Chapter Twelve: A Genius Scientist's Undercover

"I-I'm sorry for troubling you today. And I also want to say thank you for helping me." Artemus thanked the good Samaritan who helped him.

The man was about to speak, but he wasn't able to do so when the doctor came back with a tray of painkiller tablet and a glass of water.

"Here, drink this painkiller tablet so that it can help you ease the pain." the doctor advised him.

"Yes, doctor. Thank you very much." Artemus thanked the doctor as well.

He quickly popped the tablet into his mouth, then afterwards, and then, he drank a glass of water.

After a few minutes, the pain was instantly gone, and he feels so much better compared to few moments ago, which he feels like dying already.

Artemus thanked the doctor once again, and he made sure to thanked the stranger who helped him as well.

"I should go to my first class now... Goodbye." he politely said goodbye to the doctor and the stranger. Afterwards, he started walking out from the clinic.

"Wait, are you sure you can still attend classes for today?" the stranger asked him, while walking with him at the hallway.

"Yes, I feel so much better now. I think I can still attend my classes." Artemus responded.

"Aren't you going to take a rest? I mean, look at your nose..." the man asked him again.

Artemus curiously frowned when he noticed that this stranger is walking with him. He can't help himself but to feel paranoid, thinking that he must be a spy or an agent who is going to steal the vaccine and kill him in the end.

"Wait, why are you following me?" he curiously asked the stranger.

"I'm not following you. This is also my way to my first class." the man replied, in a matter of factly tone.

"Well, it could happen." Artemus thought to himself.

He just shrugged his shoulders, and then he continued walking until he reached the room for his first class for the day.

"Good morning and I am sorry for being late!" Artemus quickly apologizes at the the classrooms doorway.

"Mr. Artemus, it's unusual for you to be late in my class. But anyway, this is the first time it happened so I'm letting you off the hook this time. Please take a seat and don't be late next time, okay?" the old Professor reminded him.

"Yes, thank you very much, sir." Artemus said in return.

He quickly walks inside the classroom and took the empty seat on the front.

"Okay, then. To continue with our discussion---!" the professor stopped at mid-sentience when he saw another student standing by the doorway.

Artemus curiously frowned when he saw that familiar man again. It was the very same guy who helped him a while ago!

"Good morning, sir. I apologize for being late in your class." the guy apologized, in a polite manner.

"Alright, I'm going to let you off this time as well. Take a seat so that I can continue with the class." the old professor stated, while shaking his head.

"Thank you, sir." the guy thanked the professor as well.

Then the guy chose to take a seat just beside Artemus.

"What are you doing here? Are you following me?" Artemus discreetly whispered at him.

"For your information, this is also my class." the guy simply answered, and then he started focusing on the lesson.

As Artemus sat in his Humanities class, his eyes darted suspiciously to the man sitting beside him. There was something about this man that sets off alarm bells in his mind, a nagging suspicion that can't be easily ignored.

As the Professor continues to talk, Artemus couldn't help but wonder of this man was truly a normal student or if he had a hidden agenda. His breakthrough in the development of CO-20 vaccine puts him in greater risk, and he could be killed at any time. But, he had been entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding it.

His mind raced with questions and possibilities. Was this man a spy, sent to gather information or even worse, to eliminate him and steal the vaccine? But whatever happens, he will do what it takes to protect the vaccine from falling into the wrong hands.

Artemus discreetly observed the man, noting his every move, searching for any signs of suspicious behavior. But on the other hand, he is also thinking that his suspicions might be clouding his judgement. Maybe this man was simply a fellow student, and maybe his paranoia is controlling him again.

But one thing is for sure. He won't let his guard down, and he should me mentally, emotionally and physically ready on what is going to happen in the future...

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Later that evening.

Artemus collapses himself on his bed, while feeling dead tired.

His original plan was to prepare his dinner, take a shower and review his notes. He is so exhausted, and he feels like his eyes are going to close at any minute...

Since he is not feeling hungry, he decided to cancel his plan on cooking dinner. He quickly stood up, and went to the bathroom to take a shower then afterwards, go to bed and finally call it a day. He'll just wake up early tomorrow, cook himself some breakfast, and review his notes while eating.

A lot of things had happened today, and meeting "that man" today made him feel more tired...

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A few more days have passed.

KRINGGG!

Artemus groaned inwardly as he lazily reached for his mobile phone to hit the stop button on his alarm clock. His phone has been making a sound non-stop, and it's already giving him a headache.

Half-asleep and half-awake, he decided to look for the time. His eyes widened in shock when he finally realized that it was already late!

"Shit, I'm going t be late!" he screamed at the top of his lings. He instantly jumped out from his bed.

He only has 15 minutes to take a shower, get dressed and cycle his way to the University campus!