Verson University: School of Doctors

Chapter 21 - Death's Passage

Chapter 21 - Death's Passage

"Different teams, same progress," Noah stated as he scrolled down the data gathered by my team and Mathew's. "Why don't you reach out to him and work as one?"

"At bakit ako ang mag-aadjust?" masungit na sagot ko sa tanong niya. Tinanggal ko ang glasses na suot saka inalis ang tingin sa monitor. "Besides, that is not even a progress. We've been witnessing this phase repeatedly over a long time."

Even before, this is what usually happens to all the conducted experiments. The subject would stop growling at some point, shows comprehension on some words, and stops being aggressive. But then it would go back into being an animal, shows more aggressive behavior, and go back to square one. Until now, researchers can't even explain this phenomenon.

"Even after adding the antibodies, we only have the same exact result," sabi ni Noah saka napatingin sa akin. "What do you think is wrong with our experiment?"

"Parang may kulang eh," sabi ko at napatayo. I walked back and forth as if figuring out the answers in my head. "I can't seem to point out what but I know there's something we must do."

"Maybe we need to communicate with the infected, handle them with care," sabi niya. Napataas ang aking kilay.

"Aren't we doing that already?"

"I mean, extra gentle, like babysitting."

"And you think they would learn how to speak just like a baby and utter their first fcking word?"

"We never know unless we try," he defended. I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed my coat. Tinali ko ang aking buhok saka inayos ang ayos ng aking mukha.

"You try it then, tell us if it works," I said. I am not even good at handling kids, how much more if I try babysitting some mindless people who wouldn't even reconsider biting the hell out of me?

"I was just kidding," sagot ni Noah at sumimangot. I was about to step outside the office when he asked a question. "Saan ka pupunta?"

"I'll check the subject myself and talk to your father," sagot ko. Napalunok ako nang sabihin ko ang salitang 'subject' na para bang hindi siya si Tito Ryuteki. "I still don't have the access on the main lab's fifth floor. I am curious what it is for."

"Why would he grant you the access? Ni anak niya'y walang kaalam-alam sa kung ano ang naroroon," sabi niya sa akin. Natigilan ako at nilingon siya.

"Even as the former head researcher?"

"Yep."

Nagtaka naman ako sa sinabi niya. How come when he was the head researcher himself? It would lead me to think that he might be hiding something.

"I am charismatic," sagot ko at ngumisi sa kaniya. I have the guts to threaten the head of the university. Ba't ako matatakot?

He was about to say something when I opened the door and shut it immediately. Huminga ako ng malalim saka hahakbang na sana paalis ng pintuan nang may humarang sa dadaanan ko.

"Samantha," sabi ng babaeng humarang sa daanan ko. I was about to throw a curse word until I realized she is Natasha.

"Nat? What brings you he—"

I was shocked when she suddenly slapped my right cheek forcefully, as if she gathered all her strength to kill me in just a shot. Magagalit na sana ako ngunit nang lingunin ko ang mukha niya'y bigla akong natigilan nang makitang umiiyak siya.

"Your mother needs you, Samantha," puno ng galit niyang bati sa akin. Patuloy sa pagdaloy ang mga luha sa kaniyang mga mata. "She's been losing her mind ever since Stephanie was gone! And her daughter who should have been by her side, reassuring and comforting her, won't even drop by to say hello."