Chapter Five- Answers

Matt, who had arrived as the clan followed Goliath, then said, "There will be others in that woman's city who will be infected, but how does it spread?" He suspected he knew the answer, but wanted to hear Xanatos say it.

"Skin contact," Xanatos said, confirming Matt's suspicions. "There was a tiny amount of the virus on the dart Detective Maza brought us. It was enough to analyze it and determine how it works. Anyone who brushes against the bare skin of the infected will become infected as well as a carrier. Furthermore, each infected person will be carriers their entire lives.

"It was also found that it takes a day and a night before one transforms the first night after the waiting period. Depending on when one is infected, it could be twenty-four or thirty-six hours."

"What about a cure or a counter?" Elisa asked.

"I'm sorry," he said sadly. "Demona designed her virus well."

"Does it affect only humans?" Matt asked.

"Yes. All other forms of life can't be infected."

Elisa felt numb as she was led outside. She was a carrier and would become a gargoyle tomorrow night and every night afterwards. Her and everyone who comes into contact with a carrier. Her numbness wore off when Goliath pulled her into a hug. "Elisa, I'm sorry," he said softly.

"It's not your fault," she said. "And it is not that bad. I will need to explain it to Captain Chavez and everything Xanatos found out." Elisa knew that her becoming a gargoyle too would not sit well with Chavez but there was no way to stop it. I will also try to avoid touching people so I don't inadvertently spread it.

Elisa showed up early to work, her clothes expertly bought and modified by Matt who was there for support just as she had been there for him. She had a copy of the report Xanatos had received from his medical and media teams. She approached the office, knocked, and entered when told to.

"Maza. Bluestone. I'm glad you're here early. I have some cases that should be up your alley, especially you, Bluestone. I received claims that some people are turning into gargoyles. I need you to track them down and gather statements from them. Hopefully, they will give us a clue as to how this happened."

"Actually, we already know how this happened." Elisa put the folder on the desk. "It's caused by planted darts that infect people once the needle pricks the skin. I myself have been infected and I will change tonight."

Chavez opened the folder and began to read the report. There was silence as she read and then she finally closed it and looked at them. "Maza, you are now on the same report procedure as Bluestone. It may not last long as this virus is able to spread very easily and is incurable. Bluestone, your change is not contagious?"

"No, Captain. It was a test sample to see if it worked."

"All right. You're dismissed to change. Do try to find those that have changed and get from them who they may have come into contact with."

"The virus is already in China," Elisa said. "It is clear this will affect the entire world."

"Clearly."

With the meeting over, both headed to the tower where they slipped off their shoes, socks, and jackets. They stood there in silence for a moment before Matt said, "Would you like some gliding lessons?"

"It shouldn't be necessary. I didn't tell you but I was magically changed into a gargoyle for one night. I was uneasy about gliding at first but I got over it."

"Ah, I see. Did it hurt?"

"No. It was instantly and that was when Goliath and I started having feelings for each other."

Matt then doubled over as the pain of his change began again. He heard Elisa cry out and then she groaned. After that, he became occupied by his own pain.

Elisa dropped to her knees as a stabbing was felt in her abdomen. She felt as if needles had been jammed into every pore of her body. Obviously seeing someone change is not as bad as actually experiencing it. She gasped and groaned as she felt her wings push out and a tail growing. Her last groan ended in a growl and her eyes glowed red as she stood and stretched her body. "That was not fun," she moaned. "I don't know how Demona deals with it."

"I'm guessing she doesn't," Matt said. "She might have added her blood to the virus and that's why the changes are painful."

"I'm sure she would want humans to suffer, despite her claims of wanting acceptance." She headed to one of the broken clock faces, stumbling a little on her feet. Matt followed and was the first to jump into the air. He turned to see Elisa look down and take a step back. He understood her trepidation as he had experienced after his first change.

"Come on, Elisa. I'm right here. I'll help you."

Elisa exhaled, took two steps, and leaped up, her wings spread wide. Her ascent was a little wobbly but she reached Matt's height who had an encouraging smile. She looked down and slowly turned to look around while Matt looked her over.

She didn't look too different. Her skin was a dark caramel color, her tail was like Demona's as were her wings with the insides a deep black. Her pointed ears poked out of her hair. All in all, she was lovely and knew Goliath would think so too.

She turned to face him with a smile. "This is better than the last time I was a gargoyle."

"Good to hear. So, let's get to work. We've got others like us to find and get information from."

"You won't have to look," said an accented voice. "I've done that for you."

Both detectives turned to the voice and Elisa gasped at the light blue gargoyle. "Macbeth. Did Demona do this?"

"No. I simply touched a gargoyle when I offered her safety at my home."

Elisa flinched a little. "That's how most people will be infected. Matt got a none-contagious version and I got stuck with a dart."

"Just touching one. Ingenious," Macbeth said with a soft chuckle. "She'll be able to have everyone just like her."

"That's her plan," Matt said. "Xanatos has already found that there's no cure."

"I discovered that myself when I examined a sample of my blood." He turned and added, ""Well, follow me so you can get your information."

Elisa and Matt followed the Scotsman to his home, the former making a mental note of how Macbeth got infected. He's the first one I've met to change from skin contact. She took in his appearance. He had light blue skin, an arrowhead-tipped tail, and wings like Brooklyn. When he glanced back to make sure they were keeping up, she spotted tiny hors near the hairline, just like Goliath.

Matt and I will need to create a database of every gargoyle in the city. Their names and appearances so the police can identify anyone they encounter at night.