Exit God Out - Book One - The Unexpected Terrestrial

Exit God Out Book One: The Unexpected Terrestrial Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The lab was unusually quiet. Maggie and Janet were on a long walk, Dr. Rosenthal was in Denver, what scattering of lab technicians and scientists were in the Boulder office, and Amarr had the day to himself. I can get a lot done he thought, but another interest was knocking at his heart, one that was not leaving until he dealt with it.

He went to the back and organized one of the labs for the next day as a distraction, but as hard as he tried, he could not escape the questions that pushed against his soul. He made his way back to the front windows to sit and admire the view. With feet on the desk, he allowed the day to carry him back to India and Pakistan where we grew up. He remembered the sweet smells of spices in the markets, and the friends his parents knew, always showering him with little gifts and treats. The markets would be warm and inviting today he pondered, looking out on the first snowfall of the year. He worked in the underground lab two days a week, with the remainder spent in Boulder, but this day was timely for being able to sift through his mental chaos in peace. He struggled putting the pieces together from yesterday's meeting. Meyer was happy with the child's progress, but there was more to Maggie. More than Meyer should know.

He drifted back to his childhood beliefs and experiences. He was sure there was no God; it didn't make sense that his parents were brutally murdered in front of him. Why would God allow this to happen? How could people believe unseen forces guide them when their lives go from one disaster to another? And if each country has its own religions and beliefs, who was right? He thought about his wife, Abani, who was deeply spiritual. Her beliefs were pure and simple, without religion, bypassing the need for a human form of God. Amarr was quiet now, his head too full of questions and anger to go any further, when the phone rang.

"Amarr is that you?"

"Basil? How are you doing?"

"Actually, I'm doing incredibly well. I'm still walking! I don't know if it's a spell or just a remission, but I'm enjoying it. I am also calling to speak to you. Are you alone?"

"Yes Basil, I'm the only one here right now. What is it?"

"You and I both understand the purpose for this white room experiment, correct?"

"To prove God doesn't exist, yes, I was just thinking about it. Meyer is dedicated to proving this to the world."

"Meyer is about to unleash another set of advanced pharmaceuticals. Big dangerous stuff. Once it gets out, every activist and protester will be upon all the labs, I'm sure. This experiment with Maggie must not fail, agreed?"

Amarr chose his words carefully. "Yes, agreed. You know we have the highest standards here and will ensure nothing is left to chance..."

"Yes Amarr, I'm aware. But I'm not calling you to make sure you follow Meyer's rhetoric. I'm calling because I believe, out of all the people that look after the child, you are the one that possibly has an opposing view of what may be happening."

"Oh Mr. Goldstein, I am not able to converse about these things...."

"Amarr Jammal! Use your senses man! This is a human life that appears to be turning out the opposite of what Meyer wanted. What happened to me yesterday was no mistake. It was real and it happened for a reason. I've been up all night questioning why and how. I know you have too. This conversation stays with you and me. Can I have your word on this, Amarr Jammal?"

Amarr hesitated, as he knew Basil was Meyer's best friend, but his heart was screaming at him, beating through his chest, demanding honesty and the courage to do the right thing. "Yes, between only you and I."

"Good. I'm concerned about her parents, her blood parents. Has she ever said anything about them?"

"No, but I'm staring at the file. Why would you ask this?"