Chapter Eight: The Life Of Artemus Elpis

Kai is now standing in front of an apartment unit, which listed on the text message. This is going to be his home while he is fulfilling his mission. He also looked at the text message which has the passcode to open the apartment's door. He triumphantly smiled when the door opens.

He stepped inside, and roamed his eyes around the apartment. He whistled under his breath, while looking impressed at the full-furnished unit. He is determined to make himself feel at ease. The apartment was adorned with furnishings that seemed quaint compared to the technology he was accustomed to in 2020. But Kai knew that adapting to his new environment was crucial for the success of his mission.

Taking a deep breath, Kai surveyed the room and began making small adjustments to create a sense of familiarity. He unpacked his belongings, placing cherished memento and personal items on a nearby table. He puts a small photo frame of his sister, Krystal, along with their Aunt. The sight of these familiar objects brought him a sense of comfort and reminded him of his purpose.

He knew that the challenges of the year 2010 awaits him, but he is ready to face them head-on...

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At Marquin University's Cafeteria...

Artemus' eyes scanned the University Cafeteria. The place is jam-packed with students. He is already starving, and his arms are starting to get numb because he's been holding his tray of food for the passed few minutes already.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed an empty table and a chair, but there's a big problem...Steven and his crew are all sitting beside that empty table. Steven is hanging out with his girlfriend, Sabrina, who is the most popular girl in the campus, who is also a bully just like her boyfriend.

She has the face and the body figure that every girls would die for, but there's only one catch. She doesn't have any brains at all, that's why she and Steven are perfectly matched for each other.

Artemus felt his stomach growling again because og hunger. He has to eat now or else he'll be suffering from an ulcer. And one more thing, he needs to attend his next class, which will start in 20 minutes.

"Well, it's now or never." he whispered to himself. He needs to do something or else, he will die of hunger.

He started walking towards Steven and Sabrina's table.

He winced as he heard the bullies laughing out loud as if there's no tomorrow. Victoria's jeering laugh sounds like a screeching tires, and it echoes at the the four corners of the cafeteria.

They suddenly stopped laughing when they saw him.

"What the hell are you doing here, dude? Are you lost?" Steven sarcastically asks, while grinning from ear to ear.

"Yeah, what are you doing here, loser?" Sabrina asked him as well.

"Uh, I saw an empty seat near your table, and I was thinking maybe I can sit there and have a peaceful lunch since I have a class to catch up in twenty minutes." Artemus said it all in one breath. Good thing he didn't stammer in front of them.

"Of course, man! You can sit wherever you want. But I have to ask you a favor in return, though..." Steven said, and there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Artemus swallowed an imaginary lump on his throat. He knew in an instant that Steven is going to ask him a favor which got something to do with one of their school projects...

"Are you done with your Humanities paper?' Steven suddenly asked him.

"Yes, I'm done with it." Artemus answered in return.

"That's cool. Look, I've been very busy preparing for the basketball championships. My girlfriend is also busy with her cheerleading activities and because of that, we don't have much time to do other school stuff. And since you are our friend, you'll help us with our Humanities paper, right?" Steven said, in a condescending tone.

Artemus wanted to say no, but he doesn't have any choice but to agree with Steven because he doesn't want to walk around the campus with his face black and blue.

"Alright, I'll do it." he helplessly replied.

Steven let's out a big smile while tapping Artemus' shoulder.

"You're the best, man! Don't worry, once we get the Championship title, we'll invite you to our victory party so that you can hang out with many girls." said Steven.

"There's no need for that, but thank you for your invitation." Artemus politely said, while letting out a fake smile.

After a few minutes, Artemus is now eating his lunch alone, trying his best not to mind Steven, Sabrina and their gang who are creating noises.

"Just be patient... This kind of bullying is nothing compared to the threat in your life. Being here at Marquin University is much safer." he secretly reminded to himself.

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It's already past midnight, but Artemus is still wide awake. He still needs to finish Steven and Sabrina's papers for their Humanities class which is already due for tomorrow. He was lucky because he was able to finish his homework few days ago, and now he can spend more time finishing Steven and Sabrina's papers. He decided to completely make their papers different from each other and from his own work, so that their professor wouldn't notice anything strange.

After a few more minutes, he finally finished everything, and it's now being printed. He will give those papers to Steven and Sabrina first thing in the morning.

Artemus let's out a relieved breath while removing his glasses. He stretched out his arms, and he looked at the window. He noticed that the sky is now beginning to grow light, and it will finally be morning n a few more minutes... It's a start of a new day.

He suddenly fell into a deep thought. His mind suddenly traveled back to the memory lane...

He was once a brilliant scientist who was involved in the covert government mission, which is called Operation Nosoi. His breakthrough discovery of a versatile vaccine that could combat any infectious pandemic had inadvertently put his life in grave danger.