Chapter 4: The Autoclave

Chapter 4: The Autoclave

Inside the microbiology laboratory, Marina was preparing a nutrient agar medium.

The next step was autoclaving.

As a newly appointed researcher in the laboratory, there was one machine she feared the most—the autoclave.

It stood quietly in the corner of the room like a giant metal monster waiting for someone to make a mistake.

Marina swallowed nervously.

"I really don't want to do this..."

Taking a deep breath, she carefully carried the flask containing the prepared nutrient agar and placed it inside the autoclave.

She knew sterilization was essential. If the nutrient medium wasn't autoclaved, unwanted microorganisms already present in the agar or introduced from the environment could grow on it. That would contaminate the experiment and ruin the results.

"Please, God..." she whispered under her breath. "If I'm going to die, I don't want to die because of an autoclave."

She quickly shut the heavy door and locked it securely.

With slightly trembling hands, she began setting the sterilization conditions.

Temperature: 121°C.

She reached for the pressure setting.

Just then—

"Wrong pressure."

The sudden voice behind her made Marina jump.

She turned around.

"Sorry, sir," she replied immediately.

Although she knew the correct setting was 15 psi, her nervousness had caused her to press the wrong button.

Her hands were still shaking.

She had never liked using an autoclave. The thought of working with high-pressure steam always made her anxious.

But she also knew she couldn't avoid it forever.

Taking another deep breath, she steadied herself, corrected the pressure to 15 psi, checked the settings once more, and finally pressed the Start button.

The machine hummed to life.

Marina silently prayed that both she—and the autoclave—would survive the day.

As soon as the autoclave started running, releasing a loud hiss of steam and mechanical noises, Marina quietly slipped away like a little fish escaping from a hungry predator.

She hurried toward her supervisor.

"Sir... I'll be in the washroom. Could you please keep an eye on the autoclave?"

Her supervisor looked at her over his glasses.

"It will take only fifteen minutes, Marina. What exactly are you planning to do in the washroom for fifteen minutes?"

Marina forced an awkward smile.

"I'll be back in five minutes, sir. I promise."

He sighed and waved his hand.

"Alright. But don't disappear."

"Yes, sir!"

Before he could say anything else, Marina practically ran out of the laboratory.

She finally stopped outside the door and let out a deep breath.

"Damn it..."

"If it's going to explode, someone has to stay near it."

She folded her arms and shook her head.

"And that someone is definitely not going to be me."

No matter how many times she told herself that an autoclave was perfectly safe when used correctly, she could never bring herself to trust a giant metal chamber filled with high-pressure steam.

She simply didn't want to go anywhere near it.

Author's Note

Hello, dear readers!

Thank you so much for reading my new novel, The Love Hotel. I truly hope you're enjoying the story so far.

If you like it, please don't forget to vote, subscribe, comment, and share your thoughts. Your support and feedback mean a lot to me and encourage me to keep writing.

Also, be sure to check out my other stories if you enjoy my work. I hope you'll love them too!

Happy reading, and thank you for your support! ❤️

🪙 REBORN BY FLIPPING A COIN 🪙

She died...

Only to wake up with a mysterious coin that can send her across countless parallel worlds.

Her mission?

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A childhood best friend who already owns his heart...

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With the mischievous Bral constantly creating chaos and Kamla desperately trying to clean up the mess, Rosaline's journey is anything but ordinary.

Can one woman rewrite destiny across infinite worlds?

Or will fate prove stronger than love?

One Coin. Infinite Worlds. Endless Love Stories.

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