Etsuko was still sick the following evening. Katelina fed her the last of the rice, and then she and Kai shared a couple of energy bars. The rain clouds seemed determined to stay, and the air was heavy and damp, even if the rain had stopped.

"Why doesn't someone just give her blood?" Katelina asked Jorick. "Doesn't that heal everything?"

"It would take a large quantity to kill the germs."

His answer bothered her, especially since she'd obviously had enough to ...