THE MEDUSA VIRUS: Book one of the Beta Viruses

Chapter 27- Jason Brock

I felt bad lying to Jolene, but I needed to have my mind think without influence.

"Now what is it you were screaming about earlier?" I ask making eye-contact with myself.

I told you this place is a bad place.

"And how would you even know? You've never met these people before."

That prisoner that created this virus, did you ever wonder why they are unresponsive.

"Maybe they aren't a good person." I snap.

Or maybe they are, and these people are the bad ones. After all there must be a reason that creature warned us about them.

"Or maybe the creature is just as bad as the stones."

The other voice sighs inside my head, whatever.

"Do you know something that I don't?" I ask squinting my eyes.

Even if I did what makes you think that you should know it? They hiss back.

"Whether you like it or not we are in one body. As far as we know there is nothing we can do, so do me a favor and think reasonably. Me knowing could benefit us both."

There is silence in my head for a couple minutes, I assume because the voice is trying to figure out if I am right.

The virus is weird. It whispers.

"Are you sure?" I scoff.

Yes. But it's not like you would think. Everyone is one organism. We are all one.

"What do you mean?" I ask stepping away from my reflection.

Can you not hear them? The other voices. Can you not feel them trying to speak, trying to escape through your vocal cords.

"I... haven't felt that no."

It will come soon enough. I can feel it.

I shake my head, "If you are all-"

We.

"Right, sorry, If we are all one organism how come I have control when you 'take over'."

I don't know. They sound genuine. Maybe it's because I let you. That sounds less convincing.

"Right."

I think we are talking to the wrong people. Maybe we should try the doctor.

"That isn't a bad idea." I say with the tilt of my head.

But first. I am very hungry.

I scoff, "So am I."

• • •

I run my hand along Jolene's back halfway through her laugh. Her face lights up when she turns to me, the corners of her eyes creasing and her singular left dimple showing. "Hey! Are your legs feeling better?" she asks, her fingers lightly touching mine. It's not a lot but it's enough to send shivers up my spine and goosebumps across my arms.

"Yeah, I think I really just needed time to be alone."

"Is this about what happened at the mall?"

There is silence between us, but it doesn't feel awkward.

"Yeah. I was scared, I wanted to work though my emotions without making someone-- making you worry."

"I get it, but you could have been honest with me."

I bite my lip, a little too hard, as my mouth is covered with the taste of blood. I look around, and sense no one caring, so I decide to tell Jolene the rest, "I talked with him." Jolene turns her attention from Ollie to me.