Diane eventually recovered from Ninette's revelation, "So where did that virus come from anyways? Where does the silver color and burning sensation come from?"

Ninette sighed, "I am not exactly sure. That virus has features from the zombie virus, white blood cells, T cells, and several other cells that make up your circulatory, nervous, and immune system. I am guessing that it has something to do with your overactive T cells and probably other factors that we are not aware of at the moment. We will have to do more testing."

She rubbed her forehead, "I did some other tests and it reacts similarly to any other cell, virus, allergen, or bacteria it encounters. Including a small sample of my skin tissue, which, judging from how it was attacked, would have likely been quite painful for me. Oddly enough, I injected an aids virus into one of your cells and put it in there and that virus found it immediately and destroyed the entire cell. It seems to attack anything except for your own healthy cells."

Diane glanced up at the pictures, "How long did it take to destroy that virus?"

"Quite quickly when compared to a normal white blood cell, all in all, about a minute."

Diane's eyebrows drew together in confusion, "So if it doesn't affect my healthy cells, where does the burning come from?"

Ninette checked some of her notes on paper, "That is a good question, and I am hoping that you are game to help me figure it out. It may hurt a bit though."

She pulled a drawer open and brandished some sort of handle with a spring trigger. Diane eyed up the weird device with a suspicious gaze, "And just what is that?"

She held it loosely in her hand and undid the fastened spring, allowing a very narrow hollow tube to slide down from its hiding place, "This will allow me to take a sample of your skin layers and analyze what is going on in various layers of skin and muscle near the surface. It hurts a bit more than a horsefly bite, since it goes about a centimeter into your skin."

Diane's eyes widened, "Who invented this method of torture?"

I held my breath, this scientist kept bringing out worse and worse testing instruments. Was this a science lab or a haunted house?

Ninette chuckled, "I hold a similar reaction, thankfully some others will let me use it in the name of science. I am hoping to only have to use it four times, once after heavy exercise, once when that warning heat is getting stronger, once when there is actual pain, and once after you start exercising just after the pain fades completely."

She didn't want to use it on herself, but wanted to use it on Diane four times? I was beginning to think that I might not like this lady. To think that Diane had only been worried about needles when she had this thing hidden casually in a drawer.

Diane didn't look like she was in agreement with Ninette's plan. I didn't blame her. "What exactly is in it for me?"

Ninette chuckled, "Well, hopefully we will find out what is causing you pain and what is happening in your body. Perhaps we can even find a way to prevent the pain."

Diane sighed as she gave in, "What do you want me to do?" I had a hard time believing that Diane was willing to go through with this.

Ninette grinned and picked up a specimen tube with fluid, "Are you restless at all right now, or is the warning heat starting to appear?"

"No, I feel pretty normal."

She chuckled, "How about we get a control sample then?"

Okay, this lady seemed far too happy about this. Diane winced, but nodded, "Sure."

Ninette moved beside Diane and pressed the weird device against the side of Diane's arm. Both of us jumped at the loud clank sound it made as she pulled the trigger. Diane mock glared at Ninette's back, "Ouch."

My eyes darted to Diane's arm in worry. I could see a tiny hole in her arm where blood was starting to trickle out. Her red blood was rapidly turning silver. Diane reached up to cover the wound with a finger to stop the bleeding.

Ninette had turned back and was watching the blood turn color, "Fascinating. You aren't worked up, and it wasn't a serious wound, yet the blood still turned color. Did you see how it spread? The color change started in the wound somewhere and visibly spread outwards."

"So that means...?"

She shrugged with a grin, "No clue. We will have to test it one day."

I was beginning to get really tired of all of these tests and I wasn't even the one being tested on. Each new one was worse than the last and we had barely been here 24 hours. Diane shook her head, "So what is the plan for the rest of the day?"

Ninette grinned at Diane, "We are going to slowly walk over to that small guest house by the one gate and wait for the pain. No offense, but I am hoping you can try to hold out as long as you can before I take the sample, then you can run it off. I want you to try and time it so that the last bit of pain fades when you come in for the last sample. Then you can run all night if you want. How long do you think this will take?"

I really did not like her newest plan. Diane sighed and glanced at the clock on the wall. "I haven't done much since lunch, so the warning heat should start up in less than an hour. About an hour after that, the pain starts to build. I can probably hold out for three or four hours once the pain starts. I won't be moving very fast once I am in that much pain. The actual pain will fade after only a few minutes of running, but the afterburn can last almost an entire day."

I remembered how Diane had looked that one morning and I didn't want to see her in that kind of pain again. Diane glanced at me and chuckled, "Don't fret Laura, it is me she is going to torment. I will be fine by morning."

Leave it to Diane to make light of any pain she might encounter. I didn't like it. "I don't think Ninette knows what she is asking for. I hope she decides that it is good enough and makes you run before you are in too much pain."

I turned to face Ninette with a serious expression, this lady was starting to take things too far, "Watch her closely when she is doing this and don't leave her unattended. Her eyes tell the truth."

Ninette nodded slowly, somewhat taken aback since I hadn't spoken directly to her yet, "I will stay beside her until she is back to normal."

I wasn't used to staring at adults and turned my attention back to a book in my lap. Ninette walked over to Diane and I heard her whisper, "You said she was seven, right?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Diane nod absently. Ninette muttered, "Strangest seven year old I ever met..."

Diane chuckled as she lifted her finger to ensure that her small injury had stopped bleeding. I guess if I thought about it, I really didn't act my age. I took care to behave very well mostly because I didn't want to upset Diane.

Far too soon we headed towards the guest house since Ninette wanted to see what was causing the pain of inactivity. Diane didn't seem to be looking forward to it and I was trying to hide my worry.

The first few hours Diane just seemed restless, but soon enough her eyes started to glimmer and I could see faint lines of pain in her face. It was almost like watching her get sick before my very eyes. It was terrible to watch, but I couldn't take my concerned eyes off of her.

It was well past my bedtime by now, but I didn't want to sleep while Diane was in pain. Diane lay down on the bed and put her arm over her eyes. I knew she usually only did that if she was really tired or in pain. Her muscles occasionally twitched, as if they hurt.

I couldn't see why Ninette let her do this to herself. I climbed onto the bed to cuddle up beside her, it was the only comfort I could offer. Diane wrapped her arm around me. Her skin was warm, much too warm. It reminded me of the first time she had stayed all night with me, although it wasn't nearly that bad yet.

Diane's eyes were glowing brightly at this point and she closed her eyes. Her breathing had become heavier as if she was in pain or overheating. I suspected both. I rubbed my face in her shirt and she rubbed her hand lightly on my back. I couldn't even talk or I knew I would start crying. I was used to Diane being tireless and strong. It was torture to see her like this.

It was almost midnight and I was extremely tired. I was trying to stay awake, but I knew I was losing that battle. I leaned my head against Diane's chest. Her usual slow and steady heartbeat was much too fast for someone who had been lying down for hours.

It only added to my worry. I kept my eyes closed to try and keep the tears at bay. With my eyes closed, it wasn't long until sleep claimed me.