Dominic said softly, gently patting Galen, "Go to your room and play for a while. I'm getting a little tired and need to rest."

Galen was sensible. Though he didn't fully understand recent events, he'd become much more obedient. His father had entrusted him to Dominic and Austin before leaving, and Galen remembered this.

"Okay," Galen said. "I won't disturb you. If you miss me, just call." He turned, propping his chubby arms on the bed, ready to climb down.

Austin scooped him up and carried him to Galen's room. Setting him down, he bent and asked, "What do you want to eat? I can order takeout."

He expected agreement, but Galen shook his head. "No, Daddy said I shouldn't trouble others unnecessarily. Grandpa is most important right now. Please take care of Grandpa, Uncle Austin!"

His words, though childishly spoken, held surprising maturity. Austin was momentarily speechless, overwhelmed with emotion.

He'd once considered children troublesome, demanding and worrisome. But these past few days with Galen had shown him the healing power of a child's vulnerability. Galen, a delicate boy, possessed immense strength. Often, while adults believed they cared for their children, the children actually tended to the adults' emotional needs.

"Okay," Austin said. "You're such a good boy." He hugged Galen, feeling the child's small body invigorate him.

He glanced again at the red dots on Galen's neck—irregularly distributed, faint, resembling birthmarks but not quite. He hadn't noticed them before; they'd appeared within the last few days, though he couldn't pinpoint when. He suspected a connection to the virus.

Galen is the only one on the estate who didn't get infected, aside from Alexander. But Alexander arrived late and was only here for two days, providing little reference. Galen, however, has been here the whole time.

He eats and lives with us, yet remains healthy while everyone else is infected.

Anxious, Austin touched Galen's forehead. His temperature was normal, though he'd had a fever when Alexander collected him. Galen had recovered quickly.

We didn't think much of it then, but was the fever a symptom of the infection, overcome by Galen himself?

Austin couldn't understand. Despite his experience, he'd never encountered this. There was no precedent, only his own investigation.

He returned to Dominic's room, but the sight that greeted him was shocking.

"Uncle Dom!" Austin exclaimed, rushing to the bedside. Dominic was slumped against the bed, a large pool of blood on the floor. Fresh blood stained his lips; he gasped for air, clearly having coughed up blood since Austin and Galen left. The severity was apparent.

Austin was distraught. He'd naively believed Dominic was recovering. He had no idea Dominic had been feigning improvement.