18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 330

Dr. Garcia was a man of medicine, his life dedicated to the healing arts, so when he was visibly distressed and wracked with pain, it was clear the side effects of the new drug were no trivial matter.

heart.

"The dosage is too high. While it kills the virus, it also wreaks havoc on the liver and lungs. Patients will endure severe pain, and organ recovery will take much longer. Their immune systems will be stronger, but at the risk of irreversible damage," he explained with a heavy But this was just a prognosis; clinical trials were still needed.

"I'll do it," offered Collin, his voice ragged with coughs. "I've been on meds for days with no improvement. Continuing as is would just waste resources. Let's give the concentrated pill a shot."

If he could survive the ordeal, the medication could be fast-tracked to those in need. If not, well, they would have to find another way. Either way, time was life.

One bore a mission; the other steeled himself to face the trial of medication. The lab's atmosphere was somber, tinged with nobility.

The knowledge Stella had gained from the esteemed mentors, especially the approachable Dr. Garcia, was practical and beyond any textbook's confines. She suggested a compromise, "The pill's potency is too high. How about we halve the dose and administer it in two stages? If that fails, then we consider the direct approach."

The suggestion meant more work-preparing the medicine in two stages required more resources than a single, concentrated dose.

The supply of medicinal ingredients was already spread thin. Survivors from cities far and wide, from Griffith to Swan Hill, from Phoenix Bay to Lincoln, were all waiting.

Swan Hill Research Institute had the most promising formula, but should the antidote be perfected, it would need to be shared with other struggling cities.

Griffith, in particular, was a thorn in the side. Coaked in the guise of charitable donations, they stationed people at the institute's gates, ready to whisk away any successful concoctions.

Not wanting to see Dr. Garcia bear such a heavy moral burden at his age, Stella suggested, "Dr. Garcia, let's prepare both methods and let the officials decide. Perhaps they'll be prompted to search for more ingredients themselves."

added, "The key ingredients are scarce, but there have been significant donations. Maybe there's another

decided to proceed with both

out

sword, the dosage critical. Like arsenic, a small amount could cure, but too much could

Jasper brewed some tea and left it by his side, making sure

to create the potent pills

liver and lungs were in agony, as if countless insects were gnawing at his

alarm his mentor, he bit down on a handkerchief, rolling on the floor in

sweat-soaked and pale as a ghost, Collin was finally still. Cold drafts were to be avoided at all costs, so Stella covered him with

was sapped. After resting for half a day and still too

offerings were meager, nourishment an afterthought. Even with Stella's contributions, a couple of slices of bacon per meal was

milk and crafted a hearty

to care for him, Stella kept her distance. Bentley's jinx seemed

well these days. Replenish your strength, because in three days, you have

manage his meals,

Collin's condition improved; the fever subsided, the dizziness and breathlessness lessened, and his cough eased significantly. Under Stella's

second pill. Painful, yes, but this time he didn't writhe on the ground.

much as

and while he remained weak, the other symptoms vanished. Stairs left him breathless,

institute dared not administer it to critical patients, opting instead for those with milder symptoms but who were still on the brink, clinging to life by sheer willpower. Stella thought the patient looked

he