"Ty!" I dropped to my knees beside him and wrapped my hand in his. He was conscious but shaking in pain. He cried out suddenly and curled in on himself. For the next fifteen minutes I watched him suffer in immense pain knowing that I could do anything about it. Once Ty had calmed down and his episode had passed, he ran a hand over his sweaty face.

"That one was more painful," he spat out.

"I wish I could take them away," I said truthfully. I helped him up, wishing we could stay at the camp sight longer but we only had a few days to get to Dr. Belford's and figure out what's wrong with Ty. Ty just shrugged, his face stone cold and eyes distant. He looked utterly exhausted.

I hoisted my backpack on to my shoulders and followed Anton along a trail that only lasted a few minutes. A zip line was set up in the middle of the woods and a small shed built between two trees. Inside the shed were harnesses.

"Ty you can go first. It will give you a little time to rest when you get to the bottom," Hannah suggested. We all agreed. Anton hooked Ty's harness to the zip line and gave Ty quick instructions. Soon Ty jumped of the small wooden platform and was flying through the woods. He let out a shout of joy which made me grin widely knowing he was okay.

Anton hooked my harness onto the zip line next. I took a few running steps and flew off the platform. A rush of adrenaline coursed through me as I sped through the forest. The trees slowly turned into a blur, the wind cooling my face. Before I knew it though, my feet landed on the platform. I unhooked my harness from the line and slipped out of it.

Ty sat a few feet away leaned up against the rough trunk of a pine tree. He smiled at me as I approached him and sat down. Ty swung his arm over my shoulder pulling me closer to him. I happily rested my head on his shoulder and he rested his head on mine. A few minutes later an excited shout from Hannah was heard and she landed on the platform, a wide grin on her face.

"Whoa! That was fun!" She exclaimed, plopping down beside us. I nodded in agreement. Anton quickly followed Hannah, landing on the platform and strutting over to us.

"Alright! The ATVs are just a quarter mile in. Ready?" Anton's peppy voice filled my ears.

We all nodded and stood, following him back to the ATVs. When we arrived I seen the two side-by-sides, each able to hold two people. Without instruction, Anton and Hannah hopped into one of the vehicles while Ty and I got in the other. I had tried to get in the drivers seat to let Ty rest because I could tell he was close to passing out from fatigue but he'd been stubborn and refused to let me drive.

We started the side-by-sides. They roared to life in deafening noise. Anton and Hannah pulled out in front of us onto a beaten down trail. We followed behind them, dust flying everywhere. Thankfully, the ride only lasted ten minutes.

Anton slowed down in front of us parking the vehicle in front of a building. We unbuckled our seat belts and climbed out of the vehicle. For the first time I looked at the building in front of me. I gasped, my mouth dropping open in awe.

In front of us was a huge, old hotel building that looked broken down, possibly deserted. A balcony wrapped around each floor. Tall engraved pillar-like supports reached high, supporting arches. A few vines curled around the entrance door way. It was beautiful, yet so creepy.

"Are you sure this is safe? It looks awfully deserted!" I said warily.

Anton gave me a strange look. "Yes I'm sure it's safe. We didn't fix up the outside of the hotel because we wanted it to look deserted," he said.

"Why is there a hotel in the middle of nowhere?" Hannah asked.

"This hotel used to be part of a mining town a long-long time ago, but the town burned down to nothing and people moved away. Thankfully, this hotel was far enough out of town that the fire didn't effect it," Anton explained to us.

Anton opened the door and stepped inside with Ty, Hannah, and I following behind them. We'd entered a small room with a coat rack, bench, and a closet for shoes. Anton pulled down on the very end hook of the coat rack and a small flap flipped open revealing a keypad. Anton quickly punched in the code, to fast for me to see.

Another door slid open after a few seconds granting us access to the hotel. We clomped in to a huge lobby. A large Aztec print rug was spread out on the floor. The marble floor shined, a reflection of the ceiling easily seen.

My eyes traveled up to the ceiling where a huge chandelier hung. A wide staircase led up to the second floor where a huge kitchen and restaurant was. The front desk was wooden with gentle curves and roses carved into the sides. Everything about this place was beautiful.

"When my uncle first bought the place we renovated some of the floors and rooms so we could set up labs and have the space we needed. But, my uncle and his team work and live here so we left some of the hotel rooms for places to live. My uncle has all the information you need, so I'll let him explain," Anton said. He pointed to the front desk.

A short thin man with salt and pepper hair stood behind the desk with a wide grin. Anton smiled back, taking a few steps forward and giving his uncle a hug. Ty and Anton both were at least half a foot taller than the man.

"Wow, you both look so different from when I last saw you. I'm sure you don't remember me though. I'm Dr. Belford. You can call me Bert," he said.

I smiled at him offering my hand which he ignored with a chuckle. Instead he pulled me into a hug and then Ty also.

"It's good to see you two. So, I know you're probably confused at what's going on right now. But, it is almost time for dinner and I'm sure you all are tired from your journey. Why don't we have dinner in the dining hall together and then I'll show you to your rooms. Than you guys can have a peaceful evening and rest. Tomorrow we will get to work!" Bert announced. We all happily agreed. My stomach was begging for food and I was ready to sleep in a bed.

"Sounds good Uncle Bert," Anton said.

Suddenly something came to mind. "Bert, do you by chance have any medical supplies?"

"Of course. Why? Are you injured?" He answered, concern thick in his friendly voice.

"No, I'm not. Ty is," I replied.

Ty frowned. "I'm fine, really. Rebecca did a good job at stitching me up."

"Stitches? You needed stitches?" Bert's eyes widened.

I nodded my head. "Yes, and it's infected so he does need a real doctor. He has a fever too."

"Well, most of us here are doctors but we have a full time nurse and Doctor working in room 12. We can get you bandaged up and then eat."

Ty agreed reluctantly after I sent him a stern glare. Ty and I followed Bert down the hall while Anton and Hannah stayed behind. We passed a few doors before reaching one with the golden numbers engraved in it.

Inside the room was a short grey haired woman with a friendly face. The kind of person with wrinkles at the corner of her eyes from a lifetime of smiling and laughter. She looked up, her honey colored eyes landing on Bert and then Ty and I.

She immediately shot up out of her swivel chair. "Oh! You must be Ty and Rebecca. I'm Ella."

I nodded smiling at her. "Yes, that's us. It's nice to meet you." Ty gave her a nod and a small smile.

"What can I do for you guys? I wasn't expecting to meet you until tomorrow morning," Ella said.

Bert jumped into the conversation. "Ty here has an infected cut that needs to be looked at."

"Oh okay. I'll get it fixed up," Ella said. Bert thanked her and left the room telling us to meet back in the lobby when we were finished.

"Alrighty then, let's take a look at that cut. Ty would you lay down on the sofa please."

Instead of the usual medical table you'd find in a hospital or doctors office, this office was comfortable with a leather sofa, a bed, and a few chairs along with Ella's desk. Ty did what he was told laying down on the sofa.

"So, where is this cut?" Ella asked.

"My stomach." Ty lifted his shirt revealing the large gash that would surely leave a scar.

Ella's mouth dropped open. "Ty! That's not a cut! I don't know what to call it but it's not just a cut!" She exclaimed, though her voice was still soft and held joy behind it. "Okay, well let's get you fixed up although someone did a pretty good job of that already."