By the time Priya and Shin arrived at the Ash Tree, not only had the Professor left but a new group of students were marveling at Priya’s hologram. Too bad there was no time for Priya to bask in their appreciation. “Professor Rudolph could be anywhere by now.”

“Not our problem.” said Shin.

“How can you say that? You saw him chasing people on the monitor.”

“I saw him stumbling around and one couple running away, but this is Halloween. How do you know he wasn’t just fooling around?”

“We made a memorial for him. Tonya says he passed away, right here in the cemetery.”

“Weird.”

“Tonya wanted to cancel tonight. She said something here was making people sick, but I wouldn’t listen.”

“And you believe her now?”

“We saw the Professor stumbling around blindly on the campus lawn. Three of us couldn’t wake him or stop him. We were afraid he would walk into the road and get hit by a car.”

“Tonya’s mistaken. If he’s here tonight, he must feel better.”

Priya’s stomach did a fish flip. “Or he’s dangerous.” She took out her phone and tried first Tonya and then Drake, but there was no answer. “What if Tonya’s right and he’s contagious?” Priya searched Shin’s face for a sign he believed her.

He frowned. “We should get Marta.”

“If Tonya’s right, Marta’s binge eating was caused by the same disease. Stay away from her or she could give it to you.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Let’s find her.” Shin grabbed Priya’s hand and started running toward the bonfire. His long legs made him impossible to keep up with. She stumbled until he slowed down a little.

She was panting as they jogged into sight of the bonfire. She scanned the crowd ringing the flames, but couldn’t see Marta’s face.

“Do you think she wandered off?” she asked.

Shin didn’t answer. He searched the bushes and clearings nearby until they found her, sitting at the base of a tree, with her head tilted against the trunk.

“Marta, are you okay?” Shin went down on one knee and put his hand on her forehead.

Marta didn’t move. Priya touched her shoulder. No reaction.

“Wake up.” said Shin.

They each took one hand but when they tried to lift Marta up, she shook them off. Marta started to rise, hands out for balance. She wobbled up to her full height and opened her eyes.

“How long have you two been together?” Marta’s voice sounded groggy.

“Priya’s worried about you.”

“That’s your excuse for going off into the woods together?” Marta steadied herself against the tree.

“Want to come back to rez?” Shin held out his hands.

“Not with you two.” Marta closed her eyes and slid down the trunk. “Nap time.”

Her gentle speech and the way her legs practically collapsed beneath her surprised Priya. Where was Marta’s attitude?

Shin stepped forward and took Marta by the shoulders, “You can’t sleep here. It’ll freeze overnight.” He laid his hands gently along the sides of her face tilting her head up, but Marta wouldn’t open her eyes.

“C’mon, I’ll take you back to your room.” The tender way he kissed Marta’s forehead took Priya’s breath away.

“So much for breaking up,” said Priya.

Shin still had feelings for Marta and they were putting him in danger. What if Marta was infecting him right now? Priya wanted to protect Shin, but he was right. It was chilly and would get much colder. If Marta fell asleep out here, she’d get hypothermia.

Marta made a vague mumbling sound and swatted in Shin’s direction before her arms fell limp at her sides.

“You see the strange way she’s moving,” Priya said, “like Professor Rudolph, sleepwalking.” They had to act, before she got out of control like him. “Maybe she is sick.”

“I got this.” He lifted Marta into his arms and strode back toward campus.