Devolution

[Angelus]

After I took off my pants and shirt I threw them onto the main bench and walked out of the room, straight into the employees room. I searched through the lockers but when I didn't find anything I walked down to the garage and grabbed some clothes out of the Humvee and walked into the building again then found the showers and took a long hot one. After I towelled myself off and combed my hair I put on a clean t shirt and underwear, throwing the dirty ones into a plastic bag before putting on a clean shirt and jeans. After I was comfortable with them I put on a pair of hiking boots and leather jacket with a smile then walked back towards the lab.

As soon as I got near the lab I walked in another direction and walked into the cafeteria, grabbed a cup of coffee, sat on the couch and closed my eyes. It had been a long day and it hadn't finished yet.

[Edited by Angelius on 01-20-2001 at 07:59 PM]

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I looked at myself in the mirror. I had found some jeans and a t shirt to change into. My hair was pulled back into a pony tail and tennis shoes adorned my feet. "Much more practical," I thought as I headed down to get a cup of coffee and collect Troy's clothes. He was sitting there, and it looked as if he had fallen asleep.

Well, let him sleep. One of us was going to need to be rested should anything happen and I had hours of research to do yet. Going over to him, I picked up the clothes he had placed in a bag and took both that and the coffee and headed towards the lab and the blood samples.

 

[Angelus]

As soon as I saw that she had left the room I flicked the hammer back on my pistol and put the safety on then closed my eyes again. It was getting harder for me to sleep but I needed it for if I was to watch this doctor and help her then I was going to need it.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

It was hours later that I was looking through the microscope and looking at the blood from Troy. It looked like normal blood cells but somehow he, and myself too, had managed to overcome a virus designed to take down the human race.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I was more tired than I had ever been in my life. I found myself wishing once again for the feel of Cody's hands on my neck and his murmurs of concern when I worked myself like this. I shook it off. That was not helping my concentration at all.

I replaced the slide I was looking at with a slide of my blood sample that I had taken earlier on. I wanted to compare the two. Normal again. Damn! This was getting frustrating.

Sitting back, I tried to think of what the difference between us and those creatures outside could be. I felt myself getting frustrated as I had when I ran into a dead end in my cancer research. Hummmm...I wish I could go back to worrying about simple things like cancer. Study the growth of cells so wildly out of control that....wait a minute.....

Grabbing a vial that held a diluted blood sample of the creatures from Troy's garments, I took a dropperful and placed it on the slide with Troy's blood cells, then with mine.

I looked at each one through a different microscope. I could see the cells from the creatures-which I had dyed to make analysis simpler-attacking the blood cells in the slides. Just like cancer...or a number of other diseases...an outgrowth of sick cells attacking that of the healthy.

I looked again and I could not believe my eyes! The healthy blood cells were attacking back! They were actually absorbing that of the infected blood and digesting them. I looked at my blood sample and saw the same thing. Our blood was battling that of the intruder and winning. Somehow our bodies had been prepared for this eventuality.

Natural selection? For centuries, the human race and that of others on the earth had survived disasters natural and man made simply because a few were prepared for it by 'Mother Nature' if you will. Had the green mother known that this plauge was coming on the earth and began preparation for it centuries before Troy and I were even born? That seemed to be the only logical explanation.

My mind reeled. There was no antidote-WE were the antidote. The possiblities whirled through me. If I could make a serum using our blood-I could not only try to reverse damage to those not affected as badly as others but I just might be able to boost our protection against any mutations in the virus. It was worth a try.

I let out a shout of pure joy at my discovery! At last we were getting somewhere!

 

[Angelus]

Troy

My eyes flew open at the shout and after I grabbed my pistol ran down the hall to the lab. When I got to the lab I took the safety off and opened the door slowly. I then looked into the lab and the only person that I saw in there was Nancy. After I put the safety back on the pistol I said, "What the hell did you shout for. You woke me up because I thought that you were being attacked."

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I couldnt help it. I ran over and, throwing my arms around his neck, I hugged him tight. Letting him go I almost danced around the lab.

"A break through!," I almost shouted,"I think I know how this thing works and why we are immune. And with our immunity I think I can help at least some of the creatures!"

I stopped, breathing hard and fast. I knew my face was flushed and my eyes heavy with lack of sleep. I must look a sight but I had never felt more energized in my life.

"I need a specimen. One of the creatures that are more docile than the others. I have to test if this is going to work or not."

 

[Angelus]

"If you need a specimen then I can go and get one."

I saw that she was about to protest and said, "I am not going to shoot it, well I am but I will shoot it with a tranquilizer dart. Pass a gun, oh and don't even think about following me because I don't want to be looking after you and try to shoot one of those things with this."

I looked at the tranquilizer gun that Nancy had just handed me and wished it was a rifle but seeming as she wanted one of those things out there alive then that is what I would do.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I reluctantly nod and go back to my slides. I needed to get the serum underway so it could be tested shortly after he got back.

I mentally crossed my fingers and took a deep breath. I felt as if I was on a high divers board and looking down at a pool that was empty of water. This was either a do or die situation.

 

[Angelus]

Before I left the building I grabbed my pistols and put on my gun belts. I wasn't going to go out there with just a damn tranquilizer, I thought as I walked to the main door. As soon as I was near the door I turned on the intercom and said, "Can you open the door please."

I then heard a click and pushed the door open, hearing it click behind me. As soon as I walked out into the street I saw my jeep and cursed when I saw that it was now a wreck. I walked down the road and called out to the creatures, hoping that they were stupid enough to come straight to me.

Just then I saw a pack of the creatures who had a little child creature backed against a wall. As I watched the scene before me I knew that I had had enough of this shit and pulled out my pistols. I then fired one shot into the air which caused the pack to turn then run at me. I began firing at them, making several of them fall but I missed one and before I could bring the pistols around to shoot at it it jumped up and slammed into me, biting into my arm.

I screamed out in pain and brought my pistol around but before I could fire the child jumped up and slammed into the creature that was biting into me. When they both landed they looked at each other and growled but before they could start fighting I shot the large male with the pistol in my right hand and the child with the tranquilizer gun in my left.

They both fell to the ground and I walked quickly over to them, picked the child up and placing it over my shoulder. I then heard several growls that were a distance away but coming closer and decided to make a break for it. When I got to the building I banged on the door and then hit the intercom, shouting out, "Let me in- now!"

Just then I heard a loud growl and turned to see a female creature running straight at me. Just when I thought that I was about to meet my maker on the door step the door opened with a click and I opened it then slammed it closed behind me, hearing a strange yelp sound from the other side of the door as the creature slammed into it.

I then walked up the steps and got to the lab then said, "Darling, I brought us a kid."

I then smiled and tried not to laugh.

 

[Kepic]

OOC: Angie girl is off to the Caribbean and probably won't be able to post this week, so I'd like to put this thread on hold for now, as I believe Celestiale will be trying to convince her to help aid her escape, at a guess.

 

[Celestiale]

OOC: I was wondering where she went off to! Thanks for letting us know!

 

[Isolde]

OOC: No problem here.

 

[angie girl]

SUN

OOC: I think Kepic knows this and I meant to post it here before I left. I am down in the Carribean (eat your hearts out pale faces) and I am using this guys laptop once in a while but can't promise I will post until I get back next Sunday. Please use my character anyway you need to. Have come off the beach because gosh there's just too too much sun! don't you hate when that happens? Keep warm guys!

 

[Angelus]

OOC: I do not have a problem with that.

 

[angie girl]

ooc: well I am back, big deal huh? and sorry to hold things up. Please start things up and I will jump in. But have been traveling on three flights for like 14 hours so not until I get a real nites sleep. So nitie nite.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I looked up from where I was preparing a serum to see Troy come in with a child in his arms. It tore me apart to see someone so young affected by this horrible virus. Well, if my theory was correct, he would not have to suffer the fate of his parents.

Taking him from Troy's arms, I said,"We need to get him washed up and fed before I begin the treatment. I do not want him passing out from lack of food and the smaller the creatures, the less likely they are to share in the food."

Carrying the child to the showers, I said,"Will you please go to the machine and get him something to eat? I will bath him in the shower room and then we can go from there."

The child was docile in my arms until he heard the water running and then he frantically tried to get away. It was by the barest of margins that I managed to grab him before he got away and wrestle him into the water. A good bit of fighting and alot of soap later, the child was standing clean but furious before me.

Unfortunately, when Troy came through the doors bearing the food, I was standing there drenched from head to foot. My hair hung limply in my eyes and my clothes were plastered to my body. I dont know who got the better of this deal.

Picking up a towel, I dried the boy off-again, something that he was not happy about and I sat him down, wrapped in the towel and fed him the sandwich Troy had brought. After a few moments of suspicious sniffing, the child wolfed it down greedily and looked up at us for more. I fed him a second one and then picked him up to carry him back into the lab. Taking him to the cage where I had kept all the others I had caught, I felt a pang of guilt as I placed him on the blankets there. His eyes had already closed and he was sound asleep.

Closing and locking the gate, I stood for a moment looking in at him. I hated to cage any of them but this boy hit me worse than the others. I could not suppress a bit of anger at myself for having to do it. Than a shiver hit me and I realized that I was standing in a freezing cold lab wearing sopping wet clothing. I was definately going to have to change.

 

[Angelus]

"I'll watch the kid while you go and get changed," I said, standing in the doorway.

I then moved aside as Nancy walked past me and walked to one of the seats in the lab, sat down and watched the child in the cage. It did seem cruel to have him locked in the cage but there was no other way around it. If he got away he would surely be killed out in the streets because he did not smell the same anymore.

As I watched the kid I thought about how I had had a hand in doing this to him, in doing this to the whole world. I had been a naive fool to helf Adam in making up this virus but I told myself that he would never do anything like this. Then, when I found out what he had done I looked into myself and knew what a fool I had been and decided to shut my past away so that I couldn't do anything like this again.

I stood and walked to the window, seeing the creatures running around the streets and vowed to make Adam pay for what he had done but I knew that it wouldn't be enough. I had to find redemption and I had to tell the truth about myself.

OOC: Hope that you all like the little twist.

 

[Celestiale]

"Wake up sweetie...please wake up..." I crooned softly to the girl. I needed her attention now while Adam was (*shiver*) occupied.

My hands were still cuffed behind my back, but as I tugged at my bonds, I felt the steel actually stretching!

I should have realized this before...I can't believe I didn't notice it! Everything's been so gradual...and frigteningly natural, I feel more in-tune with myself and the world than ever before.

I listened for Adam as I released my wrists, hearing his commanding voice inside the lab room. He seemed preoccupied with his little "pet," and I decided to see what damage I could do to the cage I was stuck in. I found the bars surrounding me to be quite solid, but no match for my newfound strength. It was hard to be quiet since the metal squeaked and groaned as I manipulated it, and I had to move quickly if I was going to get the both of us out. I threw my whole body into my work, my face distorted as I began to ease myself through the gap I had made. After I squeezed through, I caught my breath and looked over to the girl. Her eyes were open and she was watching me with interest...I could see recognition upon her face! I couldn't tell how well the serum had worked on her...hell I didn't even know if he really gave her a "serum", but she was calm and knew at the very least who I was.

"I'm Trista...remember? Trista..." I reminded her. "We've got to get outta here honey, NOW, before the doctor comes back."



[Edited by Celestiale on 01-29-2001 at 11:13 AM]

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I changed quickly as I was anxious to begin the experimentation. Walking back into the lab, I saw Troy looking very thoughtful and I figured I would leave him to his thoughts.

Going over to my instruments, I picked up two needles. One was for drawing blood and the other held a seditive. I knew the minute that I inserted the needle into the child, he was going to react defensively so I had to be prepared.

Opening the cage, I knelt by him and plunged the needle deep to inject the seditive. The child's eyes flew open and he struggled before the fast acting drug caused his eyes to roll up in his head and his eyelids fluttered closed. I felt bad that I had to do this but if it worked, the child would never have to live in these conditions again.

I drew the blood and stepped back out of the cage. Taking the samples to the table, I began to prepare my slides. Glancing over at Troy, I said,"I know what we are doing to the child is not ethical-in another place and time. But this is for his future as well as ours. We have to defeat this virus-before it defeats us."

 

[angie girl]

Creature in Cage

Now the strange girl monster from the warm wet place was coming right outa her small room place. Oh, I guess I shoulda gotta out too? maybe why the boy monster is so mean to me, causs I don't bend my room that way. But the nice monster is making soft noises at me again.

And grabbing my little room and am thinking this could be good causs the boy monster might be happy if my room is all bent too...

 

[Celestiale]

I immediately began working on the girl's cage, frantically pulling at the bars with all of my strength. I could hear Adam's voice becoming louder...more agitated, and I was beginning to worry that he'd be back before I could get to her. Thankfully, she seemed to understand what I was trying to do and began to help, her tugging at one bar while I tugged at it's opposite. She still wasn't talking to me, but I could sense that something had changed inside of her. Maybe the serum she was given just needed a bit more time to work.

I jumped as we heard a loud screeching from the lab, but the bars were finally pulled apart enough to squeeze the girl out. I felt at my pockets then cursed under my breath as I realized he'd stripped me of my car keys.

"Okay..." I whispered to the girl, "we have got to be so very quiet now, alright?"

I had no idea if she understood so I put a finger to my lips and made a "shhhhhhhhh" sound. We didn't have time for an in depth tutorial and I pulled her down with me on all fours. I kept her close as we crawled out of the room and out of the 'good' doctor's line of sight, then I lept up, grabbed her hand, and practically dragged her down the corridor to my room there.

"Damn HIM!"

He'd taken care of my things there as well. I began to tear through my things again, hoping he had missed something when I heard his powerful voice booming towards us from the lab..."Don't think you're going to get away THAT easily, TRISTA..." His laughter echoed behind.

 

[Angelus]

If only you knew how close you were to getting the cure to this virus I thought as I watched Nancy hard at work. I wanted to tell her how to fight this thing but I knew that I couldn't because she would want to know how I knew and when I told her she would think of me as a monster because I stood back and did nothing while the world turned into hell.

I walked over to the door and stopped then turned and looked at her, trying to figure out what to do. He could help her and get rid of the virus but then he would be classed as a criminal and become a hunted man. He gripped the door handle and opened it but closed the door and turned to where Nancy was standing then said, "I have to tell you something that you may not like. My name is Troy... that you know. But what you don't know is that in the life that I had before this one I was a bio chemist and was working with a brilliant scientist who was working on some sort of secret project that I helped him with. I didn't realize that the project he was working on was a virus until all this started happened."

 

[Kepic]

Leaving my first specimen drooling in the lab after I found the cages empty - bars bent apart - I went in search of my two latest. Trista strength was remarkable - obviously my tailored virus had effected her in ways I had not imagined.

I heard the scuffling in Trista's picked room, and called out to her.

"Don't think you're going to get away that easily, Trista" I shouted, loading a dart into the rifle, as I approached her door.

"You're too valuable a specimen to let running around out there. I'd prefer your co-operation, you know my dear. I'd hate to have to hurt you."

 

[angie girl]

Monster Girl

As a wiggle from the bent room the nice girl puts a finger in front a her lips and makes a funny "shhhhhhhhh" sound. Pushing her pink lips out in a cirlcle.

Something about her lips made me do a clicking sound inside somewhere. Like it was some secret message she was sending. I felt like I juss hadda do something.

So I pushed my lips out too, and leaned over into her face and pushed my lips right on hers, all wet and smooshey, her finger in the way and everything. And my tongue going out to lick her lips like they might be candy sweet or sumpin. They weren't candy sweet, juss warm and wet. Still felt good in my tummy somehow.

Her eyes open so wide but not screaming or biting me or anything.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I almost dropped my slides when Troy told me about his involvement with the birth of this virus. At first my voice failed me and I couldnt utter a sound and then I felt the tears run down my cheeks.

Turning a furious face on him, I said in strangled tones,"Do you mean to tell me that all this time you could have helped me discover a cure and you sat by and did nothing?"

I could feel my voice raising but I didnt care. This was the straw that broke the camel's back. "How much time could we have saved here if you had been more free with your information? Is the possibility of lost lives worth your pride? Dammit! You are a scientist and that carries responsibilities. If you are part of the problem-willingly or not-than you should be damn well willing to be part of the solution....not a roadblock to it."

That was it-I had lost my temper. Slamming down the slides onto the counter, I ran from the lab, my face red with anger and tears coming that I could not fight. I was too tired and frustrated at that point to even try.

Going to the cafeteria, I got myself a coffee and sat down at one of the tables, putting my head in my hands and letting the tears come.