Finding Trust (Centre Games)

Copyright © 2013 by Natalie Gayle

KINDLE EDITION

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978-09875142-1-9

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I started writing “Finding Trust” about five years ago.  I set out to write a book that I would like to read, so it incorporates all my favourite things: romance, suspense, action, a little fantasy, and something a little “
out there
”. 

The “
out there
” component of the book is the Hendra virus.  I’ve been heavily involved in the equine industry for more years than I should probably admit to and it has had a massive impact on the industry.  I have used the Hendra virus in a totally fictitious manner with very liberal doses of an overactive imagination, but it is a very real threat to the equine community.

The virus first came to prominence in 1994 with an outbreak occurring at the Hendra racing stables of Vic Rail (Brisbane, Queensland).  Hence the name Hendra took hold.  Over the last decade the incidences of Hendra in Queensland have increased at a very alarming rate. 

It is a fatal virus for both horses and humans and it sparks real fear in the equine community and to a lesser extent the general population.  In fact, the virus has proved fatal for several people including two leading equine veterinarians.  These two vets and the carers for the sick horses are the true heroes.  They unwittingly gave their lives in order to treat sick horses.  They all had families and they have all been drastically impacted by the virus. 

The virus doesn’t discriminate, seventy five percent of horses contracting the virus have either been euthanized or died and sixty percent of humans. 

After writing the first 25,000 words I put the book away until mid-last year.  Life simply got in the way.

Things changed and I had a bit more time on my hands so I decided to revisit the world I’d started to create. 

The places referred to are broadly accurate but again have been used fictitiously.  However, the Gold Coast, Queensland is a region close to my heart.  It’s home, I grew up here and still live here. 

As I was just about to complete “Finding Trust”, the news we’d all been waiting for finally broke.  A vaccine for horses for the Hendra virus was now commercially available. (Late 2012). 

This is a marvelous breakthrough for the equine industry and a significant move in the right direction for stopping the reign of terror the virus has evoked. 

So to all the people who have been part of this very important research and testing:  a very huge thank you. 

I hope you take “Finding Trust” for what it was intended to be a: a romantic suspense novel that dared to look at a very real topic in a totally fictitious way. 

Happy Reading

Nat

I dedicate this book to all the romance writers that have come before me and to all those that will come after.  Everybody needs a little bit of fantasy and their happy ever after. 

Prologue

“Sit down. Relax and let’s get acquainted.”

The voice was deep and smooth but ribboned with a hint of something that could only be described as dark as it infected the room via the concealed wall speakers. The energy in the room shifted and all twelve bodies sat a little straighter in response to the undercurrent in the voice. Relax was the last thing any of the six young men and six young women could do. The nervous energy was almost like a haze enveloping the group.

“Have you figured it out yet?” The uncertainty zipped through the college classroom, the question seeming to bounce off the nondescript beige walls. The unease and restlessness was visible amongst all. A few more energetic types looked as if they wished to respond but were not quite sure what the answer was or whether in fact the question was rhetorical. Others chose the stereotypical college attitude of “who cares.” Silence was the deafening answer, because no one wanted to look like a fool in front of a bunch of strangers, on the first day of class.

“The connection. Why you are all here: at this school, in this class.” This statement drew audible murmurs amongst the group. Several heads took long sideways glances, trying to reach the answer that seemed obvious but somehow just out of their grasp.

“The answer is simple, but complex.” The voice trailed off with just a hint of humour. Agitation amongst the group was quite visible now. They were clearly becoming distressed at the tone and annoyed by the cryptic puzzle that was playing out before them.

“You’re all related by blood and genetics but are not siblings or family.” The gasps that followed were clear. All twelve faces looked from one to the other, desperately trying to figure out the brainteaser presented to them as the truth of the information sank in. Their blood suddenly became thicker and felt not at all like it could pump through their veins.

At last, a large, dark-skinned man asked, “How can we be related by blood and not be siblings or family?” His question all the more obvious when a quick scan of the room produced the proverbial mixed bag of multiculturalism that was so politically correct amongst modern society. It seemed just about every race, colour, and creed was assembled. This only heighted the tension and the absurdity of the question posed. The visual evidence indicated that the twelve men and women were not brothers and sisters in the commonly accepted sense. If that was not the case, then what? How could they share blood genetics?

It seemed the voice was going to answer and end the questions that still remained answerless. “You all share twelve common genetic threads, if you like. Your human makeup and characteristics were inherited from your paternal father and maternal mother.” The voice subtly emphasised the word
human.
The word seemed to hang in the air for an eternity.

The voice continued, “The other twelve genetic threads are DNA components taken from the twelve animals that make up the signs of the Chinese zodiac.” The shock ricocheted around the room like errant electrons. The tension had now evaporated into outright confusion, disbelief, and horror. Some of the twelve members of the group were actually holding their hands and feet up for closer inspection, as if trying to see any visible signs of the infused animal genetics, while others desperately tried to remember what the twelve animal signs were. Rat, pig, dog, monkey, snake, rooster—ahhhh! What did it matter? Apparently they all shared the same blood as a large proportion of any regular zoo, if the voice could be believed.

“Quite simply, you are human but with varying degrees of animal traits, abilities, and tendencies.” The voice paused, waiting for the information to penetrate the raging storm of emotions radiating from each individual. “You share the characteristics of the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. It is likely that each of you will exhibit stronger tendencies towards some animals—namely dog, tiger, and horse—but all animals are present in each of you.”

“Had you never thought it strange before that you had exceptional eyesight, hearing, strength, and any number of other abilities that your friends lacked?” A few nods and the first rays of recognition spread across some of the faces. “Surely you must have wondered at some stage in the eighteen years of your life thus far why you could easily do things that others could not. You are different—unique.

“The answer to how this happened is simple. All of your parents experienced fertility issues. You are all the product of IVF, but with a difference. A distinct difference, for a higher purpose.” The voice sounded satisfied, bordering on smug. The more answers the group were given, the more questions that were raised. What was the higher purpose the voice referred to?

“The degree to which you choose to embrace these gifts is totally up to the individual. However, the path of least resistance is to commit to the training, skills, and camaraderie you will gain here.”

The group was all but stunned into silence, desperately trying to absorb the words that proceeded and the ones that would follow.

“You are different—accept it.

“In time, you will all have the answer to the question you are asking…Why? Until then, you have enough to consider.” The voice was complete; the audio to the classroom switched off, the finality unmistakable.

The twelve young men and women turned and faced one another in some sort of subconscious bonding or acceptance—a common understanding established. The information they had received and the peculiarity of the situation had tentatively bonded them together as surely as the altered blood they jointly shared. The experiences over the years to come and the genetics they shared would make them closer than family.

Three men and two women sitting in the comfort of the viewing room turned and nodded to one another. Their satisfaction and relief was overtly evident. At last it had begun; the group was formed. But would it be soon enough and would they succeed? Only time and the twelve individuals in the room could answer that question.