Extract from Pinealoma - A Natural History:

The causative agent of Pinealoma is an onco-variant of the Herpes Simplex virus. It was classified as type three (HSV-3) in 2015 following extensive work by Bachelard, Tillinghast et al. Transmission of the virus is by exposure to body fluids - blood and saliva in particular. It is classified as a sexually transmitted disease. 

The virus produces epidermal lesions in common with variants HSV-1 and HSV-2 but differs in its pathology in aggressively, and specifically targeting cells within the pineal gland, incorporating viral DNA into that of the host cells and disrupting S-Phase activity.

The sun lends the sparse clouds an orange tint as it slowly creeps above the horizon. As the world outside lightens, casting off the darkness of the shortest of nights, the hum of the generators slowly lowers in pitch, pre-programmed routines reducing their output. Gradually, incrementally, the lights begin to dim, artificial daylight slowly replaced by the real thing.

Extract from Pinealoma - A Natural History:

The attack on the cell cycle is two-fold, cell division (turnover) is increased and programmed cell death (the protective mechanism which prevents the development of genetic mutations) is inhibited. The resulting tumours may be up to four times the original size of the gland.

Hypertrophy of the pineal gland brings about a concomitant increase in the secretion of the gland's major hormone Melatonin. Raised serum levels of Melatonin result in higher metabolic rates in those individuals with Pinealoma with an associated increase in physical strength and endurance. Habituation of the body to these increased levels of hormone means that the inhibiting effect of sunlight on Melatonin secretion renders these individuals virtually comatose during daylight hours. It is believed that the aggressive, sociopathic behaviour associated with Pinealoma is due to the combined effects of increased levels of Melatonin and pressure on the rest of the brain as a result of the increased size of the gland.

No words pass between the assembled group as they climb into their biohazard suits. Such conversation as there has been so far has been stilted, the overbearing knowledge of what they must do today stifling the desire to interact with each other in any way that could be regarded as normal.

No room for normality today. This, the longest day of all. 

From The Sun newspaper editorial, July 17^th 2015.

So, yet another vicious murder makes the headlines. How much longer are the rapes and killings to go on before something is done about this situation? Leniency can no longer be shown to these monsters, suffering from a disease is no excuse for this abhorrent behaviour. Has Society gone mad? Lock them up. All of them. 

Extract from Pinealoma - A Natural History:

No instances of Pinealoma metastasis have been recorded. This may be in part due to the anti-cancer properties of Melatonin. There is evidence of two cases of regression of primary tumours (one bronchial, one testicular) in one study cohort. In some respects, this is a paradoxical condition, a cancer with anti-cancer properties. 

Extract from official statement from the Home Office, September 10^th 2015.

In the interests of the common good, the decision has been made to place all those with HSV-3 viral infection in dedicated centres in order that the risk they pose to the general public is eradicated and also that research may be conducted into finding an optimised treatment for the condition.

Footsteps echo along the brightly lit corridors, the only other sound the thwack-thwack of biohazard suit legs as the group make their way to the accommodation area. There is no conversation, no discussion within the small group.

The swipe-card reader beeps, its light turning from red to green and the lock mechanism of the door clunks open. Pushing the door open they step inside the room.

Extract from Pinealoma - A Natural History:

Increased melatonin levels also results in an enhanced immune system, meaning that those with Pinealoma are resistant to virtually all known infections. To date, no individual has died of Pinealoma - nor of any other disease or condition.

Letter to The Independent, September 11^th 2015.

Who are the Government trying to fool? These new facilities for those poor unfortunates suffering from Pinealoma are little more than detention camps. Are we really no more civilised now than during the dark days of Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib or - dare I say it - the concentration camps of the Second World War? These people are ill and require treatment. Such a heavy-handed approach chills me to the core and I fear for the future of humanity.

Letter to The Daily Mail, September 12^th 2015.

Bloody typical. I was wondering how long it would take before the PC brigade latched onto this one. Granted, these people are ill but they are also psychopathic killers and rapists. Don't tell me they can't make some kind of judgement as to what they're doing - just like paedophiles and homosexuals they must know that what they're doing is wrong. Lock them up, get them off the streets. Throw away the key.

Early morning daylight fills the room, giving it an ethereal glow. The ceiling light is almost extinguished, its artificial daylight which has illuminated the room through the short night now reduced to little more than a dull, orange glow.

A figure lies on the bed, eyes closed in repose still as the dead. Already, one of the group is opening the briefcase they have brought with them. Another approaches the prone figure, crouches over the bed.

Official Home Office release, February 14^th 2017.

The Government categorically denies all accusations of torture within the East Midlands Pinealoma Holding Centre. An official investigation is to be set up to ascertain the provenance of the photographs purporting to show evidence of such practices which have been widely distributed to the print and electronic media.

Extract from Pinealoma - A Natural History:

A less significant effect of increased levels of Melatonin is the ability to change skin colour. This is a rarely seen occurrence and is linked to mood changes of individuals.

Press release from the Department of Health, November 5^th 2017.

The Government can confirm that the first case of airborne transmission of the HSV-3 virus has occurred. A member of staff working in the North Western facility contracted the disease from one of the long term inmates they were treating.

This represents a disturbing evolution in the aetiology of the disease. A select committee of MPs and experts in the field has been established in order to determine the best way forward in dealing with this new development.

 

Official Government release, April 30^th 2018.

In an amendment to the euthanasia bill of 2012, legislation has been passed to allow termination of all individuals suffering from Primary Pinealoma. This decision has been made in light of the health risk now presented by these individuals (the virus is now an airborne pathogen) and the lack of any cure for the condition.

A syringe is removed from the case along with a small glass bottle. The lid is unscrewed to reveal a rubber seal through which the needle of the syringe is pushed. Clear fluid is drawn into the syringe, frothing and bubbling as it passes from narrow to wide bore.

"Hold on..." it is the man crouched over the bed who speaks. The others turn to look at him. "I think he's already gone." He straightens up, turns to face his companions. "Can't find a pulse." He says, shrugging.

Letter to The Guardian, June 12^th 2018.

Was it a deliberate decision by the Government to carry out their extermination of those poor souls confined to our modern day concentration camps on the Summer Solstice? If not, the irony is overwhelming. In less enlightened times this was a day of ritual sacrifice to appease the Gods - it saddens me that respect for human life has apparently evolved not one iota in the intervening centuries. In medieval France part of the day's entertainment for the solstice was to burn cats over a bonfire. I'm surprised our leaders haven't grasped the opportunity to recreate this scenario - they could even sell tickets, I'm sure there would be many who would be interested.

They are all dead. Every man, every woman lain on their beds, bereft of life. In all but three there are no signs of trauma - whatever has taken their lives has done so quietly, peacefully. Three are bloodied, gashes in their arms, self-inflicted. The reason for the wounds is clear - they have used their own blood to daub messages on the walls of their rooms before lying down on their beds to join the others in this act of... suicide?

NIRVANA, one has written.

MOKSHA another.

The third is the most troubling, the words clear and to the point. WE ARE WATCHING YOU.

They stand in the corridor surrounded by the dead. What to do now? Is this an isolated incident or is the same thing happening in all the other centres on this Midsummer's Day? The confusion is all too visible on their faces, even through the tinted visors of their protective equipment.

And then the whispering begins, a cacophony that fills their heads. It is the sound of many voices, overlapping, merging - the words indecipherable but the noise of it overwhelming. They clutch their heads, clasp hands over their ears but nothing can diminish the riot of sound.

A CLANG! Another, then another as one after one the doors of the rooms that line the corridor slam shut. The whispering continues, intensifies as the lights in the corridor go out, trapping them in darkness.  

 Extract from Pinealoma - A Natural History:

Those of a metaphysical persuasion regard the pineal gland as the connection point between intellect and the body - the metaphysical and physical - and it has been described as "the seat of the soul". These claims, of course, have no basis in scientific fact, no evidence to back them up and as such, discussions of these theories are without the remit and scope of this publication.