Chapter 2 Death

"Put you back to it, you lumps of flesh!"

"No slacking you sack of titties! Do you think the experiments that will be performed on you are for weak boys? Put on some muscles!"

For the past one week, Maximus and the new test subject recruits have been subjected to harsh training. Every single day, from morning to evening, they will run laps, do pushups, situps, and other bodybuilding exercises, only having three hours rest during the day and six hours sleep during the night. From dawn to dusk, it was training. They weren't even given good food, as their meal was some sort of liquid which had a bland taste to it.. the doctor had called it nutrient, stating it's a well balanced diet, lacking nothing.. well, except for taste that is.

"Maximus! You will have the honor of laying on the experimental table tomorrow, I suggest you prepare yourself!" The gym master's voice reverberated around the hall.

Maximus who was actually exercising with a barbell could not help but nod in acknowledgement. Finally, it was his turn. So far, out of four that had gone in before him, only one made it out, although the doctor said the experiment was partially successful and he will be quarantined and monitored.

"What exactly do you think is going on in there?" A young man made his way to Maximus. This man had accepted the job on the same day Maximus did. Elric Devant, he was called. Tall, handsome, a humble personality.. your typical bottom-tier character. But he and Maximus had hit it off and became best friends on their first day.

"Beats me Elric. Although I can't believe Zee didn't make it though." Maximus replied as he kept the barbell and wiped himself with a towel.

"Makes you wonder how many of us are going to walk out here with the $3,000 payment we were promised." Elric said.

"Hah! Is that fear I sense? I don't know about you bud, but I will not fail. I have a wife and a child waiting for me back home, I will survive whatever will come, and then I will go home to my family." Maximus declared in low voice as he clenched his fists. He knew Marilyn was waiting for him, and possibly a newborn child as well. Thinking of this, he smiled.

"I will go home to my family, and I'm sure you will as well." Maximus said as he placed a hand on Elric's shoulder.

"I wish I have your optimistic nature." Elric replied with a sad smile. Maximus simply shook his head and left the gym hall.

*

Maximus was now currently strapped onto a steel table. Syringes and needles, as well as so many medical equipments could be seen in the room. Today was his turn to be experimented upon. Till now, he had no idea what sort of drug this doctors were working on that they needed so many people as test subjects.

Maximus' thoughts was broken off as the door opened and three doctors in white overalls walked in.

"How's his vitals?"

"According to this data, he should be able to withstand the drawbacks."

"Should? It will be a miracle if he can, his metabolism is weak despite daily supply of nutrients."

"Then how about we try adding an external agent to stabilize the drawbacks?"

Maximus simply stared at the three doctors as they rambled on tapping their tablets. He really had no idea what's going on, but base on their tone, whatever they were about to do to him, may or may not be successful.

"What do you have in mind Doctor Reno?"

"There's a stabilized DNA belonging to the order of Chiroptera.. with that we might.."

"No, I propose we try the D-raze."

"Yes, I second that. Since his metabolism is weak for the main event, then there's no need to waste it on him, it's best to try the D-raze on him. He will be the first subject."

"Then less yapping, more action." The lead doctor said. He then tapped on his tablet and ordered someone to get the D-raze.

A few minutes later, a female nurse came in holding a blood pack, only its content didn't seem like blood. Maximus just closed his eyes and decided to think more about his wife. Just then, he felt a prick on his arm, another on his belly, more on his chest. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists and rode through the pain.

"Injecting the D-raze into his system." One of the doctors said.

"Subject is stable." Another doctor said.

Maximus could feel something moving around his body. It felt like a ring worm crawling around his belly.

"Result barely noticable, subject will be kept on observation." The lead doctor's voice sounded.

Maximus suddenly the tiny worm bite his innards. It was faint, but the pain was there. And then again, and again. He couldn't ignore the pain anymore and it was past his limit, he then tried to remove the shackles on him.

"Subject is finally reacting. It seems D-raze is having some effects on his body."

"Inject that stabilizer agent now!" A doctor bellowed.

"No!" The lead doctor's voice said.

Maximus' eyes went wide as he heard the lead doctor's response.

"Why, Doctor Reno. The subject might die?" One of the doctors said.

"Let him, it was supposed to be the final outcome anyway." Doctor Reno replied.

"What do you mean? We can save him, he's doing extremely well. The Chiroptera DNA could stabilize the drawbacks of the D-raze."

"I can't say much, but just know that the Richardsons called in and specifically said he shouldn't leave this establishment alive." Doctor Reno said, his tone devoid of all emotion.

"Ohh, then this experiment is a lost cause anyway. Let's just watch as he deals with the drawbacks without a stabilizer." One of the doctor responded.

Maximus' expression showed that he was in extreme pain, and truly he was, for the worm seemed to have multiplied and was literally eating him from the inside. His muffled screams echoed in the room. At that moment, he saw the beautiful smiling face of his wife, Marilyn, their time in college, her smiles as they exchanged vows, and finally her tears of joy as she told him she was pregnant. Maximus could feel his life slipping. He already searing pain in his chest and knew for a fact that the worms had made their way to his heart. As his consciousness was slipping, he heard Doctor Reno's voice, "Tell Agnes Richardson, the rodent has been exterminated."

And the next thing that welcomed him was.. darkness, silence, relief.