Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Flora's icy stare cut through the room, sending a shiver down Mr. Atticus's spine.

He took a deep breath, trying to squash the panic rising in his chest, and stood up, pretending to be calm. There was no way Flora would actually do anything to him, right? He was too important, representing a major medical organization. Surely, even the folks from Empire Base would think twice before messing with him.

Trying to muster some sense of authority, he put on a haughty facade. But Flora didn't even flinch. She just stared at him for a couple of seconds, then signaled Jason to take him away, without a word about their destination.

The fear of the unknown gnawed at him. As Jason led him away, Mr. Atticus watched Flora and Connor walking side by side ahead of him. They walked for what felt like an eternity, with no hint of where they were going, and the panic he had tried to suppress began to bubble up again, growing stronger and more uncontrollable. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer. "Where are you taking me?" he blurted out. No one answered.

Mr. Atticus's anxiety skyrocketed, his mind spiraling with worst-case scenarios. Just thinking about the interrogation methods of Empire Base made his teeth chatter uncontrollably.

After a tense twenty minutes, they arrived at a clearing. Flora stopped, and Connor right beside her. Jason halted too.

he felt a warm trickle between them. His face flushed with shame. Never in his life had he felt so humiliated. Flora

do you want from me?" he

their expressions cold and unyielding, guns at the ready. The gathered factions wore expressions of anger and frustration but didn't dare make any

following half a

crowd began to stir, voices rising in

you letting

this? If anything happens to

for help, but all signals were jammed. They'd been imprisoned all night, forced to endure without proper facilities for eating, drinking, or relieving themselves. Those who couldn't hold it had

now!" they shouted, desperate to break free. But the moment anyone stepped over the

Flora finally spoke, her voice calm and measured. "Not only will I let you go, but I'll

crowd fell silent,