Alexander's eyes widened. Something was moving in Dominic's veins, wriggling as it progressed. It wasn't a hallucination; something was undeniably squirming within the older man's blood vessels. The sight sent shivers down Alexander's spine, despite everything he'd endured. "Old man, that's..."

If Dominic hadn't warned him against touching him, Alexander would have rushed forward.

"Symbiote!" Dominic uttered slowly, taking a deep breath. He then glanced at his arm as if nothing were amiss and returned it to the water, creating a splash. Alexander leaned back, prepared this time.

"Three hours... later... get Austin... that bastard... help me up!" Dominic then fell silent.

Alexander remained speechless, knowing the older man was utterly exhausted. Though seemingly unconscious, it wasn't a critical condition.

After a deep breath, Alexander left. In the main house's living room, he found Austin clumsily changing the towel on Galen's forehead. Despite his attempts at careful folding, the towel remained messy; when placed on Galen's head, it covered his eyes. Austin, sensing his error, tried to readjust it before it slipped off.

"I'll do it," Alexander said, taking the towel. He touched his son's forehead; it felt cooler, though he couldn't attribute it solely to the towel. The unsettling sight of Dominic's condition, however, shattered his composure. This wasn't a typical infection or fever.

'The old man said, "Symbiote." What is a symbiote?'

Alexander had encountered the term on television, in books, and in rumors, but this was his first firsthand encounter.

'Someone said West Virginia was the first state to develop symbiotes. Symtoxins. Symtoxins and symbiotes seem related. Do symbiotes release Symtoxins? But shouldn't it be a lab-created virus if Austin was the source? How does it relate to Symtoxins?'

Everything felt increasingly complex. Alexander sullenly placed the towel on the child and turned to Austin. "Do you know anything about the virus in your granduncle?"

He hesitated, unsure of Austin's knowledge, before mentioning "symbiote."

"I don't," Austin shook his head, frowning. "I don't even know what virus is in me. All I know is this is my fault. Uncle Dom wouldn't have been infected if he hadn't saved me.

I've thought about it endlessly these past two days. It must have come from that Mike Corden guy. He did this on purpose! That's why he helped me escape! He's using me to hurt people. He deliberately let Uncle Dom find me to spread the virus!"

His anger escalated. "Those demons!" Austin clenched his fist, pounding the sofa. He reflected on the past two days—the trap, the hostage situation, the torture, the rescue, the recovery—everything had seemed too convenient.