They moved to the medical floor to gather supplies. The air smelled of antiseptic and decay.
In one of the rooms, a woman lay on a bed, her skin translucent, veins glowing faintly blue. Hana approached cautiously. "She's still breathing."
The woman's eyes fluttered open. "It hurts," she whispered. "Please… help me."
Hana reached for her hand. The woman convulsed, light bursting from her chest. Hana screamed as energy surged through her arm. Eli pulled her back, but the glow spread under her skin like liquid fire.
When it faded, the patient was dead—and Hana's veins shimmered faintly blue.
Marcus raised his gun. "She's infected."
Hana shook her head. "I can still think. I can control it."
Eli stepped between them. "She saved me. We're not killing her."
June scanned Hana's vitals. "Her readings are stable. Maybe she's… adapting."
Eli looked at Hana, seeing both fear and strength in her eyes. "Then maybe the infection isn't just killing us. Maybe it's changing us."
Outside, thunder rolled across the city. The lights flickered back to life, and EVE's voice filled the halls once more.
"Phase Two initiated. Evolution begins."
Eli stared at the ceiling, heart pounding. Whatever was happening inside Haven Heights was only the beginning.