CHAPTER 9 – THE FALSE EXPLANATION

Xyrus barely slept that night.

Every time he closed his eyes, he remembered the strange sensations that had overcome him during training. His body had never betrayed him like that before. For someone whose entire life revolved around hockey, not knowing what was happening frightened him more than he wanted to admit.

The following morning, he returned to the medical facility.

Oliot was waiting inside the examination room, reviewing a medical report. When he noticed Xyrus standing by the doorway, he immediately put the papers down.

"You're here early."

"I couldn't sleep," Xyrus replied. "I need answers, Oliot. I can't keep pretending everything is fine."

The doctor studied his face. For once, he noticed something beyond the athlete's usual stubbornness. Xyrus looked genuinely worried.

"Come in. Let's talk."

Xyrus sat across from him.

"Have you figured out what's wrong with me?"

Oliot hesitated.

"Your recent results show unusual reactions that need further evaluation. I recommend an additional medical procedure to help us understand what's happening and manage your symptoms."

Xyrus frowned.

"Another procedure? Why didn't you tell me about this yesterday?"

"I wanted to review your results before making a recommendation."

"You're always saying that. Meanwhile, I'm the one experiencing everything."

Oliot lowered his eyes.

"I know this hasn't been easy for you."

"No, you don't." Xyrus rubbed his forehead. "You don't know what it's like to wonder whether you'll ever play hockey again."

His words struck Oliot harder than expected.

He knew how much Xyrus valued his career. He had studied the athlete's medical records, but those documents could never fully explain what losing his place on the ice meant to him.

"I'm trying to help you recover," Oliot said quietly.

"Then please don't hide anything from me."

For a moment, Oliot almost confessed.

He wanted to explain the experiment, the unauthorized research, and the people threatening him. But fear held him back.

Instead, he gave Xyrus an incomplete explanation.

"The procedure is intended to monitor your body's unusual reactions and help us determine the next steps in your treatment. There are possible risks, but I'll monitor you throughout."

Xyrus searched his expression.

"Can I trust you?"

Oliot felt his chest tighten.

"You can trust me to take your condition seriously."

It wasn't the honest answer Xyrus deserved.

After a long silence, Xyrus finally nodded.

"All right. I'll do it. But if something happens, I want you to tell me immediately."

"I promise."

Xyrus reviewed the consent documents and asked Oliot to explain the unfamiliar medical terms. The doctor described the stated purpose, risks, and alternatives, but the paperwork still failed to disclose the experiment's true history.

Only after Xyrus had received the explanation and signed did Oliot prepare for the procedure.

Twenty minutes later, Xyrus was lying on the examination bed.

The medical assistant prepared the monitoring equipment while Oliot checked his vital signs.

"You're awfully quiet today," Oliot remarked.

"Should I be talking while someone prepares to do something to my body?"

Oliot almost smiled.

"Fair point."

Xyrus looked at him.

"Are you always this calm?"

"Not always."

"Really? I thought doctors weren't allowed to get nervous."

"We're human, Xyrus."

For a brief moment, the tension between them eased.

Xyrus gave a small smile.

"That's the first normal thing I've heard you say."

Oliot chuckled softly, but his smile disappeared when he turned toward the equipment.

He couldn't forget why they were there.

"Ready?" he asked.

"No. But let's get it over with."

Oliot began the procedure according to the clinical protocol. At first, everything appeared normal. Xyrus watched the monitor while trying to remain relaxed.

Then, several minutes later, his expression changed.

"Wait."

Oliot immediately looked at him.

"What is it?"

"My chest feels strange again."

"Can you describe what you're feeling?"

"It's getting tight. And I feel dizzy."

Oliot checked the monitor. His stomach dropped when he recognized the unusual pattern.

"Stop the procedure."

The assistant immediately followed his instruction.

Oliot moved closer to Xyrus.

"Look at me. Stay calm. Are you having trouble breathing?"

"A little."

Xyrus reached for his arm.

"Doctor, please tell me what's happening."

Oliot looked down at the hand gripping his sleeve.

For the first time, he saw how frightened Xyrus really was.

"I'm here. We're stopping everything and checking your condition."

"Don't leave me."

The words caught Oliot off guard.

He gently placed a reassuring hand near Xyrus's shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere."

He continued the necessary assessment while the assistant prepared additional monitoring. After several tense minutes, Xyrus's condition began to stabilize.

However, Oliot knew the reaction was not something he could ignore.

When the immediate concern had passed, Xyrus rested against the examination bed.

"Was that supposed to happen?" he asked.

Oliot pulled a chair closer.

"No. I won't pretend that reaction was expected. We need further evaluation before considering anything else."

Xyrus stared at him.

"Then why did you tell me this would help?"

"Because I believed the additional assessment could give us answers. But what happened today concerns me, too."

"Sometimes I feel like I'm becoming a stranger inside my own body."

Oliot had no immediate response.

Xyrus looked away, struggling to hide his frustration.

"I worked so hard to become a professional player. I don't want to lose everything because nobody can explain what's happening to me."

"You won't have to face this alone," Oliot said.

Xyrus looked back at him.

"Are you saying that as my doctor or because you actually care?"

Oliot froze.

He wanted to answer honestly, but the truth was already complicated enough.

"I care about what happens to you, Xyrus."

For a moment, their eyes met.

Xyrus seemed ready to say something, but Oliot's phone suddenly vibrated.

He checked the message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: The next stage must begin immediately. Don't let him question the results.

His expression hardened.

Xyrus noticed.

"Another work emergency?"

Oliot quickly locked his phone.

"Something I need to handle."

Xyrus sighed.

"Just remember your promise. I trusted you today."

Oliot looked at him, guilt weighing heavily on his conscience.

"I remember."

After leaving the room, Oliot stopped in the empty hallway and read the message again.

He had already crossed a line by hiding the truth.

Now, the people behind the experiment wanted him to go even further.

And Xyrus, the person he had promised to protect, was becoming the one person he could no longer bear to hurt.