'Only in a fictional world'
It's a term we all use so often, the idea that fiction is and can be as ridiculous as the author's imagination and sanity. But reality is deemed reasonable, patterned, and logical.
The truth, however, is mind-boggling.
Reality is often more ridiculous than fiction and even more unreasonable. A series of bizarre coincidences lead to the most unexpected results.
A wise man said, "When you have deducted the impossible, what is left, no matter how improbable must be the truth".
But what if...what if the truth is the impossible?
*****
The year 2002
New Town, Wetland Laboratory
The rain poured down furiously, pattering knocks on roofs built not as doors. Raging winds made the horizontal lines of water streams travel further than their intended landing, forcing the maintenance workers to shut all doors.
A small black sedan slowly cruised through the gate as Gate Officers braved the downpour, some fruitlessly attempting to cover their face with their palms as they ran to close the gate after it.
The sedan crawled forward slowly toward the large pristine white building barely visible in the distance. Two white bright lights shone, their luminance disrupted by rain droplets making each particle of water as if a small white crystal from the heavens.
Five figures could be barely seen standing at the entrance of the building.
In the sedan, a young woman with a warm kind smile and an air of elegance around her turned to the driver and smiled.
"I guess the rain marks the end of life as we know it"
"Even if it was twice as heavy, it still wouldn't wash away our sins" the man replied in a monotone voice, his expression stoic as he stared ahead in focus.
Suddenly a shadow obstructed the view of the white building and the lights above it. As the car was being covered by shadows, the man slammed on the brakes but it was already too late. The car crashed into the figure with a gentle bang and came to a stop.
"Curse this rain!" he growled in displeasure.
The young lady watched him in amusement as he angrily tried to take off his seatbelt. Inwardly she wondered if he cursed the rain for being unable to wash away their sins or for obstructing their vision.
"Hey, hey!" she reached out to gently touch his arm.
"It's okay Dad," her voice became a tone softer and she looked into his eyes.
Old Gabriel had never cried all his life, or at least she never saw him cry, but she could swear his eyes watered that night.
Soon figures approached with an umbrella to lead them into the building, they had already covered most of the distance anyway.
They braved the storm, shielded from its direct fury until entering the building and leaving the raging world behind.
"Thanks," Gabriel said sarcastically to the man holding the umbrella for him. He was drenched.
The young woman though seemed to take everything in stride. Standing in the bright reception room, her yellow gown sticking closely to her body and exposing her heavy belly bump. Despite the added fat, her beauty radiated graciously, there was a motherly warmth around her, perhaps brought about by her pregnancy or simply her disposition before it.
"Not too long now" she smiled at the staring teenage girl who had held the umbrella for her. The girl blushed and stepped aside soon disappearing from the reception room.
Seven people stood facing each other. More like two facing five. Gabriel warily stared at the five people in front of him as he stood a few inches in front of his daughter.
"Relax Dad, these are my colleagues" she complained.
Ignoring her tense father, she walked towards the man in the middle. A well-groomed young blonde with a grimace. His eyes were not on her, well they were but he was more focused on her bump. In his pupils, pain swirled so chaotically that everyone could see it. But he wouldn't cry.
"Hi," the young woman stopped in front of him and greeted him awkwardly.
Brian looked up at her and caught something in her eyes, was it guilt or shame? He couldn't tell and it was gone so quickly he wondered if his mind was making things up.
"Go freshen up, we'll be waiting in the conference room" he replied curtly and turned around without hesitation.
"Wa-" the yellow-gowned woman reached out to him but stopped herself in time to watch him disappear around a corner.
"It's good to see you again Ashley" a woman in a white robe flashed her a weak smile.
"Likewise" Ashley replied subconsciously, her hands on her bump as her mind wandered into the past.
In no time, the five figures left and someone led Ashley and her father to a room so they could dry themselves and change.
A few minutes later, a groomed Ashley walked into the conference room, her hair the only evidence of her being washed by the still raging downpour.
She studied the somber expression on everyone's face and her face slowly turned white.
"What's wrong?" She struggled to ask as her eyes went around the round table.
"Ashley your baby has the DM Gene" Brian announced.
Ashley's lips parted as if to speak but no words came out of it.
What did she expect when his father was...
Of course, of course, her baby would be cursed too. She had somewhat prepared for this, she just had to raise him and love him right and nothing else would matter.
"What about the rain?" She controlled her emotions and asked.
Everyone exchanged glances as if not knowing whether to be impressed by her control or worried.
"It marks the end, Ashley. Of everything, just like he said. In a few hours, those without the DM Gene will start experiencing multiple organ failure. It will be gradual but I'm afraid this is the end for the human race" Brian continued.
"It can't be!" Ashley suddenly screamed.
"It can't be, we fixed it! We fixed it, didn't we?!" Tears flowed from her eyes as she cried out.
"I'm sorry Ashley, I know how much this meant to you. But our efforts were not in vain, our actions had some results. People won't all go out at once, symptoms will appear gradually and slowly develop. Some might get to live as long as two years" the white-coated lady explained but her words did nothing to help Ashley.
"How can I raise my child? Who will care for him? Who will love him?" She muttered.
Eventually, she collected herself enough to ask.
"How long do I have?"
Everyone exchanged glances again but no one said a word but they all stared at her.