The Beginning of the End (Book 1): Toward the Brink Read Online Free Page A

first, but he didn’t shy away either. He was vehemently opposed to the insidious growth hormone and believed its use must be discontinued. He was embarrassed over his failure to call Cindy and had definitely attempted to avoid the fallout, but had no intention of backing down over this.
    “Of course, Cindy! Do you really think a government that had as its first priority the wellbeing of the people would allow things to get this far if there wasn’t another power behind pulling the strings?”
    “And who is that
power,
Elliot?”
    “That’s the easiest question you’ve asked. Money and the people who control it.”
    “All this caused by French fries … It’s hard to believe, Elliot. I’m sorry.”
    “French fries are the means. The cause is far greater.”
    Elliot saw that she didn’t understand his twist on words, but at least she’d stopped asking questions. He knew she hadn’t accepted his word, but maybe she was giving it some thought.
    # # #
    The Twin Falls rally intensified as they neared the medical center, which was their rendezvous point. The Baer Industry offices were on the edge of the city, and the organizers felt they wouldn’t get enough exposure there. Besides, there was ample evidence that the medical center was complicit in the cover-up. The demonstration heading toward Filer Avenue was the least of the medical center’s concerns at the moment.
    Another outbreak had begun, only this time it was far more severe than anything previously seen. In a historical context, this could be labelled the defining moment when the human race’s journey to the brink of destruction commenced.
    # # #
    “My God, what in the hell has happened?” Nurse Bronden yelled.
    She had received a call late in that morning requesting her attendance at the medical center. She was told it was extremely urgent. She hadn’t been home long from finishing a night shift she’d done because of staff shortage. There was no time to eat. She made a thermos of coffee then dashed to the car. She was still in uniform, which saved her a few minutes. On her way in, Bronden thought it must have been a major car accident resulting in multiple dead and wounded and that a busy morning awaited, but when she ran into the ER doors, her jaw dropped and an empty ache started boring through her guts like a drill. The green puking illness had returned.
    “It started a couple of hours ago. They started coming in with complaints about stomach pains,” the nurse at the counter said. She raised her voice so she could be heard above the bedlam of the groaning sick that filled the entire area of the ER.
    She drew Bronden’s attention to the four teams of cleaning staff busy at work.
    “They started throwing up soon after,” the nurse screwed her face up. “A rank-smelling, green …”
    “Foamy bile,” Bronden finished.
    “How did you know?”
    “Never mind. I’ll tell you later.” Bronden looked around the ER. “Is Dr. Morrisey in?”
    “Yes, he’s with a patient just over there.” She pointed to the drawn curtains nearest her.
    Bronden thanked the nurse before moving off to see Dr. Morrisey.
    “One more thing,” the counter nurse said. “At least ten patients have died so far.”
    # # #
    “Doctor, we need to speak!” Nurse Bronden flung the curtains back.
    Dr. Morrisey wheeled around. He was prepared to rip the intruder a new one until he saw RN Bronden holding the curtain back.
    “You’re damn
right
we need to talk. You take care of that, okay?” Morrisey said to the assisting nurse.
    Morrisey and Bronden strode to the back garden where staff would eat under the shade of the tall trees during the good weather. The weather today was good, but there wouldn’t be any time for eating. Not today and probably never again.
    “Where have you been? I’ve tried calling several times,” the doctor began as soon as they stepped outside.
    “I got the call from the hospital less than an hour ago and came straight in. I had no calls