From all appearances, the meteor looked ordinary. It was not especially large or small, about the size of a small boulder. When the meteor hit the atmosphere of Earth, however, its true nature asserted itself and it became clear, this was no ordinary meteor at all. It began to burn up, rapidly, and as it did so, it released a chemical component of a variety unknown. The chemical component reached various bodies of water and thrived. The meteor had disintegrated before it reached the surface, all of it, that is, except for a small part no bigger than a baseball. This was the meteor’s core, it hit the Earth with a resounding impact, fortunately it was in a relatively unpopulated area, but not so fortunate for the person who discovered the meteorite, that person stumbled into oblivion.

David Daniels studied the piece of paper he held. It was his high school diploma. He felt a certain amount of pride as he looked it over, but another feeling overwhelmed him, that of desperation. He didn’t know what he would do, didn’t know what he could do, with his life. He was eighteen years old and weighed seven hundred ninety-five pounds. He hadn’t even been in a regular school for the past three years, it had become very hard for David to move around, and his parents had hired a tutor to come to his house and complete his education.

“Admiring your achievement?” David looked up to see his father in the doorway smiling a broad smile. David’s father wasn’t svelte, he was in no way overweight like David, but he had some meat on his bones and his gut hung slightly over his belt. Bradford Daniels was a distinguished looking man, 52 years old, tall; he was six feet two, with graying hair that was once jet black and receding into a widow’s peak. He was a professional businessman that looked more comfortable in suits and ties than he did in casual attire. In recent years he had developed a stoop that took maybe an inch from his height, but he still had a commanding presence. His father always treated David with respect and love, but David always felt uneasy around him. He knew he could never measure up to be the kind of man he was, and he felt his dad knew that too and was disappointed in him.

“Yes, sir” David replied. “Mr. Bittenger just dropped it off. I can’t believe it’s over.” David had developed a close tie with his tutor over the past few years. He was the only other person besides his parents he saw on a regular basis.

“Well, in a way, this is really the beginning. You are eighteen years old and a high school graduate. You have a whole world of opportunities out there.”

“Yeah, right” David scoffed. “What opportunities exist for a person of my size? I can’t drive, you or mom have to take me everywhere in the van. I can barely walk, and need this cane to do so. My ankles are shot and I am in constant pain. I feel it is over and I don’t know what to do next.”

Bradford’s smile had turned into a frown of concern while David spouted off his dilemma. David was usually quiet with his father not really knowing what to say around him, but this day was emotional for him and he couldn’t hold his feelings in this time. Bradford was shocked as well by his son’s opening up to him. It was rare David said more than a few words to him at a time. It was usually him trying to lecture or advise his son, and David listening and agreeing with his father.

“David,” his father began, “there are things you can do. We talked about this before. You need to take control of your life, stay on a diet and exercise!”

“Exercise? I get winded going to the bathroom! And my ankles are no good.”

“What about the pool? You used to love swimming and you know your mother and I have volunteered to take you anytime. Swimming is wonderful exercise and it takes the pressure off your bones.”

“You know the kind of looks I get when I go to the pool. The astonished stares, the snickers, people act like I’m some sort of creature when I’m around them, and being in a bathing suit just makes it worse!”

“You have to get a thicker skin David, the only way you can change yourself is if you get out in the world. Day in and day out you stay in your room watching television or playing on the computer, and you need to be doing more. Stop making excuses to stay this way, find some will power.”

“I know dad, I know it’s my fault the way I am.”

“David, it’s not your fault the way you are. You were born big and have always had a predisposition towards obesity. I blame myself actually. You’re mother and I was too wrapped in our careers when you were younger and we didn’t spend enough time with you. You needed active parents in your life and we weren’t there enough for you. I tried hiring people to help you exercise...”

“You hired a neighbor to walk me like I was a dog dad.” David’s father paused for a moment, struck by the anger in David’s statement.

“I thought I was doing something you would enjoy. You were never interested in sports and I thought the walking would be something you would like. Clearly you didn’t like it since you refused to go after the second day, but then you started school and I thought maybe you would get the activity you needed there. That’s part of the problem, I kept hoping things would get better, but they only got worse.”

“Dad, I don’t blame you for anything. I know this is all my fault, I felt kind of angry because I think if I was taught sports at an early age I would have understood them and been more active, but I don’t blame anybody but myself, I know that I’m the way I am because it’s my fault.”

“Stop saying it’s your fault David. If anyone is at fault it is your mother and I, but that is neither here nor there. You have to differentiate between fault and responsibility. It’s your responsibility to lose weight and take care of yourself. You have your life in your hands and it’s up to you. Your mother and I are here to help you in any way we can, and you need help. Don’t be afraid to ask anyone. But ultimately, the responsibility is yours.”

“I know dad, I know, it’s just that I’ve tried so many times and failed. I can summon will power and do well, for a week, a month, possibly a year, but eventually I lose my will power and my old habits come back stronger every time. It’s happened so many times, it’s like a foregone conclusion that it will again, so I just don’t see the point in trying.”

David’s father hesitated. “If that’s the way you feel son, then maybe it is time to consider more drastic measures. The doctor strongly suggested you get the gastric bypass surgery. I know you don’t like that idea and quite frankly, neither do I, but if you feel that is your best option, you need to strongly consider it.”

“I just have so many problems because of my weight, I’m afraid that if anything goes wrong, things will be worse than before.”

“You know the doctor said, you are at a higher risk not having the surgery than you are with having it. Preferably I would like to see you lose the weight without it, but if you don’t see yourself being able to do that, I think you should have it.”

“I’ll think about it dad.”

“All right son. I’m glad we were able to talk like this. We should do it more often. I’ll let you go show the diploma to your mom now, congratulations again, son.”

“Thanks, dad” Bradford clasped his son on the shoulder then left the room.

David had been overweight all his life. He had been on numerous diets, some with moderate success. But, no matter how successful his current diet was, no matter what doctor he was seeing, and no matter what medication he took, David could not cope with the depression that eventually overtook him and led him back to fattening foods and a sedentary lifestyle. He kept getting fatter and fatter. What was he going to do? He knew he shouldn’t give up, he had to keep trying to lose weight, but he didn’t know if he could.

Every day he wished for an easy way to lose weight, and felt guilty for it. He knew there were people in far worse predicaments. There were people without the use of sight or sound, or limbs, or were suffering from debilitating diseases. Unlike David’s, these situations couldn’t be changed, yet people affected by them overcame tremendous obstacles to be productive members of society. David greatly admired them, and sometimes was inspired, and he committed himself once again to a fitness regime only to end up, as always, losing his will and gaining weight. What was wrong with him that he always gave up?

A few days later, when David first started feeling ill, he thought he had caught the flu. He could not remember ever feeling as bad as he did now. Every joint in his body was inflamed and it hurt terribly even if he moved just barely. He had a high fever that would not go down even though he was sweating profusely. He was extremely nauseous and fluids were leaking out of his eyes, nose, and anywhere else it was possible, some places where he hadn’t thought it was. He was dehydrating and when his temperature read 103 degrees, his parents rushed him to the hospital.

They arrived at the emergency room around 9 p.m. and it was crowded. Interestingly enough, most of the people seemed to be overweight like David. His parents strove to get the attention of anyone who could help. When they finally did, they were handed paperwork to fill out before anyone could attend to David. David was sitting in a waiting room chair (luckily it had no arms so he fit in it) he was very dizzy and in extreme pain, all he wanted was to go to sleep, but the position he was in prevented that. He would nod off only to quickly reawaken as he felt himself falling out of his chair. When would the doctor see him?

He was finally given some attention. A nurse came over and gave him two shots, then he was put on a gurney (must have been very strong) and taken to a room, his parents stayed right by his side. Four orderlies had to help put him in a bed; ice packs were placed all over him. He was freezing! He was told a doctor would see him shortly.

About fifteen minutes later, a doctor wearing blue scrubs and a white lab coat entered his room. He was of average height with dark hair and was unshaven. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in a while.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Evanson.” He introduced himself to David and his parents. “The hospital has just received a fax from the Center for Disease Control which has pretty much confirmed and added to our deductions about this epidemic.”

“Epidemic?” David croaked.

“It seems so.” Dr. Evanson said. “This is not a flu you have, but a disease.” David was shocked, from the look on his parents’ faces they were too. Dr. Evanson continued. “This is a disease never seen before so there is not much we can tell you. What we do know is that it’s contagious.” The doctor looked at David’s parents. “You needn’t worry, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels, the disease only seems to be affecting people who are at least twenty percent overweight.” David’s parents weren’t thin, but they were not obese either, they were about ten to fifteen pounds overweight each. The doctor looked back at David. “There has not been any fatalities reported either.” David let out a sigh of relief.

“This disease appears to be attacking the fat cells of your body, burning them up at a tremendous rate and leaving behind a chemical that has not been identified. It is the intense and rapid burning up of fat cells that are causing you to experience these flu-like symptoms.” The doctor paused a moment. “The more body fat a person has, the more severe the symptoms will be. Your case is most severe, but don’t you worry David, we’re going to get you through this. We’ll keep you here and monitor you. We’ll give you painkillers, get that temperature down, and keep you from dehydrating.” After that, Dr. Evanson took his leave. Exhaustion overtook David and he faded into the darkness of deep sleep.

David floated in and out of consciousness. The pain medication didn’t seem to offer any relief. He could not keep one single bite of food down, but he was forced to keep drinking. His body was constantly soaking wet, and his temperature peaked just above 105 degrees. He was becoming delirious, at one point he thought he heard a nurse say he’d lost 100 pounds since he arrived at the hospital a day ago. His temperature had to be lowered. More and more ice packs were piled on him.

David lapsed into deep unconsciousness. In sweet relief he lost all sense of the turmoil his body was undergoing. He felt weightless (imagine that!) and he was flying through space, and flying fast. Faster than light it seemed. He had brief visions of soaring around stars, then shooting past them. There were glimpses of people and places. Some were familiar and some were unlike anything he had ever seen; yet part of him felt he knew what they were. Sometimes he thought he was watching the History, or Discovery Channels, sometimes the Science Fiction Channel. Sometimes he thought he was tapping the inspiration of a deranged artist where nothing made sense.

Then, for one fleeting moment, he was someplace else. It was dark, and cold. He was scared. He was still moving very fast, but he wasn’t getting anywhere. His destination loomed faintly in the distance, but no matter how hard he tried, he wasn’t getting any closer. He knew it would be almost an eternity before he would make it there. He couldn’t stop, though, and he couldn’t turn back, if he did, he would be caught. Something was chasing him, something that frightened him to the essence of his being. He had to keep going. He felt something else too. It was pain, but a pain that was totally alien to him. What was it? Hunger. One word whispered in his mind, barely heard. He had no idea where that word came from, but he knew instantly that it was what he felt. He had never felt true hunger. Now he understood it. He didn’t like it. He was starving! He was ravenous! He had to have sustenance or he would die! There was only one thing he could do to stay alive, and that frightened him almost as much as what was chasing him. He had to...

David had been in that place for less than a second. It quickly withdrew form his mind along with all other visions. Mercifully, he slipped into a dreamless sleep.

At last, David’s temperature started coming down and he started coming around. Something else was happening to David that was astounding all the doctors; they said he was getting smaller. That had to be the delirium.

Four days had passed since the disease had taken hold of David, and the symptoms were subsiding. He fervently hoped there wouldn’t be a relapse.

Each day David began to feel a little better and his strength was returning. He knew now he hadn’t been delirious, he was changing inside and out, he could feel the difference. Two days after his fever peaked, he decided to try getting out of bed. His body felt sore, but it was not as bad as he thought it would be. His cane was propped up on a chair near his bed, but he didn’t need it. He walked to the bathroom unaided.

David looked at himself in the mirror and almost fainted. The reflection was unfamiliar. He had lost all his excess fat! He was now wearing an average size hospital gown; he took it off to check himself more thoroughly. He couldn’t believe what he saw! There were places where his skin sagged, no longer stretched out by fat. He looked closer; he could swear he saw the skin shrinking to fit around his new form. His arms and legs that had once been all flab were now rippling with muscles. Old scars and blotches were gone. He had a new body! David didn’t understand what was happening to him. He knew the disease was responsible, but how was this possible? Would he experience any other side effects or had the universe actually answered his wishes?

David was taken to see Dr. Gunthor, the head of disease research for the hospital. He was in Dr. Gunthor’s office; Dr. Evanson was there as well as David’s parents.

“We’ve run tests and it appears as if the disease, which has been named FCD or Fat Cell Disease, has run its course and is no longer affecting you.” Dr. Gunthor was saying. “The unknown chemical it leaves behind is being studied, but we still have no idea what it is. But as far as we know, it doesn’t cause any harmful affects. Furthermore, your body now has a normal amount of fat and you are still able to generate new fat cells, although your metabolism has been sped up quite a lot. They will burn off much faster.”

“Will a faster metabolism be harmful to him?” David’s mother asked

“As far as we can tell: no.” said Dr. Gunthor. “He is extremely healthy. In fact, he is the healthiest person I’ve ever examined.”

“How did this happen to me?” David asked

“Some explanations have been brought forth,” said Dr. Gunthor. “Yours is not an isolated case. There were overweight people all over the world who contracted FCD and are now normal weight. We discovered that FCD was spread through the water table. It accelerates a normal bodily function; when the body uses energy, it burns fat cells. The more energy used, the more fat cells are burned. FCD acts like a fire in the body, spreading from fat cell to fat cell. The cause for why it results in this effect,” Dr. Gunthor indicated David with his hand “is baffling us, but, a theory has been put forth. When each fat cell is burned up, it becomes energy, but the energy is not released and it builds up in the body. Incredible as it seems, the built up energy causes the body to go through a metamorphosis. Strength, speed, senses are all enhanced, any imperfections are corrected, and the body is brought to perfect health.”

David was silent, digesting what he just heard.

“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t go home today.” Said Dr. Evanson. “You should make an appointment with your regular physician, though, and schedule regular check-ups. Your doctor will keep you posted on anything new we learn about FCD.”

“All right, I’ll do that.” David said as he and his parents left the office.

The next day all the soreness was gone. David couldn’t believe how good and energetic he felt! He got dressed in new clothes he had gotten after leaving the hospital. He went outside. He had a tremendous urge to take off and run. So he did. It was fantastic! Euphoric! He felt light as a feather! The weight that had held him earthbound was now only a memory. He ran through the streets of his suburban town. David was running so fast, he thought he would take flight at any moment. He took in the scene around him as he ran: the sights, sounds, and smells. With his enhanced senses, the pleasure of the experience was insurmountable!

David stopped at the shopping center ten miles from his home. It had taken him maybe twenty minutes to get there. He wasn’t even tired. He took off again for home; he pushed and got back in fifteen minutes. David went inside his house and up to his room. He saw his diploma framed and hanging on the wall. He took it down and stared at it. There was nothing he couldn’t do now!

David was adjusting to his new body and new abilities. His friends knew what happened to him, it would have been hard not to notice. There were two main ways people were treating him now: those who were instantly “good friends” and those who were standoffish. He oftentimes felt overcome by all the changes in his life, but in running, he found his release. Every night he would go for a run through the streets of his town. He would let loose and energy would flow through his body allowing him to run at speeds he never dreamed a human could achieve with only his legs.

The brisk fresh air, the solitude, and the exhilaration of these late night runs allowed him to think clearly and ponder on what he wanted to do with his life.

David had gotten a job as a clerk at a local bookstore he frequented often. He was an avid reader, he loved reading adventure stories, science fiction, fantasy, and he had a real interest in comic books. He enjoyed working at the bookstore, but he wanted more. He knew he wanted to go to college, but still, whenever he thought about his future he was compelled to think that there was even more he needed to do.

David began research on finding the right college. He needed to work quickly, it was late spring and he wanted to be enrolled by the coming fall. Somehow, word had gotten around to the colleges that David had weighed close to eight hundred pounds, and then had FCD. Colleges were recruiting people who had FCD like crazy. There was a new crop of super athletes out there and the colleges were pulling out all the stops to enroll them. David thought he had seen a recruiter from about every college in the country, even some from out of the country. They all wanted him to play football or basketball. They offered him scholarships, loans, cars; a few said they would buy him a new house.

David never cared for sports, except now he did like to run. When he made his feelings known, many of the recruiters tried to push him into football or basketball, but Davis just wanted to run. Many of the recruiters withdrew their offers, but a few said they could offer him a track scholarship. He liked the idea.

Pacific City University was one of those schools that offered a track scholarship. David had heard good things about PCU and expressed his interest to learn more about the school. Arron Bentley was the recruiter for PCU; he was a short man who constantly smiled. Bentley invited David on a VIP all expense paid trip to PCU for an open house weekend. David couldn’t wait to go.

On a Saturday in the middle of July, David flew to Pacific City by jet plane. It was a thrill traveling on a plane, something he hadn’t done since he was a young child. It was nice no longer worrying about being able to fit in an airplane’s seat. Arron Bentley was waiting at the airport gate with his ever-present smile on his face. A young man about David’s age was standing next to Bentley.

“How was your flight?” asked Bentley.

“Fine,” said David.

“Is this your first time in Pacific City?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you’ll love it here!” Bentley put his hand on the shoulder of the young man. “This is Jerry Rowan from Philadelphia. His plane arrived a few minutes before yours.” Jerry was about six feet two inches tall with light brown hair and a mischievous look about him. “He’s applying for a football scholarship and is also here for the open house.” Bentley turned to Jerry Rowan. “Jerry, this is David Daniels. I think you two will find you have some things in common.”

“It’s good to meet you.” said David, offering his hand.

“Same here,” Jerry replied. As they shook hands Jerry leaned in and said sotto voice “So, is this guy’s smile permanently fixed to his face or what?”

David couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Bentley asked.

“Uh, nothing really,” said Jerry. “I just told Dave here a little joke is all. You know, to get him to smile. He looks too serious. I think that if people smiled more often the world would be a better place. What do you think Mr. Bentley?”

“We think a lot alike, Jerry. I feel exactly the same way.” David couldn’t believe it; Bentley’s smile became even wider.

“No fooling?” Jerry asked. David didn’t know if he could keep a straight face any longer.

“Nope, no fooling,” Bentley replied. “We should get going guys, the car’s this way.” David and Jerry followed Bentley. “So what was the joke you told him, Jerry?”

“Oh, wow!” exclaimed Jerry. “A gift shop, right here in the airport! How convenient is that? I told my mom I’d get her something, I’ll be right back.”

Bentley watched Jerry run off then turned to David. He looked ready to say something, but David quickly said, “I just remembered! I also told my mom I’d get her something. I’ll be right back Mr. Bentley.”

As David left he heard Bentley say; “You guys hurry! We’re on a schedule!”

David met up with Jerry in the gift shop. He wasn’t really sure why, maybe they were both letting off steam after being nervous about this trip, but when he and Jerry took one look at each other, they broke into uncontrollable laughter.

Bentley’s car was actually a mini-van, dark blue in color. “Pacific City University” was stenciled on the back windshield and Jerry pointed out the bumper sticker that read: “When you’re smilin’, the whole world smiles with you.” David fought to keep down the laughter bubbling up again as he and Jerry got into the van. They left the airport and ventured onto the highway heading towards Pacific City.

“Football’s my game, man.” Jerry was saying as they drove to the university. “I live for it! When I was in ninth grade I was the best receiver not only in junior varsity but in the varsity as well.” He paused a moment. “Then in one game I broke my leg, real bad. I mean the bone was punching through my leg, just like Joe Theisman. My leg never healed right and I couldn’t play ball anymore. So after that I mostly stayed home, didn’t participate much in other school stuff, I just watched football on TV and stuffed my face. I was up to about four hundred pounds when I caught FCD. Then in a matter of days I became this fine specimen of humanity and athletic prowess you see before you.” Jerry smiled. “Sometimes I can’t believe this isn’t a dream, just when I thought all hope was lost everything turns around. I’m actually being offered a scholarship to play football in one of the best schools in America!

“We’ve been given a gift, you and me Dave, a precious gift. Who knows how or why it happened, but it did. You can go around being all serious if you want to, but I’ve decided not to take life for granted, I enjoy every moment to its fullest!”

It was easy for David to become friends with Jerry, he certainly had an easygoing personality, but also, like Bentley said, they had things in common. Anyone who did not know they had just met would have assumed David and Jerry were friends for years.

“So what do you think of my city?” Bentley asked as it came into view. It was beautiful! Tall majestic buildings sprout out from elegant smaller ones. To the left of the city there was a sparkling blue-green bay, to the right there were grand green and tan mountains.

“It’s great!” said David. Even Jerry, who seemed to always have some kind of remark, could only nod in agreement.

“It’s rapidly becoming one of the largest cities in the country.” Bentley pointed out the window towards a large construction site. “Over there is where the International Space Center is going to be. It’s not exactly part of our campus. As its name implies, it’s a United Nations project, but PCU will have full access to its facilities. It will be a wonderful place to learn about astronomy and to discover new things in space. It’s going to be one of largest and most advanced centers of its kind ever built.”

“Wow.” said David.

“Groovy.” said Jerry.

The university was actually about five miles outside of Pacific City.

“Here we are!” said Bentley as they drove through a large gate with “Pacific City University” written on it, and below that a regal looking owl (the university’s mascot). The campus was very large. There were a dozen main buildings surrounded by a multitude of smaller ones. The landscaping was beautiful with lush trees, bushes, and grass. The streets, sidewalks, benches, statues, it all added to making the university grandiose.

The mini-van pulled up to one of the main buildings. Written on the front of the building was “Destiny Hall” and below that “Pacific City University Student Union”.

“You’re going to meet some other students we are interested in recruiting.” Bentley said as they were getting out of the van. “You’re also going to meet Dean Norris and some of the faculty. The Dean is going to give a speech and then we’re going on a tour of the university. If you need anything or have any question, that’s what I’m here for.”

David and Jerry were taken to a large room where about two hundred prospective students had all ready taken seats. Dean Norris came into the room and walked up to the podium, he was an older man, probably in his sixties. His hair was gray and very thin on top. He gave an informative speech talking about the virtues of Pacific City University, its history, and its students. He introduced some of the heads of various departments and student services. He concluded by saying he hoped all the students in this room would choose to attend PCU.

After the speech, everyone was split up into different groups. David and Jerry were in the same group with about ten other people. Arron Bentley was the tour guide for their group. They walked all over the campus, to each of the main buildings and many of the smaller ones. Special attention was given to the stadium, the sports complex, and other athletic facilities. David learned that everyone in his group was being offered an athletic scholarship to PCU and there were two other potential students that had gone through FCD.

After the campus tour, a welcome-to-PCU party was being was given back at the student union. David was at the party sitting quietly introspecting about his future when Jerry came by with some punch and sat down next to him.

“I hope the real parties here aren’t as lame as this one.” Jerry said, “Well, at least there are some cute honeys to talk to.” Jerry looked at David for a moment. “Dave? What’s the matter with you? Every time I leave for a few minutes you get that look like your trying to figure out pi to last decimal or something.”