Two days before the first recorded human case, 7:37 am. Westview, Clarkson, Taikwon Int. Medical Center, G1: Isolation Ward.
Lee kept up his weak, mocking smile and said, "Just bedrest, Kael. I'll be fine." A strong tremor ran through his body, which he tried to hide by turning his face away. A nurse in pale green scrubs knocked on the door and stepped halfway into the room. Her surgical mask was tightly around her nose.
"Dr. Kael? I'm sorry, but we're not letting any visitors who aren't necessary into this wing. We got an unexpected rush from the ER. They will let you know if Dr. Lee's health changes."
Kael wanted to argue, to insist that he be allowed to stay with Lee, but the nurse's strained, rushed demeanor cut his words short. Instead, he merely nodded, taking one final look at Lee's weak frame before walking out. The hallway outside was no longer peaceful. Two orderlies pushed a gurney past him, the patient on it pallid and sweaty, his dark hair plastered to his forehead. A woman stood in an adjacent alcove, gripping her chest and gasping shallowly, an oxygen monitor hooked to her finger, while a nurse offered reassurances that seemed much too scripted.
Further down, Kael noticed another patient being led to an examination room: an elderly guy with sagging shoulders and sclera speckled with weird maroon specks that seemed to pulse with each blink.
Two physicians spoke in hushed, anxious tones outside one who he recognized by the coat was an ophthalmologist, waving to scans on a tablet that Kael glanced briefly enough to show grotesquely swollen capillaries spreading like spiderwebs. A cold chill crept out down Kael's spine.
Those eyes were the same as the hen Nividia showed him through the scope. The same creeping, vascular bloom. He swallowed deeply, finding the antiseptic hospital air too heavy to breathe. The door to the ward clicked shut behind him, keeping Dr. Lee and whatever awful secret was now coursing through his veins hidden from view. Kael pushed his fingers to his forehead, attempting to calm his rushing thoughts. But everywhere he looked in this building, he found more evidence of something softly and quickly expanding.
A lot of patients were lying on gurneys or in wheelchairs in the hallway, waiting to be taken to their rooms. Some people told the nurses they were fine and didn't need help, even though their skin looked sickly and waxy. Some people just sat down and slumped over, their heads hanging down. They would occasionally open their eyes to show disturbing maroon spots on the whites of their eyes that looked like burst capillaries. Kael heard bits and pieces of an important medical talk going on below.
"Get a CBC, CRP, and LFTs panel, and order a chest X-ray right away, if shows abnormalities proceed to a whole abdominal CT scan and cranial CT stat."
Another set of strange retinal scans from the intake. Set up a meeting with an expert in infectious diseases. "Got in touch." Kael stood alone in the outer hallway, his heart racing and a bitter taste building up at the back of his mouth. It's already here. And no one is ready for what it really is.
Kael walked through Taikwon Medical's sliding doors, the summer air outdoors seeming harsher and more aggressive than any antiseptic hallway. He scrambled for his phone with shaky hands, almost dropping it twice before jabbing Nividia's number. The line rang once, twice, and then connected. "Kael? "I was about to—"
"Niv, listen to me," he interrupted her, his voice harsh. "The hospital here, Taikwon, is full of patients. They exhibit the identical signs you saw in the animals. Symptoms may include weariness, red vascular patterns in the eyes, and an altered skin tone. Some insist they are OK. We skipped right through incubation stage and went to prodom- "
Nividia cut his talk and replied abruptly, the noise from her phone tells that she was going into a more private area. "This isn't right... I should have immediately when to the government hall when I found out Jeb delivered his flock to the processing company."
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. A faint rustle, as she continued "I just left a briefing with city public health. They've detected strange clusters around the Lakeview poultry distribution routes. Cases popping up in small households and two processing plant staff so far."
Kael placed his hand firmly against his forehead, attempting to suppress the pounding dread that was gathering behind his eyelids.
"It is the same. It must be. It has already entered the human chain, Nividia." There was a brittle silence.
"Then we're past containment," she replied quietly, her voice filled with fear.
"Kael, we need to understand what we're dealing with. Before mutating again,"
Kael closed the contact with Nividia in a flurry of quick, clipped words, his thoughts already racing two steps ahead. He got behind the wheel, scarcely noticing the ignition come on as he drove away from the hospital. Clarkson City's streets blurred by in blurs of sunny color. Strings of brilliant buntings flew overhead, tying to lampposts and merchant tents. Balloons bobbed in bunches down the pavements, grasped by shrieking youngsters pulling at their preoccupied parents' hands.
A costumed bear mascot danced near a tiny platform where local schoolchildren sang traditional songs, with the audience applauding in moderate rhythm.
Only as he halted at an intersection, foot tapping anxiously on the brake, did it strike him like a slap. The city's establishment date. Not the largest event by any means, but plenty to fill downtown with elders and families lured to the promise of free concerts and long banquet tables later in the day. Local suppliers provided platters with pig, chicken, and stews. From local farmers… like Jeb.
A chilly sweat pricked Kael's scalp. He abruptly drove to the curb, disregarding the furious honk of a car behind him. Then he got out of the car and walked through the short rows of pop-up stalls, past tables loaded with grilled skewers, baked pastries, and baskets of fresh rolls.
He knew local officials would be hanging around near the stage, waiting for their next picture opportunity. If he could only locate someone in charge, he may be able to stop the meat merchants before tonight's huge feast spreads this silent misery to hundreds more in a single sitting.
Kael saw the stall on the side of the main highway, its bright red and white awning blowing in the breeze. A cheery hand-painted sign reads: "Uncle Al's Famous Chicken BBQ with Loaded Sandwiches! "
Behind the counter appeared a big man with a thick salt-and-pepper mustache, dressed in a matching red-and-white apron with dancing chickens on it. His grin was wide, and his eyes twinkled as he arranged sizzling skewers on a little serving plate.
Kael took a step forward, attempting to keep his voice calm.
"Sir, I need to ask you something urgently. Where did you get this chicken? Was it from Lakeview Distributors? Or nearby farms along Westview Creek? " Uncle Al gave a quick, perplexed laugh and leaned in conspiratorially.
"Whoa there, doctor. Isn't this one of those health inspectors working undercover? " Then he snorted and slapped his thigh.
"I'm just joking! Dad makes jokes; you know how it is. Actually, Uncle Jokes suits me more"
Before Kael could press again, the guy looked closer, recognizing him. "Hey, wait a minute. You are that scientist, aren't you? Dr. Kael! From the news, the huge cancer cure! "
Kael froze. His stomach turned horribly.
"Yeah, no… not quite... the media exaggerated my invention, it doesn't technically kills them, it just made them more dormant, making those cells have lower chance of getting activated, targeting their recep… *sigh* nevermind... Its just a good vaccine, alright?"
Uncle Al's grin only widened. He picked up a fresh, glistening skewer, pressing it into Kael's hands.
"On the house. Truly. My grandad been through hell with chemo and radiation treatment. Now maybe he's got a real shot 'cause of folks like you. Well even if it means not totally killing it… It still saves a bunch. And that's a good thing."
Kael tried to stutter an answer, but the dealer had already turned to another client and called out pricing in a loud cheerful voice. The fragrance of frying chicken appeared to wrap about Kael like a noose. He stood there numbly, gazing at the dripping skewer in his palm, and for one heartbreaking minute, all he could see was Lee's fevered eyes, the maroon-flecked sclera, the blood flowing through the creek, and the deer's shredded belly.
He cautiously placed left and after having a good number of steps from the vendor, he threw it away in the bin breathing in small breaths. If he didn't get to the mayor, if he didn't stop this, there'd be no containing what was already seeded into smiling mouths all around him. Kael had barely gotten it a block through the packed park when he heard a happy voice over the clamor.
"Dr. Kael? Dr. Ethan Kael, isn't it? "
He turned to find a small, balding guy wearing a neat barong, his breast proudly adorned with a gold municipal insignia. The official's eyes lighted up with recognition and opportunity.
"This is wonderful! The man of the hour, honoring our humble starting day. Come on, you must join us up front. A handful of our local cancer charities are present today, and your efforts have been nothing short of miraculous to them. "It would make the afternoon."
Before Kael could utter a word, a firm hand clamped around his arm. The official half-guided, half-dragged him down the path, weaving between food stalls and cheerful clusters of families.
Ahead loomed the main stage a modest raised platform draped in blue and yellow cloth, flanked by small potted palms. Rows of plastic chairs were set up, most now filled with locals fanning themselves in the summer heat. At the podium, an event organizer rattled through opening remarks, pausing only to let scattered applause rise and fall.
Kael's gut twisted painfully as he was ushered to the side of the stage. The official leaned in, voice low and giddy.
"Stay right here, Doctor. As soon as she wraps up, we'll call you up for a little recognition. Won't take more than a moment. Everyone will be thrilled to see you." Kael nodded faintly, his heart pounding in his ears. He looked across the throng, at youngsters chewing on barbecue sticks, elderly couples wiping sweat from their forehead, and merchants still handing out foil-wrapped sandwiches. Everywhere he looked, he saw mouths munching, hands handing food, and laughter flowing lazily beneath flags that floated in the air. They have no notion, he realized, a bitter terror rising in his throat. Nobody knows what's already inside them. What is incubating right now.
The organizer concluded her speech with a dazzling flourish, to which the audience politely applauded. Then the local authority approached the microphone, grinning as he motioned for Kael to join him. Kael gulped hard, his legs numb as he moved to stand near the podium. The official placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ladies and gentlemen from Clarkson City! Today we are doubly pleased since we are celebrating our foundation day alongside the great Dr. Ethan Kael, whose revolutionary work has given numerous families fresh hope in the battle against cancer! "
Applause rose, warm and genuine, punctuated by a few optimistic cheers. Kael gave a forced smile.
The official gently nudged him toward the microphone. Kael cleared his throat, the crowd's expectant expressions blurring somewhat in the brilliant sunlight.
"I really appreciate you all. "I am honored to be here. He paused, his voice hitching. The scientist within him sprang to the surface, overwhelming the terror.
"But I'd want to gently correct one frequently repeated misconception. My study shows that the therapy you've heard about does not completely 'kill' cancer. It alters cellular markers to produce a state of dormancy. The cancer cells cease proliferating. They remain, but inactive."
He gave a soft, almost mournful chuckle.
"Which may not seem as dramatic, I guess, but for many patients, it means years, if not decades, of no further illness growth." Another round of applause, though softer — more thoughtful this time.
Kael stepped back, his hands gripping each other behind his back to hide their tremor. He cast his eyes out again across the food stalls and picnic blankets, heart sinking. Dormant… if only everything we'd meddled with could be that merciful.
Kael stood at the stage for a bit longer, feeling the audience's gaze focus more firmly on him. He cleared his throat again, each syllable carefully chosen.
"On a last point, I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight a recent advice. Our local health inspectors and colleagues have uncovered problems about meat safety. Specifically, poultry and, to a lesser extent, pork products."
As Kael walked off the platform, the official met him with a forced smile that did not reach his eyes. "Dr. Kael, if I may ask, what precisely was up there? You just threw a health concern right into our foundation day celebration. People are scared, and sellers are confused." Kael raked his hand through his hair, taking tiny breaths.
"I meant everything I said. Inform your team that there will be no local poultry. In fact, avoid all meat if possible just to be sure.. Just till we complete testing. "It could be critical."
The official's expression changed, his pleasant public mask shifting to pinched and annoyed. "Doctor, we've got half the city's seniors and school groups here today. This is exactly the type of rumor that—"
"I don't care," Kael said, harsher than he meant. Then he pulled in a quivering breath, his gaze flashing to the giggling children weaving between booths.
"I'm telling you because I'd rather look like a fool now than see the hospital fill up like mine did this morning." He turned on his heel and marched away, leaving the official standing there, mouth half-open, as many organizers swarmed around, whispering anxious inquiries.
Kael did not wait for explanations or excuses. He dashed for his car, fumbling the keys with sticky fingers. As he drove away from the park, he noticed festival flags flying brilliantly in his rearview mirror and laughing and talk could still be heard faintly on the breeze. And it all rested on the edge of a knife, he reasoned, throat tight.