"Um- I am sorry..." I stammered. 

She smirked and began chewing on her gum rapidly.

"Hold up- I know you, Pretty Boy." 

"Yes, we've met." I muttered trying to edge past her, "And what the hell is up with everyone calling me Pretty Boy?" 

"You were with that crackhead, right? Cal or something." She said, leaning in to block my way. 

"Cali," I said. "Now, um, do you mind? I need to go get a shower." 

"Wait. What about Nellie?" 

I stared at her. 

"The chick you got the cure for?" she prompted.

"I think you mean Nell," I said shortly. "And as for the cure- wait- how do you know about that?"

"Rumours fly, you know."

I sighed. 

"Well, they are just rumours."

She grinned knowingly. 

"Victoria Sanchez. My friends call me Vic. What's your name Pretty Boy?" 

"Axel."

"It was great to meet you Axel- you proved to be quite helpful."

"Helpful?" I demanded.

"I want the cure. And you just confirmed it exists. Later, Pretty Boy."

"It's Axel," I said through gritted teeth. I didn't get it- something about this girl was making me bad-tempered. 

"And if you must know this, the way to the cure is really dangerous."

She began climbing up the stairs, laughing. 

"I may not have to go all the way, Pretty Boy."

I stared after her. Did she mean to steal the cure we'd brought or to find it from somewhere else? That girl seemed to be trouble. 

After an hour of searching, a guard directed me to some bathroom in the first building which was equipped with a shower. It took me another hour to wash off the dirt and grime and the greasy feeling of riding in a car for months. 

I exited the building feeling a lot better. 

"Axel!" someone hollered as soon as I neared Nell's room. It was Anna. 

"Where were you?" 

"It was not my fault the showers were about a mile away."

"Well, I was thinking we could go check up on Zeno together." 

"Sure. What's the update on Nell?" 

I could not keep the wavering emotion out of my voice at her name and Ana gave me an understanding smile. 

"Cali came to see her sometime back. Her parents are with her and the doctors are hoping that the cure will work soon."

I nodded. I fiercely hoped that this cure would work. The alternative was too hard to even think about. 

Zeno was sleeping when we entered his room. He had been clubbed in with five other people and the nurse only allowed us five minutes near him. 

He was fast asleep so the rest of us talked in hushed tones as I told Cali what Victoria had said. 

"I don't trust her at all," said Cali, rubbing her head thoughtfully. "We have to make sure that she doesn't even think about stealing the cure. We have brought enough that a few people can be treated and hopefully the scientists Her can copy the formula."

I was about to reply when a nurse stuck her head in. 

"The doctor said you know the patient in room 247? She just stirred."