Return to Earth

Chapter 3

Kierst had kept his silent promise to hate every second, except those spent sleeping. The endless trip down the dark tunnel played on the nerves of all, which left him avoiding the other three as much as he could. His private room became his haven as he searched for something outside that wasn't the dull lights along the tunnel, but it was a maddening search for something that wasn't there.

He hoped someone would get bored enough to tell him more, but suspected they were as clueless as to the reason behind heading south as he was. Whatever those scientists wanted with him; they could've sent someone to him to simply ask. A quick refusal would've ended the entire thing and he'd still be where he belonged.

Kierst was still surprised he had been chosen for whatever they wanted. If they did their research, they'd know he wasn't the kind of person to be picked for anything. When it came to anything that had nothing to do with the dome Kierst didn't care. His job may have helped to save lives, but they were lives he cared nothing about. Solitude and the sun were the only important things to him, and nothing could bring about a change in his dislike for people and their cities within the domes.

Freshly shaved faces stood ready in their black uniforms as they waited for the last of the minutes to tick by in an eternity of passing. She wasn't in there with them, since she chose to drag her feet more than the others. Her temper had been the shortest of them all and was surprised neither of the other two had been struck, since she could do some serious damage if she chose.

Scents of soap and minted paste covered the recycled air as she decided to grace them with her presence with only seconds remaining, provided the clock was accurate. The red numbers had been counting down since the start of the journey through darkness as all had cast looks of hatred at the digital timer. She glared up with white knuckles as he watched from a safe distance knowing she could break at any moment. Seconds left or not, she was on the verge of breaking.

He had seen it before with newer workers at the edge of the domes. The isolation wasn't for just anyone, but no way to know until they were out there. Kierst didn't need to be close to their barges when they broke, since he was the one who had to do the repairs to the damage they caused.

A brightly lit room, at least bright compared to the tunnel, appeared as they slowed to a hard stop, which almost knocked her over. Kierst almost laughed, but knew she would take it out on anyone who said anything. Their relaxed bearing was lost as they stood in his way of the exit as training and mission took over their exteriors. Until he was delivered to where they needed to take him, their jobs were his safety from any threat outside.

The hiss of the door opening could be heard as steps began to echo from somewhere close. There were at least two of them, but the steps were so perfectly timed that it was impossible to make out anything else. Tension eased a little, but were still ready to do their jobs as they placed themselves between him and whoever was making the echoed steps outside.

A harsh voice came from outside. "Your orders, Security Officer Dent."

He stepped from before him without giving up control of what was behind him. Hands were at the ready from the other two as the pad was handed to the whoever the voice belonged to. There was no sound to be heard as the Officers remained tense, which made no sense to him. The sooner he was let through the better. The three before him could do nothing to get him back to his job, but perhaps the ones he couldn't see could.