The Apocalypse

29

Maeve sat on a hay bale, her body slumped with exhaustion and grief. The barn was quiet now, the evening light casting long shadows that crept across the floor. Beside her, Sophie sat close, her presence a small comfort. Maurits had entrusted Maeve to Sophie, knowing she was one of the few people who could offer some semblance of solace in his absence.
Sophie glanced at Maeve, her heart aching for the girl. "How are you?" she asked softly, her voice gentle and filled with concern.
Maeve didn't immediately respond. Her gaze was fixed on the horizon where the sun was dipping below the skyline, casting a warm, golden glow that seemed to mock the cold reality of their world. "It's never away," she whimpered, her voice a broken whisper. Her words were cryptic, laden with a sorrow that Sophie couldn't fully grasp.
"What is?" Sophie asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. She wasn't like Maurits, who could decipher Maeve's riddles with ease.
"Death," Maeve murmured, her voice so soft it was almost lost in the wind. Yet, Sophie heard it clearly, the single word hanging heavy in the air between them.
"I am afraid not, not in this world," Sophie replied, her tone honest but filled with empathy. She knew the harsh realities they faced, the omnipresence of death that shadowed their every step.
"He was immune," Maeve said suddenly, her voice trembling.
"Who was?" Sophie asked gently, trying to follow Maeve's train of thought. The girl's clothes were still stained with blood, and any attempt Sophie made to clean her had resulted in screams. Only Maurits was allowed that close, his presence the only one Maeve could bear.
"My brother," Maeve muttered, her eyes distant as she rubbed at them, smearing tears with blood. "Same serum, same appointments. Someone injected," she trailed off, her voice growing even softer, "war leader."
Sophie leaned in closer, her heart pounding. "I know, I remember," Maeve said.
"What do you remember?" Sophie asked, her voice careful and soothing.
"Bad people," Maeve whispered, finally turning her haunted eyes toward Sophie. There was a depth of pain and fear in those eyes that spoke of horrors Sophie could only imagine.
Sophie nodded, reaching out but stopping short of touching Maeve. "We'll figure this out," she said softly, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "Maurits and I, we won't let them hurt you again."
Maeve's gaze returned to the horizon, the sun now almost gone, leaving the world in twilight. The promise of darkness loomed, but so did the faint hope that Sophie and Maurits could protect her from the nightmares that haunted her waking moments.
"They live, they are still a danger," were the last words Maeve spoke before she closed off again, retreating into the silence that had become all too familiar. Her expression remained distant until she saw Maurits walking toward her. A flicker of life returned to her eyes, a small spark of hope and trust.
Sophie noticed the change and gave Maurits a nod, signaling that she would explain everything later. Maurits understood and approached Maeve with a soft, reassuring smile. He cupped her face gently, his touch tender, before kissing her forehead.
"Safe," he muttered against her skin, the word a promise and a comfort.
"Johnny is combing the streets and houses for the walker. It will be found," he explained, addressing both Maeve and Sophie. His voice was steady, filled with the confidence they all needed.
"I want to ride," Maeve asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maurits smiled at her, a genuine warmth in his eyes. He took a deep breath, his heart aching for her but determined to give her a sense of normalcy. "Of course, darling. Whatever you wish. I already saddled one of the horses for you," he told her gently. With ease, he picked her up and carried her towards the horse, placing her carefully in the saddle.
"Not too far, darling. You know the way," he reminded her, his voice a mix of caution and encouragement.
Maeve nodded, a small sign of her understanding, and with a gentle nudge, she urged the horse into a gallop. The rhythmic pounding of hooves on the ground was a familiar, soothing sound, a brief escape from the chaos that surrounded them.
As Maeve rode away, Maurits turned slowly to Sophie. "What did she say?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.
Sophie took a moment to gather her thoughts, her eyes reflecting the weight of what Maeve had shared. "She said her brother was immune," Sophie began, choosing her words carefully. "She talked about a Same serum, the same appointments. Someone injected him with something. She mentioned a war leader."
Maurits listened intently, his jaw tightening as he processed the information. "Bad people was the last she said I do not understand," Sophie added, echoing Maeve's final, chilling words.
Maurits nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We'll have to be even more vigilant," he said quietly. "If they were experimenting with immunity... it means they can be still out there, and they can be still a threat against Maeve and even me." Maurits spoke as the puzzel pieces fell into place. "If her brother was immune and now was turning it means they are hunting them down to take their immunity away. They found the right serum for immunity I suppose and the people who tested positive are not part of their plan of total control. I think it is still going."
Sophie nodded in agreement. "Maeve is scared, but she's strong. She needs you, Maurits. You're the only one she truly trusts."
"I know," he replied, his gaze following the distant figure of Maeve on her horse. "We'll protect her. Whatever it takes."
"They will search for her and for you." Sophie spoke.
"Let them. When they come I will kill them. We know now what they wanted, immunity to control herds. I am gonna find out how to control them completely and teach Maeve and myself."