The Virus Within: Third Wave (Book 2)

Chapter 61

"That's not the best news..." Nina trailed off, wondering if we were too late to help anyone.

"And to top that off," I added, "there must be a stomach bug going around or a nasty bout of food poisoning. I think I'm going to remain with the truck so I don't have to go into any of these buildings. Daniel, do me a favor and don't park near a bathroom or garbage can."

"I'll try not to," he replied dubiously. "I don't think that's going to help with the smell though."

Anything else he might have said was interrupted when the gate opened and several people came out.

"Oh, you must be the group with the cure," a man said when he noticed Daniel's red eyes.

"We are," Daniel replied. "Is anyone here sneezing?"

"A couple were but they left last night. It wasn't until this morning that a pigeon came in with a message saying you're able to tell if anyone is infected. Can we offer you lunch in exchange for checking?"

"We ate earlier," he lied, "but thanks for the offer. We can do a quick check before continuing down the road and seeing if we can catch up with them. One person in our group is still sneezing. If he wears his mask, can he come in?"

"Uh, I thought you had the cure?"

"He received it, but it can take up to six hours to completely remove the virus. He still has a few hours left."

Nina leaned forward and added, "We can leave several vials of the sanity serum and cure here."

The man hesitated, wavering between the old path of keeping all infection out and the lure of having the miracle drugs. "All right. But that mask stays on. And he has to stay ten feet away from others."

The welcoming committee guided the truck through the gate.

"While we check this place for anyone infected, would it be possible for him to use the showers and get some clothing, if you have any to spare in his size?" Daniel asked.

"We should have some spare clothing around. What sizes? You can park the truck right there." He waved at a grassy area beside a house.

Daniel came to a stop in the indicated spot while Kevin self-consciously said, "Medium shirt, size thirty pants."

The man nodded thoughtfully, then asked one of his companions, "Mind guiding him to the showers, then bringing him something to wear?"

"Sure. You can come with me."

Kevin got out of the truck and followed the man, keeping the specified distance between them.

I gazed around and commented, "I think I'll remain here." The sour smell of vomit and the reek of diarrhea were strong enough that I didn't want to walk around in case I stepped in something.

"Can you give me a quick tour?" Daniel asked as he opened the driver's door. "If anyone is infected, I'll be able to smell it."

That isn't all you're going to smell... Daniel had noticed the odor as we approached the gate, so if he had to go inside a building, that trip could be... interesting.

As Daniel closed the truck door, I caught a glimpse of red skin on his arm, right where the scab from the bullet wound should have been. How fast do Terrors heal? I know I heal faster than a Runner, but this is ridiculous...

I forced my envious gaze away from the almost completely healed wound as they continued talking, eventually leading Daniel and Nina on their tour. Logan and John remained in the truck with Nicky, Liz, and me.

Nicky wrinkled her nose. "Whew. I don't think it matters where you park around here. It smells like several people died. As much as I would have loved a warm meal, if this stink is caused by food poisoning, I can eat dry bread for a long time."