A Question of Semantics
08 August 2061
Gabriel walked down his rehearsed path through the alleyways of Downtown Seattle. A warm summer breeze swept through the concrete corridor, carrying the smell of the Sound throughout the plex. Today, that smell wasn�t too pungent and was almost pleasant.
Gabe had been a ghoul now for several months. He relied heavily on his senses of smell and hearing, since he was almost fully blind after the disease had ravaged his body. Though he had lived almost thirty years of his life with 20 / 20 vision, he almost forgot what it was like to see clearly. He was now so used to looking through a dark grey fog that he felt if his vision were restored, the world would seem too bright.
Gabriel stopped as he smelled the familiar air of the morgue where his friend David worked. The ventilation system for the morgue vented into the alley behind the building, carrying the clinical smells of recent death and chemicals into the nostrils of the hungry ghoul.
Running his hand over the outer wall, Gabe found the back door and knocked on it. After a brief moment, he heard the deadbolt turn and the door open.
�Hello?�
�Hey David, it�s Gabriel.�
�Hey Gabe.�
Gabriel heard the rustling of a heavy plastic bag and a wet plop as it was set down on the pavement.
�Here�s your weekly John Doe, separated into smaller pieces, as you requested,� David stated.
�Thanks David.�
Gabriel slung the garbage bag over his shoulder and prepared to leave.
�How are things going Gabriel?� David asked.
Gabe stopped and turned. �Not too bad, I suppose. I found an abandoned house to live in with a couple other ghouls. We managed to salvage a freezer, so we can store the body a little longer, so there�s less waste. We�ve been distributing any extras you give us amongst the ghoul community in our area. Violence in our neighbourhood has declined considerably and you�re considered to be just about as close to a saint as any in the Bible.�
David let out a short laugh. �Glad I can help.�
Gabriel was about to start walking away, but he felt there was something else David wanted to say.
�Normally, you don�t want me to linger around the morgue when I pick this stuff up, but today, you stopped me to chat�what�s up?�
�I spoke with Sharon on the weekend.�
Gabriel felt a pang of regret when he heard his wife�s name. �Is she doing well?�
�She misses you, as does Derek.�
�I miss them both terribly, but I won�t risk their safety.�
�She doesn�t care. She wants to see you.�
Gabriel let the garbage drop to the pavement with a soft plop. �You told her? I told you not to tell her that you knew where I was!�
�I couldn�t lie to her anymore, Gabe,� David said. �Apparently, she�s known for a while that I knew your whereabouts. She says I make a lousy liar.�
Gabe laughed. �She�s right. You never could keep a straight face�but I don�t want to endanger her��
�We�ve had this arrangement going for, what, five months now?� David asked.
�Yeah, something like that.�
�Have you become violent since then?�
�Not really. A couple outbursts, but nothing significant.�
�Then why the hesitation? I�ll find an isolated place for you to meet her and you can meet her after your next feeding. There should be little to worry about,� David reasoned.
Gabriel thought about David�s suggestion only briefly before he smiled. �OK. Let me know where and what time when I see you next week.�
David smiled. �Will do.�
�Don�t thaw out the residents! Get in here and carve out this guy�s liver, would ya?� a voice called out from within the morgue.
�Duty calls. See ya next week, Gabe.�
Gabriel nodded, picked up his bag of body parts and headed back to his current place of residence.
*****
12 August 2061
The lobby of the morgue was quiet, while David worked the front desk, completing the paperwork for the morning�s autopsies. The chime over the door rang as the front door opened and a man in an expensive suit strolled up to the counter.
�Yes sir, how might I help you?� David asked.
�Are you Dr. Richard Sanchez?�
�No, he�s currently working in the back. I�m Dr. David Crestman. Is there anything I can help you with?�
�I don�t think so. Could you page Dr. Sanchez?�
David gave the man a sideways glance as he pressed the intercom button.
�Hey, Doc?� he spoke into the speaker.
A loud string of Spanish cursing was the first reply. �Damn thing scares the crap outta me every time�whatcha need David?�
�There�s a man here to speak to you.�
�That�s nice. Does said man have a name?�
David looked up at the suit standing opposite him inquisitively.
�Stanley Jacobs,� the man introduced himself.
�He says his name is Stanley Jacobs,� David relayed.
�I heard him. Don�t know him. He�s gonna have to wait. I have a spleen in my left hand and a kidney in the other and if I don�t get these organs on ice than a needy patient isn�t going to receive em. So shut up and let me work.�
David released the intercom button. �He�ll be out in a few minutes.�
�Charming character�� Stan said sarcastically.
�Richard�s a good guy and an excellent doctor,� David defended. �He just has a unique way of dealing with those still living.�
Stan just nodded and sat down in one of the waiting area chairs and grabbed a magazine. Seeing that he was being disregarded, David went back to his paperwork.
After half an hour, Richard emerged from the surgical chamber and climbed up on the stepstool that allowed his dwarven frame to see over the counter.
�Whatcha need, Mr. Jacobs?�
Stan Jacobs rose from his chair and walked up to the counter. He offered his hand in handshake. �Good afternoon, Dr. Sanchez.�
Talking the offered greeting, he firmly gripped Stan�s hand and shook it. �Good afternoon. What can I help you with?�
�I�m with City Health and Group Medical. I have a question for you regarding your practices here.�
Richard retrieved his hand and looked at it as if it were infected. �David, could you fetch me one of those disinfectant wipes over there?�
David chuckled as he passed the box of moist disinfectant cloths to his employer. He knew how little Richard thought of bureaucrats.
Stan sneered slightly at Richard�s outward display of distaste.
�Practices? I practice medicine and forensics for Lone Star. Isn�t that what you pay me to do?� Richard asked.
Richard studiously wiped down the offended hand and tossed the cloth into a bin marked �Hazardous Waste�.
�I�m talking about your �Ghoul Assistance Program�.�
David looked at Richard with shock. He hadn�t realized Richard had gone public with his assistance of Gabriel.
�I�m a doctor. I help the sick. Duh�� Richard said, with an arched eyebrow.
�There are members of CHGM that feel that this self-instated program of yours will attract an unwanted element into the city�s core.�
�There are members of this morgue who think CHGM are overacting. How will feeding the sick attract an unwanted element?�
�The ghoul population is currently isolated to a few desolate areas and we need to keep it that way to prevent spreading the infection. First, you isolate the communicable disease, then you treat them.�
�We don�t have signs posted saying �Free filet of human at 7th street morgue�. A singular ghoul, who is a friend of Dr. Crestman�s, comes and picks up the package and takes it back to distribute to the hungry masses. I fail to see your problem, save for being dropped on your head as a child.�
Stan�s expression soured. �There is too much risk involved in your pet project, Doctor.� The last word was spat out, almost in distaste. �You are to cease the program at once.�
�You realize that I�ll be taking this to the board�� Richard said, leaning over the desk. The Ghede houngan stroked one of his magical foci, likely in attempt to keep his anger in check.
�Go right ahead. This decision came from the board.�
�Ah, I see, so we�re out of the business of saving people�s lives now?� Richard asked.
�You�re exaggerating the effectiveness of your efforts. Don�t be so dramatic.�
�Fine. I�ll tell the loved ones of the deceased to call you when a ghoul kills their child out of hunger.�
Stan dismissively waved and walked to the door.
�Hey, Mr. Jacobs�were you born with a birth defect?� Richard asked.
Stan froze and turned, showing concern. �No, why?�
�I was just curious whether you were born with your head up your ass, or whether you�ve just been practicing hard.�
Stan stormed out the door, muttering under his breath.
�Idiota,� Richard spat.
�You went public?� David asked.
�I had to. Bodies aren�t just allowed to disappear from our records.�
�It�s not like they weigh the ashes, or anything.�
�No, but if you don�t document and video tape the burnings, questions arise, especially since the shedim arrived,� Richard explained.
David nodded. He was right. But now, what would happen with Gabriel?
�Relax. We�re going to fight this.�
David relaxed a little bit. �I appreciate your help. I�m sure Gabriel will too.�
�Ah well, it�s a good idea anyway. The ghouls get the nutrients they require and it�s not like the dead guy will mind. If only the Loa would grace us by having Mr. Jacobs car break down, preferably in an isolated area, then the night would be a little happier.�
Richard looked at his young apprentice and cracked a lopsided grin.
�C�mon, we still have a little more work to do before we call it a day.�
*****
15 August 2061
Gabriel made his way through the alleyways he now called home, towards the 7th street morgue. His stomach rumbled with the need to feed. The last body David had provided had been fairly lean and hadn�t spread out as far as previous feedings. The smell on the air carried the promise of food as he neared the morgue�s back door.
Gabriel knocked heavily on the door and waited.
He heard the deadbolt open and the door opened only slightly.
�If you have business with the morgue, use the front door,� an unfamiliar voice said.
�I don�t have business. I�m a personal friend of Dr. Crestman�s.�
�Dr. Crestman is busy at the moment. Can it wait?� the man asked.
�I�m afraid not. It�s important that I talk with him,� Gabriel said with more urgency than was probably necessary.
Gabriel heard the door swing open and a gasp escape the man�s lips. He wore some type of awful cologne that smelled somewhere between floral and bull piss.
�You�you�re a ghoul!�
�Thanks, but I was already aware of that,� Gabriel said impatiently. �Can I talk to David?�
�No, you may not. Leave before I call Lone Star.�
�You don�t understand�David and I have an arrangement to help me cope with my condition.�
�You don�t anymore,� the little weasel sneered. �The city health board shut down Dr. Crestman�s little pet project, because we feared your kind would be attracted into the downtown area. It appears they were correct.�
�My kind?!� Gabriel asked. �If my kind were attracted here, you�d be seeing more than just me and many of them wouldn�t have bothered knocking.�
�Whatever. Leave now.�
�How am I supposed to deal with my dietary needs?�
�Not my concern.�
Hungry�
I know, Lucifer� Gabriel thought to himself, we need to hold on just a while longer�
Hungry. Feed now!
�Who needs a dead body�� Gabriel said. There was a subtle difference in the tone of his voice; a low rattle that emanated malice. �I have live prey right here.�
Gabriel�s arm snapped forward and latched around the bad-smelling human�s neck.
�DOCTOR CRESTMAN!� the sniveling bureaucrat squawked, as he tried to wrestle free from the ghoul�s iron grip.
David ran to the back door and looked at the unfolding situation. �Gabriel! What are you doing?�
Gabe shook his head as if in a daze and dropped his captive. The man scurried backwards on all fours, babbling incoherently as David walked up to the door.
�What were you doing, Gabe?� David asked.
�I�I don�t know. I lost control for a minute there��
�Listen, I�m sorry I couldn�t tell you earlier, but the health board shut me down. I can�t give you any food today. Dr. Sanchez and I are taking this to the board and beyond if we have to.�
�How long will that take?� Gabriel asked.
�I don�t know. We�re doing everything we can to resolve this quickly, I promise you.�
Gabriel cast his eyes to the ground. �How do I cope until then?�
�I don�t know, Gabriel. I have something for you that could take your mind off of your hunger��
�Unlikely, but what is it?�
�The meeting place for you to talk to Sharon.�
�You must be joking!� Gabriel said, shrinking away from his friend. �I attacked that weasel out of hunger�I wouldn�t want to do the same to my wife.�
�That idiot is with the County Health and Group Medical board. A positioned observer. A royal pain in the ass,� David said with distaste. �As for Sharon, I�ve warned her of the risks and she still wants to meet with you.�
�No. I will not endanger my wife,� Gabriel started. �If Lucifer should come out��
Gabriel trailed off, but David was immediately concerned.
�Lucifer? Who�s Lucifer?�
�He�s�he�s my own personal demon,� Gabriel said with resignation.
�You are Lucifer?�
�I�I guess you could say that. He comes out when I get really hungry. I have trouble controlling him.�
David stood silently for a moment, frozen as his mind raced. �Remember several months ago when I was about to be carjacked?�
�Yes��
�You told me you didn�t kill the carjacker, but you knew who did�was it Lucifier?�
Gabriel remained silent for a long time before his hushed reply emerged. �Yes.�
David exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair. �When this is over, I�m going to try and help you control Lucifer, OK?�
Gabriel sheepishly nodded, ashamed of the truth now known.
�Sharon has taken precautions for her safety. Go see her. She needs her husband.�
Gabriel looked up and after a long hesitation, he said, �Where and when?�
David said �347 Industrial Park at 8 PM. It�s an old warehouse. Shouldn�t be anybody there for the duration of your meeting.�
Gabriel nodded. �Thanks. Let me know as soon as I can return for food.�
�Stop by at the regular times and I�ll update you,� David said.
Gabriel turned and disappeared into the shadows of the alley as David went back inside the morgue.
*****
Gabriel hesitated outside of the warehouse. It was a little after eight at this point and he still hadn�t mustered up the willpower to go inside.
What if she sees me and flees�
His mind was racing, running constant `What-if` scenarios through his mind.
What if she thinks I�m this hideous creature and wants nothing more to do with me?
�Sharon is strong. She�ll support me,� he muttered to himself.
Are you certain?
He was certain. Mostly.
Gabriel took a deep breath to steel himself and stepped inside the warehouse. He clung to the shadows lining the walls as he made his way into the building.
He saw her through his murky vision.
Sharon was pacing back and forth, looking hopeful. He caught the scent of her perfume and a smile appeared at the corners of his lips. He had bought that perfume for her on their last anniversary.
As he stepped forward he kicked a rusted metal bar which skittered across the concrete floor. Sharon jumped, visibly startled by the sudden noise.
�Gabriel?�
Gabriel froze. Suddenly he was self-conscious. After a brief pause, he replied, �Yeah Sharon. It�s me.�
�Where are you?� she asked as she scanned the shadows for her husband.
�I�I don�t want to frighten you,� Gabriel said.
�Nonsense. Get out here so I can see you.�
Gabriel stepped out into the light shining down from the flickering fluorescent lights. Sharon looked shocked as she looked over her husband. His hair was fully gone, his hands were malformed and his fingernails like talons. His former two hundred pound frame had shriveled to a one hundred and fifty pound pale form. His body was muscle stretched over bone. His eyes were almost solid white, milky with cataracts and degeneration. His teeth appeared to be rotting in place when he attempted to flash a smile.
Sharon strode over to her husband and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. Gabriel slowly wrapped his arms around his wife, baffled at her reaction.
�You shouldn�t have gone through this alone,� she stated, �It�s good to see you.�
Gabriel closed his eyes and felt a tear roll down his cheek. �I�ve missed you so much.�
*****
Gabriel and Sharon pulled up some old crates and were sitting down, looking at each other. For the first time since becoming a ghoul, Gabriel really resented the loss of his sight.
�Gabriel, why did you run out on us?� Sharon asked.
Gabriel thought for a moment before answering. �At the time, I didn�t understand what was happening to me. Derek had cut himself and I helped clean his cut and put a band-aid on it, but after he left I licked the blood off my thumb without thinking. I enjoyed it.�
The silence was enough to tell Gabriel that Sharon was shocked.
�I was afraid what I might do to my son if I stayed, so I ran.�
Gabriel lowered his eyes toward the floor and waited for Sharon to reply.
�I think I can finally understand your decision,� she said, �But, be that as it may, we need you. I need my husband and Derek needs his father. Come back home, Gabe.�
Gabriel brought his head up and turned toward his wife�s voice. �How? How can I come home? Ignoring the huge fact that I need to eat human flesh, what would I do? I�m sure the people at the office don�t want to work with a person who could possibly infect them with a simple scratch. What will Derek think when his loving father returns as a monster?�
�I�ll have none of that,� Sharon scolded, �You are not a monster. You�re just sick.�
�While that�s true, explain that to a four year old,� Gabriel said.
�Derek may be a little uneasy at first. But no child forgets a parent�s love. He�ll adjust,� Sharon stated.
�Even if I wasn�t a burden on you, how do I get my dietary needs? My arrangement with David has been ceased by the City Health Board,� Gabriel said.
�What?! When did that happen?�
�Sometime this week�some corporate lackey intercepted me when I went to meet David tonight.�
�When was the last time you ate...?� Sharon asked.
�It was about a week ago. I almost didn�t come tonight. I still fear when I might lose control to my hunger��
Sharon sat silently for a moment, studying her husband.
�We�ll find a way around this, Gabe.�
�I hope so. Though, you�ll forgive me if I remain a little skeptical.�
�I understand. Unfortunately, I have to go. David said that I shouldn�t stay too long, so I wouldn�t have to deal with the local night life.�
Hungry�Must Feed�
Oh God�not her�please�
Don�t care�must eat now!
�Gabe?� Sharon asked, �Did you hear me?�
Sharon�s hand slowly descended into her purse as she studied her husband. His features had contorted into a predatory snarl. Saliva was rolling off his lip and down his chin.
Gabriel was gone.
As the hungry ghoul lunged toward his wife, Sharon pulled a taser gun out of her purse and fired it at Gabriel. His eyes went wide as the electric current coursed through his body before he dropped to the ground in a heap.
Sharon dropped the taser and backed away, in shock that she had just shot her husband. She took one final look at his prone form before making herself leave. She couldn�t be there when he came to.
*****
Gabriel came to and quietly groaned as the disorientation wore off. Almost immediately, Lucifer was in control once again.
He sniffed the air and listened intently for a sound he thought he had heard in the distance.
�C�mon, no one checks these old warehouses. Let�s find something we can sell and go.�
Lucifer grinned. Dinner was coming. He lay back down on his chest, playing dead, waiting for the source of the voice to get closer.
�There�s probably a reason nobody checks these warehouses�probably nothing left of value.�
The voice was different. There was more than one person inside. Lucifer took a deep breath and caught three distinct scents.
�Nah, people are inherently lazy. If they have to dig for something they don�t even bother. There�ll be something in one of these crates. Trust me.�
Lucifer patiently waited as he heard the men pushing crates around and prying them open.
�Whoa�check it out. I think he�s dead��
Footfalls approached and lingered nearby.
�Whew�by the smell of him, he�s been gone a while. Blaze, flip him over and see if he�s got any cred on him.�
Lucifer felt a hand on his shoulder which slowly rolled him onto his back. The person jumped back as he saw the ghoul�s face.
�What did he die of? I don�t wanna catch anything��
�He�s just a little rotten�just pat him down real quick,� the ringleader ordered.
�No way. The guy had something. I ain�t touchin� him,� Blaze said
�You being a pussy too, Knuckles?�
�Dat guy ain�t right. You wanna search him dat bad, you go ahead, Torch,� Knuckles finally spoke.
�You guys are such babies,� Torch said as he stooped over the prone man and started rifling through his pocket like an experienced crook.
Lucifer�s eyes shot open, revealing his milky white eyes and smiled.
�Frag! He�s alive!�
Lucifer latched a hand around the ganger�s throat, squeezing his windpipe.
�Run!� Blaze said, as he took his own advice.
Lucifer sprang to his feet, brought his other hand up to Torch�s head and with a twist, snapped the ganger�s neck with a crunch. Since his first victim wasn�t going anywhere, Lucifer dropped him and pursued Blaze, who was tripping over nearly every crate in his scramble to escape.
Blaze glanced over his shoulder as he clambered over the last pile of crates and saw Torch lying on the ground, in a heap.
�Torch!� Blaze yelled out.
When Torch didn�t move, Blaze soon noticed the irregular angle his older brother�s neck was twisted.
Snapping out of his daze, he quickly turned and resumed his sprint for the front door. He was almost to the door when a fast-moving human form charged around the building�s inner perimeter and slammed into Blaze�s chest, tackling him and pinning him to the ground.
�Sorry, but a guy�s gotta eat,� the ghoul said with a predatory smile.
Blaze screamed briefly, before Lucifer closed his jaw on the ganger�s throat.
*****
Gabriel knelt on the cold concrete floor of the warehouse. He stared blankly at the two dead teenagers before him. One�s neck had been snapped, while the other had died while being eaten. A pool of congealed blood lay under the one body, just outside of Gabriel�s reach. He looked down at his hands and saw the young man�s blood drying on his skin.
He felt a tear roll down his cheek, which he absently wiped away with the back of his hand.
Why? Why did so many people have to die to sustain one person? What could possibly justify his actions?
Gabriel shook his head. Nothing came to mind.
He walked over to a water tap and twisted the handle. Rusty water poured out which slowly cleared as months of inactivity was slowly flushed out of the system. He washed the blood from his hands and cupped water onto his face to clear the blood that would certainly be there.
Gabriel found a large wooden crate and a dolly to help move it. He placed the two dead gangers in the crate and closed it up. While he couldn�t excuse what he had done to a couple of young lives, by bringing what remained to the ghoul population, he could save others from future ghoul killings.
Plus, one of the three gangers had gotten away and might return with reinforcements. Gabriel quickly tipped the dolly back and wheeled the bodies out into the dark alleyways that wound throughout the industrial district.
*****
22 August 2061
Gabriel knocked on the back door of the morgue and restlessly waited for David. It was nearing feeding time again and after the previous week Gabriel kept his fingers crossed that things were resolved.
The door opened and David�s familiar scent was carried in the wind.
�Hey Gabriel. How are you coping?�
David�s tone didn�t provide Gabriel with any hope.
�I�I�m surviving.�
�Here. It�s not much, but it might tide you over for a few days,� David said.
Finding David�s offering, he felt the flesh of a severed arm.
�Won�t you get in trouble for this?� Gabriel asked.
�Frag em. The guy came to us in pieces. They won�t miss one piece.�
Gabriel smiled and nodded. �I hope this will help me to avoid doing anything�regrettable.�
�I hope so too. There�s one other thing, Gabe��
�Oh?�
�Sharon came to see me after your meeting last week.�
�What did she say?� Gabriel asked with hesitation.
�She�s joined Dr. Sanchez and me in our fight against the CHGM. We�re bypassing talking to the board and going straight to court. We�re going to get this red tape cleared.�
�How long will that take?�
�Apparently, it�s a pretty hot topic with some of the government officials in ghoul heavy parts of the plex. The case is going to court this week.�
Gabriel breathed a sigh of relief. Resolution might actually come sooner than he had originally feared.
�Our lawyer thinks we can win this thanks to your �good behaviour� while on the program. But I have to ask one thing of you.�
�I�ll do whatever I can to help the process along,� Gabriel assured
�If this is to work, you�ll need to see a psychiatrist.�
�OK, but why?�
�I explained Lucifer to our lawyer,� David began.
Gabriel felt cold, thinking about his wife�s perceptions of him as a killer.
�She wants you to undergo a psychological profiling to show that you are suffering from a disassociative disorder brought on by your disease and coupled with a natural survival instinct. It�ll prevent you from going to jail and you�ll probably have to spend some time in a mental health facility to help teach you to control him. Are you OK with that?�
Gabriel thought only briefly before nodding that he understood and was willing.
�Gabe, I need you to sign a document for me, stating that you understand what I told you.�
Gabe let out a short laugh. �I can�t see�how am I going to sign on a dotted line? I can�t see the page, never mind the line.�
Gabriel felt the shaft of a pen be placed in his hand and a gentle hand guiding his hand down to a clipboard.
�Just wing it.�
Gabriel scrawled his signature from memory onto the clipboard and felt the pen being taken away.
�Not too bad. Not quite diagonal,� David joked, looking at the signature.
�When do I see the shrink?�
�Tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 in the afternoon, at the medical offices on Fairmont. Do you have a clock or some way of making sure you get there in time?�
�The building I�m camped out in has a salvaged shortwave radio that we keep on a time feed. I should make it.�
�The doctor is Dr. Franklin Malthess. Richard highly recommended him. Once we have Dr. Malthess� report we go to court and get this stupidity straightened away and get you back to normal,� David said.
�Or at least what passes for normal,� Gabriel remarked. �I�ll talk to you later, David. Good luck with the case.�
�Thanks. I hope we win, for your sake, Gabriel.�
Gabe nodded and turned away, walking back to the comfort of darkness.
*****
25 August 2061
�All rise.�
The courtroom stood up as Judge Alex Glover entered the courtroom and strode up to his bench.
�Be seated.�
The people sat down as the Judge looked over the notes he had for the case. �We�re here for the case of Sanchez, Crestman and Mayhew versus City Health and Group Medical. Would the plaintiff care to make an opening statement?�
Sandra Staley rose from her seat. �My clients have brought this case before you, your honor, to address a growing problem in Seattle. The ghoul population of Seattle has been ignored for a long time now, hoping the problem would go away. Instead of fading away, it has expanded. Ghouls attack people, not out of malice, but out of desperation and hunger. Rather than helping these people cope with their illness, we isolate them and do nothing. Dr. Richard Sanchez had implemented a program, with the aid of Dr. David Crestman and Gabriel Mayhew, which supplied a small percentage of the ghoul populace with their needed dietary requirements. That program was shut down by the board of City Health, a decision we�re here to appeal.�
�Would the defendants care to make a similar statement?� the Judge asked.
Michael Bailey rose. �City Health and Group Medical made the decision they did with a great deal of debate. Dr. Sanchez�s approach to helping the ghouls of Seattle, while commendable, was ill-conceived and could potentially endanger the uninfected population of Seattle, which greatly outnumbers the ghoul population. The board felt it was safer to continue to contain the disease and find alternate ways of treating the problem.�
The Judge wrote some notes down before looking back at Sandra. �You stated that Dr. Sanchez was supplying the ghoul population with their dietary requirements. What would that requirement be?�
�Human flesh, your honor.�
The Judge froze and looked up at the plaintiff�s bench. �How were you able to provide this ethically?�
Richard rose from his seat. �Doctor Crestman and I work in a morgue, your honor. Many bodies that pass through our morgue are never claimed by family and are simply burned. We surrendered these bodies to David�s friend Gabriel, who went to the ghoul community and distributed it.�
�Where is this Gabriel? How do you know he would distribute the bodies and not use it for other, potentially objectionable purposes?�
�Gabriel isn�t here your honor,� David said, rising. �Gabriel was infected with the Krieger strain of the Human/Metahuman Vampiric Virus back in December of last year and is now a ghoul himself. I sought to help him cope with his disease and the program was started.�
Judge Glover wrote more notes before turning to the defendants. �Would you like to clarify your viewpoint?�
Stanley Jacobs stood up, beside his lawyer. �I do appreciate what the doctors were trying to accomplish with this program. However, there are over three million citizens living in the downtown core of Seattle alone. The area their morgue is situated in is densely populated. Attracting even one ghoul into the area could promote an increase in the infection rate. Ghouls have a reputation of being unstable. Even their friend Gabriel lashed out at an observer we had placed at the morgue. The man was threatened and physically abused by Doctor Crestman�s friend. Our employee wasn�t infected, but the danger is present.�
Sandra held up a folder to get the Judge�s attention. �Your honor, we had a psychological profiling done on Gabriel yesterday. These are the results. The report concludes that Gabriel is an intelligent and peaceful man, but he suffers for a disassociative disorder brought on by his disease. When his hunger for flesh grows to a certain level another �personality� takes over, which causes him to lash out and act violently. This personality, which Gabriel has nicknamed Lucifer, was suppressed for the entire duration of Dr. Crestman�s program.�
Judge motioned the bailiff to take the folder and bring it to the bench. He skimmed the document and took several notes.
�Doctor Sanchez,� Judge Glover started, �You�ve made some strong points about your suggested program, but is it wise to distribute corpses out of your morgue�s back door?�
�I did submit an alternate proposal to the City Health board, which I did receive a notice of receipt from Mr. Jacobs� office, though I believe the proposal was ignored.�
The bailiff retrieved the copy of the proposal and receipt notice and brought it to the bench. As the Judge was looking it over, Richard looked over to Stanley Jacobs. The desk jockey was glaring at the dwarf with an icy glance. Richard smiled and puckered his lips before chuckling and turning his attention back to the bench.
�Mr. Jacobs, what was the opinion of this proposal?�
�I�I don�t recall the full details of the proposal, your honor.�
�The proposal talks about purchasing an abandoned industrial distribution center and converting it to handle bodies for separation and distribution to the ghoul population. It�s in a secluded area, the land is inexpensive and there are even plans for having other morgues submitting bodies for similar programs in their areas. The proposal even suggests having families signing over the bodies of loved ones, similar to the organ donor program.�
�The plan was�ambitious. The board decided that the costs for personnel and operating these centers wouldn�t have the potential the board seeks.�
�The potential for what?� the Judge asked.
After a thoughtful pause, Stan replied, �The potential to make back the expense at setting it up.�
�Mr. Jacobs, is City Health more interested in the depth of their pocketbook, or the welfare of the sick?� the Judge asked.
Richard started laughing. The Judge threw the plaintiff a cold stare, even though his opinion mirrored the dwarf�s.
�The health of our citizens is of paramount importance, of course.�
�Then why not go out on a limb and assist a large portion of the population that has an illness with no cure?�
�We have to look out for the greater good,� Stan reasoned.
�And what of the over fifteen thousand ghouls that live in the downtown proper? Do we ignore them?� David asked, with more venom than necessary.
Stan glared at David, but said nothing.
�May I say something?� a voice asked from the back.
Everyone turned to the source of the voice at the back of the courtroom.
�Gabe?� David gasped.
�Who are you, sir?� Judge Glover asked.
�I�m Gabriel Mayhew, Sharon�s husband.�
The crowd of people observing the case shrunk away from the isle and gasped in fear when they saw the ghoul standing in the courtroom. If it bothered Gabriel, he didn�t let it show.
�I�ll hear what you have to say, Mr. Mayhew.�
�Thank you, your honor. I�ve been a member of the ghoul community for a few months now and I�ve learned a lot about what makes a ghoul tick. Not all ghouls are as�civil as I am. Many don�t handle the transformation well and become quite feral. One of these feral ghouls came into contact with me and changed who I am. I was attacked outside of a bar in the heart of the Downtown area. Whether Mr. Jacobs wishes to acknowledge it or not, ghouls are already making their way into the populated areas of the city. Things have grown desperate in my pocket of the community. When things were desperate before, there were gangs in our area. When gang violence erupted, the ghouls would pick off a few of the fallen and life would resume without incident. A couple months ago, the local gangs allied to fight a new up-and-coming gang, so violence near us dropped off. A few feral ghouls attacked the gangs in desperation, killing a few to feed the community. The gangs had been fine with the ghouls, so long as they only took the dead. Now that they were being attacked, they moved along. Ghouls are going further and further abroad to find food, some going into the alleys behind nightclubs and bars, grabbing anyone foolish enough to be walking alone.�
Gabriel paused and heard the Judge�s pen scribbling notes down hurriedly.
�While David was supplying us with food, the violence in the area dwindled, as food was being brought back home. When City Health terminated the program, my community was very upset. Many, like me, chose to have faith that things would be resolved in a timely manner. The feral ghouls aren�t willing to wait. Thankfully, for the sake of City Health employees, ghouls are almost totally blind.�
�What do you mean �for the sake of City Health employees�?� Stan asked.
�Feral ghouls with any form of intellect are looking for offices of City Health employees, in hopes of using them to supplement their diet,� Gabriel stated with distaste.
Gabriel noticed a palpable change in Stan�s scent. The man was frightened for his safety.
�Perhaps�the board was hasty in its decision to reject Dr. Sanchez�s new proposal�� Stan said to the court.
�I believe you may be right, Mr. Jacobs,� the Judge said. �It is the ruling of this court that City Health have lost their objectivity in this matter, thinking about finances rather than welfare. Make preparations to reinstate the ghoul nutrition program at once. This court is adjourned.�
The gavel fell and Sharon cheered. David and Richard shook their lawyer�s hand before turning to Gabriel.
�Not that I�m complaining, but why are you here Gabe?� David asked.
�I just finished my first therapy session and since I was nearby, I thought I�d come to the courthouse.�
�It�s a pleasure to finally meet you, son,� Richard said, offering his hand.
Gabriel carefully grasped the dwarf�s hand and firmly shook it. �I appreciate you going to bat for me, Doctor.�
�Bah, I like doing things the hard way. Besides, it was worth the price of admission to watch that idiot bureaucrat squirm.�
*****
01 October 2061
Sharon heard the doorbell ring mid-afternoon on a stormy day, while Derek played with his toys on the floor of the living room. She walked to the front door and pulled open to see a very soggy David Crestman standing on her porch.
�David! How are you doing? Would you like to come in?�
�I�m doing just fine, but I can�t stay. I just wanted to tell you the latest news.�
�OK, what�s up?�
�I thought you might like to know that you are looking at the new Chairman of the Ghoul Nutrition and Rehabilitation Centers of Seattle.�
�Congratulations!� Sharon said, stepping out to embrace her friend.
�Thank you. You�ll also be happy to hear that Gabriel has been hired by my organization.�
�Really? Doing what?�
�One of the major concerns of the board was infection of those people dealing directly with the ghouls. Distributing food and providing adequate shelter, that kind of thing. The best way to prevent infection is to employ people already infected. Gabriel was able to put us in touch with ghouls who weathered their transformations well and they will make up our on site staff.�
�Excellent! How is Gabriel�s therapy going?� Sharon asked.
�He just finished. He passed with flying colours and was discharged this morning.�
�That�s great! So, where is he now?�
Gabriel stepped around the corner with a smile on his face. �I�m right here, hon.�
Sharon opened her arms, as Gabriel stepped up onto the porch and embraced his wife.
�I�ll talk to the both of you later,� David said, as he turned and began walking down the path to his car.
�Thank you so much, David. For everything,� Sharon said.
David nodded with a smile on his face and walked to his car, disappearing into the downpour.
�Come inside before you freeze to death,� Sharon said, ushering her husband inside.
Gabriel stepped across the threshold and was assaulted by the sounds and smells of home. Sharon�s perfume, potpourri wafting in from the living room, the sounds of Derek�s cartoons emanating from the trid�a wide smile broke across his face, as he removed his waterlogged jacket. He wore a pair of gloves to protect those he came in contact with. He realized he would be wearing them for the rest of his life, but it was a small price to pay for coming home.
�Derek, there�s someone here to see you,� Sharon said. As Gabriel heard little footsteps approaching, he knelt down to bring himself down to his son�s level.
The footsteps approached and stopped a short distance away.
Gabriel caught his son�s scent and smiled. �Hey Derek, how ya been?�
There was a long silence before Gabriel heard a bewildered, �Daddy?�
The sound of his son�s voice seemed almost melodic after such a prolonged separation. �Yeah sport, it�s me.�
A short sprint began and ended as his son collided with Gabriel�s chest. Derek had grown a lot since he left. He felt his son�s arms wrap around his thinned chest in a warm embrace.
�Daddy, you�re all wet.�
Gabriel laughed and wrapped his arms tightly around his son. �I know. I was out in the rain for a long time.�
Gabriel felt tears rolling down his face. He planted a kiss on the top of his son�s head and sniffed back his tears.
Derek pulled away. �Daddy, you�re crying�what�s wrong?�
Gabriel laughed through his tears and pulled his son back into an embrace.
�Absolutely nothing.�