The following morning, Lexi had received a summon for an high grade mission. She was the only young recruit that was added amongst trained soldiers.
Everywhere buzzed with tension. Orders barked, boots shuffled, weapons clattered.
Ezra stood at the center, his voice sharp:
"Today, we're going to capture live zombies. This is no scavenging trip. It's high-risk, and I don't care who doesn't make it back."
Eeryone remained silent, their gaze, steady.
Ezra's gaze cut straight to Lexi.
"This one—" he jabbed a finger at her, "—she's leading the catch team."
Their gazes rippled in shock, each with a subtle understanding of what their leader was trying to do. But nobody stepped forward to question him. Lexi didn't flinch. She just stared back at him with a calm face, her eyes steady. Inside, she already knew what he was doing. Ezra wanted her broken, humiliated. Maybe dead. But she wouldn't give him that satisfaction.
When they entered the weapon room, everyone rushed for guns — loading, cocking, clinging to bullets as if they were lifelines. Lexi quietly chose a silenced rifle and a compact harpoon gun designed to trap targets. She strapped it across her chest, smooth and precise. No hesitation.
Ezra watched, expecting her to falter. Instead, her silence infuriated him. He wanted fear. She gave him steel.
Then—
The door opened. The air shifted.
Nathan walked in. He didn't shout. He didn't need to. The entire room stiffened and saluted. Even Ezra's posture snapped upright.
Nathan's eyes swept the soldiers, pausing briefly on each one—until they landed on Lexi. He held her in his stare, unreadable, but the weight of it was heavier than any command.
Finally, he spoke.
"There's a new mission. A government lab has supplies we need. Lexi—" his voice sharpened, naming her directly, "—you'll come with me."
A ripple of whispers spread through the group. Ezra's jaw tightened. His entire plan had just been shattered in front of everyone.
Lexi caught the flicker of emotion in Nathan's eyes when he said her name. A flash of something that looked like desire. Possession. He didn't hide it well enough.
She lowered her gaze, pretending innocence, but inside she smirked.
'So that's how it is… If he wants me close, I'll use it.' The game just changed.
She followed Nathan without a word. Ezra's rage burned silently behind her, hot and dangerous.