James woke up feeling distorted and intense pain. The last thing he remembered was looking at the chemical reaction that was bubbling and the next minute he was in the ambulance on the way to the E.R. James looked around and noticed the other inhabitants of Room 555. All his friends were around him and at the sight of them he began to get teary eyed. Parker looked paler than a ghost. Carrie’s hair color had seemed to change mysteriously. James noticed that Jake had started thrashing at the same time it began raining outside. Then there was Lindsey. She was hooked up to various tubes and James saw that Lindsey’s brain monitor was spiking like crazy. James began to panic.

“God, what the hell happened?” Suddenly James felt weird. Something in his head told him that his parents were coming. At that moment, his parents walked into the room with everyone else’s families. His parents, noticing that he was awake, ran over to him and started hugging and kissing him. James felt suddenly overwhelmed, and then he had done only one other time in his life: he cried.

“What the fuck happened to us?” he screamed out loud. His parents jumped back and shuddered. All the other parents turned and looked at him. James’ dad spoke first.

“Well kiddo, apparently someone had turned on the toxic gas valve and by the time you where there to do your lab, the entire room was full of gas. Once you guys started working with the fire and the chemicals, it was too late.” James’ father put his hand on his shoulder.

“So everything exploded?” James was so confused.

“Yes son, that’s exactly what happened. But there is something else we need to tell you.” James looked into his father’s eyes and saw fear. He looked over at his mother but she wouldn’t even look at him. What is he talking about? I know it’s bad, I just know.

“James, your DNA has been altered. Everyone’s has. It isn’t completely changed but your DNA came really close.” James felt really lightheaded and before he could say anything else he passed out. James woke up a few hours later. It was dark and he could see that it was still pretty cloudy out. In his mind, he kept replaying the conversation with his dad.

“I just can’t believe it,” James whispered, trying to be as quiet as possible so he wouldn’t wake the others. His stomach started to gurgle and James knew he was having extreme hunger pains. James pressed the nurse button and soon a white-garbed nurse came.

“What’s the matter dearest? What do you need?” The nurse fluffed his pillows and straightened his blanket. James looked at her and he could tell that she meant well despite her mushiness.

“I’m really hungry and I was wondering if I could get some food.” James was licking his lips just thinking about the possibilities of what he could consume.

“We can get you something soft like Mac and Cheese.” James’ eyebrows perked up. The one thing he loved more than the world itself was Mac and Cheese. James began to smile. The nurse took the smile as a yes and went to get the food, smiling as she walked off. James was sitting there waiting for it to return and while he waited he began thinking about his friends. I wonder if anybody else has woken up and heard the news. I wonder how they took it. Maybe I can talk to them later. At this point the nurse had returned with his food. James ate in silence only hoping that he would be able to go home soon. He finished his food and put the plate on the side. He then moved his pillows around and situated himself more comfortably. He would be able to talk to his friends soon and he would make sure everything was set right. Whoever did this, they will pay. They will see the error of their ways when I’m done with them. A wicked smile curved on his face as he slipped into a dreamless sleep.