Virals(10)

Yes. I was sure of it.

With that happy thought, I was ready to explore.

After allowing Hi a few more seconds to regroup his gut, we strolled over the rise and down the path to the research compound.

And ran smack into trouble.





CHAPTER 6


Hi had been captured by the enemy.

Okay, I exaggerate. But not much.

As we crested the rise, the LIRI complex came into view downslope. A dozen structures stood tightly packed within eight-foot-high chain-link fencing. Glass and steel buildings contained research labs. Aluminum sheds provided storage for equipment, monkey chow, supplies, and vehicles. The perimeter fence had only two openings: the main gate leading to the dock behind us, and a smaller one leading to Turtle Beach.

Hi was standing by the main gate. He wasn't alone.

"Now he's done it." Shelton shielded his eyes as he peered downhill. "We're gonna catch hell."

"Crap." Ben's voice was tense. "It's Karsten."

Of course, I thought. Who else?

"He's waving us down," Shelton said. "Anybody else care to run for it?" Sarcastic. There was no point in running. Professor Karsten knew who we were. Worse, who our parents were.

Ugh.

"Let's go." I spoke with more confidence than I felt. "Karsten knows we're allowed to be here if we don't break the rules. I don't get why he's always hassling us."

Loggerhead is essentially closed to outsiders. But since our parents are employees, the Board permits us to visit as long as we avoid restricted areas and don't cause problems.

"Dr. K's never liked us being on the island," Shelton said. "My dad told me he constantly brings up banning us, but can't get the votes. The jerk acts like we're terrorists or something."

"You did break that ATV." Ben, deadpan.

"Right." Shelton's eyes rolled. "Shelton broke it. Not Ben and Shelton, because Ben is better at hiding in the woods. So only Shelton." He cuffed Ben's shoulder. "By the way, you're welcome, Blue."

"I said I owe you one."

We began trekking downhill. To either side I could see nothing but trees. No surprise. No permanent structures exist outside the main facility. Some rough paths crisscross the island, but very few. From the get-go, LIRI was designed to have as invisible a human footprint as possible. The reality comes pretty close.

As we descended, I thought about all the cool research hosted at Loggerhead. The primates are my favorite, but there's also a stacked marine biology station. That's where Kit studies his beloved turtles and dolphins. The nature preserve attracts ornithologists and botanists. Butterfly guys, too. Swamptown brings the gator fans. Archaeologists have excavated a few sites on the plateau and in the interior.

An elite confederacy of nerds. My peeps.

By the time Shelton, Ben, and I got to the gate, Karsten had dragged Hi inside the enclosure. At our entry, he spun and angrily gestured us to him.

We obliged. No choice.

Dr. Marcus E. Karsten: Professor and Department Chair, Charleston University College of Veterinary Medicine; Head Administrator, LIRI.

Head Ass, if you ask me. That's where he kept his, most of the time.

Famous for his work on the Ebola virus, Karsten had an impeccable reputation in animal epidemiology. He supervised all research conducted on Loggerhead.

The man was also a complete tool.

Not much to look at, either. Late fifties. Skinny. Glasses. Dark, thinning hair worn in the ever-popular comb-over. Lab coat pressed so sharply the creases could probably slice cheese.

I'll give him this: he didn't treat us like kids. He treated us like criminals.

Karsten and Hi stood in front of Building One, the complex's largest structure. Inside are the most elaborately and expensively outfitted labs. Hi's dad works there. So does Kit. The security office is housed there, too. Great.

"Get over here and explain yourselves."

We obeyed the first part, but not the second.

Karsten turned on Hi. "Mr. Stolowitski. Why were you sneaking through the woods?"

"My plane crashed. I've been living out there for months."

Can it, Hi! Not smart.

"That's terrible." Karsten's tone was icy. "Your mother will be thrilled when I tell her you survived. Shall we call her now?"

Hi's eyes widened, then dropped. "I was sick," he mumbled. "Rough crossing."

I felt for him. He looked miserable.

"And the rest of you? Also unwell? Here for veterinary treatment?"

"Dr. Karsten, have we done something wrong?" Shelton asked, ultra-politely. "I thought it was okay to visit, since we're on the approved list. You could check it. We're happy to wait."

"Cute." Karsten wasn't fooled. He never was. "You're only allowed here if you don't cause trouble." His eyes crawled the group. "But you always do."

I felt my face flush with anger.

Mouth, here comes my foot. This is ridiculous.

"Professor Karsten, I'm here to see my dad. I've come straight from the dock. And last I checked, my inoculations were in order. Is there anything specific I can help you with? I need to get going."

You know that sound a needle makes when dragged across an old record? It happened.