Days In A Tragedy - PresentConcept

Chapter 1

Part 1

Day 3 since Human Exposure: Jonathan Michaels Genetic Engineering Facility (GEF)

“Do I have to go to school, Dad?” Lucas complained to his father, who was still lying in his bed alongside his wife. “My head hurts so much.”

“Yes, Luke. Grab some medicine from the cabinet. Two pills, a glass of water, and don’t forget your lunch.” He replied.

The young boy, about 12 years old, reluctantly walked out of the room, his bare feet scuffing against the carpeted floor, his father was apparently unmoved by his son’s notions, seeing as though he frequently has these headaches. Another child, a girl, proceeded into the room at his departure, knowing it was her turn to ask for something, but as she saw her parents lying in bed calmly, she slowly walked out and closed the door, peeking in through the crack, waiting for movement from her father.

“I guess I’ll get up, someone needs to take Lucas and Evangeline to their first day.” The children’s father, Jonathan, grumbled. 

                The low hum of the car reverberated the interior as Jonathan sat patiently, waiting for the children to finish getting ready for the first day of school. It was a cold day within a small town in Northwest United States, the frost on the windshield clearing as the defrost worked liberally. The windshield just in front of Jonathan had begun to be clear when Lucas and his sister came running out of the front door, clad in large coats and hats that left just the eyes and cherry cheeks of the children visible, puffs air rushed from their mouths as they exhaled heavily.

                “Hurry up and get in, you don’t want to be late.” Jonathan said quickly as he opened the passenger door. “Eve, you get in the back, Luke, help her pull the latch.”

                Lucas pulled on the latch on the low back end of the passenger seat, pulling it forwards so that Eve was able to fit through, then followed her in and pulled the passenger seat back into its proper position.

                 As they drove through the school parking lot towards the front entrance of the school, there did not seem to be as many children or vehicles as Jonathan had last remembered seeing, only a small amount of children were walking to the front entrance. Jonathan pulled the car forward, lining it up with the curb in order to give the children room to leave the car.

                “Have a good day, make sure to listen to your teachers. I’ll see you when I’m off from work. Love you both,” said Jonathan.

                “Alright Dad,” the children responded, each stretching between the front seats to embrace their father.

As Jonathan turned to leave the parking lot, he gave his children one last wave as they entered the elementary school, hoping that the work day wouldn’t be too long this time and he would be able to return to his family. As of late, Jonathan had only been able to return far after the children had gone to bed due to his frequent need to stay over-time lately.

                As he pulled into the main gate of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biochemical Studies (DGEBL) and pulled out both his ID and security pass so that the guard may let him through, he looked back on his life and how he had come across the kind of job he had. Becoming a middle ranking Genetic Engineer in one of the most secure and sensitive areas of North America, he had always had a huge interest in Biology, always wondering how and why it was that humans and animals are the way they are, striving to learn more within all fields of Biology in order to reach this goal. His company was in part finding ways to treat the most severe infections and diseases in the world, such as cancer or STDs, or ranging to yellow fever in developing countries along with food borne illnesses.