Read Online Memory Wipe (The Gene Thief Series Book 3 - Short Story) by Jason Cole - Free Book Online Page B

on the other side. The exorbitant cost of cancer treatments had reduced too many people to nothing, leaving them forced to live off what little government handouts were available. Kira could only begin to wonder how much worse the situation would be with this gene in their hands. The one thing worse than sustaining someone’s failing body was the ability to purposefully sabotage and cripple it. 
    This wasn’t the first time she had heard or thought about the cancer theory, but to deal with it first hand was surreal. Kira knew there was a fine line between a tin-hat conspiracy theory and exposing a well-kept secret. In the past, she never knew how to handle the different articles and stories related to the resistance of attaining a true cure for cancer. Now more than ever, they seemed believable, maybe even likely. This mission was capable of validating so many of these conspiracy theories. It pained her to realize just how hard these saboteurs to keep cancer alive.
    Kira was ready to take on this mission. She was ready to call her own shots, make her own decisions, and know exactly who was on the receiving end of her actions. Action and reaction. She was in control for once, dictating her own outcome.
    “Hang on, Tank. I’m coming boy. Just hang in there a little longer.” She felt the emotions brewing inside of her again. The storm was about to be unleashed. Stress, anxiety, and rage all mixed together inside of her. A dangerous concoction for anyone who came in close contact.
    In the past, Kira was careful not to leave any footprints or evidence, but all bets were off. There were no limits to what she was willing to do to save Tank and those innocent people. She clenched her fists at the thought, slammed them against the table, and got up.
    Making her way into the kitchen, she started to rummage through her vials. Hundreds of them, all different sizes, shapes and colors. Some carried life-saving antidotes and others were as lethal as a gunshot wound. She searched for the perfect weapon against these monsters.
    As she read the label on each vial, she realized she would still need to complete their request. There was no doubt that they would check on the spot for the gene. A pseudogene wouldn’t suffice. It needed to be the exact sequence with the exact mutation. They would probably be able to tell if it was a synthetic derivative, so first things first. She needed to make her way to Memorial Hospital.
    Room 317.
    I don’t want to do this to you, but it’s for the greater good. Forgive me.
    The thought of stealing a gene from a patient already suffering was excruciating. She imagined walking into the hospital room, the smell of the sanitized hallways shooting up her nose, the beeping monitors. It disgusted her. The guilt was already growing inside. Even if he or she would have no memories of it happening, it didn’t matter. She resented these people for making her steal biological information from someone who was at an all-time low in their life. She was losing control. Infuriated that they had managed to force her hand as the nature of the mission drove her deeper into the darkness.
    Damn you, Tank. Where I was strong, you’ve made me weak.

Chapter 3
     
    It was pitch black out, her favorite. Kira made her way into the hospital through the loading dock, unseen. As she made her way into the hallway, all was quiet. At least this part would be straightforward.
    She took the stairs up to the third floor, not making a sound, and keeping a keen ear out for any footsteps above or below. As she reached and entered the third floor, she was flooded with the monitors.
    Beep, beep, beep. Each beep perfectly synchronized with a heartbeat. She started to feel woozy. Losing her balance for a second, she fell back into the stairwell and grabbed on to the cold steel of the railing. Hanging on with all her might, another memory flashback was threatening to steal her from reality. The sound of the monitors echoed in her ears. Louder