"I cast you out!" Steve watched in horror as the dagger was plunged into Artie's chest. The orchid was falling soon to kill them all, but Steve didn't care. He watched as Pete failed to save the orchid, felt the disease flood into his and Myka gasped but Steve was already next to Claudia. The poor girl was shaking uncontrollably.
Steve helped her stand and looked into her eyes. They were glazed over and distant, he had seen this in the RAF when the victim was in shock."Claudia, I need you to answer me. Claudia! Look at me."He started to panic he could feel the illness start to take hold. Claudia's eyes lost what little focus they had and she collapsed. Steve caught her and set her down to check her vitals. Weak, to weak. Her breathing was shallow her heartbeat him Artie groaned as Pete and Myka rushed over to help. Pete took Artie and Myka knelt down to check on Claudia."How is she?"Steve looked down at the unconscious girl who was like a sister to him."I don't know."He carefully lifted her up and walked to the car. Mrs. Fredrick would be able to fix this, Steve was sure of it.
They arrived in record time but Claudia had been getting worse and Artie had stopped breathing. The caretaker of the warehouse greeted them personally."Take them inside, quickly, time is of the essence." She had disappeared by the time Steve returned with the still shaking girl. He half dragged half carried her to where Mrs. Fredrick was waiting. Steve set the pale girl down and tried to wake her up."Agent Jinx, please stand aside."The older woman knelt down in front if Claudia.
As soon as she touched her, the girl's eyes sprung open."Claudia, listen to me. This is going to hurt but you have to hold on. I'm sorry Claudia, but there's no other way."Steve saw a small button being placed in Claudia's hand. That was when the screaming started. Steve had never heard anything like it. It was a scream of pure pain; it sent a shiver up his spine. "Mrs. Fredrick what's happening?"The caretaker placed a hand on Claudia's forehead and frowned. She took out her Farnsworth and turned away from door opened and Artie was carried in by Pete and Myka and placed on the floor. Pete rushed over to The still screaming girl. "What's wrong with her?!" Mrs. Fredrick closed her Farnsworth and walked over to Artie."Agent Latimer, doctor Calder is on her way. Please be patient, answers will come soon."
Steve pulled up a chair and sat by Claudia's pale shaking form. He took her hand in his,and tried to calm her waited for what seemed like hours until finally doctor Vanessa walked in the door. She rushed to Artie's side and checked the wound the dagger had made. She stood and walked over to Claudia. "I assume the connection has been made."Mrs. Fredrick checked her watch before answering."Yes, about 12 minutes ago. We should be seeing results very soon."
Doctor Vanessa checked her own watch before taking out a syringe filled with clear liquid and turning to Myka."When Artie's wound closes inject him with that."
Pete stood up unable to hold his tongue any longer.
"What is gong on? What is in that syringe?"
Mrs Fredrick looked up from her place beside Claudia. "Agent latimer trust me. Artie will live and the sickness will be stopped. I promise."
Steve stood up and turne to mrs. Fredrick with a fiery look in his eyes.
"Your promises didn't do much good for Leena"