My mother passed away when I was twelve. It was cancer caused by working too hard, I thought at first but then later I discovered it was history. What sort of cancer kills a person before their prime?
That was my thinking and that was what led me to start reading up on biotechnology and the evolution of cancerous cells. Damn! I never thought I could know so much then.
The musty scent of old books fills the air as I sit huddled in the corner of the library, my refuge from the storm raging both inside and outside of me. I bury myself in the world of biotechnology, my fingers tracing the pages filled with scientific jargon and theories.
Then, I just wanted to know what happened to my mother. My stepfather, Greg, never cared much. He only sits down at night, every day, after working for hours at the Evge Factory owned by the werewolf clan to cry. He loved her so much.
"Hey, mind if I join you?" a voice interrupts my solitary sanctuary.
I glanced up, startled, to find a young man standing before me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He's tall, with dishevelled hair and a playful smile that hints at a world of secrets. His casual attire contrasts with the serious atmosphere of the library, drawing my attention.
"Um, sure," I stammered, caught off guard by his unexpected presence. "I was just...reading."
He chuckles and takes a seat next to me. "Reading? In a library? Who would've thought?" he teases, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.
I can't help but crack a smile, the weight of my burdens momentarily lifted. "Well, I guess I'm a bit of a rebel that way," I reply, my voice tinged.
He extends his hand towards me. "I'm Alex, by the way. Mind if I ask what you're so engrossed in?"
I shake his hand. They are slimmer and we became real friends after that day. He was older. Fifteen at the time.
"Fiona. And I'm delving into the world of biotechnology. Fascinating stuff, really."
Alex leans in, his eyes filled with genuine curiosity. "What got you interested in that?"
I paused and my gaze drifted to the memories of my mother's suffering, the unanswered questions that still haunt me. "My mother...she died of cancer. And I couldn't help but wonder why. Why did it have to take her before her time?"
Alex's expression softens, his gaze filled with some empathy as if he shared in that experience. "I'm sorry to hear that. Cancer is a vicious enemy, but we're making strides in understanding it."
I nod, my eyes locked with his. "That's why I'm here. I want to understand, to find answers. Maybe even make a difference."
He leans back and his eyes sparkled with warmth. "You know, Fiona, they say knowledge is power. And in this realm of biotechnology, there's a world of untapped potential waiting to be explored. My dad told me that. He works for them."
"Them?"
"Don't worry. I don't want to mention it. He said there are…"
A surge of intrigue rushes through me and mingles with a hint of uncertainty. "What are you suggesting?" I asked.
He grinned and somehow a glimmer of excitement was dancing in his eyes. "I know a group of researchers, brilliant minds driven by a common purpose. We delve into the mysteries of biotechnology, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. They're looking for passionate individuals like you, Fiona."
I hesitated then but the allure of this unexpected opportunity tempted me. "Is it...is it safe? I mean, what if it leads me down a path I can't come back from?"
Alex's smile softens, his voice laced with sincerity. "I won't lie to you, Fiona. It's a journey filled with risks and uncertainties. But sometimes, the only way to find the answers we seek is to step into the unknown."
I looked at him and smiled. He's a young person like me and he's very intelligent.
"I'm in," I declared, a newfound determination shining in my eyes. "Lead the way, Alex."
He smiled back.
"They'll be very happy to have you."
We usually meet at the alley. Secretly. Then one day I heard he died too and the others left the city.
When I went to his house, the doors were locked and I saw no humans around. There was a mark, a crossed mark on the wall and then a chain dangled across the locked doors. I couldn't ask anyone what was happening, not even my stepfather. He's always drunk and comes back home to cry at night.
But the battle doesn't only take place in lecture halls and conference rooms. It also rages within me, as doubt and fear tango with the unwavering passion that courses through my veins. Am I strong enough to withstand the pressure, the constant scrutiny? Can I truly make a difference in this dance with shadows? Those were my thoughts before I met him. He stood beside me. He was there.
I stepped into the brown-tan car and the thought of Alex remained with me. I stopped looking at Sebastian at that moment. I am just meeting him for the first time. Alex had been there all along even though he died at seventeen.
"Fiona, you are a force to be reckoned with," he said to me, his voice brimming with belief. "Your passion, your intellect—they cannot be extinguished by those who fear change. Trust in yourself and the power of our discoveries."
I straighten my shoulders, ready to face the challenges head-on. No longer will I allow doubt to weaken my resolve? I am a warrior, armed with knowledge and driven by the desire to bring hope to the world.
"Do you want anything?" Sebastian asked. He noticed my silence became profound.
"Nothing," I said. l focused my eyes on the dashboard.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You look more tired. Take this."
He passes me a can of soda. I didn't even read its name before opening it. It's colder than the weather outside and tastes like bland salt.
"Thank you," I said.
"It's fine." He turns on the ignition and the car moves through the rain.