The depth of short stories and micro-fiction 2

Newt and the Flare: A Desperate Quest

In the year 2044, the world was on the brink of collapse. The Scorch, a devastating plague that had ravaged the earth, had left only a few remaining cities scattered across the globe. Newt, a young and skilled survivor, had lost loved ones to the Scorch. His memories of them still lingered, haunting him like a ghost.

Newt's eyes, a piercing blue, scanned the horizon as he navigated the desolate wasteland. His rugged features, weathered from years of exposure to the harsh environment, told the story of a person who had been through unimaginable struggles. He was on a mission to find a cure for the Scorch, a disease that had taken everything from him.

As he walked, the silence was broken by the rustling of leaves and the creaking of old buildings. Newt's senses were on high alert, always ready to respond to any potential threat. He had heard rumours of a place called the Flare, a research facility that had been working on a cure for the Scorch before it was abandoned. Newt was determined to find the Flare and uncover its secrets.

After days of traveling through the treacherous terrain, Newt finally stumbled upon the entrance to the Flare. The building, once a state-of-the-art research facility, now stood as a dilapidated monument to the world's downfall. Newt's heart skipped a beat as he pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside.

As he explored the facility, Newt encountered remnants of the past. Old medical equipment, broken and rusted, lined the walls. He found a laboratory filled with vials of medicines and test tubes, some of which were still intact. Newt's hope began to rise; maybe he would find the cure here after all.

Suddenly, Newt heard footsteps echoing through the corridors. He drew his knife, ready to defend himself against any potential threats. But to his surprise, a young girl, no more than sixteen years old, emerged from the shadows.

"Who are you?" Newt asked, his voice firm but cautious.

"My name is Ava," the girl replied, her voice trembling. "I've been trapped here for weeks. I was a test subject for the Flare's experiments."

Newt's expression softened as he looked at Ava. He saw the fear and vulnerability in her eyes, and his heart went out to her. He vowed to protect her, to ensure that she didn't suffer the same fate as his loved ones.

As they navigated the facility together, Newt and Ava discovered that the Flare was more than just a research centre. It was a breeding ground for the Scorch, a place where scientists had been experimenting with the disease in hopes of finding a cure. But their methods were twisted, and their ambition had led to catastrophic consequences.

Newt and Ava soon found themselves trapped in the Flare, surrounded by the Scorch-infected creatures that had been created by the scientists. The creatures, known as the Cranks, were the result of the Scorch's mutated effects on the human brain. They were violent, unpredictable, and would stop at nothing to infect others.

As they fought to escape the Flare, Newt realized that Ava might hold the key to finding the cure. She had been subjected to various experiments, and her body had developed an unusual resistance to the Scorch. Newt knew that if they could harness this resistance, they might be able to create a cure.

Their quest was far from over. The Cranks were relentless, and the Flare was a maze of deadly traps and puzzles. But Newt and Ava persevered, driven by their determination to find the cure and restore hope to a world on the brink of collapse.

As they navigated the treacherous environment, Newt found himself opening to Ava. He shared stories of his past, of the loved ones he had lost, and of his hopes for a better future. Ava listened intently, her eyes sparkling with compassion and understanding.

In that moment, Newt realized that he had found something more valuable than a cure – he had found a reason to keep living. Ava had given him hope, and together, they would face the challenges ahead.

Their journey was far from over, but Newt knew that if they stood together, they could overcome anything. The Flare, with all its secrets and dangers, was just the beginning of their quest to reclaim a world ravaged by the Scorch.

As they emerged from the Flare, blinking in the bright sunlight, Newt turned to Ava and smiled. "We're not alone in this," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "We have each other, and together, we'll find a way to cure this disease and rebuild our world."

Ava smiled back, her eyes shining with determination. "We will," she said. "We'll make a difference, Newt. Together, we'll make a difference."