A whole new world

The beginning of the end

The entire ride was unremarkable. Nobody wanted to chat again, and even when I tried a conversation starter, the soldier next to me jabbed my side with the butt of his gun. Noone really seemed like the social type where I was going. Boy, do I hope theres some other people there that can give a change of attitude.

I remember clearly how the truck felt like it went wildly over the speed limit, honking and turning on fake emergency lights to bypass traffic. Though even with all this, we didnt get pulled over one time. Probably because some poor radar operating patrolman doesnt get paid enough to chase down three heavily armored vans zooming in a convoy down the street. That, or they paid off the cops already. I can never be sure with these monopolozing corporations. There was no lighting in the van, the only way i could see were some slits in the walls for ventilation, shading everyone barely as figures rather than people.

I dropped my law-nerd bitching in my head and cross my arms. I plant my elbows against my knee and plop my head down into the groupings of limbs. I close my eyes and start reciting the lyrics to a Sabaton song, which got me another 'gentle' jab to my side.

No sound at all, got it Mr. Fun Police.

I try to not let everything start getting to me. Ive been pushed around in my life alot, but fighting back isnt a great option at the moment. It was all a test of my endurance, one that would be testing me much harder than ive ever been pushed before.

Despite more sheer boredom and sprinkling of genuine fright when the van took a very sharp turn while speeding, I sat through the time it took to arrive where we needed to be. The trip was boring enough that I might have ripped my eyes out for some stimulation, but I didnt. Maybe later, not yet.

Following our oh-so-fun joyride, we came to a grinding halt. I saw the light fade from the skies moments before we stopped. Not a natural, beautiful sunset vanishing, but artificial, like we were being obscured. My guess proves right. The van doors SSHUNK open, exterior locks going unbound to release the car's content.

We stepped out into what could only be assumed as a underground concrete parking garage, but barren and empty. The only features in the rock-box of a garage were two heavy blast doors on opposite sides of the room. By best guess, one door is where we came from, and one door is where we're going. Shocking concept, I know. I could see the doctor slip out of the leading truck, making an uncaring gesture for us to follow to the closer blast door. Her gaze wasnt judgemental, but it felt more surveying.. like she was looking over us like a frog to be disected in biology class rather than human beings.

The soldiers didnt waste time, so neither did we. At a sort-of trot pace, we stumbled towards the doctor, trailing her. I kept enough distance to be away from the creep, but not too much to look like im lacking. I could only guess how the latter might end.

The door opened with a loud hiss, churning metal heard from inside. I watched the door slide open like one of the vault doors from Fallout, and the large metal arm looming above twitched, like it was watching us enter.

"H-HELLO DR K! WELCOME BACK! I SEE YOU BROUGHT MORE SCUM OF THE EARTH WITH YOU TODAY!"

While not shouting by any means, the voice emanating from intercom systems that I hadnt noted yet sprang to life, sounding a little joyous to the doctor's presence.

"Thank you Kira. Would you seal the door for me and guide these four to their chambers?"

"OF COURSE DOCTOR! GOOD DAY!"

K then listed off our names again and pointed to each of us, signalling the voice that was no doubt watching us who we were. After just a little sorting, a small escort of soldiers paraded us down the halls. I watched behind me, seeing each of my fellow inmates being shuttled down different cooridors that we pass by one by one. I step lightly in the bleak, piercingly white cooridors. Every door looked the exact same. Every hallway copied all of its cousins. There was no distinct markings, no signs to point where important places are. No sense of variance.