The rise of NEXUS

Chapter 4: A Mysterious Illness Begins in a Distant Land

Morning sunlight filtered gently through the blinds, casting a soft glow over the kitchen. Grace, awake earlier than usual, moved gracefully through her routine, the quiet rhythm of her morning flowing effortlessly as Xavier leaned against the counter, still shaking off sleep as he scrolled through the news on his phone.

Xavier's brow furrowed as he read the headline: "Mysterious Illness Spreads in Remote Region—Experts Urge Caution." He tapped into the article, skimming through paragraphs describing a strange flu-like illness emerging in a distant town. The symptoms were alarming—high fevers, respiratory distress, and a level of fatigue that went beyond anything typically seen with the flu. The tone of the article was cautious, uncertain.

"Hey, have you seen this?" Xavier asked, glancing up at Grace as she poured him a cup of coffee. "There's some kind of illness spreading overseas. They're saying it’s spreading faster than expected."

Grace handed him the steaming mug and smiled softly. "Another virus scare? Sounds like last year’s headlines about the bird flu."

Xavier chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, but this feels different. They don’t seem to know what they’re dealing with yet. Might be something to keep an eye on."

Grace placed a comforting hand on his arm. "You're always worrying, Xav. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Let’s not start our day thinking about viruses, okay?"

They sat down to a quick breakfast, their conversation drifting to lighter topics—weekend plans, Grace's upcoming school event, and Xavier’s work at Nexus. The hum of the city waking up outside seemed to mirror their lives, filled with normalcy and routine.

After breakfast, Xavier kissed Grace on the cheek, grabbed his bag, and headed out the door into the predawn light. As he left, Grace couldn’t help but glance at the headline on his phone once more before shaking off any lingering concern. Viruses came and went. This one would probably be no different.

At Nexus, Xavier settled into his office, but the usual buzz of the lab felt different. Conversations around him were more hushed, with clusters of scientists gathered near monitors and newsfeeds. The sense of unease was subtle but growing.

In the break room, Xavier found a group of colleagues huddled around the TV. A news report played, showing footage from a distant region where makeshift hospital tents had been set up to treat the sick. The anchor’s voice carried the same tone of caution he’d read that morning.

“Another flu, huh? What’s that, the third one in a decade?” One scientist quipped, stirring sugar into his coffee with a dismissive air.

Malcolm, leaning casually against the counter, smirked. “These journalists love to overhype things. Always makes it sound worse than it is.”

Xavier joined them, his eyes flicking to the screen where a government official reassured the public. The official’s voice was steady, explaining that the illness appeared contained, that there was no immediate cause for alarm. Yet, Xavier couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. “It’s moving fast,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Malcolm raised an eyebrow, catching Xavier’s serious tone. “You’re overthinking it, Xav. You always do. Let’s focus on what we can control.”

Xavier smiled, but the unease lingered. Later, back in his office, he found himself diving deeper into medical forums, reading firsthand accounts from doctors in the affected region. The stories were troubling—patients deteriorating quickly, hospitals being overwhelmed. He glanced at the clock, realizing how absorbed he had become in his research.

At the same time, Grace was going about her day at the primary school, her mind far from any global health crisis. She helped her students with an art project, guiding their tiny hands as they painted bright landscapes. The innocence of the classroom was a welcome distraction from any outside worries.

During lunch, Grace sat with her colleague Lauren in the staff room. “Did you see the news about some flu going around?” Lauren asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.

Grace nodded, unwrapping her own lunch. "Xavier mentioned it this morning. He’s always keeping up with that stuff, but I’m sure it’s nothing serious."

Lauren laughed. "They always make a big deal, and then it just blows over. I hope it doesn’t mess with my vacation plans—flights have been a nightmare lately."

They both shared a lighthearted chuckle, the worries of a distant illness feeling just that—distant. Grace returned to her students with a smile, the joyful chaos of the school day wrapping her in a familiar, comforting rhythm.

That evening, Xavier returned home after sunset, his shoulders slightly hunched under the weight of his thoughts. Grace greeted him with a kiss at the door, pulling him into the warm light of the kitchen where dinner simmered on the stove.

As they sat down to eat, the TV in the living room murmured in the background, a news anchor's voice detailing the rising number of cases in the affected region. Xavier’s gaze kept drifting to the screen, his brow furrowed in that way Grace had come to recognize as his “problem-solving face.”

“You’re still thinking about that virus, aren’t you?” she teased, nudging him gently under the table.

Xavier tore his eyes away from the TV and smiled at her. “Yeah... I can’t help it. It’s not behaving like a normal flu. I’ve been reading some reports, and doctors over there are saying the same thing.”

Grace reached across the table, taking his hand. "You don’t have to worry so much. Besides, you've got bigger things to think about." Her hand rested on her stomach, her smile warm and knowing.

Xavier’s expression softened. “You’re right. Maybe I’m just overthinking it.”

They continued dinner, their conversation turning to baby names, nursery ideas, and their hopes for the future. Xavier found comfort in these talks, but even as he held Grace’s hand, a quiet voice in the back of his mind urged caution. The world outside their cozy home was shifting, and he wasn’t sure yet how deep that shift would go.

Later that night, after Grace had fallen asleep, Xavier found himself unable to rest. He sat at his desk, laptop open, scrolling through updates on the virus. The reports were growing more frequent—more cases, more overwhelmed hospitals. Travel restrictions were being considered, with the government discussing curfews in certain areas. A quiet urgency crept into every article he read.

He rubbed his eyes, exhausted but too wired to stop. A government official had appeared on the news earlier, urging calm while hinting at preparations behind the scenes. Airports were screening passengers, and public health measures were being put in place. Yet, the official’s tone had carried an edge, a hint of something unspoken.

Xavier glanced at Grace, peacefully asleep in their bed. He closed his laptop with a sigh and slipped under the covers, pulling her close. In the stillness of the night, he whispered softly, “I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

Outside, the world remained quiet, but far away, the gears of something bigger were beginning to turn.

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End of Chapter