CHAPTER ONE

International Food and Drug Research Facility - Manaus, Brazil:


The laboratory lights surged from the sudden storm that passed through. Normally, the generators protected the facility from the fluctuations, however, the main unit had somehow been compromised. It was suspected that the locals were involved, despising the facility for invading their jungle, but the unnoticed frayed wires revealed the real reason for the surges.

The tables of the lab were lined with trays of dead specimens, small animals that had contracted lepto, prepared to be dissected and examined. Close by, there were test tube racks that held viles containing hybrid worms to be used in the so-called "cure." The worms writhed in the yellow liquid, tasting the odor of the dead -- craving flesh.

The other animals, those that were alive in their cages, watched with apprehension as the worms squirmed out of their viles toward the dead hosts in the trays. They saw it when the dead animals twitched and stumbled to their feet. They tensed helplessly as their own cages were gnawed open and as their lives were claimed.

When the lab technicians returned from their morning meeting, they found empty, overturned cages and scattered shards of glass from broken viles. The windows had been shattered as well. Most of the animals had escaped -- all, that is, except for a mother opossum and her nursing joeys.


Months later - Columbus, Ohio:

Michelle Ross rushed to get to the pet store before it closed. It was her daughter Lee's birthday, and she'd been begging her for the lop-eared rabbit she'd seen in the pet area of the hospital. Normally, Michelle would not have agreed, but it was all about making memories now -- Lee was dying from an aggressive form of Leukemia.

She'd barely gotten the cage through the door before Lee called out to her from the other room where her bed was.

"Mom, is that you? Did you get it?" she rambled happily.

"Get what, baby?" Michelle asked.

"Mom!" Leah hollered impatiently.

"Okay, okay. Yes, and he's very anxious to meet you." Michelle answered, being drowned out by the squeal of Lee's excitement before she could finish the last word.

The little girl sat up as fast as she could, cringing against the pain. Her lips quivered into a smile when her mother emerged with the bow-wrapped cage.

"Oh..." Lee wheezed. "He's beautiful. I'll name him Peter." she said with a very decisive nod.

"Peter's a great name." Michelle replied, and sat the cage on the bed for Lee.

For the moment, she watched the silent exchange between her daughter and the rabbit. And, with a reluctant smile, she sat down next to Lee and rubbed her back to relieve the soreness from lying down most of the day.

Ms. Nora, the nurse who'd been looking after Lee returned from the kitchen with a glass of water as sat it down on the table next to the bed.

"Well Dr. Ross, if you won't be needing me for anything further, I'll call it a day and be back bright and early tomorrow morning." the nurse announced.

"Thank you Ms. Nora. That'll be fine." Michelle said, refusing to look away from Lee, treasuring every moment.

When the door shut, she turned slightly to acknowledge it, but continued to watch her little girl's smile. The rabbit's bulging maroon eyes seemed to twinkle with Lee's as they stared at each other. It brought tears to Michelle that the pet would more than likely, outlive Leah.

The excitement soon wore off when the pain returned. At least the rabbit would offer some comfort until... Michelle didn't want to think through the rest of it, but soon she would have no choice. Death was not delaying.

A week later, Michelle buried her 12 year old daughter, Leah Renee Ross, in a grave she shared with her father, Captain William "Will" Ross, United States Marine. He was killed during his service in Afghanistan two years ago. He was only 37.