While he’d worried about waking her in the car- this fever had her in a heavy sleep and he dared to take a small sample of blood. Injecting it into a narrow glass vile and plugging it up tightly to stash with a few other samples in his pack. He left only a small drop in the syringe to place on a square slide and examine at the end of a short metal tube. The bacteria of the infection was visible but it didn’t cling to the existing cells and was instead bouncing between them like a game of pong. He discarded the syringe and slide before sitting back down and opening up a plain notebook to write down these observations. Looking up at the clock he noted a few hours passed.

The room was draped in darkness aside from the digital clock- night had fallen deep and silent. He determined her fever still held with a touch of his hand and heaved a small sigh. The aliens would probably check each exit down the interstate. Perhaps it was a miracle that they hadn’t found them yet. He slumped forward, pinching his eyes shut and breathing deep with no intention to fall asleep- just rest his muscles a moment. More minutes slunk passed. He sat up straighter, alerted by Cassie’s movement,

“Moving won’t help your condition.” But dying would pretty much make any efforts to get better be in vain. “Okay.” He finally uttered, taking out his second bottle for her. “Drink up and then I’ll carry you.” Having passed over the water he stood up and moved the barricade from the doors to peer out into the night. A few zombies stood as faint outlines in the moonlight. Easing the door back into place he returned to Cassie’s side and condensed their bags into one, helping her put in on before crouching down so she could take a good hold of him and he could carry her on his back. “It might be slow but it’s better than being sitting ducks.”