I cough, I wheeze, and I make one of the most difficult decisions of the month. To write only 1000 words in a single day.

I am feeling dreadfully ill (bad cold), and I need rest. I’d love to say that through sickness I will prevail and complete my daily word requirement, but with the splitting headache that I also have, I just can’t sit in front of a monitor or sustain true cognitive thought for that long. Luckily, it’s the weekend. I can do catch-up work tomorrow and Sunday. And then there’s Thankgiving break, where I can get myself completely caught up.

Therefore, Word Count = 46,407.

“Then it is settled. Follow me, but please also follow the motion of the room.” With that the crowd began to move. They wound around the circle, and exited through the double doors. I was not permitted to exit without walking entirely around the circle, and then out. Once outside, I found Doradwe and said hello. He beckoned me to follow, and we walked deeper into the halls. I was constantly surprised by how large the building was from the inside, and how archaic it was as well. I tried my hardest not to look surprised, but Doradwe caught me. “I understand that this building does not look like any building you may have ever been inside of. We prefer it to look this way. It gives it a mystical quality that brings us closer to God.”

We entered a small room with a single desk. On the desk were an open letter, a notebook, and a kerosene lamp. Doradwe picked up the letter. “This is a letter from my old friend at Pharand. He is in charge of the operation to cure Athan’s. It is only through my efforts that he discovered it, and we’ve been working closely with one another to keep Athan’s secret from public ears. You are privileged, I hope you know. You are obviously one of those chosen by God to have knowledge of the great Athan’s Disease.”

I did not feel privileged. Rather, I felt disgusting. I felt as though this cult was too engrossed in its own illness to think properly of it, and Doradwe, their leader, was the prime example of the hysteria caused by Athan’s Disease. Doradwe, however, obviously felt fine with it as he picked up the letter and began reading it to me.

Dear Tamben,

It is with great pleasure that I relay to you a status update about my research. I have been working for months now on your proposed cure without progress or luck, but have finally reached a breakthrough. However, to properly execute this test and finalize the serum I will need a single volunteer to come and help me. I do not know if you’d like one of your own to volunteer or if you will persuade an outsider to join the cause, but that is unimportant. All that is necessary is a human being.

Please respond and let me know how things work out. We’ll continue speaking soon.

All the best.

“That was many months ago, actually. His ‘cure’ was none at all. This is his most recent letter,” he said, picking up an envelope that had been hidden in a drawer underneath the desk.

Dear Tamben,

My cure did not pass any tests; I fear that these bacteria are indestructible, but I know there is hope yet to find a cure. I am asking you to relay to me a highly skilled doctor or chemist who may have some information about Athan’s or highly resilient bacteria. Please find one man or woman that fits this description, and send them to me.

All the best.

“That is where you come in, Mr. Hemmings. I have seen your work, and have decided to choose you as that man. I am glad you accept, because I know there are no questions regarding these letters. I just wanted you to know that it was not just I who needed you aid, but also another man somewhere working in Pharand, Inc.’s facilities.”

“I see,” I said. “I’m happy to be of service.” I forced a grin – at least this job would put food on the table, and although any job would have sufficed, I preferred to remain in the field that I already knew. I knew chemistry, and I knew biology. I knew how to work with cells and people, and therefore knew how to make medicine to treat those people. “Those letters,” I began to ask, “do you think I could have a look at them myself? I’m just curious.”

“I’m sorry, but I never share my personal deliveries with anybody, not even with family. The answer would have to be no,” he said bluntly, and almost crossly.

“Alright them, suit yourself,” I said, shrugging and caring less for the letters than before. “At any rate, it’s late. I’d like to go home now. Could you send that warehouse worker to me with instructions on how to go to Pharand, and what to do when I arrive? I’d like to begin working as soon as possible.”

“Of course, of course. You go home and rest, and do not think twice about Pharand or how to arrive there until tomorrow. I’ll dispatch the man with instructions and he should be at your door around noon, so do not leave around that time. I’m going to make that point especially clear: Do not leave around that time. I will ensure he is there at noon, and not a minute sooner or later.” With that Doradwe gave me a nod, silently bidding me farewell. I gave him a cursory nod and turned to exit through the door. While walking out, I glanced back.

“Could you, by any chance, tell me how to get out of here?”

“Follow the candelabras with only two candle holders. They are all resting upon countertops, and not mounted on any wall. If you continue following them, you will be taken to the entrance.”

“Thank you,” I said, and headed off doing exactly as he told me to. The y-shaped candelabras did indeed lead me to the front, but it was a different “front” than I had originally entered through. I had entered through the front door the first time mere hours ago, but as somebody different – a jobless, clueless man whose only goal was to painstakingly research a cure that might be hopeless to find alone. Now I was a man with a partner – perhaps a whole team of partners – at his disposal. The front door looked less strange to me now, and more inviting. This door was the entrance to my new home. Yes, it was a home of strange people, but it was also a home of helpful people like Doradwe, who clearly wanted to help all of the people on planet Earth.