No, he wasn't ready, but Mike knew he had no choice. The second needle went in, and the pain worsened. Mike squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth. No talk--he had to focus on keeping it together. With the liquid in him, he wasn't sure he could talk without groaning in pain.

It was starting to feel like his body was really getting warmer....

Mike hoped it wouldn't get as bad as That Day, the one he would never forget.

A sound escaped the back of his throat, but he said nothing more.

Shell.