Virals(54)

"That sounds wonderful," Kit said. "You can hang out with your classmates." His next words came in a rush. "I went ahead and signed you up."

Signed me up? What the hell was he thinking? I opened my mouth to protest, but my body had other plans.

Points of light exploded behind my eyelids. Invisible centipedes crawled over my skin. My muscles burned. Then froze. I felt my body topple, my head strike the hardwood.

Then Kit was at my side. "Tory, what's wrong? Talk to me!"

My mind was wrapped in fog. I fought to clear it. I had to escape before I crashed for good.

"I'm fine." Shaking Kit off, I got to my feet. "What a klutz. I slipped off the chair. Stupid, huh?"

Kit's eyes were round. Whitney's were rounder.

"Should I call a doctor? Or Lorelei?"

"No!" I shooed Kit away. "Too much sun, that's all. I'll just lie down."

Whitney threw an I told you so look at Kit. "The poor thing needs feminine activities. Too much running wild through the dunes with boys."

Kit raised a quieting hand. "Now's not the time--"

But Whitney on a mission is an unstoppable force. Her sights were trained on me.

Stepping around Kit, she grabbed my hand in hers. "Just attend Wednesday's dance, sugar. No strings. I know in my heart you'll adore it." Honey dripped from her voice. "It will do you oodles of good."

I hadn't the strength to fight her.

"Whatever. But now I need sleep."

"Okay, kiddo, go take it easy." Kit ruffled my hair, a rare display of fatherly affection. "I'll check on you later."

"I hope you feel better, darling." Whitney's smile was triumphant. "You're going to love the party. I promise!"

I climbed the stairs on trembling legs, anxious for escape.





CHAPTER 39


I tried to flee, but my feet were lead.

My pursuers thundered closer, faceless monsters determined to make me their lunch. My legs flailed uselessly, giving up ground.

Desperate, I dropped to hands and knees. My hips and spine realigned. Bones bent and shifted. My arms and legs thickened with muscle.

On all fours I took off like a shot, leaving the demons behind. I tore across the grass, wind whistling past my ears.

The ecstasy of pure speed ripped a sound from my throat.

I awoke with a start.

Had I howled in my sleep?

I stretched. Rubbed my eyes. Slowly, the images faded.

Even my dreams are insane.

The digits on my clock said 11:00 a.m.

Impossible. I checked my phone. Yep. I'd slept straight through the night and most of the morning.

I took stock of my body. Worse. Much worse. All systems under attack.

Head throbbing.

Stomach churning.

Lungs congested.

It was official: I'd caught something bad.

Throwing back the covers, I slipped out of bed.

SNAP.





Light exploded inside my head. My knees buckled.

Then. What? Nothing.

No aches. No flashes. No pain.

"Whoa."

A sudden, cloying smell nearly overwhelmed me. I looked around in confusion.

The odor was rolling in waves from my bathroom. Not a pure scent, but a cocktail of fat, lavender, mint, and rose.

Strange. I'd never noticed the noxious muddle before. I hadn't bought any new products or changed my routine. But the reek was overpowering. Shutting the door, I vowed to scrub my bathroom top to bottom.

Later.

Now, caffeine.

I shuffled downstairs.

As I passed through the living room, another smell assaulted my nostrils. A sickly funk floated from beneath the coffee table. I shuddered, covered my nose.

Had something died? The source of the odor had to be potent for me to notice from across the room. Steeling myself, I slid the coffee table six inches left.

On the floor lay a brown piece of lettuce. I scooped it, sniffed. The smell of rot made my eyes water. My gut clenched.

Gross.

It didn't make sense. A single lettuce leaf creating such a stink? How was that possible?

SNUP.





Sparks exploded in my brain. I wobbled, caught myself.

"Jesus!"

My nose shut down. The aroma of decay disappeared like a snuffed candle flame.

What the what?

I raised the veggie to my nose. Nothing. On impulse, I hurried upstairs. The soap-cleanser-flower bouquet was gone as well.

Perplexed, I descended again and plopped on the couch. My head was ringing anew. Closing my eyes, I let my mind drift.

SNAP.





Blast of light.

Burst of pain.

Air exploded from my lungs.

I heard a tapping sound, quiet at first, then joined by a pulsating whine, like a lawnmower kicking to life.

I turned my head left, right, trying to pinpoint the source. The racket was coming from the kitchen.

My eyeballs tingled as I stared down the hallway. Suddenly, every detail crystallized into extraordinary clarity.

I sat rock still. It was as though I were seeing the kitchen through a telephoto lens. I could read the Cheerios ingredients from twenty feet out.

The tapping and whining grew more frenzied. Then new acoustics, a sucking, dripping sound.