Miscellanea

Story 1: Conversion

Prologue

"People believed in God for so long from the very existence of humanity, what did it ever do them good. It was man with his intelligence and drive that led to progression to invention. It was chance, a fluke that created humans, not God. My mother died waiting for God to cure her. John, I am going to do what no God could. I am going to save others from the same fate of my mama."

"Alex, Aunt May died in peace because she believed and aren't you happy that she is no longer in pain." John was already bored with the conversation. It is the same conversation repeated every time Alex drinks which is practically everyday since the funeral. Since six months, his friend have been angry and depressed.

Alex left his job as a scientist 2 years ago to take care of his mother after she got infected with the novel Borna disease virus (BDV23). For a long time, this virus affected mostly birds and animals, till it mutated to infect humans. It spreads through bodily fluids of the infected individual or animals or eating raw or rare meat and affects the brain of the infected, causing symptoms from mild delusions to ultimately death.

When Alex hasn't replied for while, John decided to humour his friend and asked, " And how Alex are you going to do cure it, most scientists including me, have been trying for past 2 years. There is no cure. By the time the symptoms are diagnosed, it is too late. We cannot detect it early because of it latency period, it is different for every individual. Plus the initial symptoms are so subtle that even the patient doesn't recognise it. Best to avoid all contacts with humans and to eat greens only, period." John was breathing heavily after his tirade, frustrated at the world and his incapacity to help the people.

" You are right John, it is time we look at the plants for a cure. I did say I wanted to branch out to medicinal plants, you know, before the virus outbreak . So it is time I finally move on. There is nothing holding me from leaving this place. I am selling the land to Mr Victor and I am going to" Alex breathes in deeply before saying " Arc Valley, to settle there. I bought a plantation an.. "

"Wait Hang on a minute. Are you seriously going to the Arc valley, to the historian slash religion fanatics. Are you crazy? Why not the Amazon forests settlements, there are medicinal plants there too with modern tools available for convenience."

"It is a practicable option. The land there is cheap and affordable with money I sold the land with. I going to start a farm , something I wouldn't be able to in Amazon." Alex ended with a sigh. He too wished that he could go to Amazon for his research instead of Arc Valley with its eccentric inhabitants. He needs a farm or plantation big enough to grow the medicinal plants and its genetic crosses.

" They are old school people, Alex. They might not allow the equipments needed for genetic manipulation to enter the valley. So, what's the point of moving there."

"John, I know what I am doing, I may be out of touch but not stupid. I checked the legalities of the settlement in the Valley and though they follow traditionalists views there is no rule preventing me from doing experiments." Alex replied, his countenance angry. He was becoming  very irritated with his friend for his probing. 

Alex continued in his explanation," Look John, I know you mean well but I haven't lost my mind in the grief. I am still able to take care of myself and before you ask how will I farm having no prior experience. I understood talking to the council of Arc Valley  due to current circumstances, many are on the verge of becoming destitute. Some of them are retired farmers, I am sure that at leat one of them can lend me hand. So see John, it is all handled. I am selling this to Mr Victor who wanted to expand his farm. He paid sufficiently enough for me to live comfortably for few years in Arc Valley." 

For a while none spoke, Alex was waiting for his friend to speak while John was still searching for an excuse to his friend stay. At last when no idea came upon his mind , John spoke, " How did you purchase a plantation ? I thought there was no plantations left in the valley."

"Chance, John. When I talked with the council for purchasing one of their land, they said one of their plantation owner became insolvent due a recent fire that burned down his plantation and his house. I am sure because of their naiveté  in technological advancements. They asked if I am willing to buy their plantation to cover the debt of the owners for they had taken loan to install electric-magnetic shield around their land. As you can imagine their neighbours were against such decisions. The fire consumed the land a week before the shield was delivered. The family remained unharmed but were unable to pay their debt. You can imagine my surprise at this and I asked why other families didn't pool their saving to help their neighbour. Because"  Alex chuckled before he continued," Because the fire was the wrath of God and helping them will bring the wrath upon themselves." 

"It is horrible. So, where is the family staying?" John asked.

"They moved to the city and I believe the father got a job in transport. Nobody wants their land because they think it is cursed. Thats where I will come in and clear their debt. Maybe buy the shield and hire them too. Well, that's the plan." Alex looked to his friend as he finished.

" Well, there is nothing for me to say apart from good luck since I know I will not be able to change your mind. " John replied, a wistful smile, he truly wishes that his friend to be healed. He knew that selling the land would help Alex to move one. But Arc Valley is so far, with little to no technology in the land. He will miss him.

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Hope you enjoyed it.

Next words are :

Proselytise, tantrum,  fitful, couple, glean.