A Crumbling Society

Part 3-11

Hummingbird

Our bus ride wasn't awful, but it wasn't really the most exciting either. I guess it wouldn't be exciting when the fate of the world is on you, and your team, both of them. It was sad that we separated but I know it was for the best, I guess. The only person I can really talk to about all or most of this is Marcus. He just joined the hero life too since Karma came in and, well she threw us both into it. I had only just figured out that I could shrink because of the villains destroying the city. One shot a beam of light or energy and caused a car to flip and it hurdled itself towards me. I closed my eyes because if I was going to die, I didn't want to see how, I also didn't want to see my own blood or broken bones. I'm not sure what he was doing but when he told us that she had to tell him he had powers I wonder what that was like. I'd say he's my best friend right now, and he's probably just as scared as me. I had time to think about all of this while riding down the road and entering the check-in gate at the prison. Since the others left before us, we waited a little longer to board the next bus. Pulling in you could see the first bus unloading the other team and they walked off as we parked. When the guard came on, he explained what we needed to do to form a line and that we would be going to a different check-in. Being separated was already scary enough but now my anxiety is mortifying me because we're being pulled further away. It also doesn't help the fact that if we get into trouble, we are completely screwed because Summoner is on the other team. I'm not sure who to rely on when it gets to that but for now, I'll try to not dwell on it too much. I did or would take Summoner's side in all the arguing. When all of us had gotten off the guard with us said that we would head over to the main entrance. He had a yellow stripe on his padding and was really loud for no reason. Walking over wasn't so bad, the lot was gravel and the rocks scratched beneath our steps. Nobody else had ridden with us so the three of us were the only group with the guard beside us. As we got to the entrance another guard met us and the two spoke for a minute before turning our way. Giving instructions while continuing to yell at us was annoying but I really was kind of scared to say anything. I wondered if speaking a word would get us yelled at more or just throw the operation. The first guard explained that the second one was going to escort us from here while we undergo our check-ins. More instructions about our passkeys and how they're just wanting us to run the regular updates on the system. What confused me was the passkey part, I don't remember getting one, so I don't know what they were talking about. Nerves kicked in and now I'm tapping the sides of my thighs, then I felt it, or something. Reaching into the pocket I didn't know I had my fingers gripped a card sized object, pulling it out revealed that's what it was. Admiring the picture of myself for a second it showed some random credentials but looked passible to me. The guard yelling closer this time caused me to jump and almost dropped the card but managed to hold onto it. Fixing myself to keep composure we were told to proceed forward, the line moved and began the first check-in.

Luckily for me I was at the back of our line, I had unintentionally zoned out of what was being said to us before realizing how prepared we actually were. The others entered a door with metal backets around it, they must be sensors. Being forced to stop for a few seconds was when the passkeys were necessary, this filled in the gap on the missed instructions. Everyone took a turn before I did, pressing the cards to a reading post to scan and then moving on. As I did the same there was a rectangular shape in the post, with my card in place a green light lit up underneath. It moved up and down before blinking and producing a stern beep allowing me entry into the building. Walking further you could see that the brackets were giant metal holders to land on us and capture us if we tried anything rash. Small forms of quick imprisonment that look affective but would end our mission instantly. Continuing through the first point, black posts were lining the end of our location to scan for motion. At least it looked like it and they were probably trying to scan us to see if we brought any unwanted weapons and such. After everyone cleared the tests, we were ushered down the remaining part of the hallway, the guard leading us forced us to stop again. "This is where you'll be heading straight to the control room, there will be no straying from our path. You will continue in the line you're in now and absolutely no speaking to inmates. Straight there should be the only goal you have passing through the social block. A regime of guards is standing in there as well should anything happen, are we clear?", he asked finishing his speech. You could see thick metallic doors closing behind us in the hallway from the ceiling and floor. The group nodded back, and he opened the door telling us to walk straight down the overlook. Walking into the social block you could see it was completely full. Inmates left and right and they were making me nervous. I'm in my mid-twenties and I've never seen people in jail or even been in one. The platform was long and stretched beyond where they were hanging around. A hallway sat on the other side but had one specific door hiding out of sight from everyone else. I followed behind as we all stepped onto the overlook to begin walking. Prisoners below dug hooks into us with their eyes as we moved. Scowls and glaring locked in while heads slowly inched to follow our movements. This was making me even more nervous though I know they wouldn't recognize me.