The Hope of the City

"The preclinical trial has conducted three months ago given that Syrian Hamster-vulnerable with the virus." Dr. Scottsdale in front of the people of the nation. Cameras were scattered everywhere, it was like eyes were sticking hardly at her. And so as microphone in front of her recording every precise words she must uttered. All must contains the truth, and all must be true in terms from the gathered data. Even though it's hard to tell whether she was smiling through that PPE she wears or is worried written on her face. "We, therefore, announce the starts of clinical trials since the three months of preclinical trials provided us with no signs of susceptibility in terms of animal testing with all the subject we had so far." Dr. Anerlyn faced the public after a year of conducting the experiment for ROVDID-01 virus which is concerning rapidly and continuously accelerating numbers of cases. Some are even from stage one symptoms increases to moderate and end up with severe cases that led to their tragic death. Others may have undergone in an asymptomatic conditions under three weeks or more of isolation. "The successful candidates are also including monkeys. From the thorough DNA testing. There's a sign of triumphant decreasing of virus DNA inserted to the DNA of the vaccine." "How sure are the team to open this vaccine for a clinical trial, Dr. Scottsdale?" One of the journalists curiously asked her. Holding her notepad heeding well to Dr. Anerlyn for the information needed by the nation. She needs to take every word into account as it is needed. "We are dominantly anticipating the successful rate of this vaccine," she added. "Is there a probable cause of the side effect to happen?" another one asked. "We will conduct the immediate response for the team to articulate the process. As we expected for the volunteers to stay intact for safety analysis while testing," she firmly said. "The assurance of the allergic reactions to the vaccine is what we, therefore, perceived for critical analysis." I still see more flashes of the camera in front of her as she walked inside the laboratory. I turned off the tv for me to get ready. I need to go just when I saw dad trembling while he looked at Dr. Scottsdale who was on the television. "Dad, are you alright?" I asked him. He just nodded but panic can be traced within his eyes. He suddenly stood up. "Dad! Where are you going?!" He suddenly wears his PPE and went to his car so I then followed him. He stopped his car and parked himself under the laboratory building. "Anerlyn!" "Dr. Frank?" All we see were them packing up ready for the next steps. "You need to listen to me," my dad panically said. "Dr. I said nothing odd is going on. The tests were alright it all doing find, we did all we can." "No! You mustn't proceed with the clinical trial. Conducting 40+ candidates is too much in a row!" "We don't have much time left, Frank! Lives are at stake! People are dying! You know, we are all in the last part of the game. We need to work fast! This isn't just...time is... isn't in our side." "I warned you already. There's something on it that needs to be observed." "Dad, listen up..." "No, Katey! This needs to stop! We can't control the situation if this will be worsen!" "Dad, nothing to worry about. After all It's both your resear-" "It's your mom's" "Well yes. Mom worked hard for this. Studied hard for this. You three did and now the result is out. It was all successful. It's the three of you who did this research. Nothing to worry about..." "No! Well, everything needs to worry about! Your mom...your mom died-" "She risked her life, okay?" It silenced him. My mother died after her condition got worsen due to the invasion of ROVDID-01 inside her body. During the first outbreak two years ago she pushed herself too much to find this vaccine. And she died this past 3 months old later on, we started the preclinical trials. She pushed through this project along with Dr. Scottsdale and later on joined by dad. After her tragic death. Dad became so devastated for my mom's death and can't focus on the lab. He has shown us more with terrible incident. Like mixing an element accidentally. He lost his focus. Now that Dr. Scottsdale continued the research, she needs to do this. Finishing this one is what she needed. Three months after mom died, she worked alone, not alone, because she has help from us, with Dr. Lynch. "Katey?" "Dr-" "Just Tita, we're not in the work." "Ah yeah, Tita." "How's your day?" "Am, great maybe? Just missing my mom." She sighed. "I'm just thinking that...I am proud of my mom." I said. "About your mom-" "Doc..." her son was about to interrupt, "I'll come back later" and stepped away. "Dr. Lynch!" I called him without knowing what would I say. "Yes?" still in his eyes were blank images of the past. "aahmm no, I'll just send it to you...later." and went off. His gorgeous face I've loved to stare before. It's isn't the same as dark, shady and emotionless Lynch I've used to see. Which before wasn't that gloomy hair I used to messed with. Those eyes were like stars at night, lovely to stargaze every midnight. His lips like a rose petal pink I wonder how it tastes. That rossy cheek and that masculine yet white-pale skin as soft as my tender care. That cunning smiles I've used to remember. I never taught everything in just a snap, it all changed. We were friends since like fetus. Do things which we were fond of. As if there is a string connected to us all together while reading each other's mind. I wonder if he forgot about all the things we've used to do. I wonder if he reminisced all the details my eyes were once looking at him. I wonder if he seems to sought too much from my eyes hence, he can recognize my heart at the same time. I wonder if you felt the same way, the way how I have fighting the urge before not to set long glances within your eyes. I might steal one kiss that could embarrass my whole being, lifetime. I almost forgot I was sitting here with Dr. Anerlyn while my eyes were still fixated at him as he walked outside the room. His smells were like a written poetry I couldn't get off from my head. "Isn't he handsome?" though it hushed me and that trim me in an awkward situation. "I'm sorry if it turned that way, between you and my son, Katey." "naahh, Tita, it wasn'typir fault. It's just... I don't understand." She sighed. "I wish he would come back the way he never blamed himself about that situation." "Like what, Tita?" She sighed again, "it's about my daughter. Saying it was his fault why she's gone." Yeah, it began, those days "Astaire?" "Hmmm..." There's a long pause of silence. I tried to open my mouth to interrupt the gap between us. When she spoke that left me astounded. "I know you like him." "Who...I mean what?!" She laughed hard. "Well, haha. Of course. I've been there hija," she said. "I know when is the time you'll be hit with some prince charming." I felt my face's gonna burn like a roasted cheek. "Don't worry. I won't tell him. I won't spill the beans. Just waiting for you both exchanging glances. I want the thrill!" When she noticed that my whole system is wanted to devour me. She laughed so much as if her butt got nailed up. Meanwhile while enjoying the conversation. Smiles were widely opened. Everything had changed when she looked at me as if she wanted to tell me something I never had a chance to know before. "Well, Faith." Now that she looked so serious. She even now calling me my nickname. "I'm just glad you're there for my son. I'm just glad that... we have you...that I have both of you." "Tita, Im-" "But I must say. It's about your mom..." she started. "It's not about that...of course, it's. It's just that...I had something to say-" "Doc. You need to see this." It got wholly interrupted. It was changed to intense and somehow fear can be written on her face. "Is something wrong?" We all walked straight to where Lynch referred to. "The DNA looks like it was changing, Dr." Dr. Anerlyn was staring anxiously at the monitor. Trying to comprehend the situation and what was going on. "When it just started?" She eagerly asked him. "About just recently." Her eyes got even more swollen. We all got alarmed. It's a sign of unfavorable cases that was literally unexpected to happen. "Oh no. Oh no. This can't be good." This can't be happening. This must not be happening. "STOP THE PROCESS! NOTHING'S GOING OUT. NOT EVEN ONE VIAL!" She announced panicking in her system. "CHECK ALL THE ANIMALS THAT HAS BEEN INJECTED WITH THE VACCINE. HURRYY!!" "Call your dad, Katey." "Yes, doc." But one thing left us stunned, someone approached us. "Doc! There's a major problem." The atmosphere has risen to another level. As if we are all waiting for death to talk about what he'd say next. "There are vials that have been stolen." Everything was silence. As if we all got deafened from the news we heard from Dr. Kent. I looked at Dr. Anerlyn the pressure was written all over her face. Imagine all those years we've put hard to it, this sudden changed of data can alter all the possibilities. Some were covering their faces as they all got shocked too. Dr. Lynch looked at me as if he was delivering me messages and then abruptly looked away. "Tita?" in her office trying to comprehend the situation–what we've done wrong. All her tears that were sort if coming back to her eyes as if he tried to suppressed it just so she could focus on the data. "You never eaten yet, Tita." "Tell me? how could I ever eat?" she said then held her forehead as a sign of her distress. "This is all my...fault." she said and tears were now diverting from her eyes. "If only if I listened to your father. This...this won't happened." I went closer to her and gave her the thing which I used to do with mom, hugged her. It seems that it was just like yesterday when mom cried all out after knowing she was positive in ROVDID-01. As we, her family, trying to be strong for her. I know that night, she was praying to give her strength. That time, I never once again done the favorite thing, hugging her. Wishing at least, at that very moment. I could lend my shoulders for her to cry it all out, while suffering from the virus invasion inside her. Suffered from pain and agony with no one's besides her. She was doing everything to make me proud, conducted the research even though she knows how risky is it for her. But she did it anyway. Thinking of other people who loves to stay with their loved ones. Imagine, three or more weeks will be away from their families. Is like being imprisoned for a thousand years while choking to death. A knock just interrupted our moment and Dr. Lynch is being thrown in from the door. "I'll just go ahead, Tita." and put the dinner I prepared for her. "It's your favorite." she smiled. "Thank you, Faith." "I'm I think I need to heat this up. It's getting cold." and I then went out. Left them both inside. Before I could toss myself out of the room, someone entered. "Doc! Look at this," and went straight to Dr. Anerlyn. "Breaking news, the BScier Laboratory has scheduled to delay the expected clinical trial which according to this article the Doctors have noticed the sudden alterations of data which can be possibly threats to whoever might be getting injected." we were all got dumstruck after hearing the news. "Who...who published that article?" Our eyes were swollen as we've never announced to the public, this might led a chaotic explosion from citizens. "We will deal with that later." she said and stood up. "We need to find who stole the vials." Then just like that, how strong is she after hours of breaking down. She went out to finish the job she needs to be done. "Any report regarding who stole some of the vials? We must know who was the thief to conduct immediate action. It should not be injected!" I heard her outcry the situation. "I don't care who it was." she said and went straight ahead to where all the date were located. As she observed everything one by one. As I was walking to find where could my dad would be. "Dr. Katey, you must come to me first." Simon approached me–who is the trusted security in the laboratory. He's eyes furrowed upon heading my gaze straight without minding him. He just tapped my shoulder as if a thief in the mall who was just caught in the act. "Oh, Simon? I just need to find dad." I said and was about to go. "I'm sorry Doc, but I need to..." he suddenly handcuffed me. "What are you doing?" I asked him, "I have more important things to do than this, Simon." I tried to let go. "Just doing my job, doc. You're the last seen person during the incident." "About what?" "You stole the vials." "What a scam are you talking about?" He dragged me straight to Dr. Scottsdale where is. Like a suspect from the movie I've used to watch. "Doc. Scottsdale. I know who stole the vials," he addressed Dr. Anerlyn... "Katey?" "Tita no. I don't know what Simon is talking about." "You know other doctors aren't allowed to enter the restricted area. It was instructed that you and Dr. Lynch must be notified. Then none of the other doctors or someone else has the ways to enter there." He explained. "How sure are you Simon when we all are wearing our PPE. You can't even recognize some unless they presented their ID's." I tried to convince him. "Precisely. Your ID is presented as the ID key. And exactly before they announced the lost vials." "What? I never entered the area since this morning." "Doc. She arrived in the area after your interview. She alone could enter without anyone or Dr. Lynch's permission. She used her ID key." "What...wait?" "She was with me after the interview, Simon." Dr. Anerlyn said. "But doc. She was caught in the camera." "I don't even have my ID? I forgot and left it in my office..there with...Diana." Diana is one of the primary doctors who evaluated the data, scrutinizing the animal behavior. And then how did she never report us about Aron and Zyn's cases? "Where is, Diana?" I said. "Doc! We found this." Mika introduced us to the syringe and one open empty vial. "What is that? Who...opened that?" Dr. Anerlyn said. Could someone already injected it? One of the doctors here? If someone did, we don't know which way this situation will worsen more. I saw Dr. Anerlyn looked so devastated. "Who used that?" "Diana?!" Someone shouted. We all looked for that voice who sent signals to our ears. When we locate the area where it came from. The unconscious Diana was lying on the cold floor. "What happened to her?" Dr. Anerlyn asked then Lynch helped her to take her seat. "She was like that when she came out from her room doc. Kala nga namin naiinitan lang sa suot niyang PPE but she said hindi raw." other doctor said saying they taught it's about her PPE feeling uncomfortable but it wasn't. "How is she?" "Dr. Diana?" Someone slightly tapped her shoulder. "Hmmm?" I heard everybody let out a deep sigh. "How are you feeling?" Dr. Anerlyn asked. "Doc. I felt like...my body...is itching." "Where?" "Everywhere..." pointing at her elbow. "From here..." "Should we take off her PPE, doc?" "No–" "Doc! Doc! Doc Anerlyn!" "Kent why?" "I got this from the record. Someone...that one of us here is positive of ROVDID-01." "WHAT?! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!" Dr. Anerlyn felt so much tension." We all evaluate everyone here! Must examine their first. How come they are positive?" She added,"who?" "Dr. Anerlyn, It's, Diana." We all gasped as we looked at Diana. "Put her into isolation," she commanded. "Yes, doc." They helped her lay down on the stretcher. Some were pushing her into the isolation section to check her. "How many vials she got?" "Only one doc." "But where are the others? We've lost three vials! Where are the two?!" After minutes after Diana's incident. Mika run to our direction where Dr. Anerlyn stood still trying to calm her physique. "Doctor. It's about Diana," Mika mumbled to Dr. Anerlyn. "What happened–" when we all heard her screaming like a dragon laying an egg. "What you all have done?!" We all went straight ahead where she at and noticed doctors were trying to calm her down. "Doc. She was like that after minutes here since when we entered in the isolation room." Diana exploded in anger trying to let go of what Kent obstructed to her so she won't escape. Shouting like she was being possessed. Roaring beneath her throat that made us all fear every cry she pushed through. "Doc what will we do to her?" Mika asked while Kent trying to hold her up." Before Dr. Anerlyn could give them instructions. A vast of pain shouted by Kent that made us all looked at him. He was bitten by her. "Let go! Aw! Let go!" He kept on shouting and cried like he was being bitten by a toddler. "Help him!" Dr. Anerlyn before could instruct the doctors abruptly went straight ahead to help him. Finally Diana let go from biting Kent on his right arm. "Are you okay, Kent?" He just nodded. "Is that deep?" "No it was just like a bite from my sister." And he chuckled. We all sighed. The next thing we heard from Dr. Diana is isn't the usual voice she gave in, "RaAWAarrRRCcKKkk" a growl which I and, no one had ever heard before, till now.