"Excuse me, sir," the guard began, his eyes avoiding direct contact with Dr. Cain, "but it's time." His voice rang with a blend of formality and reverence.

Dr. Cain acknowledged the guard's message with a nod, indicating his understanding. With a wave of his hand, he silently conveyed his approval for the guard to depart. The guard promptly complied, exiting the room leaving the door ajar as he stationed himself just outside.

"It seems our time is up, Ian," Dr. Cain remarked, his voice carrying a touch of regret. He rose from his chair, a smile gracing his features. Ian mirrored the doctor’s movement, standing up respectfully in response.

"Before we part ways for now," Dr. Cain added, his tone friendly and approachable, "if any further questions arise later on, know that I am here to provide you with answers."

He gently placed a reassuring hand on Ian's back, guiding him towards the door. "For now, why don't you head out to the guard waiting outside? He'll escort you to the waiting room for your upcoming medical tests."

Ian turned his gaze towards the door where the guard stood, his eyes filled with worry. He then shifted his attention back to Dr. Cain. "Um, will the tests... will they hurt?" 

Dr. Cain was taken slightly aback by Ian's inquiry but maintained his composed demeanor. "Yes, there might be some discomfort, but I assure you, I will do everything in my power to minimize any pain. Unlike the other incompetent doctors, I am a professional." With a smile he winked playfully at Ian, to lighten the mood and instill a sense of trust.

Ian's expression softened, finding solace in Dr. Cain's words. He nodded, gradually beginning to trust the young doctor. With a faint smile, Ian turned his gaze back to the guard standing at the door. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he summoned his courage and stepped out. He followed the guard's lead, walking down the corridor towards the waiting room.

The guard opened the door to the waiting room, allowing Ian to enter before securely locking it behind him. As Ian stepped inside, his eyes immediately landed on Adam and Zack, who stood up upon his arrival. They were already donned in their gowns, a sign that the medical tests were imminent. 

"Hey, you're back!" Adam exclaimed, relief evident on his face.

"Yeah," Ian replied with a genuine smile, feeling comforted by the familiar faces of his friends. 

"What happened? Why did Cain ask for you?" Adam inquired, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. Even Zack, who typically wore an air of indifference, displayed a slight hint of concern.

 “How did you know it was Dr. Cain?” Ian asked, he raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

"From his personal guard," Adam responded.

“Oh,” Ian nodded. I didn’t know that.

“Well?” Adam urged, eager to hear the details. His eyes fixed on Ian, awaiting his response.

Ian shrugged, a sense of resignation apparent in his demeanor. "He just wanted to talk to me and clarify things about my past." 

“Is that all?” Zack spoke up, his voice laced with suspicion.

Ian nodded. Not knowing how to explain further than that.

“Anyway, we can talk about it later. For now, get changed into this before that doctor comes back,” Adam said, while handing Ian a gown.

Ian accepted the gown from Adam. He found a nearby couch and settled onto it, preparing to change into the medical gown. He began to undress, removing his top and sliding into the gown, which exposed a sizable opening at the back. Uncertainty crept into his mind.

Should I take off my underwear too? His brow furrowed with hesitation as he glanced at Adam and Zack. He called out to Adam, who was seated on the couch, seeking his guidance. "Adam?" Ian's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. 

“Hm?”  Adam responded, turning his gaze toward Ian.

Ian took a deep breath before voicing his concern. "Should I take off my underwear too?" he asked 

"Yes, they will ask you to take them off eventually," he replied, with a nod.

A sigh escaped Ian’s lips. I don’t like this. He proceeded to remove his underwear, feeling uncomfortable and exposed. He then took a seat on one of the couches.

Shortly thereafter, the door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged male doctor holding files. He motioned for the boys to follow him down the hallway. Ian's heart raced with uncertainty as they stepped into a spacious examination room. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, heightening his apprehension. 

Multiple examination beds were neatly arranged in two rows, stretching from one end of the room to the other. Each bed had a thin mattress covered in pale blue sheets. Alongside the beds were trays holding various medical instruments and supplies. In the center of the room, a long curtain hung from the ceiling, creating a visual barrier between the two sides.

Ian's attention was drawn to three younger children seated on one side of the examination beds. Their faces betrayed a mix of nervousness and anticipation as they awaited their turn, their fingers fidgeting with anxiety.

The middle-aged doctor gestured for the boys to take their places on the examination beds lined up along the right side of the room. Adam took his place on the last bed. Ian settled onto the middle bed, feeling a slight tension building within him. To his left, Zack sat, his usual air of indifference masking any apprehension he might be feeling. The boys maintained a comfortable distance between each bed, creating a sense of space amidst the clinical surroundings.

Ian's attention was abruptly drawn to the agonized cries of a girl resonating from the other side of the room, causing his heart to skip a beat. The anguished wails carried an unmistakable tone of pain and fear, sending shivers down his spine. He clasped his hands together, attempting to calm himself. What's happening? Why is she crying like that? And why isn't anyone doing anything to calm her down… damn it! This is creeping me out.

He glanced at Adam, who sat on the bed with a concerned and helpless expression, his brows furrowed in worry. Turning his gaze to Zack, he noticed him lying on the bed with his eyes closed, a frustrated scowl etched on his face. 

A female doctor entered the examination room, her face hidden behind a mask and her expression cold and detached. She approached Zack, donning latex gloves and carrying a tray of sharp needles and collection tubes. Placing the tray on the table beside him, she offered no explanation or reassurance. With a firm grip on Zack's arm, she proceeded to tighten a tourniquet around his upper arm, tapping it a few times to locate a suitable vein. This caused him to glare at her and roll his eyes in defiance.

However, her first attempts at drawing blood proved unsuccessful, prompting her to try again. Zack winced and clenched his fists, trying to endure the pain. As she made a third attempt, Zack yanked his arm away forcefully, his frustration boiling over. "You bitch!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room, drawing the attention of everyone present. "You're intentionally doing this, aren't you? Unless you got your fucking license from the Quackery College of Doctors!"

The female doctor's anger flared up, fueling her actions as she unleashed a forceful slap across Zack's face. Her voice trembled with a mix of frustration and disdain as she reprimanded him, "Don't you dare speak to me in such a manner, you aberrant scientific test anomaly!" Her face flushed with a mixture of anger and wounded pride, adding to the tension in the room.

Ian was taken aback by Zack's outburst, his heart pounding in his chest. But his attention quickly shifted as Dr. Cain entered the room, accompanied by two of his personal guards. The atmosphere changed instantly, as if a dark cloud had descended upon the space. Dr. Cain stood tall, his presence commanding attention and respect. His deep blue eyes, narrowed with a piercing gaze, swept across the room, conveying a mix of anger and control.

The female doctor who had slapped Zack turned her gaze towards the door, gasping as her eyes met Dr. Cain's sharp gaze. She stumbled back, her face drained of color, realizing she had overstepped her boundaries. The other staff members nearby, who had been observing the situation, became tense and cautious, fully aware of the consequences of displeasing Dr. Cain.

A hushed silence fell over the room as everyone awaited Dr. Cain's reaction. His expression held a dangerous intensity, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. The air became thick with unspoken tension, as if even the walls held their breath in anticipation.