431 YEAS OF DEATH: The origin

by Divya Singh

  ZA-vi: “Dr. Shelly had reached there in time to attend Despondra. She I believe is in able hands. She will be fine.”

  So, he was not obviously caught. Oh thank goodness! I whimpered to myself.

  I said: “I am not a murderer! I did not want her to die. I only intended her to learn to respect the human person not the process employed to bring her or him into being. I hope that it works. But I was still not content as I had hoped of some kind of reaction.

  Suddenly, KEAH ran in and shut the door from inside. She said-

  KEAH: “I saw what you did out there with Dr. Despondra!” She looked aghast and tense, “But what was on your mind then and why?”

  ZA-vi looked at me to insist that I explained it to her.

  I replied: “You must have heard our conversation the other day KEAH! But I did not see you that time, if you were overhearing then you should have backed me up and she then ridiculed yours and Shelly’s work too in return. Why did you not come to participate in that debate?”

  KEAH: “I was not there, but I saw you and your act on the camera on computer. I was on the security floor i.e. ‘-10’, because two of the Out Patients died yesterday without a sound reason of death. I was assigned to work on their genetic case as research. It was strange that they belonged to the same quarters. I was on the security floor as a witness so I was called there for investigation.”

  She stopped for the split of a moment, as if trying to remember-

  KEAH: “I was in Trample’s office when he asked me to record my statement but he himself stepped away. The camera of Despondra’s hall began showing footage on the screen. Then I saw you guys! But what was more surprising was your killer skills which I saw live on the camera! Why would you do that?”

  In the next moment I realized that she had not overheard but only seen my ‘act’ on the camera. So I needed to explain the reason and background of our little stifle to her, which was far more difficult a part for me.

  But, I mustered up all the courage and expelled away the detailed conversation I have had with Despondra. Although KEAH was a clone and not the dead walking, still she had an exact same reaction after I had it explained all to her and she even agreed to the validity of the act itself and said further-

  KEAH: “After seeing you two commit the act, I reacted with patience and put a message for Dr. Shelly to rush to the Emergency Ward 1207 as soon as you guys had left Despondra there on the ward’s bed. Your actions of leaving her there and your expressions indicated your intention of saving her behind the act.”

  I said: “It is great to have your support KEAH. It means a lot. Thank you. If we are absolved of any crime, if Despondra is saved, it is just because of your courageous attempts. I always have had believed in you since the beginning.”

  KEAH: “Oh! It is no problem. Despondra I opine deserves this treatment. She has ordered to kill anybody, patient, person, clone or one like you, if their medical records are not perfectly clean. She is the reckless and relentless side of this ship. Most of the doctors except her puppet assistants are against her such inhuman orders. She is the most original human being, born from real biological parents. A rare occurrence even some forty years back. Hence she considers all the others to being a garbage dump. I believe that she must have humiliated you and she is overly proud of herself. So yes, she deserves it.”

  I said: “But then, those ordered to kill are actually killed or not?”

  KEAH: “This is considered as a secret, something not frequently talked of. Please do not let it out before anyone. There is a cold Mutiny pervading on this ship. Although Despondra’s orders are cruel and absolute, still they are not devoid of reason to them. If this is not done as ordered, then the ‘Defective humans’ will blend with the rest of the normal ones and will further this Contamination.”

  “Now, the supporters of Shellly and Von sneak these unclear, but not dangerous bodies into the lower levels of the ship, suspending them for future genetic correction, in case of further destruction of human race. Because Shelly believes in future possibilities of genetic code correction and improvement, otherwise, as he believes, human procreation may not be even remotely possible in future due to the declination of the resources in the hands of ‘The Exiled’ ones.”

  She paused to conclude-

  KEAH: “So Shelly and his supporters are believers of the preposition that they can undo the incorrect rather than make a few more humans in the labs first and then subsequently discover their genetic deformities many years later. So except a few gravely serious cases, not all are being killed. Team Shelly and Von filters the subjects further after Despondra’s rejection thereof. They consider further fate of the rejected subjects and do as is appropriate. I am not involved in this all and do not take sides. Rather each of these looks right to me from their point of view.”

  I said: “So does to me. Did she order killing me as well?”

  KEAH:; “No! I believe she is not authorized to order the capital rejection of any person’s body secured in cryo. Which I have been told has been protected by the realm of present day and past legal systems. The factor holding much importance is the financial support to the people preserved in cryo. Though she obviously hates you; despite the fact that your genes are pure.”

  I replied: “I see. So is she still alive? I had no intention to kill her at any cost. No.”

  KEAH: “Yeah she is, though next 24 hours will be critical for her survival. I wonder how she has still survived such a huge blood loss. 30% of the blood loss is life threatening, you had suctioned 50% of her blood. It is no exaggeration to call it a miracle, saying medically.”

  I said: “It would in my best interest that I am saved from being a murderer. I hope and wish that she survives this.”

  KEAH: “Amen! By the way do not worry about her life, if it is not saved we will make up a story to hide the act that you did to inflict injury upon her body. We have got everything under control. The best part is that we were lucky that I was there to see the footage live and had enough time to react.”

  I said: “Oh thank you KEAH! I am absolutely relieved now. Though I don’t want to taint my character by calling myself a killer, because it is not what I do. If she is not saved I will not be able to forgive myself. But thank you” I said to her who was now leaving my room saying-

  KEAH: “Don’t bother that much. Keep hope. Relax now. Night miss!” and she walked out.

  ZA-vi was busy in freezing the recently taken out blood and I stretched myself with a sigh on my tiny bed. My vision shifted focus towards the clock. It was just 1:45 am while it had seemed to have taken a long time, since that act.

  Chapter 17: DEVON!

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  “A sound of footsteps woke me up early; no I was awake, guilty of what monster I would become; lost, clueless; aimless at 3:31 am.”

  “I was expecting ZA-vi/KEAH or other familiar face but a dusky 6‘1” man entered my room. Those eyes gleamed at mine as I turned on the lights. I was sure; I had not seen such familiarity, such thirst, sadistic amusement in any eyes since re-animation as if those intense blue eyes had met someone so close that they would be dampened any moment. “

  At the time when I was saddened with my monstrosity, this guy 40+ clad in patient apron began to instill the feeling of humanity in my soul! I am amazed; I have sensed a connection to him from past life!”

  “Hi! Dani! I am Devon! ……………” said he. “I have been told that you don’t remember a thing from past life. I am sure even if you did there is no way that you must have recognized me!” He chuckled.

  “Is it funny? I would prefer some meaningful explanation. I am turmoiled right now, so you better start talking.” I was outraged at the stranger.

  Suddenly he picked up my right hand from the side of the bed and kissed it! It was really strange, it was the first time that such a thing had happened in this life and it calmed me a bit instead of pissi
ng me off. It tickled my failed memory. Yes! This seems to be a person from past life rather than just being an object of excitement when I saw his body naked just a day or two before today. A man’s naked body, the first and only in this life, I had laughed!

  Amidst all this thinking I gazed at his eyes, tears welled up in them. I was gasping.

  “Why are you crying…..? I forgot your name what was it again.”

  “Devon” said he. Continuing “You, Dani just you were the only person I have ever loved in my life.” He swallowed his tears again. Brought my hand towards his cheek and bent his face over it.

  It is the first time in life that I had felt such emotions. As I said, there was a connection.

  ”Please tell me in detail Devon!”, I said with curiosity of reaching some conclusion as to what this all meant.

  “Long story dear” said he. “You should rest”. “I have just got awakened to this new life and wanted to see you as soon as possible the only reason that brings me here Dani.” His eyes were still damp, but he smiled. It was the best looking smile.

  I protested: “We have time.”

  Devon:”OK! Starting it from where it began. I was 7 years old school boy when my mother had died. Then you came, I saw that person in you. You looked as if I had already known you since ages. You took me in your custody and volunteered to assist me financially all my life. I came to the table on which the forms you were signing were place then I took your left hand and kissed it. You were told that I was all alone in the world. My father had left us, I do not remember when but I was too young then. I had nothing in this world then you bent down with tears in your eyes you said, “he is not alone , I am there for him.“ and kissed my forehead . You gave me a nice place to live, provided me with food and education. You became my world to me. At just 21 years of age you took care of an orphan very well.”

  “You were the most generous, giving soul on earth for me. You were the most beautiful face for me. You meant the world to me. I fell in love with you instantly. I just saw your face when I was 7 and I became yours forever. It was the prettiest face I had ever seen and the most benevolent soul on earth. You became my Soulmate. My fallen Angel I considered you mine and I thought that this life and forever I belonged with you, every breath I took was yours.”

  But then you had to leave to another town for work one day. I was devastated. I never thought that I will lose you one day. I lived five years with you but I lived my life with the support of those memories. I had given my soul to you and there was no space for anyone else ever in my heart.”

  I was listening quietly and could relate to this story for the first time in this life. It all seemed real.

  He continued: ”Then after two years you phoned me that you loved a guy! I was devastated again! Till then I never thought that 14 years of age gap could be a problem in our relationship. I was a little boy who fell in love, but I think I could never tumble out of it ever in life. Rather I think now that love was so strong that it could not limit itself in one lifetime. But you instead chose a guy, well established successful and wealthy, but also 14 years older than yourself!”

  “But for you I was happier. Because despite my despair I trusted your choice of a man and that you would never be wrong in life Dani, the one whom you needed to take care of you. I had lost but I was happy for the only angel in my life. I was strong to move on. You had made me strong. You were a big name in life. You founded two companies and both were extremely successful. But your success and generosity were two contradictory elements which caused intuitive unrest in my mind. I continued the education you gifted me but I began sensing that something bad was coming……………”

  He almost sobbed: ”You Dani my angel was diagnosed with cancer! A third stage cancer! I was so devastated again, that I wanted to kill somebody. At the tender age of 29 doctors gave you just 6 more months to live the rest of your life! Grief struck me hard! Just as I had begin to adjust to something bad that happened to me, life would step ahead and something worse would happen. But this was the worst Dani! The worst!”

  I was devastated too! Was life so cruel to me? I was all tears myself. I could not even ask Devon to continue further but I also sensed curiosity about how and when I finally died. But what made me go against the ultimate nature of life i.e. Death and choose the horrible Cryo and reanimation.

  “It was still not over Dani.” He almost sobbed.”The best thing that had ever happened to you was your engagement to the man you loved. You were so happy that day. But I could tell that the man you chose was not a gentleman.

  I could say that from my intuition I had from seeing Mr Sinister (Mr. Schneider) smile in the engagement photos. There was something fishy. You had a thing about white bridal dresses, so you wore one in the photos. You have had obviously thought that you would not live until the wedding. “

  Continued he: “You lived for 3 years till the age of 32; falsifying the doctors’ time limit given to your life. You went through chemotherapies, Radiotherapies and various local surgeries removing organs one at a time. But you never seemed weary; you lived every way possible to each moment gifted as a bonus. Everyone voted in favor of putting you into cryo hyper sleep, all but you yourself, because you were a believer of life and that death was an inevitable nature of life; its ultimate destination. You believed and accepted it as a will of the creator. You died and were put to future science’s will to restore life in you. And I truly believe that it is Dani’s soul which came back from Heaven to resurrect this body. “

  I said: “I still believe that death was my fate. Witnessing this future, this horrible truth and especially this horrible form, I still will choose death over this fierce life.”

  But I did not know that life was so short and painful.

  Devon: “It is not over yet Danielle!”

  I turned back to look at him in disbelief. He said,”Your painful life had yet to reveal its misery. When you died I could barely say Goodbye to my soulmate angel. My days and nights were all nightmares. I could not help but complain to God. I had lost faith in Him. My object of love was lost in oblivion. I began to think why he sent you into my life at first place, when we were not meant to be. First you stepped out of my life. Stepped into someone else’s and then suddenly life stepped out of you. I just absolutely failed to understand the very design of how life worked.”

  He said: “But my sorrow was not meant to be lost forever. Soon it was replaced by anguish and despair. Just after your demise, the newspapers began to question the circumstances of your departure. They said it was not natural. That it was not cancer which killed you. It was deprivation of oxygen. Yes you were asphyxiated to death. They blamed Mr. Sinister for your unnatural death, so did I think. He was with you by your bedside when you breathed your last. Everyone including me believed that he was the reason. Yes ‘he killed you’ that was what I felt. But then the news makers brought evidences into public raising many a questions. A few, including me filed cases. The state opened the case. The trial was a never ending process that which took longer time because the accused kept on furnishing evidences in his support. At the moment of grief of losing you he would rather be photographed with various women; he would never be seen sad, he was at the climax of enjoying his life to the fullest. He was a womanizer and it is unbelievable that you chose him. You were wrong Dani. For that one time Dani, you were wrong!”

  He continued: “I grew up thinking all this and that if he would be responsible he will be made to suffer. I got educated and a prestigious job. I filed a petition to reopen the case. By this time he had got engaged to a much younger model. As per your will he inherited your all shares, properties and companies, which in turn were being transferred to his present fiancé. A stone was stirring the still waters. The shareholders in both your companies wanted him off the board. Then with little money I began purchasing the shares in your companies and gaining vote of confidence among prominent shareholders. My strategies were sound and with a little luck I was able to gain
a voice in both the corporates. Then the state law held him guilty and he was dumped behind the bars, though he remain convicted but the humanitarian view of the legal systems kept letting him out time and again.”

  “I became so distraught of life I had that I decided to commit suicide so that I can lay in cryo to find you again on the realm of future time. I am seeing the success of my suicidal decision and look you are sitting before me!” He stopped for a while after saying this.

  “I will take your leave my angel. I will see you soon. It was really hard to get out of the facility they had reanimated me in. they must be searching for me. For us, we have got a whole new life to talk about! Take rest Dani! I will come to you very soon. Be seeing you!” He lifted my hand up from his cheek and placed it back on my lap. He got up and went out of the door.

  I sighed. So my life was a horrible dream and this rebirth was a part of it, an extension thereof. Just about the time I was thinking why I began turning into a monster. But now the feeling of guilt is giving way to the want of a second chance. Life has not been fair to me earlier and now I have a right to live my way. I have been selected for a second chance hence I am entitled to living at my will.

  This Devon had brought a little something new for me to think upon. The reflection of my life in his words was overwhelming. A story; which would tear up anybody apart, not to mention my own self, it was of my own. First I couldn’t believe what he said but then I thought there was no reason for a stranger to make it up before me.

  This second chance being awarded to me is another opportunity to live my incomplete sickening life with an altogether new beginning. What I did with Despondra was worth it and it is not guilt that will wash away my reason to the act.

  I thought right now what I needed was to get some relaxing sleep. Hence I would prefer my brain to calm down to the point of sleep and postpone the disturbing thoughts for the time I woke up.