"Tess?" I whispered. She was lying in a white hospital bed with lots of tubes stuck in her arms and nose. Her face was deathly white but she still looked human and her skin was as smooth as always. She was so still that it was hard to believe she was alive. However, I nearly collapsed with relief when I saw her chest was moving slightly.

"Nell?" said a voice I knew well. A voice that brought me so much relief that I couldn't help a tear that ran down my cheek. I had been so focused on Tess that I hadn't seen who was standing next to her.

"Mom!" I cried out, giving her a hug. "I missed you so much."

"Hello there kid." said a gruff voice and I stepped away from my mom towards my dad. I hugged both of them tightly and we stayed together like that for a few minutes, all of us too overwhelmed to say anything.


"Honey, we simply can't believe you are here." said my mom, smiling at me. She looked more tired than I had ever seen her and there were dark circles under eyes. Clearly, she wasn't sleeping well.

"We even managed to call you once but you didn't pick up. How did you even find us?"

"It's a long story mom." I said. "How are you? Tell me honestly."

"I'm fine- really. I was just so worried about you. The lines here scarcely work and we couldn't contact you. It's so dangerous out there right now."

"And Tess?" I asked, biting my lip worriedly. "Why hasn't she turned into one of those zombies yet? I heard they were supposed to turn on the third day."

"We got here in time." said my dad. "And we are one of the lucky ones. They gave her some sort of sedative and she hasn't woken ever since. They inject her food and nutrients and draw out the toxic substances from her body medically. They plan to keep her into this entranced state until they find the cure. It slows down the system and prevents the zombie venom from acting."

"And we are so sorry dear." said my mother. "We should have believed you when you told us."

That reminded me of Cherry and I felt like crying all over again.

"Did you hear about Cherry?" I said, my voice cracking.

My parents exchanged a worried look.

"Yes. She had an enormous amount of venom in her system which is why she turned so quickly. They managed to stabilize her after much difficulty. She is in the same state as your sister." My dad shook his head. "I still can't believe all of this is really happening."

I didn't even realise I was holding my breath until I exhaled forcefully. After so many months of worrying, Cherry and Tess, though were not completely alright, were going to live. 

There was a soft knock on the door as Ana came in with Hope padding along and hugged my parents and went to Tess' side. I picked up Hope and hugged her tightly. Setting her down, I returned to Ana.

"So when will the cure be ready?" I asked looking at my parents.

They exchanged another worried look.

"The word is that it is completed and locked in a lab at Central Wufaria. But they won't be giving it out to common people just yet. It's reserved for the high officials. And it would be too expensive to order it here." said my mom gently.

I felt my blood beginning to boil.

"So there's no way to save Tess and Cherry?" I demanded, feeling so angry that tears came into my eyes again. This was so unfair.

"There might be a way to do it but it's too dangerous. Anyone who has attempted it hasn't made it back yet." said my mom.

"But there is a way?" I prompted.

"Yes. You would have to travel by road while the rich go in helicopters and you will have to fight thousands of zombies the way and somehow get the medicine that is needed." said my dad, leaning against the wall. "It's useless..."

"I'll do it." I said.

"Honey, that's suicide." said my mom, looking alarmed. "And why are covered in blood?"


I remembered my elbow and decided to get it looked at. Leaving Hope with Tess, Ana and I walked out. I had made up my mind about one thing- I was going to get the cure at any cost.