I didn’t see Huxley in my dreams last night but I couldn’t get the young girl's pale face out of my head. The pain in her eyes haunted my sleep.

  I was already packed for the ride back home in the morning but I helped Vee shove her suitcase closed as the hotel attendant came to bring our bags to the car. Our morning was quiet, both Vee and I kept to our thoughts as we made our way to the suv waiting for us downstairs. I could tell that something was on her mind as well but I was too caught up in what was waiting for me back home to ask right now. Both me and Vee nodded off on our way home and awoke to the driver pulling into the lab tech gates. As much as I wanted to get started on figuring out what the hell this black goop was, I also had a looming sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. I have a feeling that whatever we are going to find isnt going to be good.

  I say my goodbyes to Vee and promise to meet up with her later once everything has calmed down. Melvirn met me at the front doors and ushered me into the lab where multiple high level scientists were waiting.

  “Wow I wasn’t expecting this much fire power” I said, slightly nervous surrounded by all these world class chemists and biologists.

  “We haven’t told you all the details yet Anderson, you better sit down” Melvin said in a clipped tone

  “Oh” is all I said as I put my bags down and took a seat.

  “I told you that there have been deaths, but not about the survivors” I froze

  “Survivors?” I asked

  “The girl you were talking to me about, the one you saw… we went to retrieve her body to test it and she wasn’t there Raelyn” My heart dropped in my chest

  “We pulled the security tapes and it caught her walking out of the morgue. There were traces of the black sludge left behind.” Melvirn finally stopped talking and gave me a moment to collect my thoughts

  “So, these people aren't dying so much as being taken over by something?” I question

  “To our knowledge. Yes” melvirn responded

  “So it's a parasite, like a horrible zombie apocalypse movie type of parasite? Venom to the extreme? Like the city overthrown?” I ramble on out of breath before Melvirn stops me

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “Anderson, Breath” is all he said

  “We are going to figure this out Raelyn, I promise” Dr. Nell steps out from behind Melvirn and puts a steadying hand on my shoulder.

  “How can i help” i said my voice only shaking slightly

  “You were there with the fresh sample, it made you see something. You are our only physical tie to what the parasite can do” Melvirn explained

  “I told you everything I know, it got through my gloves somehow and made me see horrible things” I admit

  “I know, we just wanted you close by incase that wasn’t the only thing it did to you” Dr. Nell confessed. I knew they didn’t actually need my scientific help, they just needed me incase I burst into flames or something. I thought about it for a second and decided to seize the opportunity anyway.

  “If I’m gonna be here more often won't it be suspicious if i'm not working on anything?” I start testing the waters

  “ I may as well work on a project and I have one of my own I would really like to work on, I have most of what I need there is just a few more things i’m missing” I blurt out trying to make it sound as nonchalant as possible.

  “She's right” Dr. Nell looks to Melvirn as she continues

  “If we want her here at at all times we may as well keep her busy” I hold my breath waiting for Melvirns response

  “Give me a list of what you're missing and I'll find it for you” he says as if it was nothing. Internally I am ecstatic but I try and hone my facial expressions as I say

  “Thank you Dr. Melvirn” As I turn to leave Melvin says

  “Let us know if you feel anything off ok?” he says looking actually nervous for one

  “Of course” I say as I make my way to my desk to get the list of materials started

  By the time the end of the day hit I was exhausted, between driving home after a long night finding out that the world may be taken over by a dangerous parasite and finally getting a chance to further my research I needed to sleep for the next 12 hours. The only issue is now when I thought of crawling into my big comfy bed at home I didn't feel relaxed, I knew that the second I slowed down and let my body think about the day I just had the visions would come back. I would be face to face with the pale faced girl or black eyes Huxley. Just thinking about possibly having that dream sped up my breathing. Earlier in the day I delivered my list to Melvirn and he was pretty quick and retrieved what I needed, and when I say him I really mean he told me where to get everything and to go get it myself. As much as sleep was calling to me I grabbed my supplies and headed to an empty lab in the back of the building. I picked one I know didn’t get used much because the tech wasn’t updated in our recent renovation so none of the techs want to use it. I brush the dust off the lab bench and get my computer set up. I re-run the successful trial I had a few days ago and break down the components I need. When I finally figure out the right concoction I start mixing the compounds together in a flask. The substance stayed a clear colorless liquid until the last chemical was added, the succinimidyl ester-methoxy polyethylene glycol. When I added it to the concoction it immediately turned a bright neon red colour, it reminded me of almost the exact opposite colour of Huxley's mystery serum. I ran the trial on my laptop one more time to ensure the trials were successful before I checked the lab for any other stragglers, we were clear so I set up my camera and hit record.