Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) by L. Dee Walker

rest of us were scrounging around for our first cup of coffee.”
    Zach nodded. “Yeah, he just got worse. He wouldn’t leave his tent, got bitchy, and fought with his girlfriend more than usual.”
    “During the day, she had to find a way to shade the tent from the sun. If she didn’t, he bitched at her.”
    “We ended up putting a tarp over their tent. It was a pain in the ass. It was like camping with a vampire.”
    Sophia nodded. “It could be a virus. It has similar symptoms to one.”
    Candice looked at her. “Where do you think it came from?”
    “To infect so many at one time, it had to be in a primary source. If it’s not in the food, then it could be in the air. Then again, none of us got it. I’d have to check the status of the hospitals to see if they were on alert.”
    Brandon arched a brow. “What’s ‘at?”
    “That would tell us whether it was just in this area or if there was some epidemic goin’ on.”
    “How does ‘at work?” Trevor asked.
    “When the hospital is overrun with an epidemic, either by food poisonin’, viral infection, childhood disease or whatever; it’s broadcasted. This warns others with a notice on the website. It would shoot out a text to all the employees; primarily callin’ us all back in to help.”
    Brandon shrugged. “Hmm, learn somethin’ new every day.”
    Looking at Sophia, Candice nodded. “So, then it’s possible this is a virus and we’re not out of the woods yet.”
    “Sure, it’s possible, or it’s possible someone was sick an’ cooked.” She looked around the room. “Did anyone eat here? I need a show of hands.” Justice, Trevor, Brandon, and Montana raised their hands. Looking around at the others, she sighed. “Well, there goes ‘at idea.”
    Sipping his coffee, Zach shook his head. “I’m not sure I want to hear we’re going to get whatever it is.”
    “There are a number of reasons why we haven’t been infected. The main one is we’re immune for some reason.”
    Looking at Sophia, Howard nodded. “I like the odds that we’re all immune and wound up here together, but what’s so special about us? Why would we be immune? This group doesn’t appear to be anything special. No offense to anyone, but look at us. We’ve got,” he pointed around the room with each labeled person, “campsite workers, a computer hacker, landscaper, surgeon, shrink, sorority girl, carpenter, and me the grocery stocker. We’re all from a different group in society and yet none of us were affected.”
    Brandon sneered. “I’m special. My mommy used to tell me that all the time.”
    “My probation officer told me I was a special case. Does ‘at count?” Trevor joshed.
    Smiling, Candice giggled. “You’re both special cases, but Howard’s right. Why would we be immune? As special as you think you might be, we’re really not, so what trait do we have that others don’t?”
    Sophia shrugged. “I dunno. That would involve a lot of testin’. We’re talkin’ years to find the reason. It’s like searchin’ for a needle in a haystack o’ porcupine quills.” She taped the bandage to Erica’s arm. “There ya go.”
    Trevor exhaled. “Oh, just a needle in a haystack o’ porcupine quills , no less. I thought it was gonna be somethin’ hard.”
    “Exactly. It’s not just a quick check. You’re lookin’ at a million different samples. Not just from one or two either.”
    “How many would ya need?”
    “As many as I could get. It would be easier to log into the hospital an’ look at the records.”
    Brandon shook his head. “I’m not sure how. The internet’s down.”
    Rachel stared at him incredulously. “Internet servers are like down?”
    “I can only guess. There’s no cell phone service, no electricity, so I’m pretty sure ‘at means no internet too.”
    “Holy shit, like it’s the end of the world.”
    “How’s ‘at?”
    “My friends and I used to say like we’d know because like there wouldn’t be any