Before Then

Chapter 1 - Outside the hospital

2 years later...

The doctor came in with the tray of mushy food, we had gotten used to it now. It still does not mean it tasted good though. It was the usual, green mush, red Jell-O, apple juice and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were okay but everything else just tasted dull. Today was Friday, so it ment we go to go outside. We could also finally put on some actual clothes, not just different coloured medical gowns. A nurse came in with pink puffy jackets and blue jeans that had sparkly yellow flowers on them, our shirts were just white turtle necks. The clothes was neatly stacked in a small white box that had our names on them. We quickly got dressed and brushed our teeth after eating. Alex went to the iwall (kinda like an iPad but it is the whole wall) and started to play a rope mind game that we got last week. I went to make the beds and noticed a bigger roll in bed by the corner, but I just ignored it. Then I went to the desk to finish my 45th book summary (I do one just about every three weeks) when a small teenager came in. She told us her name is Carmen. She had tan skin and dark brown eyes, she had brown curly hair and spoke with a heavy Spanish accent, " Hello girls, I am Carmen. I am the daughter of Ramona, the lady that works behind the mirror over there." She said sitting on the couch, " I am going to be staying here on Fridays and Saturdays." Alex heard that and ran behind the big stuffed bear.

"Are you here to give us more tests or something 'cause you can tell the doc that I don't fall for that no more."

Carmen laughed, " Of course not! Do I look like a doctor to you ?" Her Mum scolded her from behind the mirror. She sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. On the television was news of more WWIV it was intense. The poor little reporter talking about how some little kids were found hiding from the EQUANDS in a old "haunted house" and were not even scarred because they had seen much worse. I always wondered what was inside those "haunted houses " . Just as she finished saying that a huge explosion came from behind her and the camera guy person must have dropped the camera because the screen blurred. Carmen turned of the TV and picked up her jacket to take us to our first school and give us a tour when, it was shot time. Our doctor came in and told us to sit down, and rolled up our sleeves and put our shot in our right arm and then took a blood sample from our other arm. Then we put on our jackets and went to the hallway. in the hallway were bunches of new doctors and nurses that the government had been training for about 17 years now. they all looked extremely young to be doctors which meant that mum was right about them training children and choosing their life and paths that were laid out before them. It was a bit upsetting but, at least there was now more doctors and nurses in the building. Especially since the bombing in 3001, the secret members of the EQUANDS had placed explosions in the building and blown up three sixths of it, most of the people dead were the elder but many doctors, surgeons and nurses had also died. I then ran up behind the Carmen lady and asked her about why she was here.

"Well you see, I need a family," She said, " And since my mum works here and watches you guys, and since I too am becoming a doctor/ phycologist I need some type of practice."

To be honest, I didn't believe her. Yet of course Alex did though. She took us out into the hall with both pink puffy jackets in her hand. She signalled Alex and I to follow her with a warm smile and the wave of her hand. I went first and then Alex followed. We went down the halls and then into the elevator. I of course was going to press the button to floor 189, the rooftops.

"Actually Ani, we aren't going there today." Carmen said with a little smile on her face.

"What do you mean," I knew something was up with this lady," We aren't allowed anywhere else."

"Ani, do you know the date today?" She asked me pressing the first floor button.

"October 31, 2104!" I said proudly, I always knew the date.

"Exactly, do you know what happens on October 31?" She said smiling.

"Oh, is it someones birthdate? Or maybe..."I trailed off into thought. What could possibly be on October 31?

"Happy Birthday girls!" Carmen said with a warm smile. "Today, is also halloween! One of America's favourite holiday!"