Return from the Blueberry Factory part 1 extended preview (Patreon)

Return of the Blueberry Factory part 1.

Red crossed his arms. “When I hired you, people, I said I didn’t just want a cure made.” He slammed his arms down on the table. “I wanted you to also synthesize a way to force people into becoming blueberries. And what do I find when I come back here? You are just working on the cure.”

The man on the other side of the table sneered at Red. “I am the one who is responsible for the blueberry outbreak in the first place. An accident I caused made this possible. My associates and I have been—”

“I don’t care about that. I know your history. An incident in this very factory caused the flies here to contract a blueberry virus that has spread to the unlucky women of this town. Look, it’s all well and good that you are making a cure. I like that.” Red formed his hands into fists. “But you will ruin everything if you don’t give me a surefire way to turn people back into blueberries. My juice business depends on it. Right now, all I can do is encourage people to swell back up if they are infected. If you bloody cure them. . .” Red turned around. “I won’t have it.”

“What would you even do?”

“Out you as the person who caused this mess for one. I am sure the people of this town would love to know what you did to them, Larry.”

Larry slammed his fist against the wall. “You are blackmailing me?”

Red shrugged his shoulders. “Hey. I have to get you to keep up your end of the bargain somehow.”

Larry looked at his hands. “How am I even supposed to test this? The cure has been easy to test. There is no shortage of people who are blueberries in the town. But. . .”

Red turned around. “I am sure you will think of something. Otherwise, well. . .” He shrugged his shoulders. “Good luck. I am sure all those big blueberry girls would love to roll you over.” He laughed as he walked out of the room.

Larry rubbed his forehead. “What am I going to do?”

***

Pam’s eyes widened. “You have got to be kidding me.” She grabbed the flyer off of the telephone pole. “Quin, look at this.” Pam turned her head to see Quin napping against the side of the brick building. “Quin!”

“Huh?” She blinked her green eyes. “I wasn’t sleeping, I swear.”

“Right.” Pam scratched at her short blonde hair. “Now, will you look at this?” She handed the flyer to Quin. “It’s crazy.”

“I doubt it’s any crazier than what has been happening to this town over the last few months.” Quin shuddered. “Why haven’t we left town? It was bad enough when we found that strange factory, and you swelled into a blueberry. But now, the entire town has blueberry fever. We are lucky you haven’t turned blue again, Pam.”

Pam giggled. “Hey. Looking back, that experience was kind of fun.” Pam turned her amber eyes to the sky. “All that juice flowing through my veins. It was fun being big and blue.”

Quin raised an eyebrow. “Umm, I don’t remember you feeling that way before.”

“Well, I do. . .” Pam sighed. “Hey, it was just a lot to take in, ok. I am allowed to like feeling all big and juicy. Look, just look at the flyer.”

Quin sighed. “Ok.” She held the paper in front of her face. “Limmerson’s Blueberry factory looking for volunteers to help test out new products. Looking to help with berry issues plaguing the town. Requirements. Applicants need to not be showing any symptoms of the blueberry virus. You may get a bit juicy for your services.” Quin winced. “What in the world?”

Pam giggled. “Isn’t it cool? Someone might be trying to work on a cure.”

“It sounds more like a scam to turn you into a blueberry like all the rest.” Quin pointed at a giant blue blob through a window of a nearby house. “I told you we should be looking to leave town. This place is becoming berry town.”

Pam shook her head. “No way. I think this is our ticket to help out. Besides, if this does turn us into blueberries. . .” Pam’s eyes rolled up into her sockets. “Ohh, that will just be a juicy experience. I would love it all the—”

“Pam!”

Pam blinked her eyes. “What?”

Quin crossed her arms. “Did that experience back at the factory give you berry fever? You have been daydreaming about blueberries for weeks now.”

“I umm. . .” Pam giggled. “Look, I am going to head down there and see how I can help out. Are you coming?”

Quin sighed. “I guess.” She looked at the flyer. “Considering this is back at that damned factor where we found those stupid blueberry flies, I should keep an eye on you.” She shook her head as she followed Pam down the street. “Who the hell would even start a business in a place infested with blueberry flies? Don’t they know it is dangerous?”

Pam laughed. “Maybe for berry research, they know it is the perfect place.”

“Ughh. If I get turned into a blueberry because of this. . .”

“Trust me, you will love it, Quin.” Pam put her hand on Quin’s shoulder. “You can be my big blueberry sister.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better.”