CHAPTER 51: 51

The snow was relentless, a swirling mass of white that layered the already thick blanket of ice covering the ground. Kit stood just ahead of them, his gloved hands brushing clumps of it away with the same stubborn energy he always carried. The air was frigid, biting at their cheeks as Zara crouched beside him.

"What is it?" Zara asked, her voice a low murmur.

"I think it’s... here," Kit said, excitement bubbling under his breathless words. His hand froze mid-motion as he glanced back at Mia, who stood a few paces behind, her arms tightly folded around herself. "I saw something metal."

Zara exchanged a glance with Mia, noting the girl’s furrowed brow and clenched jaw. Her guilt was etched into every feature. Zara refocused, brushing more snow aside until her fingers scraped something rough and cold—a grate, just as Kit had said.

"Good eye, Kit." Zara’s voice was light, but her tone carried an edge of disbelief. She glanced up at Mia again. "This could be it—the cache everyone’s been chasing. If it’s here, we’ll be set for weeks, maybe longer."

Mia’s eyes darted toward the grate, then back to the surrounding forest, unease creeping into her expression. "Or maybe it’s a trap."

Zara stilled, narrowing her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Mia didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze lingered on Kit, who had crouched by the grate again, beaming proudly. Zara could almost see the wheels turning in Mia’s mind, that guilt flaring to the surface.

She turned back to the grate. If Kit hadn’t spotted the faint outline of the grate earlier, they might have walked past it. But now, as they opened the grate, preparing to descend into the underground chamber, the stale, musty air was an almost welcome sign.

Zara sighed. "We’re wasting time standing here. We’ll go in together—"

"No." Mia’s voice cracked. She flinched at how sharp it sounded, then cleared her throat. "Kit and Leo can’t—no, I mean Kit stays with me."

Zara frowned, her grip on Leo tightening slightly. "Mia, we don’t have time to argue. We’re wasting—"

"I said no." Mia’s voice cracked, her hand darting out to pull Kit protectively behind her. Kit looked between them in confusion, his bright excitement dimming.

Zara blinked, rising slowly to her full height. The way Mia’s voice quivered didn’t sit right. "Why? What’s going on with you, Mia?"

"Mia." Zara’s tone dropped to something firm, challenging. "You’re not making sense. It’s safer for us to move together. What are you afraid of?"

"Nothing." Mia shook her head a little too fast. "I just... I’ll go in with Kit. You can wait here."

Mia’s eyes darted back and forth, her throat bobbing with a hard swallow.

Zara’s brows furrowed deeply, concern flashing across her face. Something wasn’t right. She stepped closer, voice softening as she studied Mia’s stiff posture and the panic swimming in her eyes. "What’s going on?"

"Nothing," Mia snapped. Her gaze darted nervously toward the entrance before she met Zara’s eyes and forced a brittle smile. "I’ll go with him, okay? I’ll keep him close. Just—just don’t worry about it."

"Mia..."

"I said I’ll do it." The tremor in her voice gave her away.

Zara hesitated, trying to read her, but Leo shifted against her chest, restless, and she let out a frustrated sigh. There wasn’t time. "Fine. Be careful. Both of you."

"We will," Kit smiled, waving.

"Don’t take too long. If something happens, you shout. Got it?"

Mia nodded stiffly, taking Kit’s hand and pulling him closer to her side, her grip on his hand too tight. Zara watched her go, a knot of unease settling into her stomach as their footsteps crunched lightly over the snow and faded toward the entrance. She wanted to chase after them, to demand Mia tell her what was wrong, but every second lost could mean the supplies slipping away or—worse—someone else finding the bunker.

Leo squirmed in her arms, murmuring something unintelligible. Zara adjusted his weight, murmuring soothingly, "It’s alright. We’re fine, little guy."

"Are we going down?" he whispered, peering into the darkness below.

"Yes, baby. Let’s work fast and join the others," she whispered to Leo, trying to focus on the task.

*****

The bunker’s entrance was steep and uninviting, as though the earth itself had conspired to keep its secrets buried. Zara’s boots scraped against the rungs of a rusted ladder as she climbed down carefully.

"It’s dark," Leo said softly, peering into the bunker’s belly. His voice was tinged with awe and fear.

Zara clicked on her flashlight, the beam cutting through the heavy gloom. Her heart pounded louder the further down they went.

The moment her boots hit the bunker floor, Zara’s breath caught. The place was massive—spanning a labyrinth of narrow corridors and metal shelves crammed to bursting. It was a doomsday prepper’s paradise. It was even bigger than the supermarket base she and Winter had taken from last time.

Old tarps were draped across some boxes, and metal containers sat neatly along the floor. It was like stumbling into a forgotten temple, filled with riches no one had seen in years.

"Whoa," Leo whispered, his voice curious.

The inside of the bunker was a goldmine. Zara moved quickly down the aisles, sweeping her flashlight over crates, tearing off lids, and mentally sorting through their contents. Canned vegetables, soups, rice, dried meats. Ammunition boxes. First aid kits stocked with bandages and antiseptics. It was more than she’d dared hope for.

She slowly lowered Leo who stretched cutely before looking around the space, wide-eyed and overwhelmed.

"Some paranoid bastard saved us, huh?" she muttered with a humourless chuckle as she dug through another crate. She glanced at Leo. "Can you hold these for me?"

Leo, ever the obedient helper, clutched at the smaller items she handed to him, his tiny hands carefully steadying packets of bandages and ration bars.

she immediately went through the meal area. taking in the expensive, tasty brands and the ones with longer expiry dates.

*****

Above ground, Mia walked around slowly, eyes raving across the snowy landscape.

"I’m so excited! I wonder what’s in there! do you think there’ll be toys?"

Mia didn’t hear him. It sounded like there were people around, she swore she saw shadows moving around.

Kit was already wandering a bit further ahead, humming to himself as he skipped through the snow.

Mia’s pulse quickened.

What if this was a mistake? What if she was the mistake?

She tightened her arms around herself, teeth digging into her bottom lip as she forced the thoughts away. The silence in the area was deafening, so much so that Zara’s words played on repeat in her head. What are you afraid of?

Mia squeezed her eyes shut.

*****

A scraping noise echoed from the hallway. Zara froze. "Mia?"

No answer.

She frowned, her movements slowing. Mia should’ve been back by now, or at least said something. Tension coiled tight in Zara’s chest as she straightened and scanned the bunker with narrowed eyes.

"Leo baby, come here," she called softly.

The sound of tiny feet rushed over and Leo peeked around the shelf, face covered in dust.

"Look at you," she huffed, lips twitching in amusement.

He rushed over to her side as she knelt. "What were you doing?" she asked, rubbing the dust off his face.

"Helping!" he smiled, holding out his empty hands. Zara understood immediately but frowned worriedly. Was it wise for Leo to start using his space so soon after his recent episodes? What did he even put in his space?

"Thank you baby," she smiled at him, "stay close to me so we dont get separated again."

"Ok."

A minute later, Mia finally appeared, alone. Her hoodie was still pulled low over her face, and her steps seemed too heavy, dragging.

Zara’s heart sank. "Where’s Kit?"

Mia startled, like she’d forgotten Kit wasn’t there. "He’s outside," she said quickly. "I told him to wait—"

"You what?" Zara’s voice rose sharply, echoing through the chamber. "You left him alone out there? What’s wrong with you?"

"I—I didn’t mean—" Mia stammered, her face paling under Zara’s glare.

"You didn’t mean to? Are you—" Zara cut herself off, forcing herself to take a deep breath. Losing her temper wouldn’t help. "Go get him. Now."

Mia didn’t move. Her hands trembled at her sides, fingers curled into tight fists. She looked toward the entrance again, her expression distant and haunted. "He’s fi—"

"He’s not fine if you’re not with him!" Zara shot back. Her anger faded into worry as quickly as it had come. What is going on with her? Mia looked like a ghost, guilt shadowing every inch of her.

"Mia," Zara said more quietly this time, her brow furrowing. "What’s wrong?"

Mia didn’t answer. She just stood there, the tremble in her hands increased to her whole body, her gaze locked on the entrance as though it held some unspoken horror. Zara’s chest tightened. This isn’t like her.

Zara softened just slightly, watching her. "Mia, what’s going on? You’ve been acting weird since we got here."

"I..." Mia’s voice wavered. She looked like she wanted to say something—needed to say something—but before the words could leave her mouth, they were interrupted.

A loud, metallic clanging came from above them, like something heavy had just been dropped onto the ground outside.

Zara’s blood ran cold. Leo whimpered in her arms.

"Zara?" Mia’s voice shook.

Zara motioned sharply for silence, straining to listen. Footsteps. Heavy. Approaching. More than one set.

No.

Her pulse thundered in her ears as she spun toward Mia. "Get down," she hissed, crouching low. She grabbed Leo and pressed him against her chest, instinctively shielding him. "Mia, get back here—"

But before Mia could move, the door to the bunker was yanked open. A flood of light poured in, blinding them for half a second. Then came the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked.

"Well, well, well."

The voice was smooth and venomous, sending a chill down Zara’s spine. She didn’t have to see the face to know who it was—the man from before. Raphael, mia had said his name was. His men loomed behind him, their silhouettes filling the entrance, weapons glinting in the light.