From Darkness Comes - Book 2 in The Dissonance Series

Inmate #53

"Here you are Miss Attwood, number 53, your new home," the woman in white says, pointing to the odd-looking circular structure that stands before me. "I think you'll find everything to be most satisfactory. Your guide will arrive at 6 pm tomorrow evening to escort you to the celebration." I let out a small puff of air at her use of the word "guide" when we both know, it's a guard. A few letters change the meaning entirely. "You'll find several small bottles of liquid oxygen in the entryway. Do make sure you grab one on your way out." I give her a confused look. Maybe she had explained this to me on our walk over. She had rambled on and on but I hadn't listened to a single word. I was still in shock over seeing my brother and trying to make sense as to how Vega had wound up here after all these years. "Simply as a precaution," the woman in white continues, confusing my misunderstanding for concern.

"Of course," I smile politely. She might be one of them, but she's simply a minion, doing what she's told. She turns on her heels and shuffles down the pathway, back the way she came.

I glance around for a moment at the other homes next to mine, hoping that by chance they put Wyler and I next to one another, but he's nowhere to be found. Since the moment we arrived, they have seemed determined to keep us apart. There was a certain freedom I felt on the ship, but already it feels different here. Even with my brother having a position of authority, it's becoming clear that Environettix was playing nice to get me here, but now that they've gotten me where they want me, my voluntary participation may be unnecessary.

I approach the front door of my new home. It's odd to think that this is where I will be living, where I will spend the remainder of my days. My mind flashes to the place I used to call home: a place of warmth and love, not sterile and white. I miss the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, of running down the stairs and seeing my parents in the kitchen, my father reading his retro newspaper and my mother scrambling eggs. But the happy memory is washed away and filled with the image of a tidal wave sweeping through our town, washing away my home. I open my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself to take it one day at a time. I reach for the doorknob, but there isn't one. I notice a black panel next to the door. A yellow light fades in and out around the outline of a hand. I hold my palm up to the panel and the light flashes green. The door slides open. They already have my fingerprints. I wonder what else they've taken.

I walk from room to room examining my new home. Beige walls and neutral colors. Simple, practical furniture. Three large hexagonal windows face away from the other homes, looking towards the center of our new civilization. The town has been built horizontally. Only one building stretches above the tree line, the Environettix headquarters, where I was earlier today, towers above the city, looking down on the citizens, watching from above. People bustle about, following their guides to their new dwellings. I recognize some of the faces but so many are strangers. The ship housed 1,000 souls, making it impossible to know everyone, especially for someone like me who mainly kept to herself.

A young blonde couple passes by with smiles on their faces, excited for their new adventure. I watch curiously as they embrace, so publicly and carefree, no need to hide their love, which is when I realize I've never had that kind of relationship. With Wyler, we were hiding from Lex and with Kelly, we were hiding from Environettix. I wonder for a moment what it would feel like to be so free, to make choices for yourself without being worried about the consequences for others. As if sensing my intrusion on their personal moment, the woman turns and looks at me. She smiles and holds up her hand to wave but I slink back, hiding behind the wall. What's the point of making a friend when everyone always leaves or is taken away? It's better to live life at a safe distance, guarding one's heart.

On the wall before me, lies a flat rectangular panel with just one button under which reads the words, "press me." I feel like Alice in Wonderland being offered a cake with the words, "eat me," unsure if I want to go down the rabbit hole. Hitting it, a voice greets me. "Hello 53, welcome to your new dwelling. I hope you will find everything most satisfactory." What is it with that phrase? It gives me the creeps. "How can I make your day more pleasant?" she asks, as if reading my mind.