The Betrayal

Dr. Aris’s office was a sanctuary of mahogany and leather, insulated from the storm outside. When Elena burst in, breathless and terrified, Aris was standing by the window, looking out at the blizzard.

"Elena?" He turned, his eyebrows raising. "I thought you were downstairs. What is happening? The PA said Code Orange."

"It's a lie," Elena gasped, locking the door behind her. "Dr. Aris, there are men with guns in the lobby. They’re hunting a patient I brought in. He’s... he’s genetically modified. A hybrid."

Aris went very still. "A hybrid?"

"Yes. He heals instantly. He said they call him Subject 7. We have to call the police. You have the secure line to the Commissioner."

Aris looked at her. A strange expression crossed his face—not fear, but a resigned sort of disappointment.

"Subject 7," Aris mused. "We were told he was eliminated in transit."

Elena took a step back. "We?"

Aris sighed, taking off his glasses and polishing them with a handkerchief. "Research is expensive, Elena. St. Jude’s was failing five years ago. We needed grants. The OmniCorp funding saved this hospital. It saved thousands of lives."

"What are you talking about?"

"The Chimera project," Aris said calmly. "They need medical facilities to process the... failures. To harvest the organs for study. We provide that facility. In exchange, they keep our lights on."

Elena felt bile rise in her throat. "You... you butcher them? They’re people!"

"They are property," Aris snapped. He reached for the phone on his desk. But he didn't dial 911. He punched in a four-digit extension.

"Commander? This is Aris. I have your missing asset. He’s in the building. And I have the nurse who helped him."

Elena lunged for the door, but the electronic lock clicked shut. Aris had triggered it from his desk.

"I'm sorry, Elena," Aris said, sitting down. "You were a promising nurse. But you care too much. It’s always been your weakness."