Read Online Mass Extinction Event: The Complete Fourth Series (Days 54 to 61) by Amy Cross - Free Book Online Page B

farmhouse, or still in the apartment in New York.
    “This is real, isn't it?” I say finally, turning to him.
    He nods, and I can tell that he's exhausted.
    “I'm glad you found me,” I tell him. “We were trying to survive, but...”
    “You would have died,” he replies firmly. “From the state of your leg, and from your general level of health, Doctor Kennedy believes you only had a few days left. Whatever you and that Toad guy were doing, it wasn't working, not really, you were just delaying the inevitable. I'm just glad we found you in time to save you. Now get some sleep, we can talk more in the morning.”
    As he walks away, I turn back to the window.
    “You have to be okay,” I whisper, imagining Toad making his way through the forest. “Don't be an idiot, Toad. Come to the base. Please...”

Thomas
     
    Pulling a couple more screwdrivers from the toolbox, I attach them to my belt before turning and hurrying out of the tent.
    “Hello, Thomas,” Mark says, standing right outside with Luke and Bobby just a few steps him. “Going somewhere?”
    I stare at him for a moment, trying to work out what to say. I can't tell him the truth, that I'm heading back to the door so I can force my way inside and find out what happened to Quinn, but I'm not fast enough to think of a good lie.
    “I was just -”
    “Relax,” he continues with a smile, “I'm sure you're doing something that's in the best interests of the whole camp. That's why I came to see you, actually. Luke and Bobby tell me that one of our fellow campers might not be feeling so well, and that it's someone you know.”
    “I don't know what you mean,” I reply, even though I have no doubt that he's referring to Melissa.
    “She was coughing all night,” Luke says with a faint smile. “He was helping her, too. He took her some water and he was fussing all over her. He's either in her pants already, or he's trying to get there.”
    “Giving her water is a perfectly acceptable way of dealing with the situation,” Mark replies. “I'm sure Thomas was just being kind.”
    “Yeah, but she -”
    “Asthma, I assume?”
    “That's all it is,” I tell him. “Honestly, she's fine.”
    “I believe you.”
    “It sounded like she was trying to throw her goddamn guts up,” Bobby adds.
    “Asthma can be extremely uncomfortable,” Mark continues. “We must be vigilant and keep an eye out for anyone who's sick, but at the same time we mustn't leap to conclusions. The last thing we want is some kind of witch-hunt.” He stares at me for a moment. “You will let us know, Thomas, if your friend Melissa shows any more symptoms. We're rather going to rely on you to be our eyes and ears in this particular case.”
    “He won't turn her in,” Luke mutters. “He wants a little girlfriend.”
    “Shut up,” I say firmly.
    “Make me!”
    Rushing at him, I try to grab him by the throat but Bobby yanks me back.
    “Let's keep this civil,” Mark continues. “Thomas, you have my full support and I'm quite certain that you'll do the right thing. If your friend Melissa only has asthma, that's not a problem, she can still work and support the community. But if you get even the slightest suspicion that this asthma is actually something else, you need to come and tell me immediately, is that understood?”
    “And what happens then?” I ask cautiously as Bobby releases me.
    “Then we deal with the situation effectively,” he replies with a faint smile, as he holds a hand out for me to shake. “Welcome to your new leadership position, Thomas. I can't promise that it'll always be easy, but you'll be contributing to the survival of our little group here at Lake Erie, and that's the most important thing. We can all agree on that, can't we?”
    Reluctantly, I shake his hand.
    “It's all about the community,” he continues. “We can't let the needs of any single individual put everyone else at risk. We all want the same thing here, and I for one trust Thomas.” He