NYZ: The End of Alex Mercer
I replay the moment over and over again in my mind, even after all this time I still find it ironically disturbing. The pain I felt as the final part of my plan fell into place was as intense as it was necessary. The moment of my death is truly one of my least favorite to date… Poor James, he tried so hard to remove me from his life, only to further my own goals in the attempt. Not that I am much better off currently… In time, I will finish that which I began. And nothing will stand in my way.
The Vault
"Amaya," Heller whispers as tears form in his eyes, he falls to his knees as she tentatively approaches him. With a burst of raw emotions and courage, she lurches forwards into his outstretched arms and sobs. This reaction leads to him encircling her in a deep hug as they sit for minutes in a wordless exchange.
As his tears fall onto his little girl's head and seep into her scalp, a hidden presence sets itself into motion…
North America : 2013 the new year
"Come on, wake up Amaya, it's time to go to school." Dad said as he woke me up. I wearily open my eyes as my father leaves the room, with the lights on.
Groaning, I slip out of bed and rub my sensitive eyes. Quickly, I shut off my light and shamble to the bathroom for a quick shower to start my day off.
30 minutes later
As dad drives me to school, I look around at the reconstruction efforts still taking place here in Maine. Although most of the virus in NYZ had been destroyed instantly, the mainland took a more than a year to clear out by the government and pockets are still being found throughout America and some other countries. Serious efforts to prevent the continued spread of the incurable Blacklight virus led to a change in America's daily life. Students such as me are given specially designed suits to wear at school; thankfully they are customizable and come in a few different designs for males and females. All companies are forced to adhere to a new set of regulations on the making of their wares in an attempt to create safer situations that prevent the spread of possible contagions.
It's sad isn't it? That they go through all of this effort, unable to stop that which they fear?
I pause as the voice in my head speaks before agreeing with it. 'It is in our nature to respond to fear aggressively like this. Blacklight is a virus to normal people, but our scientists keep finding proof that this is false. It is just to unique to be classified under any of our biological kingdoms. It is neither plant nor animal; protist nor fungi. It is seen as a pathogen, but there are cases where it fully infects without harming the systems of the host. It can display intelligence in groups and divide like bacteria. We have no words that can classify it properly.'
It is indeed all these things and more Maya. But, you have nothing to fear as long as you stay near your father. It says.
My inner conversation is halted as dad pulls to a stop, "Love you dad!" I exclaim as I exit the car and walk towards the 7th grade building, eager to attend my 1st period, AP Cellular Biology.
Hutchinson, Texas May 23rd 2016
Dear Diary,
It is official; my internship at G.E.N.E. will start this summer. Thankfully, Dana Mom's contacts in the company agreed to expedite my application. I will be starting as an L.S. in lab 2 on June 1st. College credits, here I come! (And maybe even a future job!)
Written by Amaya Allison
Congratulations Maya, I am SO proud of you, says the ever present voice in my head.
"You should be" I say, "G.E.N.E. has an application failure rate of 96%. Even with help, I might not have made it through."
True, that is why I bothered to even say it at all.
A sense of pride washes over me and I smile at the admittedly indirect praise.
July 5th 2017
…I don't understand… what is happening to me…as I work in G.E.N.E., I can feel … triggers being pulled in my body… something is happening to me, I can…feel… something is, something… something… is alive.
July 11th 2017
"This is Cecilia Warren with Fox news, breaking news in north Texas. The largest outbreak since the New York train station has occurred in the southern state of Texas. Immediate relief is being sent from the U.N. and Mexico has enacte-"*CrAsH*
I growled as the remote in my hand breaks… "Damnit!"
Picking up the phone, I speak. "Donaviiin" I stress through clenched teeth. "What! Is the meaning of this?"
On the other end of the line, a bored voice replies. "Look here, ALPHA. I understand you are upset, but my informants received word that G.E.N.E. HQ was getting REAL close to uncovering the truth about the 1192-omega strain A.K.A. Origin. I had to destroy all evidence and the surrounding labs. A fight between grade C infected from the 743-delta strain and the U.N./Mexico should do most of the work. All we have left is the clean up."
"I'm going to say this one time, Donavin, do NOT let anyone find out that you are behind this… I refuse to enact the shattered world protocol until the time is right, and the time is Not now. You will not be saved. And if necessary, I will enable kill switch 7 to keep them from finding you."
"I… I understand." He says, I can practically feel him trembling.
"Good, now get to work. You've got a mess to clean up." I disconnect the line and sink into my recliner, ready to take a nap. In the end, with only the 743rd strain let loose, there is nothing to worry about. C'mon, what's the worst that can happen?