The Reign of the Death-Defying Scientist

A Dangerous Friend in an Exotic Place

Summer vacations are around the corner and everyone seems to be in joyful bliss, completely oblivious to what events will happen in half a year from now. Can’t blame them to be honest, I would too. In this heat, I am getting more and more grumpy and annoying. Amanda and the rest push the idea of going for a trip somewhere relaxing and chill. The last thing I want is more expenses. However, given the fact that I can’t accomplish the budget by my own devices as I am, making an investment in some last serene and relaxing moments before it all wouldn’t kill me. So, we all pack our luggage, prepare adequate playlists and head to the exotic and coastal Greece. The destination was non-negotiable and I had no say at all at the matter. I don’t mind at all, but Richard, Amanda and even Alex decided on it in a heartbeat and started planning on it immediately, without me participating that much. We found a place by the seaside, a bit northern that the capital, Athens. The travel was smooth, especially considering that direct flight, and the way to the hotel was even prettier. After settling in, the beach was too tempting to not go directly, we changed clothes and headed that way. Perhaps the sea breeze could help me clear my mind a little bit. The mere sight of Amanda rocking a swimsuit was enough to completely occupy my thoughts and take any thought that included the imminent apocalypse away.

Something odd happened in the two days later, two days before we returned to the States. I was laying in a sunbed when suddenly, Amanda leaning in from above.

“Aren’t you gonna join us? she said with that gentle smile.

“I will, just give me a few more minutes to laze around” I replied while playing coy.

“Well, you better hurry, unless you want to be thrown into the sea as weeeell.” she warned me playfully with a grin on her face.

I sit up and see Alex on top of Richard. This man has literally picked up a person, literally, and in a matter of seconds, he dives in with a person on top of him. That’s some hardcore stuff, but I’m glad those two get along. I head the brunette warning and instead immediately decide to join them.

As I was standing up, I noticed the few people that were in the coffeeestaurant/bar this early in the morning and I recognized someone. A man, typing on his laptop seemed awfully familiar. I start shaking in anger and fear, a really weird combination of feelings. I shout that I’m going to buy something to drink and over there to make sure what I was seeing was true. I swing by next to him discreetly a couple of times, until there is no shed of doubt that this man was the same person that killed me. Another dead giveaway was that he was reading Biochemistry thesis by a known doctor.

I am certain he doesn’t recognize me; how could he? But I do. And I know what he is capable of. While I presume the reason why he did such a thing was to protect those vials from falling into the wrong hands, I can’t help but wonder what happened to him and he was determined to act as he did. Thinking that it’s in my best interest to keep tabs on him but still a bit hesitant, I decide to approach him. Starting the conversation is as easy as commenting on the piece of research he was reading by the beach.

His name is Jason, he’s 40 years old and he is a researcher in a biochemistry lab in Washington. He and his team recently published a new study on cell regeneration and they have a full summer to relax before they take up another subject to look into. I can see Amanda in the distance with a puzzled look, and I nod to her that there’s nothing to worry about and that everything is alright. After talking for a while, we exchange contact information and I return the people waiting me in sunbeds this time. He is definitely a huge asset to keep in touch with. Moreover, considering there will be no “Mr. Prince”, no atrocities will be made and I doubt a fully operational lab won’t be able to receive a phone call. In the worst case scenario, I will go there in person to the location I marked.

“Who’s your friend?” Rick shouted as I got closer.

“He’s an acquaintance, an old colleague”, I lied, so I didn’t have to provide any further information. “I just went by to say hi”.

While Richard’s curiosity was sated, Amanda was on to me, and I completely understand why. She knew my academics and we were constantly in touch about them. She confronted me about Jason in the evening when we were alone.

“So, are you going to tell the truth about that guy now, or do I have to try again tomorrow?”

“He seemed interesting, I wanted to meet him and talk with him for a bit. He had a file about biochemistry open, so it was a piece of cake”, I lied more convincingly this time.

“You hardly ever talk to other people you see in your university every day, and NOW you decide you casually walk up to talk to people?” she said while crossing her arms.

I am cornered.

“Just… trust me, I know what I’m doing. It just happened, okay?

“Fine. But so you know, I can tell you are hiding something, I can read you like an open book”, she gloated.

“I promise I will at some point. You have my word”

“Good. Now, let’s go hang with the other two boys.” she said cheerfully this time, contrasting her previous serious tone.

In a couple of days later, we returned back home, and I never saw Jason again in Greece. Amanda was a bit worried about me, while Richard and Alex were playing along just fine, oddly enough. Meeting that person really peaked my interest in the work he will produce in the future. And now, I know where I can find him and the birthplace of those vials. Perhaps I can find the reason why this “rebirth” happened after I explain what happened to him, and maybe I can get my hands on one more dosage….in case everything goes south.