Fated {Loki Fanfiction}

Chapter 1

"Conium Maculatum," a teacher addressed a small group of students that listened attentively.

   The teacher pressed a button on her laptop, the picture on her screen was projected to the white cloth in front of the classroom.

   A few of the students recognized the image, those who didn't anticipated what the teacher had to say.

   The image showed a plant with a smooth green stem that faintly had purple spots on the lower half. It had lots of leaves and small, white flowers that were clustered in umbels.

"Conium Maculatum," the teacher repeated, "does anyone know what its common name is?"

   A student raised his hand. The teacher smiled and nodded at him.

"Hemlock," he answered.

"That is correct Jasper," the teacher said, pressing another button on her laptop. The projector flashed the word HEMLOCK on the white screen in front.

"Hemlock is one of those plants that thrive in damp areas but also on drier rough grassland, roadsides and disturbed ground. Poison hemlock flourishes in the spring, when most other forage is gone," the teacher lectured, the key words appearing in front as she spoke, "All of its parts are poisonous, but once the plant is dried, the poison is greatly reduced, although not gone completely."

   The students scribbled down the notes furiously.

"So look out for this plant because it is very lethal and abundant here in our area," the teacher told the students.

   Another student raised her hand.

"Yes, Jennifer?" the teacher said.

"Ma'am, all the other plants you've shown us so far had a twist to their nature. Does this one have one too?" the student asked.

"Good question," the teacher said, smiling, "did you guys know that even though this plant is very lethal that it is used for medicine?"'

   Most of the students were amazed. And the teacher couldn't help but be amused. The freshmen were always fun to teach, she thought. They were still full of wonder; full of anticipation for college.

"It is true that every part of the plant is poisonous but when handled properly, it can be made into medicine for bronchitis, pertussis and asthma and used for treatment in a lot more cases such as the reversal of strychinine poisoning."

   The teacher paused as the students jot down more notes.

"A poisonous plant reversing poisoning. The wonders of the world we live in," the teacher, letting amazement tinge her voice, told the class.

   The class laughed shortly in agreement. The teacher checked the clock hung on the wall behind the last row of students.

"That's all the time we have. It was a pleasure to be your lecturer today. Welcome to the world of biotechnology," the teacher said as the students exited the room, thanking the teacher and bidding her good bye. Some even said that they were privileged to have been lectured by her which made her laugh.

   As one student exited, the teacher heard one of them say: "Leila Hazlewood. Who would have known that we'd be under her on our orientation? I mean she's like one of the best biotechnologists there is!"

   The teacher smiled to herself as she shut her laptop down and unplugged the projector. Since she was the last lecturer of the day, she rolled up the white cloth and placed it in the cabinet on one corner of the room.

"Good afternoon, doctor Leila," a voice called from the classroom's open door as the teacher closed the cabinet door.

   Leila turned around to see the newcomer. It was a man in his fifties, his hair already turning silver. His dark brown eyes were warm but his smile was even more so. It was her father, Alfred Hazlewood.