“So, who knows what a leach is. Dora?’

“A leach is a worm-like animal that sucks blood.”

“What would happen if we crossed a leach with a dragonfly?”

“Gary?”

“Well Mr. Higgins, you’d get a blood sucker that could fly.”

Intrigued by the ‘what if’ discussion in our science class, and driven by the dream of a scholarship to Harvard, my best friend Gary and I decided to attempt crossbreeding leeches and dragonflies. “If we succeed Gina, we’ll have one hell of a scary mutant insect on our hands.” Gina winked, “if? did you say if, Gary? I know no such word.”

With basic research and deductive reasoning behind us, we were ready to undertake our crossbreeding experiment. Buying supplies was the hardest part because, so to speak, we were testing new waters.

Months went by, and aside from a basin of murky pond water, and a stronger connection between Gary and I, the experiment went unchanged. We couldn’t even speculate how long it might be before seeing results, all we could do was watch and wait.

On Christmas Eve we were two and a half months into the experiment. One day as I gazed at the basin, I began feeling doubtful about the draogonflies ability to produce eggs in their shared simulated environment. At that exact moment of uncertainty, the last rays of sunlight caught colors on their wings. I marveled at the beauty and all doubt vanished. Suddenly I realized something was happening. “Oh my God,” I called to Mom. “Quick call Gary. Tell him to come now. We got eggs, beautiful eggs!” I shouted.

Gary arrived in the speed of lightening carrying his spare camera and journal. He documented this new development entering it as the first positive indicator, and also noted that an area of worn netting needed repair. “I’m feelin’ good about this,” said Gary. “You know, this experiment is getting harder to keep secret,” I said. “Jan and Neil keep asking when we can hang out.” just then, Mom called from the window, “hungry for burgers?”. We looked at one another, “oh yeah!” exclaimed Gary.

Waiting for the next stage was difficult, but we knew patience was key. Finally, Christmas Eve our efforts paid off. The leeches laid cocoons, black cocoons.

“We’re in!” yelled Gary.

“We are just so brilliant. Quick, the camera, Gary.”.

With each journal entry, it was apparent we were steadily reeling in absolute success.

In a few months, our vigilance paid off. We reached the final phase...birth. The young emerged as mini adult leeches with bug eyes and a sweeping wing span. Intermittent pangs of fear clouded my joy, as I wondered what they’d be capable of and how they might grow.

Our Parents suggested we hold a Press Conference, and the following day reporters dotted our lawn like tall blades of grass. Mr. Higgins maneuvered his way toward us. “Good job, guys, you’ve done it. My God, have you ever. But, I wish you let me in on this.” he said. “Just make sure not a one gets out, could have a devastating effect,” he added. “Man, what an amazing team you two are,” said a reporter, taking a professional stance, and eager to ask questions. I glanced at our families beaming faces. What a moment!

“Man, on cloud nine Gina. We’re genius’ girl!”

“How ugly are they, Gary?”

“Gross. They resemble a pop eyed serpent with wings.”

It was hard falling asleep that night. My mind was on overdrive. I just dozed off when sirens awakened me. Soon after Dad called, “Gary’s here. There’s an emergency,” he said. Visibly shaken, Gary stood at the door. “Gina, some got out,” he paused for breath, “we never patched that worn netting.” High beams of police cars lit every room like luna park. In the distance, you could see streaks of red, undoubtedly from emergency vehicles.

The cold night air ripped through our bodies crystalizing the tears on our cheeks. Brokenhearted, we watched the State Pest Department wheel out the tub of leech-flies. Gary whispered in my ear, “they look ferocious Gina.” I looked into the netted tub and saw mini monsters with clawed mouths. I noticed there were more than this morning. They were multiplying rapidly.

“How many escaped?” asked a warden.

“Unfortunately Sir, we can’t be too sure because they’ve been multiplying so fast,” I said.

“Didn’t you know you needed a permit for this experiment?”

“No Sir, we did not know.”

“You know, your pump was inadequate. I’d say your mutants are disease carriers. When things calm down, you two kids will be facing prison time.”

An immediate order was issued for everyone to remain indoors until further notice. News coverage showed hysterical people stuffing towels under door spaces and filling windowframe cracks. Events unfolded like a B rated sci-fi movie.

Airplanes spraying pestiside created a deafening noise level compounding the drama. Following six days of intense spraying, Eagle Cliff and surrounding towns, once again, belonged to the people. Life resumed, as life should.

Guilt gnawed at my stomach, because as horrific as the devastating turn of events were, I felt damn proud of our achievement. I dared say nothing, wondering if Gary shared my feelings.

The following year, the city had the worst rainstorm in a decade. Newspaper headlines told of city workers uncovering black cocoons while cleaning a drainpipe. I knew the cocoons reflected a second, perhaps deadlier generation than the fallen colony.

Though Gary and I were incarcerated in different buildings, I was confident we shared the same thoughts, that upon release, we’d work on creating a species that would obliterate leech-flies, thereby saving the world. That is, if there’s still a world to save.