The Virus Within (Original rough draft)

Chapter 69

I glanced up from my book as Nicky walked into the room. I sniffed the air in suspicion as I narrowed my eyes at her. Nicky scowled at me, "Yeah, yeah. Drop your bloodhound act. I know."

I sighed, "Who in their right mind gave you coffee?"

Nicky dropped into a chair, "I grabbed a cup at breakfast. What did you expect? I was up half the night, woke up in a dark and empty lab, which is super creepy by the way. This morning came far too early. I needed something to wake me up."

I sniffed the air again, "Just one cup?" I highly doubted her claim...

Nicky grumbled, "I lost count after the third."

I shook my head and turned my attention back to my book. I had forgotten just how much coffee affected this lady. Nicky sat in her chair grumbling to herself quietly. I gritted my teeth as a tremor ran through my body. Before they had been painless, but they were slowly getting more severe and were slightly painful now.

An hour later Nina came back into the room. I waited for her update. She saw me watching her and sighed, "The drug is still present and doing something. I have no clue what though. How did last night go?"

I shrugged, "The restlessness didn't fade until dawn. My instincts were oddly strong as well. We stopped to hunt and when I started slipping through the trees like Nightstalkers normally do, the restlessness mostly subsided. If it is that bad tonight, I think I will run by myself and just record the times."

Daniel blinked slowly, "You didn't mention that to me. We could have left the main trails if it helped."

I shook my head, "I rarely let my instincts influence my actions that much around you and I doubt that your instincts would have handled it well if I acted like a Nightstalker."

Nina sighed, "I think we had better pack for several days."

Nicky gave her a blank look, "Huh? Whatever for?"

Nina made a face, "The drug is still doing something. Chances are that tonight will be worse for Trinity since the changes are manifesting themselves at night. I think we need to try to find a feral Nightstalker for some blood tests to see if it does the same thing. The real reason is that it is safer for those here if we leave for a few days. At least until we know exactly how this drug is going to affect Trinity."

I examined Nina, "You sound as if you are quite sure that tonight will be different from last night."

Nina's shoulder drooped a bit, "The drug isn't weakening yet and I don't have much of an idea what to expect. I will bring the big microscope, a battery and solar panels along to keep track of the changes. This is more of a safety precaution than anything in case your control slips."

I tilted my head, "Another road trip? That is fine by me. Just promise me that you won't pick up every stray human we come across."

Nina chuckled, "It can count as a road trip, but I am hoping you will keep your nose open in case you pick up the scent of a Nightstalker. No, it probably isn't wise for us to pick up people until we start to head back. I don't recall ever seeing people on foot before, so that last time was a real surprise."

That just went to show how bad my luck was. Nina in all of her traveling had never seen people stuck on foot. My entire trip had been littered with strays. I nudged my backpack with my foot, "I am packed, although we had better pack food since we can't always count on looting stores."

Nicky yawned, "You are leaving me in this place without supervision? This could be fun."

Nina shook her head, "No, you are coming with us."