Dr. Kimberly Burgess stood silently in the dimly lit conference room. The room, normally used for daily meetings between the heads of research at the Sona Biochemical Research Facility, was filled with unease. Although the researchers had been used to long nights at the facility, something felt different today. They were each suddenly called back into the facility after the end of their shifts. It was said that the matter was extremely urgent, and also extremely confidential.
The Sona Biochemical Research Facility, or the SBRF for short, stood on the outskirts of the town of Sona. It was said that Sona was a small farming village before it was selected as the site for a brand new biochemical research facility and an accompanying university in the late 70s. The village quickly developed into a medium sized town, with many of its residents working at the SBRF or at one of the smaller start-ups that had formed around it. Meanwhile the University of Sona remained a popular choice both for children of the residents and for students who were intrigued by the internship and job opportunities the university provided at the SBRF. Kim Burgess was one such student who had moved to Sona roughly 30 years ago. She had quickly risen through the ranks and made a high ranking position at the SBRF. She had also married a fellow researcher and started a family in Sona.
A black SUV had arrived at her doorstep earlier that night, and she was escorted to the research facility while her family was instructed to stay behind. As Kim reflected on the events of the day, trying to figure out why she might have been taken to work by what is likely a government or military affiliated vehicle, the doors to the conference room opened with a loud bang. A bald man in a suit entered the room, followed by another, older man dressed in a military uniform.
"I'm sure all of you are wondering why you were called in, so hastily I might add, at such an odd hour." the man spoke. "I will get straight to the point. Blood tests done in Sona within the last week have consistently found traces of a certain mix of chemical compounds within the male residents. A covert investigation lead us to discover that the water supply of the town had been contaminated by certain experimental residue originating in Sona. The effects of the compound has not been fully determined, but given the sensitive research being done in the SBRF, military intervention was deemed necessary."
The man in the suit gestured for the man in the uniform to speak.
"UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE SBRF HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER STRICT QUARANTINE!" the man shouted. "A task force formed of military members, heads of research, and essential personnel will be formed to investigate the source and effect for this compound. Development of a way to remove or cure it will also start immediately. Every one of you are asked to designate the minimum required personnel for this task and form this task force immediately."
It was going to be a long night for Dr. Kimberly Burgess.
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"Where's your mom by the way, is she not back from work yet?" Sarah asked.
"Her shift ended hours ago, but she said she had to return for an emergency meeting, whatever that is." Clara Burgess answered. She knew her mom worked on sensitive research, and could understand that there could be times when she would suddenly be called into work. The way she was taken with a black government car was new though.
Sarah and Clara were having a sleepover at Clara's parents' place. They were sitting in the basement in their pyjamas, watching TV and talking about ordinary things. They had been friends since middle school, and had not grown out of the sleepovers despite being into their early 20s.
Still, Clara wasn't worried. As the only daughter of two researchers, she had grown into a smart and confident young girl. She was a junior at the University of Sona, following in her mother's footsteps and studying biochemistry.
Her confidence, however, was not immediately apparent from the outside. She was quite short, at 5'2 she stood the shortest in her friend group. While she was definitely not overweight, she wasn't exactly thin either. She had short brown hair cut into bangs, and wore thick glasses. Many people who met her initially assumed her to be a shy and quiet girl, but were quickly proven otherwise as they got to know her better. Still, she didn't have much luck with relationships. Although she wasn't ugly by any means, her somewhat dominant personality and lack of an impressive body gave her a hard time when it came to dating.
"Is that normal? It's almost 11 pm." Sarah was puzzled by Clara's nonchalance. Sarah came from a family of athletes. She was 5'8 and had a slim and lanky build. She had green eyes and blonde hair which she usually kept in a ponytail.
Clara shrugged. Just as she was about to answer, the doorbell rang. "See, that must be my mom. Though it could also be Lily..." Clara trailed off. They made their way up the stairs and into the living room. Clara opened the door and sure enough it was Lily, the last member of their childhood friend group that had somehow survived all the way into university.
"Hey Lilyyy!" the girls shouted in unison as Lily entered the house. She was an average looking girl of Korean descent. "Hey girls, hey Mr. Burgess," Lily quickly greeted them, then grabbed both Sarah and Clara by their wrists and dragged them back into the basement. Lily seemed anxious, which was normal for Lily, but this time she seemed even more anxious than usual. Lily quickly closed the door to the basement and started talking. "There's something wrong at the SBRF."
"Yeah, they called in my mom earlier today, I'm guessing they called in your dad too? Overtime is not that uncommon when you are a highly ranked researcher at a major facility." Clara interrupted.
"Yes, but no, it's not just a random day of overtime. I heard my dad talking on the phone earlier today. He seemed angry, he was shouting at someone about a leak, or some sort of contamination. I didn't get the details but it seemed to have happened a while ago and gone unnoticed for at least a week. Whatever the leak is, we might already be infected. It might lead to an epidemic, or even a pandemic!" Lily had started to hyperventilate.
"Wait a second, calm down Lily. We're infected? And it has already been a week? I'm not feeling any different. Nor is anyone around me. What's got you so spooked?" Sarah asked trying to calm Lily down.
"But I AM different! You haven't noticed?"
"Different? Different how?"
"Ugh, I am 5'5! I am a whole inch, maybe an inch and a half taller than I have always been!"
"Weren't you already like 5'5?"
"So now you know my height than I do Sarah? I was 5'4 on the dot my whole life. Now all of a sudden my shoes are too tight, and all of my clothes are too! It wasn't that noticeable on the clothes but I could definitely tell something was wrong when I put on my shoes this morning. I had Jason measure me before I came, and sure enough I am bigger. We triple checked, I am slightly taller than 5'5. People don't just grow an inch and a half at the age of 21 you know!" Tears had started to form in Lily's eyes.
"... okay that's definitely weird. But if that's true surely our parents are out there trying to fix it right? We'll ask them when they return. Besides, didn't you always say you wanted to be a little taller?" Clara put a hand on Lily's shoulder and went in for a hug.
"Yeah Lily, isn't Jason like 5'9? Just imagine how hot it would be if you were as tall as him in heels!" Sarah joined the hug. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dismiss your concerns, but when there is nothing to do, sometimes you should just go with the flow. Let it happen. Your parents are two of the best researchers in the city. No matter what they will be able to find a cure for whatever it is that has infected you, or us."
Lily wiped the tears from her face and sniffed. "Thanks Sarah, Clara. I will try to do as you say. Maybe it's time I went with the flow for once." Lily hugged them for another second, then moved back. "Well enough about me, what are you two up to?"
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The sleepover went on for another couple of hours. By 2 am the two guests had gone to sleep on the sofa, while Clara was wide awake. What Lily said earlier had intrigued her.
Clara had been a tall child. She had grown up earlier than her peers, and stood 5'1 in fourth grade. Her tall stature suited her dominant and confident personality, and her height only amplified her presence. She loved being the center of attention, and because of that, she loved being tall.
Sadly for Clara, she didn't get to spend much time being tall. By the end of middle school she had only grown an inch and topped off at 5'2, while her peers had caught up and surpassed her. Boys who used to crane their necks to look her in the eye were suddenly towering over her. Even the girls she once looked down on, both literally and socially, began to inch above her. Sarah had long shot past her in height, but now even little Lily was slightly taller.
The difference was hard to ignore, especially for someone who had once been defined by her height and presence. Without the inches to back it up, her confidence felt thinner, especially compared to her memories of being noticed first and being listened to loudest.
Now Clara saw a chance. A chance to get back what she had lost many years ago. A chance to be tall, curvy, and pretty. A chance to grow, both in size and power.
Deep in thought, Clara was startled by the rattling of keys. She ran up the stairs and into the living room. Her dad had fallen asleep on the living room couch. Clara's mom, Kim, was quietly entering the house carrying a small suitcase. She looked extremely tired. Clara greeted her and gave her a hug.
"Soooo?" Clara whispered. "What happened?"
"Oh it was nothing, a high profile customer had some server issues and asked for our copies of some sensitive research data. Nothing to worry about."
"I know about the leak mom. Lily heard her dad talking about it. Is something wrong? Are we going to be sick?"
Kim sighed. There was no point in trying to hide the truth from her daughter. She knew that she couldn't if she tried. "Uhh. Okay Clara. I will explain it to you tomorrow, okay? I've had a long day and I..."
"No mom, tell me now! Not tomorrow." Clara paused and looked her mother in the eye. "Lily says she has grown."
Kim's eyebrows twitched. "Symptoms, already? Well she does have a boyfriend..." she mumbled to herself.
"Boyfriend? What does Jason have to do with it?"
"Come upstairs." Kim gave her a stern look. "I will explain it to you."