CHAPTER 8: Revenge and the locked lab

John opened his eyes, a dull throb pulsating behind his temples. The sterile white of the hospital room swam into focus. Dr. Emily sat perched on a stool, her expression a mix of professional concern and amusement. Beside her, Julie, his teacher, sat stiffly, her arms crossed.

"By the way, Dr. Emily, when will John get well?" Julie's voice was sharp, impatient.

Dr. Emily's gaze remained steady. "It's difficult to say, Ms. Julie. He regained consciousness, which is a good sign, but the head injury was quite severe. Predicting his full recovery is uncertain." She paused, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I heard you assigned him a rather substantial homework load, due in one day. Perhaps the extra day he's gained due to his… condition… will be beneficial? You do want him to complete it, don't you?"

Julie's eyes narrowed. "Alright, John, I know you're awake. Stop pretending."

John, wincing, met Dr. Emily's gaze, then reluctantly turned to Julie. "Sorry, ma'am—"

"Silence," Julie snapped, cutting him off with a sharp gesture. "Do you understand the trouble you've caused? I had to explain to the principal! How did a simple fight escalate to this? If you hadn't reached the hospital in time… and in this state, you'd have tarnished the school's reputation! Now, since you're 'fine,' go home, finish your homework, and return. Quickly." She stood abruptly and swept out of the room.

John sank back into the pillows, muttering, "I don't know what her problem is."

Dr. Emily chuckled. "I don't think she came to see you, John. She came to see if you were still breathing. Now that you are, her job is easy. She'll have to explain the 'little fight' to the school."

"What difference does it make if I'm alive or not?" John sighed. "At least I got an extra day for the homework. But how am I supposed to finish it?"

"That's your problem, not mine," Dr. Emily said, her eyes twinkling. "Why don't you ask your sister? She's a doctor, isn't she?"

John sat bolt upright, his eyes wide. "How do you know my sister is a doctor?"

Dr. Emily placed a hand over his mouth. "She told me to take care of you. We haven't met before because you're never ill enough to come here. I was shocked to see you in such a state. You were unconscious for almost a full day." She paused, her expression turning serious. "John, it's already noon. You don't have much time. You can't possibly scour the city for your research in half a day, especially since you can't go into the forest at night due to the mutant monsters. I suggest you take your sister's help."

She leaned closer. "Though I know you won't. So, I've already informed her of your predicament. She's prepared your project. You can pick it up from her lab. You know she doesn't let anyone into her lab, but you have the access, don't you."

John's shoulders slumped, a wave of sadness washing over him.

"What's wrong, John? Still refusing to ask for help? Think of the reaction you'll get when you submit that project. You've been insulted by your classmates, haven't you? Wouldn't you like to get revenge? Shock them all."

Dr. Emily's words struck a chord. John's eyes lit up, a flicker of determination replacing his despair. "Revenge," he whispered, a fire igniting within him. "Okay. Thank you, Dr. Emily. I... I'm sorry I didn't thank you properly."

He scrambled off the bed, grabbed his bag, and hastily dressed. "Goodbye!" he called, rushing out of the room.

Dr. Emily watched him go, a knowing smile on her face. "He's a strange boy," she murmured.

John sped towards his sister's hospital. He approached the receptionist, ready to ask for his sister, but the woman stood abruptly. "I can't believe you've come to see your sister. She have not arrived yet. You can wait here if you want." She tried to call his sister, but the call wouldn't connect. "I don't know why the network is jammed this morning," she muttered, frustrated.

John, impatient, decided to head straight to his sister's lab. "The project's in her lab," he muttered. "And I have the access key."

He reached the lab, pulled out a strange key card, and swiped it across the scanner. The door slid open, revealing a scene that sent a wave of icy fear through him. What was inside the lab that made him fearful???