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The rain was still coming down. With the over-cast dark and dreary, it didn't even look like morning was approaching.

Her mom was watching her.

"How long have you been sick?"

"Not sure."

"Have you been vomiting?"

Her mom's look said it all.

"How long?" She could barely get the question out.

"On and off for two or three days."

"Oh, mom!"

"It wouldn't have done any good to upset everyone."

If her mom stuck to the schedule everyone else had, all except for Uncle Chad, she'd be on day four or even five. Day five was extreme vomiting. You could no longer even attempt eating or drinking anymore.

"I should try to find some new medication. I could_____."

"Everyone has tried everything, Jess."

"There has to be something."

"That's what we said about Danny and Michael. There were still doctors then."

"Then we'll find a doctor. You will beat this, mom. If anyone can, it's you. What did you do differently with Uncle Chad?"

"Nothing, Jess. That was all your uncle. He'd never do anything to hurt your aunt if he could help it."

Jess fell silent and her mom reached out her hand. "Don't worry, sweetie. I'm just as stubborn as him, if not more so."

"That's true."

"It's cruel of me, I know, but I need a promise from you, Jess. Promise me you won't let me break you. I saw what your father leaving did to you and I couldn't bear it if I hurt you like that."

She wasn't one to cry and if she did, no one was ever fool enough to address it. The tears running down her face got ignored. "It's not the same, mom. When he left, all I could remember about him is him walking out the door. He destroyed all the good memories. If something happens to you, I'll keep all the good memories. I won't ever forget. But it won't come to that, mom. We'll think of something."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

For the next hour, she held her mom as she threw up. Changed her nightgown and sang to her.

The only one who loved her voice more than Julian was her mom.

"You need to see to Uncle Chad. In my medicine cabinet is a prescription bottle. After Daniel left, I needed them.... give Sarah two of them then give her another one tonight. Don't mention what they are. Just hand them to her with some water and she'll take them. She's never worried about things like that. She's not like us. Be patient with her. For a little while."

Her mom managed a tired smile. "Then do what you do best. Kick her ass."

"I will."

"Send Mel to sit with me. She's seen enough people put in the ground for now."

"Okay. I'll be back as soon as I can. We'll get some soup into you."

"No soup. Can't. Just need to rest."

By the time the chore was done, and Aunt Sarah was dried and back in bed and soup was simmering on the stove, she felt like she'd put in a full day's work.

She paused at the foot of the stairs just long enough to take a deep breath.

Julian picked her up and headed up the stairs.

"Julian Nathan Cross, you put me down right now before we fall down the stairs and break something."

"You do need to go on a diet. Jeez, Jess. I think I pulled something."

Since he was smiling, she whacked him. "Really funny, asshole."

"Come on, baby. You know I'd cry if you lost any of these goodies."

Since his hand was on her ass, cupping a feel, she laughed.

"Jerk. Stop manhandling me."

"Never going to happen, babe."

Seeing Mel sitting outside of their mom's door, Julian sat her down.

She was crying. Cupcake, at her side. "She got sick and didn't want me."

Jess mopped up her face. "She doesn't want you to see her like that. I'll take care of her. The rain has let up a little. Why don't you and Julian take Cupcake outside for a walk? Grab your raincoat and water boots, okay?"

"Okay, Jess. Can I play just a little?"

"Why the hell not? Go stomp through all the mud puddles you want. When you come back in, you can have some warm soup."

Jess looked at Julian. "Make her laugh like you always make me, and I'll owe you."

"What kind of payment are we talking about here?"

"I won't kick your ass the next time you're deserving of it."

Her mom's eyes were closed and the room dark. "I love that boy."

"Me too."

She cleaned her mother's bowl and washed her face and hands. "I have some soup."

"Just rest. Just for a little bit. I don't think I've ever been so tired."

"Okay. Want me to sing to you?"

"Always."

Even after she knew her mom had long since fallen asleep, she kept singing to her.

"Something is going on." Julian rushed into the room and swept her mom into his arms.

With no time to worry about what was going on, Jess grabbed her mom's bowl and a towel.

"There's no telling how long it's been on. When I came in, I caught the ending, but it just started back over again. A loop or something."

"We mean you no harm."

She'd just caught sight of a man sitting at a stainless-steel desk. He wore a navy-blue uniform of some kind and was smiling weirdly. His hair was pure white and only half an inch long all over his head. His eyes were pale blue. Too pale.

The screen went black for less than ten seconds then he was back again. Wearing the same unpleasant smile.

"My name is Malik. I am from the planet Syrian. We are not here to harm you. Not long ago, we were you. This same sickness swept across my planet stealing life from all it touched. We survived. We found a cure and now we offer that cure to you. Several days ago, we entered your atmosphere. We are located in the city of St Louis. The city of Indianapolis and the city of Chicago. It is impossible for us to come to every city to find you. You must come to us. We have a cure. You must make it to one of these cities. Do not fear us. We come in peace. We mean you no harm."

It had already played twice more before she could comprehend what he was saying. Aliens? Really? They've been waiting, hoping for something.... and this is what they got?

"Do we believe him? He did look a little.... off."

He had. The eyes for sure, the hair, but it was his smile that bothered her the most. It was like he'd been told to smile, and he didn't know how to. There was no emotion in it. No emotion in his eyes.

"Get mom back to bed."

Jess watched her mother sleeping. It was an unpeaceful sleep. Exhausted as she was, she moaned and moved restlessly. Her fever was so high. Too high. Her talking was that of a delusional person. She talked to a husband who had abandoned her as if he stood right beside her.

Seeing her mom like this was killing her.

"Jess."

"I'm here, mom. I'm not going anywhere." She's whispered the words throughout the night, but this was the first time her mom's eyes seemed cleared enough to see her. She tried to give her some water.

"I can't. Did they do this to us?"

The same thing had crossed her mind. They just happened to show up? She didn't buy it. None of it.

"I'm tired, Jess. So, tired. Aunt Sarah isn't herself. You and Julian decide. We'll do whatever you think."

"We leave as soon as it's daylight. If there's even a chance of saving you, we're taking it."