Day 31: What Now?

Group: Natalie, David, Amélia, Mike, Edward, Nicole, Josh, Matthew, Liz, Nina, Lucky, Eddie, Elise, Dominic, Mathew, Ryan, Troy, Aisha, Jeremiah, Katrina, Jake, JC
Location: BioCore Safe Zone

“They’re walking into their deaths. We need to stop them!” Elise exclaimed, but Natalie was already running forward.

“MATT!” she shouted, frantically waving her arms as she called his name, “MATT!!” It wasn’t his name that made him freeze, it was the sound of her voice. A voice he thought he’d never hear again.

Matthew glanced towards the cluster of trees. She appeared through the forest, arms outstretched and a smile on her face. Tossing Dominic his weapon, he rushed forward. They met halfway, his arms instantly enclosing her in a warm hug as she bounded into him. “I can’t believe it’s you,” he whispered against her ear before their lips met. He could feel the moisture on her cheeks as her hands slipped around his neck.

Continue Reading: "Day 31: What Now?"

05: Cover Up

Three vans poured into the center of Fairhaven, all of them with the BioCore logo embossed on the side. Residents went on about their normal routines, unaware of the dangers that lurked nearby. A hose was shoved through the sliding door of one of the vehicles aimed at the park where several families had gathered for the Fairhaven Round-up. It was an annual event that hosted competitions ranging from bull riding to pig wrangling to ‘roping’ or lasso techniques. There was even a petting zoo for the kids and a mechanical bull for adventurous adults.

Several charities were on hand hoping to rouse a few new donors for their cause. There were even booths set up for Girl Scouts to peddle their cookies and homemade friendship bracelets. The sun shone above like a radiant gem in the sky. For the middle of summer, the day was cooler than usual. The slight breeze fanning through the mix of maple, oak and fir trees provided a level of comfort that made the day absolutely perfect for this event.

Stopping just at the edge of the square, the driver put the vehicle in park and waited. The canister concealed in the back of the bed whirred to life, choking out a thick, odorless, tasteless liquid into the air. The mist fell down like rain. Several people ran for cover while others, children mostly, played beneath it in sheer delight. It lasted for a few minutes before the spout recoiled back inside the vehicle and the BioCore vans drove out of the area.

Continue Reading: "05: Cover Up"

04: Critical Mass

Moving with purpose, Raymond’s feet carried him up the stairs to the Executive wing, passed the conference room packed to capacity with potential buyers and into the lavish office floor of the higher-ups. Each step burned with determination and anger all centered on one person. “What the hell is this?” Raymond demanded, storming into Ericka’s office and tossing a handful of photos on her desk. Photos taken by his assistant who had the gall to defy her Project’s Supervisor and sneak back into a restricted area three nights ago.

“And a good morning to you too, Dr. Bell,” Ericka said, pushing the images to the side as she casually sipped from her morning tea.

Continue Reading: "04: Critical Mass"

01: Natural Selection

The clicking of heels on the pristine tile floors forewarned the laboratory of her arrival before the hermetic glass doors slid open. A pair of nyloned legs appeared in the doorway and just like roaches when the lights turn on everyone scattered to their stations, pretending to work on their assigned duties. Ericka Vanguard, the Vice President of BioCore Pharmaceuticals, entered the room. Her freshly ironed suit clung to her hips as she walked with purpose towards the terminal in back.

Continue Reading: "01: Natural Selection"