Whether through dissection, extraction, or refinent, he believed he could use her to reach the pinnacle of life itself.
Perhaps he could even create sothing new... sothing eternal.
Anything was possible.
Ironically, Hannah believed he was chard by her.
In truth, she had been under investigation from the very beginning.
Moon Base appeared simple because its focus was never comfort. Intelligence. Information. Control. That was where its true strength lay.
Joel did not care when people left his base.
Those who departed rarely made it far.
Intercepted midway and dragged back in chains, they beca experintal rats, bait placed on the chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered.
Because of its pri location, Moon Base never lacked visitors. Food was abundant. Security was calculated. Everything was under control.
There were only a few loyal soldiers left under his command, n he had hired long before the apocalypse ever began.
Now, they stood as the final human wall between Moon Base and the endless tide of zombies outside.
Their boots were always stained with dried blood, the air around them reeking of gun oil and decay, yet they remained unmoving, like rusted nails hamred into the ground.
And that was how Joey’s determination to get Ivy into his base never wavered. He was assured that he had people to protect him.
Hannah, however, felt a sharp sting of disbelief coil in her chest. She let out a quiet scoff, her fingers tightening against the armrest as she leaned forward.
"Do you even hear yourself?" she said, her voice carrying a restrained edge. "There are countless people protecting her. Kidnapping Ivy isn’t bravery. It’s stupidity."
Joey did not look offended. Instead, a slow smile crept across his lips, the kind that made Hannah’s skin prickle.
"As long as you can move the follower you already have," he said calmly, "the rest becos simple. Provoke Ivy. Draw her out. Once she’s isolated, taking her will be effortless."
Hannah froze.
The aning behind his words sank in like cold water poured down her spine. ’Arthur.’
He was suggesting using Arthur as bait, slowly leading Ivy away from the base’s protection. Once Ivy stood alone, vulnerable, everything would end.
Her eyes flickered, a storm of emotions churning beneath the surface. It wasn’t that she wanted to protect Ivy.
Quite the opposite. Hatred had been etched into her bones since their college days. Ivy had always stood higher, brighter, untouchable.
’She took everything from .’
So when Joey revealed that he shared the sa goal, capturing Ivy and experinting on her, Hannah felt a twisted sense of satisfaction bloom in her chest. Still, her survival instincts scread warnings.
"This plan is full of holes," Hannah said sharply, shaking her head. "It won’t work so easily."
She paused, then added more slowly, "Unless... Arthur is involved."
Joey’s eyes glead.
"The real problem," Hannah continued, her brows knitting together, "is how to lure Ivy to Arthur alone. He can’t just stroll up to the base and demand a eting. There has to be sothing Arthur has... sothing Ivy wants badly enough to take the risk."
As she voiced her thoughts, Joey’s smile widened.
"She really is sharp," he murmured.
He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, placing it on the table with deliberate care, as though he were unveiling a priceless treasure.
Hannah’s gaze dropped to it instantly. "What’s this?"
"While investigating Ivy," Joey said smoothly, "I learned sothing interesting. Ivy extrely curious about a man nad Damien."
Hannah’s eyes narrowed. "Go on."
"Ivy isn’t just curious," Joey continued. "She’s hunting him. She wants him dead."
That revelation made Hannah’s breath hitch. Still, confusion lingered.
"And?" she pressed. "What does that have to do with us?"
Joey chuckled softly. "You already have soone close to you who’s connected to Damien."
Realization struck like lightning. ’Arthur...’
Before she could speak, Joey added, "Angelina, Arthur’s sister, was Damien’s fiancée."
Everything snapped into place.
"If Arthur appears to know Damien’s whereabouts," Joey said, his tone almost casual, "then Ivy will co. Alone. Because Angelina’s connection makes it believable."
Hannah felt a chill creep along her arms. This man had anticipated every angle.
"And what makes you so sure she’ll agree?" Hannah asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.
Joey laughed lightly. "If you have a better plan, I’m listening."
Silence stretched.
Hannah finally shook her head. "I don’t."
In truth, she was already halfway convinced. Rationally, she knew provoking Ivy was like touching a dead fish, dangerous and pointless. Yet hatred drowned out logic. She had despised Ivy since college, ever since she realized Arthur loved Ivy and would never love her.
That resentnt had only deepened when Hannah discovered how far above her Ivy truly stood.
Now, an opportunity lay right in front of her.
’Even if this alliance doesn’t last,’ she thought coldly, ’as long as Ivy falls... it’s enough.’
Hannah turned slightly. "Alright, let’s go with your plan. But let be clear: if I sense danger I will back out."
Joel smirked and imdiately stepped forward, scanning through the plan Hannah had finished reviewing.
Her eyes widened briefly before she looked up at Joey with clear admiration.
"This plan... it’s solid," Hannah said. "I’ll cooperate."
Joel nodded in satisfaction.
Hannah stood up, the chair scraping softly against the floor. "I have to leave now. If we delay, this won’t be executed by tomorrow."
Joel inclined his head. "As long as this succeeds," he said, his gaze lingering on her, "I won’t forget your contribution."
Hannah gave a faint nod and walked out without looking back.
Once the door closed, Joel’s expression hardened. His gaze lingered where Hannah had stood monts earlier.
"She’s dangerous," he murmured. "Like a fox."
From everything he had observed, Hannah possessed a seductive power that felt unnatural, almost like a fusion between a human and a mutated fox.
For a brief mont, the thought of experinting on her crossed his mind.
’Later,’ he decided. ’Ivy is worth far more.’
As long as Ivy remained under his control, he could even blackmail SiIvy base for additional food and resources. The possibilities were endless.
His thoughts shifted again.
’Silas...’
User Comments
0 comments from readers