Edward woke throughout the night in a panic. He knew it was from his nightly screaming, but his true concern was if it was waking Desider up. He automatically turned his head to the roommate's abandoned bed, only to remember that he was gone. That didn't excuse his behavior, however. Sometimes, he found himself wondering if he truly was insane and if he was even crazier for listening to Desider. As for now, it didn't matter. Most of the students had gone home for the holidays, meaning there really wasn't anyone to disturb.
He tossed and turned until sunlight broke over the roof of the university. A stream of sunlight engulfed the room in a soft white glow. The university bell chimed loudly across the campus to greet the day. Edward pulled his cover over his head and buried it beneath his pillow. He finally felt comfortable and distant from the world enough to sleep, but a crude knocking was at the door.
Edward groaned and ripped the covers off. He dragged himself to the door and fixed his expression to a more pleasant one. He opened the door half expecting to see Desider, but a different yet familiar face greeted him instead. "Are you Edward Richtofen?" The bald man with the beard who had been sitting in the back of all of his classes stood stiffly in front of him. Edward fought the urge to slam the door in the man's face from an impulsive urge of fear, but something deep down in his mind compelled him to answer the mysterious man. "Well? Are you?" He demanded.
"Y- yes sir."
"Come with me." The man turned away and quickly began heading down the hallway. Edward followed with curiosity eating away his uncertainty to follow.
The man lead him to his anatomy class. It reeked of an awful smell of something rotting, but the source remained hidden. To make matters worse, the man closed and locked the door behind them. "Edward." The man's deep voice instantly grabbed his attention. "I am Doctor Ludvig Maxis. You may have discovered by now that I am responsible for the tests you have been taking in your classes." Edward awkwardly nodded. "Use your words, Edward!"
"Yes, Dr. Maxis." The man nodded in approval before continuing.
"You have not only remained dedicated to your work, but you have scored high enough to be selected to go on with my next test."
"Next test for what, Dr. Maxis?"
"To accompany me on my quest to improve the human condition."
"What do you require of me?" Edward asked suspiciously. He knew he didn't have anything to offer and if he had, how would this peculiar man know?
"You interest me in particular, Edward. I need someone who can remain devoted to the higher cause and not be distracted by worldly things such as friends, family, or love. As for now, I need to see if you are truly capable in assisting me with my work." Dr. Maxis bent down behind the desk and lifted a heavy item on to it. The item was bound in a filthy cheese cloth. The stench infiltrated Edward's nose. He cupped his hand tightly over every orifice he could possibly use for breathing to prevent the smell from invading his body any further. Unfazed, Dr. Maxis peeled away the cloth and revealed a sow. He reached over the pig to hand Edward a metal box. "If you want to make a difference in the world, you will join me on my quest. By accepting this next test, you will be accepting a possible position on my team of scientist. You cannot speak a word of this to another soul. You must let go of your friends and family. Everything you do under my authorization is top secret. Do you understand, Edward Richtofen."
Edward opened the metal box. Within it he found surgical supplies. He removed the scalpel and admired the light reflecting on its flawless metal. He opened his mouth to speak, but found a loss for words. He didn't have anything to really sacrifice at the moment, but what about his future? What if he actually became fri- tolerable of Desider? What if he wanted to make new friends? Or fall in love? Could he actually keep a secret and if he couldn't, what would be the consequences?
"Dr. Maxis, what if… I change my mind? What if I decide that improving the human condition isn't for me?"
The man sighed and began stroking his beard. "What I said remains. Just because you accomplish these simple assignments does not mean I will deem you worthy as one of my scientists. I will inform you of your results before I leave." Dr. Maxis waited for any further questions from Edward, but nothing came. "Now! Your task today is to demonstrate to me that you are well educated with the human anatomy. You will be practicing on this sow. You will first perform a lobotomy and list the parts of the skull and brain as you do so. Unless," His eyes darted to Edward. "You feel you are incapable of continuing these tests any further."
Edward clenched the scalpel in his hand and approached the rotting corpse.
"Yes. Doctor Maxis."
Quote: "To improve the human condition." - Group 935 motto.