Poison -1- by Melanie Brown

Poison

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Part 1

“Thanks, Dad, for bringing me here for the college tour,” said my son Zack. “You could get lost on this campus.”

“It’s a big school,” I agreed. “And no problem. I wanted to get a look at the school you’ll be attending next fall.”

Zach looked over at me. “What do you think, Dad? I know it’s not a big Ivy Leaguer like you hoped for.”

I shrugged. “It’s still a good school. One of the highest-ranked in the state. And getting that sports scholarship definitely helps.”

Looking wistful, Zach said, “Hey, playing football here can still lead to a career.  I mean, The Hammer Johnson played for this school and look where he is now.”

“How are you going to concentrate on school with all these chicks? Wow!” exclaimed my youngest son Corey. Their mother, my wife Sandra, insisted I bring him too.

Zach laughed and leaned over in front of me to ruffle Corey’s hair. “Chicks? Get through high school first, Romeo.”

Corey finger-combed his hair. “Hey, cut it out!”

I shook my head. One of the advantages of Zach going to this school was that he wouldn’t have to leave home to attend. Knowing how much he and Corey like to argue, I couldn’t help but think that he should move to the campus housing. Well, he still had two months of high school before graduation. And then Corey starts high school. I sighed. Neither showed any interest in following my footsteps into chemical engineering.

Cory suddenly stopped and screwed up his face. “Eww! What’s that smell?”

“What is it, bud?” I asked.

Zach was  holding his nose. “Can’t you smell that?”

And then I was hit with a horrible rotten egg smell. It seemed to be coming from the building we were standing next to. The sign in front was labeled, “Science Labs A1-A13”

I pulled my shirt up over my mouth and nose, even though I knew that wouldn’t help. “Smells like hydrogen sulfide. Surely, they don’t have that on campus. Come on, let’s get upwind.”

We were all knocked to the ground as a portion of the science lab’s wall blew out in a violent explosion, showering us with flying debris. Through the hole, I could see eerie green electrical flashes with what looked like bolts of lightning reaching out of the building like fingers with a loud crackling sound, setting nearby trees on fire. A heavy odor of ozone filled the air.

“Guys! Let’s get out of here!” I yelled above the din of explosions from the lab building. Scared to death, the boys remained on the ground as I stood. The lab building detonated, sending one last tendril of that freakish green lightning bolt that sent me flying several dozen feet through the air.

My body felt like I was on fire. While still in the air, my middle convulsed, and I managed to vomit as I hit the ground. Every part of me tingled with electricity. All my muscles flexed, and I passed out.

                    *

“Dad! Dad!”

“Officer! Please help us! We can’t find our dad!” From his voice, I could tell Corey was crying.

I couldn’t open my eyes. All around me, I heard dozens of feet along with the sounds of emergency vehicles.

“We’ll try, son,” said some adult male voice. “But we have mass chaos here. Where did you last see him?”

Zach’s voice said, “Right here! A bolt of green electricity arced out of that building and hit him. He lit up just like in the cartoons. You could see his skeleton in the glow. Oh my God, he’s been disintegrated!”

The strange male voice said, “He’s probably in shock and wandered off. What is his name, and what was he wearing? I need your name as well.”

Zach said, “His name is Dave Williams. My name is Zach, and he’s Corey.”

Corey said, “Dad was wearing a green t-shirt and jeans. He was right here! I didn’t see him walk away.”

The male said, “Okay. I’ve added him to the list of missing. Can you help us identify this young woman? Was she with you?”

Zach said. “No. I never saw her before. All of her clothes are burned off. But officer, please help us find our dad!”

The male voice said, “Jack. Do you have a blanket to cover that girl? Thanks.”

Corey said, “That girl kinda looks like Dad.”

                    *

“Miss. Once again. Can we have your name, please?”

What is my name? I’m totally out of it. I tried to open my eyes. Sheesh…worst case of bed spins I’ve ever had.

Name? What is my name? Oh wait…

“Williams. Yeah, Williams.”

“Do you remember your first name, miss?”

I could tell I frowned, though I still couldn’t open my eyes. “Of course, I have a first name—if I can think of it. Stop calling me miss. Are you blind?”

“We must have your name, miss. We want to notify your family. You have no ID on you.”

“I’m not a miss. I know that much. Ummm…Oh….Ah. It’s…it’s Da…David. That’s it. David Williams.”

“Is that your father’s name? Your husband’s?”

“That’s my name!” I shouted angrily. “Where the hell am I?” I passed out again.

                     *

“I have no idea who she is,” said my wife. “As far as I know, Dave doesn’t have a sister. She looks twelve. I don’t know how she knows my husband’s name.”

Corey said, “Don’t you think she looks like Dad?”

                    *

An elderly-looking man in a suit stood at the foot of my bed. He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Ms Williams. As fantastic as it sounds, you have to accept this young woman is your husband.”

Tears in her eyes. “How is it even possible? I can’t believe you.”

“It’s me, honey.” I said, not believing it myself.

                    *

End of Part 1