The Serum: Mutations Unlocked

By Kendrick Bischoff

An orphan finds himself in the hands of an international crime syndicate and is then experimented on. He unknowingly attracts the attention of the doctor in charge, who has plans for him.

Jace discovers he is not the only kid who is being held prisoner. When an unexpected jailbreak occurs, Jace takes the opportunity and tries to escape. With the help of some of the other teenagers and some interesting side effects of the experiment, he might just have a chance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449772277

Kendrick Bischoff

Kendrick Bischoff started writing short stories at thirteen years old and has continued to do so since then. This story started out as one of those short stories but began to grow into what it is today. He hopes that his writing will inspire other new writers to take a step of faith and try to see their dreams come true. Kendrick Bischoff is currently pursuing an associate degree in criminal justice. He lives with his wife and daughter, with a second child on the way, in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Strange Events

THE MAN KNEW he was lucky. With the whole world economy going down the drain, he knew he should be thankful to have this job, unfortunately, the more he thought about it the more nervous he became as he drove up into the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. As he reached the top of a hill, the hospital he worked at came into view.

Joseph Billings Memorial Hospital, the man sighed, "Some young millionaire thought he could honor his father by building a hospital out here in the middle of nowhere. I’ve never even heard of this Joe Billings and I have lived here my entire life," he thought to himself.

He parked his car and made his way past the plaque out in the front lawn, which read Hope for a New Tomorrow. He could feel the butterflies in his stomach start to flutter around the closer he got to the front door.

Come on now! You have worked here for a few weeks now. The work isn’t bad. You deliver paperwork, read off reports to supervisors, which you don’t understand a word of anyway, and any other odd jobs that are thrown your way. Not a bad gig. He tried to reassure himself, but it just didn’t seem to work.

The man took a deep breath, Well George, lets get this over with, and walked through the double doors.

He passed the front desk where the secretary nodded at him, and opened a door to his right. He stepped through the doorway as the door shut behind him. He felt the familiar hum of an elevator and knew he was heading down to the sub-levels. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath as the elevator doors slid open. He made no eye contact, just headed straight for his delivery cart to begin his day.

A group of people were seated around a marble table, talking amongst themselves.

The new grant we just received will help the children’s wing, one lady said.

No, the grant should be used to upgrade our CAT scan machine, another man pointed out.

The door to the room opened loudly and a man in a very expensive suit walked in.

The man who had mentioned the CAT scan machine stood quickly, Who are you? This is a private meeting for the board!

The man in the suit flashed a smile, This board is now under new management. I’m sure everyone will take this new transition as easily as possible.

I think not! We have no idea who you are and any changes must be voted on by the board! CAT scan man said angrily.

The newcomer sighed, rubbing his eyes with his fingers, So this move needs to be voted on?

The group around the table nodded.

OK, we will have a vote. He produced a pistol from inside his jacket and struck the man who had spoken out across the face.

The man fell to the ground covering his face and crying out in pain.

Let’s have a vote. Who here is in favor of a new direction?

Everyone at the table raised their hand and the man on the floor raised a blood covered hand.

Excellent! I have a folder for each of you and trust me; you will want to read it thoroughly. Each folder is unique to each of you and shows just how serious the organization I represent is. Please look over your folders. The man pulled a cell phone from his pocket and pressed speed dial This is Mr. Graham. Please inform Mr. Billings it’s done.

Journal Entry-Day 37

A boy sat on his bed, leaning against the headboard, writing on a notepad.

A bright light shining in my eyes, voices all around me, and constant pain. The only dream that visits me time and time again, I don’t understand it and I never remember falling asleep in the first place. Just sitting here reading a book or writing in my diary, like I’m doing now. I don’t remember coming to this place, only lying sick in a hospital bed, and then I woke up here. A bed, bookcase, and a TV on the wall were the only things in the room. The door on the far side takes up the whole wall. I haven’t found a way to open it from the inside. I know there are people somewhere. Every time I wake up I have found a meal sitting by the door, but never any evidence of who put it there. I never remember falling asleep; just remember doing something then waking up in my bed. One of these days I will figure out what is going on here. I have already cried enough and sat in the corner being too scared to move. That got me nowhere. I will…The boy slumped against the headboard dropping his notepad and pen, falling asleep in seconds.

A pair of eyes peered in to the room from the viewing window, a 2 by 6 slit in the door covered with reinforced glass, and then disappeared from view. The door made a creaking noise, hissing as it slowly opened. Three men, in lab coats, walked into the room pulling a gurney behind them.

Begin the routine tests. He has done very well in this stage of training, others have broken under this kind of isolation, one of the men said sternly as he made notes on his clipboard.

The other two didn’t say a word as they moved the boy from bed to gurney and made their way out the door. The man with the clipboard held a radio up to his mouth, The young man should be ready for the next phase, Doctor Peterson. The radio crackled back, Good. I’ll be waiting in the testing room for the subject. Carry on. The radio went silent. The man stepped out of the room and motioned for two men who were pushing a cart nearby to step over.

Clean this room up and make sure you get rid of anything related to this boy. He will no longer be staying in this room, he turned on his heel and followed the gurney.

The two janitors grumbled as they stepped into the room, You would think they would show a little respect for how clean we get these rooms, but no! one of them grumbled out loud.

Shhh! Just be glad we have a job, the other janitor whispered angrily.

Whatever! the first one shot back. He picked up a notebook from the bed and slammed it into the trash can.

The young boy lay on a table as tubes and IVs were inserted to provide nourishment and fluids.

Vitals are normal. All routine tests have been done and are in the green, ready whenever you are, Doctor Peterson, a nurse called out.

Doctor Peterson stood next to the operating table watching over the many instruments surrounding the boy.

Well done. Begin administering the serum, he said calmly. At 6 foot 2, he could see the nurse hesitate for a second behind the controls, Nurse? Is there a problem?

N-no Sir, just double checking a few things on the machine, she stuttered in reply.

Two other doctors walked in and waited for the nurse to begin the process. She pressed a few keys and the machine in front of her started to hum. The two doctors checked the machine over and followed the tubes to make sure there were no leaks.

Everything seems to be in order Doctor Peterson. One of them called out.

Very well, full power Clarice, he said with a hint of excitement in his voice. A few more keystrokes and the humming grew louder and Peterson could see the serum rushing through the tubes and into the young boy’s body. This serum would penetrate deeply into the unused portions of the brain and unlock unimaginable things.

Now, let’s see what you are made of young man, his voice was as cold as ice.

The boy was in a nightmare. He was in a world of pain and he couldn’t wake up. When he thought he was waking up, all he saw was white. Whether it was a light bulb or the sun he could not tell, but shortly after he saw the whiteness, everything would turn dark again and the pain would intensify. After what seemed like forever the pain slowly subsided to a throbbing pain, a relief after the pain he had just been through. Even though it was painful, the boy slowly opened his eyes and to his surprise a pair of eyes stared right back at him.

Good morning son, a deep voice spoke softly, How are you feeling?

The boy blinked at the bright light that had just turned on above him.

It’s alright, it’s alright. Can you follow this light for me?

The boy struggled, but managed to follow it from left to right. The man moved away from the table and out of the boy’s line of sight. As soon as the boy tried to turn his head pain shot through his body, so he turned his head back and stared at the ceiling. The boy was startled when a damp cloth ran across his forehead.

Shh shh, it’s alright. I have to clean you up and the ointment on this cloth will help with the pain, a soft female voice spoke from above his head, Just relax.

The boy closed his eyes as the pain in his head slowly faded away.

My name is Clarice. You may feel uncomfortable for a while, but after the ointment takes effect I can help you back into your clothes.

The boy felt his face get hot as he realized he was not wearing any clothes.

It’s alright. I know it’s embarrassing, but trust me, you don’t want to try and put clothes on right away. If you think you’re in pain now, you definitely want to keep your clothes off. she said seriously.

The boy tried to speak but only a gurgle and a gasp came out.

Don’t try to speak yet. Just relax.

The boy closed his mouth and tried to relax.

After Clarice had cleaned him up and helped him into a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants, she tossed the cloths into a basket and headed for the door.

The doctor should be with you soon, she said glancing back with a motherly face. She turned away before the boy could see the tear running down her face and left.

The boy gazed around the room, Now I really have no idea what’s going on here, he thought to himself. Then he noticed the nurse had left the door open.

Doctor Peterson watched the nurse leave the patient’s room on the monitor in his office. It seems the nurse has been growing too attached to the patients, he thought to himself, Going to have a talk with her about the patient-staff code of conduct. He chuckled as he pressed the intercom on his desk, Send for Mr. Graham.

Yes, Sir. came his secretary’s quick reply.

Peterson loved the feeling of power. He didn’t care how he got it, whether it was fear induced or otherwise. He had found fear to be the easiest way for him. Having a light build, a crooked nose, and not having a charming bone in his body, didn’t really leave him any other option. He heard a door slam and his secretary cry out.

"Ah, Mr. Graham has arrived," he thought to himself. His door flew open and Mr. Graham strode right up to the desk.

I am not under your employment! I will not come like a dog when called, he screamed into Petersons face.

Peterson felt a chill run down his spine, but quickly composed himself, I have a problem that I thought you would love to take care of.

Mr. Graham slowly straightened himself and straightened his suit. What’s the matter Doctor? Want to keep your hands clean? he asked with a sneer.

No, I just have a full schedule today and don’t have time to terminate employees, Peterson replied.

A smile crept across Mr. Grahams face, Why didn’t you say so? I always enjoy helping the lost employee return to the light, He sat down in a chair across from Peterson, Or showing them to the Door, he chuckled.

Peterson cleared his throat, Nurse Clarice Johnson. She has grown soft over the past few months. Kindly remind the nurse what her job is. If she insists on having this weak attitude, show her the Door.

Mr. Graham stood up and walked out the door without a word.

Peterson could hear his secretary whimpering outside his door, I’d cut that out if I were you, unless you would like to join Clarice for her disciplinary action.

The whimpering stopped immediately.

Ahh, I do enjoy power, Peterson thought to himself as he spun his office chair towards a wall of TV screens, Let’s see what the newest member of this project is up to.

Nurse Clarice walked up the hallway towards Peterson’s office, I’ll march right up there and demand to know what’s going on here. I’m pretty sure these medications he is giving the children are not approved for use.

She turned a corner and didn’t see the man in the suit until he walked right into her. She fell to the ground and glanced up just in time to see him jab a syringe into her leg. Hey, what are you… she fell into blackness.

When she came to she found herself sitting in a comfortable chair across from an expensive looking desk. Well good morning, a male voice said from behind her, Now that you’re awake we can discuss whatever issues you believe need to be addressed.

She turned around and recognized the man from the hallway. What did you do to me? she asked.

Oh, I just brought you here to discuss any issues you might have, he answered calmly.

She bent down and looked at her leg. She couldn’t see any puncture marks, Why did you drug me?

The man looked seriously troubled by her words, Why Miss Clarice, you walked into this room on your own. He produced a remote and pressed a button. A monitor came to life on the wall and she watched in shock as someone looking exactly like her walked into the exact room she was in now and took a seat.

Well, I…I mean.

The man interrupted her, It’s ok. We all have our moments as we get older. Now, would you please fill me in on why you came here?

Still a bit shocked by what she had seen, she tried to straighten her thoughts, Well, I would just like to ask if the medication that we are administering to these children is safe and why is it they don’t seem to stay very long in this facility? She was surprised she was able to get that out with stumbling over the words.

The man moved behind the desk and took a seat. He produced a folder from the desk and laid it out on the table, Clarice, first thing you need to know is that we refer to everyone under our care as patients. It prevents us from getting too attached in case something should go wrong. Secondly, it is not your place to question the medication prescribed by the doctors here. You are a nurse. Not a pharmacist, not a doctor, and definitely not in a place to question your superiors. Understand? his voice was ice cold.

Clarice took a deep breath, But it’s my responsibility to see that the chil-patients are well taken care of after the medications takes effect. How can I be a nurse and only see these children once? I feel more like a technician than a nurse. She felt bold for speaking her mind.

The man took a deep breath and opened the folder, It seems you have had a number of incidents, where you have questioned the doctors and…

That’s not right! I have never openly questioned a doctor!

The man glared at her, I have many reports in your file from reputable doctors at this facility stating your insubordinate behaviors. He looked her directly in the eye, Do not interrupt me again.

Clarice felt her stomach getting queasy. "What is wrong with this place?" she thought to herself.

The man closed her folder with a slap Are you going to insist on continuing with this behavior, Nurse Clarice? he asked coldly.

But I haven’t done anything wrong! she protested.

Very well, you leave me no choice. He stood up, towering over her, Clarice Johnson, you are hereby terminated from this hospital. Please allow me to escort you out. He moved around the desk with speed that surprised her. He gripped her arm firmly and pulled her out of the chair and towards the door.

Clarice struggled to break free from his strong grip, but she couldn’t find a weak spot, and with him walking at a fast pace

She couldn’t regain her balance.

He pulled the door open quickly and pushed her through. Clarice, I hope you have enjoyed your employment here. Good day to you. He slammed the door shut.

Everything went dark. Too shocked to say anything, she felt around and realized she was in a closet sized room. What’s going on? This isn’t the way I came! she yelled.

She heard a chuckle like it was coming from a speaker, Ah, Clarice, your employment has been terminated and we at this hospital take employment very seriously. We consider it a life commitment.

Clarice felt a chill go down her spine. Something in his voice scared her to death, Please let me out, please! I won’t question orders again I promise! she yelled through the door.

The speaker remained silent.

Clarice took a step away from the door You monsters! You can’t keep me in here! Suddenly, she heard what sounded like a large motor turn on below her. She bent down and pressed her ear to the floor. She heard a metal sounding bang way below her, then another, and another. Each one sounded like it was getting closer. She stood up and took a deep breath. Then, the floor disappeared beneath her feet. She flailed her arms as she fell with increasing speed down through this dark hole. Clarice felt the space around her growing hotter. Looking down she could see a flickering of light rising rapidly to meet her.

She gulped back tears, Dear God, forgive me, waves of heat began slamming into her, and she felt her exposed skin began to heat up. Her clothes began to catch fire and she fell into the tendrils of flames raging below her.

Doctor Peterson smiled when his radio crackled with the message that Clarice’s employment had been terminated, Well, we have to make sure we run a tight ship around here, can’t have any insubordination. I’m so glad we can find alternative uses for our furnace.

He turned his attention back to his wall of monitors, "Ah! I see Jace has recovered from his procedure. He has amazing recovery time," he thought proudly.

Peterson held the radio up to his face, Control room? See to it that Jace makes his way to the appropriate area.

He got up from his chair and headed out his door. Peterson thought back to when he was first asked to leave Europe and take this job here at Billings Memorial. He had been exiled from his home country for practicing experimental medicine. What he had not expected was the limo waiting right outside the hospital he had been fired from with a man holding a sign waiting for him. As soon as Peterson had walked up to the man, the driver opened the door of the limousine and motioned for him to climb in. His life changed forever when he sat down in that limo. A group of people calling themselves the Board of Directors had said they were impressed with the work he had been doing and that they had a job they thought he would be interested in. Without thinking he had immediately accepted the offer and in a few short days he was standing in front of this Canadian hospital with a manila folder in his hand explaining what his job was to be here. His job had been low on the chain of command, but he soon changed that. After sabotaging a few cases and making a few doctors disappear, he was asked to take over the running of the hospital.

His mind snapped back to the present as a squeaky voice came over his radio.

Doctor Peterson, your subject is making his way to the log cabin area. There was a slight pause, then the squeaky voice continued, Are you sure I can’t play with the little mouse for just a little while? Please!

Doctor Peterson smashed the button. YOU WILL OBEY THE ORDERS GIVEN TO YOU! IS THAT CLEAR? he roared into the radio.

Yes, Sir… the radio went dead.

Peterson rubbed his temples, If he wasn’t so good at his job I would have killed him myself by now. I must request a new controller as soon as possible. He continued on through a series of doors leading to his destination.

The man in the control room sat in his chair with his arms folded. Oh just you wait, Peterson. Someday I will be in charge and I will yell at you! he grumbled to himself. He pressed a few keys on his computer as he watched a young boy stumble down a hallway. Out of the boys’ line of sight, panels closed off sections of the hallway and made a straight route leading to where Doctor Peterson had directed him.

One day I will be in control of all these subjects, although they are more like mice. Mice in a maze, and I’m the master of the maze. That makes me the Mouse Master! Haha! the man clapped his hands and pressed a few more keys on his computer.

The boy lay on the table for what felt like forever. The nurse had told him the doctor would be in to see him soon, he had still not come. He slowly raised his head and looked toward the door, no sound came from outside. No voices, no footsteps, not even the sound of a fan. The boy sat up on the side of the bed, fighting a wave of dizziness. He slowly placed his feet on the ground, they seemed steady enough, he took a step towards the doorway only to have his legs give out and he fell against the door. A clipboard fell into his lap. He flipped it over and skimmed threw it. Aside from a bunch of medical words he did not understand, the only thing that caught his attention was a name and a physical description of someone. What shocked him the most was that as he read through the descriptions, he noticed a mirror to his left, the clipboard was about him.

Subject Name: Jace.

Age: 14

Race: Caucasian.

Eye Color: Green.

Weight: 109 lbs.

Height: 5’4"

The boy didn’t recognize anything on the page, but as he compared the clipboard to the boy in grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt in the mirror, he knew it was describing himself. He tossed the clipboard aside and held onto the door handle to pull himself up.

"Ok, so my name is Jace. Doesn’t ring any bells," He thought to himself.

Jace peered out the doorway and all he could see was white colored hallways. He carefully stepped through the door.

HELLO! Anybody there? he called out.

No answer.

He chose a direction and began walking as best he could. After turning multiple corners he began to panic.

"I haven’t seen or heard anybody since that nurse left. Shouldn’t there be a secretary or something around here?" his thoughts raced through his head. He started walking faster and faster, pretty soon he couldn’t tell how fast he was going. He did not pass any doors or lights. The ceiling just seemed to be one giant light. Finally he turned a corner and the wall at the far end seemed to be darker in color. Jace ran.

Doctor Peterson arrived at a small control room filled with technicians and equipment, Alright people! We have our subject entering the reintegration area in just a few minutes. You all know your jobs, do them right and we will have another successful experiment with the Serum. Let’s get to it. Peterson walked over to a pane of glass and watched the lights come on in the room in the reintegration area.

All systems are ready, Doctor, the lead technician called out.

Very good, better unlock the door to the room or our subject is going to knock himself out, Peterson chuckled as he watched Subject Jace run full tilt into the discolored wall.

Jace held out his hands as he expected to be thrown back when he connected with the wall, instead the wall disappeared and he lost his balance. Stumbling through the door, Jace fell flat on his face and to his surprise onto a carpet. While the landing had not been hard, when he hit his head something seemed to snap into place and memories came flooding back.

He had lived in an orphanage in North Dakota for as long as he could remember until he got extremely sick and had to go to a state hospital. An ambulance had picked him up and the last thing he knew was the ambulance EMTs giving him a shot of something. He was in and out of it as the ambulance drove to the hospital. The next few days had been a blur. Doctors coming in and out of his room; trying different medicines, nurses checking and rechecking machines, and one of the orphanage workers sitting next to his bed not sure of what to say or do.

Then one day, a man came into his room wearing, what looked like, an expensive suit. He sat down across from the orphanage worker. You do not know who I am but my employer has heard about this young boy’s case and is interested in helping him, the stranger said quietly.

The orphanage worker looked at the stranger, How could your employer help? There have been so many doctors working on Jace and they haven’t been able to figure anything out.

The stranger chuckled, You don’t know my employer. He is a brilliant man and has access to things that could dwarf this hospital ten times over. I have a helicopter on the roof with medical equipment and personnel. He will be surrounded by some of the greatest minds on this earth.

The orphanage worker thought for a few minutes, looking at the stranger then back to Jace lying in bed, Alright, let me contact my supervisor and see what he has to say.

The stranger dug into his pocket and produced a cell phone, Of course! Here, use my phone. May I ask what your supervisors name is? he asked politely.

Clark Cunningham, she answered as she dialed numbers on the phone.

The stranger leaned back in his chair with a smile on his face, Ah, Mr. Cunningham. Me and him go way back, just tell him Mr. Graham gives his word that everything will be taken care of.

The worker nodded as she waited for her supervisor to answer. She conversed with him for a little bit, her face brightening as the conversation lengthened; finally she said good-bye and hung up. With a smile on her face she stood up and presented a hand, Mr. Graham, he said Jace couldn’t be in better hands. He also mentioned to send his regards to your employer. And he said that I deserve a raise and is going to take me somewhere special to celebrate me coming into contact with you. So thank you very much!

Mr. Graham stood and took her hand firmly, You deserve it and I know Mr. Cunningham, his rewards are to die for. He took his phone back and turned away, disappearing through the doorway.

The worker put her purse over her shoulder and walked over to Jace’s bed, You are going to be in good hands. I’m sorry I can’t stay but Mr. Cunningham has requested I come back immediately. I’ll make sure someone checks in on you. She patted his shoulder and walked out without looking back.

A few minutes after she left, Mr. Graham walked in followed by a male nurse with