Decrease

Tuesday - September 14

Directing his attention towards Claire, Raymond begins to heed a warning to her. "Claire, I need you to listen to me carefully. There isn't much time now, and it's important that you listen and understand what I'm about to say. John..."

"John?" Claire interrupts.

"John, and his team, will be uncovering something big, something that will cause the world to be changed forever. You, and others like yourself, must be careful. It's important that your baby survives this forthcoming change. If not, then what I have done, and what others have done, will have been done in vain. Do you understand me, Claire?" Raymond asks, as he gazes into Claire's eyes, seeing that she is overwhelmed with confusion, and is truly frightened by what Raymond has told her.

"I don't understand. What change? Why am I involved? Why is my baby involved?"

"I can't give you too much information right now, Claire. It's important, though, that you do attend the Population Control Administration Conference on Thursday. I believe Ruth, Aunt Ruth, has emailed you the ticket. Am I correct?"

"Yes, she did. How do you know that?"

"It doesn't matter. That's not important. What is important is that you must locate the item that the key opens."

"The key you put on our stoop? That key?" Claire asks.

"I didn't put the key on your doorstep, Claire." Raymond pulls the blanket away from his legs. Claire cringes at what she sees. He recovers his legs, and sadly says, "As you can see."

Claire looks into Raymond's eyes and sees a deep sadness. She decides to throw away her fears and listen intently to what he has to say.

"We don't have much time. I'm amazed at your detective ability to find out about Neptune. How did you find out by the way?"

"We have a photo that sits on the mantel that was John's fathers. When Aunt Ruth was over yesterday, we took the picture out of the frame and read what was written on the back. There are three names inscribed: John's father, Gerald, your name, and Daniel with "Neptune" in quotes. But the photo has seven men; one of them is John's deceased Uncle Jonathan. Since only four men can be identified, can you tell me who the other three men are?" Claire is now intrigued more than ever to get more information about Neptune.

"There will be plenty of time to find your answers, my dear," Raymond assures her.

Claire glances out the window and notices that the chauffeur's heading away from Atlanta. Nervous, she turns to Raymond, asking, "Where are we going? Where are you taking me?"

"Not to worry, Claire. There's a building twenty-five miles southwest of Atlanta. It looks abandoned, but clearly it's not, as you will see. Many answers to your questions will be there."

When Claire's fear becomes more agitated, she decides to lie to Raymond. "I have to be home soon. John will be home at four o'clock."

Raymond snickers, and says, "No, he won't. He and his team will be spending another night at the CDC. In fact, John and his team will be quite busy from now on."

"How do you know that? Who are you?" Claire demands.

"I told you, all of your questions will be answered soon."

Disgusted and confused, Claire once again peers out the window, remembering the last time she rode in a car. She was six years old. Claire closes her eyes and recalls that wonderful day she and her parents spent at the beach. The world back then was so much different than it is now. People drove cars, flew in airplanes, rode the train, and ate out at restaurants. That was in 2026. She remembers how the air smelled so fresh, and how children played outdoors for hours. In 2026, the world's population was over twelve billion. Claire begins to appreciate how lucky she was to be born to parents who made sure her fate would not be like the rest of humanity.