The Subject
T.S. Charles
Dr. Olin stared down at subject 313223’s file.
03/31/2003- Mr. Halderson, with his wife in his company, finalized his contract to have his head cryogenically frozen.
06/19/2010- Mr. Halderson, a 48-year-old Caucasian male is pronounced dead from acute cardiac arrest. His body is immediately transported to CryoGens Incorporated.
06/20/2010- Head is successfully removed and cryogenically frozen. DNA samples are collected and stored separately.
06/21/2010-02/24/2143- Through routine scans and lab tests, the subject’s head has revealed zero cell deterioration.
02/25/2143- After reviewing Dr. Olin’s manuscript entitled, “Cell Deterioration and the New Tomorrow”, a panel of leading scientists’ decides to attempt revival on Subject 313223. Dr. Olin is personally invited to be Subject 313223’s Primary Revival Physician.
03/03/2143- Dr. Olin places an order to use Subject 313223’s DNA to cultivate a biologically engineered transplant body. Through recent advances in accelerated cell development, the harvested body should be ready in six to twelve months.
01/07/2144- Dr. Olin is pleased to note that the transplant body is fully grown and ready for use.
01/28/2144- The revival process begins. The subject’s head is prepped along with the biologically engineered transplant body. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.
01/29/2144- After re-attaching the head, and administering a full blood transfusion, the subject is placed on life-support for precautionary measures. Although still in the preliminary stages, Dr. Olin rules the surgery a success.
02/3/2144- An infection was discovered at the site of the re-attachment. Due to the subject’s vulnerable immune system, Dr. Olin prescribes a heavy dose of antibiotics and has the subject placed in an isolation chamber.
02/7/2144- The infection is beginning to clear up. Optimism is beginning to grow after the comatose subject shows signs of minute brain activity.
02/7/2143-02/14/2144- There have been no recent changes in responsiveness or brain activity in the subject. Exploratory surgery is scheduled.
02/15/2144-Surgury revealed minor swelling in the temporal and parietal lobes. Steps were taken to alleviate the swelling.
02/16/2144-02/28/2144- Vast improvement has been noted. Subject is showing signs of movement in his appendages and increased brain activity.
03/4/2144- A breakthrough has been noted. Unlike the previous 313,222 subjects, Subject 313223 was the first to show signs of REM sleep.
03/17/2144- It’s a miracle. Subject has awoken from the coma and, although unable to communicate, is observed as moderately responsive. Dr. Olin starts the subject on a trial drug, Memrothral, and an intense regimen of therapy and cognitive rehabilitation.
04/12/2144- Another breakthrough is noted. The subject said the word, “Good”, after being asked how he was feeling.
05/07/2144- Subject is displaying vastly improved fine motor skills and is now speaking fluently. Still no memories reported.
06/01/2144- Through intense rehabilitation and with the aid of crutches, the subject is able to stand independently for the first time.
07/04/2143- Subject is able to walk without the use of any adaptive equipment. Even though the subject is progressing beyond expectations physically, Dr. Olin is discouraged by the subject’s cognitive development.
08/08/2144- During music therapy, subject is able to complete a previously unlearned song after only hearing the first few notes played by the therapist. Follow-up revealed that the subject took piano lessons from ages six to thirteen.
08/09/2144- Dr. Olin increases the subject’s dose of Memrothral, and orders an intense regimen of exposure therapy, with hopes that through familiarization, more memories will be recalled.
08/09/2144—09/08/2144- Dr. Olin is impressed with the subject’s recent improvement in all areas, including memory development. Talks of discharge are beginning to circulate.
09/12/2144- Subject appears agitated and request to speak with Dr. Olin.
File in hand, Dr. Olin, briskly entered the subject’s room. Over the past several days, the subject had been recalling memories at a rapidly progressive rate. Dr. Olin, out of personal curiosity, hoped that this day would be the one where he could ask the big question. The type of question, man had been seeking the answer for since the dawn of time.
The instant their eyes met, the subject angrily shouted, “Look, I’ve had enough of all your treatments. Day after day, I’ve been doing your treatments without complaint and, to be honest, I’m tired and I want to see my wife. Why hasn’t anyone called her?”
Dr. Olin was both shocked and terrified at the same time. He nervously asked, “What is your last memory?”
“It all came flooding back to me last night. I remember my childhood, my kids, my marriage, and how I got here in the first place.”
“How’s that?” Dr. Olin asked curiously.
“I started feeling tightness in my chest and then I just blacked out. I don’t remember anything after that. Now, I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but I really miss my family and I’d like to see them as soon as possible.”
No longer able to look the subject in the eyes, a dejected Dr. Olin turned from the subject and left the room.
Confused, the subject shouted, “Hey where are you going? Am I going to be able to see them, or what?”
Dr. Olin paid no attention. He kept on walking down the hall, perseverating over the meaning of his discovery. Did he really just hear what he thought he had? Was his revival treatment the only attainable way to experience an afterlife? And how soon could he sign his family up to be cryogenically frozen?
- - -
T.S. Charles is currently working as an Associate Editor for Dark Moon Digest - The Horror Fiction Quarterly. T.S. Charles has had three short stories recently accepted for publication. T.S. Charles currently resides in West Virginia with his wife and two children.
T.S. Charles
Dr. Olin stared down at subject 313223’s file.
###
03/31/2003- Mr. Halderson, with his wife in his company, finalized his contract to have his head cryogenically frozen.
06/19/2010- Mr. Halderson, a 48-year-old Caucasian male is pronounced dead from acute cardiac arrest. His body is immediately transported to CryoGens Incorporated.
06/20/2010- Head is successfully removed and cryogenically frozen. DNA samples are collected and stored separately.
06/21/2010-02/24/2143- Through routine scans and lab tests, the subject’s head has revealed zero cell deterioration.
02/25/2143- After reviewing Dr. Olin’s manuscript entitled, “Cell Deterioration and the New Tomorrow”, a panel of leading scientists’ decides to attempt revival on Subject 313223. Dr. Olin is personally invited to be Subject 313223’s Primary Revival Physician.
03/03/2143- Dr. Olin places an order to use Subject 313223’s DNA to cultivate a biologically engineered transplant body. Through recent advances in accelerated cell development, the harvested body should be ready in six to twelve months.
01/07/2144- Dr. Olin is pleased to note that the transplant body is fully grown and ready for use.
01/28/2144- The revival process begins. The subject’s head is prepped along with the biologically engineered transplant body. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.
01/29/2144- After re-attaching the head, and administering a full blood transfusion, the subject is placed on life-support for precautionary measures. Although still in the preliminary stages, Dr. Olin rules the surgery a success.
02/3/2144- An infection was discovered at the site of the re-attachment. Due to the subject’s vulnerable immune system, Dr. Olin prescribes a heavy dose of antibiotics and has the subject placed in an isolation chamber.
02/7/2144- The infection is beginning to clear up. Optimism is beginning to grow after the comatose subject shows signs of minute brain activity.
02/7/2143-02/14/2144- There have been no recent changes in responsiveness or brain activity in the subject. Exploratory surgery is scheduled.
02/15/2144-Surgury revealed minor swelling in the temporal and parietal lobes. Steps were taken to alleviate the swelling.
02/16/2144-02/28/2144- Vast improvement has been noted. Subject is showing signs of movement in his appendages and increased brain activity.
03/4/2144- A breakthrough has been noted. Unlike the previous 313,222 subjects, Subject 313223 was the first to show signs of REM sleep.
03/17/2144- It’s a miracle. Subject has awoken from the coma and, although unable to communicate, is observed as moderately responsive. Dr. Olin starts the subject on a trial drug, Memrothral, and an intense regimen of therapy and cognitive rehabilitation.
04/12/2144- Another breakthrough is noted. The subject said the word, “Good”, after being asked how he was feeling.
05/07/2144- Subject is displaying vastly improved fine motor skills and is now speaking fluently. Still no memories reported.
06/01/2144- Through intense rehabilitation and with the aid of crutches, the subject is able to stand independently for the first time.
07/04/2143- Subject is able to walk without the use of any adaptive equipment. Even though the subject is progressing beyond expectations physically, Dr. Olin is discouraged by the subject’s cognitive development.
08/08/2144- During music therapy, subject is able to complete a previously unlearned song after only hearing the first few notes played by the therapist. Follow-up revealed that the subject took piano lessons from ages six to thirteen.
08/09/2144- Dr. Olin increases the subject’s dose of Memrothral, and orders an intense regimen of exposure therapy, with hopes that through familiarization, more memories will be recalled.
08/09/2144—09/08/2144- Dr. Olin is impressed with the subject’s recent improvement in all areas, including memory development. Talks of discharge are beginning to circulate.
09/12/2144- Subject appears agitated and request to speak with Dr. Olin.
###
File in hand, Dr. Olin, briskly entered the subject’s room. Over the past several days, the subject had been recalling memories at a rapidly progressive rate. Dr. Olin, out of personal curiosity, hoped that this day would be the one where he could ask the big question. The type of question, man had been seeking the answer for since the dawn of time.
The instant their eyes met, the subject angrily shouted, “Look, I’ve had enough of all your treatments. Day after day, I’ve been doing your treatments without complaint and, to be honest, I’m tired and I want to see my wife. Why hasn’t anyone called her?”
Dr. Olin was both shocked and terrified at the same time. He nervously asked, “What is your last memory?”
“It all came flooding back to me last night. I remember my childhood, my kids, my marriage, and how I got here in the first place.”
“How’s that?” Dr. Olin asked curiously.
“I started feeling tightness in my chest and then I just blacked out. I don’t remember anything after that. Now, I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but I really miss my family and I’d like to see them as soon as possible.”
No longer able to look the subject in the eyes, a dejected Dr. Olin turned from the subject and left the room.
Confused, the subject shouted, “Hey where are you going? Am I going to be able to see them, or what?”
Dr. Olin paid no attention. He kept on walking down the hall, perseverating over the meaning of his discovery. Did he really just hear what he thought he had? Was his revival treatment the only attainable way to experience an afterlife? And how soon could he sign his family up to be cryogenically frozen?
- - -
T.S. Charles is currently working as an Associate Editor for Dark Moon Digest - The Horror Fiction Quarterly. T.S. Charles has had three short stories recently accepted for publication. T.S. Charles currently resides in West Virginia with his wife and two children.
0 Responses
Post a Comment
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
