The metal bands dug into the skin. The upper arms were cabled and connected to the machine from which a clear innocent liquid flowed into the veins, burning. The jaw was clenched in anger and when it finally opened, it released a scream.
Inside in the scanning room, Professor Richards read through the latest report, his eyes examined each printed word with caution. Behind him , the human wall of first year medical students waited, all were willing to lick his boots or any part of his anatomy to safeguard their position on his team. After all, wasn't he the one who had saved them all? Hadn't he guaranteed their own survival in the aftermath of the Rising? He peered through the exam chamber's window and watched No. 15B6 scream and spit and swear. Why did they always get so violent at the end? It always intrigued him how the survival instinct kicked in at the very end, how the last few breaths rekindled the ancient fire of life when death stood at the door. This one was going out kicking and screaming. Brillant! They had a screamer on their hands. He discreetly whispered to his assistant,
«More sedative! I want nothing to go wrong today!»
He turned to face his students, cleared his throat to reveal his sweet suave voice «Students, today we will be discussing Mandatory Treatment Phase 3. Here we have a fine specimen of ...»
His voice trailed off. A flashing red light had lit up the exam chamber. No. 15B6 had stopped screaming by now. The mouth was wide open, the eyes blood red. A monitor blinked on and off. The assistant panicked and rumaged through the pile of reports that lay scattered on the desk. Professor Richards' face frowned in anger. It was pointless losing his cool with all these witnesses surronding him. A student screamed. A small brown body hit the inside of the exam chamber window, it moved for a few seconds and then slid off the pane, It left a yellow streak of puss in its wake as it slid to the floor. All were silent in the scanning room as they watched in horror as big yellow boils appeared all over the motionless host. The boils burst, releashing larvae, blood and puss. A few boils remained intact, small bodies moved under the skin, glowing beneath the red sirens.
«Perfect! How wonderful, all is not lost » Richards thought, quickly regaining control of the situation. The last time he had killed them all. They had lost so many specimens since the beginning of his research but things were finally paying off. He would collect the few remaining living headlice and plant them on healthy hosts and monitor them closely... it was the only way to find a remedy for the curse, and secure his reputation as a living god. The professor cleared his throat again.
«Students, we are extremely lucky today to have been able to witness at first hand the Hatching Process. Now, be attentive, notice how the eyes twitch and how the lice have adapted to their new environment...»
Another student screamed as the host's left eye popped out and fell unto the floor, revealing a cosy nest of larvae all huddled together.
« Don't be afraid now. Being afraid the first time is a natural reaction. Anyone feeling the need to talk can come later to my office. In the meantime, let's continue...»
He secretly hoped that it was the blonde beauty who had panicked. He would see to her later, propped up against his bookshelf with her dainty floral skirt around her ankles. Or maybe it was the Old Asian boy, he would gently stroke the young man's hair as the head worked below his lap. He would stare at the ceiling and think about his own greatness.
« Now remember, all citizens have a choice. Basic Prevention is what we need. Everything, I mean everything has to be done to avoid Phase 1. Today you have witnessed the consequences of Phase 3. Now, do we have any questions? »
Job pushed his way through the diner door. He had stood a few seconds before entering, looking at his reflection in the window. The scars had finally healed. It had been a very busy week. A new outbreak of Phase 1. They had discovered a new process , whereby live specimens could be harvested and tested. It would be groundbreaking work for the future. That's what they had said at the plant this morning but more tests would have to be done, more hosts to gather. Job had spent the previous day scrapping up dead critters off the lab floors. He hated cleaning. The hosts were then all piled up and incinerated, their grey ashes were then carefully collected and spread in thin layers on the ground. The ash went everywhere, it got swept up in the wind, fell back to the earth in a grey snow. At the beginning, the snow had fallen once a month but the burning soon became a daily ritual, so much so that nobody noticed anymore. Job noticed it though, on his clothes, on his scalp, in his eyes, the bitter taste of dead that lodged in his mouth, each and every day. He popped another gum in his mouth, anything to get rid of that taste. The flakes of dead skin and chemicals clung everywhere, they even blocked out the sun with each and every new outbreak. But with the new tests, work wouldn't be slack and at least he would have the funds to pay for a clean barber shop!Good bye Tony! He would at least look normal for a few weeks.
He sat in at the counter. The wall of flashing screens told the world of the Council's decision to make the New Treatment complusory for all . Those refusing Treatment would be carted off to centres to act as hosts. Professor Richards' fat smug face was splashed all over the screens.
«That 's yer boss again! You're going to be busy »
The waitress hauled her heavy frame over to where Job was sitting and pushed a grubby menu card into his hands.
«Hi Nini» He flashed her his best yellow grin.
« How many did you bag this morning sweetie? »
«Roughly 40»
«That's a nice haul »
Nini smiled back. She wore a white blouse that was way too small for her large heavy breasts. Her name tag was pinned on haphazardly next to a bright curry stain. She smelt of old nicotine and cheap white wine. She had once been pretty and intelligent until real life came her way. Upon her head she wore a cheap snythetic orange wig. Her skin had a grey tinge and her once bright green eyes were now dull and forlorn. Despite all that , she remained hopeful.
«So what are you having sweetie? »
Job ran a crusted broken fingernail down the length of the card.
« Ah something simple... hmm... a jellyfish pie, mediumwith extra cream»
«No problem, one jellyfish pie coming up for my favourite leech burner »
As Nini disappeared through the swing doors, Job slipped off his jacket. There it lay, stuck in the criss – cross of the cloth, the small nearly transparent body, the bright red dote marking the spot where its hungry stomach lay. Its long thin red vein cutting the small body in perfect symmetry.
«Hi there little smokey » Job kept his voice low as he took his moist gum out of his mouth. He stuck it under the counter hard. With delicate fingers, he picked up the tiny nit from its woven prison and pushed it gently in the centre of the soft warm wound of gum. The gum closed in on the thorax and abdomen, the thin legs kicked frantically, it soon disappeared under a bubble of saliva. Job pushed his finger against the gum a second time, squashing it in silence. He repositioned himself in his seat as Nini came back carrying a steaming pie dish in her chubby hands. It smelt of damp rotten seaweed and silt.
He noticed the newly unbuttoned blouse. Maybe he would not have to order dessert after all. He started to eat. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. He smiled at her. Set between a row of decaying teeth, a single strand of jellyfish sinew lay. Insignificant. Just like him.