The Touch of Infection

Chapter 59: Runaway

Carisa woke up coughing, turning over, and spitting out specs of blood. A tight hand on her shoulder as Marnik had walked over.

"I can't breath." She said in between gasps, clutching her chest as Marnik ran to the backpack and started taking things out. Finding an injection of worths before stabbing her with it.

The blood dripping down her chin her face paler than usual, "Better?" He asked, and rubbed her shoulder, sitting beside her, holder her close.

"My throat hurts... my back hurts... everything just hurts." She said, leaning against him.

Marnik felt his heartache and taking a deep breath, "Eat something. I'll... I'll get back to the vehicle... look for some more injection and be right back."

"Marnik you have people tied up in trees... didn't you have to check on them yesterday?"

"They can't wait." He said.

"No, people can die... I know you don't care, but this is just torture for them. Go check on them and if time is enough go back to the vehicle... what even was that?" She questioned, and looked at the injection that he still had in his hand.

"It's something the scientist made before we left. It just kinda, neutralize everything. I'm not sure what it might do after a few shots... but it's better than leaving you to suffocate." He handed it to her while looking out the window, "Do you think you can handle the day alone?... I wouldn't want you feeling left behind."

"I'll be fine." Carisa said, "now go do your job."

Marnik pulled her closer a second before getting up, "Well I'll be back quick then." He smiled at her while searching back in the backpack and getting out a device, "If you feel anything, or anything is even near the house... just call me." He handed it to her and showed her another of them he had, "As soon as I get the call I'll be heading back."

"Alright, I get it. Get going." She said, laying back down and looking at the ceiling, "Besides, only the dogs and monkeys seem to notice me by now. Unless there are more of those around, I'll be fine."

"This isn't a game Carisa, those things are dangerous. They could attract a horde." He warned and gripped the other device in his hand.

"Marnik, I am aware." She looked him in the eyes, "It's not like I've been hiding from the world the last two years. It's only been... maybe a month I don't know."

He sighed, there was no more to say. He knew she was as prepared as she could be, but the ticking feeling in the back of his head continued to pester him. He worried more than he should, when walking out of the house he looked back.

Giving a good look around the area before he left the thoughts of the experiments boggled his mind. Wondering if the three he'd put up in trees were still alive. His question answered when he neared the area to hear whimpers. Looking up at the people he tied up to see them pulling at the binds trying to get out. One, in particular, was gone, while the other two were squirming.

Climbing his way up the woman's eye widened in fear, pressing her back against the tree. Marking untied her hand and headed her the water bottle.

"Drink or I'll shove it down your throat," he warned and looked at the other man tied up with his eyes on him. 

The woman took it and drank as Marnik examined her bite would, taking her other hand and drawing a blood sample with a syringe. She winced as he tightened his grip on her. He took the bottle from her hand once done and tied her back down. Going to the man and handing him a different bottle, then proceeding two get another sample.

Marnik's eyes darting to the ropes where the last one should have been but instead escaped. He slowly looked back at the man, "Where is he?"

The man shook his head, "I don't know."

Marnik looked at the bite on his leg and slowly pressed down on it, "Where is he? Which way did he go? You have to know something!"

The man winced and held back a scream, "I don't know. One minute he's there then he's gone. If I knew I'd tell you because he left us behind!"

Marnik's eyes dashed to the girl before tying the man back up and getting back over to her, he glared at her, "Where is he?"

Her eyes were shaky but she said the same as him, "I don't know." Seeing the tick in her eyes and the way she couldn't keep her eye on him Marnik pulled at her foot, the binds on the tree suffocating her as it pinned her in one place. Her leg feeling like it would be ripped off.

"He dropped down and said he'd go to some houses not far. We were there a few people days ago, stashed some equipment... I don't know anything else." Her words were quick and to the point. Marnik dropped her leg and slowly looked at the man who lied, his hands shaking and his breath hitched.

Shaking his head, "I didn't know, I didn't see him." His nose runny and continuing to repeat the words, Marnik glared and hung the man upside down.

Choking him, "Next time, I won't be so patient."

Marnik froze a second his mind putting together what the girl said... the man was going to a group of houses not far... Carisa was in a group of houses not far. Marnik's face turned sour, the small Marnik's glowing on his faze, making the two people quite literally shit themselves.