All I remember is men I've never seen before unscrewing my vessel. I fell to my knees as soon as they unbolted it, breathing as much air as humanly possible.
"Come this way," they informed.
One man had short hair and looked like a badger and the other was completely bald and had sticky-out teeth which made him look like a beaver.
"Hurry up, girl," Beaver hissed in my ear. "We don't have all day."
I gulped. Then realisation and panic hit me like a brick. My parents! My sister! My brother! Where are they? Am I all alone? What's going to happen to me?
Badger pulled me around the corner and it snapped me out of my thoughts.
We exited the space ship and walked through a square hallway leading towards a building. They guided me to a small corner.
"Stay here. We will be five minutes," they instructed and left.
I looked down at my feet, waiting for them to come back until I heard a someone calling my name. I looked up.
"Shibo!" I shouted, instantly happy.
"Saki!" He struggled out of his guards grasp and gave me a hug. "Are you okay?" He asked, still hugging me.
"I'm fine. How are you?" I looked at him properly this time.
"Scared for whatever is about to happen. Have you seen your family yet?"
"No," I frowned. Has he? "But I'm sure I will."
"Good luck," he beamed, letting go.
"Wait!" But his guard had pushed him away until he was out of sight.
I saw a few more people from my village pass me before Beaver and Badger got back.
"Time to go, kid." They said. We walked no more then 2 minutes until I laid eyes on a massive cafeteria-looking hall. It had tables and chairs, some people occupying the chairs, sitting in groups or alone, and some people standing around anxiously.
"This isn't your lobby," Beaver and Badger steered me away.
"Where am I g-going?" I stuttered.
"It said that your parents or any family members where not on that flight, so your sectioned into the Solitary Department. Things get pretty crazy-"
"Shut up!" Shouted Badger. "You've said too much."
"W-what do you mean, 'things get pretty crazy'?" I asked nervously.
"Well done, Saya. You've done it this time."
Beaver (or Saya) looked at me, mouthed "you will be okay," then looked away quickly. What happened in the Solitary Department. What "crazy" things could possibly happen?
We round another corner and meet a new room filled with chairs and tables too.
Badger and Saya push me into the room.
"Good luck," calls Saya. They turn and leave.
Everyone is quiet. A few hushed voices dot around the room but besides that, silence. I walk to the back of the room and sit. I sit so still.
I scan the room. It's mostly younger teenagers although a couple of elderly men and women dot throughout.
I can't see Shibo anywhere, does that mean he found his family? He had family on the ship always? Am I never going to see him again? My face begins to crumple and I let out a small whimper, my eyes start to water.
"Are you alright?"
I look up, over my shoulder and see a dark-skinned boy maybe a couple years older then me.
"It's okay," he grabs the seat next to me and sits. "Everyone here has lost there family. Don't worry."
I obviously look like I'm about to cry really hard so he smiles at me and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't cry. I'm scared too. Everyone is scared, even if they don't look like it."
Is all 7.4 billion people here? In this building? How? Because this guy definitely didn't come from my tiny village in Japan. "My names Charlie by the way."
Charlie puts his hand out for me to shake. I just stare at it. Stunned that he could be so kind and happy after what we all went through.
"Okay then. No talking, huh?" He crosses his arms and raises a brow.
"My name is Saki," I manage.
"Sorry, I can't hear you. What was that?" He asks, smiling. I don't smile back.
"My name is Saki," I emphasise my name. It was still as quiet as last time but I moved my mouth more. Like that would help or something(?).
"Pleasure to meet you, Saki." He has a strong African accent although his English is immaculate. At my school we took English language lessons every day for 3 hours. 2 hours before school and 1 hour after. I wipe dried tears from my cheeks and conduct a half hearted smile. I nod my head at Charlie in a thank you.
"If you need anything talk to me, I'll be over there," he points to a chair and table towards the front of the room. I watch him walk back to his spot. He's obviously popular, his strong jawline, broad shoulders, and kind personality are so inviting. He's already made friends. 3 to be exact. Not counting me. Do I even count anyway?
I look at my hands.
What am I doing?
I pinch my leg and adjust my high ponytail. My long thick black hair comes down to my waist when tied up. Mother let me cut it only once a year. She would cut my split ends herself. Raewin loved long hair although hers was always trimmed short.
Stop thinking about her. Stop thinking about my family. My friends. Stop!
"Ahm," a male voice shouted from the front of the room. All other voices shushed and faced there attention towards the man holding a gun and waiting for us to shut up so he can talk. Why do everyone have guns?
"Hope you are all enjoying your stay here," he cackled and smiled at us. I looked at Charlie, he looked at me.
It's okay. He mouthed.
I looked back at the man.
"You'll be staying here until we restore Earth."
Everyone looked at one another. Confusion, frustration, and sadness whirled around the room in a tornado of feelings.
"What do you mean?" Asked an English girl with blonde sticky out hair.
"If you haven't noticed you are all the girls and boys who traveled on the ships alone. We couldn't track down your family in this area of the planet. You have been sectioned - and I'm sure your guides told you this on the way down - into the solitary department-"
"MY FAMILY IS HERE! I KNOW THEY ARE!" A man in his late 20's by the looks of it shouts loudly at the man.
"Excuse me sir, may I ask you to shut up-"
"Don't you tell me to shut up," He snarled. "TELL ME WHERE MY FAMILY IS!"
The man at the front of the room picked up his gun and shot him in the chest. Perfect aim. He buckled over and fell to the ground. Dead.
So that's why everyone has guns.
