Fibre Mortem: Rhesus Factor

6

Turns out, there wasn't much in the folders we collected during our little escapade. Sure, there was mention of the outbreak, and basic information even the public eye had but there wasn't much I was getting from what I had read.

There was, however, just one page, talking about a lab in Washington. Supposedly the initial patients were injected with something that caused the virus. There was no talk about lab animals being tested first or anything to go by from that. I found it a little interesting and definitely couldn't wait to explore that possibility. 

Lessons with Reese were getting better. We had some unspoken treaty now, sometimes I would act out in the group sessions, for appearance sake. Mostly, I just didn't say anything though and our private lessons were filled with a ton of fascinating things to learn. 

Because of the fiasco on the first night, Reese thought it would be best to give me some strength training lessons and some hand-to-hand lessons that way I could be better prepared to handle myself and not rely on him again. 

We weren't quite yet ready for weapon training. I wasn't anyway. I was still having a hard time not flinching when he either threw a sandbag my way or randomly put me in a hold. It didn't stop me from imagining myself using some sort of weapon on him, though. 

A couple weeks had passed by and I began noticing changes in my physique. My arms were a little bulkier, my midsection became lean. My legs had the most definition and though I admired these new changes, I worried that my outward appearance would raise some suspicion, so I started dressing a little differently, hoping that would help turn a blind eye. 

I spent a lot of time with Reese. The old me would have hated it, but I began to understand him a little more. He wasn't always a hardass but from what I could tell, there were moments when he had to be, and though I didn't have the story, I suspected it was because he'd lost someone important to him.  

Pieces of my heart would hurt for him, and I would think of my mom because of it. Instead of being a shoulder to lean on for him, I would shake it off and change the subject so that we would both hurt a little less. 

"That's it Liv, keep going. Just five more."

"Five more?" I ask in-between breaths, sweat obscuring my view of his peppy ass. I'd like to see him do more than a hundred sit-ups.

"Mmhm and then after we're done, we're going to run a couple of miles on the dreadmills today."

"I can't tell if you're smiling, but if you are, when I recuperate I'm going to kick your ass, Ree." I puff out on an exhale and immediately flop down. My entire midsection is on fire. I'm sure I look a mess, face red, and splotchy, eyes watering from my own bodily fluids pouring into them like salt on a wound.  

"You couldn't, even if you tried." and I'm sure, most sure, he just stuck his tongue out at me. 

"Don't be too sure of yourself there, Bud. You've been working me like a dog and my muscles are starting to beef out. I'm practically she hulk. I mean, just look at these," I say as I throw my arms up and flex. Clearly, I'm more impressed with them than he is because he just laughs. 

"Pft. Those puny things? Not a chance." He helps me to my feet and hands me a bottle of water which I happily guzzle down. 

Just then Drake pops in, his body language and eyes suggest that whatever he's about to say is urgent. "Reese, Boss sent me to grab you. Have a few things we're looking for and we could use you."

Reese looks from Drake to me and I see it in his eyes. There's something Drake's not telling either one of us, and as much as I want to find out, I know I'm not included in whatever my dad needs Reese for, so I have to let him go. 

I nod and Reese steps forward and just before he disappears with Drake, he turns and shouts, "You still have two miles to run, better get to it, Princess." 

I groan, knowing that if I don't, he's going to make me run double the next time we work out so I make my way to the lab and start running. 

It's not as quiet in the lab today. I notice they managed to haul another undead in here and it's pawing at the plexiglass, gnashing at air. It's eyes  darting to whoever moves next. It's gray fingers leaving a film on the glass as it hits. 

"Afternoon Mary," I say turning up the speed to a mild jog. 

"Afternoon Lively, It's quiet without you here. You suppose your dad and Reese are ever going to let you come back?" She's not really looking at me, just whatever happens to be on the slide under the microscope. 

"Hopefully, soon. I think I'm really making progress. Just a matter of time before I'm back in here cheesing up the lab and helping out." 

"Good, I was beginning to think that maybe you'd ditched us for Reese. Seems you two have gotten close lately." She says with an accusing tone.

"What? Me and Reese? Come on, you know I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole, hell, I wouldn't touch him if I were infected and looking for something to eat!" I roll my eyes for good measure. 

"Just making sure, you've changed... a lot." She shrugs.

Have I really changed? I didn't stop to think about it. I mean, I know my appearance has changed but has my personality changed as well? Though, I'm a little stunned, I set it aside. I don't really want to hash those thoughts out while I'm jogging in the lab.

Silence fills the room, Mary working on her test sample and me trying to finish up the last stretch of my second mile. It's not an uncomfortable silence so I don't bother making small talk.

Peter comes rushing in just as I'm about to turn off the treadmill, "Hey Liv, looking good. Mary! You've got to hear what I've just heard." 

This spikes my interest, so I try and find a way to linger around for a bit. I shuffle over to the mini fridge where we keep the edibles and snag a bottle of water. I timidly sip waiting to hear something juicy.

"Well, spill. I've got samples that need checking." 

"Okay, you're not going to believe this, but someone got hurt out on a run. I think they got bit and they've volunteered to be used for testing."

My heart drops. I start feeling faint. Did I hear Peter correctly? My stomach sinks and all I can do is rush out of the room without saying good bye. 

"Please don't be Reese," I whisper as I hightail it back to my room and wait.