Chapter 17

The first picture made public by the news channels sent a wave of horror through the citizens. Till then people had just been talking about a strange disease with symptoms of hepatitis A and E but were killed within days of catching. They were practically unaware of the seriousness due to blockades and lack of entries at the area of virus. The patients shown in the picture were unrecognizable. It was impossible to say if they were under treatment or were getting ready for funeral. Some had open mouths and closed eyes which practically sank in their sockets that made them appear like skeletons. They had blood stained bodies which seemed like burnt in hell. Their pain and agony was visible from their faces.

Amelia walked briskly towards her class. Olivia joined in and they reached together. There was unusually an air of restlessness. Students were wearing masks as a protocol. "It's just a beginning," Olivia whispered as they sat in the class. "My aunt..." she continued with a low voice, "my aunt says it's a curse." She mumbled with wide eyes. Amelia looked at her unable to respond. Instead of answering she stared at her and waited for further details. "They are dying. No one can help them" she gestured with her hands and quickly came to the conclusion.

Sir Henry entered the class so everyone got silent. He too seemed tired probably due to the ongoing circumstances. Everyone suddenly felt insecure. His grim expression could tell that he hadn't slept all night. He was a genius doctor and would have tried to know the reality of Alto virus by using his knowledge but every knowledge seemed unfruitful at that time. Those who volunteered either gave up or became victims of the same disease. Nobody reached a suitable solution. Every person was looking up to science and genius brains to save their fates. But there was no hope. Anthony Kippler who had earlier appeared on TV could not satisfy people particularly after the release of pictures that terrorized them to the core.

"We are hopeful but we should be careful," he had said. And that was the only thing people could do. They inadvertently quarantined themselves in their homes. Those who left homes for important tasks were fearful if they would come home alive or not and weren't sure if they wouldn't catch the disease. There was an air of doubtfulness, fear and terror.

"So let us begin," Sir Henry's grim voice suddenly broke the tense silence. He was a neuroscience professor. The lessons in his class mainly included neuro-degenerative disorders. His stay at the American Medical School had been a gift for the students who aspired to become neuro-scientists. The way he taught his lessons were imprinted on their minds forever. He was the most sought after professor not just because he taught well but was also a keen demonstrator. "Today we are going to cover Huntington's disease." He began when the topic appeared on the projection screen. He wasn't sure if he needed to talk about the ongoing crises so he instantly switched to the topic.

"Imagine a computer's central processing unit where millions of wires and circuits link together to create an intelligent system that carry out algorithmic operations so efficiently that the required output is given in milliseconds." A computer's internal system appeared on the screen with chips, wires and circuits linked in a complex way. He considered computer as the easiest metaphor yet a very complicated creation analogous to brain. "What happens if the links in some of the areas get damaged, or you can say degenerate?" He initially raised his hand in the air to point out an area in the computer structures and then looked at the students to acquire the answer. "We won't get the required output," answered one of the students. "Exactly! and what happens if the nerve cells in the frontal lobe of brain degenerate?" he asked again with his finger pointing at the anterior part of the brain in the picture that appeared just below the computer. "Sir, the functions of frontal lobe is associated with movement, intelligence, memory and behavior. So naturally that would be effected." said another. "True! But how does this damage occur is a question." "Huntington's is a hereditary disorder which is caused by a damage to the gene named Huntington." he continued his lecture but the students seemed to grow less interested. He could feel that his words were simply echoing in an empty space. Their faces seemed blank and clueless or perhaps preoccupied. His mind too would drift to the current situation. Everyone in the class was willing to talk about it but their fears would stop them. "A faulty gene is inherited from parents which results in brain damage over time." He said. "It usually becomes fatal after 20 years." Sir Henry grew tired too.

Amelia glanced at her watch to check the time. Olivia who was sitting next to her sensed that she was worried about something and wanted to leave. "Are you in a hurry?" She whispered. Amelia nodded, "Yes, we are meeting someone." "Who?" she asked curiously. She put her index finger on her lips and gestured for silence. Olivia turned her face towards Sir Henry who was by then looking at her. She was embarrassed but kept quiet instantly. "I assume the current situation has made everyone worried," he switched from the lesson to deal with fears that were apparent on everyone's face. "But science has always overcome challenges no matter how tough they are." He continued with optimism to bear positivity in their minds. "Today we are clueless but tomorrow we will have the best solution."

"Sir, but what would happen to people who are suffering today?" asked Peter. Sir Henry had already predicted that question but wasn't sure how to respond. So, he chose to give answer in a religious way. "We should all pray for their health and pain free life." he managed to say. Henry sent students early that day because he knew that it was useless to talk about lessons unrelated to Alto virus.

Amelia was glad to hear that. She rushed out of the class followed by Olivia. "You know what?" Olivia shouted at the top of her lungs to stop Amelia while making her way through the noisy crowd of students. She got a bit slower to let Olivia join pace with her. " What is it?" she asked. "Aunt Mary said the patients become so aggressive that they bite their own flesh" she divulged the horrible truth in a very reckless way. "Their eyes become yellow like a fire. They are burning inside but the burns appear on the outside" she lowered her eyebrows. Amelia winced too as if she felt the sting of pain. "If you don't mind I shall be leaving now?" Amelia asked in a very humble way. She knew that Olivia wouldn't let her go alone but she requested and the later agreed. She gladly ran towards the gate. Olivia stood there watching Amelia disappear into the crowd of people and eventually out of the gate thinking that if she was up to something she was definitely going to succeed like always. Her lips curved into a hopeful smile.