Planet Serenthia

Chapter 2

The corridors looked almost identical coated in black paint and illuminated with small spotlights in the ceiling. I followed the door numbers as the increased, 305, 306, 307. 317 was located at the very end of the corridor tucked away in a bleak little corner. The black door made my heart thump as I realised the alien species will be behind the door and I will expected to engage in a conversation with him. I press the key card against the sensor as It clicks unlocked and I push my way though the door taking a deep breath. However when I enter the room I am met with silence and darkness, the light have been left turned off, and as I flick the switch I can see that no one else has entered this room except me. The alien that I was supposed to meeting is no where to be seen, and I let out a sigh of relief.

The sound of anger and yelling, flickered through the thin walls, the women next door was full of anger and rage as she screamed at her new alien house mate. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I could understand a few curse words. Her door opens before slamming aggressively shut, and I decide that it is not a good time to try and introduce myself.

Placing my small bag of clothes onto the bed, I start unpacking placing the picture frame of my family onto the bedside table next to the lamp. I couldn't help at it for a few moments, we where all stood at the beach, the water lapping over our feet and smiles glued to our faces. It was a long time ago, maybe eight years, but it was one of the only times I remember my father being happy. 

All humans are requested to meet in the hall in half an hour.

The loud announcement echoed throughout the empty apartment, it makes my shake away my thoughts, as I hurry to hang all of my ironed clothes into the oak brown wardrobe. My pants and socks have been tidied away neatly into the bedside draw. I was unsure on how many to pack in my suitcase, I do not want to run during our time on the ship. I had settled on fourteen, enough to last me two weeks, or until I can find a washing machine.

Hanging on the wooden oak door is a grey tracksuit, no stripes or colours just plain grey with the letters breeder sewn onto the breast. The fabric is a soft delicate cotton, covering my skin and hugging at my features. Adjusting the zip, I glance at myself in the mirror that is hanging on the white wall. I feel as though all the personality has be stripped away from me, the tracksuit uniforms the fact that I am no longer Zahra, instead I am simply just a breeder. 

The announcement rings out once more, reminding me that I only have ten minutes to get to the teaching room. Grabbing the only pair of trainers that I brought on board the ship, I slip them onto my feet, tying the laces tight before racing out the door.

Thankfully the entire ship has signed directions, that help me to locate the main hall, with out these I would find myself wondering around the ship lost. Other women where slowly filtering out their rooms, in deep conversations with their neighbours, that they had already befriended.

I have never been good at making friends, It was not for the lack of trying or lack of effort. No one ever had similar interests to me. I could hold general chit chat with the popular girls, but when they started discussing celebrities and models, I was lost. Books have always and will always be my saving grace, and I brought enough with me to last a lifetime.

Everyone had gathered in the main hall we had been in previously, however now with my nerves calmed slightly, I am able to soak in the décor. Instead of long plastic benches like in school, there are circular white tables draped with a blue cotton. Seats are placed around them, already filled with women eating plates of hot food and drinking cold juice. A arrangement of pink and blue flowers where placed neatly on the table with small candles burning. It felt like a five star restaurant, expect it was not. A sweet scent of the seaside and fresh linen drifted through the hall as the women que up to get their food.