Naneve's remark elicits a sharp look from Seth, but he remains silent, focusing on the task at hand. "You won't need them," he reassures me, indicating the hospital building. He outlines our plan: entering through the car park and heading straight to the pathology department to gather necessary tools and supplies.
Elena's attention is on the nearby pharmacy and lab, where she might find useful items.
In formation, we cross the road, led by Killian who knows the layout. We park the quads in a smaller car park, noticing signs reserved for doctors, a reminder of those who might have fallen victim to the thirsty or the virus.
Seth leads the way, guiding us with a familiarity that seems almost innate. The hospital, despite its abandoned state, retains that distinct antiseptic scent, now tinged with the smell of decay.
We cautiously navigate through what was once the reception area, now a scene of disarray with overturned chairs and shattered seating. Seth confidently moves through the corridors as if he's walked them countless times before.
As we proceed, our eyes stay alert for any lurking thirsty. We find a room, what was once some kind of examination room. It’s relatively untouched. Seth and Elena rummage through drawers and cabinets in search of useful items, while Killian and Naneve stand guard. I would help to look, but I think I’ll only get in their way, so I stay back, not touching, peering at fading posters on the wall. This had to be some kind of general office from what I can see.
“Found one,” Elena says, holding up a sealed package with a needle in it. But the way they look at each other, sets me on edge. There’s something they're not telling me. “What’s going on?”
It’s Naneve who answers, though not for me. She addresses Seth and Elena. "You're going to test her blood on a thirsty?" Her voice reflects a mix of surprise and concern. “That’s what you were talking about before?” I hadn’t heard that conversation, but she must have. I’m sure there are many discussions and decisions I have missed.
Still, it takes me by surprise. “My blood?”
“It’s an idea we had,” Seth says. “Give them your blood in a controlled manner. See what happens.”
I look around at the group. I could be upset about this plan, but surprisingly, I'm not. In all of this, that makes sense. They crave it, hunt me for it. It allows Seth to walk in the sun, so what would it do for one of them? It takes me a moment, but I nod and frown. "So, we need to find one?"
Seth shakes his head. "Killian and I captured one last night."
My eyes widen. “You caught a thirsty?”
"It’s locked in a secured room and restrained."
Elena has the needle on the counter and she’s managed to find a bunch of small vials—vials the hospitals would send specimens in. I put my hand to my arm. iIt’s been a long time since anyone took blood for me in a normal manner.
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want,” Seth says.
“But it’ll help us to understand,” adds Elena.
“No. I want to. I want to know what will happen.” I take off my jacket and then pull up my sleave, offering Elena my arm.
She takes three full vials of my blood. "This should be enough."
"I want you to stay here," Seth says to me. His concern is evident. "I don’t want you in any danger, especially not near a thirsty. Naneve can stay with you."
I feel a surge of determination. "I want to come. I want to see. You said it's restrained."
"It is," he confirms.
"Then I want to see." My voice is firm. I'm a part of this now, and I need to understand fully what's happening, even if it means facing a thirsty. I think it s time I stopped hiding in the shadows and take my true place in this world, but I am not yet sure were that is.
ChapterForty
The thirsty is confined in a room, its door secured with an axe handle jammed into the handle. From the small window, the others can glimpse inside, but they keep me shielded from view, nestled securely between them.
"It's still secured," Killian confirms to Seth, blade at the ready. Naneve, equally prepared, unsheathes her own sword.
Seth carefully removes the axe handle, gripping it as a potential weapon. As he opens the door, the room's vile stench assaults us. Covering my mouth with my sleeve, I can barely stifle a whisper of disgust at the overwhelming odours of death, urine, and other indescribable scents.
Despite the stench, I follow them into the dark room. Killian holds out a hand, signalling me to wait as the thirsty hisses and gasps inside.
Naneve moves to the window, allowing just enough light to spill in, forcing the thirsty to recoil from the sunlight. Its shrieks pierce the air, adding to the already unbearable atmosphere. I cover my ears, trying to block out the noise.
Killian stays close, his blade ready, while Naneve and Seth ensure the thirsty is still securely tied to a chair. The creature, a woman with long, matted blond hair and glazed eyes, is visibly wasting away, a common trait among her kind. Tattoos cover one arm, hinting at a life she once led.