Long shadows cast by the surrounding buildings were now visible through the window. With the fading red light from outside, the single overhead bulb in the dorm room was providing a gradually increasing fraction of the total light to Esteban's room. The diminishing quality of light made Robert's pale skin appear even worse.
Waiting patiently by the window, Evan occasionally glanced outside at the empty park blocks below. The automatic lamps along the walkways beside the park were on, objects close to the source casting their own shadows. The few large trees nearby swayed their branches in the breeze like skeletal fingers. Thanks to the shadowy illumination below, Evan's attention was momentarily drawn to a small dead branch that had fallen upon one of the wooden benches surrounding the amphitheater.
Across the park blocks, the Sanders building stood empty. Most of the rooms were dark, but lights on the outside were on. A couple of lights were visible in the building. Likely from someone who had turned them on before the building was abandoned. Evan wondered for a moment if the building had been locked. The ground floor was a cafeteria. They might not need the food, but perhaps they could have something there that could help Robert.
The whole campus had a surreal appearance while devoid of its usual populace, the same as the previous night. But now that Evan knew a zombie was down there, it was a little more unnerving.
On Evan's suggestion, Esteban had left to wait in the hallway for Casilda's return. But until they were certain that Robert was securely restrained, he didn't want to leave him unattended. The sick man's heavy, slow breathing indicated he was still alive, but he had fallen asleep shortly after their conversation ended.
Minoko and Evelyn quietly watched over their companion, silent and whispering reassurances to each other. Now and then Minoko leaned forwards, and gently adjusted the covers on Robert, who was too exhausted to awaken.
It had only been a couple of minutes, but it felt to Evan like an hour had passed. The tension of Robert's condition was uncomfortable. Although he had never seen it firsthand, reports indicated that the transition was quite sudden once the victim appeared to die. Given that it took some time for the illness to run its course, Evan thought there was still hope for recovery, however slim it might be. And no matter how slim it was, everyone deserved the best shot they could have.
Footfalls came down the hallway, prompting Evan to approach and quietly open the door. There was a whispered snippet of conversation outside as Evan unlocked the door. Peeking through the crack, he saw Casilda had finally returned.
Not saying anything, Casilda turned her gaze away, a flustered look on the glimpse of her face Evan had glimpsed. Esteban held two pairs of handcuffs in his hands and whispered so not to disturb the sleeping man inside. "Here, take these. And here's the key for them."
"Are these going to hold?" Evan skeptically examined the implements as he accepted them.
"Yes." Casilda chirped faintly, without looking at him. She retreated a few steps down the hallway.
Evan nodded in approval. Pausing just before closing the door, he whispered in reply to Esteban. "Don't worry, I'll make sure everyone knows we don't know where these came from."
"We appreciate that." Esteban replied as he stepped back.
Carefully closing the door, Evan approached the guests quietly, stepping up to the foot of the bed.
Minoko looked up with a frown. After Evan held up one cuff, she nodded sadly and pointed to her left wrist. Robert's left arm was splayed out near the edge of the simple frame, it was a fairly easy choice where to place the first restraint. It was quickly attached without much fuss.
Evelyn closed her eyes, whispering repeatedly while Evan gingerly worked to attach the second. "It's only a scratch."
