Italy — Autopsy Room — MidnightThe air in the sterile and cold autopsy room was thick with the pungent scent of antiseptic. The harsh white glow of fluorescent lights reflected off the stainless steel table, illuminating every corner of the room with merciless clarity. At the center of the table stood an elderly man with graying hair. His hair, worn by years of fatigue, fell in thin strands across his forehead. His hands, encased in leather gloves, moved with methodical calm—without a tremble or a hint of hesitation. His eyes, which may once have glimmered with compassion or curiosity, were now dull and devoid of emotion. He had stood at this table hundreds, perhaps thousands of times, searching for the final traces of life within cold bodies. This was his world: silent, cold, and real.
The body on the table belonged to a young man. His upper torso was marred by horrific acid burns; his skin had melted in places, turning into a patchwork of red and gray ruin. Blood had seeped into the grooves of the table, leaving behind a dark, dried stain. The old man picked up the scalpel, gripping it like a pen between his gloved fingers. The first incision began just below the sternum—a deep, decisive line. The blade sliced through the flesh with ease, revealing muscle tissue and fat beneath. His movements bore the resolve of a butcher rather than the delicacy of a surgeon. Each cut, each separation, had become automatic through years of experience.
Upon examining the abdomen, he measured the depth of a stab wound. The blade had pierced the intestines and reached the liver. The bleeding suggested a quick death—within minutes, perhaps even less. The acid burns indicated contact with a chemical substance after death, possibly an act of revenge or an attempt to destroy evidence. The old man noted every detail: the angle and depth of the wound, the surrounding tissue damage. He removed the heart, weighed it, sliced it; its surface showed slight pallor, likely due to blood loss. When he opened the stomach, the acrid smell of acid thickened the room's atmosphere. Inside, he found undigested food and, unexpectedly, a small metallic object—a capsule, possibly a microchip? He raised an eyebrow slightly, but his face remained expressionless. He placed the item into a container, to be added to the autopsy report.
Lungs, kidneys, spleen... Each organ was examined, measured, and recorded with systematic precision. His task was to unravel the story within the body. But this story was different. On the file beside the table, the young man's identity was written: a renowned bacterial researcher, author of a groundbreaking thesis on regeneration. The old man paid no mind to the detail. To him, every body on the table was just a puzzle. Emotion had long since faded.
When the autopsy was complete, he washed his hands, removed his gloves, and began writing his report. His pen moved across the paper as if dancing—each word cold and exact:"Cause of death: stab wound to the abdomen. Postmortem chemical burns observed. Unusual finding: unidentified metallic capsule in stomach contents."He signed the report, cleaned the table, and left the room. The fluorescent lights remained on, but now the room felt even quieter, emptier.
SHOCKING NEWS! YOUNG SCIENTIFIC PRODIGY ANTONIE ROUX HAS DIED!
The global scientific community is in mourning following the tragic loss of one of its brightest rising stars. ANTONIE ROUX, author of a groundbreaking thesis on the regenerative potential of bacteria in the human body, was brutally attacked and killed last night in one of Florence's historic alleyways. In his late twenties, ROUX had been on the verge of publishing his thesis in one of the world's most prestigious scientific journals—a work that could have revolutionized the field of regenerative medicine. But his promising career was abruptly ended by a single knife wound.
The incident occurred around 11:00 PM last night in a narrow, cobblestone alley in Florence. According to police reports, ROUX was ambushed by an unknown assailant while returning home. Eyewitness accounts suggest the attacker targeted ROUX's bag, and a brief struggle ensued. The bag contained original thesis notes, critical experimental data, and handwritten protocols not found in any copies. Most of the papers recovered at the scene were found severely damaged by acid—leading investigators to believe the attack was not random. Authorities suspect the acid was used deliberately to destroy evidence.
ROUX's research focused on injecting bacteria into the human body to accelerate wound healing and organ regeneration. Experiments on mice yielded extraordinary results, sparking intense interest across the scientific world. With the upcoming publication of his thesis, Roux had already received multi-million-dollar offers from major pharmaceutical companies and mysterious investors alike. Yet, he had remained steadfast in his mission to offer his findings for the benefit of humanity. Now, that vision lies shrouded in mystery.
Police have launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover the motive behind the murder. The presence of acid-damaged documents and the knife suggest premeditation. Additionally, the discovery of an unidentified metallic capsule in the stomach contents during the autopsy has added a new dimension to the case. Authorities believe the capsule may be linked to ROUX's research, but details remain unclear."This may not be just a murder—it could also be the loss of a scientific treasure," said Florence Police Chief Giovanni Bianchi. "We are meticulously analyzing every clue."
The scientific community is reeling from this tragedy. ROUX's advisor, Professor Maria Rossi, tearfully stated:"He wasn't just a student—he was a visionary. His work could have transformed the future of medicine. His loss is a wound to us all."Dr. Luca Moretti from the University of Rome added:"This murder not only silenced ANTONIE ROUX—it targeted humanity's hope. The loss of his original notes is a blow to scientific progress."
International scientific networks have launched memorial campaigns under the hashtag #JusticeForAntonie on social media platforms.
ROUX's personal life was as poignant as his academic success. He had chosen a modest university in Florence to stay close to a disabled family member, achieving remarkable results during his graduate studies with the help of scholarships and research grants. Friends described him as "passionate, curious, and always smiling." His close friend Sofia Conti said:"Even during long nights in the lab, he never stopped making jokes. His dreams were big, but his heart was bigger."
The funeral will be held next week at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence. The scientific community plans to honor ROUX's legacy by establishing a research fund to support young scientists in regenerative medicine.
Yet, the mystery behind this tragedy remains unsolved. ANTONIE ROUX's death marks not just the loss of a young man, but the theft of hope for humanity.
Stay tuned for updates on the ongoing investigation.