The Wasteland That Was Earth

2: Reality

"Just wait there, I need to make sure this is locked."
Mika tugged on the handle several times after scanning her card once again, sealing the door shut.
Clay couldn't see any reason for all the security and secrecy, the greenhouse seemed pretty normal to him.
The only strange thing was just how big it was, practically the size of a house. Tall walls with panelled, dark green-tinted glass, metal beams running up every metre or so and across the ceiling. A lot of plants were growing, boxes of dirt set up like a maze across the ground, building up in layers like shelves of greenery.
But there were no flowers or anything pleasing to the eye, just vegetables. A heaping ton of vegetables on every layer.

Since the shelves of dirt piled up practically to the roof, each set was accompanied by a rickety looking ladder and a handful of used tools hung on the back wall.

"This place is pretty cool. I've never seen a greenhouse quite like this before. My gran has one back home, but it's more shed sized."

"That's nice..."
Muttered Mika, slowly stepping away from the door, still staring at the handle as if she expected someone to burst in.

"There's a lot of stuff growing here. Who tends to this then? Does the school have its own personal gardener or something? I wouldn't be surprised, with the size of the place. Or maybe the younger kids get to-"

"Mostly it's just me and Chester. A few of the older kids. We don't let many people in here."
Tucking the card beneath her shirt, Mika walked straight past Clay toward a wooden shed he hadn't noticed in the far corner.

"So, what are we digging up today, partner? Chester didn't say which ones were ready, but it can't be too hard to figure out, right?"

"We're not here to pick vegetables." She grunted, forcing the shed door open on rusted hinges, "Now get over here. I have to get you suited up."

"Um...okay?"

Reaching into the shed, she pulled out some strange, dark head wraps and two masks resembling the one he'd been hooked up to before awakening.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

"You wanted to know where you are? When you can go home? If you stay still, you'll soon found out."
Stoic as ever, Mika reached around his head and began strapping the device to Clay's face. She was precise, careful, checking for any gaps. He would have asked if she could have loosened it a little had he not been shaken into silence by all the serious tones in her voice and expression.
The material was cold, a brownish green colour and it smelled like pennies.

She then took the headwrap, draping it over his hair and methodically tying it around his head, neck and shoulders before applying her own mask and wrap much faster.

"This should be fine, since we won't be out there long." she spoke, her voice muffled beneath the mask.

It wasn't the most attractive Clay had ever felt. The mask had long tubes coming out of the front, wrapping around themselves. It was heavy, covering his mouth and nose.

"Come on. And...try to keep a clear mind."
Mika walked toward the opposite wall where a sealed up door stood alone. Scanning the card multiple times, the door finally opened, a hissing sound following a gas or steam release, similar to what Clay had seen as his container first opened.

She pushed forward, a bright light blinding the both of them. Taking a deep breath, Clay stepped forward and followed Mika into the outside.

The sun was beaming down, making it very difficult for Clay to get a good look around. As his eyes slowly began to adjust, he took in these new surroundings.