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[nerd-word-stories]

This is my first attempt at a poem! I've been feeling really sad about going to college and leaving my friends behind, but I know it'll work out in the end.

We sat around the table

Our hearts filled with mirth

I'd never felt more stable

Sure that where I am

Is where I'm supposed to be

But joyous laughter turns nostalgic tears

And then I'm agian secure

Secure in my fears

As my journey begins

But for noe I'm here and so are they

So my joyous laughter is restored

But it's different this time

For this time I'm not feeling so sure.

[nerd-word-stories]

This is a story about body snatching in 19th century England. It does talk about stealing a body and sickness, but nothing graphic. Thank you for reading!

The anatomy teacher’s door was one of intricate patterns, the kind of patterns you’d only notice should you have been condemned to anxiously stand in front of it, as I have been for well over 2 minutes now. You see, about half past nine, I had received a letter that the aforementioned professor wanted to speak with me, regarding what the letter failed to say, simply stating to meet the professor at precisely a quarter past midnight, not a minute earlier nor a minute later. Though the lack of reason for the meeting set me on edge, my penchant for punctuality did not allow me to miss the meeting. Which is why at exactly 12:15, I pushed open the wood door and cautiously stepped into the office.

    Professor Bullard sat at his desk, still dressed in the clothes he taught in, looking expectantly at the door, anticipating my arrival.

“Ah yes, Mr. Clement, right on time. Come sit, sit.” The professor gestured to the seat across from him, cheery and inviting as ever. I smiled at the professor, though uneasiness continued to clench at my organs, and sat as he requested.

    “Hello professor, I do not mean to be rude, but might I enquire why you’ve summoned me at this late hour?”

    Professor Bullard moved his hand in a dismissive gesture, as if batting away the apparition of my words. “In due time my boy, for now, tell me, how is your mother, is she any better?”

    My heart twisted painfully at the mention of my mother. “She is still unwell sir, the doctors say her days are limited.”

    The professor nodded, “Surely there is something they can do to help her, is there not Mr. Clement.”

    I hesitated, the out of character curiosity of the professor greatly concerned me. Still, I answered politely, “As of right now sir the best they can do is prolong her life with constant surveillance, but as of right now, neither my father or I can finance it.”

    The professors expression dropped, hardening into intense urgency. “What if I told you, I had a plan that could save your mother?”

    I leaned forward in my chair, intrigued. The older man placed his hands flat on the table, gazing at me intently.

    “What I’m about to say mustn’t leave this room, and if it does, I will have your reputation destroyed, have I made myself clear?” at my solemn knodd he continued. “There is a cemetery two kilometers up the road. I have it on very good authority that a poor farmer has recently died with similar symptoms ascribed to your ailing mother. Under the security of night, I want you to take the body, leave every belonging, clothes, jewelry everything, just take the body. In return, I will pay you 61 pounds, enough to keep the doctors at your mother's bedside.”

    Shock filled my body, and I sat muted in my chair for several moments. “Sir I’m afraid I do not understand you want me to steal a body? For what purpose?”

    “Anatomical research Mr. Clement, you and I, under the cloak of darkness will find the deepest secrets of the human body. With any luck we will find what diseases your mother and discover a means of a cure. Don’t you want to be a hero Mr. Clement?”

    “But it’s immoral sir, and illegal I’m certain.” I protested.

    “It is merely a misdemeanor” professor Bullard said, as calm and cool as always. “And what is even more immoral is the state would rather have people die than provide scientists with necessary tools to solve these problems. We have a chance to change the world, maybe even save it. If you want to ease the horrors of the deed, learn a lesson from statesman and drink on the job.”

    I thought of my kind hearted mother, dying of pain and sickness, she didn’t deserve that. The professor was offering me her salvation, I would do anything for my mother. “Alright sir” I said nodding resolutely “I’ll do it, for society, for my mother.”

    Professor Bullard clapped his hands once in delight. “Wonderful my boy, simply wonderful. I will give more details in a letter tomorrow, for now get some rest.”

    I nodded once again, getting up from my chair and opening the door. “And remember Mr. Clement, discretion is of the utmost importance.”

    “Yes sir” I said as I took a step past the oak door and let it thud shut behind me.