VINAL

Chapter One

I was staring at my parents with watery eyes, hoping that my eyes would send them the message and they would quickly grab my suitcases and send it back to the car and we would go home! Where I belong, where we all belong, together! But their eyes told me something else, it told me they really wanted me to go, not because didn't love me but because they were scared, and that's the big question, scared of what? You would think they would think I'm big enough to know why they were sending me away, if they think I'm big enough to be sent away in the first place. But no, 'what you don't know won't harm you sweetie. It's better that way, just trust us.' Those were their exact words, I had no choice but to accept. I don't know why I am so sad, it's not as if I have some friends I'm going to miss, I mean, no one ever noticed me in school and suce the last seven years, I was aware that I'll leave one day. My sister had left the same way, with the same promises made to her, but she never came back and she never called. She texted once, saying "hi mom, this is Mirina. I'm fine. Greetings to Taroyce and Dad.Bye." That's it, nothing else. The number couldn't even be traced, though Mom and Dad didn't try to since they continuously told me she was fine as long as she said so. My parents are no freaks, but when it comes to this, they become really wired. "It's time to leave sweetie, be fine and send our love to your sister, okay." They both pecked me. I couldn't even manage a bye for fear that I would burst into tears. So I simply picked up my suitcases and gave them a weak smile and walked away.
      By now you might have guessed I'm going to school, but it's not just school. From all the research I've done, this is a place where you can stay and study if you want to hide from the world, or someone in the world! Even wanted criminals go there to get away from police! I know, it's really creepy. But Mom and Dad seem to think that's the best place for their children. I took out the paper again, I was supposed to be led to a bus with this exact writing on it. And it read: DON'T FIT INTO THE WORLD? COME AWAY WITH US!
I still don't get why I'm going here, I fit into the world just fine. My sister fitted even more perfectly, I mean I was always jealous of her; she was the most beautiful girl in school, she always got not less than five awards at the end of every academic year and she was the best basketball player; even boys couldn't beat her. Everybody loved Mirina! So how come she had to go here? A lot is going on in my head right now, a lot of questions unanswered.
     I only noticed my surrounding when someone slumped into the seat next to me. I don't even know how I managed to get on this plane, sit and fastened my seat belt. I looked at the person who just sat next to me but couldn't come close to see the face. He had on a sweater with its hood over his head. How could I tell it's a guy? The stature. But I couldn't even see his hands because he was wearing mittens. Great, now I have to sit next to a freak too!
He had on headset, obviously not wanting a conversation. Well, at least apart from him everything else looked normal. "Enjoy your ride." A female perky voice went out on the speaker. Wired, I'm sure that's not the only thing a pilot says before the plane takes off. Then suddenly, I felt tired and sleepy, I looked around tiredly and realized everybody else was asleep except the person next to me. Before I could say anything to him,my eyes closed and I was gone.
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I suddenly woke up with a bump, I was wide awake. " what is happening?" I wanted to ask. But everybody was busy staying calm, once again apart from the person sitting next to me who was already calm. " We are landing." The voice that came before I slept came again. "More of crashing." I wanted to say but this was no time for matter of fact statements. By the time we finally came to a halt, I almost thought I couldn't bear it any longer. Then everybody took off their seat belts and were taking whatever belongs to them to get off and I was still sitting there in shock. I quickly recovered and joined them.
       Off the plane I realized it was an airport with no terminal or no other plane. We just walked straight out into a building where we met a lot of people, holding up signs with names on it.  I was surprised, I'm supposed to be looking for a bus. I turned back to go and ask if there was some sort of mistake when I was stopped by some man I'm a uniform I've never seen before. "What's  your problem, girl?" He asked kindly. I gave him the paper. "I'm supposed to find a bus with that written on it." After he read it his smile broadened, almost as if he was holding back his laughter. Then he pointed to the glas door we came through and I saw something I had not noticed. "This is the bus?" I asked shocked. Then the man nodded. "We use code words in the real world, its safer that way." What?! This is more creepier than I thought, even my parents are not aware of what is happening here! Now what? And what's with everyone talking about safety? "What are you here for?" The man asked still smiling, enjoying my confusion probably. "School." I said simply, not knowing what else to say. "Ok, walk down to the left and find the person who will be holding up your name." Wait, so they're aware I'm coming? How? But I couldn't ask any questions, I simply nodded and mumbled some sort of thank you and walked in that direction.
         At the left, there were a lot of people there in similar uniforms but holding different names that were not mine.Immediately they saw me, they all smiled, I mean uniformly smiled. I couldn't help but smile back, contagious. After searching in vain, they are so many, I said loud enough for them to hear. "Taroyce... Taroyce Hudlin." A lady quickly stepped forward with my name. "Great. I'm Lady Shoot. Shall we." One look at her up and down and I didn't even know what to feel. "Sure." I just realized that since I left my home, I can only make up one word sentences.