Four
Contagion Eradication Centre for Intelligent LifeI wrapped my arms around my drawn legs and watched as the rain poured, beating a rhythm on the metal roof above our heads. The hypnotic sound lulled Beth into a deep sleep. She sat beside me on the threshold, the weight of her body supported by the doorjamb. She looked much younger than her barely sixteen years. And though I had three years on her, I wondered if I too looked younger.
My eyelids grew heavy, and I blinked many times as I fought to stay conscious. Only when I had a clear plan, would I allow myself to rest. I focused on the rain and picked out individual streams of water as they sliced through the air and splattered on the ground. I stretched out an arm and leaned forward, pressing my hand to the earth. The vibrations of
