Ray and Crystal had been tested multiple times throughout the night via blood drawn, which didn't allow them to get much sleep, but they complied as they didn't want to lessen their chances of being able to stay.

It was now morning, Ray assumed. At least that's how it felt. There wasn't even a clock on the wall. He was leaned against the bed's headrest while working not to move his sore calves, and Crystal had fallen asleep an hour earlier. Hopefully, they'd be able to get uninterrupted sleep one of these days. It would be paradise.

There was a knock at the door within the next couple of minutes, which Ray had heard enough of all night. He saw one of the doctors that had been watching over him and Crystal enter without the hazmat suit this time, wearing a formal white shirt, glasses, and looking in his early thirties now that Ray could see his face.

"So, good news, if you couldn't tell by the lack of protective gear— after meticulous blood work, it is safe to say that you do not have the virus. It's... concerningly impressive you and your pokémon have avoided it for this long. Your patience during the phase was appreciated."

A ton of weight felt like it was lifted off Ray's chest. "And I appreciate you guys' work, really." They ran hours of test for a potential newcomer to the base.

He nodded. "You're cleared and will no longer be confined to this room… I would like to give you more good news, but we're still unsure if you're allowed to stay. That isn't within our teams' jurisdiction."

Half of that weight was reapplied.

"Stand by, please. You'll be escorted out."

Ray felt tightness in his chest as the doctor left and looked at Crystal in her sleep. He didn't want her in such a dangerous environment again. He couldn't do it anymore and was terrified of the new infected. If they couldn't stay, he wouldn't argue it, but he'd be at a complete loss for what to do.

While in his scattered half-thoughts, Ray heard a light knock on the doorframe and looked up to see Jenna. It was odd seeing her out of the outfit he met her in. She was in a cute gray sweatshirt and jeans.

"I heard the results." She was glad they were clean after going through the trouble of bringing them here and using up resources. "Come with me."

Ray had to wake Crystal and carry her while following Jenna east, noticing not much of the population was outside at the time since it was early. He had a headache and still barely wanted to use his legs after last night, so he wasn't speaking. It probably wasn't the best option when he wanted to stay, but the urge wasn't there.

Jenna was apprehensive, so she, too, kept quiet. She was taking Ray and Crystal to her brother, something she had no idea what to expect from. Jenna hoped he was well enough to communicate or at least look at her. She hoped he wasn't disappointed in her for going against the rules either. It wasn't her intention, but Jenna couldn't help but to help sometimes. She could feel when she came across someone genuine. It's why she had a great friend group before Sinnoh was ravaged.

They neared the hospital in minutes, and she saw one of the doctors standing by the door in a hazmat suit. She sped up, concerned by the sight. "Is he alright?" Jenna asked upon approaching.

He at first searched for words and gave a slight shrug. "...He's alive. We're doing what we can, but there isn't much left to do. Without a cure or antidote, it's running its course faster than we can act."

She held her breath as a heavy pit filled her stomach. "Right. Thank you." She entered after he opened the door. That wasn't good news at all. Jenna knew what was coming, and it only sped up the clock on her mission to find any kind of medicine.

Ray didn't know what was going on. Was this another testing facility, or was someone in here infected? He more or less received an answer when they went down the corridor with a few personnel chatting and arrived at an opened door.

Half of the room was blocked by a thick transparent wall, and a door was on the left side. Someone was indeed sick, lying in a hospital bed and hooked up to a ventilator. Ray stood by the door with Crystal to let Jenna have her time. It was obviously someone she cared about.

She walked to the window and eyed Chris. The team must have installed it recently for safety reasons. "Hey…" Jenna was ashamed to have broken the rules while he was in such bad shape, as if taking advantage. To be fair, she had no idea it was this bad, but he couldn't even speak for himself right now. "I-I know I shouldn't have…" she sniffled while tears welled in her eyes quicker than she expected. "But I still have a heart. If you want them out, that's okay, but no one's gonna last anymore."

Chris slightly turned his head to look at her and Ray holding Crystal, then held up two fingers, his hand quivering.

Jenna turned to Ray. "Give me a moment?"

He stepped out of sight without question and now waited at the next door over. Ray didn't know she was going through an actual loss in progress, which was heart-wrenching. Whoever that is must have the last say in decisions here.

Jenna wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Two days? Chris, they don't have the virus. Why can't they stay? It'll be the last person allowed in, I swear. You know they'll die outside within a week."

In response, he put up one more finger. Chris still couldn't have too many occupying the base and had to stick with that rule before it got out of hand.

Jenna sighed, "alright... three days. Thank you" She'd respect his wishes. She placed her palm on the wall. "I'm coming back tomorrow. Don't push me away... Love you." She let her hand slip and left the room, walking down the hall without a word.

Jenna didn't know how to break it to Ray, and he didn't want to ask after what he'd seen, but she had to tell him, and after they got outside, she did.

"I was able to get you three days starting tomorrow. You'll have to leave after that… Sorry."

Ray understood. It'd give him time to recuperate, and he was grateful she fought for them. He felt Crystal wriggle in his arms and set her down. "I'm just glad we're given time to rest. Thank you so much, and if it's okay, who was that?"

"My brother."

Crystal stretched and yawned under a bright sun gleaming off roads and structures while looking at a few people that seemed curious about the new residents. She spotted pokémon as well, including a zigzagoon and pachirisu scurrying about and between legs, like groups of teens and adults carrying supplies. Crystal wouldn't be able to make a good friend in three days, and even if she did, she and Ray would be gone.

Jenna led them to the area she stayed in miles east, a pretty residential street with half-dead grass patches and rows of gated homes. Soldiers made rounds down the pavement, people were taking morning walks, some sat in their yards in chairs, exercised, or hung out with friends. Pokémon like houndour and absol lay in grass behind fences, watching people and families pass occasionally.

Jenna stopped at a quaint white home with a wilted garden in the front yard, handing Ray a key. "This'll be your place. It's been cleaned and disinfected. If you two get hungry, you can visit the cafeteria, and there's a map of the base stuck to your fridge, so you'll know how to get around."

He turned to her. "I appreciate this more than you know, Jenna. I can't express it enough. You're a kind person."

Jenna suppressed a grin. She hadn't been complimented in a long time. "...It's no problem." She looked ahead and saw Crystal sniffing dead flowers. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow. I live five down the direction I'm gonna walk in if you have questions. I'll direct you better than most defenders will."

"Got it. We'll go and get situated." Ray watched her walk off. He assumed that defenders must be what the soldiers here were referred to as.

He kind of liked Jenna, even though he didn't know the first thing about her. It wasn't just the loneliness talking. She was cute, nearly his height, had pretty hair and rich caramel eyes. There was also something about her personality. Jenna still seemed to have humanity, which was admirable and attractive to him, but Ray didn't want to get ahead of himself.

"Espeon!"

He looked and saw Crystal sitting by the front door. She must be eager to see what the interior held. "Coming!"