Genetic Flux (Phase One Book 1)

by Eckrich,Jeremiah P.

  “So Jacob, you’re a junior at the Festus High School, right.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I hear things have gotten a bit out of hand at school in the past few days.”

  “Yes, they have. Ever since the flux has been making us all look exactly alike things haven’t been the same.”

  “You had an incident at school the other day, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, my buddies and I got suspended for fighting.”

  “Did you start it?”

  “No… Well, maybe.”

  “Tell us how it all went down and we can be the judge of that.”

  “Well it started way before the flux.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I wasn’t very big, my dad is only five-feet, five-inches so I didn’t delude myself into thinking I will grow to be six feet tall. My two friends are small too. Needless to say we get picked on a lot.”

  “How would they pick on you?”

  “Let’s just say a wedgie a day is just expected.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Oh, no. Booking was another popular one, people would punch us in the back of our head or someone would come up behind me or my friends and flick our ear.”

  “That doesn’t sound very pleasant. I know they have rules against bullying, wouldn’t anyone help you?”

  “Yes, but the teachers can’t see everything and be everywhere.”

  “I understand. Was there anything else they did?”

  “Yes, they would come up from behind me and kick one of my feet into the other. It would always make me stumble, but they were really trying to make me fall down. The worse was having a booger flicked on you.”

  “Ohhh, that’s disgusting.”

  “Yes, that would make me so mad I would try to fight the person who did it, which meant I would go home with a bloody lip, or black eye, or both!”

  “Well, I can’t blame you for trying to stick up for yourself. So you and your friends have been at the butt end of some pretty awful pranks, why did you get suspended.”

  “Well, since we all are exactly the same size and build now and look the same we have been trying to find ways to let our friends know who we are. My buddies and I would let each other know what shirt we are wearing. It’s easy to spot a shirt, because the chips and watches only help so much in a large group.”

  “Good idea.”

  “Well, it was the first day after Christmas break and I had gotten a cool white shirt as a gift. It was my favorite shirt so I wore it to school. I hear this guy yelling at me, but I ignored him. He kept yelling to the point a teacher stood up and looked at him then sat back down. He just looked at the teacher and then yelled even louder.”

  “What was he yelling at you?”

  “He just called me a baby and asked if I got my shirt in the little girls department.”

  Matt tried to control a snicker. “Well, that wasn’t very nice.”

  “I just ignored most of it, but when I didn’t pay him any attention he tore open a packet of ketchup, threw it, and hit me right in the middle of my back. I felt it and pulled my shirt around to see what it was and when I saw that red stain on my best shirt I just lost it. I charged the guy and hit him so hard we both fell to the ground. I got up and began to punch him. The thing of it was is that he didn’t notice that I had been getting bigger. I guess the flux had changed all that too. So my buddies and I were the same height and build as everyone else, but they didn’t see it. I just pounded him.”

  “It sounds like all the anger from being bullied built up inside you over time.”

  “Yea, that’s what my dad said. Anyway we were fighting, and I was winning, then one of his buddies tried to pull me off him. I just began to wail on him too. I’m told that two others started to try to help him when my two buddies got into the mix. All I know is that I heard ‘ketchup boy is winning’ and people laughing. I was just wanting to teach that guy a lesson for ruining my new shirt.”

  “Did you teach him?”

  “Yes.” The tone in Jacob’s voice showed how proud he was to finally be able to stand up for himself without being beaten to a pulp.

  “After they pulled his buddies and my buddies off all that was left was me on top of him pounding him with my fists.”

  “Well, I don’t support fighting like that, but I can understand that after being a victim of bullying you could lose your temper when you can finally defend yourself.”

  “Yea, well my dad was happy I could fight back, but he was mad I got expelled. Now I’m grounded.”

  “Well, Jacob, remember for every action, there is a reaction. It’s your dad’s reaction you don’t like.” Matt’s voice held a tint of laughter to it.

  Sue pulled into the driveway and turned the radio down so it wouldn’t blast her out of the car when she got back in at a later time and parked.

  As she opened the front door she yelled, “Daniel, I’m home! come help with the groceries.”

  “Okay, Mom.”

  As the two walked into the house with arms loaded Daniel asked, “Would you care if I ran down to Cool Beans Café to meet up with some buddies for a couple hours?”

  “No. Did you say anything to Emily?”

  “Yes, she understands I need to get out sometimes.”

  “I know Daniel, but it has to be hard for her. She hasn’t been off this property since you arrived. To see you be able to come and go as you please has to be hard on her.”

  “I know, Mom, but if I don’t get out every so often I’m going to go crazy. Besides, Emily wants a Bacon Cheddar Ranch sandwich.”

  “Alright.”

  After the groceries were in Daniel went to the living room where Emily was sitting watching TV. “I’m going down for our sandwiches now. Anything else you want?”

  “See what kind of desserts they have, their brownies are to die for.”

  He gave her a kiss. “Will do.”

  ***

  The ride to Cool Beans Café was rather eerie, his mom’s house was outside of Barnhart so Daniel used county roads to get to town then he would take new M to new Highway 21 down to Hillsboro. There were very few people on the four lane roads like M and 21. On the smaller county roads he saw no one.

  The café at 316 Locust Street was a local hangout that drew from neighboring towns like DeSoto, Barnhart, Festus, Arnold and Pevely. The moment one walked in they immediately felt welcomed. It was owned by Brenda and her daughter Michelle.

  Even though Daniel lived in St. Louis County, he would meet up with two of his buddies about once a month at the café.

  “Hey Tim how’s it been going.” Daniel yelled across the street when he saw his friend getting out of his car.

  “Hey Daniel!”

  Tim crossed the street. “Is Jason here?”

  “I’m not sure. I don’t see his car anywhere.”

  “It looks pretty busy, let’s go in and see if we can get a table.”

  Jason led the way through the door. Inside there were a few different groups of people, some standing, and others sitting at various tables and booths. It was a nice place with a local radio station playing in the background.

  “Tim, Daniel, over here.” Jason called out waving at them from the ordering counter.

  “I didn’t see your car outside.” Daniel slid next to his friend.

  “I had to park in the lot across the street. It was so busy here when I arrived I couldn’t find a closer spot.”

  “Man, I’m hungry let’s figure out what we’re getting.” Tim grabbed a menu off the counter.

  “I think I’m getting a French Dip and a latte.” Daniel mused.

  “Me too.” Tim added, “I think I’m going to get the broccoli cheddar soup to go with it as well.”

  Jason looked the menu over. “I’ll have a meatball sandwich with a cappuccino. I think I’ll get a brownie too.”

  The men placed their order with the attendant. Brenda, who was filling the order stood and watched the young men. It was st
ill a shock to see everyone look exactly alike.

  “You okay, Mom?” Brenda’s daughter Michelle asked.

  “Yes. I have to admit that it is unnerving to see people I know but don’t recognize. I hope we find a way to be able to tell one from another without relying on our watches.”

  “Me too, Mom, me too.” Michelle agreed as she finished an order.

  After placing their order the men found a table.

  “Did I tell you about my cousin?” Tim asked as they sat down.

  “The little girl who’s sick?” Daniel wanted to know.

  “Yea, you won’t believe what the flux did to her.”

  “I don’t know if I want to hear this.” Jason gritted his teeth, “I feel bad for her. The poor girl will never really know all life has to offer.”

  “You don’t know the half of it.” Tim continued.

  “So tell us.” Daniel said.

  “She’s twelve now and—”

  “We know this.” Daniel cut in, “We know she has Progeria.”

  “Well a few weeks ago my aunt called my mom. She said Hannah didn’t look the same to her so my mom went over. When she got home she didn’t know what to think because Hannah didn’t look the same.”

  “What did she look like?” Jason asked.

  “She said that Hannah looked like she did about eight years ago. She still looked older than twelve, but not like before. Now she doesn’t look as old. My mom told them that they needed to get Hannah to the doctors. With everything going on the girl doesn’t need more problems.”

  “Did the flux make her condition worse?” Daniel needed to know.

  “No, it only changed her like the rest of us, but then she started to change in other ways.”

  “How do you mean?” Daniel asked almost unable to contain himself.

  “She began to look like other kids her age. She didn’t have that old look to her. My aunt also noticed that Hannah had more energy than before. Each day she said it seemed like Hannah was getting stronger. My aunt told my mom that Hannah wanted to play outside all the time now and that she was eating like a horse! It was unreal. Why would a child dying from Progeria all of a sudden look young, healthy, and be eating so well?”

  “Did she go to the doctors?” Daniel softly asked.

  “I bet her mom was just scared the flux had done something to Hannah. It was her imagination.” Jason offered.

  “Well if it was her imagination then it’s a good one.”

  “Why?” Jason asked.

  “Because they did take her to the doctor. He did blood work on her and then called them back in. When they went for the appointment they were told that Hannah didn’t show signs of having Progeria anymore.”

  “What!” Daniel felt his heart leap.

  “That’s right. Her blood tests came back clear of Progeria. She has the DNA of one who never had Progeria.”

  “I don’t understand.” Jason shook his head.

  “The flux, it changed her DNA to that of someone without Progeria. She has been cured!” Tim smiled.

  “What does that mean for Hannah?” Jason asked.

  “Well she has been looking younger and younger. They are still watching her vital organs to make sure they heal as well, but as it stands now about the only thing she will have to get done is her teeth. As her body aged most of her teeth fell out.”

  “You have got to be kidding me.” Daniel couldn’t contain a small smile of his own.

  “I kid you not. I could hardly believe it myself, but she came over the other night for a visit and I would not have recognized her if I hadn’t been told it was her. I mean of course with the flux it’s hard to recognize anyone, but I thought with Progeria she would have been recognizable right off.”

  “So some good is coming from this.” Jason said then added, “I hope they catch who did this. I know they did it on purpose.”

  “How do you know that?” Daniel asked a bit put off.

  “How would this have happened on accident? Things like this don’t happen by accident. Anyway if it had it wouldn’t have been found out that it started at an airport in Maine. It would have started near a lab or something. Like the one you work at Daniel.” Jason joked.

  Daniel wasn’t sure what to say or do at that moment. He just took another bite. “I guess you’re right.”

  “You know I am. It would be impossible to hide something like that getting out if it had been you or —”

  “What do you mean me?” Daniel cut Jason off, “What would I have to do with this?”

  “I don’t mean you personally man. Wow, don’t get your panties in a knot. I just meant if it had been done by someone in a lab by accident it would have been found out.”

  “Oh.” Was all Daniel said as he took another bite of his sandwich.

  As they sat and ate their lunch, Daniel couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. He knew he was at fault and no one liked what the flux was doing, even if it healed a young child who had Progeria. Most people would prefer to not have to deal with the flux at all.

  Before leaving Cool Beans Café Daniel ordered Emily’s bacon cheddar ranch sandwich and her favorite snack of two brownies with homemade cream cheese icing stuffed between them.

  ***

  Daniel, Emily, and Sue had a routine by now. Emily helped around the house and did a good deal of the yard work. It gave her a chance to be outside. Sue did most of the cooking and some house work, while Daniel helped out here and there. He’d do some house work and would then help Emily outside.

  It was a couple days after his trip to Cool Beans Café when Daniel turned to his wife. “Emily?”

  “Yes.”

  “I was wondering if you would mind me going over to Pat’s house for a while.”

  “Why?”

  “Just to hang out. I’m bored.”

  “Daniel, how do you think I feel? I can’t ever leave here. I can go outside now, but I can’t see any of my friends. You get to go everywhere.”

  “I’m sorry Emily, but I’m going crazy being home all the time. I don’t even go to work anymore.”

  “I get it Daniel. I’m bored out of my mind being here all day every day, never being able to even go for a ride.”

  “I’m sorry dear. I know it’s hard for you. I know I did this to you.”

  “It has nothing to do with how it happened Daniel! It has everything to do with being stuck in one place not even being able to go for a ride.”

  “Well, let’s figure out a way for you to be able to at least go for rides. Surely we can come up with something to keep you safe.”

  “What? How?”

  Daniel thought for a moment. “Let me go to the store and get some window tint.”

  “What?”

  He headed for the door. “Just give me an hour. I’ll be back.”

  True to his word about an hour later he returned and called in the house “Emily?”

  “In here.”

  He went into the kitchen and held out some dark looking mats to her. “How about we put this on the car and then you can go for a car ride.”

  “What is it?”

  “Window tint. I got the darkest I could get so it’ll be harder to see through.”

  “Oh Daniel.” She gave him a hug, “I can really go for rides then?”

  “Once we have it on we’ll go for a long ride. We can even stop at a drive through if you want.”

  “Let’s get started.”

  The two of them put the tint on the car windows. Daniel was satisfied that no one would be able to easily peer inside. Emily went to her room to get a scarf to wrap around her head. For the first time since she arrived at her mother-in-law’s house she was able to leave the property.

  Chapter Thirteen

  WHO

  To try to quell the panic, the UN held another conference, but this time they let a scientist from the World Health Organization speak. The world stood still once again to hear the information. She was introduced and walked to the podium with quic
k, decisive steps.

  She shuffled some papers and began. “Here is what we know; the initial infection began at the Bangor International Airport in the United States. Those who were exposed at the airport then went to their destinations and passed on a part of their DNA to those they infected and so the mutation began. We aren’t sure how many were infected; some didn’t know they had been infected while others hid the fact that they had been. At this point, it no longer matters. As Mister Tanaka stated, we have a virus that mutates and re-infects. We believe someone tried to infect as many people as possible at one time.”

  A few whispers began in the audience, but she raised her hands to quiet them and resumed. “Now I know everyone has their fears, but be assured we are working around the clock to find a way to stop this. It was man made, so we feel we’ll be able to find a cure. We’ll keep you advised when more information becomes available. Thank you.”

  With that, she turned and left the podium and quickly walked away. Like the speech given before, no questions were answered.

  While Emily, Daniel, and Sue watched the UN speech fear gripped Emily when the scientist mentioned the Bangor International Airport. She looked at Daniel, with fear emanating from her face. “They know I was there!”

  “Yes, but they won’t make a connection between you and I. No one knew we were together,” Daniel answered calmly. “Not only that, you started in the St. Louis airport, it’s an international airport too. There is no mention of that, so they wouldn’t even have you on their radar.”

  “But what if they come looking for me?”

  “Where would they go?”

  “To my old apartment.”

  “That’s right. You moved out and didn’t tell anyone where you were going. By now you could be anywhere. You don’t have anything to worry about Emily. They’re looking for someone who had the knowledge and was trying to hurt a lot of people at one time. They aren’t looking for you.”

  “I guess you’re right,” she conceded, “It’s just I feel so guilty for letting all this happen.”

  “It was me, Emily, not you. I did this.”