Found

Prolouge

There is a world where everything is grey. The streets are bare and the houses wrecks that look more like piles of molding boards. There is no noise, except for the occasional wind blowing yellowed papers or old curtains. It is deserted. This world is called Earth.

                 “Abigayle Clearwater, William Pond, report to the main desk immediately.”  The intercom buzzed off and I turned to grin at Will. “I was beginning to think they’d forgotten us. It’s been so long since they’ve given us a mission,” Will said as we walked down the long grey corridor to the Main Common Room.

                “Of course they didn’t forget about us,” I replied. “There are only 20 of us that can go off planet anyway. It’s what makes us Jumpers.” Will opened his mouth to respond, but before he could we turned the corner and reached the entrance to the Common Room. I scanned my ID, waiting for Will to do the same. The enormous glass doors slid open, revealing the Main Common Room.

                The Main Common Room was huge. Sitting chairs and couches contrasted the rest of the room with greys and greens and lined the walls. A large white carpet covered the center of the floor, making the room look much older than it probably was.

                Will and I walked over to the desk which looked a lot more like a big panel filled with complex technology. “Abigayle, Willaim,” The computer droned in its gloomy monotone as soon as they were in a 10 foot radius. “You have been assigned to Earth.” Will’s brow wrinkled. He looked just as confused as I felt. “Mission details?” He asked.

                “Earth has been deserted for over 50 years, after the Prockits, one of the most evil species we have discovered, attacked. They won the war and the human race did not survive, though it is said that the Prockits kept some captives for research. 3 years ago the Prockits left, because they could not live on the human energy for any longer. Recently we had an alert of human life and your job is to find out what it is and bring it back to Serna, our planet.”

                “Well,” Will said. “Ready, Abby?” I nodded, doing a quick mental check of her supplies in her head. Jumpers were trained to go off planet, meaning no matter how little they understood the mission, they had to go. Runners, however, were on planet workers that were usually younger than Jumpers. They did on planet missions, helping research on the planet be more successful. “Let’s do this,” Will said and they were immediately transported.

                My first impression of earth was that it looked like a prison cell without bars. Many of the planets Serna had discovered had limited life, but it usually wasn’t this bad. Will and I stood on the remains of a cobblestone street. Houses that had once lined the road were in crumbled heaps. “This place is cheerful.” Will’s tone was grim, echoing around the barren road.

                Will pulled out scanner and it beeped slowly, searching for signs of life. Suddenly, I heard a noise. It was faint, but it cut into the silence. I turned towards the sound and began walking in its direction, Will two steps behind me.

                Just when she thought she had imagined it, I saw a light blue bundle in the middle of the road. I picked it up, pulling back the tattered blanket. A tiny round face framed by dark curls appeared through the blanket. The baby’s face was dirty, with tiny streaks of mud surrounding sky blue eyes. Will took the baby from me. “How has he survived this long?” He asked.

                A tiny figure stepped out of the shadows. She was dirty, just as the boy was, but she had fiery orange hair. She was far too thin and her clothes were too big. She looked to be around 7 or 8, though her tiny body made her look much younger. The little girl eyed me warily, looking like she was on the verge of running off. The Prockits must have saved the children and then left them here. They must have survived on their own for 3 years. I knelt next to her, careful not to frighten her. I held out a hand. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. We’ll protect you.”

                The little girl took my hand, looking up at me. “Thank you,” She whispered.