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

“Ms. Fiona, you really are something else." One of the women grinned at Fiona, her eyes practically sparkling with flattery. “Honestly, we all know why you and Mr. Woods are here. If you two want to check out our research base in Country M, well, I can probably make that happen."

Jackson and Fiona paused for a split second but quickly returned to their dinner, acting as if nothing unusual had been said. Fiona didn't respond-she just looked at the woman across from her with a calm, unreadable expression.

The woman, thinking she hadn't been clear enough, pressed on. Surely Fiona couldn't be so cold if she'd understood.

"Ms. Fiona, let's cut the nonsense. It's not just you who hate the chip-implanted people—we can't stand them either. If they mess up, even a little, not only are they destroyed, but regular folks like us could be shot on the spot. It's like we're all living on the edge of extinction."

A decent excuse to switch sides, but Fiona wasn't buying it.

She was smart enough not to take the bait. Whether this woman was telling the truth or not, Fiona had learned not to trust anyone easily—especially after being blocked so many times back in the States.

Still, she needed this woman's help to get inside the Country M research base.

you at least a little curious to see it for yourself?" the woman prodded, but Fiona just ignored

and Fiona finished eating. Jackson set down his utensils, finally breaking

take you up on it. Your motives are pretty obvious, but I have

to the woman. "If you're done eating, you should go. We'll meet

during the day was always

right now. There are more people around during the day, which makes it trickier to slip away. What do

no reason to refuse, so everyone stood up and left

then followed their guides. When they reached the research base, the woman led them

Fiona and Jackson

they didn't panic-they

her hand against the leaving

flickered across the monitors, and some of the equipment sputtered