Speechless, Joel sat on the floor and stared at you like you were the biggest sin he had ever seen in his life. His teeth gritted, he had to restrain himself from getting angry.

"So they really were liars...", it wasn't a question but a statement. "The graffiti... it told the truth then."

Surprised that he mentioned it you raised your eyebrows and glanced at him over your shoulder.

"You saw it?", you asked.

The memory of that day was still fresh in your mind like no other.

He nodded.

"Of course. It was the word, right under the symbol of the Fireflies. It was right on our path, as if to warn us.", he frowned. "You saw it too?"

Swallowing hard, you shook your head.

"I made it."

Suddenly his eyes snapped wide open.

"You...? But... Why would you do that? When?"

You sighed. Feeling guilty, you leaned against the sink and looked at him.

"I think this is the right moment to be honest...", you sighed and tilted your head back to look at the ceiling. "When the operations were not successful, I fled together with a group of immune people. I could no longer share my parents' beliefs and the others needed someone to smuggle them out of the city. As a traitor, the Fireflies would never have taken me back. I had to leave for good."

A growl made his chest tremble. He nodded, absorbed in his own thoughts. There was that look in his eyes, the realization that he had been lied to and betrayed.

"And your parents?", he asked.

You twisted your mouth.

"They were... dead by then...", you whispered.

He frowned.

"Why?"

You shook your head. Your grip on the edge of the sink tightened.

"I don't want to talk about it... It still hurts.", you bit your lips, your eyes squeezed tightly shut. "Let's just say they were stabbed in the back by the Fireflies, too."

Understandingly he nodded.

For a long moment none of you said anything. You start at the wall while his gaze was fixed on the floor.

Blood dripped down your cheeks again.

This time you just let it happen. The feeling drowned out the pain that was spreading in your head, long forgotten and suddenly as real as if you were the teenager from back then again.

Your hands were trembling.

Biting your lips so hard until it hurt you forced yourself to stay calm.

"So...", you let out a deep breath. "Let's discuss the further plan."

You turned to him, the blood still dripping over your neck.

His hazel eyes followed the thin lines of red until they disappeared in the hem of your shirt. With a groan he got up and grabbed the towel to tend to the wounds again.

This time, his touch was strangely soft.

Carefully, he dabbed the wet cloth on your skin and made sure that everything was clean while holding your face with his other hand in place.

He had big hands, you noted. Nothing unusual for a man of his size. But despite the harsh and scared skin, the touch still felt soft and warm. Almost gentle.

A warm shiver crawled down your spine. Goosebumps grew all over your body.

Your lips parted and you wanted to say something, but you didn't. Instead, you let out a deep breath and let him have his way.

Your bodies were close to each other, so close that you were able to feel his warmth.

"About the plan.", you said after a while in a soft voice.

He hummed, making sure that you knew he was listening.

"Abby did not drive here for no reason. Either she's resting or this is the final destination. We need to get into this base, a few hours from here, you began, almost whispering. They won't let strangers in that easily though. Not even if we would try to join them."

"So what's your idea?"

"I'm not sure if it will work. But this apocalypse might be our lucky charm."

Confused, he raised an eyebrow.

"How so?"

"It might be a terrible idea, but we have to try, I suppose."

"I'm listening."

"We need to make them think we're one of them. We take those two out and take their place. I doubt that they know every single face that lives in the community. With a bit of luck, we can convince them that we're soldiers, new but not suspicious. And as soon as we're in, we can just hide and look for Abby."

His movements stopped, he turned on the water and washed the blood out of the white fabric. His tanned fingers turned red as the cold touched his skin.

He considered the idea for a moment.

"How lucky do we have to be?", he asked, looking you deep in the eyes. "Be honest."

You sighed.

"Depends on who we meet at the gate. If it's an idiot who doesn't know me from the time as a firefly, it could go well. A bit of talking, convincing them we're legit and we're in."

"And what if they have papers to identify the people going in and out?"

"Unlikely."

"Yes, but what if? We need to be prepared for everything."

Sighing, you had to admit that he wasn't wrong. Your lips twitched, forming a strange expression between frustration and hope.

"Maybe steal their dog tags?", you suggested.

He had to laugh.

"I don't think that will work. But... maybe we can break in."

That suggestion made you laugh.

"That's insane.", you gasped. "How do you want to do that? Climb the huge walls like ninjas? Dig a tunnel?"

"No, but... back when I was a smuggler, I used... questionable ways. We could try it through the sewage system. Or a convenient hole in a fence."

For a moment, you thought about it. You opened your lips, wanted to agree, but shut your mouth immediately.

Steps sounded.

Yours and Joel's eyes locked.

The handle of the door moved, somebody tried to enter the bathroom.

Without hesitation, Joel pulled you close to him, picked you up and placed you on the edge of the sink.

His lips pressed onto yours.

The door opened.