Free All The Beautiful People (A Dread Novel Book 1) by Jonathan Yanez Page B

can’t waste a single moment.”
    He walked down the stairs to the bottom platform. The dull chatter in the room hushed. Attentions were honed to razor sharp tips as they witnessed their leader stride with determined steps to the front of the room. Taylor and Jason found seats halfway down the rows of scared yet eager employees. Taylor sat beside Jason and a young boy she thought at first might be lost.
    He couldn’t be more than 16. Wild hair hung close to his tired eyes as he stared back at her. “What? Do you have a problem?”
    Taylor rolled her eyes. With everything happening, a teenager with a bad attitude was the least of her problems. Why he was even there was something that seemed minuscule compared to the information they were all about to learn.
    “Thank you for coming,” Wade said in a voice that commanded attention. He could have saved the boom in his tone; all eyes were already on him. No sound other than the gum chewing of her adolescent neighbor met Taylor’s ears.
    “What you are all about to hear is the truth whether you accept it or not. I’ve received word from the Board that we will be holding nothing back. They have already contacted the CDC, our own government, and those of the countries where our drug has been shipped.”
    Wade took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the many people who were in attendance. Taylor knew it was impossible to look each and every single one of them in the eyes yet that was exactly what he was doing. Taylor almost felt bad for thinking he was going to try and kill them in their brief meeting, almost. It was clear to her now that he was sincere. As he continued his speech, she wondered how much of it was fact sharing and how much was a confession on behalf of the company. Wade’s voice never lost its firm handle on the room but something was added. Something extra hid in the brief pauses. It was sadness. Regret.
    “Four years ago Lazarus Pharmaceuticals undertook a project with the hopes of developing a drug that would enhance one’s perception of themselves. It was an attempt at happiness and joy. It was an alternative to anti-depression pills but an answer to those not happy with their inward mindset or outward appearance. It was designed to bring out the inner beauty we all possess. The medication was named Vanidrum. It was a success in trials. There were a few notable side effects as there are in any clinical study, but they were nothing like what we are seeing today.”
    Wade pressed a button on his podium bringing the four large monitors suspended above him to life. The screens jolted to attention with blank white screens. “Vanidrum was released to the public as a prescribed drug two weeks ago. It was a success, or so we thought. Last night, one of our Operators received a call regarding a possible issue with our product.”
    The room was so quiet Taylor heard Wade click another button from his podium control panel. Although she was twenty yards away from him, the distinct sound nearly echoed through the room. The screens lost their blank white image to a smiling image of James Jones. The man couldn’t be happier. In the picture he was wearing a cardigan, holding his wife in both arms. The couple was standing beside a pier. A blood-orange sun was sinking behind white-capped waves in the background. It was perfect.
    “Meet James William Jones,” Wade continued. “65 years old, an architect by trade, father of three, and loving husband. The picture we are looking at now was taken last week. The video I am about to show you next will be shocking to most but it is imperative that you understand the gravity of the situation.”
    Wade moved to the next screen. A gasp broke from every pair of lungs in the crowd. The only exceptions to the collective shock were Taylor and the teenage gum-smacker sitting next to her. Taylor didn’t need to look around to know what everyone’s face was depicting. They were confused and scared. Taylor examined the picture through