The Other Side

Chapter 8: The 'Real World'

Today is finally the day. I couldn't sleep at all last night. Once my alarm clock went off at 6:00, I shut it off and jumped out of bed. I grabbed a white t-shirt and and black shorts and white converse. I opened my door slowly and went to the bathroom to brush my hair and put deodorant on.
After about 10 minutes or so, I went down the stairs to the kitchen where my d and mom were. My dad was already in his suit and my mom was setting a up breakfast for me.
"Morning sweetie," my mom said and kissed me on my head. "You ready for the big day today?"
"I've been ready since the day dads boss said I can go." I said and smiled. I sat in one of the chairs at the dinner table and Raja came over and served me breakfast.
Eggs, bacon and a hash brown my favorite. As I was eating, I could tell my mom was nervous.
Her face showed stress and anxiety as she walked back and fourth in the kitchen.
"Ma," I said with food in my mouth. "You have nothing to stress over about. I'm going to be fine."
"I know, it's just stressful being a mom."
"Wait until I go to college."
"Oh gosh don't even mention that." My mom giggled.
"Hey it's time to go." My dad said.
I got out of my chair and grabbed my backpack which was on the couch in the living room.
When I walked back to the kitchen I saw my mom's eyes watery.
I gave her a hug and said "Dont worry about me. Dad and soldiers will be right next to me."
She pulled me away and said "Just remember that I love you and to stay close to your father."
"I will mom." I kissed her forehead.
"She will be taken well care of," my dad said and kissed her on her head.
"Love you." He said, opening the door.
"Love you ma!" I said and waved to her and she did a small wave back and then I went out the front door and closed it behind me.
*****
When we got to the small room that I was in a few days ago there was men moving around non stop. Then the man that told me I could go into the 'Real World' walked up to me.
"Good morning miss Lana," he greeted. "Are you excited?"
"I am very excited sir. It's such an honor to do this." I gave him a smile.
"Our troops are just about ready. I know you just walked in but I need you to change into this suit."
He handed me a neatly folded black uniform. It was a one piece, almost like a onesie, and had small rubber dots all over.
I went over to a near by bathroom that was only a few doors down the hallway. When I changed into it I pulled out my long brown hair so it dangled to my mid back and looked into the mirror.
You look like a badass. I thought to myself. I smiled and went back to the room. My dad has the same suit on too.
"You ready to go?" My dad said smiling.
I nodded.
"Alrighty, lets go. I'll show you where the other troops are waiting." My dad headed towards the door and opened it for me. When I walked out of it my dad turned around into his work and called out "See you later my men! I will be back!"
The men waved back and then my dad closed the door. We walked over to the elevator and my dad pressed the down button.
"Look at you with the black suit and and backpack on you." He said and I just smiled and put my head down.
The elevator dinged and we went in. My dad pressed a button the had 'B' on it. It took about 20 seconds until the doors opened up again. When they opened, there was a long stone hallway with men walking around in black uniforms. There was tanks and weapons and smaller hallways coming off of the main hallway.
My dad stepped out of the elevator and started walking toward and I followed him.
After walking for about a minute he walks up to a group of men that were talking.
"Good morning men," he said. "This is my daughter Lana. She will be joining us today."
One man stepped closer to my dad.
"Good morning Mr. Davis," He said and then looked at me. "It is such a pleasure for you to come with us. This is an opportunity that is rarely suggested." He finished off his sentence with a smile.
I just smiled back and nodded and didn't say anything. The man was probably about 30 years old, brown hair, brown eyes, but a little muscular.
The man looked down to his watch and said "You guys arrived just on time." He turned to the group of men and yelled "Lets move out!"
The men stopped chattering and grabbed a black helmet that was behind them. It was the kind of helmet that goes over your entire head but there's and opening for your eyes. Then they grabbed their weapon and started walking down one of the side hallways.
The man that spoke to me earlier walked over to a helmet that was left behind.
"They grabbed you one. They just didn't give it to you, soldiers can do mistakes too."
And he handed me the helmet and I just held it in my hands. My dad was holding a helmet from who knows where and then we started following the man.
"You should probably know who my name is," he said as we were still walking.
"My name is Mr. Stranza, I am the head troops-men. I am in control of running this base."
"That's very cool Mr. Stranza." I said and smiled.
When we got to the end of the hallway we turned left and then there was a big opening where it showed outside. I could see the large gate that was on the wall in front of me and we started walking towards it.
My adrenaline started to pick up and I started to get very excited. When we got closer the troops ahead of us started to put their helmets on, and so did Mr. Stranza.
I lifted my helmet over my head and put it on while I was walking and clipped it under my chin. When we reached outside the men started to load their weapons. Then          Mr. Stranza  turned around and said "Are you ready?"
I nodded my head.
"Stay close to the troops and stay close to your father no matter what."
He turned and walked towards the gate which was closed. When we were all outside he turned around and put his thumb up in the air and put it sideways. A few seconds later, clicking and clanking came from the doors and Mr. Stranza turned to face the doors and put his arm down. Then slowly the doors started to open. I couldn't believe my eyes at this point. The big white doors started to face inward making a gap the middle to walk through. When the gab was big enough Mr. Stranza and the troops walked through the gap. Then me and my father went through. After taking a few steps in. I turned around to face the doors.
The doors stopped opening and then after a few seconds, they started to close.
I then started to get nervous, but then I knew my dad was right beside me so nothing can hurt me.
When the doors fully closed, they closed with a big bang. I looked at my dad and he said
"Welcome to the 'Real World'."
I smiled, even though he can only see my eyes, and then we jogged up to the troops to catch up with them.