“Yes, but that was before I looked like a chew toy.” My voice was wobbly again. When the doctor showed up, I was going to demand to be taken off these meds. They were turning me into a total wuss-girl, and I hated it. If I had a choice between pain and pitifulness, I’d take the pain.
“So?” He shrugged. “I’m attracted to you for your brains and your sense of humor, and … you’re not really going to make me go all Hallmark here, are you?”
I shook my head.
“Good.” He lifted my hand and brushed my knuckles with his lips. “That’s settled. Oh, and I’m supposed to tell you that CNN is here. They want to interview you.”
It all happened very quickly. My dad gave the okay, and I called Mom to make sure she was okay with it too. Rocky did my hair and makeup. The camera crew set up all kinds of imposing equipment. The reporter showed up at the last minute; I was convinced he was wearing a toupee.
“Rolling in five, four, three, two, one,” said the cameraman.
“I’m here with Kate Grable,” the reporter said, “high school senior and scientific genius. Thanks to this young lady, the virus that some people say should be named Grable’s disease has been stopped short of epidemic proportions, with only two casualties. Memorial services will be held tomorrow for the high school football coach, Hank Brecizizizack—”
“Brzeszczak,” I corrected him, hanging my head. Coach was dead. On one hand, he probably deserved it. But on the other? I felt this horrible weight in the pit of my stomach, like I could have saved him if I’d just tried a little harder.
The reporter went on without even pausing. “The other victim has not been identified pending family notification, but officials say she was not infected. Instead, she fell prey to infected and apparently delirious individuals who became exceedingly violent as the disease ran its course. Many people are currently hospitalized in this small Midwestern city, with varying degrees of brain damage due to the disease’s devastating effects. Some have gone so far as to call this the zombie virus, because it appears to have spread mainly via bites and has resulted in severe tissue damage and missing digits for many infected. An estimated two hundred people are confirmed to have been incubating the virus, along with approximately forty who had already begun to exhibit symptoms. They owe their lives to this young woman next to me. Kate, how are you feeling today?”
“Um … tired? I’ve been running around a lot lately.”
“I imagine.” He fixed me with a blazing smile. “Take me through the process. How did you learn about the virus?”
“I’m the student trainer for the football team, and our players were among the first people infected. So I collected some samples, analyzed them, and took the proof to the health department.”
“How well do you know Siobhan Swan, the teacher accused of developing what some are calling a weapon of bioterrorism?”
“Bioterrorism?” I shook my head, sitting up straighter. “Not Swannie. Did they catch her? Where is she?”
He consulted a sheet of paper. “According to the official statement, she’s in police custody. How does that make you feel?”
“Happy? Sad? I don’t know. I’m glad it’s over.”
“And what is the one thing you’re looking forward to the most?”
“Homecoming.” I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve actually got a date this year. Although I have no idea when I’ll manage to shop for a dress.”
“He sounds like one lucky guy.” The reporter turned to the camera. “I’m Thornton Cavalier, reporting to you from Bayview Hospital.”
I watched the interview later that afternoon with Rocky and Kiki. The dresses started arriving the next day, completely free, from all over the country. The police posted a guard at my door to keep the reporters from sneaking in, and I had to keep the blinds closed all the time after some twit snapped a picture of me in my hospital gown looking out at the street.
Principal Wasserman sent some flowers with a note that said they were postponing the dance until I was released from the hospital, which I thought was nice. So Rocky helped me try on the dresses. She picked out a wine-colored silk with the kind of low-cut bodice that made me self-conscious even before I tried it on. But it squished my bits in all the right places and actually made me seem like I could in fact be female. The color made my hair look less like fried grass. In this dress, I could go out in public with Aaron and not feel like a complete dork. He might have been interested in me for my brains, but that didn’t mean I shouldn’t try.
I felt so good in the dress that I actually stood up to give Rocky all the angles. She’d have to be seen in public with me, after all; Aaron and I were planning on doubling with her and Bryan. Bryan had been treated just in case and was officially virus free.
Rocky applauded, and I blushed a little. For once, I didn’t hate myself for being such a freaking sap. It was time for me to give myself a break.
I was staring at the mirror when Rocky snapped her fingers in front of my face.
“Hey!” she said. “Are you zoning out on me or what?”
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
I shrugged. “Aaron was supposed to visit Mike today, see if there’s any improvement.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I heard he’s still not able to speak.”
“Too much brain damage.”
“Can we talk about something else?” She held up a box. “Like pick out some shoes or something? It’s just so depressing, know what I mean?”
I nodded. And I tried on the shoes, but she could tell something was up. Probably because I sat there with one shoe on for about three minutes.
“Kate,” she said. “You’re still obsessing.”
“I am not!” I folded my arms and stared at her indignantly.
“Then what were you thinking about?”
“I was wondering how I’d diagnose and cure a vampire virus. It never hurts to be prepared.”
She groaned. Sure, she was scoffing now, but when the next virus hit, I knew who they’d come to. And I’d be ready.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carrie Harris is a geek-of-all-trades and proud of it. Brains are her specialty; she used to work in a lab where they were delivered daily via FedEx. After that, it seemed only natural to write a zombie book. Now she lives in Michigan with her ninja-doctor husband and three zombie-obsessed children. Learn more about her at carrieharrisbooks.com.
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