Apocalypse Love

Rose Scent

Gallant waited outside my door, when I stepped into the hall he extended his arm to me. "Shall we?" He asked, then linking his arm in mine. We get to the grand staircase and he helped me walk down them. When we turned the corner we walked down the hall and entered through the set of double doors. Everyone is surprised to see me as Gallant guides me towards the two empty spots left in the middle of the room. It felt like I was center attention and I didn't want to feel that way. "Hey, doing better?" The new girl, Camilie asked me. I nodded "Much..." I lied. Truthfully I felt like I was suffocating. Then my ears catch the echo of Ms.Venable cane off the wooden floor as she made her way into the library. I didn't know why the meeting had to be held here in my space where nobody really goes but me but I didn't like it. I turn my head to see Ms.Venable make her way to the front of us all, standing right in front of the fireplace as Ms.Meads walked off to the corner of the room. Her eyes fall onto me and her face was written with shock. Had she not known I was awake? Did she think I wouldn't make this meeting? Suddenly my ears hear the sound of heavy footsteps and the rose scent becomes stronger. I didn't dare turn my head as the footsteps entered the room. The rose scent had completely taken over everyone of my senses as it intoxicated around me, causing my stomach to turn and flip. When I finally drew my eyes from my hands. I see a tall man approach Ms.Venable and I felt my heart stop. He has golden blonde hair that falls just above his shoulders and his hands are folded behind his back. He's wearing a long black coat with shiny buttons on the front. He stared at Ms.Venable, titling his head to the side, as if to challenge her for the spot. It was the first time I had ever seen that woman back down. She lowered her head and stepped to the corner of the room as the man took her spot in front of the fire place. He then turned to us all but I felt as though his eyes fell into me. The hair on my arm stood up and a shiver was sent down my spine. "My name is Langdon and I represent the Cooperative." His voice is smooth and calm and it made my heart feel warm. "I won't sugar coat the situation. Humanity is on the brink of failure and my arrival here is crucial to the survival of civilized life on earth" he informed us. "The three other compounds in Syracuse, New York . Beckley, West Virginia, San Antonio, Texas have been overrun and destroyed" he explained. "We've had no contact with the six international outpost but we are assuming they too have been eliminated" he added. "What happened to the people inside?" Timothy asked Langdon. Langdon titled his head to the side "Massacred" He hissed out in a sinister tone. "The same fate that befall almost all of you" he tells us. "Almost all?" I finally spoken repeating the words that echoed in my head. His head snapped to my direction and it felt like his eyes stared into my soul. "In knowledge that this very moment might occur, we built a failsafe. The Sanctuary" he tells us, holding out his hands now as if he was giving us a gift. "The Sanctuary?" Coco asked. "The Sanctuary is unique" he arched his brow for a moment before continuing. "It has certain security measures that will prevent overrun" he informed us. "Excuse me, sir. What measures? Why weren't we given them?" Ms.Meads asked Langdon. He rises his hand quickly, almost to shut her up "That's classified." "All that matters is the Sanctuary will...survive, so the people populating it will survive. So humanity will survive" Langdon explained. "Who are the people populating it?" Andres asked. "Also Classified" Langdon stated and I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the sudden headache that pounded against my head from the overpowering scent of roses. "However, I've been sent to determine if any of you are worthy and fit to join us" Langdon says. The murmurs around the room started. "The Cooperative has developed a particular and rigorous questioning  technique we like to call Cooperating" He tells us. It caused me to let out a small grunt of laughter and I quickly covered my mouth, hoping nobody had heard me. "I will then use the information gained to determine if you belong." "What is this? The hunger games?" Coco hissed out. "This is bullshit" she added. Langdon tilted his head to the side, surprised by her out burst. "I paid my way in here and that is the only Cooperating I plan on doing" she tells Langdon. "You don't have to sit for questioning" he spoke. "What if we chose not to?" Andre asked him. "Then you stay here and die" Langdon harshly tells Andre. "I Volunteer to go first!" Gallant was quick to rise his hand. "And so you shall" Langdon responded. "The process should only take me two weeks, so you won't be kept in suspense forever" Langdon went on. "For those of you who don't make the cut all is not lost." He reached into his long black coat and pulled out a tiny vial. "If the worse shall happen and feral cannibals come knocking, down one of these. One minute later you go to sleep and never wake up" he explained. I gulp down the lump that formed in my throat as he then turned his attention to me. "I look forward to meeting each and every one of you." His eyes stared at me with a cold expression for what felt like forever before he placed the vial back into his pocket and turned, heading out of the room. Ms.Venable tapped her cane one the floor three times "Meeting dismissed" she announced. I needed to get out of here. I felt like I was going to be sick. I shot up from my seat and ran out of the room and up the hall before reaching the stairs. I could feel the acid in my stomach slowly traveling up my throat as I reached the top step and run down the hall and straight into my bedroom. I rushed into the bathroom and falling onto the toilet. The acid from my stomach spewed from my mouth. The noise echoed throughout my bedroom. When I was done I closed the lid and flushed the toilet, turning my back to it. I felt much better, but the rose scent still lingered throughout the air. But, was this going to effect me?