The EeD.N. Vine

By Crystal Grant

It was living inside me, killing me little by little. And worse, it talked to me.

“Don’t fight me, Clay.”

“It’s useless.”

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

That last one stung, because it was right. I had wanted it at the time.

I was the head of the botany team tasked with splicing hybrid lianas to create the EeD.N. Vine. One bite would send a wealth of knowledge flooding into the recipient’s brain. But the berry-sized fruit also contained a parasite that went straight for the heart, killing the victim within days.

Once perfected, this would be science’s greatest breakthrough. Unlimited knowledge! In the meantime, there were too many risks and unanswered questions.

But the allure of untapped knowledge beckoned until my ambition could no longer resist. The knowledge would give me the chance to finally advance my position in the lab. I could take the risk, especially when I gained the knowledge needed to fix the problem. I swear, that sweet, juicy fruit drew me in like a magnetic force.

And now a parasite steadily worked its way toward my heart. When it got there, all that knowledge would be useless. Four days later and I felt more dead than alive.

I sat in the cafeteria, sipping my daily soda, though the pleasure was long gone. Taste had been the first to go, followed by smell. Food turned to ash in my mouth and did nothing to sustain me. I ate every hour like a ravenous beast, my weight dropping dramatically, along with my energy level. I was a shell of a scientist.

But my brain powered on like a computer, racing with facts and figures twenty-four seven. The insomnia caused by that alone was about to do me in.

“Knowledge is power.” I winced at the tinny voice echoing like a bell in my head. “That’s what you always say.”

My fingers tightened around my cup. “Shut up.” I cast a look around to ensure no one saw me muttering to myself. I hadn’t anticipated the voice being a side effect, but I guess when creating new life forms, you should be ready for anything.

At least the data exploding through my brain was being put to good use. I worked long hours after the lab closed, conducting my own research, testing a few hypotheses. So far, nothing had stopped the freeloader’s trek to my heart.

Until now. My nerves hummed with anticipation as I glanced at the clock. Three more hours to go. I’d hit on an intense new formula last night that might not only drive this parasite out of me but prove how dangerous this vine was. I dreaded what the process would put my body through, but I was willing to take the chance.

I rubbed my eyes. The exhaustion was getting worse. The thought of walking across the hall left me puffing before I even stood.

“Hi, Clay.”

“Ah!” I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Oh. Hi, Everly.”

She set her tray down across from me and cocked her head. “Are you okay?”

No. I was dying. “I’m fine.”

Her brows pinched over soft brown eyes. “No, you’re not. You look awful.”

“I’ve been under the weather, but I’ll be fine.” After tonight, I would be. I hoped.

“Quit fooling yourself.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“I’m afraid not.” I squeezed her hand and gathered my trash. “But don’t worry about me.”

She frowned. “I wish I knew more so I could help.”

“Knowledge is not always the answer.”

“What a hypocrite.”

I had to get out of there before I started talking to my parasite again. “Dinner tomorrow?”

She gave a preoccupied nod.

For the rest of the day, I threw what was left of me into my work. Each step felt like wading through mud and my lungs heaved for air. Panic whirred in my ears. I was running out of time.

“It won’t be long now, Clay.”

No. I wouldn’t let this thing win.

My insides churned until the shift ended and my coworkers began making their way to the exit to leave. All except one.

“Anyone seen Everly?”

A portly scientist jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “Said she needed to check the EeD.N. Vine.”

A chill crept over my spine, sending my weakened body into shivers. Her words rang in my head. “I wish I knew more…”

Surely she wouldn’t. My limbs locked up; alarm sent my weak heart into spasms. My notes and the formula were waiting for me in my office, just a few doors away. They could be the answer, my cure. But I had no guarantee they would work, and if Everly took a bite…

I forced heavy feet forward, away from my office. There was no time. I couldn’t let her experience what I was going through.

“You don’t have time.”

I would make it. I had to. My lungs constricted and my vision blurred. I stumbled against the door of the central lab and looked through the glass. There she stood, reaching for the fruit.

“Everly!” I pounded the door, sweat pouring.

“Clay?”

I collapsed on the floor and she rushed through the door to my side, cradling my head. “What’s wrong?”

I grasped her hand. “Don’t. The fruit. A formula. My office.” I desperately tried to convey the message, but my body was losing all function. “Too dangerous.”

“Oh, Clay.” She pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Why?” Her hands trembled in mine.

My heart slowed in my chest.

“I told you it was useless.”

Maybe, but at least Everly would not fall to the same fate. And my notes would bring about the termination of the EeD.N. Vine. No one needed unlimited knowledge.

A mist fell over my eyes, and my heart fluttered. My mind slowed. Peace filled me, mixed with regret.

And the voice stopped talking.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Crystal Grant grew up LOVING books and stories and sometimes spent more time in her imaginary worlds than the real one. She spent fifteen years teaching first grade and shared her love of books with her students. Currently, she is writing curriculum and spends her spare time writing epic fantasy, watching old movies and TV shows, or reading books that sweep her away to another time and place.

---

More Stories |  Author Website | Instagram