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Asterion lives in Kreuzberg, a lively neighborhood in Berlin known for its mix of cultures, street art, and vibrant nightlife. The streets are filled with old buildings and cool cafes, creating a unique and creative atmosphere that pulses with life. Art galleries and small shops sit next to trendy bars, showcasing the area's artistic vibe. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of street food, drawing both locals and tourists alike. Parks like Viktoriapark offer green spaces for locals to relax and enjoy the outdoors, with families picnicking and friends gathering for leisurely conversations.
While the neighborhood buzzes with energy, Asterion finds quiet spots in the cafes to think about his first job. He often frequents a small corner café, its walls adorned with vibrant murals that tell stories of the city's rich history. The gentle hum of conversation and the clinking of cups create a comforting backdrop as he reflects on his life.
He thought about how, at the age of 19, he had finally graduated from a prestigious university. The journey had been long and grueling, filled with late nights spent poring over textbooks and endless papers. He had fought against the odds, determined to prove himself in a world that often seemed stacked against him. He was finally getting on his own feet, exhilarated by the prospect of adulthood.
His parents, now in their 80s, had adopted him after he was left as an orphan, a twist of fate that had altered the course of his life. All he had back then was a bad stigma of bringing misfortune because of his olive skin and striking ruby eyes, features that set him apart in a world that often judged based on appearances. Over time, he had transformed into a young man with pale skin from countless hours of studying at home, a physical manifestation of his dedication and determination.
He had everything he desired—a sponsorship from a reputable company and a great, loyal girlfriend. Now, he was being hired by a company that would pay millions just to have him as a researcher on their vaccine and virus projects. The weight of that opportunity felt heavy on his shoulders, but he was ready to embrace it. He could easily quit after working for a few more years, but the thought of what he could achieve kept him grounded.
He contemplated how the research he conducted with Dr. James had led to a cure for Huntington's disease. The pride he felt in that accomplishment was palpable, a warm glow in the depths of his heart. His mother, Margarete, had developed it in the past three years, tirelessly working alongside him and other researchers, pouring her heart and soul into the project.
Margarete is an 86-year-old woman with a kind smile and gentle eyes that still twinkle with warmth, despite the challenges she faces. Her silver hair is always pulled back into a loose bun, giving her a dignified appearance that belies her age. She often wears comfortable sweaters and floral skirts, the fabric soft against her skin. Though she has a slight stoop from age and displays the subtle tremors associated with Huntington's disease, her presence remains comforting, like a cozy hug. She is a person with a strong will, embodying resilience in the face of adversity. It shows how much she endured raising him alone and how he had now turned into a young, healthy man under her gentle care.
And his father, Wilhelm, who never really showed much affection but loved him in his own way. Wilhelm is a distinguished 88-year-old researcher with a sharp mind and a gentle demeanor, a man whose experiences have shaped him into a figure of quiet strength. He has thinning gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard, often sporting round glasses that rest low on his nose. His warm, brown eyes reflect his intelligence and curiosity, always searching for the next breakthrough in his field. Though age has slowed him down, Wilhelm remains passionate about his work, often found surrounded by stacks of books and papers in his study or office inside a laboratory at his workplace.
Asterion held a complex relationship with his father, one built on unspoken words and shared moments of understanding. Wilhelm had a unique way of showing love, often through actions rather than affection. Asterion recalled the countless mornings spent together, their silence filled with comfortable companionship as they shared breakfast. It was in those moments that he felt Wilhelm's love the most, even if it went unacknowledged.
But it didn't matter anymore. When Asterion started working at the company, everything seemed wonderful—great colleagues, good pay, and the potential for groundbreaking work. However, the twelve-hour shifts were brutal, making it borderline impossible to maintain a work-life balance. Despite this, he loved his work and was passionate about it. He thrived in the fast-paced environment, fueled by the energy of his peers and the drive to make a difference.
This continued for a year until a virus broke out from one of their lab's experiments, leading to widespread infection and chaos. The virus released was a rare variant of rabies, a terrifying mutation that spread like wildfire. Panic swept through the city as people turned against one another, driven by fear and desperation. The media and government scrambled to maintain control, but it was impossible. Infected individuals began biting anyone who wasn't infected, resulting in mass hysteria.
Eventually, the situation was contained after numerous lockdowns and precautions were implemented. Researchers from around the world gathered to develop a vaccine, and Asterion was among them. He had just received the Nobel Prize after three months working at the company for his breakthrough in a cure for Huntington's disease. This recognition propelled him to work alongside others to create a vaccine, but just as they were on the brink of a breakthrough, he was given a day off to celebrate his birthday.
He was traveling home like any other day, though it was very late. It was his birthday, and he felt happy, eager to celebrate with his family. He also thought about proposing to his fiancée, who had been his girlfriend before their engagement. The thought of their future together filled him with hope, a bright light amid the chaos surrounding him.
When he arrived at the farmhouse, he was greeted by the three people most precious to him in the world: his father, mother, and fiancée. Their smiles warmed him, grounding him in the reality that he was loved. Then his eyes landed on Mishel, his fiancée, looking even more beautiful than he remembered. Her laughter danced in the air like music, and he felt a surge of happiness. After sharing stories about his workday, they entered the home and began preparing for dinner and the cake-cutting, a ritual that felt sacred to him.
(Mishel was 29 years old but still looked like she was 25.) Asterion thought.
Mishel approached him and whispered that she was pregnant. A wave of happiness washed over him; at the grand age of 22, he was about to become a father. Filled with joy, Asterion savored his time with his family before retiring to his room with his fiancée for some personal time, the prospect of their future together blooming in his mind.
However, at around 2 AM, everything changed. The tranquility of the night shattered as he was suddenly picked up and thrown to the floor. Masked figures in black body armor rushed in, subduing him in a chokehold. The shock sent him into a panic attack. Bound and helpless, he was dragged to the main hall of the house and thrown to the ground, unable to move without risking injury.
His head was yanked up by his hair, forcing him to watch the terrified faces of his parents and Mishel, mirroring his own fear and panic. The terror in their eyes felt like a dagger in his heart. One of the men spoke with a hint of pity in his voice, saying, "You know too much, and now you have to pay the price." Asterion screamed, demanding to know what they were talking about. His only response was the horrifying sight of his parents' throats being slit, their blood splattering onto him as he was forced to witness their slow, painful deaths.
In a desperate attempt to stop them, he screamed, but one of the men pinning him dislocated his shoulder, the pain radiating through him like fire. Just after, he was punched in the stomach, expelling all the air from his lungs. Gasping for breath, he was again grabbed by his hair, forcefully dragged toward Mishel, forced to see as her clothes were being ripped apart.
Asterion fought against the three men pinning him down, but he was powerless. Desperate, he begged them again and again to stop, pleading for them to do whatever they wanted with him and leave his wife alone. But his cries fell on deaf ears, echoing in the hollow space of the room filled with malice and despair.
He was forced to watch, helpless, as Mishel called out to him for help. Unable to intervene, he could only witness her being raped while she called out for help. The sound of her voice, filled with terror and anguish, pierced through him. Despite her struggles, after having their way with her, they eventually cut her throat, and Asterion's heart shattered as she gasped for breath.
As Mishel took her last breath, lying there in her own blood, she was naked while unknown fluids flowed out of her genital area. Her body was marked with bite marks and black bruises that were present all over her body, reminding him of what she had gone through before dying. The sight was seared into his memory, an indelible mark of his helplessness and despair.
After one of the men let his guard down, thinking Asterion was too shocked to react, Asterion summoned all his strength to pull the man holding his arm toward him, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground with his throat exposed. In a surge of rage, Asterion lunged at the man, tearing into his throat, blood flowing into his mouth as he watched the man gasp for air before dying. He felt satisfied because at least he got revenge for his wife, but it was short-lived. Just then, a shot rang out from one of the masked figures in the corner, striking Asterion in the head.
In that moment, he realized he had done nothing to deserve this. His family and he were innocent. They did not even know anything about the knowledge he and his family had so dearly paid for…
He took his last breath while thinking, why did this happen to him and his family?
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