We Are Monsters by Brian Kirk

red. The sound of his swallow was enormous in the quiet room. “It’s still a ways from being available for commercial use. It could take some time.” Especially now that I don’t have a prospective buyer or any way to even test modifications to the compound.
    Alex turned and looked at Jerry, his once handsome brother who had wasted into this gaunt, withered shell of his former self. He’s still in there, though.
    Rachel seemed to read his mind. “Forget about commercial use. What about family? What about your brother? If it works, couldn’t it help get him well? Couldn’t it help bring Jerry back?”
    â€œEli would never allow it.”
    â€œWhy should Eli have any say in how you treat your brother? And…” Rachel reached a hand towards Jerry and began stroking his arm, “…if he’s not being treated at the hospital, why would Eli have to know?”
    Jerry began to rock back and forth. He hadn’t eaten. Rachel placed a fork in his hand and guided it towards his plate of food. He raked it through the mashed potatoes, then fed it into his mouth and moaned. Whether from satisfaction or disgust, Alex wasn’t sure.
    Rachel smiled and continued, “I mean, it’s your formula. You created it. Forget all the rules and regulations. If it can help Jerry get well and he’s under our care, I don’t know why we have to wait for some bureaucratic commission to tell you it’s okay to use. All that should matter is what’s best for Jerry.”
    Alex looked at Jerry and his faraway eyes; a tan patina of mashed potatoes coated his slack tongue. It had been over ten years since his father had come by to visit. He couldn’t handle seeing his son in this state. And it seemed as though he had written Alex off as well; no modicum of success would ever make him worthy of his father’s respect.
    But what if he was able to bring Jerry back to his former self? What would his father think of him then? And if in treating his brother he was able to work out the kinks of the compound in order to sell the formula to a future buyer, well, wasn’t that what the fancy pharmaceutical execs referred to as a win-win?
    â€œWe’ll have to keep it quiet,” Alex said.
    There was a sparkle in Rachel’s eye; she shimmied in her seat and quietly clapped her hands.
    â€œAnd this means you’ll have to keep a close eye on him.”
    She pointed two fingers towards her wide-open eyes.
    â€œBut, yeah. It’s about what’s best for him.”
    â€œAlex, it’s the greatest gift you could ever give him.”
    It’s the greatest gift I could ever give my father, he thought, then raised his cup of tea. His cheeks ballooned as he blew out a gust of air. And it just might help save us from financial ruin.
    â€œTo Jerry,” he said.
    Tears welled in Rachel’s eyes as they touched paper cups.

Chapter Fourteen
    â€œYou’re not going to want to watch this,” Alex said as he reached into his medical bag and began pulling out supplies. The sedatives had taken effect and Jerry was resting peacefully on the bed.
    â€œSure I do. I want to help,” Rachel said. She was standing at the end of the bed, holding Jerry’s sock-covered feet and massaging their soles.
    Alex pulled out the syringe and set it on the bedside tray. He moved aside so that Rachel could see the seven inches of gleaming steel.
    â€œOh.” She took a step back, releasing Jerry’s feet as though they carried some contagious disease.
    â€œExactly. I’ll call for you if I need anything.”
    â€œOkay.” She took a last look at Jerry with those telepathic eyes. It was a sad expression, but Alex knew the intent. She was wishing him well. She eased the door closed on her way out.
    Alex turned and inspected the machinery procured from the hospital storage room. The equipment, which was designed to scan and monitor brain activity during