Human or Raven

Chapter 2

          I reached the warehouse a few minutes after they had started. Looking around there was eighty or so people in what was basically just a large room with steel walls and concrete floors. Coming over to the group I was relieved to find out I didn't miss anything really important.
The speaker was going on and on about the importance of continuing to support researchers like Marcus Night, and Jade Lace. In all actuality I didn't care for this part, you hear it at every meet. I was watching and waiting for Mr.Night to make an appearance even though I knew this was a pipe dream. That was the rumor going around that they (Marcus or jade) would appear here tonight but, they were to smart to send someone that important. Either way it makes this a once in a life time opportunity. Even talking to someone who contributed to the project will be worth my while.
The fact of the matter is that even though everyone knows the founders left as a group no one knows how many or who was in the group with them. Other than the ones from the government trying to track them all down "Now lady's and gentlemen there has been some rumors that the creators of the Night project would make an appearance that ...." The speaker was cut off, then went the power. Then it came "RAID!! "  the doors where snapped open. Everyone was running around like ants when you crush the ant hill. Running in all different directions and praying they wouldn't be taken. I was so shocked I froze watching the madness. The speaker obviously was prepared for this "Everyone follow me! This way!" He shouted over the screams of the crowd. I broke from my position and started to follow the direction of many of the others. Looking back I saw the police had taken out their tranquilizers and nightsticks smashing them into the crowd. This only made me run faster. At the other side of the warehouse there was a medal sheet covering an opening leading where I didn't know and didn't care I just wanted out.
The police at this point had seen that there was a large group headed for an exit and where knocking out anyone they could reach. They could feel this was no time for cuffing, especially not such a large crowd. One person to my left went Down the another on my right, but that didn't slow me down it just made me run faster.
A large group ran through the door then when the room was almost full the door was shut behind us with a Chang of metal. The worst part of this room wasn't that it was small with a bunch of people pressing in on each-other. No. The worst part was the sound of the ones who didn't get in hitting their fists agents the wall again ,and again then they stopped. My head hurt from even imagining what those left behind will have to go through, but no one could open it. Neither inside or out. Everyone was panicking except the speaker who I heard someone call Charlie crossing to the other wall.
Charlie stood there for a second then shouted "Listen everyone I know the way out but you have to trust me. I was only supposed to take a select few thought here." The room had gone almost silent except the one person in the corner who asked the question we where all thinking... "why only a few?" Charle took a deep breath before answering "Here is the basic truth of the matter. Right here we are at a cross road. If  you go through this back wall you are going to have to endure one of the most painful experiences of your life, your going to be pinched, prodded, and poked,and you will never be able to go home again. However in the end I can promise you...." he paused for a moment he knew what he was asking for "You will get meet and get to train with Marcus and jade. If you decide this isn't the right thing for you. You can wait in this room for a half hour and the timer lock will release. Best you can do is hope the police packed up so you can return home. The choice is yours but once the door behind me closes there is no reopening of this one." Charlie turned around to face the wall and the Door slid to the side. Only four of them remained in the box while the rest of us ran through into darkness.
          "It's a tunnel!" Someone in front of me said. Then there was a loud POP and BANG which turned on the lights. It also made some of the girls scream. As the tunnel started lighting up two by two we walked down the narrow path. Soon we all became aware that the strait tunnel had ended and the only way to continue was down. We all looked to Charley. We had all thought that he to know where we going on but, anyone could see by the look on Charley's face his instructions had run out. Not a sound could be heard through the tunnel. To borrow an old expression; you could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. A girl with red hair and a maroon jacket started to walk forward. She couldn't be over sixteen I thought.
"Carrie don't!" I heard someone yell
"Well someone's got to do it, and I don't see anyone else volunteering." She looked around and no one said anything. So she nodded and continued forward before she jumped.
As many of us that could looked over the edge peered down. No one heard her scream but, no one heard anything. "I'm ok." Came up from the hole "I landed in a sponge pit. Come on down." Her silvery voice was full of wonder. "What is down here?" Charlie pushed his way through to the hole "Umm girl please don't touch anything until we get down there." He said worriedly and jumped. People went one by one down the hole and landing on what felt like a giant sponge with an uhph! Charlie again moved in the dark room and turned on the lights but the lights weren't the only thing in there that turned on. In front of us stood a massive production line of things I've never seen before.
"Well this this is the part you've been dreading." Came out Charlie's voice from the crowd behind me. "No turning back now. Who's first?" He asked shakily.
No turning back
"I'll go first." I said shocked at my own bravery. Charlie walked up to me and held out a hand. I stared at it for a second then my reasoning kicked in. Oh! He knows my knees will go weak walking up there by myself. I took the outstretched hand and followed him up the stairs to the platform.
  If that little girl can jump down a hole and risk her life for me, I can do this for her.
      I turned around a bit for a second and saw her. She was shaking but when she saw me looking at her she gave me a genuine smile of hope. That was all I needed. I stepped in to the chamber and the door closed behind me.