Spaced Out

Chapter Two

I feel strong hands shaking me awake. My eyes flip open to see my father staring at me with blue glassy eyes. My heartbeat skyrocketed as I realized it's today. I want to cry. I want to break things in a fit of rage, but I just sit there accepting it for what it is.
"It's time," my father says with a remorseful expression. My mother hides behind him like a child, with fresh tears leaving sticky trails down her face. Dad stands up and walks over to the cedar door along with my mother.
"Get dressed, and go say goodbye to Matt," my mother says before closing the door. They don't want to see my tears, so run away, scared. I stand up from the bed, my feet hitting the cold hardwood floor, as I walked to my dresser. I pull open the bottom drawer, which is completely empty, except for a plastic bag labeled with my name.

Cheryl Simmons

Will that even be my name anymore? The bag contained a thin black and gray suit similar to a wetsuit, and a list of instructions. I tore open the bag and dumped its contents on the floor. I stormed into the bathroom, and turned on the shower, shedding my clothes. All I could think about where Matt, Ava, and Adam. The people who I love most, next to my family, will be lost. I rub my head thoroughly with soap and conditioner, until I'm sure my scalp is red with scratches. When my hair is dry and well brushed, I tie my hair into its normal ponytail, and take one last look at the instructions.

Boarding is at approximately 12:00pm
Explore. Get to know the place. Map on back page.
Go to room 2411 for your appointment at 2:37 sharp.

The word appointment hits me hard. How could they describe it with such... casualty? As if it's as simple as getting a flu shot.
I also don't really understand what the whole point of exploring is, since I won't remember anything afterwards. But for my sake, I won't argue. I crumple the page in my fist and throw it on the ground where it tumbles underneath my bed. I run out the door into the fierce winds, sprinting towards the Oak tree. I know he'll be there.
I'm not panting when I get there. My mind is too lost to function at all. Matthew comes out behind the thick trunk with tears lining his eyes. He comes towards me, enfolding me in his arms. My chin rests on his shoulder, tears already threatening to pour out.
"I don't want to say goodbye," My voice trembles. I pull away from his embrace, and look into his eyes.
"I don't either," I see fear taking over in his eyes. The light that was always there was long gone, and probably will be for a long time. Maybe even forever. His face reflects pain. An expression I haven't seen him wear. "I love you," I say, a single teardrop rolling down my cheek. It's not the first time I've ever told him that, and God forbid it be the last. He cups the side of my face with his hand, and wipes away the tear with his thumb, but another replaces it. "I love you too." It hurts to see him like this, and it probably hurt him as well to see me this way. One last time our lips go in contact with each other. I wonder if one memory will be left behind. Or if someday it will come back to me. Two kids on a cloudy, windy and cold morning saying their solemn goodbyes. Their worlds slowly crashing down upon them. Simply starting over.
Our lips part, and Matthew kneels down on the grass, starting to dig, throwing handfuls of soil in the air. Something shines in the corner of my eye, as he picks it up, and stands on his feet. I see a silver ring with black engravings that read, Never Forget. Tears turn into waterfalls as I hold my hand out so he can place it on one of my fingers. I look away, and squeeze out more hot tears as he slides it on my ring finger, and curls my fingers into a fist.
"Never forget." He whispers. He looks up and I see a single tear making its way down his face. "Never forget," I repeat. We both turn away and run the other direction. I don't look back, knowing the weight of my emotions would crush me if I do. I run faster than I ever have before, concentrating on every sound my heavy steps make, as the wind cruelly rips across the grasses, no longer playing games. I see Ava standing in my usual spot where I look at the stars. Her loose hazel hair is flowing with the wind, and she is dressed in the same black suit as me and everybody else. She quickly turns around as I run into her arms. The wind carried our sobs to places unknown, as we let everything wash over us, and soak us in regrets.
"Goodbye." I say finally. "Goodbye." She turns away and starts walking, with slumped shoulders, her hair draped over her face. I keep watching as the sulking walk quickly morphs into an angry run.

☪

I walk around in the mysterious dimly lighted halls, my eyes darting across each hall. I am awake and alert, carefully scanning my surroundings. I stop and lift up my hand. I look at the palm of my hand where the ink of four black numbers stain my skin. 2411 . I see the silver ring, that is wrapped around my middle finger. Tears spring out of my eyes as soon as I look at it. They're going to take it. They can't take it. They won't take it.
I slide the ring off my finger, and slip it into my black shoe. I wipe away the tears and take a deep breath. There won't be anymore crying, it's time to be strong. Once again, I continue to make my way to the room. This time I am running, my feet thumping against the ground, and my heavy breath echoing throughout the empty halls. Why is this ship so empty? Where is everyone? I see the steel door, and the vague numbers that read, 2411. I can feel those numbers staring at me, with every step I take, getting closer to the door. I search for a clock that identifies the time, but as always I am not in luck.
I come face to face with the steel door. I push it open, but it doesn't budge. I gather up some strength and push harder, but there is still no impact from my strength. I sigh, and run a hand through my hair. How on Earth am I supposed to get in now. My eyes scan the door and I see some kind of contraption with and outline of a hand, on the wall right next to the door. I raise my hand, and place it on the outline. I keep it on, until the door lets out a loud buzz, which startles me. I quickly bring up my hand, and push open the heavy door. Inside of the room, I see a man with a strange haircut, a large metal table, and a tray of tools by the table.
"Go on. Lay on the table. We don't have much time," the man says in a deep voice.
I hesitantly shuffled my feet towards the table and sat down. My hands touched the cold metallic surface, I winced not wanting to lie down. As much as I didn't want to, I laid on the table, trembling. The man ordered me to close my eyes, but they were already closed. Adrenaline infiltrated my veins, as I anticipated the moments of pain I would soon encounter. As if the man read my mind, a small pinch in my wrist. In immediate defense, my eyes snapped open to see what had made the puncture in my arm. I see the man with the strange haircut holding an intimidating sized syringe, attached a needle at least four inches long.
I close my eyes once again. I felt quite relaxed. Soon after, I felt a moderate pain going up my arm which quickly spread to my chest. The pain started to grow at a fast pace, and spread to other parts of my body. I tried to think of Matt and my parents and my friends that were probably in the same agonizing pain that I am experiencing at this moment. I arched my back in pain, as I heard the man's firm voice say, "Sit still." The corners of my vision were darkening, as I hear my screaming voice bounce off of the walls. "I can't," were the last words I spoke before the man who was the spitting image of Spock, disappeared along with everything else in the world.