Beyond the blanket of smoke that coated the grisly Novembers sky, was the platform. I gasped for breath as the reality hit me like a bullet fired from a machine gun. Slowly, I clutched my briefcase, dusted off my name tag, and straightened out my creased dress. My shoulders were tense and my hands were clutched so tightly it's a wonder they still function. My heart was now pounding. I glared worryingly at my friend Evan as he rehearsed over and over what he was going to say when we reached the main hall. Suddenly, the train shook, as I grabbed the dust covered chairs for stability.
Desperately, I shoved past the never ending row of people, and jumped off the train and onto the cigarette covered floor. I turned round, to find my group following close behind. We cautiously pushed our way through the sea of people, in fear we'd be caught by a wave. I gripped Evan's hand, but all we could offer was a nod, as there were simply no words.
Silence. Silence echoed off the walls of the main hall as we awaited the judgemental parents to arrive. Gently, a teardrop caressed my fingertips before I had the chance to catch it with my disintegrated tissue. The monotonous hall trembled as the footsteps of the potential parents crashed against my eardrums like a stampede of elephants.
One by one, they picked us based off our gender, eyes, hair, and hight. Alone. A wave of pessimism ran through my bloodstream and turned my whole body to ice. When all of a sudden, a man approached me. He had a hunched back and fair hair and ragged clothes and a battered hat and sandals with odd socks. He whispered "hello" in my ear, snatched my bag and pulled me by the hair out of the discouraging hall. Terrified, I ran. I didn't know where I was heading.
I was lost.
