It was June 1915, Mark Daidly was a soldier who served his country proudly. They called and he responded, the war was hell, he understood that now. He was sent back home missing his right leg, it was fine, he would adapt.
He was married and had a young daughter of 6 years. His family was his all. So, when he returned and found there was nothing waiting for him, no work, and truly little help, his life began to look bad.
His wife tried her best to help, finding war work as and where she could. He was a man of pride, but when his wife's friend who had married the Mayor said she might know someone who could help, someone she had overheard her husband talking about, he had to try.
It was 6 pm at a building on the docks, the building itself was clean, Mark also noticed other men, some assisted by their family arriving and heading inside. They all seemed to have one kind of disability or another. Heading in Mark chose to head up front, if he was getting work or any other kind of help, he wanted to try being among the first.
After waiting about half an hour, it seemed most of the people had arrived, when a young man in his early 20's and a young blonde woman who would tempt any hot blooded man walked in and headed to the front.
"Hello Men, my name is David, and next to me is Stephenie. We are about to offer you something for free, then we are going to offer you a job. Both subjects can never be spoken to anyone, I hope that is understood and was made clear by the person who contacted you." David announced.
A low murmur of acknowledgment and nods went around the room. Mark realized he might have missed out on some information thanks to getting it all second-hand.
"Now, I will ask you to step forward to take the serum, I advise you to sit down as soon as possible afterward. Once it has had the desired effect, you can either stay and hear my offer or leave. Please understand, if you refuse the offer you are free to go after, but we will be rather strict about you sharing our information. As David was speaking Steph was taking her time and looking at each person in the room individually, rather easy as most were sneaking glances at her,
Mark looked about; he had placed himself right at the front so naturally, David looked to him to start. Gritting his teeth, he stood up slowly and made his way to the front.
David smiled slightly as he moved "It will be okay; I have too much respect for those who are willing to fight for their country to deceive you. May I?" asked David as he indicated the serum towards Mark's right thigh.
Mark nodded then felt a slight sting from the injection.
"You had best take your seat quickly," advised David
Mark mumbled thanks as he moved back his seat.
He had no idea what he had been given, but his right leg was already itching. Looking downwards Mark was stunned for a moment as he realized his right leg was itching! He placed both hands on the stump of his leg. Through the material he had folded up he could feel movement, the itching got worse but that was something Mark was ignoring now, he was sure he felt his right leg slowly growing out.
A few minutes later all the people present were seated after treatment, and some, like Mark, was starting at their regenerating body parts with tears running down their faces. Marks' leg growing back, it had only reached his knee so far, but it was still growing. Until he realized it was growing back, he did not realize how much not having it had affected him. Although he had tried to act normal it wore him down, he had become depressed and his wife and daughter suffered because of this.
Now it was changing, he was getting a chance to fix things. This man in front of him asked nothing and gave all the soldiers in this room so much back. Mark was glad his leg was regenerating slowly or he would have run-up to the front and hugged David for saving him, for saving his family.
A few minutes later he heard an angelic voice speaking to him while he was still staring at his new right leg in stunned silence.
"No-one told you to bring a pair of shoes. We have a few extra pairs." Mark looked up and suddenly forgot everything. The blonde woman with deep blue eyes and now a stunning smile was looking down at him. The part that looked wrong was that she was holding a men's pair of shoes, he then realized she was talking to him.
Before he could stutter a reply, she gently placed the shoes in his hands and chuckled. "It's okay, he did this because he wanted to. In your case though, you might want to stay for the next part. It can change the life you going to walk back into, into a new life." As she finished talking, she moved back to David's side. Mark swore she was so graceful it was like she was floating.