Isolation

Location

"She couldn't speak for very long, or say very much. But, from how she speaks and what she says..I think, it's a safe assumption that Isabelle is not a real girl." Ann put the black box on the table and looked at the people surrounding the table. I spoke up once everyone seemed to quiet down from all the chatter. "So..What does that mean?" I asked, Ann stared up at me for a solid minute then to the side, her eyes looked as if they were thinking, irritated.

"..Well, assuming that Isabelle is in fact a robot, or, AI or whatever..then..." She seemed like she had a logical conclusion, but couldn't say it. I couldn't push it out of her, obviously. "All of us..even those two who left...even Ryan..Aren't the only ones in this city." She continued, putting a finger to her chin as she seemed to be more in-thought. Everyone around at the table looked at each other, shrugging and speculating while Ann - the leader in this situation continued to think.

"Carter. You've written down those numbers that were spoken during the last minute, right?" Ann asked, her green eyes trailed until it stopped upon the muscular man. He nodded and dug in his pocket, pulling out a paper with various numbers on it. To anyone, they would've looked like a bunch of strange numbers that didn't really mean anything, but once Ann took the paper an analyzed it she looked at everyone then back at the paper. "These..these are coordinates, and it's within our reach!" She looked surprised and shocked.

"Within our reach..?"

Ann looked back at me and then down, nodding her head gently. "Yeah, it's odd..But we can't go further than outside the city limits." She said in a now low, un-pleased tone of voice. She shook her head then looked directly at me, a glint of frustration in her eyes. "It'd be better if we showed you." She said, moving herself from the kitchen, grabbing my wrist and pulling me along.

Turning on the engine of the van and getting into the drivers seat, Ann gripped the steering wheel and looked over at me as I was just strapping in my seat belt. "It's going to take awhile. So I hope you're ready." She said with a small nod of her head, the blonde bob-cut hair gently wavered as she nodded. Another door opened then shut, turning my attention towards it and seeing Alice who just buckled in. "Huh? Why are you coming?" Ann asked, looking back at the girl through the rear-view mirror. She shrugged then leaned back.

"Dunno. Just feel like it? Do I need a reason for everything I do, Ann?" She spat back, Ann gritted her teeth then looked forward, her grip on the wheel seemed to tighten, I obviously wanted to ask about it, but I feel like I'd be making her anger intensify if I did, so I just left it at that.

It's been about an hour and a half since we've began driving. Alice and I had been making small talk while Ann had been focused on the road, occasionally making left and right turns, while I wasn't looking at Alice, my eyes focused more on the scenery around us, I was still invested in the conversation we were having. Talking about simple things like how life used to be, and if we'll get to see a proper civilization again. I wasn't sure how Ann felt about the situation, considering all she'd been to me is someone who seems to be always annoyed with me, but, I digress. I knew Alice wanted people back too, as did I, though we both know that there isn't really any way to do so.

The van then suddenly came to a slow stop, we'd reached the area where the road of concrete ended, and the dirt road ahead of us began. There wasn't any more buildings around, just the occasional house, surrounded by trees and bushes completely. Before we continued, Ann turned off the van and stepped out, inviting us to follow.

We walked down the dirt road for a small while, then began to follow a narrower, thinner path. "Uh, Ann? Where are we going?" I asked, having the girl ahead of me look back then forward again. "We're...going some place." She said, and left it at that, not answering any further questions I had asked.

It was then we saw a large house that looked incredibly expensive. Various things and collectables were scattered around the property. We approached the door of the house, Ann looked back at our very, very curious and confused faces. Knocking on the door and standing there for about a minute before the door creaked open. When we caught a glimpse of whoever opened the door they seemed to notice us too, having their head turn our way.

"How are you, huh?" The voice spoke, muffled, but audible.

I didn't know someone lived out this far.

I didn't know someone could live out this far.

But, they invited us inside.