With sunlight fleeting we hurry over to Susanna's. We wanted to get there with enough light to ensure we can see our way around the house. To prevent us from tripping over anything. We both agree that we may as well use the front door. With no one left around to see what were up too. There is no need to be sneaking around.

Amos opens the door and enters first.

"This place is a disaster. Did you do all this?"

He points to the kitchen. Broken dishes all over the floor. The cupboards ripped apart and dumped out. I see a pile of food heaped on the floor, and recognize some of the items from the basket Ma had sent me over with.

"No.. I didn't do any of this. It wasn't like this at all last time I was here. It was dark so I couldn't see well. But I would have noticed if it was this bad."

Focusing on the task at hand, we don't waste anytime investigating the mess. Instead heading straight up the stairs. Stepping over streams of clothing sprawled across the steps. Susanna's door is still wide open. I let Amos lead.

"She's in there."

I say, pointing to the door. Relived to still be able to hear her strained breathing.

Amos enters and I follow him into the room. I step over the spot where the silver mess should be.

"Right there."

I point to the spot.

"That's where I saw the glowing silver vomit. That's where it should still be."

Amos just stares at me, not saying a word. Making a face as if I'm crazy. There are strange things happening here. He seems to be in denial about just how strange they are. Unable, or unwilling to accept them.

Amos walks over to the bed and grabs her wrist. pressing his thumb down to feel for a pulse.

"Just like you said. Little beads flowing in all directions."

He drops her arm and turns to face me.

"Does she look any worse than last night?"

The dim light, fading by the minute. Makes it hard to see. I step over to right beside her bed. Leaning in close to get a good look at her face. Nothing seems to have changed. Same expression, same pose, as best I can tell she hasn't moved an inch. I turn to Amos and shrug. He's looking defeated when we suddenly hear a slight moan.

I turn back to see Susanna struggling, her arm reaching up towards my face.

"She's alive!"

Amos and I both start laughing. I continue

"She's getting better. Everything is going to be okay. We need to tell everyone in the barn. in a few days everything should be back to normal!"

Susanna's hand finally reaches my neck, and a slight smile begins to grow on her face. I put my hand over hers and press it harder against my neck. I lean in closer.

"It's going t be okay. You'll be back to normal in no time."

She starts to pull her arm away and I let go of her hand. I notice some of the blood from the bandage leaked though onto her hand. She draws it near to her mouth and starts licking the blood off. Aggressively gnawing at her own fingers to get all of it. Disgusted and freaked out I jump backward off the bed. Amos catching me. It's his turn to be the voice of reason.

"That was odd"

He says. As I stabilize myself. He now leans over the bed himself. She's out cold again. Grabbing her arm he begins shaking her.

"Susanna! Susanna! Can you hear me? Wake up!"

No response. No reaction.

"Let me try again"

I get close to her, and again a small smile starts to develop.

"She must like me. That's why she's responding so well."

"Wait Levi, I want to try something. Give me the bandage from around your neck."

While unwrapping the bandage, I step away from Susanna. who falls right back into her sleep like state. I hand it over to Amos, who takes it and holds it in his left hand. He puts his right hand directly under her nose. Nothing. He than does the same with the left hand. She smiles. Right hand again. Nothing again. Left hand again. Smile again.

"It's the blood!"

Amos says, his head turned towards me. We both hear a snarl as Susanna lunges forward. Snapping her jaw, tearing the Bandage out of his hand. Barely missing taking a few fingers with it. Her hands come up to her mouth and shes holding the bandage. shredding it with her teeth.

We run.

A few hundred meters go by before we stop to catch our breath. Amos speaks first.

"So, do we tell the others."

I don't know. I guess we have to, but I don't want to cause a panic until we have all the facts."

"Okay, so how do we get all the facts."

"Yoder has a journal. He was marking measurements in it last night, when he was collecting the vomit in a jar. He probably has notes written in there as well."

“Good idea, we can talk to him, see what he knows, tell him what we know. If we can put it all together. We might be able to figure out what this is.”

"No, I tried talking to him about it the other day. He lied. He denied the vomit was silver. He denied there was any screaming. He's hiding the truth. There's probably a lot more he knows too."

"But we know more now. If we go and tell him everything we know. He wouldn't be able to deny it. He'd have to tell us the truth."

"If we do that, we risk not getting the full truth. If we tell him what we know all he has to do is confirm that we know it. But he wouldn't have to tell us anything else. If we want the full story, we have to read his notebook. Everything he knows would be in there."

"I don't know Levi, Stealing from a minister? You and I have done some questionable stuff before. But I think that would be taking things too far."

"It has to be done Amos. God will forgive us. It's for the greater good. If you don't want to help I understand but I'm going to be taking it. I only ask that you do not talk to Yoder. Don't let him know we know anything."

"No, I'll help you. I won't consider it stealing because I intend for us to put the journal back once we've read it. Stealing is a sin, but borrowing is just a grey zone."

Knowing he keeps his office door locked. We devise a plan. Amos is uncomfortable with it, but agrees regardless. As far as I'm concerned he has the easy job. Stationing himself crouched under Yoder's office window, glowing bright we can see him sitting at his desk. Amos waits and I head around to the front.

During the day its common to just enter Yoder's home and knock on his office door. It's getting late now. But I try my luck.

The Front door was open. I knock on the office door. Yoder opens it.

"Ah yes, Levi. Take a seat. What can I do for you?"

"Well Father, I know there has been a lot going on lately but it is not about that. It is a more personal problem, is that okay? I know you are very busy."

"Of course my son. I always try to make a minute or two for those in need of my advice. Now, what is it you'd like to talk to me about?"

"Um, well... you see Father. When Susanna gets better. I...well... I want to ask for her hand in marriage."

"That is fantastic news Levi. Of course we do not know how long Susanna will tale to recover. but she is a wonderful girl and I know you two will be very happy together when that day finally comes."

"The thing is Father. I um... well I never talked to my Dad about this part. So I'm not sure."

"Not sure about what Levi."

"It is getting awfully hot in here? do you think we could open a window?"

"Of course we can."

Yoder stands and opens the window Amos is crouched under. He turns back to me and continues.

"Now What was it you were unsure about?"

"Sex."

Immediately Yoder turns red

"Well Levi, you see, in order for a man and woman to procreate. They... need to... intercourse."

He stumbles and stutters on like this for about five minutes. going into detail on all the ins and outs of procreation. Me silently just nodding my head. Once we were both sufficiently uncomfortable he rises.

"Any more questions?"

"No Father, I think that covers it. Thank you."

"Any time Levi."

He walks me out of the office.

"There is one more thing I would like to mention Father. Those of us that are still in good health. We are all staying in my barn for the night. Keeping away for the ill and keeping an eye on each other to mark if any of us have the misfortune of falling ill ourselves. Would you care to join us?"

"An excellent idea, but living here alone. I see no need to sleep anywhere but my own bed. Besides, I will be spending much of the night praying over the sick. And would not want to disrupt the sleep of others being in and out at all hours."

"Of course Father, perhaps though, you could come lead us in one more group prayer before bed. I do think it would help put everyone's minds at ease."

"I think that is a wonderful suggestion. should we head over there now?"

With that we were on our way. Already standing in the main room of the house. Yoder simply turns around and locks the office door. completely forgetting about the window. I speak extra loud on our way out the door and towards the barn. Ensure Amos can hear that we have both left.