CYCLE II

In a white lab secluded from the outside world, a teenage African-American girl spends her days alone. Countless hours without a moment's rest, her days seamlessly overlap. The quiet stillness in the air would have anyone mad, but not her as she is determined—driven, like someone with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Her name tag reads, "Dr. Julia Torquinn."

Weeks before the event that changed the world, a happy biracial couple awaits the birth of their first child. Margaret Atlas, thirty-two, with fair skin, red hair, and green eyes, smiles as her husband kisses her stomach. For as long as she could remember, Margaret had always wanted to be a mother. But her dreams almost fell short, if not for a broken clock.

Margaret spent most of her life in her lab, trying to solve the mysteries of the universe. A prominent scientist in her field, she was a bit nerdy, awkward, and lacked social skills. As everyone around her moved on in their life, she grew resentful of hers. But one day, change came in the form of an email. Margaret was selected to be part of an international experiment in Europe, funded by a coalition of scientists working on a revolutionary theory.

Excited for a new chapter in her life, Margaret prepared thoroughly. But as the saying goes, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." The morning of her flight, Margaret's alarmed clock broke. This tiny mishap spiraled, causing her to miss her flight. Depressed, alone, and without purpose, this is where she meets Jacob.

"Apologies, but the plane already left." The gate attendant informs.

"When's the next flight?"

"The next available flight....is tomorrow afternoon."

"That can't be right. Check again!"

"I'm sorry, but there's a big science event in Geneva—"

"I know! I'm supposed to be there..."

"Shall I purchase the ticket for you?"

"No..." Margaret storms off.

With no place to go, Margaret sits near the windows. She stares outside, noticing a flock of birds in the sky. She suddenly thought of how freeing it must be to fly, closing her eyes, and flapping her arms. Margaret begins to move around, awkwardly making bird noises.

"Let me guess, American Robin?" A male voice enthusiastically asks.

Margaret quickly opens her eyes, realizing she had made a spectacle of herself. Feeling thoroughly embarrassed, she quietly steps down from her seat and flees. The man in military attire follows Margaret outside as she hails for a taxi, "Hello!? Hello!?" the man incessantly shouts.

"I'm sorry, officer," Margaret responds. "Please don't arrest me."

The man catches his breath. "Am I right?"

Margaret looks at him perplexed. "W-what?"

"American Robin...the bird sounds you were making, was it an American Robin?" The man politely asks.

"You're not with security?" Margaret suspiciously asks.

"No, the airforce...and I'm also an ornithologist— kinda. A hobbyist, but I've always admired birds. The freedom to go anywhere and start fresh, it's like no other animal can do." The man smiles at Margaret. "Don't you agree?"

Margaret nervously smiles back. "Yes..."

"Captain Jacob Torquinn." He introduces himself.

During a cold white winter, a helicopter is en route to a private facility. A beautiful woman with posh facial features, black hair, and gown is the only passenger on board. Dozens of military men exit the facility, each dawning an armband with the logo ROC. As the helicopter lands, they escort her directly inside.

"How're your experiments, Doctor?" The woman asks.

"Ms. Godfringe, welcome I—" Julia nervously responds.

"Now, now, no need to be formal. Call me Alenor."

"R-right. Sorry, ma'am—Ms. Alenor."

Ms. Godfringe sternly stares at Julia. "Well, go on..."

"Yes..." Julia nervously nods. "I've found a method of identifying a person, regardless of what they return as."

"Tell me more..." Ms. Godfringe asks with intrigue.

"After testing multiple subjects, I learned that no matter what body they return as—" Julia hands Ms. Godfringe two brain scan images. "Their brainwaves will always return the same."

"I see." Ms. Godfringe says with delight. "If we can develop a device to identify reincarnates, it would mean salvation..." Her eyes fill with enthusiasm. "And what will you need to create such a wondrous device?"

Julia searches her table. "Here's a list."

Ms. Godfringe hands the paper to her escorts.

Julia sighs a breath of relief as Ms. Godfringe prepares to leave.

"And what of the OTHER research..." She ominously inquires.

Julia's eyes shook, "I—I still need time with that..."

"Will that require 'supplies'?"

"N—no, no." Julia profusely declines.

Unimpressed with Julia's response, Ms. Godfringe remained silent and continues exiting. "You'll have your supplies by the end of the day." She states as the door slowly closes behind her. "For BOTH..."

Julia sits on her lumpy couch, taking out a picture from her drawer. She momentarily stares with longing eyes, placing the photo on her desk. She returns to her work, leaving the image of Margaret and Jacob Toriquinn to watch over her quietly.

Years after their fateful meeting at the airport, Margaret takes a position at a research facility, while Jacob becomes a flight instructor. They spend their nights on the couch, enjoying awful reality shows, and thinking up names for their child.

Jacob looks through a book of names. "How about Birdie for a girl?"

"Stop that..." Margaret responds.

Jacob smiles and shrugs. "What?"

"Those avian-related names."

"Oh, What about Avi—"

"NOPE!"

After arguing over names, they turn their attention towards a television show. The premise of the show pits women who've never dated before, against models, at a chance to find true love. These underdog women had celebrities on their side, coaching them throughout the show. The show's final episode focused on a love triangle between a recently blossomed woman, her coach, and the man she met on the show.

"Oh, I hope she ends up with her coach."

"You do?"

"He's the only person who truly saw her." Margaret tightly held her pillow. "The other fellow ONLY liked her after the makeover."

In the final minutes of the episode, the coach reveals his true feelings. The woman smiles and admits she feels the same, deciding not to leave with the other man.

"I knew it!" Margaret hits Jacob with her pillow. "Way to go, Julia!"

"Why are you crying?" Jacob inquires. "Didn't we start watching this to make fun of it?"

"At first..." Margaret wipes her eyes. "But then I started to relate with Julia...I know how it feels when your life's at a standstill." She leans into Jacob. "And then I met you."

Jacob smiles. "I think I know the perfect name for a girl..."

"CAREFUL. I'm still emotional."

The ground began to shake, and the windows illuminated. Jacob rushes Margaret to safety, then steps outside to investigate. What he sees frightens him, seeing a bright green light approaching from the east.

In the last decade, not much has changed for Julia. Still isolated in her lab, she continues to work on her research. Her only freedom is a tiny window, only displaying the emptiness of winter. The barren landscape felt like a reflection of her own life, cold, miserable, and eternal.

Several ROC soldiers enter Julia's lab, setting down large capsules. Julia reluctantly signs for them, as they contain frozen children. However, her brainwave scanner reveals them as adults, reincarnates who've returned as children—a phenomenon known as the CYCLE.

"Looks like they're all three-peaters." Julia makes a note on her laptop. "Sorry, but this will be the last time you all return..." She regretfully says.

Julia places the capsules inside a strange contraption, then closes the see-through door. The machine powers, giving off an eerie hymn. Red sparks of energy flicker, erupting into a wild storm. The bodies soon release green energy, moving upwards until the machine powers down.

As the bodies of the children crumble to dust, Julia realizes she had forgotten a capsule. After years of using the machine, not once has she ever looked inside. Maybe it was curiosity or regret, but today Julia decided to look. She sees a dark-haired boy trapped inside, with an expression that felt familiar. Not yet realizing it, this was the start of her salvation.

Several months later, Ms. Godfringe pays Julia a visit. Growing concern over the quality of her "Sacraments," she has come to investigate personally. Still youthful, beautiful, and most of all feared, the years haven't changed her. Though, she is now known as the Chancellor, ruling all of America and most of the world.

"Hello, Ms. Alenor." Julia humbly greets.

"Chancellor..." Chancellor Godfringe sternly responded. "There seems to be an issue with my "Sacraments." She looks around the room. "Is there a reason?"

Julia explains the world has come to terms with the CYCLE, and as a result, premature deaths have declined. Chancellor Godfringe agrees with Julia's premise, though she disagrees that it impacted her "Sacraments." She hands Julia a report, indicating the number of "supplies" has not declined.

"I know what you're doing..."

Chancellor Godfringe snaps her fingers.

ROC agents enter the lab, escorting a dark-haired boy. Chancellor Godfringe reveals she is aware of Julia's deceit, her involvement in freeing the boy and others.

"Oh, Julia..." Chancellor Godfringe says with disappointment. "After everything I've done, why?"

Julia looks away. "You said we'd fix the world..."

"Is that not what we're doing?"

"You're only breaking it!" Julia shouts with anger.

"Take her to LIMBO." Chancellor Godfringe demands.

And that was the last time Julia saw the dark-haired boy.

Months after the green light incident, a state of uncertainty befell the world. Margaret stares on top of a bridge, overlooking the chaos below.

No longer pregnant or married, she revisits the painful memories of her life. Each day she would place flowers on top of a headstone, then return to her lab to focus on her work. Those two obsessions slowly ruined her marriage, as the flowers eventually laid rest beside an old wedding ring.

As time progressed, the world slowly healed. The President established a new department, bring hope to all those who sought answers about the CYCLE. But not all wounds could be remedied with time, as Margaret's heart was no longer with her. The birds flying in the sky reminded her of when she met Jacob, of the sentiments he expressed that day.

Margaret closes her eyes and firmly squeezes the railing. "The freedom to go anywhere and start fresh..." She calmly says.

She realizes the CYCLE had now given humanity freedom, the same kind of freedom as those birds.

"Freedom..." Margaret whispers.

Margaret leaps off the bridge, plunging into the water.

After a day of recuperating at the hospital, a beautiful woman with black hair arrives.

"Are you Dr. Atlas?"

Unable to speak, Margaret nods.

"Alenor Godfringe..." She introduces herself. "Head of the Reincarnate Oversight Committee...It took me weeks, but I've finally found you."

Margaret blankly stares, unsure if she was in trouble,

Alenor Godfringe takes out several files.

"I read your research...." She captivatingly states. "And I want you to work for me."

Margaret looks away.

"Are you not as obsessed with understanding the CYCLE as I am?" Alenor Godfringe states as she opens the blinds. "We can fix the world...perhaps even find salvation?"

The light of the sun hits Margaret's face, and in her eyes, Alenor Godfringe knew the answer to her offer.

"I'll send someone tomorrow." She said with satisfaction.

As Alenor Godfringe leaves, Margaret pulls out the respirator from her mouth. "W-what did you mean...it took you weeks to find me?"

But as soon as she spoke, Margaret knew.

Her voice had changed.

Alenor Godfringe quietly places a mirror on her bed.

Margaret slowly flips the mirror, anxious to look at herself. Her fair skin, red hair, and green eyes were gone, replaced with dark skin, short hair, and brown eyes.

Margaret had become a child.

Alenor Godfringe eyes fill with concern. "Be well, Dr. Atlas..."

"P-please, call me Julia Torquinn..." Margaret responds, gently embracing her mirror.

TO BE CONTINUED...