Chapter 1: Lost signal
Chapter Text
At the edges of outer space, a rocket cut through the darkness while communicating with its base.
“Control, Life Foundation, this is FL1. Specimens secured, returning home,” reported the captain with a firm voice.
“Affirmative FL1, re-entry authorized.”
“Roger, initiating re-entry sequence, point four by one, zero, three, point…”
A sudden explosion came with a metallic roar that made the transmission crackle.
“We lost… signal…”
“FL1…”
“What’s happening?”
“FL1, this is Base Control. You’re breaking up. Do you copy?”
“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, FL1, MAYDAY!”
“FL1, this is Base Control, repeat… FL1, this is Base Control, repeat…”
The rocket pierced the atmosphere engulfed in flames, its fall lit up the forest for an instant before crashing with a thunderous impact that shook the ground.
***
Eastern Malaysia
The sirens of ambulances mixed with the static of radios, the pounding of boots over the wet grass, and the buzzing of helicopters and drones flying overhead.
“KITA KENA BAWA MEREKA KELUAR DARI SINI! (WE HAVE TO GET THEM OUT OF HERE!)” shouted one of the paramedics combing the area. “SEMAK DI SANA! (CHECK OVER THERE!)”
While paramedics searched for survivors, several men in hazmat suits entered the wreckage of the rocket.
“KITA KENA CEPAT! (HURRY UP!)” insisted a paramedic, panting slightly. “Berapa ramai yang ada? (How many are there?)” she asked while looking around. “SAYA JUMPA SATU LAGI! (I FOUND ANOTHER ONE!)”
A pulley screeched, pulling out a transparent container that held a black, viscous substance moving aggressively inside.
***
Life Foundation
Vic Hoskins and his assistant, Ellie Sattler, walked briskly down the corridor.
“I don’t want to wait for debris removal to get a report,” Vic’s tone was dry and impatient.
“We’re getting the information as fast as we can,” Ellie replied, trying to stay calm.
“It’s not enough.” Vic stopped in front of a woman with short, dark hair. “Maybe you can tell me what happened?”
“There was some kind of rupture. An astronaut sent a distress call.”
“And the crew?” Vic asked, moving closer to the large screen transmitting live footage from the crash site.
“We’re still investigating,” the woman replied cautiously.
“And where did it crash?” Vic pressed, his eyes still locked on the screen.
“About 20km west of Sibu,” answered a man behind them. Vic turned immediately. “At least we recovered all the samples?”
On the transmission, two hazmat-clad men pulled out another container holding the same viscous substance, this time a dark blue color.
“No. We have three of them. One of the organisms escaped containment and was lost. We don’t know which one,” added the woman, while Vic and Ellie silently watched the screen.
***
Eastern Malaysia
While the hazmat team secured the containers with the recovered specimens, some paramedics covered the bodies of the crew with blankets. Something caught the attention of one of the paramedics. After alerting the others, she ran toward the darkness.
***
Life Foundation
“What did she say?” asked Vic.
“One of the astronauts is still alive,” someone in the room replied. Everyone stared at the screen upon hearing that.
The astronaut, barely conscious, began coughing weakly as the paramedic unbuckled his vest.
“BAWA SAYA PENGUSUNG! (BRING ME A STRETCHER!).”
***
Inside the ambulance speeding down the road, the paramedic prepared an injection. Without her noticing, the astronaut opened his eyes. They were grayish-white, with no pupils. The man sat up, and a viscous substance, the same tone as his eyes, spread across his hand and stretched out to grip the paramedic’s neck. His other hand was covered by the same substance, transforming into a tentacle that pierced through the cabin glass, strangling the driver. The ambulance lost control and crashed against the trees. The roof tore open from the inside, and the paramedic slowly stepped out. Her eyes, like the astronaut’s, were grayish-white and pupil-less. A deep wound in her leg left the bone exposed, but with every step she took, the wound regenerated. She noticed a torn piece of fabric she had ripped from the astronaut and read the words printed on it:
“Life Foundation.”
Chapter 2: Buried truths
Chapter Text
San Francisco, California
Soft, golden light filtered through the window. Owen Grady was sleeping peacefully, lost in the silence of his room, when suddenly a pillow smashed against his face, forcing him to open his eyes abruptly.
-I’m awake!– he exclaimed, startled.
At the foot of the bed, Claire Daring watched him with a mischievous smile. “Good morning, sunshine.”
Owen couldn’t help but smile at her audacity. With quick reflexes, he grabbed the pillow and threw it at her, missing miserably.
-You missed!– Claire teased, leaning down to pick up the pillow.
-I’m already awake– Owen replied, half-smiling.
-Here, I’ll give it back to you– Claire said, tossing the pillow straight at his face.
-Hmm…wow, you’re wearing a suit. I love how you look…in a suit– Owen said with a playful grin.
-Thanks– Claire replied, opening some drawers to pull out some folders. “Today we have the statements for the Life Foundation case,” she explained, placing the folders on the dresser. “Hey, tell me how your meeting went,” she reminded him as she left the room.
Owen sat on the bed, frowning. “My meeting?” he repeated, confused. Then his eyes widened in realization. “Ugh! The meeting! Damn it!”
He hurriedly leaned toward the drawer beside him, searching for something. Claire entered the room carrying a cup of coffee.
-Coffee?– she asked, coming closer to kiss him softly on the lips. Owen smiled and returned the kiss before taking the cup. “Hmm…you’re perfect.”
-Thanks– she said, picking up the folders.
-Hey, do you know what night it is today?– Owen asked between sips of coffee. She glanced at him sideways. “A date night?”
-Hmm…then I’ll pick you up at six, and don’t forget your helmet, please–
-Good thing you like it because I’m going to wear it at our wedding– she replied while grabbing her purse.
Owen took another sip of coffee and looked at her mischievously. “Hm…so sexy.”
-Feed the cat – Claire ordered, heading toward the door. Owen followed her with his eyes for a few seconds. “Of course…love you.”
-I love you too– she replied, giving him one last smile before leaving.
-Feed him– she repeated from the hallway, leaving Owen with a resigned sigh.
***
The wind hit his leather jacket as Owen rode his motorcycle through the streets toward downtown. The motorcycle roared like a wild animal beneath his hands, the engine marking a steady rhythm, almost like a heartbeat, propelling him toward his next destination. The day had barely begun, and he already had three pending reports and a meeting with his boss.
#1
“Owen Grady reporting from the battlefield of the Dimishon district, following up on a case we covered last week…” His voice played over images of crowded streets, where chaos and confusion seemed part of the everyday scenery.
“We all know our masters and lords of Silicon Valley, Google, Facebook…” Owen’s narration blended with the murmurs and bustle of the crowd.
#2
“We’ve come to ask some very uncomfortable questions…Homelessness is rising by the thousands…” Owen spoke as he walked down an almost empty street. Behind him, a small group of homeless people warmed themselves around an improvised fire in a rusty trash can.
#3
“Owen Grady reporting from downtown Otlan, where massive protests have taken over the streets… I’ve been investigating real estate corruption cases for weeks…This is going to make you angry; they were forced to close down themselves.” His voice merged with the murmurs and shouts of the protesters.
***
After finishing his last report, Owen received a call: a body had been found in the municipal landfill. As Owen narrated the scene, officers carried out a corpse wrapped in blankets.
“The medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death due to the condition of the body, but nobody ends up in the bottom of a dumpster from natural causes, so it seems the city doesn’t care about these people, only the killer does. I’m Owen Grady, and this is the Grady Report.”
***
Arriving at the TV station building, Owen parked his motorcycle right at the entrance and strode inside confidently.
-Hello, you look great– he greeted the guard, glancing at his watch.
-Owen, you can’t leave your motorbike there– the guard replied, annoyed.
-What are you talking about? The ‘can’t’ doesn’t exist…they admitted it– Owen answered with absolute certainty.
-Brenklyn, Priston, Emaiti, they gave him a scholarship– the guard replied with a smile.
“I told you so.”
-Told me what?– the guard asked, confused.
Owen smiled as he headed to the elevator. “The ‘can’t’ doesn’t exist.”
-Owen!…the motorbike!– the guard insisted.
-Emaiti! Woh!– Owen shouted just before entering the elevator.
***
An older man watched the city from a window, hands resting on the back of his chair.
-You know what I like about this view?– he said without turning around. “It never gets old.”
-Yeah, well…heights aren’t really my thing– Owen replied, slightly uncomfortable, scratching his nose. “So…what do you want?”
The man slowly turned and looked at him. “I got you the good one, an exclusive.”
-Yes, with whom?– Owen asked.
“Vic Hoskins.”
-Vic Hoskins?– Owen repeated incredulously.
“He’s a visionary man who only wants to talk about his rockets, to reassure everyone they’re safe, that the one that crashed was an anomaly.”
-Oh! He’s…he’s a little crazy– Owen said.
“I’ll be honest, Vic Hoskins could buy us out with what he has in his pocket and turn this whole building into his garage if he wanted. Now you’re going to ask about his space program, say thank you afterwards, and also good morning.”
Owen shook his head slowly. “He’s a criminal.”
-Owen, when you had nowhere to go, we opened our arms to you. We love the Owen Grady show. There’s no better investigative reporter today…But nobody is above the channel, so do me a favor, Owen. Don’t do your stupid stunts again!– His boss glared at him.
A shiver ran through Owen, causing him to lower his gaze slightly. “Okay, okay.”
-For me– his boss insisted.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
Chapter 3: Whispers and Confidences
Chapter Text
The restaurant gleamed under the warm light of the lamps, which spilled over the glasses and cutlery with a golden glow. The murmur of elegant conversations floated like a distant whisper, discreet, almost musical. Amid that setting, Owen and Claire shared a corner of calm, as if they were the only ones in the entire room.
“I don’t know why he gave me that job, Claire,” Owen said, puzzled, his voice heavy with stubborn doubt. “No, it’s not for me.”
She looked at him tenderly, her lips barely curved in a soft smile. “My mother always told me that everything worth having in life requires sacrifice, patience, and hard work.”
Owen huffed, shaking his head obstinately. “No…”
“That’s just who you are,” Claire replied gently. He chuckled under his breath, incredulous. “That’s not true.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” she said, amused.
Owen shook his head again, as if denial were his way of holding onto the very air itself. “No.”
“Yes,” Claire insisted.
He leaned forward, his eyes alight with a mischievous glint. “You’re lucky to have me,” he joked, looking into her eyes. “Honestly, I’m a catch… that’s what my mom told me.”
Claire let out a light laugh that filled the space between them, and Owen allowed himself to join in with a satisfied smile.
“Are you going to behave tomorrow?” she asked softly, yet with a charged undertone.
“No,” he answered without thinking.
The seriousness in Claire’s gaze made him clarify. “No. I’ll do my job, that’s what I’ll do. I just can’t go and not do my job. The guy you work for is…”
“I don’t work for Hoskins,” she interrupted calmly. “I work for my firm, and my firm works for him. And I know they defend many people you don’t think are worthy, but we don’t want a repeat.”
“A repeat of what?” Owen replied indignantly.
“The Daily Globe incident—”
Owen brought his hand to his chest with a theatrical gesture, as if he had been stabbed. “Seriously? Incident? That wasn’t an incident.”
“Love, you got fired from New York.”
“No,” Owen protested.
“I don’t want you to get fired from San Francisco.”
“No, no… I still have weight in New York. I was moving forward, not running. I was advancing, and I even moved to San Francisco for you.”
“For me?” Claire asked, smiling.
“You’re my home,” he said, looking into her eyes.
She regarded him with a smile. “And you’re not so bad yourself, champ.”
They shared a glance of complicity before melting into a soft, brief kiss, heavy with invisible promises.
“Enough talk, more kisses,” Claire whispered, a gleam of desire in her eyes.
Owen grinned mischievously. “Then let’s get the check.”
***
The motorcycle cut through the city like a shadow. San Francisco’s lights flashed in the night, reflecting on the wet asphalt. Claire clung to Owen as the wind whipped through her hair. Upon reaching home, laughter and desire swept them to the bed, where lust erupted among kisses, caresses, and clothes falling to the floor.
When Owen woke, it was still early morning. The silence was thick, barely broken by Claire’s steady breathing beside him. Gently, he kissed her on the cheek before getting up.
“I’m going to get a drink,” he whispered to himself…
He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of juice. The bluish glow of the laptop left on the table caught his attention. He set the bottle down next to a forgotten mug that still held the opaque traces of morning coffee, and sank into the chair. The screen displayed a photo of him and Claire, both happy. A notification popped up in the corner. Owen frowned, his fingers fiddling with the necklace around his neck. He leaned toward the screen and typed the password with care, and within seconds the file unfolded before his eyes.
From: Lee Taglin
Subject: Life Foundation Legal Memorandum. Confidential
Owen cast a glance down the hall, making sure Claire wouldn’t appear. Then he returned his gaze to the screen. His fingers typed stealthily.
Dear Miss Dearing,
Attached is the legal file for your review.
Thank you,
Lee Taglin.
Owen glanced down the hall again, as if Claire’s silhouette could appear at any moment. Unaware of the cat that had slinked onto the table behind the laptop, letting out a low meow, he gestured for it to be quiet before opening the file.
“Negligent homicide lawsuit. Confidential. Mortality levels. Deceased.”
The early morning silence grew heavier, and Owen did not take his eyes off the screen.
Chapter 4: Empire of Blood
Chapter Text
-Very soon, another rocket from the Life Foundation will depart on another exploration mission- That’s what Vic Hoskins said in a deep but gentle voice to a group of children. His presence commanded respect, but the warmth of his smile erased any fear. “And so, maybe one day, you’ll live in space.” He leaned slightly, watching how the children’s eyes reflected wonder and curiosity. “Cool, right?” he added, with a charismatic tone that filled the room. “And since I’ve shown you the incredible things we do here, I hope I’ve inspired you all to go out and create things that others have only dreamed of.”
-Mr. Hoskins- A little girl raised her hand, but was silenced by her classmates.
“It’s okay, don’t shush her,” he said softly. “Come on, tell me your name.” He extended his hand in a gesture of trust. The girl stepped forward slowly, her eyes fixed on him. “Aly,” she answered in a fragile voice.
“That’s fine, Aly,” he said tenderly. “Sometimes, people do that they try to silence those of us who ask questions, but you know, in the end...” Vic pulled a sticker from his vest and showed it to her as if it were a treasure. “We’re the ones who change the world. I want you to take good care of it, Aly.” He handed her the sticker with affection, and she took it carefully.
Ellie Sattler entered the room, her figure firm and elegant, her footsteps echoing softly against the floor, catching Vic’s attention. “Kids, this is Dr. Sattler. Say hello.” He told the children, and they greeted her enthusiastically.
“Hello, children…” said Ellie sweetly, before looking at Vic. “Sorry to interrupt, but you need to get changed for your interview.”
“Yes, ah, kids, sorry to leave you. Aly, you’re in charge.” He high-fived the little girl and a few of the other children before leaving. “Dr. Sattler will answer Aly’s question and any others. Until next time, goodbye kids.” Hoskins walked out of the room as the children cheerfully waved him off.
***
“What do you say, Mr. Hoskins, if we start from the beginning?” asked Owen, as he walked alongside Hoskins down a wide hallway, followed by the cameraman and a young assistant with black hair who accompanied him. “Son of American parents... and then at 19, you discovered a genetic therapy that doubles the life expectancy of pancreatic cancer patients.”
“Actually, it triples life expectancy, but that’s fine,” Vic corrected naturally.
“Okay, at 24 you’re still very young, and then, bam!” Owen snapped his fingers. “The Life Foundation.”
“It wasn’t overnight,” Vic replied with a small smile.
“And then pow! rockets.” Owen looked at him with irony. “You decided, like any normal human being, that you wanted to go explore space.”
Hoskins chuckled. “You know what it was. I’ve always believed space exploration is crucial. If we want to cure everything on Earth, think of all we’ve found in the oceans, on land, it’s time to look up. Because there’s an immensity of natural resources out there...”
“And an immensity of resources from the pharmaceutical companies you work with, who help you complete that mission, I suppose,” Owen interrupted dryly.
“Of course, it’s complementary,” Vic answered calmly.
“And ah, speaking of that,” Owen shot him a glare. “How exactly does the Life Foundation work, how do you... uh... how do you test your drugs?”
“Owen!” exclaimed the assistant.
“What?” Owen asked, turning toward her.
“We’ll talk about rockets,” the young woman replied firmly.
“Not me, I came to talk about the accusations.” He looked at Hoskins, and the tension shattered like glass. Vic looked at him, confused. “No, I don’t know…”
“They say your whole empire is built on corpses,” Owen accused.
“Owen!” the young woman exclaimed again, trying to silence him, but he kept insisting. “It’s true, isn’t it? They say you recruit the most vulnerable to volunteer for your trials, and that very often those trials end up killing people.”
Vic frowned, trying to keep his composure. “Ah, I’m aware of those online rumors, there’s a lot of fake news out there...”
“Yeah, but what about the lawsuits?” Owen cut him off.
“Excuse me?” Vic asked, baffled, but Owen didn’t stop. “Yeah, the lawsuits like Sara Chanvers, Fill Barklin, Bob Mac...”
“Okay, time to go. Thank you for coming to talk.” Vic’s voice turned firm. “Security.”
“These people who never walked out of here because they were dead, they died because...” Guards approached him. “Don’t touch me!”
The young woman who accompanied them walked up to Vic and apologized for Owen’s outburst before leaving with the cameraman.
“For the Foundation of Death!” Owen shouted as the guards dragged him away. “We’re not finished!”
“You are, Mr. Grady,” Vic’s voice was calm but firm.
“Is that a threat?” Owen asked seriously.
“Have a nice life,” Vic dismissed him.
***
“I know what you’re going to say, but that Hoskins is rotten to the core, and if you let me” Owen tried to explain, but his boss cut him off. “Who’s your source?”
“Excuse me?” Owen asked, puzzled.
“I said, who is your source?” his boss demanded firmly. Owen leaned back in his chair, sighing as he rubbed his chin. “I don’t have a source, it was more like a gut feeling.”
“This isn’t the Wild West!” his boss shouted. “We don’t make accusations based on gut feelings. We do our homework, we back up our claims, we bring evidence.” The man glared at him seriously. “For someone so smart, you’re incredibly stupid!”
“Yes...” Owen whispered. His boss walked to the window, looking out at the city with his back turned. “You’re fired, Owen. I can’t trust you anymore...” he said bitterly. “Have a nice life.” Owen froze at hearing that phrase.
***
Claire stormed out of the building, pushing the door furiously, carrying a box in her arms.
“Hi,” Owen greeted her with a broken voice.
“You’re pathologically narcissistic!” she shouted, walking away, but Owen followed her. “Claire, Claire, please, we can talk.”
“You’re stubborn beyond reason!” she glared at him, both angry and sorrowful. “But I was willing to put up with it, Owen, because I loved you.”
“You loved me?” he asked, confused. “What do you mean you loved me?”
Claire dropped the box on the ground. “I got fired because of what you did.” She pulled out the wedding ring he had given her. “You used me.” She stared at him for a few seconds, holding back tears, before slipping the ring into Owen’s jacket pocket, picking up the box, and walking away.
“Claire, Claire...” he called out, but she ignored him.
***
Beneath the rain, two cars and a truck drove through a tunnel. There, Vic Hoskins was waiting. Inside the truck, several containers held viscous substances that shifted, each one a different color. Vic opened the doors. Ellie Sattler and a group of doctors were with him, their faces reflecting awe.
“I can’t believe it,” Vic murmured with a smile. “They’re beautiful.”
***
In a crowded market, the paramedic who had been possessed by the gray substance walked forward with slow steps. She approached a small food stall, grabbed an eel, and tore a chunk off with her teeth.
“Hey apa dia buat! (Hey, what are you doing!)” the vendor shouted. “Anda perlu membayar untuk itu (You have to pay for that).”
She stared at him. Her arm was covered by the substance, transforming into a blade. With a single motion, she slit the man’s throat. Screams filled the market and the crowd scattered. She ignored them and kept eating the eel she had taken. Suddenly, a group of young men armed with knives surrounded her.
“Hei awak! (Hey you!)” one of them yelled. “Ini adalah wilayah kami (This is our territory).” The paramedic dropped the eel onto a small puddle of water. “Dan kami tidak suka penceroboh (And we don’t like intruders).”
The substance possessing her shot several spikes from her back, impaling the boys and most of the remaining people nearby. Her eyes fell on an old woman. The woman trembled in fear as the paramedic slowly approached.
“Tolong jangan sakiti saya (Please don’t hurt me),” the old woman begged. The paramedic extended her hand and placed it on the woman’s shoulder. The gray substance immediately transferred into her. The paramedic’s body fell lifeless to the ground, while the old woman straightened up, looking around with eyes that were no longer hers. Now possessed by the gray substance, the old woman walked away.
Chapter 5: Blood and promises
Chapter Text
6 Months Later
-Test Thirty-Six- Ellie watched the glass cylinder intently. Inside, the yellowish substance, called a symbiont, writhed, striking the walls. "Biological interactions between two different organisms."
The seal of the cylinder released with a faint click, and the viscous creature slid out with slow, deliberate movements. "These creatures need a respiratory host to survive, any period of time in an oxygen-rich environment."
The symbiont slithered toward a rabbit, which didn’t flinch at its presence.
-"And why do all hosts show such hyper-acute rejection?" Vic asked, almost annoyed, crossing his arms.
-"That’s what we’re trying to find out," Ellie replied, keeping her eyes on the monitors. "The fusion process is starting... it’s stabilizing."
Both watched the rabbit, which remained calm, showing no signs of distress. Vic let out an incredulous laugh. "B-b-but, why, why this rabbit?"
-"It’s similar to an organ transplant," Ellie explained without taking her eyes off the rabbit.
-"The donor and the recipient have to be compatible."
-"Correct."
"Okay, just think about it. If we achieved symbiosis, they could survive here but..." Her eyes lit up—not with astonishment, but with ambition. "We would survive there too."
Ellie frowned. "We?"
-"Start human trials."
-"But it’s too early to even consider human trials..." Ellie tried to explain, but Hoskins’ gaze cut through her like a knife.
-"Dr. Sattler," he said coldly. "You are in front of a scientific breakthrough."
-"But..."
-"I want you to show courage. Yes."
-"I understand, but it’s an ethical matter..."
-"Think of future generations, of your children." His tone turned colder. "By the way, how are your children?"
Ellie fell silent. Vic smiled, satisfied. "Start the trials. Well done." Vic left the room without looking back. Ellie followed his gaze, feeling fear coil in her chest.
***
The murmur of glasses and conversations floated in the air. Owen drank in silence, hunched over the bar.
"Hey... have you ever felt like your entire life is a... monumental failure?" he asked the bartender with a hint of bitterness. The man glanced at him briefly while cleaning a glass. "No."
The TV showed Hoskins speaking with that arrogant confidence that made him even more unbearable. "Here at the Life Foundation..."
-"Isn’t that your friend?" the bartender asked casually.
-"Could you turn off the TV, please?" he whispered tiredly.
Hoskins continued with his triumphant voice: "In the months since our rocket failure, we have learned a lot..."
-"Hey, we’re watching too," interjected a man sitting beside him.
-"Seriously..."
The man looked at him curiously. "Aren’t you Owen Grady?"
-"I was Owen Grady," Owen corrected, bringing the glass to his lips one last time. Hoskins went on triumphantly: "We’re excited to announce that the Life Foundation has already begun preparations for our new launch..."
Fed up, Owen left some bills on the bar. "Here, this is for you. Don’t spend it all at once." He stood, patted the stranger on the back, and left. "I’m going home to flirt with myself and play hard to get."
***
The night air accompanied him to Zia Rodríguez’s shop, an old friend.
-"Hi," greeted a homeless woman sitting by the door.
-"Owen!" she responded joyfully.
-"How’s it going?" he asked while opening the metal box where the newspapers were kept.
-"Epic, Owen."
-"Ah, yeah?" he murmured, searching for a paper. "It’s empty."
The woman lifted the sheet covering her, revealing a stack of newspapers. "Five dollars each."
-"Five for a free newspaper?" Owen raised an eyebrow, amused.
-"I had to walk to the machine, take the papers, and bring them here personally for you," she smiled, as if closing a deal.
Owen looked at her fondly. "You did it for me?"
-"Yes, for you."
-"Aww!"
-"Pay me," she said, extending one of the papers.
-"Do I look like a tourist?" he replied, pretending indignation.
-"How about this: if you give me a dollar for a song, I’ll give you the newspaper."
-"Deal," she said, handing him a bill.
-"I’ll give you twenty dollars, but not for singing, eh."
-"Agreed."
-"Thanks," Owen said, taking the newspaper as he headed to the door.
-"Thanks to you."
-"No. Thank you," he replied, pointing to the newspaper as he went in, making her laugh briefly.
***
-"Hi Zia."
-"How are you, Owen?" she replied without looking up from her magazine.
-"Ugh. Pure hardships, pure hardships," he exclaimed. She glanced at him. "You look great."
-"Excuse me?"
-"You look great."
-"And you look as beautiful as ever." He muttered, turning halfway. "Seriously?"
Zia returned to her magazine. "The mind is the body, Owen. Have you been meditating like I taught you?"
-"No, it doesn’t work."
-"It doesn’t work because you lack patience."
-"No, it doesn’t work because I bought a DVD from your cousin and it was in Chinese."
Gǎile jiù hǎole, báichī. (Just change it, idiot.)
-"Even that I don’t understand." Owen pointed to the newspaper. "See? There’s the problem."
Nǐ wèihé yào rúcǐ gùzhí? (Why do you have to be so stubborn?)
The doorbell interrupted. A man entered with confident steps, as if the place belonged to him. "A bottle of whiskey and don’t forget my change." The weapon came out of his jacket as if always ready.
-"Please..." Zia barely breathed.
-"Before the price of my protection goes up—" The man aimed the gun directly at Zia’s head while Owen hid behind the shelves, silently observing.
-"You owe me the full payment!" the man shouted as Zia opened the cash register and handed him the money.
-"NOW!" he yelled, making Zia jump. "And you better have my money ready, Rodriguez. I don’t like waiting."
Zia handed over the money. The man took the bottle, turned, and left as if nothing had happened. Owen stepped out slowly, leaving the items on the counter.
-"Life is painful. That’s how it is, Owen," her voice cracked. Owen could only nod.
***
The building where he lived smelled of dampness and old paint. Owen climbed the stairs and encountered a couple. They kissed with an intensity that seemed to ignore the world.
-"I’m leaving," she said with giggles, giving another quick kiss.
-"Okay, I love you, baby."
-"See you."
Owen opened his apartment door in the middle of the scene. "Idiot…" he muttered, entering and closing it behind him. He turned on the light. The newspaper and groceries landed on the table. He walked to his desk by the large window. A small withered plant waited there like a mirror of himself. A patrol car passed outside, its siren briefly lighting the room. He sat, touching one of the dry leaves. It fell without resistance.
---
He opened the fridge and took out two cold beers. Minutes later, Owen checked his mail while talking on the phone.
"I want—no, I don’t ask for a full-time job, it doesn’t make sense, I can’t use my name, I can use a pseudonym, any name, your choice, make it a woman, you know Ducksi."
Minutes later, he sent a text:
[Hello, do you have work for me?]
The reply came quickly:
[Sorry, Owen. I have nothing for you.]
He sighed in frustration. The newspaper on the table had an ad:
"Dishwasher Wanted"
He called immediately, hoping to get the job. But no luck. "I’ll call later, okay. No, thanks."
---
Later, he placed a disc in the video player and lay on the floor. Closing his eyes, a calm voice emerged:
"Realize that the present moment is all you’ll have… let the now be the main focus of your life. Any action is usually better than no action. If you’re stuck in an uncomfortable situation for a long time… if it’s a mistake, at least you learned something. And in that case, just let it be—"
A brutal noise shook him. He jumped up and ran to the hallway. The commotion came from the neighboring apartment: an electric guitar blaring like an uncontrollable roar. Owen threw a tantrum, returned to his bed, and buried his face under the pillow in a futile attempt to block the noise.
---
-"Thanks to everyone for bringing us to this moment. Our names will be remembered long after we are dust," Hoskins said solemnly, surveying the scientists around him. "History begins now… this is day one, first contact. Let’s get to work."
Vic glanced at the armored cylinder holding one of the symbionts. The dark gray creature moved restlessly inside its translucent prison. Two scientists escorted a man to a glass cell.
-"Setting subject levels," a woman announced as the man explored the interior. "All vital signs normal."
Ellie remained still beside Vic, who watched the man like a hunter eyeing his prey. The man searched for a human expression among the observers.
-"Let me talk to him," Hoskins ordered one of the scientists, who activated the intercom.
-"You don’t have to be afraid, Isaac," he leaned toward the glass. "Don’t fear… Isaac, you know, it’s a biblical name."
-"Y-yes, sir," the man barely whispered.
Vic modulated his words like a preacher. "God told Abraham: 'Give me your son and show me you are willing to sacrifice what is most precious to you.' And Abraham was willing. You know what struck me most? It’s not Abraham who sacrifices, it’s Isaac."
The man looked at him with trembling eyes. Vic motioned for him to approach. "I don’t know why God would ask this of someone, but it doesn’t matter. To me, Isaac is still the hero. Look around, look at the world—war, poverty, a planet on the edge. I’d say God already abandoned us. He didn’t fulfill his part, and now it’s up to you and me to make it right. And this time, Isaac, we can…" Hoskins placed his hand on the glass. The man, trembling, mirrored the gesture. "And we will. This time I won’t abandon us."
-"Yes," the man whispered.
-"Open it," Vic said after a moment. One of the scientists obeyed Hoskins. The cylinder opened, and the symbiont slid toward the man.
-"What is that? W-what… No, please, leave me. No, please, please!" The man pounded the glass, but the creature climbed his leg and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared inside him. The man froze, confused and gasping. A monitor beeped. "Vitals are stable," a scientist reported, eyes glued to the screen.
-"Where did it go?" the man asked, looking at Vic.
-"Incredible," Vic smiled, amazed.
-"Where did it go?" the man repeated, searching his body for the creature. Suddenly, his body arched violently. Convulsions shook his limbs until he hit the floor with a thud. Moments later, the symbiont emerged from his mouth with a wet scream, leaving a lifeless body behind. The creature slammed against the glass, thrashing furiously. Hoskins watched closely, unblinking, as the monster pounded the barrier repeatedly.
-"Bring in the next volunteer," he said gravely, chilling the air.
Ellie looked on, horrified.
---
Owen walked through the streets with an uncomfortable feeling of being followed. He turned his head… nothing. He picked up a newspaper from the metal box and noticed his homeless friend was gone. The feeling returned. He entered the shop, pretending to check items and spoke in a low voice, as if talking to himself.
"Until recently, I was a reporter… quite successful… my job required following people who didn’t want to be followed… I had to hide in plain sight… I was good at it… But you, whoever you are, you’re disgusting."
Ellie stepped forward. "Okay, my name is Ellie Sattler. I need help. I work at the Life Foundation." She held out a card.
-"Oh, really?" Owen raised an eyebrow.
-"Yes."
-"Wow! Congratulations, goodbye."
She put the can she picked up back on the shelf and left. Ellie followed quickly. "Mr. Grady, please, please listen to me. Everything you accuse is true. It’s all true."
-"I don’t care anymore."
-"Really? Because you have a lab full of poor people, all signing waivers they don’t understand, using them as guinea pigs, and they’re dying." Owen stopped at the last words. His eyes fixed on her.
-"They’re all dying," she repeated softly.
-"You saw them?"
-"Yes."
-"Come here." He grabbed her arm and led her to a corner.
"And why should I believe you?"
-"Because it’s true. I also believed in him… and I told myself it was worth it because it was to cure cancer… but this is different. It’s something else," she explained, fearful.
-"Tell the police."
-"I can’t. I fear something will happen to my family. He’s very dangerous."
-"I know." Owen scratched behind his ear, as if trying to calm a tormenting thought.
"And very powerful…"
-"I know, I know how dangerous he is. The first time I interviewed him, I lost my job the next day… my career… my girlfriend… my apartment… everything I cared about. Do you know why? Vic Hoskins ruined me… destroyed me… and if you really are who you say you are, and have the proof… you should be very, very afraid."
-"I’m afraid," Ellie whispered.
-"Find another knight, Miss Sattler, because I’m done. I’m done with this idiocy."
-"Of what?"
-"All this nonsense about saving others. That idiocy. Goodbye."
Owen walked away, and Ellie watched him disappear into the darkness before leaving herself.
---
Owen wandered until he stopped in front of the building where he once lived with Claire. In the second-floor window, the old cat watched him indifferently.
-"Owen," a voice made him turn. Claire was stepping out of a car parked in front. He tried to compose himself like a child caught in mischief. "Hi, wow! Claire… I was walking by and I saw Mr. Belverbird and worried about him and ah…"
-"Owen," Claire interrupted, closing the door with a sharp gesture while a man stepped down from the other side. "This is Alan, Alan, he is Owen."
-"Hi, Owen," the newcomer extended his hand naturally.
-"Hi," Owen replied, his voice a little broken.
-"Claire has told me a lot about you."
-"Really?"
-"Yes, I was a fan of your work."
Claire looked surprised.
-"Thank you," Owen stammered.
-"Really?" Claire asked Alan. "I enjoyed watching you sink people." He explained calmly, smiling.
-"Yes. I was one of them," Claire added, with a hint of resentment.
-"Well, I’ll leave you to talk," she said calmly. "See you inside."
-"You’re the best," Claire kissed him, and Owen felt a knot tighten in his throat.
-"Nice to meet you, Owen," Alan patted his shoulder and left.
-"Yes, likewise," Owen followed his gaze inside.
"He has keys, did you know he has keys?"
-"Of course. How else would he get in?"
-"Yeah, well… what have you been doing, tell me?"
-"You’re aware this is none of your business…"
-"Yes, well, it was just a question," looking at the floor. "And Alan is… a doctor?"
-"No. He’s a surgeon, actually."
-"Hmm. And Mr. Belverbird?"
-"He… would say he misses you, but that would be a lie because…"
-"He’s a cat."
-"No, because he never wanted you."
Claire walked away, leaving Owen alone on the threshold, watching the door close on them forever.
---
The night city enveloped him as he wandered. He passed a couple laughing under a streetlamp. He looked down, feeling the weight of what he had lost. He reached the Golden Gate Bridge. The wind howled, carrying the distant roar of the sea. In his hand, he held a ring—the same he had once offered Claire. He held it for a few seconds, unable to let go. In the distance, a helicopter crossed the sky, its buzz vibrating over the dark water. Owen sighed and pulled out the card Ellie had given him. He looked at it for a moment, as if facing an impossible choice. Finally, he dialed the number.
-"Ah… Hello? This is Dr. Sattler speaking."
-"Yes. This is Owen Grady… tell me…"
Novatoastedmagic on Chapter 1 Sun 24 Aug 2025 10:24AM UTC
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