Chapter 4

As the night wore on, the group continued to question John, each of them grappling with their own doubts and fears. Dr. Levine, the biologist, remained the most skeptical, his scientific mind struggling to accept the possibility of immortality. "John, even if we accept that you've lived for thousands of years, how is that possible? What could possibly explain your longevity?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. John leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I wish I had a simple answer for you, Arthur. But the truth is, I don't fully understand it myself. All I know is that I stopped aging when I reached what you would consider to be my early thirties. I don't get sick, I don't age, and I don't die. It's as if my body has been... frozen in time." Dr. Levine shook his head, still unconvinced. "That's not possible. There has to be some kind of scientific explanation. Maybe it's a genetic mutation, or some kind of environmental factor. But immortality? That's just... impossible." John nodded, understanding the biologist's skepticism. "I know it's hard to accept, Arthur. But sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction. And sometimes, we have to accept that there are things in this world that we may never fully understand." Dr. Collins, the anthropologist, interjected. "John, if you've lived for so long, why haven't you come forward before now? Why keep this a secret?" John's expression grew somber. "Because I've learned that immortality is both a gift and a curse. I've seen the best and worst of humanity, and I've learned that people fear what they don't understand. If I were to reveal my true nature, I would be hunted, studied, and likely imprisoned. I would lose the freedom I've worked so hard to maintain." Dr. Thompson, the psychologist, nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. But why tell us now? Why take the risk?" John looked around the room, his eyes meeting each of his guests in turn. "Because I trust you. Each of you has a brilliant mind, and I believe that you can handle the truth. I also believe that you can help me. There are things happening in the world today that I can't ignore, and I need your help to understand them." The room was filled with a sense of purpose as the group realized the gravity of the situation. They were no longer just a group of academics gathered for a casual conversation. They were now part of something much larger, something that could change the course of history.