Love & Duty

Chapter Three (Boundaries of Morality and Science)

In a hidden laboratory, baked in a fluorescent glow and sterile. Mr. Derrick, a scientist, stood with an air of calculated composure. Humming with the soft whir of machinery, the room is punctuated with occasional beeps of monitors that display vital signs. A metallic tang lingered in the air, it mingled with the antiseptic scent and a trace of desperation.

A large operating table is at the center of the laboratory-roomed ominously. Tied to it, is a young man who lay motionless, his skin pale as it contrasts against the red stains of his restraints. Across his body are tubes and wires that connect his body to various contraptions that seek to monitor his vital signs, as a symphony of beeps and whirs envelop the atmosphere.

He is trying his best to create another creature like the last one which had escaped, to remove his blood and further his experiment, but to no avail. The walls of his laboratory are filled with pictures and sketches of his work, a testament to his pursuit of a cure. And among these pictures, his wife hangs there, the once vibrant eyes she possesses are now dying off for her affliction. For her and her only had he crossed boundaries, one of morality and legality with the aid of some persons who await his finding as he promises them that it will grant immortality.

As the time to ked by, he knew he had to answer his sponsors sooner or later, he checked his watch it was past nine in the morning, and they had a meeting by noon. But he remained calm, unruffled, he measured his movement deliberately. His steady hand adjusting the dials on the apparatus so complex and fine-tuning the balance that exists between ethical transgression and experimentation.

Preparing his findings to report his progress, Mr. Derrick's mind shines with so much wealth of secrets and knowledge. That confidence of his was born with the countless hours he spent in pursuit of what seemed to be impossible. All the risks involved in this are very well understood by him which he teetered. Irrespective, he remains steadfast to save the life of his dying wife. This laboratory is embodied with both hope and despair, as the boundaries of morality and science are both blurred all in the name of love.

***

The police station is beaming with life as Detective Sandra enters with a briefcase in her left hand swinging left and right as she walks hastily to her seat and a cup of coffee in her right hand. Her assistant, David is around there, he sits there absentmindedly of all his surroundings, watches a movie, and blocks his ears with a headphone.

She hit his table, bringing him back to life.

"Ooo, morning!" He greeted me, taking the headphone off his eyes.

Morning" She replicated the greeting as she sank into her chair.

"I thought you would be taking the day off?" He asked.

"Really? After what happened yesterday..."

"That's the point, you've to relax your head"

"David, we've tons of work to do"

“Of course we do," he said sarcastically, turning his swivel chair around. She ignored him, " So you haven't told me what you saw yesterday"

"Wow, I didn't realize that, and here you are already complaining. I wonder what you would have done if it were you." She said a little bit of excitement in her voice, she liked nothing like teasing him off.

"Really? That's why I'm the smartest here..." She looked up to give him a look. " I don't have to hear stories to know what is going on, by looking at people's faces I can tell" He said, quite proud.

"I bet," she said laughing.

"So what the hell happened...."

"I thought you know"

"Come on, Sandra…I want details, I just have an idea" She looked at him shaking her head.

" Ok, come closer," she said, as he sprang his chair closer “It's true, I saw it with my own eyes"

"Who said it wasn't tired before?" He asked, looking at her with his side eyes.

"Will you be serious for once, David"

"I'm dead serious, like I told you, all evidence points to it, but you didn't believe me and now you believe it after seeing it in real life and risking your life," he said so quickly that, someone who hasn't get used to him wouldn't understand.

"I didn't go to that forest last night expecting to see it, I went there to find evidence..."

"And you sure did, you saw it in real life and he probably handed you the evidence you need," he said laughing out loud attracting attention from his colleagues.

"Really? David, for f**k sake you and I know that most people who spit out those beasts’ stories hardly believe them and it's just normal for me as a human being not to believe."

"But now you do," he said leaning back on his chair.

"I think I do, but I still think it's a dream"

"Still thank God it wasn't me who saw it," he said, turning his eyes elsewhere. She shrugs at him as she bends down to turn on her company.

"Since we now know it's a werewolf, it's like a step forward?"

"I seriously don't see it that way .. how is it a step forward? A beast is k********g if not killing people and we now know it's a werewolf, so what the big deal, not like we can do anything...."

"We're....."

"Don't say we're police, because we're not different from normal people on the street, only that we have guns, which I'm pretty sure can't kill a werewolf"

"We're in charge of this case, so we will find a way to kill it or stop it. Remember we've to prove that we're capable...."

"You and who? Nope, not me I don't want to prove myself to nobody, because I don't care"

" I bet you do"

"I seriously don't" he swivels his chair back to his table which is opposite Detective Sandra's own.

"Whatever, we just have to do something," she said. "So you're going to look for what can kill a werewolf and I will look for how possible it is that a werewolf exists."

“How are you gonna do that?” He asked.

“Don't know, search online”

“Why do you just go meet one of the med guys?"

“Wow, that's cool,” she said excitedly “But do you think they'll know,” her excitement

“There is no harm in trying”

She stood up,

“And do ask them for a possible weapon for their death too”

“And what will you be doing?”

“I will be looking for it on the internet, in case they don't know,” he said looking up from his computer and smiling.

“Ahhh,” she said, making her way to the medical department.

Only Dr. Tim, a short form of Timothy is around, he's so engrossed in his computer that he didn't know when she sat on the chair beside him.

“Morning”

“Morning,” he responded, eyes still on the computer “Sorry just one minute,” he pleaded.

“Sure,” after waiting for him, for what seemed like ages, he turned to look at her.

“Morning again, Detective Sandra” he smiled, revealing his cute, young face. He's the youngest in the med department and possibly the brightest, having just graduated a few years back. “How may I be of help to you this morning”

“Emm ... .I want to ask a few questions concerning werewolves,” she said, hoping he would have an idea.

“Ok, what about them?” He asked

“I don't know if you can share a little knowledge with me. Is it possible to ask the right one, having that she'd seen one herself?

“Scientifically, it's possible”

“O! Please do tell,” a smile cupping up from her cheeks.

"There are two chemicals involved in this process: Luna Extract and Feral Serum." Dr. Tim said. "I doubt if you know what that means?"

"No, I don't, but do ride on"

"Ok," he smiled as he relaxed on his chair, "Luna Extract is a substance derived from a tree that only comes alive in the full moon. It's known for its remarkable content, which resonates with the moon's energy. As for Feral Serum, it's a substance that's is synthetic in nature, as for this, it's created by a scientist to make animalistic traits."

"Hmmm"

"I don't expect you to understand, you're not a medical person"

"I know, just thought that this was never true"

“Yeah, in the eyes of a normal person, but when it comes to science anything is true. And as the world is evolving, scientists are trying to discover new things that can create cures for certain illnesses, but they never fail to realize that they're the ones causing this illness."

"Ok, but why is it that nobody has talked about this, you know carry out...."

"You've to understand that what I'm explaining for you is just a possibility of the existence of a werewolf. If it is carried out, it may or may not produce a werewolf."

"So, in essence?"

"I'm just giving you a scientist and medical perception of the slightest possibility of the existence of a werewolf, with the latest discovery of science so far. Scientifically and with calculations this is right and possible, but an experiment has to be carried on to prove it."

"Ok"

"So may I continue?"

"Yes, by all means"

"Ok. When this Luna Extract and Feral Serum are both mixed carefully and it is administered to a human being, they tend to create a very powerful reaction in that human body. The Luna Extract serves as a catalyst that amplifies the effects caused by the Feral Serum. It unlocks dormant genetic traits which are associated with wolves"

"What kind of effects do you think it will have on the person?"

"Now, this mixing of these two chemicals triggers a series of physiological and as well as physical changes in the human body. Each sense in their body is now heightened, it grants this exceptional vision at night, an acute hearing, and an interesting sense of smell. Another thing that does heighten is their agility and strength, which increases substantially, developing sharp fangs and claws. Also when it's full moon, this transformation is very much influenced and it becomes more pronounced."

"What happens during a full moon?" She asked curiously.

"During a full moon, the combination of these chemicals (Luna Extract and Feral Serum) reaches its peak. The moon, gravitationally pull, intensifies the mixture effects and it causes the human being to undergo a full transformation into this wolf-like creature....” he leaned forward as it got interesting to him not her."... and this transformation so last until sunrise"

"So you're telling me that during full moons, these effects do trigger the complete transformation into this wolf-like creature?"

"Yes"

"And full moons, serve as a catalyst?"

"Exactly, you're following," he said, smiling. Who wouldn't, after coming in the face with it? "The full moon energy is very crucial, it not only heightens the transformation process but also reveals the beast-like nature of this animal"

"Wow, ok......but is it possible that this thing is in existence now?" She asked.

"To be frank Sandra, I can't tell you that, because I don't know what is going on in the world now"

“Yeah, I get it," he turns back to his computer, sticking his glasses closer to his eyes.

"But if I may ask....,” he turns to face her "...why are you asking?"

"Just curious"

"Ok, because people do ask, after watching a scary movie"

"Well, mine is more than that," she murmured, standing up.

"You said?"

"Nothing, and lastly," she had forgotten to ask about a possible weapon that could kill this beast.

“Ok,” he turned, giving her his full attention again.

“What can kill them?”

“Em, that I have to carry out deeper research on. But on the ground knowledge, there is a leave known as wolfsbane it has aconitum qualities and can be very deadly to wolves, so probably a werewolf too”

"Ok, wolfbane, you said?"

“Yes, wolfbane”

“Thanks”

“Just doing my job, but you're welcome”

"You know, you're very smart," she said “Most people wouldn't know this"

“Em, yes most people wouldn't and I wouldn't, I just happen to carry out this research as my final project in college."

"Ooo, thank God you're here," she said as she made for the door that would lead her to her office, where she shared about God knows how many detectives, but they're many. Now all she needs is an approval from her boss to carry on the case and not only that to sponsor, because definitely, wolfbane must be expensive. And if they're by any chance to pursue this case, they need it as a form of protection.