Virals

CHAPTER 45

That night, the storm raging inside me broke.

My dreams were peaceful, free of disturbing images.

I woke energized for the first time in a week. No headache, congestion, fever, or pain. All systems go.

Yahoo!

The gang had agreed to meet before school. I hoped the others had good news, too.

Twenty minutes after rising, I ducked inside the bunker. The mood was light years distant from our last meeting.

Hi and Shelton stood in opposite corners, tossing a tennis ball back and forth. Cooper raced between them, trying to snatch it. Ben sat by the table, watching Coop’s acrobatics.

“Hi, guys!”

“Glad you could make it,” Hi said. “Only five minutes late.”

Shelton dropped the ball. Coop pounced, then rolled to his back to gnaw his prize. Healthy. Content.

“How’s everyone feeling?” I asked.

“I’m great!” Shelton’s eyes no longer looked haunted. “No problems at all.”

“What about you two?”

“Strong,” Ben said. “Whatever it was, I beat it.”

“I feel like two million bucks,” Hi said. “Thank God.”

“Even Cooper Dog’s tip-top.” Shelton tickled the puppy’s belly. “Isn’t that right, you little fugitive?”

Coop wiggled to his feet and charged Shelton’s chest. The two began to wrestle.

Hi, back to his old self, provided color commentary on the Man versus Dog bout taking place on the floor. Even Ben was jovial. A sort of half grin curled the corners of his mouth.

I hated to spoil the good vibes, but decisions had to be made.

“I’m glad everyone’s recovered,” I said. “I think the worst is behind us.”

“Better be,” Hi said. “My sweet cheeks can’t take any more throne time.”

“The worst part?” Shelton pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “That implies there are other parts.”

“We need to be sure our recovery is real,” I said. “To be certain, we have to know what happened in the first place.”

“Why?” Ben asked. “Done is done.”

“It may not be over.”

I described the cotillion attack. They listened without interrupting.

“The snap came without warning,” I finished. “But I didn’t black out.”

“What’s your point?” Hi asked.

“We don’t know if these fits will keep happening.” I searched for the right words. “The side effects. Reactions. Whatever. I’m not sure what to call them.”

“For me,” Shelton said, “it always kicks off with a jolt in my head.”

I nodded. “I’m not sure if I hear it or feel it, but something snaps in my brain. The weirdness comes after that. Then there’s another snap and I’m back to normal.”

“That’s right,” Hi said. “My vision went crazy again last night. The opener was just what you describe.”

“These flares must have a trigger,” Ben said. “Something that sets them off.”

Flare. Perfect description.

“Bottom line, we need answers,” I said. “And there’s only one place to look.”

“Crap.” Hi closed his eyes. “We’re going back, aren’t we?”

“Just Ben and me,” I reassured him. “We can’t all go. Too suspicious.”

“Fine by me.” Shelton and Hi spoke in unison.

“Where are we going?” Ben asked.

“Loggerhead. After school.” I waved a hand. “No biggie. Just breaking in to Karsten’s office and searching his files.”

“Pff.” Ben pooched air through his lips. “I thought you meant something dangerous.”

“You’re nuts. Suicidal.” Shelton was ear-tugging double-time.

“Maybe,” I said. “You and Hi also have an assignment.”

“What now?” Hi sounded resigned. “Steal a car? Invade Russia?”

“The Internet didn’t provide enough information about parvovirus. According to everything we found, we weren’t supposed to be at risk. We need to know more. You two are going to dig up as much as you can at the CU medical library.”

Hi and Shelton looked relieved that their task was legal.

“We’ll cover it, top to bottom,” Shelton promised.

“And I’m not giving up on Katherine Heaton,” I added. “I’m still waiting for Chance to get back to me on the print.”

The others nodded, committed to seeing the investigation through.

“Ten-hut, Virals!” Hi barked like a sergeant ordering new recruits. “We have missions to complete!”