Crown Of Thorns [ Michael Langdon ]

20 - end times - 20

{Chapter Twenty - End Times}

~ Oh girl, it's you that I lie with,
As the atom bomb locks in ~

- As the World Caves In

a year and a half after the bombs

The carriage rolled to a stop outside Outpost 3, and Elora glanced out the window. The familiar structure of the Hawthorne School stood before them, and two figures in radiation suits approached them. Michael, who was controlling the horses jumped down from where he sat and opened the carriage door for her. Elora fixed her mask before taking the hand that Michael had extended for her. He helped her carefully down the stairs, dropping her hand as they approached the two people guarding the Outpost.

Michael held out his ID, and so did Elora. "I need to speak to Ms Venable." Michael said in a low voice.

"Yes, sir, Mr Langdon." A voice that belonged to none other than Ms Mead. Elora knew Michael erased her memories and placed her in Outpost 3, but she hadn't expected to see her so soon.

"Tend to the animals." Michael waved his hand in the air as the pair entered the Outpost. They were met with many safety measures to make sure they didn't bring in any chemicals from outside. They stripped their radiation suits as soon as they could, before getting decontaminated.

"Be careful with her." Michael instructed the Gray as Elora stepped onto the machine that decontaminated them. "She's-"

"Pregnant." The Gray finished with wide eyes, staring at Elora's stomach. She instinctively covered her stomach with her arms and rolled her eyes at the Gray. She supposed it would have been a while since anyone was pregnant on the new earth.

After being decontaminated, a pair of Grays led them to Ms Venable's office, sliding the doors shut behind them.

"Wilhemina Venable." Ms Venable introduced herself, despite having met the two. It had been a while since she saw them, and they both looked almost unrecognisable. Michael had grown out his hair, while Elora had cut hers. It was now above her shoulders, and messy bangs covered her forehead. Ms Venable's eyes travelled down to Elora's hands, which were holding her stomach. "I'm in charge here."

"Of course you are." Michael said, as if he was babying her. Elora smirked at Ms Venable's belief she was in charge.

"You don't sound like you believe me." Ms Venable defended herself.

"Why wouldn't I?" Michael frowned. "Seems like you've done a wonderful job. The walls are still standing. Your people are alive and healthy. Which is quite a feat, considering..." Michael glanced at Elora with a knowing look.

"Considering?" Ms Venable demanded.

"That three more Outposts have been overrun, and the remaining three won't last through the year." Michael told her.

"Why are you here?"

"Because it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens to you." Elora said harshly. "The good news is, there's another facility, a Sanctuary."

"This one's completely impregnable and stocked with enough supplies to last a decade." Michael added.

"You're here to take us there." Ms Venable said, a hint of hope in her voice.

"We've been assigned to evaluate the people here and select the ones most worthy of survival. We could take all of you... or none of you." Elora told the woman.