The antiseptic hum of the CDC's center of operations was smothering. Every stroke of the keyboard, every suppressed whisper of a researcher on an incoming phone call, added to the growing weight pressing against Kyle's chest. The Director had been authoritative. A report detailing Sam's condition — on the infection — was due in less than an hour. The problem was, no one could determine what was happening. With seconds dwindling, the tension mounted, and Kyle was already feeling the suffocating pressure of doubt creeping into the room.
He stood in the center of the lab, gazing from one scientist to another. Outside, through the window, stretched a view of the sprawling CDC complex. But here, in the heart of this antiseptic structure, there was only disagreement.
Three groups. Three opposing theories.
Dr. Simmons, a neurologist with a stern face, was the first to voice his opinion. "We need to focus on the prion hypothesis. Sam's brain alterations indicate misfolded proteins. This is the same as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease." His voice was curt, authoritative. "These proteins accumulate in the brain and lead to rapid neurodegeneration.". We can track her improvement through the MRIs, but we need more specific imaging, especially in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. If we don't move fast, she'll lose all cognitive function.
Dr. Patel, a parasitologist with a wit as tart as her tongue, snorted in her seat across the room. "Prions? Oh please. That's yesterday. Nobody with half a brain believes prions are the villain for this.". Marvel at the cysts we have in Sam's tissue. This is parasitic in origin. The infection is mimicking how neurocysticercosis behaves. It's an invasion by a parasite, dictating her central nervous system. That's why you get such unpredictable behavior. If you really want to save her, you're going to start testing for parasitic infections, not prion diseases.
Kyle stood between the two factions, trying to establish order. "We're not dismissing either hypothesis. But we must be specific here. The behavior that we're observing in Sam cannot be put into either category. It's too violent for prions, and too rapid for parasitic infection.".
The words were scarce from his mouth when Dr. Lee, a virologist, cut in bluntly. "You're making this a viral mutation, not an parasite or a prion. Do you imagine there's a possibility this is some new strain we've never seen before? A mix of rabies, measles, and foot-and-mouth? The viciousness, the spread — it all holds true if it's a mutated viral agent." She spoke with her voice tinged with condescension, as if her intellect was self-evident.
Dr. Patel gave a derisive snort. "You're telling me this is just another rabies mutation? You're reaching, Lee. This isn't a viral infection like rabies. It doesn't spread the same way, and we're not seeing the same neuroinflammation." Her eyes narrowed, the tension palpable. "The speed at which it affects the nervous system is entirely different. This is not your typical viral infection. And it's certainly not rabies."
Dr. Simmons, who was quiet for a moment, could no longer restrain himself. "And you expect your parasitic hypothesis to be better, Patel? You're reaching for thin air here. We've already established obvious evidence that the symptoms don't coincide with any previously known parasitic infections. Why don't we concentrate on what's really taking place here, rather than theorizing on archaic research?
A silence fell over the room, the three doctors looking at each other. Kyle felt the tension building, the weight of the opposing opinions hanging in the air.
It was at that moment that Dr. Hastings, a reserved woman with an even temperament, entered the room. She had a thick folder clutched in her hand, the slightest crinkle of paper shattering the tension. I've studied the latest tests," she stated, voice firm but not trembling. She did not seek a response before setting the folder down on the table. "The cytokine storm that's happening within Sam's body is not a sign of either prion misfolding or parasitic infection. It's a mystery. It's something we cannot yet classify.".
Dr. Lee's brow furrowed in annoyance. "You can't withhold things from us, Hastings. We need to know what is happening, and we need to act right away.".
Hastings looked at her levelly. "I'm not hiding anything. I'm saying the data isn't in yet. I'll make the announcement when we get more information." She hesitated, choosing words with care. "I think there's some kind of immune response occurring in Sam that's unprecedented. Interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha levels are high — but we don't know yet what's causing it."
Kyle's thoughts spiraled out of control. He could sense the stress building, he looked at Dr. Hastings. "How much longer until we know more?"
Hastings didn't respond directly. "I'll need another twenty-four hours at least. We're not going to take any risks here."
A sigh deep from Dr. Simmons. "Twenty-four hours? We don't have twenty-four hours. We have minutes. The Director wants answers now, Kyle. You have no idea what we're dealing with."
Before Kyle could respond, Dr. Patel again interjected. "What Simmons is indicating — and I'd rather not concur — is that time is critical. Whatever this is, it's infectious, and we need to understand how rapidly. So we either start tracing the evidence or continue to argue in circles.".
Kyle's patience was wearing thin. "I'm not the one arguing, Patel. But I don't get to make a decision until we're more informed. And rushing is just going to give us lousy data."
But Dr. Lee was already shaking her head. "You're getting us nowhere, Kyle. We can't delay. The virus — or whatever this is — is mutating. Sam is a lab rat now, not human.".
Kyle stepped back, taking a deep breath. The time limit was torturous. But he couldn't allow his focus to slip. They were all working for the same team, but that didn't seem to be the case. "That is it. We make do with what we have. Take the remaining data from Hastings. Simmons, Lee, Patel — perform your tests, but no more arguing. I will personally deliver the report to the Director."
And with that, the unit fell apart. The room was colder, tighter than ever.
By the time Kyle got back to his desk, he couldn't help but feel that they were on the cusp of something dark. The evidence mounted. Sam's infection was unknown to anyone ever previously. And with the Director's requirements weighing on his shoulders, the pressure was suffocating him.
But it was not just the Director that filled his mind.
It was the tick of the clock.
The uncertainty.
And what Sam's status actually meant for the future.