On day four, the fever broke briefly and Dr. Chen injected him with Stage Two of the compound.
On day five, he started having violent nausea. His body rejected everything they attempted to feed him. The medical team inserted an IV line to provide hydration and nutrients.
On day six, something shifted.
The fever didn't return. The nausea subsided. His immune system seemed to stabilize, adapting to the viral infection rather than being overwhelmed by it.
And through it all, James transmitted nothing. Couldn't transmit. He was being monitored too closely. Every moment was observed.
But he was observing right back.
He'd memorized the schedule of the scientists. Understood their communication patterns. Realized that there were at least forty test subjects in the facility, scattered throughout observation rooms and medical bays.
