Page 3 of SummerTime Madness
Maybe the access. But once I succeeded with evolution, doors he could never crack open will be left wide open for me.
His place in my life is temporary.
It’s not like I needed more complications. This is business. A game. I already have to call mine— just not in public. But that’ll change.
“You added new ones?” His husky voice stops my train of thoughts.
“Yes, but they are already showing signs of infection, slower movements.” I stop myself, already hearing the disappointment in my voice. Daniel’s lips go thin as he inspects me, urging me to continue.
“Number 27 already climbed,” I confirm with a pout, putting on the show– the fantasy that I need him.
“What did you do differently?” he smiles, cupping my face in his large hand.
“Just the cold, I’m sure if I can somehow grow the fungi with some type of infused soil–” I look up through thick lashes, “maybe it will work.”
Daniel chuckles, a deep throaty sound. “You’re beautifully mad, and I’m certain you will get your results.”
No answer.
No confirmation of what I know… He already knows. Because he likes to steal precious information.
With that, he refocuses one of the ant farms I have stored in the large rectangular container. The ants are fully under the parasite’s control–white and orange filaments breaching their joints, blooming along their tiny eyes and tiny little mouths. Nothing but a vessel for the parasite to do the one thing that’s coded in their DNA.
Infect. Reproduce.
And maybe one day, obey.
“Nothing new, it’s been the same. I want to see if there’s anything immune to it,” I finally answer, ignoring his compliment and enthusiasm, as I place my hand on the glass, seeing the new ants I introduced last night already beginning to show signs of the parasite.
“Immune?” he asks, tilting his head. “You can’t stop the spread. This isn’t anything new, Cordelia. Why would you think otherwise? What changed in the controlled environment?”
I arch a brow.
For a moment, I contemplate telling him what I do differently, but as someone who blackmails others out of their own concept… I’d rather not.
Plus, no one needed to know because what I’m doing isn’t exactly legal.
If Daniel finds out I’ve been snooping around his things, twisting his study, it would grant him some power over this.
And that can’t happen.
For now he is still somewhat useful to me. Tuning him out I think to myself – replaying all the steps.
I’m missing something.
Despite crushing the infected queen’s body between my fingers and reintroducing it to a new colony that has the original fungi, nothing happens.
It slows the infection rate… but it wasn’t successful.
I know who I can ask but my ego places a thick heavy chain around that option. But one day, I will create the perfect specimen. I just need one to survive first for me to dissect. I need to create something similar to a cure–one that can create the perfect symbiosis of the parasite and the host.
That’s my thesis.
My big project.
The one that will change the military as we know it. But first, I need to find the right combination. I sigh, turning away from the glass as Daniel stands, his hands landing on my hips.
“Will you tell me, one day, what you’re doing?” he asks, kissing my exposed shoulder. I smile, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I would love to help you, offer some guidance.”
