1 Any volunteers?

Since the beginning of time, people have always been asking for some kind of sign to know they are not alone! Some would find the sign in a divine whisper, while some would look for it across our inhabitant rock, we call Earth. Moses found the word of God and helped the world hear it. Christopher Columbus found America. But is it really how it happened? Were you there to witness? God already existed; his existence never began when Moses came across him. Americas: North, Central and South, they all were already there before Columbus came across them.

Of course, this didn’t stop the humans to choose their beliefs! Therefore, humanity has expanded both religiously and scientifically. Yet there is space for humanity to expand...

But what if just looking for signs of another existence beside yours, is simply not your thing? Some people want to find a reason for why they are here! What exactly creates life and what takes it away just as easily? The answer could be hidden anywhere, but does anyone have the time to look for it properly?

“Good morning, students!” The world hides many secrets. They require a different way of approaching life, in order for the humans to understand them all. “Before we start our course, I would love it if you could all greet doctor Abra Juniper! She will be your new anatomy teacher, since doctor Kristopf Jack has retired recently.” This is Melanie Cortez, the dean of a medical school. Today she had to present the rather sudden changes that took place.

The students inside the lecture hall had their brows knitted in confusion. Just last week their great teacher was there talking about always checking if the dummies they will be practicing on, still have a heartbeat! Sure, the joke might have been darker than intended, but it helped the first years relax.

“Hello, everybody! I hope we can get along. I am a newbie too, just like you! So, let’s help each other out.” Doctor Juniper said with a faint smile. She was tall, frail and looked a bit younger than you expected for a teacher at a medical school. “So far, I have been working at the Juniper Institution of Life alongside my parents. Recently they passed away and I decided to do something else to get over the heartbreak.” She started to sniffle. “Sorry for getting all emotional already, we just met! But my parents were in love with medicine and they were always just so happy to teach anyone how to do a 2 inch incision without causing damage!” Saying that, she earned a few chuckles from the students.

“That is crazy, Blair!” A girl whispered towards her friend, while the new teacher kept on talking.

“What is?” The answer came back.

“Doctor Jack was fine last week, and he didn’t even say anything about retiring! This is crazy!” The first girl said, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Dakota, he was old! It was expected for something like that to happen. Maybe he was sick, and he didn’t want us to worry.” Blair answered, trying to reason within her friend. “You just love conspiracies, don’t you?” She mocked her friend.

“I was not about to speak my mind, but since you say I love conspiracies, then there you go! I think something happened, remember this weekend was that reactor explosion at the.. the..” Dakota put a finger on her lip.

“That happened one month ago! It was at Juniper Institution of Life and it wasn’t a reactor exploding, it was a fire started by a malufunction of the equipment used for incubating premature infants. Thank God it wasn’t used at that moment. Do you know how terrible it would have been!” Blair was looking down at her feet, feeling her stomach collapse.

“Don’t think about babies getting hurt, what are you? Some type of sicko?” Dakota chuckled. “Yeah, that was unfortunate, but I wasn’t talking about that! Besides, Doctor Jack was still around after that fire! My dad is working for that chemical factory that is an affiliate to J.I.L., you know, they make new drugs and treatments, also they build weird machinery for medical purposes... Anyways, one of the reactors exploded and it is said that some people might have died!”

“You are way too excited...” Blair furrowed her brows.

“Doctor Jack was there that weekend alongside other teachers, to purchase some formaldehyde and probably they were near the reactor that exploded and died or something! I mean, why would the founder of Juniper Institude of Life come and teach us about medicine if it is not some type of deal to hide the fact that people died on her property!” Dakota explained, proud to have known all the information before her friend.

“You’re crazy.” Blair rolled her eyes.

“I’m telling you...” Dakota started again, a bit louder than intended. This way she made the dean notice her.

“Dakota Spring! Do you have anything to share with the rest of us?” Doctor Cortez said in a tired manner, as if this was a regular thing.

“I-.. No, madam! I apologize!” Dakota stood up.

“Well, if you do want to apologize properly, you should go and volunteer for doctor Juniper here. You did pay attention, didn’t you?” Doctor Cortez inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh, yes! Of course!” Dakota said, going red from embarrassment.

“Well then! That was quick!” Doctor Abra Juniper chuckled. “Any other volunteers? I need one more, I told you I just need 2 people. Now come on, don’t be shy!” She said, flashing a smile to the whole class.

It was quiet. People were shy. After all, the room was full of first years, they did not feel ready to work in a hospital yet. They barely got through half of the semester and there is still so much to do!

“I would like to volunteer.” A girl with long red hair stood up with a raised hand. It was Blair!

“Oh, lovely! I really thought I had to pick from all of you!” Doctor Juniper said, relieved. “What’s your name, sweetie?”

“Blair Rochette.” The girl gave a nod as she said her name.

“Nice to meet you! Now, since I finished my long speech and I got my volunteers, it’s time to start the lecture!” Abra Juniper said as she turned to the blackboard.

The two girls didn’t speak for the rest of the lecture. Something felt a bit uneasy.