Page 79 of Into the Mist

“Let’s hear it, kid,” said Stella.

“I’ll bet it has something to do with how much green stuff they were exposed to—and might also be affected by other conditions they had. Like, Bob was a super sweet guy, but he also had diabetes.”

“Really?” Mercury said.

“Yep. He told me that while I was doctoring him. And, not to be mean because, like I said, Bob was a nice guy, but he was also pretty chubby. I remember Rutland. He looked like he was in super good shape, which doesn’t always mean anything, but…” She shrugged. “In AP chemistry, just before spring break we learned about viral loads. That’s, um, well, how much of the particles of a virus a person has to breathe in, or come in contact with if it’s not airborne, to make that person sick. Remember that big Winnebago that was crashed next to where you found mom and me?”

“Yeah, your mom said Rutland and his people hunkered down against it when the second blast hit,” said Mercury.

“So maybe Rutland and his men were shielded from enough of the green stuff that it’s kept him—and them—from dying,” said Gemma. “Todd and Jason—the guys in the Winnebago—weren’t so lucky. They were inside and passed out when the green stuff hit, but the green fog was inside with them. They definitely breathed in more of it than Rutland, which is why they died sooner.”

“That does make sense,” said Stella.

Mercury nodded. “Yeah, it does. Here’s hoping Rutland breathed in enough of it to eventually kill him. Our new world doesn’t need men like him. Our old one had enough of them.”

“Agreed” said Stella.

“Not possible now, of course, but I’d love to see a scientific study on it,” said Mercury.

Gemma nodded and then folded her hands in her lap. “Um, can I ask something?”

“Sure. Anything,” said Mercury.

“When we get to Madras, can I stay with you guys?”

Stella glanced away from the road for a moment. “Well, yeah. Of course.”

Mercury nodded and echoed her friend. “Yeah. You can stay with us as long as you want.”

“Even though you think you’re probably gonna leave Madras?” Gemma studied both of the women. “I mean, I know I’m a kid, which can be a pain in the ass for you, but I want you to know right now that, no matter what, I want to be with you guys. Even if it looks like it’d be a better choice to leave me at Madras.”

“We’ve already told you that you’re not a pain in the ass. And better choice for whom?” said Stella, her eyes back on the road as she slowed and steered around two stalled trucks and an SUV on its side.

“Me. Well,oryou guys.”

“It’s not better for us to leave you somewhere, and if you want to stay with us, then that’s the best choice for you,” said Mercury firmly. “You’re one of us now. Plus, Imani would be really pissed.”

Gemma grinned. “She’s a mama bear.” Then her smile slid from her face. “But, um, what if whoever is in charge of Madras says I should stay?”

“No one in Madras is the boss of us,” said Mercury.

“And no one will take you away from us.” Stella sighed. “We won’t let anyone take those kids in the back away from us either. Not if they want to stay with us.”

“Shit,” said Mercury.

“Right?” said Gemma, her grin returning. “I told you kids are a pain in the ass.”

“Littlekids are a pain in the ass,” countered Mercury. “You’re a teenager. We’re used to your particular brand of ass pain.”

The rapping on the rear window made them jump.

“Shit! I wish we had a better system for that,” said Mercury as she turned to look behind them. “Every damn time I almost pee myself.”

Imani shouted through the panes of glass. “The kids have to go potty!”

Mercury nodded and gave her the thumbs-up sign. She turned around. “Did you hear that?”

“Yep,” Stella said. “I’ll find a place. I’m pretty sure we’re close to Warm Springs, so it’s a good idea to stop before we have to deal with whatever as I do my best to speed through that town.”