Influenza: Viral Virulence by Steven Ohliger Read Free Book Online Page A

library. It was a modern structure with plenty of partitioned study desks spread throughout both the first and second floors. Of course, the library contained a massive amount of books, but its main function was to serve as a place to get away from the noisy student rooms in order to study for tests in solitude. For the most part, the books remained untouched in their proper places on the shelves.
    Students didn’t usually prepare for tests this early in the academic year. Of course, one week before midterms or finals, you wouldn’t be able to find a spare seat in the building. But today, Michael had the choice of any desk, and he chose one next to the floor-to-ceiling window. At least he’d be able to enjoy the outdoor weather while he was studying.
    He soon discovered that his selection of a study desk supposedly free of distractions was a big mistake. Multiple times he caught himself staring out the window, daydreaming. More than a few students were emerging from their dorm rooms and lying on the expansive lawn, soaking up the last rays of summer. Some brought radios, drinks, and books to enjoy the day. Others tossed a football or baseball back and forth. In the distance toward the sport fields, Michael could see an unofficial soccer game starting up. He found himself wishing he was with them instead of being confined inside this empty building. He never imagined that most of the students he saw out there would be dead within a couple of weeks.
    After several hours of staring out the window and not getting much accomplished, he gave up and moved to a desk farther away from the enticing distractions. He settled down and started once again to try to read through his notes. Then he caught himself beginning to nod off. Great , he thought. Where can I go so that I will actually concentrate?
    Knowing he desperately needed to change his location if he wanted to make any progress toward forcing his study notes into his brain, he packed up his books and notes once again and left the library. After the glass door swung shut behind him, he turned down the sidewalk heading back to his apartment. He had just walked a few feet along the concrete…
    “Hi!” a very familiar voice called.
    He turned and was surprised to see Lorie. She was sitting on a large beach towel that had a bright island scene printed on it. He would never have recognized her with those dark sunglasses she was wearing. She was also dressed in short shorts and a form fitting, white top. It was not her typical attire when she attended classes.
    She waved him over, and as he got closer she looked up at him and said, “You look better than you did last night.”
    “I suppose that not having blood dripping from your face will tend to make an improvement.”
    “Kidding aside, how are you really doing? Does it still hurt?” she asked, a little concerned. She removed her sunglasses and peered up at his forehead, examining the knot that must have been growing from it like a tumor.
    “I’m okay, really. I took some aspirin this morning for the pain, and eventually the swelling will go away. At least, I hope it will. I’ll just look like an ogre until this lump disappears.”
    “Oh,” she said, smiling mischievously at him. “You looked like an ogre even before you got the lump. The swelling just adds to the effect.” She winked at him playfully. “Come and sit for a while,” she said, moving over and patting the empty half of the beach towel with her hand.
    Trying not to get his shoes on her nice, clean towel, he sat down clumsily beside her. Lorie pointed to his shoes. “Go ahead, take off your shoes and stay awhile.”
    Michael obediently did as she suggested. He hoped his socks didn’t smell. He settled comfortably on his portion of the beach towel. “What are you doing out here?”
    “Just enjoying the last few days of the summer and trying to keep my tan as long as possible. Besides, the new girls in the sorority house are playing some kind of music