"There's one more thing, Kael. I might need your help."
Lyra Solis hesitated for a moment before continuing, "My company's hit a rough patch. I might need you to go somewhere for me... and pick something up."
"Mhm."
Kael Voss had already expected there'd be more to the calls. Without hesitation, he replied, "Go ahead. I figured you weren't just calling to tell me where the supplies were hidden. If there's something I can do, I won't say no. After all, I need your help too."
"Thank you, Kael. I know things must be chaotic out there in post-apocalyptic London, but this matter is really tricky. After thinking it over, you're the only one I can count on to turn the tide."
Kael gave a short laugh. "Don't worry, I'll do what I can. But you're right, this city isn't exactly safe anymore. If what you're asking is way beyond what I can manage, I might have to say no. Survival comes first."
Lyra went quiet for a beat, then spoke again, her voice low and heavy. "I understand. I need you to head to the Harrington Tower. It's not far from the wildlife reserve—it should be relatively close to where you are now…"
"???"
Kael and Scout Finch exchanged a glance when they heard the name Harrington Tower, both momentarily stunned.
At that moment, Kael felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if an invisible hand of fate were moving unseen threads, steering him toward that very place—Harrington Tower—as though it were inevitable.
"Kael? Are you still there?"
Lyra's voice broke through the silence. She was starting to wonder if the call had dropped.
Her words snapped Kael out of his thoughts. After a brief pause, he asked, "What do you need me to do at Harrington Tower?"
Hearing Kael's voice again, Lyra hesitated. She wasn't sure what had just happened on his end. Maybe her request really was too much, she thought. After all, he was in a literal hellscape.
Lyra didn't know the full details of Kael's situation, but she remembered clearly what he'd said in their first call: that he was surrounded by zombies. Even now, the memory of that alone sent chills down her spine.
She didn't want to send him into more danger, but the situation with Solis Pharmaceuticals was dire. After their partnership with Blackwater Biotech fell apart, the future of the company hung by a thread. Gritting her teeth, she finally said, "There's a hard drive on the 21st floor—Research Group Three at Blackwood Technologies. It contains the experimental drug formulas. I need that drive."
Kael immediately understood. He let out a subtle breath—at least it didn't sound like something impossible.
"Alright. I'll head to Harrington Tower and check the 21st floor. But are you sure the drive is still there?"
"Well…"
Lyra faltered. Truth be told, she wasn't sure at all. It was 2025 now. By 2035, would Blackwood Technologies even still exist? Would that R&D group still be on the 21st floor? Who could say?
"I can't be certain," she admitted, "but I really need you to try. Solis Pharmaceuticals—my grandfather's legacy—is on the brink. If I can't retrieve those formulas, the board might force me out of the company."
Kael fell silent for a moment, processing her words. Then he nodded reflexively, his voice steady. "You have my word. We're partners in this—I'll do my best."
…
"Kael, this won't be easy. Why'd you agree to that?" Scout's voice was quiet, but edged with concern.
Kael's young companion couldn't help but question his decision. She didn't trust the woman on the other end of the line—she suspected Lyra might just be using him.
"Hm? Kael, are you with someone?" Lyra asked suddenly.
Though Scout had spoken softly, the abandoned house was so silent that even a whisper felt amplified. Lyra hadn't heard her words clearly, but she had caught the presence of another voice.
"Yeah. I'm Kael's sister. Who are you?" Scout suddenly raised her voice, tone laced with challenge before Kael could reply.
Kael rubbed his forehead, sighing. Scout had sprung to life like a mother hen seeing a hawk swooping near her chicks—bristling with territorial energy.
He reached over and ruffled her hair, giving her a pointed look and a small wave of his finger, signaling her to be quiet. Then he explained, "She's an orphan I rescued from a shopping centre. We've been surviving together ever since."
"Oh."
Lyra felt an unexpected pang of jealousy. She had hoped to face this world alongside Kael, to weather life and death as a team. But she quickly masked her emotions and forced a smile.
"Nice to meet you, little sister. I'm Lyra."
Scout looked at Kael as if waiting for his approval to respond. Kael gave a reluctant nod.
"I'm Scout Finch. Scout like an explorer, Finch like the bird," she said into the receiver, her voice as cool as ever.
"Alright, let's move on," Kael cut in. "Lyra, Scout and I barely survived today. We lost all our equipment. Do you have any spare gear—crossbow bolts, steel pellets, other supplies?"
"Uh…"
Before Lyra could answer, there was a knock on her door—thump, thump. Kael heard it too, then went silent, waiting.
Roughly two minutes passed before Lyra's voice returned. "Kael, I'm still in London. All the supplies are at home. I'm heading back to Edinburgh tonight. Once I'm there, I'll send everything to you immediately."
"Got it. For now, I'll head to the monkey preserve and get your ring. After that, I'll rest up for a couple of days and wait for your delivery."
"Alright."
Kael was about to hang up when Lyra suddenly added, "Kael… take care of yourself."
"Hm?"
Kael paused, blinking at the screen as the call ended. A faint, bitter smile tugged at his lips.
Then came a sharp voice from beside him. "She really cares about you, huh? Hmph. I think she's just using you."
"Scout, that's not fair. Lyra's in the real world—still peaceful, still intact. She's been the one supplying us with gear. That crossbow and your current arrows? All from her. Without them, our survival odds would be a lot worse."
Scout said nothing. Her face blank, she spun on her heel and flopped onto a nearby sofa, turning her back to Kael in a sulky silence.
Kael sighed and shook his head. He'd never really understood women—and after what that witch Elena Cross did to him, he had learned to keep his guard up around them.
That betrayal still burned deep, which was why he'd snapped at Scout when he first realized she was a girl. But after so many life-or-death situations together, he'd come to see her more as a partner than anything else.
Letting Scout stew in her silence, Kael lay back down—but there was no trace of sleep in him. His mind kept circling one thought:
Should I really go to Harrington Tower?
A dark feeling lingered in his chest, an ominous sense that something dangerous waited there. Maybe it would be a turning point. Maybe it would be the most perilous step yet.