“Ireallyneedtolearntocontrolmyself.”Hestaredoff.His historywithAndreiwasenoughtomakehim alreadywantthe mandead.Thethingshehadseenthatmandotopeoplewas beyonddescription.Hewasamedicalgenius,sure,buthewas alsoanabsolutemadman.Despitethis,hewassupposedtobe themanhelpinghisdaughterandAlexcouldn’tcompromisethat agreement.NotonlybecausethenAndreimaydeclinetohelpher, butbecauseAndreiknew thatshewastheonethingthathe couldhurtinAlex’slife.AndreicouldthreatenAlexwithallthe muscle,thepowerandtheriflesinthecampanditwouldn’tbe enoughtostophim.Asinglesyringewithsomesortof questionablecocktailofvirusesandparasitesaimedatCiaraand Alexwoulddroptohisknees,beggingforhim tostop.Hewould havetotreadlightlyoverthismine-field.
AlexwalkedintothetentwhereAndreiwaspullingbloodfrom Ariaandlabelingthevials.HelookedoverandwavedtoCiara; shelookedconfusedabouteverything.Hecontinuedoverto whereAndreiandAriawerestationedandinterjectedintotheir conversation.
“Yousaid,what,anhour,right?”
“Ortwo.Itreallydependsonhow backedupmylabis.”Andrei removedhisglovesandtossedthem intoanearbybin.“Sheisnot theonlyonebeingtested,youknow?Ihaveacoupleofpeoplein line.That,andthefactthatyoumayhavedelayedthingswith youractionsearlier.”Hedroppedthevialsintohispockets.
“Well,couldyoutrytopleaserushthisone,Andrei?”Alex staredatthedoctorwithasincerestare.Therewereafew momentswherethetwojuststaredateachotherbeforeAndrei lookedawayandgrabbedhisinstruments.
“I’llseewhatIcando.”Andreigrabbedhischartandwalked pastAlex.“Noguarantees,Langley.Justremember,I’m only agreeingtothisasafavortoanoldwarbuddy.”Hegrinned. “Don’tgomakingmeregrethelpingyoumorethanIalreadyam.” Alexdidn’treply.Beforewalkingout,Andreiturnedbacktoward Aria.“Ihope,foryoursake,thiscomesbacknegative.”
“So,thistent,whyisitsoempty?Ciaraistheonlyotherone inhere.”ArialookeduptoAlexwithinquisitiveeyes. “It’soneofthemilitarytents.Theonlypeopleallowedinhere aremilitarypersonnelandtheirfamilies.”Alexwalkedovertothe bedwhereCiarawaslyingwithhereyesclosed.“Well,andyou,of course.”
“Whatmakesthisonesodifferentfrom theciviliantents?Do theyjustspendmoretimeandmoneyonthepeopleinhere?” AriapulledherchairtowardCiara’sbed.
“Well,forone,thepeopleinhereactuallygetmedical attention.”HenoticedtheshockonAria’sface.“Aria,youknew that.Theciviliantentsareafarce,nooneoutthereisgetting muchinwaysofmedicalattention.They’llbeluckytogetsome bandagesandanibuprofen.”
“Why?Whyaren’ttheytreatingthepeopleoutthere?What’s thepointofamilitarybasewithmedicaltentsifthepeoplein them arejustbeingignored?Whydidthemilitaryevenbother withthisifit’salljustacharade?”
“Comfort?Tomakeitlooklikethey’recaredabout?”Alex sighed.“Youaren’tgettingit,Aria.Youareaminusculesegment ofamuchlargerpicturehere.ThefactthatAndreiisgoingto personallyworkonyouisthebestthatyoucouldhopefor.”He lookeddownatCiara.“Ihatethatbastardmorethanyoucould everimaginebut,honestly,he’sthebestdoctoronthese grounds.”HepeeredbackupatAria.“Withhim,youhaveto establishsomesortofdominance.Bullyinghim likethatisthe onlywaytoshow thatyouhavethepoweroverhim.Youhaveno ideawhatIriskedbyhittinghim.”Alexstareduptowardthe lights,theyweredimmed,makingthetentalittledarkerthanhe wouldhavepreferred.“Idon’tknow thatmuchrightnow andI’m sureI’m notsupposedtotellyouanything,butIcan’tstandyou beingsoignorant.Wearenotthefirstcitytogethitwiththis.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Ithoughtthiswasanisolatedincident?” “Yeah,sodoeseveryoneelseoutthere.Trustme,it’snot.The militaryhasmostlikelyissuedagagorderonallmediaoutlets throughoutthecountry.Allofthisiscalculated.”Alexrubbedhis foreheadandsighedagain.“Look,I…”Hethoughtabouthow to putthissentence.“I’m prettyclosetosomeonethat’sstillactive inthemilitary.She’stoldmethings.Thingslikethefactthatthis hasallbeencalculated.Allofthecitiesthathavebeenhitwere targets,medium citieswithalotoftravel.Themilitaryhasbeen doingalottostopthespreador,atleast,slow itdownuntilthey figureouthow tofixthedamage.Ineveranticipatedourcity beingoneofthetargets,andIdon’tthinkthemilitarydideither. I’m prettysurewewereaccidentalcollateraldamage.”Alexcould tellthatnoneofthiswasgoingtocalm her,butitwashelping him togetitoffhischest.“Andreiispartofaninteresting segmentofthemilitary.Withhismedicalbackground,he’s basicallya‘cleanup’member.He’sbeenchargedwithrunningas manyexperimentsashecanonthosethatarepastthepointof noreturn,andrunvarioustestsonthenewlyinfected.”Alex grabbedCiara’shand.“That’sprettymuchallIknow.Thisis biologicalwarfarethatwegotstuckinthemiddleof.Ijustwant togetthehellawayfrom hereandgetmydaughtersomewhere safer.”
“So,ifwe’renotthefirstcitytogethit,thenisanywheresafe? Wherearetheytakingsurvivors?”Arialeanedherelbowsinand grippedherhandstogether.
“Theyaren’t.Themilitarybasesarethefinaldestinationfor mostpeople.They’reevacuatingcertainplaces,likehospitals,to getthepotentiallyinfectedandsaveafew people.Really,though, theevacuationisajoke.Theyaren’tgoingtodoanythingforthe peoplesittingathome.Allthelock-downandwaitingforthe militarytoshow up;it’sallbull.Theyaren’tcoming.”Alex laughedunderhisbreath.“Actually,yougoingtothehospital whenyoudidwasprobablythesmartestthingyoucould’veever done.Thehospitalsaregoingtobehot-spots;getthemedical specialists,collectafew specimens,pullsomerecords.Hell,they couldevensaveahandfulofpeopletokeepupappearances. They’redoingwhattheycantopreventunrest,nothelppeople. You’reluckyyouwereonthatbus.Icanguaranteetheyaren’t goingback.”
“Andthepeoplethatarestillatthehospital,likemymother andMadison?”Ariasatback.“Orwhataboutthepeoplethat followedthedirectivelikemyhusband?Whathappenstothem, Alex?”Shestaredathim angrily.“Aretheyjustlefttodie?”
“Aria,I’m sorry…”Hedidn’thaveanythingtosaybeyondthis, sheknew whatthetruthwas. “Ah,sothat’show itis.”Shecouldfeelherselfcryingagain. “Theyjustdie.Mymotheriskilledbecausethemilitarydecided shewasn’tworthsaving.Myhusbanddiesathomebecausethe militaryliedabouttheirplanstocomeandrescueeveryone.They toldeveryonethathelpwasonthewayandtosittight.Now you’retellingmethattheyhavenorealintentiononsavingthem.” SheglancedovertoCiara.“Thenwhythehellam Ihere?”
“Becauseyou’reaveryluckyperson.”Alextriedtoreassure her.
“Luck?”AriaglaredbackupatAlex.“You’repointingtoluck asmyreasonforgettingtolive?No…”Sheshookherheadin disbelief.“Idon’tcallgettingtolivewhileeverypersonI’veever loveddiesbecausetheywereatthewrongplaceatthewrong timelucky,Alex.Iam nomoredeservingthanMitchell,thanmy mother,thanRickthebusdriver.Idonotgettolivewhiletheyall suffer.No.”
“Aria,stop.Itdoesn’tmatterifyoudeserveitornot.You’re hereandyou’realive,that’swhatmatters.”Alexdidn’t understandwhatshewastryingtosay.
“It’snotwhatmatterstome,Alex.”Shestoodup.“Iwanttogo home.Iwanttodieinmybed,nexttomyhusband.Iwanttobe comfortableinmylastfew momentsofmylife.”Alexstaredather inconfusion.
“You…”Herubbedoneofhiseyes.“Youwanttogohome?You wanttoleavethebestmedicalcarethatthemilitaryhastooffer, justsoyoucanlieinyourownbed?”Hesighedandshrugged.“If that’sreallywhatyouwant,thenthat’swhatwe’lldo.Weshould waittoseewhatAndreihastosay,butthenI’lltakeyouhome. Deal?”
“Yes,thankyou.”Ariasteppedovertooneoftheemptybeds andsat.“I’m goingtogetsomesleep.Allthishasmefeelinga littlestressedout.”
“That’sfine.Isuggestyougetsomerest.I’llgocheckon Andreiandseeifhe’sgettinganywherewiththelabresults.”He lookedbacktohisdaughter,shewasasleepaswell.“Youjust stayhere.Ifyoustartfeelingworsejusttellthem tocomefindme andI’llgetbackassoonaspossible.”Heshookhisheadashe exitedthetent.
Ontheoutsideofthetentthereweretwomenstandingwith theirgunsinhand.Thiswasgood,itmeantthattheywould likelybesafewhilehewasgone.Heturnedtowardoneofthetwo men.
“Excuseme.”
“Yes,sir?”Thesoldierrepliedformally.
“MajorGeneralLangley,youprobablyalreadyknow that…” Alexbrushedhishandthroughthesweatinhishair.“Yeah, couldyoudomeafavorandradioAndreitellinghim I’m coming up.”
“Yes,sir.I’lllethim know.Doyouknow how togetthere?”The soldierasked.AfterAlexdidn’treply,thesoldierpointedtomotion theappropriatedirections.“Andreihashisspacesetuponthe mainfloorinthebackofthehotel.It’stheemployeearea.Ifyou walkbehindthecounteryou’llprobablyfindhim.Ofcourse,if youhaveanytrouble,justletoneofusknow.”
“T
hankyou.”Alexwavedandwalkedtowardthefrontofthe hotel.Hewalkedintothemaindoorsandlookedaround.“SunUpHotel…”Hesmirkedatthebiggreetingsigninthemainlobby. Itwasinviting,whichwasnicesincenothingelsewasgoingtobe invitinghim anywhere.Hesteppedtowardthemaincounter whereawomanwasstanding,shewasclearlynotmilitary.“Hi, there.”
“Hello,sir.”Shenervouslyresponded.“CanIhelpyouwith something?”Sheaskedherquestionjustlikeitwasanormalday atthehotel.
“You’rebeingexpectedtotrackallthepeoplethatcomein, aren’tyou?”Alexsmiledatherandleanedoverthecounter.“Not how youexpectedtospendyourshift,I’m guessing…”
“Yeah,theydon’twantmetoleave.Myhusbandissupposed tobeonhisway.”Shelookedupathim hopeful.“Um… how isit outthere?Doyouthinkhe’llmakeithere?Heleftaboutthirty minutesago…”
“Well…”Alexlookedbackoutthemainwindow;thewhole thinglookedlikeascenefrom hell.“Yeah.Heshouldgethere,no problem.Hemaygetstoppedbythemilitarybut,aslongashe tellsthem thathe’scominghere,theyshouldescorthim.”The womansighedandhermouthshiftedtoasmile.“So…”Helooked overathernametag.“…Sarah,ifIaskedyoutodirectmeto someone,couldyoudoso?”
“Areyoumilitary?”Sarahlookedathim perplexed.Hepulled hismilitaryID from hispocket,he’dremoveditfrom hiswalletat thispoint,therewasnosenseinpullinghiswalletouteachand everytime.“Oh,yeah,I’dsayyouare!”Shesmiled.“Whatdoyou needfrom me?”
“I’m needingtoknow whereAndreiGrigorevis.He’sashorter guy,blackpepperedhair,hasaRussianaccent.”Alexstood straight.“I’m goingtoguessthere’sonlyoneguylikethathere.”
“Iwouldn’tsayI’m short.”Andreisteppedintotheroom behindthecounter.“AndtherearetwoRussianshere,meand myson.Youreallyneedsomebetterdescriptionsofmeifyou’re tryingtofindme,Alex.”
“Oh,haha.”SarahpointedatAndrei.“Thereheis!”She giggled,tryingtokeepthetensionatalow.Thetwomenstaredat eachotherinamannerthatcausedittonotwork.“I’m goingto go… uh… sweepthelobby.”Sheopenedthedoorandwalkedinto thesmallareawheretherewerechairs,acoffeemachineanda television.Alexwalkedthroughthedoorassheexited.
“Whatdoyouwant,Langley?”Andreilookedupwithasense ofannoyance.
“Youknow whyI’m inhere.”Alexputhishandonthecounter. “AnynewsonAria?” “Itoldyouweweregoingtobebackedup.It’sgoingtobeabit longerthanwhatIinitiallytoldyou.”Andreishrugged.“I’m being genuineherewhenIsaythatI’m sorry.Idon’thavethetimeright now togettoherlabresults.”
“Well…”AlexstaredbackintotheareawhereAndreihadset upandsaw anotherpersonstandingthere.“…whatabouthim?” Andreipeeredintotheback.“Youthinkhecandoit?”
“Youwantmysontorunthetests?”Andreilookedbackat Alex.“He’sstilllearningtheropes,buthe’scertainlycapableof checkingasimplebloodtest.Comewithme.”Andreiwalkedinto thebackandAlexfollowed.“Judas,yourememberAlex,yes?”
“Isn’thethemanthathityouintheparkinglot?”Judas staredupatAlexattemptingtolookthreatening;hefailed miserably.“Yes,IthinkIrememberhim.”
“Don’tstart,Judas.”Andreiscoldedhim.“Trustme,youare notthreateningtoAlex.”Andreilaughed.“Anyway,there’sabitof achangeofplans.You’regoingtobehandlingcasenumber…”He peeredathisclipboard.“Alphadashseventwosixninesixone. AriaSwartz.”Hehandedtheboardtohisson.“Simpletest, alright?Bloodwork,checkforthemarkerswediscussed.You shouldbeabletohavethiscompletedinnotime.”
“Yes,sir.”JudasglaredbackuptoAlex.“Doyouneedtobein herewhileIdothis?”
“Yes,hedoes.”Andreiscoldedhim again.“Ifhetellsyoutodo something,youdoit.Donotaskquestions!”Andreishookhis headandstartedtowalkoutoftheroom.“Ifyouhaveany problems,oneofyoucallforme.”Heexited,Judasremained glaringatAlex.
“Look,kid–” “MynameisJudas.”HesnappedbackatAlex.Alexwas unphased.
“Alright…”Alexclearedhisthroat.“Look,kid,Idon’twantto startanythinghere.Justdothetest.YouandIdon’thavetoget along,we’renotgoingtobepartyingtogetheranytimeinthenear future.So,whatIneedfrom youisaresult.That’sit.Thesooner youcangivemewhatIneed,thesoonerIleaveyoualone.”Judas walkedawayandgrabbedthetwovialsfrom thecounter,Alex couldtellthathewasmorethanupset,buthedidn’treallycare. ThisbratwasevenworsethanAndrei;atleastAndreiknew when toconcede.Heopenedoneofthevialsanddroppedsomeofthe bloodontoaslide,pressingitflat.Heplacedtheslideundera microscopeandstaredforafew moments.
“Well…”Judaspulledawayandlookedatasmallchartonthe counter.“…I’dsaytwoplus,CircularRBCs.Significantbroken downredcells.Elevatedwhitecellsaswell.”Heplacedhiseyes backoverthemicroscopeandstaredintently,Alexcouldtellhe hadanuncertaintyabouthim.“I’m notseeingtheexact markingshere.”Heglancedbackatthechart.”Alexstepped forwardandpulledthechartfrom Judas’hand.Hestudiedthe shapes,thearrowspointingtospecificmarkersandwhatthey meant.Therewasoneinparticularthathekeptinmindashe puthiseyesoverthemicroscope.
“Thosearen’tcircular,Judas.”Hepulledawayandstared intentlyatthereferenceimage.“No,thosearedefinitelyoval shaped.Circularwouldbeevenallaround,thosearelonger. Otherthanthat…”Backtothemicroscope“… I’dagree.”
“Sir,I’m thedoctorhere.I’vebeendoingmedicaltestslikethis forawhilenow andIthinkIknow thedifferencebetweenacircle andanoval.”Judas’voicewasaggressivetowardAlex. “Regardless,I’dmarkthistestasinconclusive,somesignsbut notothers.”Hegrabbedtheboardandscribbledsomethingatthe bottom.“We’llhavetobringherinhereformoreextensive testing.”
“Wait,no.”Alexpulledawayanddroppedthecardbackonthe counter.“Inconclusivebasedonwhat?” “Ijustsaid;somesigns,butnotothers.Highlymphocytesbut notfragmentedredcells.Sincethosearecircularandnotoval shaped,it’sinconclusive.”Judasplacedthechartonthetable andpulledhisglovesoff.
“No,youneedtolookagain,Judas.”Alexsteppedtowardhim. “Thisisamatteroflifeanddeathforadearfriendofmineand inconclusivedoesn’treallyhelp.”
“Well,formethisiscasenumberAlphadashseventwosix ninesixone,andIcouldn’tcarelessaboutwhatshemeansto you.Tome,she’sabloodtest.Notjustanybloodtest,butan inconclusivebloodtest.”JudassmirkedatAlex.“Tellherthatwe willprepareforhertobefurthertestedonovernight.”Alexhad enoughofthiskid’sattitudeandsteppedforward.Hishands grabbedtheperfectlyironedlabcoatandliftedhim from the ground.
“Listen,youlittlepunk;Iam notgoingtotolerateyoursnide remarksoryourspoiledbratattitudeanylonger.”Alexcouldfeel hisfaceturningred.“Tosomeextent,Irespectyourfather.He’sa greatdoctorandhasworkedabsolutemiraclesonmenthattook bulletstotheirhead.”
“You’respittingonme.Pleasestop.”Judasdidn’tseem phased.Alextightenedhisgripandslammedhim againstthe nearestwall.
“Alex”Andrei’svoicepoppedinfrom behindhim.“Pleasedon’t killmyson.”Histonewasalmostuncaring.“CanIaskwhyyou arethreateningtopullhisheadoff?”AlexdroppedJudasfrom hishands.Judasstoodagainstthewallandreadjustedhisjacket andglasses.“I’m guessingyouhaveagoodreason…”
“Domeafavor,Andrei.”Alexturnedaround.“Lookatthat sampleandtellmewhatyousee.”
“Don’tbother.”Judassteppedfrom behindAlex.“It’s inconclusive.IncreasedWBC,androu–”
“I’llseeformyself,Judas.”Andreiwalkedovertothe microscope.“Considerthisatest.”Heshiftedhisheaddownand staredattheslide.Hestudieditintently,shiftingthehandleand movingcarefully.“Atest,myson,thatyoucouldnothavefailed more.”
“That’simpossible!”Judasprotestedloudly. “Shehasdamagedredcellsandmultipleovalshapedcellsas well.”HelookedovertoAlex.“Sheis,I’m afraid,infected.”He turnedhisattentionbacktoJudas.“Thiswasabasictest,son. How didyoumanagetonotseethis?Thiswascutanddry.”He shookhishead.“Goassistsomeoneelseinthelab,Ineedtotalk withAlexanderforamoment.”
“No,father,I’m certainthat– “Ukhodi!”Andrei’svoicegrew louderashep
ointedand screamedsomethinginRussian.“Proval!”Judaswasshockedat thewordsbeingyelledathim,AlexhadnoideawhatAndreihad said.Judaslookedawayfrom hisfatherandexitedtheroom. “Now,Alexander.”Andreisatonthestoolintheroom.
“Yeah,Iknow.Aria’sinfectedandwecan’thavethat.”Alex leanedagainstthecounter.
“Iwantyoutoknow I’m notheartless,Alexander.”Andrei scribbledoverthewordshissonhadwritten.Hewrote‘infected’ underneaththeoriginalconclusion.“Idon’twanttokillher.Of course,youknow,Iwanttotesther.Iwanttogetherinhereand runeverysinglepossibleexperimentIcantoseewhathappens.”
“No,Iwon-”
“ButI’m notgoingto.”Andreisighed.“Youthreatenedmylife forthiswoman,Alex.Shemeanssomethingtoyou.”Heglanced uptowardAlex.“Whoisshe?”Alexwassurprisedatthefactthat Andreicared.
“She’sareallyoldfriend.Highschoolgirlfriend,tobeexact.” Alexsmirked.“Moreimportantly,she’ssomeonethatmadethe mostofherlife.Shegotmarriedtothemansheloved.Thetwoof them weregoingtohaveababy.Hell,sheevenownedabakery downtown.Shemadeherdream arealityandalwaysdid everythingforeveryoneelse.”HestaredatAndrei.“She’s everythingI’m not.I’m ahorribleperson,she’sdamnnear perfect.”
“So,inyouropinion,shedidn’tdeservethis…”Andreihada hushedtone,hesoundedalmosthuman.
“Notatall.”Alexshookhishead. “Alright.”Andreistoodupandgrabbedasmallcasefrom the table.HehandedittoAlex.
“What’sthis?”
“Ican’thavesomeonethat’sinfectedjustoutinmycamp, Alex.”Andreiopenedadraweranddroppedtheclipboardintoit. Hepulledakeyoutandlockedit.“Thatiswhatweusetoremove someonethatisinfected.It’sfast,it’spainless,anditworksall thetime.Themixwillquicklyparalyzeherlungsandtheother organswillquicklyfollow.However,it’salsoaverystrong sedative,soshe’llfallasleepalmostimmediately.Shewon’tfeela thing.”
“Whatareyouwantingmetodo?”Alexgrippedthecase. “Whatyouknow youhaveto.”AndreileanednexttoAlexon thecounter.“Iwon’treportheruntileighttomorrow morning, whenIreportinforduty.I’llclaim therewasanerrorwithher bloodtests.Ifshe’sstillhere,well,youknow whatwillhappen. However,ifshejustsohappenedtodisappear…”Andreilooked upatAlex.“Yourdaughterwillbefine.She’satapointwhereI won’tneedtodomuchtohelpher.”HehandedAlexasmallbottle withCiara’snamewrittenonit.“Twoaday,forthenexttwelve days.Makesuresheeatsandgetsplentyofwater.”Hestaredat Alex’sunsureface.“Thoseareantibiotics.They’rethebestwe’ve gothere.I’m sorryIcouldn’tdomore.”