Tunnels 05 - Spiral

did tell us that Styx women can give birth like normal people, but the Phase is something else altogether. It’s a really powerful force . . . instinct . . . that affects the Styx race. And the Phase only shows itself when it takes control of their wom —”
    “So does that make her dangerous to be around?” Stephanie interrupted.
    “I . . . we don’t know yet,” Will replied. “But I suppose that’s what Drake’s trying to find out right now by X-raying her.”
    “You mean he’s finding out whether Elliott’s turning beetle on us or not?” Stephanie asked with a genuine shiver.
    Will nodded. He couldn’t really be angry with Stephanie for being so outspoken. It was only what everyone else in the room was thinking, even if they weren’t saying it.
    “Poor sweetie,” Stephanie said sympathetically. “I do hope she doesn’t.”

    Referring to the floor plan on the wall in the Level 4 lobby, Will and Chester found their way to the medical bay. Neither of them would have dreamed of entering while Elliott’s examination was still in progress, so instead they installed themselves on a bench in the corridor outside.
    Danforth eventually emerged, but there wasn’t an opportunity to ask him anything as he tore off in the direction of the elevators. Before long he was back with a large briefcase that Will recognized — it was full of tools and electronics testingequipment. And as Danforth swept back into the medical bay, through the open door Will caught a glimpse of Elliott being led by her father. Although everywhere else in the Complex was still on emergency lighting, the medical bay didn’t seem to be affected at all, the interior bright and well illuminated. So before the door slammed shut, Will had been able to see that Elliott was walking barefoot on the linoleum, and dressed in some sort of loose-fitting hospital garment, which made her look very small and vulnerable. And she’d also appeared to be incredibly agitated. Will didn’t know if Chester had seen her, too, but made no remark to him.
    As Elliott’s examination went on, the boys listened to the low drone of voices, not being able to make out distinct words but imagining the worst.
    The murmur of male voices continued, but then there was a scream. It was Elliott. The scream wasn’t particularly loud, but Will and Chester both jumped.
    “Bartleby,” Chester abruptly blurted out, pretending to scratch a callous on his palm. “It’s strange now he’s gone for good, isn’t it? I miss not having him around.”
    The Hunter’s unfortunate demise certainly wasn’t what was preoccupying either Chester or Will at that moment, but it was less painful to talk about than Elliott’s situation.
    “Bartleby. Yes,” Will answered, not really knowing what he was saying. “I miss him, too. I suppose he was sort of part of the team.”
    There was another, quieter cry.
    Will didn’t want to imagine what they were doing to her. His feelings swung from anger that she should have to endure this, to helplessness that he couldn’t do anything to stop it.
    “Colly’s been very quiet lately,” Chester said, giving the door to the medical bay a sidelong glance.
    “She dotes on Mum,” Will said, straightening up on the bench. “You know, she’s been complaining about her back a lot lately.”
    “Huh?” Chester asked, turning to his friend.
    “Elliott has,” Will said, his eyes glued to a faded poster on a bulletin board by the entrance of the medical bay. It had a pretty, smiling nurse pictured on it, and a man in a bowler hat, also smiling, as it proclaimed in bold red letters give blood. save lives
.
“I just hope that her back trouble isn’t due to the Phase.” Will couldn’t get the image from the
Book of Proliferation
out of his head, of the woman with the pair of insect limbs.
    “Me, too,” Chester replied glumly.
    Sweeney thumped open the door of the medical bay and came out. Still holding Elliott’s rifle, he sat between the boys on the bench, which creaked under his weight. Both Will and Chester were looking at him, eager for any news.
    “Your girly’s passed the first part of her physical,” Sweeney said, a grin crinkling his singular face. “Passed it with flying colors. Nothing much out of place there.”
    “Thank God,” Chester exhaled.
    “So what’s next — the X-rays?” Will inquired.
    Sweeney nodded. “I had to get out — they play havoc with the circuits in my bonce.”
    The three of them listened to the