It's the year 2038 and a deadly virus has consumed the world for more than 14 years.
In Denmark, an unknown politician took it upon himself to create a safe space from the infected. As long as you abide by the 8 Obligations, you are allowed to live...
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"I need specimen 113."
Doctor Hastings is looking at the scans from 112 as he speaks. I can tell he isn't satisfied with the results.
"Yes doctor." I go out to the cage to take out the rat, who is our "patient" 113. I pet him slightly before taking him to be scanned. I'm not supposed to pet the rats. I'm not supposed to care for the animals. The doctor has been very specific about that. This is a medical trial, and I'm not to bond with the animals. They are only here for scientific reasons. But I can't help myself. I actually like rats. And these rats are helping the entire human race, at least if we will ever get the experimental drug just right. Because then we will be able to slow down the progressing rate of Alzheimer's disease. Maybe even cure it.
"Don't worry, little guy. This won't hurt at all. I promise." I reinsure the rat before giving him a sedative so I can scan him. "And who knows," I continue as I begin to scan him, "maybe you'll be the one who helps us cure Alzheimer."
As the scans comes up on the screen, I study them. I'm not trained in the same way as Doctor Hastings, so I'm not able to see exactly what he sees but having worked with him on this clinical trial for almost a year, has taught me some things. And if I'm not mistaken, it seems like there has been a change in the hippocampus from when we injected the rat. I swiftly print out the scans and provide the doctor with it.
"I think there's a change." I announce while trying to keep myself under wraps. It's too early to celebrate. We can't be sure yet.
"Let me see." He takes the scans and starts comparing the new ones with the old. "I think you might be right. Is this 113?"
"Yes doctor."
"Good. Put it back in the cage. Go get a new specimen, prepare it by the protocols and then inject it with the same drug as 113, but with a higher doze. Then well check them both in a few days." Doctor Hastings smiles at me. "We might be on the right track now."
I can't stop smiling either. It's been years since we began with this theory. Or rather, Doctor Hastings began. I was just lucky enough to be included. And now I might be a part of changing medical history. If this really works, who says it will just be affective on Alzheimer. This is a groundbreaking discovery. Maybe it can be useful on other diseases. Doctor Hastings is a pure genius.
For days I monitor specimen 113 and 119. I check the vitals three times a day and keep a record of everything I find. Suddenly, I notice that specimen 119 is getting a fever. Its increasing by the hour.
"Poor guy..." I refill his water bowl while I watch him in his little nest. As I move my hand closer to pet him slightly, he launches forward, trying to bite me. I quickly retract my hand. "Sorry buddy. Did I startle you?"
The rat keeps staring at me, when saliva starts dripping from his mouth. I have never seen anything like it. I decide to go find Doctor Hastings to let him know.
"Doctor." I run after him, once I see him in the hallway. He is on his way to surgery.
"I'm busy." He keeps his pace, and I follow him closely.
"I just want to tell you the 119 is getting ill. He has a fever and heavy salivation."
"It." Doctor Hastings stops right outside the door. "It's a rat. Not a person. Don't call it him. I told you not to get attached."
"Yes doctor. Sorry."
He opens the door to go inside, and I stop him.
"What about the rat? What should I do?"
"Keep an eye on it. I'll look at it later. Now, leave."
Then he disappears through the door.
I return to the lab and starts monitoring specimen 119. I keep an eye on it every minute of every hour. But the symptoms keep getting worse. Maybe it's just a coincidence and has nothing to do with the drugs. But somehow, I doubt it.
****
"Look at this... isn't it beautiful?" I'm standing next to the doctor as we watch the brain of Specimen 286 slowly regenerate itself. It's been months and multiple attempts since the first time we saw a slight change in specimen 113's brain. But this right here is incredible. I'm in complete awe.
For the last few weeks, I haven't been able to be working on the clinical trial with Doctor Hastings, because my daughter was sick. So, I had to work fewer hours for a little while. Therefore, this incredible development is even more overwhelming to me. So much has happened in a short span of time.
"It is breathtaking, Doctor Hastings. How did you do it?" I can't tear my eyes of the screen.
"I multiplied the doze."
"Multiplied... again?" the news is slightly shocking to me. Last time he asked me to up the doze, there had been side effects to the rats. They had become slightly more aggressive than usual. "Is it safe?"
"Who cares?! Look at this! It's not just about Alzheimer anymore. We can cure anything with this. Even death!"
"What...?" I can't believe what I'm hearing. How can he be so carefree about it? Something seems off. "You can't just ignore the side effects. It has to be safe, doctor." But he doesn't listen to me anymore.
Suddenly I notice a sound I can't identify. I turn around and move towards the sound. What I find is dreadful. The animals in the cages, who is no longer just rats, but all kinds of animals, are all screeching and growling. Gnawing at the bars to try and get to each other. Some has even begun eating their own flesh.
"Oh my god..." I slowly back out of the room and run to the door. This is pure insanity. I need to tell someone. I need someone to shut down this rial before it goes too far. But I don't get very far.
"Sorry, I can't let you do that." Doctor Hastings steps in front of the door before I can reach it. "If you know what's best for you and your children, you won't get in my way..."
I can see the insanity in his eyes, and I do not doubt for a second that he will hurt my children. I know its selfish, but I can't risk it. They are my everything. So, I stay. And against everything I believe in, I help him remove any evidence of the specimens with the side effects.
Even though he promises that he will keep working on the drug. Making it safer, I'm still afraid of how far he will go. But I must protect my children.
