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“Do you know the mechanism of the paralysis?”

“Not at this stage None of the victims have sensory loss and can still feel pain, heat, and cold in their extremities I’m truly puzzled I’ve never seen such a quick onset of paralysis in a large group of people except from an unfortunate case of botulism at a family reunion”

“Could it be a forenous tribes using the poison in blow guns It causes paralysis”

“I don’t think so We’ve tried treating the patients with a cholinesterase inhibitor, but it had no effect The symptoms show both upper and lower motor neuron involvement, like a combination of cerebral palsy and Guillain-Barré syndrome Functional MRIs have shown that the neurons have become quiescent but are not dead”

“Is there a cure?” Eric asked

“I suppose we ht be able to synthesize an antidote if we could isolate the cause of the condition,” Thurman said “But that could takethat, I’m sorry to say that the paralysis may be permanent”

Thurave a perfunctory knock as he entered Murph was propped up in his adjustable bed in a hospital gown, and a young woht hand in hers She looked at the new visitors warily, and then suddenly her expression changed

“You’re Mark’s friends,” she said, then paused for a“He says your names are JuanEricand Doc Huxley”

Juan noticed Murph’s finger tapping on her palnized the cadence of Morse code

“You must be Sylvia,” Juan said

“I’lad you came So is Mark”

“How are you two?”

“I’m fine Mark feels okay He’s just frustrated that he can’t move”

Eric walked over to the bed “Hey, buddy Good to see you,” he said, trying to keep the ht

Murph grunted and Sylvia interpreted his rapid Morse taps “He says, ‘I know I sound likeFrankenstein’s monsterbut tell me I don’tlook like him’”