Coming Of New Age Program

[Time - 8:49 am]

The seats were cushioned just like corruption. My ass hurt. They didn't even give us water bottles. Imagine waiting for 2 hours because the CEO of Fenris&Co decided to attend a 'surgery'. A life-saving one, indeed.

When he came up on stage, his tousled hair and an almost buttoned-down shirt with creases were photographed. Excessively. In a way, the flashes could blind any ordinary man up there. But he was Jacob Fenris. The man was used to it all.

I kept staring at a few things in particular. The shade of pink and red smeared across his lips was barely noticeable. When he walked in, he carried a whiff of air smelling like 'cheese' with him. Needless to mention—he just made his secretary smile ear to ear, holding the clipboard. I could see her behind the curtains from where I was seated. Pathetic.

"Today..." he announced loudly, breathing sharply with that annoying old man's snot inhale sound, "We will be a witness to one of the best, most powerful chemical miracles. This newborn..."

Behind him, the screen lit up at his command. A child—tubes running in and out of his little body...just like Jean's.

Dr. Rayleigh—who was looking at his phone with seriousness— held my hand over my knee, knowing exactly what was in my head. And I knew I wasn't the only parent right here, hoping to see my son getting cured like this lucky child.

"This is a live broadcast from the back of St. Claire Multispecie Hospital—the maternity ward." Jacob Fenris grinned ear to ear. His ringed hands showed vital signs of the child increasing steadily.

My eyes kept staring. Dr. Rayleigh's kept darting all over the screen, reading, analysing, calculating.

"It's legit." Dr. Rayleigh muttered under his breath. Jacob Fenris wasn't cheating results.

When the little baby, unconscious for a few seconds, suddenly took a breath in, crying for care and attention, the room erupted! That little soul's achievement was like a celebration in this stuffy hall full of people. Corrupt—but still people. Happiness couldn't be faked this time.

Jacob Fenris chuckled, "We will be releasing forms for 17 candidates, starting in...ten minutes. A doctor's time is most important. So do yourself a favour, and enrol yourself in the Coming Of Age Program to get a chance at saving a life!"

More screams. More eruptions. More...chaos.

17 only? We were hundreds in the hall. Some would demand more than one dose.

Dr. Rayleigh — bless his soul, once again held my hand. "We got this, Elaine."

I had no other choice but to nod.

Three gruelling hours.

Hundreds of processing documents.

Computers fried.

People...losing hope.

But I finally submitted the documents!

"Ha.." I was breathing erratically. A werewolf's body temperature is almost always more than that of a human. In that stuffy room where the AC malfunctioned, the sufferage was immeasurable.

I took my topcoat off, and so did Dr. Rayleigh. In fact, everyone. We sat on the stairs, where most others tried to calm themselves down and get a breather, too. My head felt like it was spinning.

"Well...finally submitted the forms. Gotta wait for the selection now." Dr. Rayleigh said, passing a cold water bottle he had just bought. It was half full. Did I care at that moment? Absolutely not!

We headed back to the cool environment of the functioning AC of the hospital. I never felt so alive. Before we climbed out of the car, however, I had a few words to share with Dr. Rayleigh...

"Um..." His hand paused at the car handle, his hand turning at my shy hesitation.

"Yes?"

Oh...he looked way too ethereal.

Hair clamped to his forehead with sweat. His sharp eyes stared into my soul. But somewhere all within, there was tenderness. It was rare—I've never seen him smile with other doctors. Let alone give them this...look.

"I uh...I want to thank you for everything you're doing for us, Dr. Rayleigh. For Jean. I appreciate it."

"Like I said, Ms. Elaine..." he smirked, but even that looked innocent when paired with the tenderness in his eyes. How?

"It's my duty." Said Dr. Rayleigh.

But then...his mood shifted way too suddenly. I could sense it.

I rushed out with him as he marched to the elevator. His breathing was different. He had to loosen his tie. The expression of discomfort sat heavily on his features. But, does sweat make him feel this irritated?

"Dr. Rayleigh—" Before I could call, he jumped out of the elevator. And the receptionist? She kinda knew what was coming. The infamous Operation Room nurse handed Dr. Rayleigh the files as he strode over. What was going on?

"Who authorised the test?" He asked.

"I asked...WHO AUTHORIZED THE DAMN TEST ON MY PATIENT!?" I flinched. My back almost hit the closing elevator door behind.

"Dr. Rayleigh, what is going on—"

"Dr. Taylor," Rayleigh wiped his sweat with his palm, breathing sharply, repeating himself,

"Who authorised the damn test on J. Mathew O'Connor?"

Dr. Taylor took the files from his hands. Her eyebrows furrowed—like she'd seen the case file for the first time.

"It has your signature on it. And I approved it—"

"Let me tell you something, Dr. Taylor. I have been out of my office since this morning. Nurse Sheela sent me details of this patient, asked if I could approve him for a 'trial test'." Dr. Rayleigh explained.

"And clearly, I said no." He turned his glare to Nurse Sheela. She didn't look frightened—meaning, it wasn't her mistake either.

"J. Mathew O'Connor was admitted THIS MORNING. 9:35 am."

Wait. No. Seriously?

My eyes widened the moment I realised.

"Someone forged my signature here."

Dr. Rayleigh spoke my mind.

Holy shit.

Absurd.

When did Dr. Rayleigh realise!? Why did he not oppose during the trial demonstration shown live!?

This is nuts.

His anger was going to take a toll. Reasonably, he had the right to do the next thing.

Gesturing to the security, he ordered a total hospital shut down until...

"Until I find the one who forged my signature... no one is allowed to step in or out of this hospital."