Chapter 2: Genetics

The school was in front of him. The architecture was amazing, columns criss-crossing the framework which was exposed, giving it a modern feel. He looked ahead and saw a holographic sign showing the school logo and motto. "Highlands Academy: your future is our goal." He saw a group of his friends ahead and left the holographic sign to meet them. "Hi Dan!" said Monika to the approaching boy. "Hi Monika" he replied. Isman approached Dan and hugged him. He awkwardly backed away and said "Sorry, I got a bit excited". "It's fine" replied Dan. "How is life?" Monika asked. "It's... interesting." replied Dan. "My mum broke up with our dad and issued a divorce, but other than that, I'm fine.". "Oh, I'm so sorry!" replied Monika. "It's fine" Dan repeated. "It's for the best anyways, he was horrible to my mum. She didn't know what else to do." Isman said "Yeah. We had the same situation long ago, however, it was my mum who left us. I decided to stay with my dad.". "So what class do you guys have next?" Monika asked. "I have Human Genetics" replied Isman happily. "I have Ethical Testing next" Dan replied, "It is extremely boring by the way". Monika   disagreed, "It's interesting" she said. "Anyways, I have Virtual Engineering" she replied. "Going to make our own robots using the Virtual Lab.". "Sounds interesting" Isman said looking at the watch on his hand. He never got rid of the watch as it reminded him of the world we used to live in, without technological advancements. It was also a family heirloom that he wasn't going to give to the museum which had begged for it a thousand times. The school broadcast system alerted everyone that it was time for class.

Everyone piled in through the front doors and went to their different classes.

Meanwhile...

"What is the status?" replied the overseer. "He is stable however, he is not responding to medication given."

The overseer swore, and hit the desk with his fist. "We have tried everything! Why is the medicine not working!" he said frustrated. "Have you increased the dosage?". "No sir." replied the lab worker. "We haven't". "Why have you not?" said the overseer angrily. The lab worker replied "It's dangerous and could even kill him.". "I don't care! Do it now." shouted the overseer and lit a cigarette. The lab worker went to his colleagues and went to the controls. The overseer took a puff of his cigarette and murmed " I should quit smoking"

Back at school...

"It is important that our tests that we conduct are ethical. We need to take into consideration what subjects we test on. Testing on humans and animals is unethical. Can someone tell the class as to why it is unethical?" The teacher exclaimed "No-one? Dan can you tell us?" Dan replied "Its only deemed unethical if the person has not agreed. Animals cannot communicate with humans therefore it is unethical to test on them." The teacher smiled "So who do we test on?" She asked. Dan shrugged. She replied "Take a guess" Dan was about to reply when men poured into the room, dressed like soldiers. "You must come with us immediately. Single-file. All of you." The students looked quizzically at the teacher. The teacher replied "Do as your told". All the students did as they were told and followed the men into the hall where thousands of students were lined up. Each of them being scanned and returned to classrooms. One of the men commanded "Join the line and wait to be scanned, try to run and we will shoot you understood?" One of the students said "What are we being scanned for?" The soldier replied "None of your business, move along!" The teacher said "They are just students! Not animals!". The soldier laughed, and replied "You should calm down before I shoot you." The teacher nodded and gulped. Dan joined the queue and looked around for his friends. He couldn't see any of them. The line moved forward and so did he. A child in front of him ran from the line and towards the exit. Soldiers chasing after him, he took this opportunity and left the line. He looked around for his friends again, nothing. Someone tapped him on the soldier and he froze. He turned around and was relieved to see that it was Monika and Isman. "What's happening?" asked Dan. Isman shrugged and Monika replied "Your guess is as good as mine". A soldier approached them and boomed "What d'you think you're doing?" Monika replied "We lost track of the line". The soldier replied "Oh... well, get back to your line then." And pointed to it. They went over to the line. "Nice save there" replied Dan. "No problem!" replied Monika happily. Isman smiled. The line moved on and they approached the scanners. The soldier instructed Dan to stick out his hand. He did as he was told. The soldier scanned him and the screen showed "Healthy". "Move on" said the soldier. He watched as his friends got scanned. All of them were healthy. "What are they doing?" said Monika confused as she regrouped with Dan and Isman. "I don't know. Testing us for a disease maybe?" replied Dan. "But, I thought our genes were changed so that we were made immune." said Isman confused. They heard a scream and saw a boy convulsing violently on the floor just ahead of them. Crowds gathered around to see what was happening. The soldiers ran from their posts to find out what was happening. Isman, Monika and Dan went in closer to see the boy. A soldier was kneeling over him, checking his pulse. The boy looked dead, his face was deathly pale. The soldier spoke "Everyone return to where you were!". No-one moved. The soldier cursed and looked down, the boy's eyes were wide open, the boy looked at the soldier. The soldier replied "Are you alright?". The boy didn't respond. The soldier came in closer "Are you..." he never got to finish the sentence as the boy screamed and bit the soldier's arm. The soldier screamed and fidgeted for the gun, all the other soldiers followed suit. Everyone started running , screaming, the whole hall broke out into chaos as everyone tried to get away. The boy still eating the soldier's flesh. The group ran for the fire exit and left out into the daylight.