Chapters (160)

“I’m only telling you to be ready. And to stay focused on the objective: finding the list of sites holding the cure.”

Desmond stood on the flight deck, the wind blowing on his face. Helicopters continued to land. Troops were massing for the assault. The sun was setting now; they would be wheels up within an hour.

Avery walked over, stood beside him silently for a few minutes.

“We need to talk about what you remembered at your childhood home,” she said.

He spoke without looking at her. “No we don’t.”

“Des, at least tell me what you’re going to do about it.”

“I have no idea.”

Chapter 109

Desmond found Peyton in one of the mess halls, sitting alone, a plate of untouched food on the table in front of her. He picked up a tray, loaded up on beef stew and cornbread, and sat down across from her.

“Not hungry?” he asked.

“Starving.”

“I’m nervous too.”

She pushed some green beans around her plate. “I’m used to going into dangerous situations. High stakes.”

“But this is different.”

She nodded. “And… there’s something else.”

“Such as?”

He wondered if she was talking about him. About them.

“Charlotte,” she said.

He raised his eyebrows.

“She’s connected to you. And me. Don’t you think that’s strange? And I can’t think of a reason why someone was sending her supplies. It’s just… Too many coincidences. We’re missing something. A very big piece.”

Desmond sat silently for a moment. This wasn’t the conversation he wanted to have. But it was intriguing. She was right, as usual.

“I don’t know what it means, but I’ve figured something else out. It’s taken me a very long time.”

Peyton sat silently, searching his face.

“Fifteen years ago, when I left you in Palo Alto, I thought I was doing the right thing. For both of us. I thought you would have a better life without me. Kids. Happiness. A normal husband.”

She began to speak, but Desmond stopped her. “Just give me a minute. What I’m trying to say is that I thought time would heal me. It didn’t. I wasn’t better off alone. I wanted you to know because you were right. I wish I had never left.”

“It’s in the past, Des.”

“I wanted to say it just in case…”

“In case we don’t come back.”

“Yeah.”

“I tell you what. Let’s make a deal. If we do make it back, we won’t talk about the past. Only the future. And the present.”

“Deal.”

Day 14

6,100,000,000 Infected
18,000,000 Dead

Chapter 110

Elim was sewing up a cut on a young girl’s arm when the speaker in the exam room called out, “Dr. Kibet, dial the operator, you have an urgent call from the MOH.”

The MOH was the Ministry of Health, or what was left of it.