I wentdown stairs thinking that my duty was done. It wasn't of course. Thegirls wanted a bedtime story. A brief argument ensued about who's bedshould ...e used for the story so I tossed a coin. Beatrice won and therule of the coin was to become a family custom every time a disputearose. Both girls clambered into Bea's bed and demanded that I jointhem. I deferred and sat in the bedside chair instead, declaring that Iwasn't in my nighty and shouldn't get into bed in my daytime cloths. Iread 'Babes. ‘You know…things,’ Raj said, using his hands to emphasize things. ‘You mean like snorkeling?’ I asked with humor. ‘You know what I mean,’ Raj replied, trying to hide his blush. ‘Ahh, you mean wild sex,’ I said, my eyes wide waiting to see if I could deepen the red in his cheeks. ‘Well…’ Raj stuttered, ‘I mean you’re a pretty girl. You should be out on dates.’ Raj tried hard to clean up my words. I smiled at him. ‘Agnus makes that difficult,’ I said, ‘my time is coming.’ Seven more years.. I slept for the next 36 hours straight.After I woke up, I realized what I had to do, I was assuming that the virus would have run it's course, and the immune response would have it in control, or at least, the future mothers of humanity would provide immunity to their offspring. I was hoping that was the case, anyway. I had to believe that.Within a week I had the facility set up like I wanted it, it had formerly been intended for "Operation Gardenplot" a "secret" government plan for rounding up. 48 Hours Earlier:Isabelle sat on a high outcropping of rock overlooking a branch of thelarger Black River. Down the slight incline behind her above the river,the party made camp, still too close to the swirling waters for hercomfort.Day one on the march could have been a lot worse she mused, how shewasn't exactly sure other than for one of them getting killed. The Wyrmhad been the first of four different what would be called encounters theparty ran across on their way up the river.Isabelle knew.