Before The End: Chapter2: Spread

2. Spread

Jack was getting on well. Life had changed and so he became a changed man. Trying his best to move on, he moved into a new apartment; got a promotion so bought a new car, life was more comfortable but sorely incomplete. It had been 3 months to Anna’s death but Harris and his team couldn’t yet find the pizza boy or the reason of her death. It really didn’t matter to Jack now. It was something that he had buried in the depths of his memory.

Harris on the other hand was fumed. Over the past 3 months there were about 100 such cases were people have died after receiving simple medical aid like anti-septic cream to the wound and if left untouched, would develop internal hemorrhage and die. The police and the doctors of New York were at their lowest point in their careers. No solution. At all!

People in the city develop a high level of paranoia. Trust among people is tanking down and even the slightest illnesses cause people to rush to the hospitals. The issue bloated enough for the Mayor to step in and have a look.

Robert Stanley, the Mayor of New York was a very proactive man. The city had risen to be in the top three business cities of the world under his auspices. He came to know of the incident when his Secretary’s neighbour died, which was then a freak death. As the Mayor he called upon the leading Doctors and the Chief of Police staff of New York with detailed reports on the new problem that the city faces.

“Dr.Wong, can you tell me what this disease is about? Can you define it for me? “

“Unfortunately sir, I cannot. This is not a disease and cannot be defined because the cause of death and the reason of the death are always different in each case.”

“All right, Ronald? What do the police and investigation team have to offer?”

“Nothing at all sir, all these cases of deaths aren’t murders. Verified.”

“Then what the hell is this!?” It was probably the first time Robert Stanley ever was seen to loose his temper. Banging his fist hard on the table, it rattled the pen holder. Behind the two men, outside the window, the weather became overcast almost as to depict a real life climax situation.

“What do I say to the people who stay here, the companies that have set up offices the locals and to the government? Two people, who should be aware and able enough to take control, tell me they don’t know what to do.”

“Sir, please try and understand our situation, the people who have died were found at burger places, malls, theatres or homes. The places were public in each case. We have no suspects from any of the cases except the first one, Anna Sharden. Even though we have a suspect, medical reports clearly state her death to be due to a reaction to the anti-septic medicine.” Said Dr.Wong

“Yes, yes I read about that, but I need to address the people of the city soon. What will I say?”

“Give the people hope. As far as the police are concerned, there is nothing in it for us.”

“Fine. You may go. Dr.Wong, give me a solution A.S.A.P”

“I will try my level best sir.”

The next day Mayor Stanley addressed the city and assured the masses that a team of top medical professionals are looking into the matter and will come out with a solution soon. Politicians are real life actors for sure. On screen his face glowed with radiant confidence topped with the most charming smile a man could ever put on! Hearts within hearts, he was scared and petrified.

“New York City! We are in very trying times. A strange disease has gripped the city. We all are scared, but it is at such moments that we need to pull ourselves together into one community, one city.

The council will be dispatching an email regarding health care measures to be taken along with other important guidelines for your safety. Let us all pray for our safety and peace for those who died.”

A perfect speech. Short, concise and to the point. Delivered with superb action and emotions. Robert just hated the public speeches, he’d rather go and talk to the masses face to face and express himself. Just then, his tab¹ buzzed. It was Dr.Wong.

“Hello!”

“Sir! I need to see you over a secure line or meet you personally as soon as possible.”

“Yes, meet me in my office in two hours.”

“Sure.”

“Disconnect line.”

Sliding his tab in, Robert was praying that Dr.Wong found a quick solution to the problem. The series of 4 half hour meetings with various stake holders of the city seemed to be a real waste of time and verbal red tape.

3pm. And in came Dr. Wong, with a rather worried face.

“Mr. Stanley, I have an important point to make and I feel that it will be closely associated to these strange deaths.”

“Shoot”

“Well Mr. Stanley about 40 years ago, a scientist called Mona Pe a very clever Bio-Tech scientist invented the first self mutating living cell in human history. The application of that invention is seen in the body part replacement market. The new body parts are made by self reproducing artificial cells. These cells are the derivatives of the self mutating cells. Back then, there was a huge fiasco over mishandling and misplacement of one of batches of self mutating cells. What I am saying is that maybe, just may be one of those cells might have found its way into a human body and is spreading through contact between individuals who are affected and individuals who aren’t affected. The government back then covered the matter by issuing a false report saying that this incident is harmless as the cell can survive only in lab condition.

“What about Mona Pe? Where is she? Could we contact her and seek her help in this matter?”

“Sir, she killed herself after this incidence, even though the official report says she has retired.”

“Oh, I see. Well then work on it, use any resources of the City, that you may require, but give me a solution.”

“I will start work immediately sir.”

“Thank you”

Dr.Wong left the chamber and Robert Stanley the face of New York, the youngest Mayor of New York, sat in a pensive mood. The idea of a reaction from the Mona Pe fiasco seemed farfetched, yet the situation he was in, he thought of giving that angle a shot. He silently regretted the fact that legislation had made it mandatory for all top positions in the government to be taken up by people who were below the age of 35. Robert Stanley was alone with a pool of resources he dint know how to utilize.