Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

softer. “Travis, honey. If you come with me, I can get you something to eat.”
    He grunted but didn’t acknowledge her more than that.
    She crossed her arms and rubbed her upper biceps. Goose bumps spread over her skin. “I don’t know. I injected your saliva after the vaccine.”
    I closed my eyes in defeat. “The vaccine didn’t work. We’re down a human to try these on.” We needed more brain power. If I had any real training in the sciences, I would have my butt up on the microscopes studying and researching until I had the answers to the world’s most basic questions. The chill wasn’t biting, just sneaky on a slight breeze taking me by surprise.
    “Not necessarily.” Connie waited until I opened my eyes. She opened a hand and pointed to pen drawings on her palm. “I couldn’t figure out why the virus wanted the enzymes. Most viruses attack the white cells and the immunity before they attack the rest of the body. They infiltrate the cells – virtually join with them so that they look and act like the original cells. But this one is even more sophisticated than that. Rather than disguise itself and depend on the nature of the body’s immune system as well as the genetic dispositions of the body, the bug piggybacks on the enzymes – not just training them to do what they want, but controlling them.” Her voice rose an octave.
    If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she was stimulated on more than one level. Ew… thoughts like that about an older chick. I know cougars are the thing, but I don’t roll that way. I had no idea what she’d just said. An explanation would be nice.
    Travis spoke, startling us both, his guttural voice scratchy and ill-used. “The vaccine needs to attack the enzymes ability to adapt.”
    I twisted my head toward Connie. “Is he right?”
    She nodded, slowly, and trained her gaze on him. “I’m not sure, but it would make sense. If the enzymes didn’t have the capability to adapt and evolve, even inside the original host, then it would stand to reason that the vaccines would not be successful in symbiotically allowing them into the blood stream.” She reached out a hand to Travis, but didn’t touch him. “Amazing. He’s faster than when he was human. Like me.”
    Grandma Jean tapped Connie’s shoulder. “Honey, I don’t mean to argue, but saliva doesn’t have enzymes that evolve or adapt. That’s crazy Darwinism there, and blasphemous as well.”
    Travis moved to the side. He crouched, hands up in a clawing position. Just as he was about to spring, I thought as hard as I could – No. Sit.
    I’ll be damned – already was, but whatever – if Duncan didn’t sit his ass right there on the ground. I’d never seen anything like it.
    Connie’s jaw dropped. She stammered. “Ac-actually, you’re correct. It’s a theory that many liberal science colleges have merely accepted for the time being. Saliva is actually believed to have multiple enzymes that perform more than one specific job. The protector enzymes protect good oral bacteria from the – what we like to call – warrior enzymes which tear apart anything that doesn’t look familiar. Protector enzymes point the warriors in the right direction.”
    Mom hmmd. “Would it be fair to assume that UNLV is a liberal college?”
    Beside me, Connie nodded, warming to her subject. “Yes, actually. And to state a bit more simply – when I say evolve I mean affect a genomic change. Adapt means exactly what it sounds like. These enzymes are evolving whenever a virus comes in or a slightly familiar bug crosses the lips. Wash your hands? You better, because these enzymes do not do the job of a white blood cell. They tear apart food, in the most basic way. And that’s it. More sicknesses get in through the oral cavity than any other. Because enzymes are more concerned with the organic compounds and not so much the little invaders bent on achieving a host.”
    Rather graphic, but I got it. The enzymes act similar