Playlist for the Apocalypse

Chapter 31: Seven Nation Army

EVELYN

Back in her room, Evelyn's mind raced as she went over her plan again, nervously sliding her thumb over the contours of the silver key Liz had pressed into her palm. She didn't know what had changed her sister's mind, but now she was holding the literal key to their salvation. They were all counting on her, and everything was riding on her next move. No pressure.

She glanced at the pile of pillows she'd tossed in the corner of the bed and adjusted the comforter again. Truth be told, it looked more like a lumpy burrito than a body, but it would have to do.

She waited until the sounds of the guards' footsteps faded, and once she was certain they were gone, she fit the key into the lock and crept out into the hall. Without hesitation, she snatched the extra lab coat hanging off a hook by the door and slipped it on. The NeuroGen logo hung heavy on her chest, and she resisted the urge to tear the symbol from the fabric. Her pace quickened as she moved down the hall, eager to put as much distance between herself and her cell as possible. She released her hair from her scrunchie and combed it down over her eyes, parting it down the middle in her best imitation of Liz.

She didn't have time to question whether her disguise would work because, as she turned the next corner, she collided immediately with a tall, armored figure.

"Hey!" the guard yelped in surprise beneath his helmet.

Evelyn hadn't seen this guard before-he was taller and lankier than the others she'd encountered.

"God! Liz, you almost gave me a heart attack!" The guard exclaimed, and it took Evelyn a moment to recognize his voice.

"Tony," she said, trying her best to imitate the tone she'd seen her sister use with him in their previous interactions.

"What are you doing here?" she asked quickly, hoping that by asking him first, it might dissuade him from asking the same question. "Dodging responsibilities again?"

"What? Me? Never!" Tony said, holding a hand up to his chest. "I'm doing my job. What are you doing here?"

Evelyn hesitated. It was the question she was still desperately trying to think of an answer for. "I'm... uh... going to see Elliot. I'm on my way to procedure room 4, and I just... need to... um... talk to him first."

Tony's shoulders softened, and he put a hand on Evelyn's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "We all saw what you went through last time. That's tough. But you know this is for the greater good. You're doing the right thing. Yeah, this one won't make it, but think of the lives you'll be saving. Think of the good you're doing. What's one life stacked against thousands? You know?"

Evelyn nodded slowly, and Tony continued his speech. "Everyone makes sacrifices in this, but think about how exciting this is for our research! We are so close. I mean, our first human trial since Dayna's accident? This is our chance to really test the cure! Those Soulless meat sacks you've been working on have nothing on someone who's freshly turned!"

Evelyn's stomach churned at the mention of Dayna's name. She hated the way Tony spoke so casually about her sister's loss and the aftermath of that trial.

She forced a tight-lipped smile, though she knew it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yeah," she said quietly, her voice lacking conviction. "Exciting."

She glanced behind her, toward the hallway leading back to the procedure rooms and Jonathan's cell. It felt wrong-all of it-the cold, sterile walls, the hum of machines in the background, and the thought of another life being sacrificed.

"You know, Tony," Evelyn responded, "not everyone is as enthusiastic about making sacrifices. Some of us-" she hesitated, then pushed the words out, "-some of us still remember the people we're losing."