Soo Yeon stared out the airplane window, the vast expanse of the South China Sea blurring beneath a veil of clouds. Her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs, a stark contrast to the serene hum of the jet engines. Everything had happened so fast. The masked men bursting into their Seoul apartment, the panicked escape orchestrated by her Uncle Min Jae, the tearful goodbye to her Aunt Tye Hee. And now, Malaysia, a land both foreign and strangely familiar from her childhood dreams.
Beside her, her mother, Hye Soo, clutched a worn rosary, her lips moving in silent prayer. Soo Yeon could feel the waves of worry radiating from her, a stark contrast to the stoic silence her father had maintained throughout the ordeal.
"Are we going to be safe here, Umma?" Soo Yeon finally broke the suffocating silence.
Hye Soo's eyes welled up, a tear tracing a path down her cheek. "We have to trust your father, Soo Yeon. MNIC, this institute... they'll protect us."
Soo Yeon wasn't so sure. The fear that had gnawed at her since the attack in Seoul intensified. Who were these masked men? Why were they after her? A single word, whispered on the wind during the chaos, echoed in her mind: Diamond.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness swept over her, the world tilting at an alarming angle. She squeezed her eyes shut, the dream of the old man flooding back. This time, his voice was clearer, a low murmur like rolling thunder.
"Danger... approaching... awaken..."
The dream dissolved as quickly as it came, leaving Soo Yeon gasping for breath. Her mother looked at her with concern.
"Another dream, Soo Yeon?"
Soo Yeon nodded, the memory of the old man's words sending a shiver down her spine. Danger approaching? Was that what was happening now?
The plane began its descent, the cityscape of Kuala Lumpur sprawling beneath them, a glittering tapestry of lights against the inky blackness. Anxiety gnawed at Soo Yeon as they landed, the humid air clinging to her skin like a second layer.
They were met by a group of people at the airport, led by a distinguished-looking man with kind eyes and a warm smile. Professor Yazid, Soo Yeon learned, the head of the neurological intelligence department at MNIC.
The sleek black car glided through the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, finally pulling into the imposing compound of the Malaysian Neurological Intelligent Corporation, MNIC for short. Towering glass structures, shimmering like polished obsidian, gleamed against the afternoon sun. A wave of nervous excitement washed over Soo Yeon as they stepped out of the car, the sterile modernity of the place a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos they had just left behind.
Professor Yazid, a man with a youthful aura despite his forty years, greeted them with a warm smile and a firm handshake for Professor Kim. "Professor Kim, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Welcome to MNIC."
Beside him stood Dr. Hetaf, the founder of MNIC, his weathered face etched with wisdom and a twinkle in his kind eyes. "Indeed," he boomed in a surprisingly strong voice for his age. "We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
Dr. Maryam, a hijab-clad woman with a gentle demeanor, stepped forward to greet Soo Yeon and Hye Soo. "Welcome, Soo Yeon. Your journey must have been tiring. We have prepared a comfortable room for you to rest." Her gaze held a knowing glint that surprised Soo Yeon momentarily. Were they aware of everything?
The tension in Professor Kim's shoulders eased slightly as he exchanged greetings with his old colleagues. They had known each other for years, having collaborated on various research projects in the past. There was a sense of trust and shared understanding in their interactions.
As they walked through the gleaming hallways, Soo Yeon couldn't help but steal a glance at the bustling labs teeming with activity. Strange machines whirred, and scientists in white coats moved with focused purpose. This was a world dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the human mind, and Soo Yeon suddenly felt a strange sense of belonging.
Later, settled into a plush guest room with a breathtaking view of the city, Soo Yeon couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. She approached her father, who was busy unpacking their meager belongings.
"Appa," she said hesitantly, "Do you remember Professor Yazid visiting the Korean Chemical Institute a few years ago?"
Professor Kim paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Yes, I do. We discussed some research collaborations back then."
"There was a boy," Soo Yeon continued, her voice barely a whisper. "A boy your age, maybe younger, who was playing in the lab with you and Professor Yazid. Do you remember him?"
Professor Kim's eyes widened momentarily. He knelt before Soo Yeon, his gaze filled with a strange mixture of emotions. "Yes, Soo Yeon. That was Ahmad, my son, Dr. Hetaf's grandson."
A strange sense of familiarity washed over Soo Yeon. Could it be...? She blurted out the question that had been burning on her mind.
"Does Ahmad... does he have the Diamond too?"
Professor Kim and Dr. Maryam, who had entered the room unnoticed, exchanged a knowing glance. Dr. Maryam smiled warmly, her voice soothing.
"Soo Yeon," she began gently, "you are not alone. Ahmad does have the Diamond. But for his safety, he is currently undergoing specialized training with the Malaysian government forces."
Soo Yeon's mind reeled. Another child burdened with the same extraordinary power, another life forever altered by science. A spark of hope ignited within her – a connection, a shared experience. Perhaps at MNIC, she wouldn't just find protection, but also a chance to understand herself and the Diamond within her.
YOU ARE READING
The Neurological Intelligence
Science FictionA journey of an extraordinary genius girl, having a 'Diamond' in her brain which attracted the unknown enemy to have it, caused losing her both parent and harm a lot of her friend. By the help of another Diamond bearer, both of them work together to...
