Specious

by Berkstresser, Robin

  “Try me,” I say through clenched teeth.

  He studies my expression before answering. “Do you recall learning about apoptosis?”

  The term seems familiar. Before I can speak, however, Allison responds, “Programmed cell death?”

  Dominic raises his eyebrows and nods.

  Allison notices my confused look and continues, “Starting as embryos and throughout childhood development, certain cells are told to die. For example, this is how our fingers and toes get separated.”

  She looks questioningly at Dominic. “I don’t understand how this is related.”

  Dominic opens his bag and puts his gun back inside.

  While taking inventory of the items inside, he says, “Before an individual is fully developed, their cells are reproducing and dying very quickly. When the virus is introduced, without the cancerous cells to protect the body, cell necrosis occurs to further spread the virus, thus causing apoptosis to occur unchecked and new, healthy cellular reproduction to cease.

  “The developing individual then has a host of rapid developmental problems that cause the brain, and individual, to die. That was the cause of the spur of children deaths recently.”

  Dominic considers for a moment and concludes, “Imagine a candle lit at both ends, if you will. They don’t stand a chance—similar to you, Joe.”

  I bite back my retort. It seems like a lifetime ago that Ian was accusing the genetic engineers of causing his sister’s death. He was right all along and the only one brave enough to challenge Dominic.

  I repeat the new information back to myself to try and increase my understanding of how this virus works. “So once someone is fully developed, apoptosis ends, the body loses its last defense, and becomes fully susceptible to the virus?”

  “Correct. And without the cancerous cells to spread and smother the virus, the Letum is created.”

  “That’s what happened to Matt? Because he was genetically planned, his body no longer had the ability to protect itself from the virus by developing cancer. That’s why he turned into the Letum even though he wasn’t bitten.”

  “That’s right,” Dominic says as he zips up his bag and sets it on the table next to him.

  My eyes widen at the implication. “That means everyone from our generation who is Planned can turn without being exposed to the Letum.” I nervously eye Dominic and Jess.

  “That took you less time to catch on than I thought, Joe. Well done,” my brother responds.

  I glare at his condescending tone and bite back my response. All of the questions about why everything has happened have finally been answered, yet it’s somehow unsatisfying. It was all so avoidable. We did this to ourselves.

  Allison glances down at her growing stomach and repeats her earlier question. “How did you bring him back?”

  “I introduced a high concentration of cancerous cells into his body. The cells quickly spread and fought the virus until Andrew was able to regain control. Unfortunately, while we know how to prevent cancer from occurring via genetic planning, there is no cure. We could treat some of his symptoms, but not eradicate this new infection.”

  No longer able to stand the sight of Andrew’s vulnerable body lying crumbled on the ground, I take one of the medical sheets off the nearest shelf and cover his body. The white sheet quickly turns red and I turn away in pain. I look to Jess for strength. Mentally, she’s so far removed from the conversation. I rub my forehead, trying to make sense of everything that has happened tonight.

  Allison interrupts my thoughts. “You could have gotten us out of the rooms yourself. Why did you need him?”

  “To gain your trust and give you hope. If I had simply told you I had the power to bring someone back from this infection, would you have believed me?” Dominic asks us and then he quickly answers his own question. “Of course not. You would have thought I was scheming.”

  I look at him in disbelief. “So you’re not scheming right now?”

  “Of course I am, Joe, but that’s not what you should focus on.”

  My eyes return to the sheet outline of Andrew. Dominic has now shot two of my closest friends right in front of me.

  “And what do you gain from all of this?” Allison says.

  “I can bring your unborn child’s father back and have him hold your baby,” Dominic states instead of answering. One glance at Allison and I know, without a doubt, whatever he wants, she’s going to agree to it.

  I look over at Jess to see if I can gauge her thoughts. She’s still staring at the ground. I frown and look back at Dominic. He watches Jess with an arrogant look on his face and my hatred threatens to choke me.

  Gathering all of my strength and courage, I run and catch him by surprise. Our bodies hit the ground when I tackle him. Dominic may be a lot stronger, but I catch him unaware and wrap my hands around his neck. My fingers tighten around his sensitive skin as I strangle him.

  Allison screams while a blind rage consumes me.

  He put me through so much growing up, always making me think I wasn’t good enough for anyone. He murdered Andrew and Chris right in front of me and clearly damaged Jess.

  My grip tightens even more and I notice with satisfaction that Dominic looks scared, his eyes bulging in alarm. His hands flounder against my chest, but he’s getting weaker and weaker with each passing moment. Who’s the strong one now?

  There’s a pressure at my side and I’m put off balance. This brings me back to reality and the sound of Allison screaming, “Stop it. Don’t kill him. I need him. I need to get Matt back. Think of Matt. Please!”

  Her voice finally resonates and I’m able to see the truth in her words. I relax my grip and slide off of Dominic. He rolls over and sputters. Unable to resist, I kick him in the side.

  I back up a few feet and try to regain my breath. Allison grabs me in an embrace. She sobs, “Oh, thank you, Elliot. Thank you, thank you, thank you…” she continues irrationally.

  I pat her back without taking my eyes off Dominic. He manages to get up on all fours and coughs nastily.

  I shift my sight to Jess. She looks at Dominic, but it doesn’t seem like she’s actually seeing him. Her mind seems far away from the present situation.

  I turn my attention back to my brother. At this point, he’s made it to his knees and, somehow, smiles.

  “You finally had your chance,” he says in a taunt. His voice is hoarse and almost unrecognizable. “You had me, but you weren’t strong enough to finish it. You are, and always will be, too weak.”

  “Stop talking,” I say.

  “Or what? You won’t do anything. You just proved that. I’ve been miserable to you your whole life. I captured the only two friends you truly had growing up and killed both of them right in front of you. And there’s what I did to Jess.” He winks at her and I clench my fists. “But you won’t do anything to me because you care too much. Simple as that. The people you love expose you and leave you even more vulnerable than you were in the first place.”

  “If you have it so figured out, then why do you need us right now? Why else would you have hatched this plan to get us here?” I ask.

  A cackle escapes his mouth and he says, “You think you have the power right now? You need me. I have a semi-cure for your friend, a vehicle to get out of the territory safely to get to him, and medicine to help keep him as healthy as possible after he turns back.”

  Even if he gives us the medicine, we don’t know how to administer it without him. “What are you getting out of it then? You’re the most selfish person I know. There has to be something in it for you.”

  He pretends to consider the question. “Now that I understand what caused this virus, it is not safe to be in a location with a lot of Planned. I doubt it will be secure here much longer. There has already been desertion.” He rubs his beard. “I want to go to Acroisia. Their population should be relatively unaffected by this outbreak.”

  I thought nothing he could have said would have shocked me at this point, but I wa
s wrong.

  Growing up, we were all told of the stories of savagery and the backward population. Acroisia is supposed to be full of lawless, dangerous individuals who don’t understand reason. Can I expose Jess and Allison to this?

  With my mind racing, I ask, “If you want to go there, why do you need us?”

  Dominic sighs with impatience. “I cannot show up by myself or I will stand out. I need to bring you all with me so they’ll be more likely to accept me in their group. In case you think you can just kill me and steal my medicine, I have special codes for the drugs that only I know how to administer. In addition, I have packed supplies to help with the impending birth of the child. Jocelyn was a doctor and I convinced her to teach me how to deliver a baby.” He nods at Allison and concludes his argument.

  “If she was a doctor, why can’t we bring her with us?” Allison asks.

  “Because I have the knowledge to assist you now. She’s no longer needed,” he states and grabs his bag. “Let’s move out before this place crumbles. I got rid of the guards for the vehicles so we should leave before the next shift gets in.”

  He whistles so happily that it makes me nauseous.

  “Please leave the room while I discuss it with Allison and Jess,” I tell him in as calm a voice as I can manage. I know Allison has her mind made up, but I need to get the approval from Jess. I hope she will be honest with me.

  Dominic smirks and walks toward the door. He pauses when he’s next to Jess and her whole body tenses. He leans in close and whispers something in her ear. A sob escapes Jess’s mouth. I quickly move toward her, but it appears Dominic accomplished what he wanted to do because he steps back and raises his arms in the air.

  “Easy, Joe. I was just asking how she was doing. I did not mean to offend you by talking to your…ah…” He pauses and a smile plays on his lips when he finishes. “Whatever she is, no need to worry. She is all yours.” He continues whistling and leaves.

  I utter a sigh of relief the second he exits the room. I walk toward the far wall, away from Andrew, and motion for them to join me. Once I reach the farthest point away from Dominic, I sit down and wait for them. Allison waddles and clumsily sits down next to me, with Jess on her other side.

  Before I can speak, Allison says, “Matt.”

  “I know,” I say.

  “What’s there to talk about? We need Dominic,” Allison says.

  I remain silent as I consider my next words. I need to be blunt, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings. “There are several things to discuss. First of all, we don’t even know if it will work and even if it does, how long will he be back? And at what quality of life? Would he want to come back just to get sick and weak? Do we want that for Matt?”

  A silent tear falls down Allison’s cheek and she grabs my left hand and Jess’s right hand and places them on her stomach. There’s a movement under her shirt and for a few seconds, the three of us sit there quietly as we feel Allison and Matt’s unborn child shift positions.

  “Matt would want to come back to meet his child. I’m not unrealistic. I know it isn’t a permanent solution and it won’t be like it was before. Dominic is giving us the opportunity for my child to meet his or her father.”

  “Jess?” I say in an attempt to get her to contribute to the discussion.

  She jerks her hand off of Allison’s stomach. “Whatever you guys want. It doesn’t matter.”

  “Look at Jess, Allison. We can’t bring Dominic with us,” I say with clenched teeth.

  Allison addresses Jess. “I’m going to be selfish. I have an opportunity to have my child know Matt and I need you to be okay with that. Please.”

  Keeping her eyes on the floor, Jess nods and Allison pulls her in for another hug. Jess flinches again, but lightly pats Allison’s back before she pulls away and retreats back into herself.

  “What about going to Acroisia? You’ve heard the stories. They’re supposed to be very dangerous and unpredictable,” I say to remind her of the full implications of bringing him with us.

  Almost too quietly for me to make out her words, Jess whispers, “Look around, Elliot.”

  I examine the room. The evidence of all of the experiments is visible in every corner of the room with all the supplies and machines used for the genetic engineers’ manipulations.

  In my mind, a seemingly endless loop of devastating images takes over. Andrew’s pool of blood, Matt’s desperate attempts at hurting Allison, Chris’s limp body falling, Carly being torn apart, the emptiness in my grandfather’s eyes, my grandmother ripping into my mother’s throat, the two men Dominic killed outside the territory. Our society did this. It’s the problem.

  I finally see clearly the society that I grew up in. With one more look at how damaged Jess is, a decision and plan lock into place. Dominic isn’t going to use us to get to Acroisia. We’re using him.

  So, even though accepting my brother’s help is one of the last things I want to do, I’m somehow forced, once again, to ask for it.

  I walk toward Dominic. He comes through the door with an arrogant look.

  I tell him quietly enough so no one can hear, “If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I don’t care what you can do for Matt. I don’t care that you’re my brother.” I let the rest of the threat hang in the air.

  “Joe, who do you have left to protect you now?” Dominic taunts.

  I let out a deep breath through my nose. “I don’t need anyone else to fight my battles.”

  He considers me for a second, a smirk playing at his lips. “Don’t worry, I like my toys shiny and new.” He raises his voice to address the group. “Let’s move out.”

  He heads back to the door. Allison follows him and Jess and I exit the room side by side. I take one last look at the shape of Andrew’s body and take a deep breath to steady myself. I engrave the image into my mind so I never forget.

  “Where are you going?” I jerk my attention toward the source of the familiar voice. Phillip is looking at Dominic in confusion, and under that, a small tinge of betrayal. “Are you leaving us?”

  Dominic’s fingers tap on his thigh. “You have to trust me right now. I need to get away, but I will be back for you as soon as I can.”

  Phillip’s eyebrows furrow. “We’re supposed to do this together. You can’t leave.”

  He meaningfully eyes his weapon at his side. I stiffen at his apparent threat. I’m not sure who to root for. At least my brother is the known evil.

  Surprisingly, Dominic smiles. “Phillip, we are in this together. I need you to keep everything running smoothly here. You are the only one I can trust.”

  Phillip plays with the holster of his gun, his teeth gleaming in the artificial light.

  “If that’s true, why were you going to leave without telling me? And what are you doing with them?” he spits out.

  “I am asking you to have faith. Can you do that for me?” Dominic responds.

  “You’ll come back for me?” Phillip asks as he drops his hand. There’s a flash of a desperate need for belonging across his face.

  “Of course. I need you.” Phillip smiles instantly at Dominic’s words. “It would be beneficial for you to go away and pretend that you never saw us.”

  Phillip looks like he still doesn’t want to leave Dominic, but clasps his hand in farewell anyway.

  “I’ll see you soon then?”

  Dominic nods and Phillip walks down the hallway, shoulders slumped.

  Once he is out of earshot, Dominic mutters, “Idiot.”

  Allison studies my brother. “Why didn’t you just kill him?”

  “He can still add value, just not with me. Lying to him had the highest likelihood of his leaving.” Dominic takes a deep breath. “Let’s keep walking.”

  We all keep moving down the long hallway. There’s a bounce in Allison’s walk. Her joy infectiously threatens to spread through the empty hallway. I don’t blame her. The thought of hearing Matt’s cheesy jokes again, leaving our prison, and getting back to
where I was happiest makes it so tempting to give in to her hope. But I can’t.

  Without thinking, I make to put my arm around Jess for support. She automatically shrinks away. Jess looks at me in unbearable pain and shakes her head. She speeds up to be closer to Allison. Reality slams back into me.

  I clench my jaw and try not to feel the pain of her rejection or imagine what happened to her. A look at Dominic’s arrogant walk lets one small seed of hope plant itself. When the time is right, I’ll rid him from our lives.

  Dominic hands us all masks like the ones we received when we first came here. “It is in the middle of the night. The vehicle’s headlights would attract the Letum, so we are going to drive without them through Potentia. The moon should be bright enough,” Dominic says. He opens the large door to let us out of the building.

  Darkness awaits us.

  About the Author

  Originally from Plano, Texas, Robin is a graduate of Kansas State University and currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her dog, Juno, and plenty of bottles of wine. Specious is her debut novel, the first in a three-part series that explores the provocative and divisive theory of genetic planning.

  For more information on Robin and her upcoming projects, visit her website at www.robinberkstresser.com.