1 Chapter 1: The Beginning

Dr. Mix sat at the computer looking and reading the codes, almost at superhuman speed. She had spent her entire life searching and proving that her beliefs were true and everyone else was wrong. Her lab assistant, Dr. Max, looked at her and said, "I still don't get why you're trying to destroy what people have been believing for so many years."

Dr. Mix turned around to Dr. Max and replied, "Change, not destroy, Dr. Max."

"Well, can you at least give me a hint? You have told me nothing about what you are doing besides the fact that you are going to change the beliefs of people around the world about something they have thought to be true for thousands of centuries."

Dr. Mix replied with, "Max, I can do this with or without you. The Government that funds this research won't mind firing you, even though you are one of the few people that they trust."

Dr. Max grunted and turned back to his computer. As much as he was curious, he needed the money. His family's farm wasn't doing well, in fact, it was on the verge of bankruptcy. Not only that, but his father had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The possibility of him surviving was very low, but not impossible. Dr. Max's job was the first and only reason his father was able to get the medicine and treatment that he needed.

The money was good, but Dr. Max was left with a curiosity that felt like an itch he couldn't scratch.

"Max, I need you to go and get me a Coke," said Dr. Mix.

Dr. Max walked out of the room and headed to the vending machines. There were vending machines in every corridor of the enormous building, but not a single one had any Coke. He wasn't surprised because all of the scientists and fossil experts were always tired and the only things that helped were Cokes and coffee, but most preferred Coke.

He went back to Dr. Mix and said, "No Cokes, but I got you some Diet Coke and coffee."

Dr. Mix replied, "Of course we're out of Coke. Remind me next time they restock the vending machines to grab as many as we can so we can hide them here."

"Very funny," grumbled Dr. Max.

While Dr. Max was doing whatever he usually did, Dr. Mix started to daydream. She was back in her childhood bedroom.

"Jenny Max, come on, we've got to get prepared for our annual trip to Greece!"

She knew that voice – it was her father, John Max. Her mother had died giving birth to her, at least that's what she was told.

She could see her 12-year old self sitting there on her bed, reading a book. The suitcase she was supposed to be packing was empty. She hated going to Greece with all of the sane and the cold, boring bones. Her father, a fossil expert, always took her there, even though he knew she hated it.

Fast forward four years and Jenny saw her 16-year old self. At the time, she did not know this would be her last trip with her dad. Her dad was studying fossils while Jenny played on her phone.

Suddenly, her dad grabbed her phone and shut it off. "Jenny, there's something that I must confess to you," he said. "You see, our trips to Greece these past six years were really a test. I was hoping that you would become interested in my work, but apparently not, I guess."

"What was the test?" Jenny asked.

"Well, there's a secret I must tell you. This secret has been passed down from generation to generation in my family."