Page 23

Dr. Elias

SECURE OBSERVATION ROOM

The screen trembles and finally the screams stop. But the horror still continues, we watch as Cordelia comes undone. With her orgasm, she creates a bloom wave that denotes outwards–there was no escaping that kind of spread.

It was a clear, visible pulse of evolution. Running a shaky hand down my face, I take a seat. My heart pumps inside my chest. Leaning over the desks, I grab my silver flask and take a deep drink of the bourbon inside. The warm amber liquid burns on its way down–doing little to calm the edge.

To calm the guilt of what I helped create, all because I couldn’t keep my dick in my pants. But how was I supposed to know that Chase was involved with such an intelligent, conniving woman?

Leaning into my desk chair, it groans from the weight as I close my eyes and think back on that night. I was so busy fucking my hand to the videos I had recorded during my little moments with Chase. Of course he was unaware–but somehow she knew.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound makes me freeze, heart slamming into my throat. Slowly I turn–and there she is. Sitting in my chair as if she owned it. Cordelia.

Light brown skin, bright unblinking blue eyes.

Poised. Calm. Predatory.

“Oh don’t mind me,” she purrs, waving me off with her hand. My erection dies immediately as I fumble to zip myself back up.

“What are you doing here?” I rasp, watching as a grin stretches across her beautiful features.

“Does he know that you record him?” She answers my question with one of her own. I shook my head, ready to lie.

“Ye-” but the words die in my mouth with a lift of her finger and cold stare.

“No, he doesn’t. But soon, if you don’t do what I say, everyone will know what you do,” she says, pointing an accusatory finger at me. My throat dries, my heart hammers in my ears, and sweat beads drip from the corner of my temple.

“It’s too dangerous—“

Cordelia rises from my chair, circling the desk like a patient predator that plays with her food.

“Then, I guess we are done here, and I unfortunately have to report you.” She lets out a deep, long sigh. “Tell everyone that your research is built on exploitation.”

She stops and looks me dead in my eyes.

“I don’t want to ruin you, believe it or not. I want your help. Work with me.” Reaching inside her purse, she pulls out a small, clear vial, placing it on the desk.

Inside.

A perfect, living symbiote.

Spores swirl around the ant that clings to the moss rich soil inside. Recognition hits me like a punch in the gut.

“That’s—“ I gulp. “Your thesis?”

She cuts in.

“Yes, and professor Daniel sold my work. Mine and another student’s.” Pointing at me, she muses. “You bought it. You renamed it.”

Cordelia retrieves her vial and places it back into her bag, “Queen B was never yours, but mine.”

I swallow hard as she moves closer.

“Work with me, and your secret is safe.” Her hand clasps around my shoulder before taking a deep breath in.

Enjoying my fear… my submission.

Already rejoicing in her victory.

“ I think we’ll get along just fine,” she says with a gentle pat. “Make sure you give Chase everything he asks for. That’s all you need to do.”

The music roars back through the speakers. Foam and filaments twist through the air. On screen, Coredelia rides the climax, eyes wild, voice vibrating through the mic.

“Bloom, baby, bloom.” Her eyes flash–then she looks straight into the camera, and smiles.

Not at the crowd.

Not at her kings.

At me.

She knew I’d be watching.

I lean back in my chair, swallowing the last of the bourbon, whispering the only thing left that’s true .

“Truly wicked, intelligent woman.”

There she is, lifting her arms in the air as the crowd erupts into clicking frenzies… the camera is found and destroyed.

END TRANSMISSION.

PHASE V: COMPLETED.

“May God help us all.”