Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“Maybe Test Subject Two is just a douchebag,” Mariah says, shrugging.
“What about yesterday, though?” Dr. P asks from nearby.
Two female test subjects got into a fight over nothing yesterday. We observe the test subjects around the clock, and at one thirty a.m., one of the women jumped another woman who was returning to bed after using the bathroom.
They’re both in medical isolation now—one with a broken wrist and a concussion, the other one with internal bleeding that required surgery.
These people were vetted thoroughly. Our psychological evaluations were designed to weed out people who were unstable in any way.
“It’s not a coincidence, you guys,” Dr. P says when no one answers his question. “We observed increased agitation, aggression, and sexual urges in the rats. And now we’re seeing those same things in the humans.”
“Seeing what things?” Dr. Lucy Hollis walks into the lab carrying a tray of baked goods, which is a regular occurrence for her.
“Test Subject Two assaulted Ellison,” Dr. P says.
Lucy looks at Ellison, her jaw dropping. She sets down the tray and rushes over.
“Ellison! Are you alright?”
“I’m good,” Ellison says, moving the bag of ice away from her mouth.
“You are most certainly not good,” Lucy says. “Has anyone called the police?”
After a few seconds of silence, Dr. P says, “We can’t. No one’s allowed in here but us.”
“This is a crime,” Lucy says. “Has anyone spoken to Randall?”
“He knows,” Yeva says.
“Is he on his way?” Lucy asks.
“He’s in DC briefing the bills on our progress,” Dr. P says, referring to our name for the billionaires funding our research. “He won’t be back until tomorrow.”
Lucy lowers her brows, unsatisfied with that answer. “Has anyone made an incident report?”
“I did,” Ellison says.
“Tell me what happened,” Lucy says.
Ellison relays the same thing she told me, Lucy’s expression hardening when she hears it.
“I didn’t think one incident of heightened aggression was a coincidence, but two? We have to shut down human trials immediately.”
“I agree,” Dr. P says.
“We’re filing a police report and getting Ellison checked out at the hospital,” Lucy announces. “I’ll take her myself. Someone get Randall on the phone so we can all get on the same page.”
Mariah uses her phone to FaceTime McClain, who answers the call looking like we woke him up in his hotel room bed. When she relays what’s going on, McClain puts his glasses on and sits up on the edge of the bed.
“Okay, sorry. We were wining and dining senators until the early hours. I’m awake now. Ellison already texted me about this.”
“Have you seen her face?” Lucy asks.
Mariah moves the camera to Ellison, who smiles weakly.
“Oh, Ellison.” McClain sighs. “Are you okay?”
“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Lucy says before Ellison can answer. “She could have a facial fracture.”
“No, you can’t do that,” McClain says. “I’ll arrange for her to see someone, but not at a hospital.”
Lucy is clearly unhappy with that idea. “She needs a CT scan. That requires a hospital. I know pausing the human trials isn’t what any of us planned, but—”
“No,” McClain interjects. “We aren’t pausing anything. We just cleared a major hurdle to secure government backing.”
“In two days, we’ve seen increased agitation, aggression, and sexual urges,” Dr. P says. “In three different human subjects. This is what happened with the rats.”
“Three of fifteen,” McClain says. “That’s only twenty percent.”
“Only twenty percent?” Lucy balks. “That’s one in five. We can’t move forward with this compound. We have to create one without the negative side effects.”
McClain furrows his brow. “That could take years. We don’t have years.”
“This isn’t right, and every one of us knows it,” Lucy says. “I won’t be part of this. It’s not just data manipulation, which is unethical. These people could suffer worse side effects. They could die. There’s no amount of money that makes up for that.”
I’m out of my element here. I don’t dare speak because it’s not my place.
“Calm down, Lucy,” McClain says. “We can discuss this when I get back.”
“Don’t treat me like some overexcited woman you can placate.” Her hazel eyes blaze with anger. “This is bad science. I was against fast-tracking human trials, and now I know I was right.”
McClain sighs heavily. “Everyone, just take a breath. Until I get back, no one goes into the room with the test subjects. Pass their food through the windows.”
Yeva looks like I feel—stunned. We were all so hyped about what we’ve accomplished so far, and now it’s all blowing up.
“Ellison, come on,” Lucy says, putting her arm out. “Let’s go to the hospital.”
“You can’t do this,” McClain says. “There are agreements in place.”
“I’m not violating my NDA by getting her medical care,” Lucy says.
“You also mentioned the police.”
“She was assaulted! He grabbed her breast and punched her. She’s not a lab rat, Randall, she’s a human being, and this isn’t right.”
McClain rubs his temple. “Everyone, just stay there. I’ll catch the soonest flight out I can get.”