Chapter 4: The Glowing Veins

Josh didn’t have an answer to Natasha’s questions—because there wasn’t one. But Natasha took his silence as an answer anyway. Once again, nothing was settled. It felt like her marriage was falling apart, and she couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Night came quickly, and they both went to bed. Josh stayed on his side, and Natasha stayed on hers. They didn’t say a word to each other until they fell asleep.

……..

The following morning, the loudest part of her dream was the needle. In Natasha's mind, the click of the syringe sounded like a gunshot.

Then came the heat.

It burned through her veins, turning them into glowing lines under her skin. Natasha Reese woke up with a gasp.

Her chest rose and fell fast as she struggled to catch her breath. Her heart slammed hard against her ribs, refusing to slow down. Sweat covered her skin, making it feel cold in the morning air.

For a moment, she just sat there, trying to breathe and steady herself.

I died.

The thought came back clearly. The lab—The pain—The darkness.

I died… and then I didn’t.

She wiped her forehead and turned her head slightly. The other side of the bed was empty and cold. It showed Josh had been gone for hours. He always was.

After what happened in the clinic yesterday, the silence between them had only gotten worse. It was no longer just distance. It felt heavy and uncomfortable, like something had already broken.

Natasha pushed the covers aside and stood up slowly. Her body still felt weak, but she ignored it.

She walked to the window. Sunlight spilled across her skin. For a second, a faint shimmer appeared beneath it. A side effect of the serum. Something no one else seemed to see.

The sound of a motorcycle cut through the quiet. It was loud and sharp, echoing through the valley.

Natasha paused. For a brief moment, she forgot everything. The argument, the tension and confrontation.

A small smile touched her lips. Josh was back. He had probably been out since dawn, checking the perimeter like he always did.

But as the motorcycle came to a stop outside, then—her smile faded.

Josh was driving, and Evelyn Carter was behind him. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist. Natasha stood still as she watched through the glass.

Josh got off first, then helped Evelyn down carefully, like she might fall if he didn’t hold her.

Before he could even step away, Martha rushed out of the house. She ignored her own son and pulled Evelyn into a warm, tight hug.

Her chest tightened with jealousy. But she turned away from the window, her face hardened. She didn't have time for this.

…….

Twenty minutes later, she went downstairs. She had washed away the sweat from the nightmare and dressed quickly. Black jeans. Boots. A brown sweater. Her hair brushed back neatly.

The kitchen smelled like burnt coffee and fried eggs. Josh sat at the table. He looked tired more than usual. When he saw her, he didn’t smile. He looked… guarded like he was expecting another fight.

Evelyn sat beside him. She wore one of Josh’s oversized flannel shirts that hung loosely on her frame. “Good morning, Natasha,” Evelyn said softly. “Thank you for yesterday. I don’t know how I made it. It felt like a miracle.”

Natasha pulled out a chair and sat down. “Miracles don’t happen often anymore,” she said, her tone was flat.

She didn’t look at Evelyn directly. But her eyes drifted to Josh. Even now, even with everything between them, he still looked the same. Still the man she fell for.

“She is more than lucky,” Martha said from the stove. “You should be grateful she is alright. You still need her to assist you in the clinic.”

She placed a plate in front of Evelyn with care. “And besides, she is family,” Martha added. “In times like this, we take care of our own.”

Natasha understood the message, clearly. She might be the wife. She might be the one fighting, surviving, holding everything together.

But Evelyn was the one they welcomed.

Breakfast was tense. Every word felt forced. Every silence felt heavy. Natasha tried to focus on real things. The fence needed repairs. Medical supplies were low. They needed to organize another run soon.

But every time she spoke, Evelyn pulled the conversation somewhere else, telling stories and bringing memories, things Natasha had no part in.

Josh stayed quiet, his eyes stayed on his plate. But Natasha noticed something. When Evelyn leaned closer, when her hand brushed his arm, he didn’t move away.

That was enough. Natasha stood up suddenly, her chair scraped loudly against the floor. “We are running out of medicine,” she said. “The clinic is almost empty. I am going to Fairfax to see what is left.”

Josh looked up immediately. “The Fairfax area is full of infected,” he said. “We haven’t cleared it in months. Wait until tomorrow. I will send a team with you.”

Natasha didn’t argue, but she was upset. She tried to hold it together, not wanting to lose control. Josh was changing, becoming more like a stranger to her every day.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table, and for a brief second, her veins glowed faintly under her skin. Evelyn noticed right away, but before she could make sense of it, the glow disappeared.

“Are you sick?” Evelyn asked.

Natasha’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected that question. For a moment, she felt confused. Did Evelyn know something?

“Do you want me to check your veins? They were glowing. That doesn’t look normal.”

Josh and Martha both turned to look at Natasha.

“Glowing veins?” Josh said. “Since when, Nat?”

Natasha opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out.