Mortal Immortal
Page 2
***
“There must be something we can do!” Cedric paces Salvador’s office. “Philip is going to accelerate anytime now.”
Salvador turns in his chair to face Cedric, “We haven’t learned anything new. What would you have us do?”
“I don’t know.” Cedric flops into a chair, “You should have seen him. When Malcolm died it was like he saw his future and just gave up.”
“I can’t imagine what Philip must be going through. I know you want to help him Cedric, I do too. I just don’t see how.”
Cedric pulls at his lip while he concentrates, “What if we wait for him to accelerate, become fully human, then turn him again? Kind of like a booster shot.”
“For all we know that could kill him faster.”
“What other option do we have?”
“What if the acceleration is contagious? How can we be sure whomever turns him won’t be afflicted? We don’t know for sure it can’t jump to us. Are you willing to risk it?”
“We’ve had no indication that it’s communicable.”
“So then, are you willing to take the risk?”
Cedric sits silent.
“It’s a good idea Cedric but we need more information. Work on it.”
***
Arnold watches the cars whiz by while Philip drinks lunch. “I don’t understand the appeal.”
Philip puts down the cylinder and glances around at the bustling people, dirty streets, and polluted air, “I guess you had to be there. If only you’d been born three hundred and fifty years ago. Y2K made for a good year. Impending doom meant lots of parties.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“You’re just too used to the life we’ve provided you. Good food, clean air, medical miracles. These people,” he gestures to the holographs walking around them, “they knew how to live. They took advantage of the little they had and made the best of it. They knew how to have fun.”
“They were also killing each other and the planet.”
“Yes, well, that was an unfortunate side effect.” Philip walks over to the nightstand and pushes a button changing the room into the rainforest. “Better?” he asks.
“Yes, thank you.” Arnold relaxes into the atmosphere, listening to the wind rustle through the trees. “I wish I could be alive to see these forests flourish again.”
“No you don’t.”
“You’re right. That would be much too long a wait for me,” Arnold smiles, “I...Philip?” Arnold jumps from his seat as Philip doubles over and falls onto the bed.
***
Code alpha, room 217, code alpha, room 217.
Philip writhes, sucking in lungful after lungful of air. The veins in his neck throb. He clutches at his chest as if trying to keep it from bursting open. Then calm. As suddenly as it started, it stops. His breathing normalizes, his body relaxes.
“Philip?” Arnold is at his side, looking him over. The door slides open and Salvador and Cedric rush in.
Philip slowly sits up, his chest moving in and out. He looks at the three of them, his eyes large as he feels life surge through his body.
“Philip? It’s okay,” Salvador says, “It’s nearly done.”
Salvador and Cedric go to the bioscanner display. Arnold stays at Philip’s side.
“How do you feel?” Arnold asks.
Philip takes a deep breath, feels the blood coursing through his veins, pushed by a beating heart—his beating heart. He holds out his palms, feels his hands tingle with life. His skin becomes flush.
“Malcolm was right,” Philip says, “nothing but joy.” He looks at Arnold and smiles. “I think I understand now.”
Arnold smiles back, “You’d better lie down. You’ve just had quite the shock to the system.”
Philip eases himself down and is surprised by the coolness of the pillow against his cheek.
“Everything is as expected on your scan Philip.” Salvador says, “You are officially a mortal human again, in perfect health.” Salvador and Cedric join Arnold at Philip’s bedside. Philip raises his hands in front of his face, studying his new, ruddy skin tone, feeling the warmth below the surface of his flesh.
Cedric glances at Salvador then takes a step toward Philip, “I think I can save you.”
Philip’s hands pause mid-air for a moment before he lowers them to his sides. Sitting himself up he looks at Cedric incredulously, “What?”
“Cedric!” Salvador yells, “You are out of line!”
“I can save you,” Cedric repeats, “but I think it would be best to do it now before the aging process begins.”
Philip stares at Cedric for a moment then looks at Salvador.
“He wants to turn you back,” Salvador confirms, “though I do not recommend it.”
Feeling the steady thump in his chest, the tingle in his extremities, he looks back and forth between the two doctors.
“Just like that?” he asks.
Salvador steps closer, “We don’t know for sure but it might work.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“As you know,” Salvador glances from Philip to Cedric then back again, “Cedric would have to bring you to the brink of death for the change to occur. If your body rejects the change you will die now instead of in a week. Cedric could become infected. We just don’t know enough to say anything with certainty. It’s all theory at this point.”
“I think it’s worth trying,” Cedric says. “You would get your life back. I believe the risk to me is minimal.”
Philip takes a few quick breaths, his heart pounding, and lies back down. He stares at the ceiling for several seconds until his breathing slows.
“Arnold?” Philip asks.
“Yes sir?” Arnold moves closer.
“What’s your favourite food?” Philip turns his head to look at him.
“Apple pie, sir.”
Philip mulls this over for a moment, “That sounds perfect.” He turns to Cedric, “Thank you Cedric, but I think I will have dessert instead.”
###