He was still in great shape, with broad shoulders and the build of someone who did kickboxing or weight training, not yoga or endurance running. The burn scars that covered his feet and stretched up his legs caught her eye, and she remembered the first time she saw them, almost twenty years ago, that morning in her dorm room. That felt like a lifetime ago, yet here and now, he was somehow more like that happy nineteen-year-old kid than he was like the troubled adult he had become after. Just like that night at the Halloween party, she felt herself irresistibly drawn to him, like a black hole that was pulling her in with no hope of escape.

She had felt the first spark when she heard his voice the previous Saturday night. And again when Lucas Turner had said his name. And when she had seen his name written on the wall of the barn stall. It had been Desmond who had rescued her from the ship and likely saved Hannah’s life in the process. At each point, a little more of her had come alive, like she was waking up from a long sleep. But she couldn’t allow that to happen. They had work to do. Lives were at stake—things far more important than her and Desmond.

She settled into a sleeping bag beside him, and they lay in silence. She could feel him looking at her. She wondered what he was thinking, when he would remember—if he would remember. And what she would do then.

Five minutes later, the plane lifted off, en route to Shetland.

Despite the noise and turbulence, Desmond fell asleep quickly. He must be exhausted, Peyton thought. The temperature in the cabin dropped as the plane climbed. The engines roared; Avery was pushing the craft to its limits.

Peyton tucked a few pillows between Desmond and the wall, cushioning him in case they hit more turbulence. Then she slid back into her own sleeping bag and pulled in close beside his, trapping the heat between them.

Slowly, she became more aware of her fever. Perhaps it was the chill in the cabin or the solitude, but the heat engulfed her face. Her head ached. Her chest felt heavy. She really hoped they found some clue on the island. For her sake, and many others.

Desmond mumbled, but Peyton couldn’t hear what he said over the roar of the engines.

She turned. His eyes were still closed. He spoke again.

She leaned in, her ear inches from his lips.

“I’ve figured it out.” He paused, then mumbled, “The X factor.”

Peyton remembered the memory. She had been there. And she knew what came next. She dreaded it for him.

She drew out the phone he had given her. A dialog read:

Download complete.

DAY 10

DAY 10

4,600,000,000 Infected
1,000,000 Dead

Chapter 72

Chapter 72