Linus Javier was born in Tallahassee, Florida, on February 17, 2055. As a child, he dreamed of becoming an astronaut to travel in a spacecraft. However, as he grew up, his interests shifted to mathematics, biology, chemistry, and the scientific process. His childhood was difficult; his mother, Madelyn, died of breast cancer when he was just 14. He lived with his abusive, smoker, and drunkard father, Enrico, along with his sister, Bridget. Enrico would frequently abuse both Linus and Bridget, even for minor mistakes, subjecting them to torture such as withholding food for a day. Eventually, the siblings decided to escape their abusive home, leading to a period of homelessness where they experienced hunger and mistreatment. However, they were later adopted by a wealthy man who provided them with a luxurious lifestyle, education, and support. Linus graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
In 2078, Linus met Lauren, courted her for a long time, and they married in October 2086. Their first child, Haven, was born on December 3, 2091. Unexpectedly, the wealthy man who had adopted them passed away due to a heart attack in 2094. Following his death, Linus's behavior gradually changed; he became irritable, unreliable, and eventually developed a gambling addiction. Despite his wife's efforts to help him, Linus spiraled out of control, losing his property and money until all he had left was his laboratory. Accumulating significant debts from gambling, Linus was threatened by his creditors, who warned him that if he couldn't repay them, they would harm his wife and daughter. Tragically, this threat became a reality in October 2095 when Linus lost both his wife and daughter to the gamblers' violence, leaving him to grieve deeply.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Linus threw himself into his work, conducting numerous experiments in his laboratory. In 2101, he succeeded in creating a capsule that could transform humans into zombies. Utilizing his resources, including helicopter pilots under his command, Linus orchestrated a zombie outbreak that plunged humanity into chaos.
Flashback...
October 2095
Bridget's POV
"Hey, Bridget, how's it going?" Lauren greeted cheerfully.
"Well, it's been lively because I want to meet my niece. I have a surprise for her!" I said with enthusiasm as I entered their house.
"Haven, come down here! Your aunt Bridget has something to tell you. Hurry!" Lauren called out, and Haven came downstairs, holding her Barbie doll and playing with her friend.
"Aunt Bridget, I missed you so much!" Haven exclaimed, running up to hug me.
"I heard you have something to tell me. What is it?" she asked eagerly.
"Well, we're going to the mall today to buy you new clothes and shoes, and then we'll watch a movie in the cinema. Are you excited? Get ready now!" I said, and she dashed off to the bathroom to prepare.
Linus's POV
After finishing work, I headed home at 6:00 PM, eager to surprise my wife with a bouquet of flowers and expensive chocolates for our ninth anniversary.
Entering the bedroom where my wife should have been, I exclaimed, "Surprise!" But to my embarrassment, she wasn't there. I searched the house frantically, calling her repeatedly, but she didn't answer.
Suddenly, a breaking news alert interrupted my search.
BREAKING NEWS
5:00 PM
"This is Mr. Dawson with breaking news... A woman and her young daughter have been murdered by unknown assailants here in Florida. Police are still investigating the motive behind the killings..."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I heard the news, feeling like I was losing my mind. I shouted in anguish. Rushing to the crime scene, I struggled to make out their faces through the brutality of the crime, but the clothes they wore confirmed my worst fears.
6 years later...
I still vividly remember that night when my family vanished from my life. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me, and I wanted to die. But even in my grief, I couldn't bear the thought of those criminals continuing to murder innocent people. I hated myself for not protecting my family, but I hated the criminals who took them away even more. Now, as the zombie outbreak I initiated spreads across the United States, it seems that Arizona is a temporary safe zone. I continue to build alliances with Bethany and Apollo, laying the foundation for an end to humanity.
Bridget's POV
Celestia really wants to know who her father is. I can't give her back to him because I'm still worried about what possible harm could happen. I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but I prioritize her safety more. If the time comes that she wants to know the truth about her life, I should tell her then. While I'm folding clothes in the living room, Celestia suddenly comes out and says something.
"Am I really your child, or am I an orphan? Is that why you can't say anything about my father?" Celestia said, in tears.
"You are my child. Why are you saying that?" I said, worried.
"Please, tell me the truth. Who is my father?" Celestia said.
"Do you really want to know?" I shouted.
"Of course, I want to know who he is!" Celestia says.
"Your father is a scientist, his name is Linus Javier" I informed her.
"What? How is that possible?" Celestia said.
"It was in October 2095. I guess you've already forgotten what happened that day. You were just three years old at the time. We went to the mall and bought you new clothes, shoes, and everything. Then, you slept at my house, and I just watched the news that your real mother Lauren and your friend were murdered by unknown citizens in Florida. I was scared. I couldn't give you back to Linus because I knew you were in danger. He had debts to the gamblers who murdered your mother and friend. So, if I gave you back, maybe they would come back for you and kill you too. Fortunately, I saved you that day before all this happened. I promised to protect you starting that day. I gave you a new name and identity. Celestia, you're Haven," I informed her.
Celestia, sobbing and unable to believe what's happening in her life, just hugs me tightly, in tears.
"So, my real name is Haven, a heavenly name too," Celestia said.
"Yes. If you want, I can call you Haven now," I said.
"Even though Haven was my real name, I still prefer Celestia, the name you gave me," Celestia said.
"If my real mother is Lauren, then who are you?" Celestia asked.
"I'm your aunt Bridget," I softly said to her.
"Aunt Bridget, I remember now. The last time we spent time together was when we went to the mall six years ago. It's still on my mind, and it's a different story when we got separated on the train," Celestia realized.
"You're right. Do you know why we got separated on the train that night? Because your father Linus came to see me there, so I had to go with him even though I knew you were still on the train. I didn't have a choice but to hope you survived, and you did," I explained to her.
"I'm sorry, Celestia, for hiding the truth from you for so long," I added.
"Don't be sorry, because after all, you just protected me from those who wanted to hurt me," Celestia said.
"But Aunt Bridget, can we meet my father? Where is he now?" Celestia asked.
"I should've done this before the zombie outbreak, but the last time we talked, he said he was going to build a new laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada," I said.
"I want to meet him before it's too late," Celestia said.
Celestia really wants to meet her father even though she doesn't know that he's the one who ruined humanity. I couldn't stop her from looking for her father, but we're going to Las Vegas, Nevada to find my brother Linus Javier, to tell the truth, and try to stop whatever he's planning to end humanity.
YOU ARE READING
Capsule Outbreak
Mystery / ThrillerAs the new century begins, zombies take over the world. Dr. Javier, a pharmaceutical scientist who lost his family to murder, creates a capsule that turns people into zombies. At midnight, an explosion causes chaos. Helicopters arrive, but instead o...
