The plague spread and killed people so quickly, and since people barely communicated during the apocalypse, it could only spread in small areas. Francis quickly had Summer's medicine distributed to everyone. Gritting her teeth, Summer said to Francis, "Nelson! Find Dr. Valdez. He is the only hope we have against this plague!" At that, Francis slapped his forehead. Nelson was the one who had driven back the Steelworm with his medicine last time. How could he have forgotten that! Meanwhile, Tyler and Caroline had the three culprits tied up tight and dragged them into the lab. The trio no longer tried to escape. They were terrified, shivering as they waited for their fate. Caroline and Tyler tossed the three men down at Nelson's feet. Nelson hadn't heard the commotion, but one of them smacked right into his leg, making him turn around expressionlessly. Caroline spoke up, "Nelson, here are three test subjects for you. Do whatever experiments you need on them. Don't hold back." Nelson turned to look at the three men squirming on the floor, trying to escape but unable to break free. His face, numb from exhaustion and focus, suddenly lit up with excitement. "Caroline, you're the best!" He didn't ask who they were or why they were being used for experiments. To Nelson, Caroline was utterly trustworthy. If she brought people for testing, she had her reasons. As it happened, Nelson's experiment had reached a crucial stage. He'd just identified a potential cure for the virus, but he needed test subjects. And now, right when he needed them, Caroline had brought them in. She was indeed a lifesaver. William and the others shuddered in fear at the thought of being used for experiments. They all knew just how terrifying this virus really was.Chris, the most cowardly of the three, started begging for mercy. But Nelson just pressed his foot down on Chris's shoulder and jabbed a syringe of red liquid into it. A look of crazed excitement crossed Nelson's face, a vein bulging in his pale, slender neck. "You all wait outside. With these three, I'll get results twice as fast—maybe even faster!" As Caroline and Tyler left the lab, they could hear Nelson's maniacal laughter inside. There were also the tortured howls of the men being experimented on. Caroline was thoroughly satisfied—these scumbags deserved to pay for what they'd done. If they dared unleash a plague here, then they could become part of the cure. Let them reap what they sowed. But Caroline didn't know that, just then, another dangerous figure was making their way toward Building A ... "What's going on with William and the others? Weren't they supposed to be waiting on the rooftop? Why is there no one up there? And what are those two trees up to ?" "Interesting ... " On the rooftop of Building A, the two trees were basking in the sunlight and breeze. The temperature had climbed, almost hitting 86 degrees. For people and trees alike, it was a relief after the deep freeze. Up on the roof, Handsy and Medusa leaned against each other, their leaves and branches entwined as if embracing. Plants weren't like animals. Their way of communicating was simpler, but also more direct and clear. In nature, scientists found that when a patch of tomato seedlings was attacked by bugs, the plants could warn nearby tomatoes about the "enemy" in their own way. If a plant was being eaten, it could send signals to the others, helping them prepare and release special chemicals to ward off insects. This method wasn't as effective as pesticides, but research showed that plants weren't as dull or isolated as people once thought.As mutant plants, Handsy and Medusa had some basic intelligence and feelings, though not as complex as those of animals. They understood concepts like friend, enemy, companion, and kin. Now, the two trees nestled together, their leaves and branches touching like humans holding hands. Together, they tilted their leaves upward, basking in the sun, enjoying the breeze and each other's company.