Kiss Me Before the Apocalypse Ends

LII“You look like something the cat dragged in,” Heard VII, an older man with a prosthetic leg, commented as I walked on my route past the West Canal. It was along the old textile factory, a rundown building with moss growing on its walls and cracking pillars. We weren’t allowed to go inside because it was radioactive, but we were supposed to guard it. It didn’t make sense, but then again, our world was filled with things that would’ve been impossible two years ago. So I didn’t ask any questions. Besides, guarding it was VII’s job. He sat on the upturned crate outside the guard post, inspecting me with a frown and a crease between his brows. "You look like you're expecting the inspector," I said.I shrugged, with a small smile that vanished seconds later. "Just keeping fit. I don’t want to be dead weight when I have to run, you know."He glanced at his fake leg that he spent months working on and was very proud of, patting it. “Eh,” he shrugged, the corner of his mouth twitching.

LIII was nervous, yet excited to see the woman who ruled every hour of my life."Heard LII." It was the same voice I knew from my comm, but without the filter, it sounded closer and much thicker. "Thank you for coming so quickly. How are you?"It wasn't a question I'd ever been asked by her. "Fine, ma'am," I said, and my voice came out small in that huge room. "Tired, but fine.""Good.” I almost saw the eye nod. “Please sit.” I dragged my aching body to the desk, dropping down on the chair with an exhausted exhale. "I'll be brief, because I know you've had a long day," the Ruler said. "I've been watching you for some time, LII. I've seen how you work during the monthly visits, keeping the Livings in order, pushing yourself to the limit and beyond.”It was my job."You've shown exemplary leadership," she went on. "Courage, grit, and judgment, and that's rarer than you'd believe. The Command is very proud of you.""Thank you, ma'am," I managed, my chest tightening with a feeling I c