The Future isn't Bright

Twenty-Nine

It was during dinner the next day that Ulysses dropped a major bomb on the entire Compound. Figuratively, of course.

"Can I have your attention, please?" he cleared his throat as he stepped up on a bench. I craned my neck painfully, every inch of me sore from more intense training earlier today.

"The Compound council and I have decided, after much discussion, to unanimously declare a state of absolute war upon the Government." I snarfed up a handful of spaghetti that I was trying to swallow, earning a weird look from Chloe.

"I know this may come as a shock to some of you," Ulysses continued, "But we wish to discuss further concerning the date of our invasion. All that I ask of you all is to continue your training. That is all." he waved his hand up slightly as a gesture of goodwill and stepped down. I turned back to my spaghetti in silence, suddenly losing my appetite.

"Do you have weapons training or individual training today?" Chloe waved a hand in front of my eyes, breaking my gaze away from my pasta.

"Individual," I cleared my throat, "I've been doing weapons since this morning, with Oslo." Chloe's mouth turned into a smirk. I gave her a look, knowing nothing happened except for strict training.

"Well I have to go," I quickly stood up as I picked up my tray to walk it to the trash can. I threw my excess food away, but kept a little juice box. I was slurping it when Chloe came up to me.

"It's okay, Donna, I'm cool with it. If you want to, um, hang out with my brother then you should." she patted me on the back awkwardly. I laughed at her attempt to comfort me.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's still really weird," she shook her head, returning my laughter.

"I get it. I'd be weirded out if you had eyes for Ethan too," Chloe sobered up, suddenly at a loss for words. I tilted my head in confusion, and then I smirked."I'll catch you later, then?" I waved off to her as I made my way off to individual training.

It was almost unheard of having one-on-one training in the afternoon, making me skeptical about what I was about to face. Mac had instructed me to meet her in my usual room, so I followed her directions. As I turned the metal doorknob, I was met with complete darkness on the inside.

"Mac? Hello?" I poked my head in."Donna..." I heard a familiar groan. It sounded like Mac's voice, so I let myself step through the doorway. I held my hand propped against the door, holding it open to allow at least some light to flood through the hallway.

"Donna." My head snapped to the back of the room, where I believed Mac's vice came from, her tone suddenly taking on a hint of urgency. I instinctively stepped forward, losing my hold on the door and shutting it with a metallic clang that projected off of the walls of the room, helping me map it out mentally as I forced my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I panicked as I groped for the doorknob and realized that nothing was there, only a flat wall.

"Mac?" my voice wavered. I repeated myself after I got no response. I heard my breathing hitch. Reaching my arms out, I waved them in front of me as I took a step away from the door. I shut my eyes in concentration, noticing that there was no difference in vision. I couldn't see my hand even when I held it right up to my face.

I gasped after hearing shuffling coming from somewhere in the room. I felt tears of frustration building up in my eyes from my inability to make out anything. The temperature in the room seemed to drop as an eerie silence engulfed me. I held my breath, fearing that I might have been detected for exhaling too loudly.

Something whipped past my right shoulder, forcing me vigorously to the ground, off of my feet. I landed forcefully onto my elbows, grimacing at the sudden impact onto the cold concrete. I lifted myself onto one knee, about to stand up until I was once again abruptly whipped down. I felt a bruise forming on my hipbone, and I didn't want to get up only to get knocked over again. I held my knees to my chest, huddling on the ground in fetal position.