Chapter Two
Medical Centre
In January, a few months after Stacey started thinking about becoming a medical volunteer, her online application was accepted. Together with a few other applicants, she was collected from home and transported to the medical centre. When she arrived, she couldn't believe her eyes. the centre was a huge, glass building in the middle of nowhere. A thick blanket of barbed and razor wire encased the building making Stacey think that she and the others were heading for prison, giving her second thoughts. As she and the other volunteers lined up outside to be checked, she noticed a young female scientist coming out of the building. In her early thirties, she had pale, white skin, dark brown eyes, and medium red coloured hair.
Slowly making her way towards the crowd, she began to speak, 'Welcome everyone, and thank you for volunteering. My name is Doctor Sarah Young and I'm in charge of the centre. As you're all aware by now, you've been asked to test a new super-serum that is only just becoming available.'
Hearing this made Stacey feel a bit nervous, what have I done? As the other applicants moved towards the door of the centre, she stood by watching them go in. Feeling something or someone rubbing against her arm, she turned and looked straight into the eyes of a young man. Quickly assessing him, he was of medium build, with light blue eyes and short, dirty blond hair and wearing a pair of blue coloured glasses.
'Hi,' the young man said to her in a warm, friendly voice, 'Are you nervous? There' is no need to be,' he added, smiling. Stacey smiled back and nodded as the young man looked at her again. 'Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm Ben Fox. And you are?'
Grinning, she replied, 'Stacey Roberts.'
As Ben flashed another smile, Stacey couldn't help but notice his gleaming white teeth. 'Stacey, lovely name for such a pretty girl. Look, as I said before, there's no need to be nervous about this place.'
Stacey gave him a puzzled look. 'How do you know?'
'I know people who have been here before and let's just say that when they come out they're changed for the better.'
'Thanks for reassuring me. You seem like a nice guy, Ben. I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you have anyone special in your life at the moment?'
Shaking his head, Ben replied, 'No, I haven't,' he paused for a moment. 'To be honest with you that's why I'm here.'
'Let's hope that changes for both of us.'
With that, the two of them followed the others inside the centre. Over the next few weeks of evaluation, Ben and Stacey became close and started helping each other with problems and tasks set for them by the centre. One night, Ben finally plucked up the courage to ask Stacey for a date. At first, Stacey was a little wary, but as with most things, Ben talked her into it.
The next day, Doctor Young called them both into her office. 'Mr Fox, Miss Roberts,' she said in a polite, friendly voice. 'We would like to begin testing you with the serum today, how do you feel about that?'
Ben and Stacey shared a quick glance before she replied, 'Doctor, we accept your offer.'
'Good, now let
's get started.'