“Now Jamie. We work in a very dangerous environment. You can never be too careful.” He lifted his foot, releasing Jamie’s hand.
“Yes, yes, yes. I will be careful,” Jamie said as he yanked his hand back, cradling it against his body.
Dr. Neff continued down the hall as Jamie scrambled to gather his things. As he rounded the corner he heard a sigh followed by a muted sob. A surge of happiness coursed through him. His pocket vibrated, bringing him out of his fog of joy. He pulled the phone from his pocket. Natasha.
“Phone, answer.” He touched the small earbud sitting in his ear to power it on. He dropped his phone back into his pocket and sipped his coffee.
“Hello, Nick,” Natasha said, her voice firm, professional.
“Hello, Natasha. How is specimen collection going?”
“Slow. None of the leads panned out. All lies. It’s getting harder and harder to find former Infected in general let alone the type I need,” she said. “How is your special guest?”
“Lovely,” Dr. Neff said. “She has been most helpful. I just injected a rat with the cure I created using a biopsy from her bone marrow. It made barely enough for the rat.” He placed the empty coffee cup on his desk before he took a seat. “If I remove all of her bone marrow, I will be able to make just enough for one dose. One chance. Dialysis with Christopher getting her blood first is key. There will be a delicate balance between keeping her alive long enough to do both procedures. I need Christopher here to do that.”
“If it works at all,” Natasha said.
“It will work. She is a perfect match for him. It shouldn’t take long to see progress on the rat. I’ve already sent you all the data to review.” He glanced at the picture of a smiling young boy on his desk, frame decorated with dry macaroni, “World’s Best Dad” painted across the bottom. “I will save him, Nadie.”
“You better, Nicky. Because if you don’t I will gut you like a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner,” she growled. “Save our boy. It’s your fault he needs saving in the first place. I’ll give Christopher your love. But it is not safe to travel in your zone right now; you have had a surge of newly Infected. I will not risk our son’s life by taking him on that journey. You will need to bring her to us.” The line went dead.
Allison
The cold steel pressed against Allison’s bare chest and torso. A salty river ran down her face. Tears puddled beneath her. Her body was sprawled out in a T-shape, ready for crucifixion. Her throat constricted as she tried to hold back cries. The leather straps that held down her limbs were so tight her hands and feet tingled and burned. She squeezed her hands into fists repeatedly, trying to regain the feeling in her fingers. A frustrated cry escaped her lips. She bit her tongue, forcing the cry back to the depths of her soul where it originated. The thick leather strip across her mid-back forced her spine to unnaturally arch. She pressed back against the restraint. The metal groaned and creaked as she struggled against the leather. Pain radiated down her spine, down her legs with each movement. Fighting only made the pain worse. Her anger and fear ignited a fire at her core. The heat built, burning her insides, her adrenaline kicking into gear.
The prick of a needle in her ass caused her to jolt. Her body tightly tensed against the restraints holding her in place. A cool wave washed over her like ice water, drenching her body, sweeping away all of her inner fire. Only her anger and fear remained. What did they give me? Allison squeezed her eyes shut and tried to will the heat back, the adrenaline back, her strength back. Nothing. She again pushed against the bands tying her to the table. Nothing.
The kind tech Mary was there, just outside of Allison’s view. Her voice was the only comfort Allison had. Dr. Neff was at her side. He arranged a blue paper drape with a hole in the center across her low back and hips. The clatter of surgical instruments she couldn’t see echoed in the small, brightly lit room as the doctor sorted through the tray at his side. Chills of fear trickled along her spine with each clash of metal against metal. She pulled against the straps holding her body to the cold surgical table.
“You will feel a cold liquid on your hip soon. It will not hurt.” Mary said as she lowered her face even to Allison’s, her timid smile attempting to cover the dread and sorrow that filled her eyes. Allison held her gaze until she stood, moving from view once again.
“Unfortunately for you our supplies were intercepted,” Dr. Neff said as he pulled his surgical mask up over his face.“We do not have any local anesthetic to ease the pain of this procedure.”
“The pain will be short-lived.” Mary’s voice stumbled over every syllable. “Even without the numbing agent.”
“Please, do not speak with the specimen, Mary.” He scowled at her. “You shouldn’t humanize them. It encourages unrest and ultimately costs us time and efficiency.”
“Yes, sir. I am very sorry.” Mary averted her eyes away from Allison’s face. Allison’s breath caught in her throat. Her chest tightened as each breath came quicker and quicker. Every nerve was on fire; goosebumps littered her body.
The smooth material of a gloved hand pulled her skin taut across the back of her hip. Then the prick of something sharp puncturing her skin, sliding across its surface. She trembled, unable to control the chattering of her teeth.
“Please. Please don’t do this,” Allison pleaded as shudder engulfed her entire body. She felt the familiar heat build in her core only for it to
