Alexus entered a large room that was divided by multiple blue curtains. Behind each curtain, doctors and nurses were talking to and examining both male and female Ouroboros. The room wasn't crowded, but it was busy. Just walking through, he had to watch himself from not bumping into one another. A couple of times, he had to twist out of harm’s way as an oblivious nurse ran past him with a vial full of collected blood samples. One wrong move, the nurse, would’ve probably spilled all of the content if he didn’t move out in time.
“Alexus Tyger.” A petite, Japanese lady with long black hair came down to her butt, an oval face, unusual, striking sharp sea-green eyes with quite a figure. She wore a white lab coat that covered most of her body with black pants. Everything about her screamed cute, even the way she bit the end of the pen while she stared at her notes.
Alexus couldn’t help but the end of his curl up into a smile. He couldn’t help but stare with interest.
They were another variety of females, the majority of them drop-dead gorgeous, streaming in from the opposite side of the door, chatting loudly with one another. Every single one of them was wearing the same ugly gray color clothes. He didn’t pay much attention to them, and instead, his focus was on the Asian lady. Her black hair was brought forth to her chest, showing off the barcode on her neck with the number 33.
The thought of this lady being part of the team and even an Ouroboros shocked him. However, there was a lot more to this lady than he thought, which piqued his interest.
Marcus came over slapped Alexus on the shoulder, jarring him back to himself. He couldn’t help but wince at his neck jerking slap, making him wish that Marcus would just stop that.
“You should hurry up and go. She’s the type that doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Marcus pushed Alexus forward.
Alexus stumbled. His gaze cast down at her feet, slowly he got up, letting his eyes trail upwards, taking a good look at her. She was pretty small in that oversize lab coat, though her muscles that peeked through told a whole different story.
“You are Alexus Tyger, correct?” Her voice was soothing to the point where it strangely calmed him. What was even more mind-numbing was the sweet jasmine-like smell that wafted out of her body. He couldn’t help but unconsciously lean in and inhaled the faint intoxicating scent.
“Mr. Tyger?” She called out again, jarring him awake.
“Yes?!” He stepped back, looking away embarrassed.
“My name is Crystal. We’ll be going through some physical checks up. I would like you to sit here so we can start.” She motioned her hands in front of her, where a metal chair lay.
Alexus quickly walked over, pulled back the chair, and sat as comfortably as possible.
Crystal turned around and picked up a stethoscope. “If you don’t mind.” Her finger pointed to his gray shirt.
“Ah, give me a moment.” Alexus reached over and pulled off his shirt, showing his skinny body. This was the one time he wished he had taken the time to tone himself. Everyone in this building was unusually fit.
Crystal didn’t even give him a second glance, making him feel a bit down about himself. She scooted over with her stethoscope in hand; the cold metal touched his chest, making him shiver.
“Breathe in. Breathe out.”
Alexus did what she asked. “So, out of curiosity, are you an Ouroboros too?”
Crystal didn’t say anything for a moment. He felt stupid for even bringing up such an obvious question when he saw the barcode on her neck.
“Yes, I’m the handful of scientists here who have changed.”
“Did you change willingly?”
Crystal pulled back the stethoscope with a snort and raised her eyebrow towards him. “Changing into an Ouroboros isn’t done willingly, Mr. Tyger. We change upon our death.”
“I see.”
“If we could recreate the shift without the necessary death, there would be a lot more willing people who would buy to become what you and I are.”
“I’m not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Seeing demons isn't something that I would sign up for,” Alexus replied, “Plus, I would like to be called Alexus if you don’t mind.”
“Well, Alexus, the society as we know would pay a fortune to live longer, look younger, and the number one key factor is to escape death. But, unfortunately, we recently found out that we won’t age as quickly as normal people, even though our life has been extended by another hundred years.”
“Another hundred years?” Alexus was shocked at the significant life gap of an Ouroboros.
“The normal expectancy of humans nowadays ranges from 60 to 80, add another 100 years without aging, I believe people would take the chance to live a bit longer if it means to stay alive. Though by another hundred years, we might even have some way to eradicate demons safely without having to fight.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be easy,” Alexus replied. But, from my interaction with demons, they weren’t just going to sit there and let themselves be killed off. “Who knows, there could be billions out there that we don’t know of.”
“That is a matter of opinion. A demon could be just a figment of our imagination, especially because it is just us that can see them. The rest of humanity has a much more difficult time seeing these so-called demons.”
He couldn’t help but stare at her with a bit of skepticism. The thought of a demon being a figment of one's imagination was a bit difficult as a whole, especially since the purple blotches where the monster had choked him were still present.
“I think that’s a little far-fetched.”
“How so?”
“You see this?” Alexus pointed at his neck, where the ugly blotches were present. “This handprint isn’t any images that he had conjured up. If this was all in his head, and the demon that he saw was some kind of figment of imagination, then how would you explain this? How would you explain the deaths of an Ouroboros?”
Crystal pulled away from her stethoscope. “Heart attack.”
Alexus’ lips twitched, he sighed. Does this lady have an answer for everything? Talking to her would be a lot more complicated than he thought.
“Look, It’s a possibility that it could be all in our mind. Until it is proven that it's false, it's still liable for it to be the truth.” She started to jot down notes on her paper. “Your arm, please.”
Alexus raised his arm for her to put on the following medical equipment without flinching. “So, if you don’t mind answering,” He paused for a moment, “how did you die? I don’t mean to be disrespectful. I’m just a bit curious.”
“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I somehow got in the middle of a gunfight between gang members while I was out on a date at a restaurant.”
Alexus frowned. He was a bit let down at the thought of her having someone. Still, Alexus wasn’t sure if she would find him interesting to talk to. He asked most of the questions, while her answers were short and precise. Then again, going out with someone when he’s stuck in a laboratory-like setting wasn’t an ideal place to ask someone out, especially if she was already taken.
“What about you?” She asked. He gazed at him, wondering what he would say next.
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“Well, for me, my family has a chronic heart attack. So, following that logic, I also had a heart attack from stress while drinking coffee at a cafe. So I didn’t expect to die at the age of twenty-seven.”
“Stress is the leading cause for the majority of the illness out there.” Alexus felt the straps around his arms tighten. “The majority of the people here all died in some shape or form from chronic family illness. Heart attacks, diabetes, lung diseases, you name them, though there have been a couple of unexpected deaths.”
“Like?”
“Suffocation. Stab to death, Gunshot wounds, while some even got murdered.”
“Wait, murdered?!” Alexus' voice went up an octave.
“It happens.” Crystal shrugged her shoulders, not phased at all by what she had said.
“What about their injuries?”
“Any injuries that have been sustained get healed when you awaken into your second life. You could say that you’re born again.”
Born again, that was quite a new perspective on this second awakening. But even more shocking was the ability to heal perfectly to one’s original state.
“What about the illness? Does that go away as well?”
“Yes, although our bodies are more receptive to diseases for some reason. That’s what makes Ouroboros even more unique.”
“I see. Does that mean we won’t ever get sick?”
“No, that’s not the case. We’re just immune to at least 75% of different diseases and illnesses out there. Aids and Cancer being one of them.”
Alexus whistled. That was a massive achievement in itself, meaning that there was a high chance that Ouroboros would be experimented on. But, of course, their reason is to find ways to benefit from it. But unfortunately, his mind quickly went into darker thoughts. He worried that he might be used as some kind of diabolical experiment, possibly even cutting him up on the table.
“How long have you been with this company?” Alexus carefully asked.
“Four years and one month on January 21. That was when Ouroboros was becoming globally known.”
Now that he thought about it, he remembered hearing the news about her case when driving his car to work. She was in the middle of a gang turf squabble; the two gangs went head-to-head, shooting up the place and killing twenty pedestrians. It didn’t just end there; thirty minutes later, when she was taken to the hospital, she went on a rampage, screaming that they were demons in the hospital.
She killed one of the doctors, ran out, and disappeared for twenty days. It wasn’t until she slipped up and killed another person, or should he say demon, that she finally got caught. He just realized that she was the longest known Ouroboros to live outside these walls, making her quite a survivor without the company's help. That in itself was an achievement.
He saw her in a whole new light, making him even more curious about her. What else could she do? What powers did she have? And the better question is, why does she work for this company in the first place? So far, there weren't many good or bad facts about this company that he knows of, except Jones’ superstition. In which case, there is a high possibility that we are being used as lab rats.
Especially the way Crystal seems to lean in favor of helping the world. Hopefully, she didn’t have any sick fantasies of dissecting us, giving him a shudder. The thought of being put on the table under the lights sounded horrible.
Alexus slowly asked. “Is it worth working here?”
Crystal thought it over for a moment. “It’s not bad, actually. The benefits are great, there are times when he overworked, but it's part of being an employee.”
Employee. He wasn’t so sure if she was deluding herself or if she was part of the team. To the outside world, she had killed two people, while for them, they knew that she had fought against a Demon and won.
“Do you believe that you are part of this company?” Alexus couldn’t help but ask.
Crystal stopped what she was doing and gave him a sweet smile. “You’re quite interested in what I have got to say, don’t you?”
“Well,” he turned away, trying not to show his embarrassment. “I was just curious about the company, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh, sure, buddy.” She pulled out gloves, glass tubes, and a syringe. Flicking a couple of times on the needle before she placed it on his forearm. He looked away, not wanting to see the syringe enter his skin. Even though he wasn’t afraid of syringes, just the thought of seeing metal entering his body made him tense up. He was a lot worse as a child, running away from the doctor when he saw them. Now at least, he could sit there without throwing unwanted fits like a child.
“You don’t believe me?” Alexus asked, clenching the side of the chair. Then, he felt something else enter his arm. He peeked towards the side and noticed a tube sucking away his blood into small vials.
“That’s what all you guys say when you’re trying to hit on me.”
“Absolutely not.” Alexus half gasped, but in all honesty, he was caught red-handed. “You’re a beautiful woman, no doubt about that, but I don’t go after the ones that are already taken. Plus, I’m new here, and I would like some answers about this company.”
Crystal took a moment to search his face, wondering what he had said was the truth or not before she answered. “Seventh Sanctum is one of the leading medical corporations in America. Even though this company has been open for six years, it already has taken the world by storm. They have made countless breakthroughs in the medical field and technology. Mr. Sylvester is the owner and the leading mastermind in the Ouroboros program; so far, he has done quite a lot to help us.”
“So, how does an Ouroboros like you even get the job?”
“Why are you interested in joining?”
“Well, maybe.” Alexus wasn’t so sure if he wanted to join, but he needed to know if this place was indeed a place of sanctuary for their kind.
“You already are, you know.”
“I’m just a lab rat,” Alexus said, “I want to know how I can become a member like you.”
Crystal thought it over for a moment; there was some form of struggling on her part before she spoke again to answer his question. “You need to be specialized in the field for one, though there are other areas where they do need extra personnel. For example, the testers and security guards. You can even apply to join. You will be given benefits for your help.”
“Benefits?” Alexus thought that there were benefits that came with joining in the company, even though he was a prisoner here.” So you also don’t force us to join in on your testing?”
“We don’t treat our patients like lab rats, you know. It is our company policy to keep everything as humane as possible. Plus, the benefits go by the reward system, and you could exchange it for a temporary leave of this building, trade-in for having your room, or using it to buy your things.”
This made him see the corporation in a better light. “Wait, I thought you guys put us four to a room to keep us together.”
“Yes, we did, but that doesn’t mean you guys can’t work to move to a better and larger room,” she replied as if it was a regular thing.
This made Alexus wonder why the others haven’t even attempted to change rooms. He understood Jones. Alexus just wanted to leave. Timothy was a geek on technology, so he wouldn’t be surprised if he used his rewards system on such things, and Marcus was a whole different case in a nutshell. He has been with this company for five years, and so far, he hasn't seemed to show anything for it. Why was that?
“Though there are more benefits for being a tester than a security guard.”
“What would being a tester entail? And when you say security guard, do you mean protecting the whole building, correct?”
“As a security guard, your job would be only in the Ouroboros living areas, including screening every human that enters into the building. As a tester, you will be trying out our latest technology and allowing us to run some medical tests on you as well. Don’t worry, we are not going to push you to the point where it's considered inhumane.” She winked.
Alexus weakly chuckled; he wasn’t sure if they were even considered regular humans anymore to be inhumane. “I think I'll become a tester. I’m not bodyguarded material, as you can see.” He joked.
“You don’t have to worry too much about being fit eventually; you will start to tone out in under two weeks and even gain muscles that you never thought were possible. Like I said, Ouroboros is different physically, so many things will change. Now, turn around, and I’ll apply for the tester position. You are allowed to change jobs later down the road if you ever decide to.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Now, if you could just show me your neck.” Crystal got up she grabbed a scanner.
Alexus twisted his body for her and knew what she wanted to do. A loud beeping sound could be heard as the scanner recorded his information.
“There you go. You’re applying as a tester. I suggest you stay for at least a month before you decide to change. Now you’re done.” She got up she threw the needles and other medical supplies into specialized trash cans.
“Thank you.” Alexus reached over and grabbed his gray shirt. A sudden chill went across his body when the A/C turned on with a loud hum.
“I’ll be seeing you in another week for your next check-up.”
With a nod, he turned around, leaving the room behind him. The rest of the guys were waiting outside the door, huddled together, talking among themselves. He had to wonder why these three seemed to stick with each other, even though they had a vast amount of differences. Especially Jones and Timothy, they were like cats and dogs, always getting into a heated argument one way or another. He guessed that Marcus was the glue between the three of them, or the group wouldn’t have worked out.
Marcus noticed Alexus and waved towards him to come to join them. So he walked over towards them.
“Well, what do you think?” Marcus smirked coyly at him.
“What do you mean, what do I think?” Alexus asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“I’m talking about the girls.”
“Um… they’re okay?”
“Okay? They’re amazing.” Timothy snickered. “I had my eyes on the brunette for a while now, and I think she’s finally coming around.” He arrogantly stated.
Jones rolled his eyes and gave him a fake gag at Timothy.
“What?” Timothy’s coy look turned sour.
“Nothing.”
“So, what do you think about Crystal? I saw you talking with her quite a bit. I’m assuming you’re into her?” Marcus asked.
“She’s unique,” Alexus replied. “Though, why haven’t you told me about the whole application with the company deal?”
“Applying with the company-? Oh, you mean that. I was going to tell you, but it flew over my head.”
“Don’t apply.” Jones intercepted the conversation. “You’re signing away your life.”
“Calm down. It’s not as bad as it seems.” Timothy leaned back onto the wall. His foot crossed in front of him as well as his hand. “I've been a tester for three years now, and so far, they haven’t done any crazy experiments on me.”
“You don’t know that. I was strapped, hooked up to some kind of death machine, and my blood sucked out of my body. Plus, they are probably feeding us some kind of messed-up medicine every day to test out their products.” Jones threw up his hand in exaggeration. “Who knows, they're probably planning on doing something crazy that could get us all killed.”
“You know, you're quite a scaredy-cat. Those pills that they give you to eat are essential vitamins.” Timothy replied. “I checked their systems, and there hasn't been a single case of medical malpractice on us...though….” His voice trailed off.
“What?!” Jones asked. “You're hiding something, aren’t you.”
“I wouldn’t be saying hiding, more like I haven’t figured out the content of it.”
“What would that be?” said Marcus, his interest piqued.
“I recently read in their classified file about a large-scale project that they will be undergoing this year. Something called Animus Progression.”
When Alexus heard the phrase, he unconsciously whispered under his breath.“The soul’s progress.”
“Did you say something?” Timothy asked.
“Animus Progression, or in other words, the soul’s progress.”
“I thought so as well,” said Timothy, “I’m not sure what the corporation is concocting, but I believe it's going to be big.”
“What do you think it’s good or bad?” Marcus asked.
“I’m not so sure, but I haven’t been able to get much information about it.”
“I’m telling you, it’s something bad,” Jones replied.
Timothy sighed, “There is no point in talking with you about this.”
“What? It’s true.”
“Either way, if you got any other information, give me a heads up,” said Marcus, “I’m interested in what you find.”
“Will do.”
“Well then, let’s get some rest and get ready for tomorrow.”
“Good idea, I’m bush.” Timothy yawned.
They headed back towards the room to rest.