World Hacked

Chapter 4: The Expedition

   Jey couldn't forget it, he would replay that conversation over and over again in his head.

   It was just so unreal. He questioned whether that statement was true even now, hours after it took place.

   It was late, everyone was long asleep yet he wouldn't give in. He couldn't give in, even if he tried to.

   He began to slowly take in everything that had occured to him that day and asked himself, what could have triggered it? What could have triggered every step he'd taken, every decision he'd made to lead him there?

   His head started aching from all the stress he felt and slowly exhaustion got the better of him. Jey fell into a deep slumber.

   Within his sleep, Jey saw himself as a kid hidden behind a wooden door. He was silently crying within the darkness of that room.

   The screams that erupted from the other side tormented him.

   Under a dimly lit yellow light were two figures arguing with each other.

   It was faint but the pain he felt that day was still strong.

   One of the two noticed him and walked over to where he stood. It was Jey's father, he reached in for his head and, having kissed him, said "your mother and I.....are having a small disagreement, promise me you'll be a good boy and take care until I return." then grabbing his things Jey's father disappeared through the door.

   ......."wake up."

   ........."wake up Jey."

   "Come on man get up, they're already here!"

   Opening his eyes Jey noticed Rick tapping him from below.

   Still half asleep he looked around to notice most prisoners, already changed into their original wear, heading down.

   After a huge yawn he pulled back his covers and climbed down from the hard iron bed.

   "Here, hurry it up bud we ain't got all day!" Rick handed him some jeans, a black shirt, and some sneakers for him to change into.

   Jey dressed himself and descended like the others before him.

   An officer awaited him besides a large door with handcuffs at his possession.

   "Lift your hands." said the man already preparing ones for him.

   Jey pulled his hands off his pockets and raised them over to where the man held the cuffs.

   Having them once again take their positions around his wrists Jey walked out to an empty courtyard.

   There, the prisoners had been divided into groups with a General assigned to each.

   Jey was led to the third group composed of sixteen members. Some looked familiar while others he'd never seen before, but what worried him most was the fact that Rick wasn't there with him. Even though they had just practically met and he could be a pain sometimes, Jey actually missed him.

   The sun hadn't yet risen when a pack of buses lined up in front of them. Another one of the generals called out for his group and they headed to the last of the buses.

   And then just like that followed the second division and finally they were gathered as the third division in front of a big white bus.

   The windows were all connected and almost pitch black, next to the entrance were two inspectors handing each a slip with a number written on them.

   His, read "#8".

   Afterwards Jey was gestured inside where he searched for his assigned seat based on the given number.

   It was of dark leather labeled with his number: "#8", in white print over the side window. It had enough space for three members to sit on but only two were being assigned to each section.

   Following Jey came another prisoner and took the spot next to him, away from the window. Taking a closer look Jey noticed it was the same black haired brown eyed boy that had tried to escape soon after he had arrived.

   That look hadn't disappeared from his face, Jey could see he was still looking for a way out. He searched restlessly while attempting to be descrete in doing so. His eyes moved busily from one corner to the next of the bus and from person to person. His head shifted backwards in hope of spotting an emergency exit on the rear side of the vehicle.

   Everything was locked, from the very front to the back of it was all sealed.

   Once all of the recruits were inside the only exit was shut closed and the bus began moving.

   A sign appeared in a medium sized screan above the driver's window saying "Fasten your seatbelts" and repeating it in a mechanical voice over loud radios below each passenger window.

   At the same time the magnetic force in each prisoner's handcuffs weakened to allow them further movement.

   All seemed to be following directions with the exception of one, the prisoner next to Jey. Regardless the bus continued forward.

   "Why did you get arrested?" asked Jey out of curiosity.

   The boy next to him wouldn't answer, he just kept looking for a way out. And then, as if giving up, he rested his head on the soft leather taking a deep breath and letting it all out.

   "If you are looking for a way out better get those free before then." said Jey pointing at the cuffs. "They have a tracker implanted within the core main system."

   The boy looked at him furiously "who asked for your pointless opinion?"

   "No one really, just felt a level of pity seeing you are so anxious to be set free!" replied Jey irritated over the guy's lack of gratitude.

   The boy turned towards Jey with flaming eyes but, because he was cuffed, his fists were useless. He was restrained to the point he could barely move either of his arms as a result of the countless times he tried to escape.

   "Once I'm freed of these you better be ready, 'cause I'm comming for your guts next!" said he in a rush of anger.

   "I've been through more than enough already to be scared over the likes of you." answered Jey, meaning every single word he said.

   A red light flashed from a small bulb atop them both and a small alarm went off interrupting their short lived argument.

   The bus came to a stop and the screan once again lit up signaling them to unfasten their seatbelts. Two of the side doors opened and a group of men dressed in white emerged from them both.

   Slowly the passenger began to exit the bus in numerical order from least to greatest.

   One of the men came to where Jey sat and led him out like the rest. Finally Jey had a full glimpse of their destination, it was the facility.