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Monday - September 20

Ted raises his finger up signaling for Monica to wait, then goes to the intercom replying, "Yeah, she caught me in the hallway. Is she ready?"

"Yeah, I'm nearly done prepping her. Suit up, so we can start. Oh, also, President Mansoor wants all of us to make sure we report any findings to her immediately. I thought I'd let you know what our fearless leader wants."

"I need to check on something in lab four, Monica. I might have an answer to what I've been working on these past three days. If I'm correct, well... let's just say, people aren't always what you believe them to be."

"What? What do you mean, Ted?"

"Go ahead and let Julie know that I've been here, and in thirty minutes, I'm going to have something that's going to change this whole damn plague."

"Okay, Ted. I'll tell her. Hurry back."

As Ted leaves the lab, Monica wonders what he's talking about. When Ted starts down the stairs, he turns the corner, literally running into me.

"Ted? Where have you been? Have you seen Monica?" I ask.

"John? Ah... no, I haven't seen her. In fact, I was just going to look for her in the cafeteria," he lies.

"I just came from there and she's not there. I'll go check her office. If she's not there, I'll check the labs."

"Oh, that's okay, John. I'll find her. Do you want us to meet you somewhere?"

"Yes. Come to my office. We need to compare notes and find an antidote, and fast."

"Sure. I'll go get her. I mean... I'll go find her and we'll meet you in your office."

"Thanks," I say, as he scurries away from me. Noticing how the conversation with Ted was strange, I wonder what he's up to.

I continue up the stairs when Julie calls out, "John! Wait up!"

Disgusted with her behavior and secrets, I turn around and wait for her. When she approaches, I say, "Well, Julie, what have you been up to today? Or maybe I shouldn't ask?"

"John, have you had a chance to read your dad's journal?" she asks.

Reluctant to tell her the truth, I lie and say, "Not yet. Why? Is there something in there I need to know right now, or what Julie?"

"No. I was just wondering if you had a chance to read it. That's all."

I step down and look directly into Julie's eyes with disgust, and say, "I don't know why you're beating around the bush, Julie. You've already read my dad's journal and you know what's in it. So, don't bullshit me anymore. What do you want?"

"Follow me," she demands. She turns around expecting me to follow. As I watch her leaving, she turns around and says, "Please."

I release a deep sigh and head back down the stairs to follow her.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

She doesn't answer me. We continue to walk until we reach room forty-seven where Stevens is guarding Dr. Parks. Julie stops, turns around, and places her hand on my chest, saying, "Raw fish can be poisonous, John, but it can also be so much more."

Puzzled by what she's saying, I say, "Quit dicking around, Julie! What the hell are you doing here, and what is all of this damn secrecy shit?"

"John, trust me."

"Oh, you want me to trust you? What a crock of shit, Julie!" I exclaim.

Julie removes her hand from my chest and enters the room. I notice Stevens sitting in the corner smoking a cigarette. I ask, "What the hell are you doing here?"