Date: February 27, 1981

"I don't get it," Magnus said. "It's the fourth cold I've gotten in two months."

      "The disease seems to make people more prone to other illnesses," Will said.

      "I wish it would just go away," Magnus said. "I already dealt with asthma as a child. I don't need a reoccurring cough too!"

     The blonde man was wheezing as he spoke. He was shivering underneath two blankets on his hospital bed. After coming down with a temperature of 103.4, Alex had taken him to the ER. Magnus's temperature was coming down, but his skin was still pallid and he looked frailer than ever.

     Alex was squeezing his hand. Though Alex was not sick today, she was doing little better. She had told Dr. Asclepius of sores on her body and feeling cold all the time. The air conditioning was minimal in this ward, but she was bundled up as if she was in the winter weather outside.

      "When do you think Magnus will be able to leave?" Alex asked, her eyes round as she faced Will.

      "I'm not sure," Will said.

      The door opened and Dr. Asclepius walked in. He looked more worn than usual. His name tag was upside down and there was lint sticking to his lab coat. Will flicked some off of Dr. Asclepius's shoulder.

      "Magnus, Alex," Dr. Asclepius said. "I have news."

      "I'm assuming it's bad?" Alex asked.

       "The only good news you get here is that you can leave," Magnus said.

       Dr. Asclepius sighed and ran one hand through his greying hair. The lines near his eyes looked more pronounced than normal.

      "I'm not sure if you will be able to leave anytime soon," he told Magnus.

      "What do you mean?" Alex asked. "He needs to go home! I can take care of him."

     "He's seriously ill," Dr. Asclepius said. "You both are. I think it's best that you both are transferred to our Valhalla ward."

      "Valhalla?" Magnus asked. "Isn't that a Norse thingy? Why is it called that?"

      "When can we leave?" Alex asked before Dr. Asclepius could answer Magnus's question.

    Dr. Asclepius looked at Will.

     "We're not going to leave, are we?" Alex asked, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

    "I'm sorry, but both of you have extremely low T blood cell counts," Dr. Asclepius said. "I'm afraid you will likely both die soon."

     "How long do we have left?" Magnus asked.

      "I can't say," Dr. Asclepius said. "You two have held on longer than most patients I've seen."

      "Why do you want to move us to another ward?" Magnus asked.

     "Because that's where we're treating others with the same illness," Dr. Asclepius said.

      Will nodded. He thought of the other patients in the ward: TJ, Halfborn, and Mallory. Surely they would welcome Magnus and Alex?

      "We'll go, but I'll be asking Samirah to bring us some meals," Magnus decided. "The hospital food sucks."

    Dr. Asclepius smiled and exchanged a glance with Will. Iris made the meal plans and three ladies nicknamed "the Kindly Ones" prepares the disgusting hospital offerings.

     "That can be arranged," Will said. "Your health is our top priority."