Welcome

Part 9

I've made a new cover for the book and I honestly like it so far. Clearly, it's a template so feel free to make suggestions on what should be changed, like the symbol for example. I think I might keep the colors though.
I've also decided to keep the title. I think it fits so well with the book.

Explanations will come in time...

-=-=-=-

A Little Over A Year Ago

I walked into my house and closed the door. I check my phone to see that it's almost five o'clock. I let out a sigh. This is why I don't like riding the bus.

School ends at three and I'm not home till five. My parents can't pick me up because they are at work. I try not to stay after school a lot because I would have to walk home. It's not that bad of a walk but after being at school for about ten hours, it gets tiring.

I look at my bag and pick it up. I don't have a lot of work to do, but that doesn't mean I won't be up till one in the morning to finish it. I grab a snack for the kitchen and head straight for my room. I'm so tired...

I have a strong feeling it's going to be a long night.

...

I check the time. Eleven o'clock. I yawn. My parents are going to be late tonight, which is fine. They called me a little earlier. The only thing I'm worried about is myself. I've been staring at a blank page for the last two hours. I can't write essays for my life but if I don't at least start it, it won't get done.

Attempting to get back to work, I look down at the keyboard. I immediately realized that that was a mistake.

My eyes became heavy and everything's a blur. I have double vision. Maybe I should lay down for a bit...
Even if I did start this essay, there's a ninety-five percent chance of me not finishing it.
Sadly.
I put my head down. I just need an hour or two. Or three...

I'm just going to go to bed.

...

I feel myself waking up. I didn't hear my alarm go off and that scared me. Waking up naturally on a school night is never a good sign.
What time is it? Why didn't my parents wake me up? Are they even home?
I start to get up but something keeps me from doing so. I open my eyes to see that I'm strapped down to some kind of table.

My heart drops.

Where am I and how did I get here? I looked around and saw two other people in the same position I was in. Their backs were facing mine and were at an angle. I can tell that they weren't up yet. I tried to loosen something but it was no use. I started hyperventilating and I can't think straight. I put my head back and tears fell down my face.

I don't know what to make of this situation. I was- we were most likely kidnapped. For what reason, I don't know. I don't even recognize the other two from what I've seen. The first thing I need to do is cal-

My thought was cut off by the sound of a door opening. I tense up and hold my breath. Maybe if I just pretend to be asleep...
The footsteps I heard were slow. They were coming closer and closer. Then, they stopped. I'm freaking out on the inside. I just hope it's not showing.

"I know you're up Kira," someone said. A man. They know my name, so I can only assume that I'm here for a purpose. I didn't say anything though and stayed as I was. "I promise you there's nothing to be afraid of," he said again, his voice soft. He sounded like he was right in front of me. I slowly opened my eye to see him start to lean against the wall. He's probably in his early twenties. He saw that I stopped pretending and gave a slight smile. "How are you?"

What the actual... What kind of question is that?!
hOw ArE yOu?
"I'm doing absolutely wonderful on this fine whatever time of day it is outside. Thank you so much for asking me, random but kind man that has freaking kidnapped me. But how about you? How are you doing at this lovely time?"
I didn't say this out loud but it must've shown on my face.

"Calm down, Kira. I'm waiting for the other two to wake up and just wanted to start a conversation is all. No need to get all sarcastic," he said with a slight chuckle. I felt myself calm down. "Thank you. Now, besides this," he said, gesturing the room, "how are you?" I hesitate before I answer him. "I'm okay I guess. I'm tired..."
"School must be getting to you. It's your first year of high school, right?" I slightly nod as thoughts start to form in my mind.

"I can only imagine. Especially in that science school," he said. The comment caught me off guard. "How did you..." I couldn't even finish the question. He shrugs. "I had to do my research."

As he said that I heard rattling behind me. I turned to see that the guy woke up and he seems upset.

"Hello, Max. How was the nap," the guy said. The name sounds so familiar...
"What the fuck is going on," Max yelled. The guy didn't answer and started to walk up to us. "See Max, look at what you've done. You woke up Scarlet." Then it hit me.

They're in my class. In all of them actually. I haven't really been social in school and that's why I didn't recognize them. I've always been quiet and I haven't made the effort to make any friends. Not that I didn't want to but I just didn't know how. And with all the work I've had, I never had the time.

"Now that all of you are up, we can get started." I started to focus again. Maybe we'll find out what and why this is happening.

"My name's Alex," he said, forming a sly smile on his face. He tone of voice completely changed from before. Just the sound of it made tears come back to my eyes. I changed my mind. I don't need to know what's going on.

I need to get out of here...

-=-=-=-

I hear the door open and looked up from the floor. He closes it on his way out and starts to fix the sleeves on his shirt. He walks towards this way and I stand up. "You were in there for a while. How are they?" I ask shyly. "They'll adjust," he said. I can tell he's still in business mode. "Are they asleep or did you knock them out?"
"Both."
"...okay then."

We walked out if the corridor and into the main office. Jason was leaning on the wall, waiting. "So," he asked. "They'll do. They'll do quite well," Alex told him. We started walking to his office. "How long are they going to be here for?"
"Depends on how they act. But I'll give them a minimum of two weeks. At least that's long enough for them to get acquainted with each other." he said as he turned the corner.

"You didn't give us two weeks," I said and Jason and I stopped walking. Alex sighed and turned to us. "You two are different, you guys needed longer to adjust. They are going to be part of a different project that I'll tell you about later," he said pointing in the direction of the room they're in. I sighed and nodded my head.

"Plus, they have to go home sometime. You guys were already home," he said leaving us behind.

He's not wrong...

I go the opposite way and sit at a table with my head down. Of course, we're grateful for Alex. He gave us a home when no one else wanted to. With everything we needed. But it did come with a price. A price that changed our lives forever.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I realized I was drifting off. I looked up and saw Jason.
"Are you okay Maya?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired," I said, sitting up. "Well, I'm hungry. There's a café that I like to go to and you can come with me if you want. I was just going to teleport," he said. "Okay. Sure."

I went to go my stuff and I thought back to the other three. I couldn't help but think that they weren't given a choice. We were. Their lives are unwillingly going to change.

For better or worse is the question.

-=-=-=-