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."

ingredients are scarce, but there have been significant

some deliberation, they decided

about to miss out on the production

critical. Like arsenic, a small

even Dr. Garcia couldn't keep his eyes open and succumbed to sleep. Jasper brewed some tea and left it by his side, making

the team used traditional methods to create the potent

and lungs were in agony, as if countless insects were

alarm his mentor, he bit down on a

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

for half a day and still too weak to walk, Jasper had to carry

with Stella's contributions,

him soy milk and crafted a hearty casserole rice with smoked flavors

Dr. Garcia. As for Hugh, with Lindsay to care for

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

took it upon herself to manage his meals, with Jasper dutifully delivering

foot-soaking became his routine for the next three days. Collin's condition improved; the fever subsided, the dizziness and breathlessness lessened, and his cough eased significantly. Under Stella's watchful care, both his spirit and

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

and sleep as much as you can after

three days, his cough ceased, and while he remained weak, the other symptoms vanished. Stairs left him breathless, but he was confident

was also under trial. Given Collin's severe reaction, the institute dared not administer it to critical patients, opting instead for those with milder symptoms but who

you?" he said,