Run

Part 4

The car ride was about an hour long. Abby and Edward had both fallen asleep while I struggled to keep my eyes open. I didnt want to sleep. If I did, the nightmares would return and I didnt need anyone knowing about those. Especially the two eight year-old children in front of me. I stared out the window, trying to sort out my thoughts. What was going to happen to us? Why were we chosen. We're just normal kids. As if on cue, the car exited a tunnel and entered a completely different world. There were people all over the streets, some wearing business suits and talking on phones, others exiting shops carrying dozens of shopping bags. The car continued moving before it stopped in front of a large grey building.

" We're here." said the driver as he opened the door for us. I quietly woke Abby and Eddy up and we got out of the car. The building was about 40 stories high and was a dull grey colour.

" Well this isnt very welcoming." said Eddy. Abby and I agreed. The building looked about as welcoming as a prison cell. All around me, I saw similar limousines parked. Many other children were getting out of them. Boys and girls of different ages, races and sizes were entering the building. Guards ushered us in. The inside of the building was no better. There were just plain white hallways and grey doors with keypads next to them. All the kids were ushered into a giant hall. The hall was just a white room with thousands of chairs. In the front of the hall, was a stage with a podium on it. Everyone sat on a chair and we waited. After a few minutes, a man walked onto the stage. Everyone knew who he was and stood up and started clapping. Except me. Most people like our leader. I on the other hand didn't trust him.

" Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen." He spoke in a snake like voice.

"I'm extremely happy to see you gathered here today. I can see from some of your faces that you have been crying. Probably because you miss your family and friends. Don't worry. This place will be your home away from home. You will make new friends. Now let me explain why you are here. As you know, I have set up a system. A system that keeps our world safe. We have set up cameras and guards where needed. Now many of you must have heard the recent news involving the forming of a secret society. Well that's a threat to the system so I cannot rest in peace until it is destroyed. You have been chosen because my people have been observing you as soon as the rumor spread. You are different from the others. Your brains are special. You think and act differently from others. My scientists believe that it is genetics. You were all born with a gift. Now we want to know what exactly it is that makes you special so we can help the others. As you know one rule of the system is equality for all. We want everyone to have what you have so we can have harmony again. Unfortunately that's all I can tell you. You will now be sorted into your different groups. Your new lives begin today!"

Everyone clapped after he had finished his speech. Then, a lady stood on the stage and cleared her throat.

" Now, you will be sorted into your different groups according to age. First we have the 7 year-olds." she spoke. The list continued on until the 16 year- olds who were the oldest. Abby and Eddy and already left so I was alone. All the 16 year- old children were escorted to a different hall. This hall had no chairs so we all stood in a jumbled mess. The same lady who spoke to us earlier stood at the front.

" Can everyone hear me?"she asked. People responded with 'yeses' and 'yeahs'.

" Good! Now you will be grouped one again into which rooms you will receive. We have Alpha, Beta, Gama and Delta." She began calling out names. I was put into Alpha. Another lady led the Alpha team out of the room.

" Now! My name is Michelle and I am in charge of your team.". She spoke way too cheerfully. She had light brown hair that stopped at her shoulders. Judging by the wrinkles near her mouth, I thought she was about 30-40. We were led into another room with dozens of bunk-beds.