The entrance to Barrier Island’s lab is not unlike that of a hospital. Shattered glass doors lead into a dark lobby, now covered in moss. The stench of neglect lingers in the forgotten hallways. We click our flashlights on in tandem, illuminating the corridor ahead.

Something slithers underfoot, and I shiver.

“It’s awfully quiet in here.” Val nibbles her bottom lip.

Pushing through the doors of the nearest room, Jesse sneezes. “Fucking dust.”

A desk sits in the middle of the room; the metal is a brownish-red. A laptop and several pens are the only recognizable items adorning its surface.

“Can someone check the filing cabinet?” Asher points to a tall, dark shape in the back.

I nod, pulling open its drawers. Files are shoved haphazardly into dividers. I select one at random and skim the top page. It’s a legal document for the employment of a woman named Suzanne Adams. I put it down and select a few more, all like the first file I pulled out. “Nothing here.”

“My guess is that this was their HR department.” Rod grimaces.

Asher sighs. “Maybe we should split up. Got a lot of ground to cover by nightfall.”

We break into our usual teams and head in different directions.

I glance at Asher. “Do you know what we are even looking for in here?”

“Anything to do with the rabies?” He swipes a hand across his forehead. “Preferably documents on the alterations they made to the virus.”

I frown. “Do you suppose we’ll get lucky and they will have created the cure?”

“Doubt it.” Asher grins, tousling my hair. “But wishful thinking, Izzy.”

I purse my lips and follow him into the adjacent room. This is the fourth facility we’ve scouted with little information regarding the project. Perhaps it was confidential. Or maybe someone was trying to cover their ass when things went south.

I snoop through more cabinets. The only places where paper hasn’t disintegrated into dust. Most are useless, for different strains of diseases. None related to neurological viruses.

Asher closes the last drawer he was searching. “Nothing here.”

“Me neither.” I wander to the exit. “Next?”

Asher jogs to take the front, winking at me. “Brains before beauty.

“Are you calling me unintelligent?” I quirk a brow at him.

“No,” there’s a teasing glint in his eye. “I am saying you’re pretty, though.”

I roll my eyes. In the hallway, beams of light cut through the distance as members of the team move from room to room in their search. I chew on my cheek, staring into the corridor we have yet to explore. It is going to be a long night.

***

Rubbing my face, I sigh. I’ve been searching through documents for two hours and haven’t found a single mention of rabies. Thankfully, we have had no nasty run-ins with zombies. A cabinet door shuts and I jump, placing a hand on my racing heart.

“Sorry,” Asher’s smile is sheepish. He stands, ready to move on. “This is feeling like a dead end.”

“I have one more file to check.” My gaze falls onto a word and my breath catches. Lyssavirus. The thick pile of pages is mostly blacked out but there is information about symptoms and chemical formulas I’ve never seen before. “Asher, I think I’ve got something here.”

His brows furrow as he reads over my shoulder and then he smiles down at me. “This could be it.”

He grabs for his walkie. “Think we’ve got something here. West Hall, third room on the right.”

“Copy that.” Rob and Jesse respond.

We all crowd into a room not much bigger than a closet. Asher passes the file around to the group, everyone scanning its contents.

“I was about to give up hope.” Jesse rubs a hand down his face.

Rod grunts. “Us, too.”

“I hope mom can do something with these formulas.” Asher stuffs the papers into a messenger bag at his waist.

“I’m not familiar with them so let’s hope that’s a good thing.” Jamie shrugs one shoulder.

“Anyone find a place to crash for the night?” Val looks around with hopeful eyes.

“Jamie and I have found a secure area that should work perfect.” Jesse jabs a thumb in the direction they came.

Asher nods. “Let’s see it.”

The spot in question is an old, industrial-sized refrigerator. Most of the shelves are bare, so we clear out a few to make room for our sleeping bags.

“I’m going to call in a report.” Asher checks his watch before stepping out of the room to radio our control center aboard the USS Survivor.

Val stretches out in her bag. “I am so glad to be able to lay down.”

“Me too. Everything hurts.” I snuggle into my blankets a couple of feet away, fluffing my pillow enough that my neck won’t be sore in the morning.

Jamie joins in, letting her hair out of its bun. “I didn’t think we’d ever get a break from those files.”

Asher rejoins the group, helping Jesse and Rod secure the door so we don’t have any unwanted visitors while we sleep.

I relax my body, taking deep breaths. My mind churns. Our findings bring about a new wave of anxiety. The file could contain vital clues that bring us a step closer to finding a cure to this nightmare. But what if the most important details are redacted?

As if sensing this, Val scoots closer and squeezes my hand. “Everything will be okay.”

“I hope so.” I offer a weak smile. As I drift to sleep, I can’t help but fantasize about life after we discover a way to stop this hellish outbreak.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero