Chapter 12

"Are you sure?" Thalia confirmed.

"I heard from the soldiers there that Dr. Carter died from the virus."

"I see."

Her voice had no emotion. She didn't cry either.

If he hadn't seen her shoulders shaking, he would have thought that Doc Thalia felt like ice.

But after he hesitated to touch her, he managed to squeeze her shoulder gently. "I'm sorry about your friend, Doc."

She flinched from his touch, just for a second, before she leaned against his chest again.

Silence prevailed between them for a moment until he spoke again. "We'll approach the clinic from the hills. That will give us a bird's-eye view, and if we see anything amiss, we'll get the hell out of here. Deal?"

He was not surprised when she protested what he said. "I'm going inside the clinic."

"Not unless I first make sure it's safe to enter." His tone brooked no argument. "Just follow what I say, Thalia. If I tell you to go, then we go."

He turned to her as if irritated. "I'm not afraid of your threat, Dean. If that's reall