion rocked through the building.
“We have started evacuation procedures, sir. The Resistance have set off explosions across the compound,” a Collector said as he stopped by Dr. Neff’s side. His uniform was slightly different, and he seemed in charge of the others. I can’t let them take me, wherever they run off to, Allison thought.
“Good. Have everyone
