From this day forward

By Demon Faith

TITLE: From this day forward

AUTHOR: Demon Faith

CATEGORY: S/D romance, Drama, Angst, Series

SPOILERS: Major for Love, Honour and Obey. Minor for: Fire and Water, Within the Serpent’s Grasp, Holiday, The Light, COTG, FIAD, Hathor, The Devil you Know, The Movie, Cold Lazarus, Singularity, Need, and Past and Present.

SEASON/SEQUEL: Set after Season 4 sometime. This is the second in the ‘Vows Beyond Definition’ trilogy, sequel to Love, Honour and Obey.

RATING: PG-13 (just!)

CONTENT WARNINGS: Implied rape, heavy angst, physical and mental torture.

SUMMARY: ‘From this day forward’ – the future looks bleak for Sam and Daniel…

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Stargate-SG1. I own Aphrodite and Ares (kinda). No copyright infringement is intended.

AUTHOR’S NOTES: Dedication to the SDR Angels – you know who you are! Special thanks to Stephali, Slug and Meloko – for putting up with my ramblings!

Future

n. a) The indefinite time yet to come b) Something that will happen in time to come

adj. That is to be or to come.

[From Latin]

Daniel awoke to sunlight filtering onto his face, bathing them all in a golden light. He looked down at Sam sleeping peacefully on his shoulder, blonde hair falling in her face. She was his sunshine now: nothing mattered as long as Sam was with him. He was immortal – she gave him something he had never felt before.

The pain in his leg suddenly returned, followed by an echo from his shoulder. He gritted his teeth, and shifted slightly. Sam sighed, before resettling herself on his shoulder but didn’t wake. Daniel carefully lifted her off his shoulder and laid her gently on the ground. I should scout a little, he thought, It will give us a head start. He crawled towards the sunlight, and looked carefully around before emerging from the darkness. He stood slowly and uncomfortably, moving slowly towards the cliff face, pressing himself against the solid rock. It looked like a perfect day, but Daniel barely noticed. The sunlight beat mercilessly on the parched ground, but a rippling stream wove through the sandy expanse. Daniel needed water; he hadn’t had a drink since breakfast with Sam before they had left for their mission. Or, at least the rest of SG-1 had left. Daniel had been stuck in the middle of an invasion, trying to find something to help his friends. And where had it got him? Fleeing right back to Jack. The very thought tore at him – when the going got tough, Daniel cracked and ran straight back to the military.

Filled with self-loathing, Daniel walked towards the stream, forgetting to check for surveillance.

#You walk into my hands, Daniel. Do you want my help now?#

Daniel turned to the voice, and Aphrodite stared back, lips curved into a smile.

“Stay away from me! I don’t want your help!”

#Oh, but you do. But you do#

Aphrodite lifted her right hand, and Daniel knew this was it. Oh, Sam, I’m sorry, he thought. He shut his eyes, just before the ribbon bashed him into the ground. Pain stabbed like nails in a coffin, before the black hell consumed him.

Sam woke up on the barren ground, wondering why she was on the ground at all. Where’s Daniel? She sat up, panicked.

“Sir, where’s Daniel,” she said, shaking her CO.

“Carter, what is it?”

Jack sat up, and Teal’c opened his eyes. Sam felt fear welling up inside her. Where was her Daniel? He was injured, he was vulnerable, they might have him…horrific thoughts filled her head, as Jack tried to clear his head from sleep-induced stupidity.

“Right, what was the question?”

“Daniel’s gone! I don’t know where! Oh, sir, what if…”

“Don’t even think it, Carter!”

Jack had finally caught up with the world. Daniel’s missing again. And Jack felt angry. Why was it always Daniel? Out of all of them, what had he done? Daniel, who challenged their moral conscience, their ‘inner Daniels’, to be just that bit more aware of what they were doing. Yet it was Daniel who attracted everyone’s anger, everyone’s hate. They found something in Daniel they just wanted to destroy: and that hurt Jack more than any physical pain.

“But, Sir, he’s just gone! He could be…anywhere! We have to look for him, Sir…”

Sam trailed off. This was tearing her apart: and they didn’t even know what had happened. That was the worst part though – not knowing. Unaware of the danger, the perils; oblivious to death’s glancing blow; not knowing whether the person you loved the most in the whole universe was still alive. But she was overreacting now – he could’ve gone for a drink, decided to stretch his legs…but she wasn’t convinced. There were two Goa’uld out there, hunting them down for goodness-knows-what, and Daniel had just disappeared. Now, that couldn’t be just coincidence. And Sam had this horrible feeling that Daniel was in danger. Terrible, terrible danger.

“We shall find him, Major Carter. We will not lose him.”

Teal’c’s simple words said everything – they wouldn’t lose Daniel, they couldn’t lose Daniel. He meant everything to them, the world, the galaxy, the universe. Everything. They had almost lost him too many times – with Nem, to a staff blast, to Ma’chello and to the ‘light’. So much pain – and they had hoped never again. If Teal’c had one wish, it would be that his friends would never come to harm. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. There was no point to wishing. All he could do was protect them as best he could. But, sometimes, his best wasn’t good enough. He suddenly realised that Daniel had been on guard – how could they have been so foolish! Daniel was in no condition to play sentry! Teal’c felt guilt well up inside him. It was not a strange feeling to him: in service to Apophis, he had done many distasteful things. And Sha’re…Daniel Jackson had every reason to despise him. Yet, the first thing he had said to him, as Sha’re lay dead, was ‘It’s not your fault’. Those words were so precious to Teal’c, so valued, but they did not stop the guilt. Guilt that burned at his soul, filled his every waking moment – yet, buried deep inside him for forever. Such guilt, such guilt – and the one whose comfort he could rely on was Daniel. A friend who had always been there, and often the cause of Teal’c guilt. Teal’c let him fall, get hurt, die. Teal’c who chose Sha’re, who killed her. Guilt was a constant. And so was Daniel.

“We must find him, sir…” I can’t lose him.

“We will, Carter.” No, we can’t.

“Let us leave now.” We will save him in time.

I hate ribbon devices, I hate Goa’uld, and most of all, I hate waking up to silence. Damned freakin’ slut…

#Good evening, Daniel. I hope you slept well#

Aphrodite glided into the room, her toga sweeping the floor. The pure white material fell seductively over her figure, strategically fastened with golden seashells. Her long black hair was swept away from her face with gold braid that was neatly plaited into her dark locks. She looked very stunning. And repulsive.

“Of course. I sleep very well when chained to walls. Y’know, ain’t this all a tad medieval? I thought the Goa’uld had more taste – Egypt, Greece, Brazil? Not, British…”

Slap! Aphrodite’s hand connected with his face just as he finished the word ‘British’. It stung for a few moments, and quickly reddened.

#What would you know of taste? Have you lived on Mount Olympus? Have you tasted the Ambrosia? Have you lived in the land of milk and honey?#

“Have you ever considered dieting?”

Slap! Since when did I turn into Jack, anyway? thought Daniel, as his other cheek began to smart.

#You shall respect me! I will not have you defy your Goddess. Why will you not obey? You served Hathor willingly#

Do my ears deceive me? he thought, Hathor? Willing? Those words *so* don’t go together!

“I think not. You ever heard of an aphrodisiac?”

Aphrodite cocked her head to one side, puzzled.

#No, what System Lord is this An-afro-de-ze-ac ?#

Daniel just resisted laughing. His tongue was going to get him in a lot of trouble. As for now, he was going to *try* and enjoy this moment.

“Anafrodezeac is the Love Goddess of the Tau’ri. She…comes and…waves her magic wand over people. And they fall in love.”

Aphrodite frowned. Competition? On Earth? This was not good!

#What is this ‘magic wand’ you speak of? Is it a powerful weapon?#

“Very formidable.”

You’ve got a great delivery, Danny. Daniel could hear Jack talking in his head. Now, he could pull this off, but he was running out of comments.

#We shall deal with this later. Now, to the reason I have brought you here.

The First Goa’uld Queen was Isis. The larvae she produced were strong leaders and strategists. The dynasty of Isis continues today and will continue indefinitely. The secret to Isis’ children’s strength was her Chosen.

His blood was purer than melted snow, ideal for Goa’uld production. And Hathor found another…#

Daniel swallowed that lot down, knowing exactly what Aphrodite was saying. Hathor’s Chosen – oh, yes; I only know one of those…

“I see. And now you’ve found him.”

Aphrodite smiled sickeningly.

#Yes, and our children will be strong#

Aphrodite pressed herself against Daniel, fixing him with an intense gaze.

#And you shall serve me forever#

Sam, Jack and Teal’c crept out of their hideout, Sam scouting ahead. She looked round the cliff, and frowned. She motioned Jack and Teal’c forward, indicating the high rise.

“No sign of Jaffa to this point, but there never was. The odd thing is the absence of smoke, or any sound. I’m gonna check it out.”

Jack started to protest, but Sam just sprinted across the sand, throwing herself to the ground just before the rise. She crawled on her stomach to the peak, and peered over. Then, she stood up and dusted herself off.

“No signs of civilisation for miles, sir,” she shouted to Jack. He raised his hand, and she ran back.

“If they got him, they’ve already left. Sir, you don’t think…”

“That Daniel was their ultimate target, and they’ve got what they came for, and so left?”

“Well, yes.”

Jack nodded grimly, as Sam regained her breath, liking this situation less and less.

“O’Neill!”

Teal’c was kneeling in the sand, looking decidedly unhappy. He pointed to the human-sized dent in the sand, and the glasses lying broken in the sand. Daniel’s glasses.

“Holy shit…”

Jack just stood there in silence, while Sam bent down and picked up the glasses. She held them to her, letting a tear trickle down her cheek. She frowned suddenly, and cleared the sand from a patch about a few feet away. A gold chain came free in her grasp, and she shook away the sand. She held it to the sunlight, and then gave it to Teal’c.

“What does it say? I think it’s in Goa’uld.”

Teal’c read the inscription, before lowering the chain slowly.

“It reads ‘Aphrodite’.”

Jack clenched his fist, and Sam swallowed nervously.

“There’s no doubt, then. They got him.”

Simple words, simple meaning – dire consequences. Jack just hoped they could reach Daniel in time.

#You will drink this. It is akin to…your Anafrodezeac’s magic wand#

Daniel was definitely hating this. Aphrodite looked kinda…high, and a love drug wasn’t something that put him at ease. Neither was the thought of…no, no, no! I will not think this, I will not think this…no, I won’t!

Aphrodite pressed a cloth to his lips, and he tasted the bitter liquid that he knew to be the Blood of Sokar. He felt his mind dissolve into blissful ignorance, as he was released from the wall and blindly led from the room.

Sam anxiously rifled through Daniel’s pack, there in body but definitely not in spirit. Her mind was racing with possibilities, her beloved Daniel the centre of every one. Was he injured? Was he hurting? Was he dead? Sam stopped, frozen with fear. Daniel and death: why were those words so often linked?

“Sam? Sam, are you okay?”

Her mind screamed ‘no’ but she felt her head nod. Jack sighed, and gently prised the pack from her hands.

“Here, let me do that. Why don’t you get some sleep?”

“I can’t sleep, sir. Not when he’s missing.”

Jack bit his lip, and began to search for the GDO. It was lying on the top of the pack. Jack pulled it out, and sat back on his heels.

“Okay, kids, we’ve got a ride home.”

Teal’c looked up and got to his feet, offering his hand to Sam. She took it and heaved herself up, mentally berating herself Come on, Sam! Get it together! You’re no use to him like this! she thought angrily. She went into ‘automatic soldier’ mode; letting the emotion fall from her face. Jack recognised the change, and shuddered. She reminded him of himself after Charlie’s death. He saw Sarah now and again, but there were still a lot of barriers between them. Sam’s ‘change’ marked how much she cared for Daniel, probably a lot more than she should.

“Y’know, sir, the base still may contain hostiles. In which case…”

“We’ll be a smear of DNA on a closed iris.”

“To put it bluntly, sir, yes.”

Sam stood perfectly still, at ease, yet her body the epitome of control, of the detached, military Samantha Carter.

“I know I’m supposed to be detached”

“Who said that?”

“Sometimes I forget you’re not military.”

Memories, something Sam had little time to indulge in, especially now. Especially the painful ones…

“Sir, I have a plan…”

If there was a Hell, this was pretty damn close. To die a thousand deaths could not equal the emotional pain forming in his chest. He was helpless, unable to resist, body numb and detached – soul raging like a tempest. There was no escape, no way out – he was trapped in this half-waking state, aware of everything around him, yet imprisoned in his listless form.

Her delighted screams – a constant in his mind – as he attempted to understand the horror and violation of what he had experienced.

#You are my Chosen now! I shall have the strongest children, control of the universe…#

She pinned Daniel with one hand, laughing manically. She was dangerous, Daniel realised, and looked highly unstable. The Blood of Sokar still held him, making him feel docile and child-like. His mind was screaming in protest, but nothing was in his control.

He was like her host, his body used for her purposes. He was a possession, a rare commodity that could be acquired for the right price. It made him feel sick, unclean – abused.

Hathor had taken a lot of recovery – but Sam was there, to help him through it, to be there for him. Where was she now? Stuck on some planet, far from reach, and hopefully far from danger. Despite his need for her now, Daniel wanted her as far away as possible, anything to protect him from this cruel universe of hate.

#You will serve me into eternity…#

But how could he protect her, like this, unable to protect himself. He’d just have to rely on Jack to do it for him.

#I will make you a great man, Daniel…#

If you don’t destroy me first.

“Are you sure this will work?”

Sam looked up at Jack and frowned.

“Well, I’m pretty sure.”

Jack smiled. That was enough for him.

“Okay then, dial it up.”

Sam nodded, pressing the chevrons slowly and carefully, listening to the gentle roll of the locking Gate. She loved dialling out, controlling a wormhole to another part of the galaxy. She was its mistress, it bowed to her control – it felt good. Daniel told her she was a control freak. She smiled to herself, hoping no one could see the tears forming in her eyes.

She just couldn’t bear to think about it – she had been there post-Hathor, post-Shyla, post-Sha’re and post-Kira, and Daniel’s faith in love had been shattered each time. It had taken four years of dedication to get him to trust her, open up his fragile heart to her.

They were best friends, they were lovers – they were everything to each other. Without Daniel, the sun didn’t shine, the birds didn’t sing and the world refused to spin. That’s what it felt like to Sam – this was the Apocalypse.

The final chevron locked, and the Gate blasted open. Sam took the re-wired iris deactivator, punched in the code and then flicked her new switch. There was a high-pitched whine and the display on the GDO lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Quickly! It won’t last long!”

SG-1 surged forward and ran through the Gate, guns at the ready. They emerged the other side, to meet several armed soldiers.

“Stand down.”

The General made his way down to the Gate Room, intrigued and worried at the same time.

“SG-1, what happened? Where’s Doctor Jackson, and will someone please explain the smouldering console in the Control Room?”

Jack glanced across at Sam, who blushed.

“Oops,” she murmured.

The General smiled briefly.

“But where is Daniel? I don’t think he made it through the Gate, but…”

“Aphrodite has him. That was their goal, sir – that’s why they came. They were after Daniel.”

Jack’s face was ashen and Sam had quietened. The General took a deep breath, feeling the tension building in his shoulders.

“Let’s debrief.”

Daniel awoke on the cell floor, clothed in a ragged toga robe. He pulled himself against the wall, and closed his eyes. His head was throbbing, but at least he could think.

However, the thoughts that surfaced were worse than torture. He was disgusted, her scent covered him, his body had bowed to her – he was dirty. She had done this to him, made him hate himself so much, despise what had happened: he had failed Sam.

#You are awake, Daniel of Tau’ri#

Daniel didn’t even look at her. He had no energy, he was listless, empty. He was drained – he couldn’t do this anymore. Life as a sex slave to a False God – death was becoming appealing.

Suddenly, he was knocked backwards by a vicious slap.

#You will speak to me! I am your Goddess!#

Daniel didn’t even attempt to get up. What was it worth?

#I will not suffer this insolence. You are my Beloved!#

Beloved.

No! He wasn’t her beloved, he wasn’t hers, he wasn’t some commodity, he was someone: he was Daniel – Sam’s Daniel.

Daniel looked up at Aphrodite, fire burning in his eyes.

“Go to Hell.”

Aphrodite’s eyes flashed savagely, and she froze for a moment.

#JAFFA! I WILL NOT SUFFER THIS! TAKE HIM!#

Her Jaffa, clad in Grecian robes, entered and hauled Daniel to his feet, dragging his out. As he passed Aphrodite, she trailed her fingers down his face. He eyed her contemptuously, and spat. She wiped the spittle from her face, and pointed towards the door.

#He shall pay…#

General Hammond closed the door to his office. He looked at the faces of each of his team members: Jack was hard, determined but there was obvious pain in his eyes; Teal’c was wrestling his emotions down but the Jaffa looked nervous, unsettled; and Sam looked destroyed. Her shoulders were slumped forward, her face buried in her hands.

“Major Carter?”

Sam looked up, eyes red and swollen and cheeks tear-streaked.

“Sir?”

“Sam, get some rest. I’ll speak with you later.”

“Thank you, sir.”

She got up slowly, and headed away from the office. She was in a trance, her military aura gone. She didn’t know where she was going, but, surprisingly, she ended up in the infirmary.

“Sam? Are you alright?”

Sam looked up at Janet, and bit her lip.

“I don’t know anymore.”

Janet guided her gently to a chair, and Sam gladly sat.

“She’s taken him, Janet. And I dread what she’ll do to him. Oh God, he could be dead…”

Sam was trembling now. Janet had only ever seen her like this once before: when Daniel had been presumed dead. Déjà vu, she thought, glumly.

“Come on, Sam, you can’t think like that. Daniel’s a survivor, he can get through this. You can get through this.”

“I hope you’re right, Janet.”

Self-defence. Words that meant nothing. Absolute zip.

Nothingness. Emptiness. Pain.

This was Daniel’s world now.

His broken and battered body lay in a heap on the cold stone floor, shivering beyond his control. Somewhere nearby, he heard excited voices and muffled laughter. Did they know he was lying in this hellhole, bleeding into the dust? Or, were they totally oblivious to the prison beneath their feet?

Daniel coughed, aware of the ominous rattle of broken bones. He was getting good at this – tortured and beaten, then left to die. He should make it a full-time occupation. Stuff archaeology and planetary exploration – just try punching bag!

He was beginning to get feverish. Oh, maybe that could explain the sarcastic wit he had suddenly acquired… Interesting, he thought, a fever that turns you into Jack!

He could hear voices getting closer, and then the smooth slide of the unlocking door. Unceremoniously, he was hauled to his feet, and dragged away from the dark, oppressive room. The corridors all blurred together, tapestries melding into marble, stone into wood. Then, he was dropped onto soft carpet, in a heavily perfumed chamber.

#So, this is the one of purest blood?#

#Yes, Ares, he is my Chosen one#

Daniel raised his head slightly, trying to focus on the blurry figures before him. A staff forced his head back down.

“You will prostrate yourselves before the gods, Tau’ri scum,” he whispered, menacingly.

Aphrodite laughed, a high, shill sound, that echoed through the chamber.

#He is truly spirited, Ares. A worthy test subject. I have no need for him now. You may proceed#

Daniel didn’t like the sound of that. Once more, he was hauled to his feet, and allowed himself a smile at the rather large blood stain he had left on the rich flooring.

He must’ve blacked out, because the next thing he knew was that he was strapped to a cold, metal table and a needle was descending towards him…

Sam sat up, drenched in cold sweat. The motorised fan chilled her moist skin, and she shivered. A nightmare. She’d had a nightmare.

Trembling, she slipped out of her bed and put on her military dressing gown. The rough material helped her return to reality, letting the dream fade from her mind. She sat heavily in her chair, rubbing her eyes tiredly. There was nothing she could no. Not a damned thing. She couldn’t be there, help him – just touch him one last time, before…No! Sam, you mustn’t think like this, she told herself, He’s not dead! He’s not dead!

Sam stood up, and quickly got dressed, pausing as her eyes caught the ring on her desk. An eternity ring. She picked it up, watching the light dancing on its shiny surface. Solemnly, she slipped it on her finger, and hurried into the corridor.

The SGC was silent – only the emergency shift were working, a few lab technicians and linguists pulling all-nighters and a few restless soldiers, like herself, just wondering the still corridors. She wandered aimlessly, or so she thought, until she came to a plain door. She looked up and gave a faint cry. Doctor Daniel Jackson.

She pushed it open, and walked into Daniel’s sanctum. The stale air filtered into the corridor, and Sam began to gaze around. She had been here so many times, working with him, laughing with him, crying with him. Happy memories, sad memories and important memories all seemed to centre on this place, as if this small office was the key to her heart. And, in a way, it was. She walked idly through the office, trailing her fingers among the papers, pens and tapes that littered this familiar place. Yet, it seemed so strange, detached somehow, from what it used to be.

No rustling papers, soft piano music playing or computer’s whir; no muffled curses, exasperated sighs or delighted yells – it was still and silent. However, this room was Daniel, every fibre of its being cried out his name and every thing within its walls spoke of how he lived. Yet, there was nothing of her. That was the way it had to be, she knew, it had to stay that way. She reached behind his desk and fiddled with the mechanism beneath. A small compartment shot out, and she delved inside. She pulled out a small folded paper, knowing she would find it there. Slowly, she opened it out, and smoothed the creases. She was pressed against him, laughing happily. He had wrapped his arms around her, as he would never let go. Sam remembered that day well, when he had given her the ring, when they had promised to never let go. Sam folded the piece of paper and stuffed it back in its drawer.

She sat back in the chair, and wept. Merciless tears assaulted her eyes, until streams of salted water trickled down her face.

Suddenly, the base alarm went. The harsh siren was only used in dire emergencies. Sam composed herself and headed for the Gate room.

“Sir?”

Jack turned to Sam, worry creasing his weathered face.

“A Goa’uld ship just de-cloaked in orbit!”

Sam sat at one of the consoles, calling up as much data as she could from NORAD and NASA. She busied herself with this, harried thoughts coursing through her mind: we die alone.

“Sirs, the ship’s attempting a transport! It’s directed here!”

General Hammond grabbed the P.A. mike.

“Attention, personnel. Barricade all doors, assemble an attack force by the Embarkation room!”

Just as he finished his announcement, the four rings lowered into the Gate room. A single person materialised in the centre, and then the rings rose, revealing a bloody bundle.

“Daniel!”

Sam ran towards the Gate room, her feet barely touching the ground. The door grated across and she sprinted towards him. She knelt down, hand automatically reaching for his neck. Sam closed her eyes, and sighed. Thank goodness, she thought. Carefully, she smoothed back his hair, overjoyed and despairing in the same moment.

“Daniel? Can you hear me? You’re going to be alright. You’re home now.”

Even to her, those words seemed hollow.

“What have we got? Oh God…”

Janet was only startled for a moment, before she began to organise the team.

“Okay, let’s get him on a gurney. One, two, three!”

They lifted him on, as they had done many times before, too many times before. Sam was confused, disorientated, but followed Janet and the gurney, with its precious cargo.

Sam had been stopped at the doorway, only able to watch as Daniel was carried into theatre. She slid down the wall, hunched over, hugging her knees to her chest. Not quite the return she had hoped for. And, still, she was powerless. She could help him no more now than she could before. All she could do was sit and wait. And pray. Sam had never been very religious, but now she found herself seeking help from somewhere else, someone who, maybe, could help more than she could.

Janet came through the swinging doors, and it was then Sam noticed her teammates around her.

“How is he, doc?”

“We’ve seen his bloodwork off to the lab for analysis. We should know soon enough. He went into some kind of shock. Now, that may just be from the injuries but we ran the tests just to be sure.”

“Can we see him?” Sam whispered.

Janet looked down at her, eyes filled with sorrow.

“Yes, of course you can. He hasn’t woken up yet.”

Sam rose steadily to her feet, and pushed open the doors. Janet directed her towards the isolation unit, and she gently opened the door. And there he was, swathed in bandages and surrounded by monitors. Barely recognisable, in this mummified state, Sam walked towards the bed, her resolve beginning to fail her. She sat in the chair beside his bedside, and took his hand, surprised at the warmth.

“Janet, he’s quite hot.”

The doctor frowned and touched his forehead.

“My goodness, he’s burning up! Nurse!”

One of the nurses hurried in, carrying cold cloths. Janet gently sponged his forehead, concern radiating from her.

“What’s wrong? What’s the matter?” Sam asked, anxiously.

“I’m going to chase those results. Just try to keep him cool, ok?”

Sam nodded, and wiped the cold cloth across his brow, and down his sun-bronzed cheeks, unusually pale. A cold dread began to creep up her body, filling her with its fear. Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong.

Janet returned a few minutes later, carrying a piece of paper, stony faced.

“Please, just listen.

The tests picked up some kind of alien organism in his bloodstream. It’s beginning to attach itself to key areas of his body, and they are slowly shutting down. It is clearly manufactured.”

Sam caught the implications in Janet’s steady, even tone.

“Oh, God, no…”

Janet turned to her, face paling.

“If we can’t find a cure within the next 96 hours, Daniel will die.”

TO BE CONTINUED…