THE DOCTOR'S FORBIDDEN EXPERIMENT

The sound of skates cutting across the ice echoed throughout the enormous hockey arena. The players moved quickly, chasing the puck as the audience cheered from the stands. Bright lights illuminated the rink, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation.

Among the players was Xyrus, a twenty-three-year-old professional ice hockey player known for his incredible speed, discipline, and determination.

He was one of the team's most promising athletes. His teammates admired his confidence, while the coaching staff trusted him during even the most difficult matches.

For Xyrus, hockey was more than just a profession. It was his passion, his dream, and the life he had worked tirelessly to achieve.

"Xyrus! Pass it!"

His teammate shouted from the opposite side of the rink.

Xyrus immediately maneuvered around an opposing player before sending the puck toward his teammate. Within seconds, the puck landed perfectly inside the goal.

"GOAL!"

The arena erupted with applause.

Xyrus raised his hockey stick and smiled beneath his helmet. Another successful practice. Another reason to be proud of himself.

"Not bad, superstar!" one of his teammates called out as they skated toward him.

Xyrus laughed. "Not bad? That was perfect."

"You're getting more arrogant every day."

"Maybe because I'm getting better every day."

His teammates laughed at his response.

After several minutes, their coach blew the whistle, signaling the end of practice.

"Good work, everyone. Remember, our next match is important. I expect all of you to stay healthy and focused."

"Yes, Coach!"

The players began leaving the rink.

Xyrus removed his helmet and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His dark hair was slightly damp, and his breathing was still heavy from the intense training session.

He collected his belongings and headed toward the locker room.

His phone vibrated inside his sports bag.

A smile immediately appeared on his face when he saw the name displayed on the screen.

Benny ❤️

He answered the call.

"Hello, beautiful."

"Finally! I thought you forgot about me," Benny complained playfully.

Xyrus chuckled. "How could I forget my favorite girl?"

"That's what you always say."

"Because it's true."

Benny laughed on the other end.

"Are you finished with practice?"

"Just finished. I'm getting ready to go home."

"Good. Don't forget that you promised to take me out tonight."

Xyrus paused before remembering their conversation from the previous evening.

"Oh, right. Dinner."

"Xyrus!"

"Relax, baby. I haven't forgotten."

"You better not. I've already chosen what I'm wearing."

"Then I guess I have no choice but to look handsome tonight."

"You always think you're handsome."

"Because I am."

Benny burst into laughter.

Their conversation continued for several minutes until Xyrus finally promised to pick her up later.

After ending the call, he placed his phone inside his bag.

Benny had been part of his life for quite some time, and he genuinely loved her. She understood his demanding schedule, supported his career, and remained beside him even when training and competitions consumed most of his time.

He believed she was the woman he would eventually marry.

He wanted a future with her.

A peaceful home, a beautiful wedding, and a family of their own.

As far as Xyrus was concerned, there was nothing missing from his life.

At least, not yet.

By the time Xyrus arrived home, the afternoon sun was beginning to disappear behind the buildings.

He took a shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and prepared a quick meal.

His apartment was spacious but simple. A few hockey trophies decorated the shelves, while framed photographs of him and Benny occupied the living room.

He stopped in front of one particular photograph.

It was taken during their anniversary celebration. Benny was smiling brightly while Xyrus held her around the waist.

He smiled at the memory.

His phone vibrated again.

Benny: Are you ready?

Xyrus: Almost. Give me twenty minutes.

Benny: I'll be waiting.

Xyrus grabbed his jacket and car keys before leaving his apartment.

Everything was going according to plan.

Meanwhile, at the hockey team's medical facility, a new doctor was reviewing several documents.

His name was Oliot.

At twenty-nine, he was already an accomplished medical professional with experience in sports medicine and athlete rehabilitation.

He had recently been assigned to monitor the health conditions of the professional hockey team.

His responsibilities included conducting physical examinations, evaluating injuries, and ensuring that every player remained fit enough to compete.

Oliot carefully examined the medical records arranged on his desk.

Most of the documents contained ordinary information about the players' physical conditions.

However, one particular file caught his attention.

PLAYER: XYRUS

AGE: 23

POSITION: PROFESSIONAL ICE HOCKEY PLAYER

Oliot studied the photograph attached to the medical record.

His expression remained unreadable.

He turned another page and examined the player's previous medical evaluations.

"Interesting," he murmured.

A staff member standing nearby noticed his unusual concentration.

"Doctor, is something wrong?"

Oliot slowly closed the folder.

"Nothing. I'm just reviewing the players' medical histories."

"Would you like me to arrange their initial examinations?"

"Yes. Schedule everyone for their routine assessments."

"Understood."

The staff member nodded before leaving the room.

Oliot remained seated.

His eyes returned to Xyrus's photograph.

There was something about the young athlete that had caught his attention, although he had never met him personally.

He placed the folder inside a drawer and locked it.

For now, he had no reason to explain his interest to anyone.

That evening, Xyrus arrived at the restaurant where Benny was waiting.

She immediately stood up when she spotted him.

"Finally!"

Xyrus approached her and kissed her forehead.

"Sorry for making you wait."

Benny smiled. "You're forgiven."

He pulled out her chair before sitting across from her.

They ordered their food and spent the evening talking about their lives.

Benny shared stories about her day, while Xyrus told her about the upcoming hockey competition.

"I know you're going to win," Benny said confidently.

Xyrus smiled. "You always believe in me."

"Of course. I'm your biggest supporter."

He reached across the table and held her hand.

"And I'm lucky to have you."

Benny blushed.

For a moment, everything felt exactly as it should.

Two people in love, enjoying an ordinary evening together.

Neither of them knew that Xyrus's peaceful routine was about to change.

The following morning, Xyrus returned to the training facility earlier than usual.

His teammates were already gathering inside the locker room.

"Morning, everyone," he greeted.

"Morning, Romeo!" one of them teased.

Xyrus rolled his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"We know you had a date last night."

"Mind your own business."

Their laughter filled the room.

A few minutes later, their coach entered.

"Listen up. We have a new team doctor starting today. I expect everyone to cooperate with him during medical assessments."

Xyrus barely paid attention.

As long as the doctor did his job, he had no reason to complain.

"His name is Doctor Oliot," the coach continued. "He'll be responsible for monitoring your physical conditions throughout the season."

"Does that mean more medical examinations?" Xyrus asked.

"Exactly."

He sighed.

His teammates laughed at his reaction.

"Don't worry," the coach added. "It's part of keeping you healthy."

Just then, the locker room door opened.

A man wearing a white medical coat entered.

He carried a tablet in one hand and several medical documents in the other.

"Good morning, everyone."

The conversations gradually stopped.

The coach approached him.

"Doctor Oliot, welcome to the team."

"Thank you, Coach."

Oliot offered a professional smile before looking around the room.

His eyes moved from one player to another.

Then they stopped.

Xyrus was sitting near his locker, tying the laces of his shoes.

Their eyes briefly met.

Oliot's expression remained composed.

Xyrus, on the other hand, simply looked away and returned to what he was doing.

He had no idea that the man standing before him would eventually become the center of the biggest conflict in his life.

To Xyrus, Oliot was just another doctor.

Someone he would probably see during routine examinations.

Nothing more.

But sometimes, the greatest changes begin with the smallest encounters.

And Xyrus's seemingly perfect life was about to take a turn he could never have imagined.