Time is running out.
We don't have much longer.
I steal a glance at my make-shift watch.
30 days.
4 hours
And 27 seconds.
That's it!
I never wanted to be a part of the five. I never asked to be stripped from my childhood, and forced into this situation...none of us did. But we didn't really have a choice. I mean, the prophecy chose us for a reason, right?
I quickly round the corner and stride down a white isolated hallway, which is dimly lit with solar powered light bulbs. The whole community has been in the dark since the beginning of the first stage. With all the smog and wisps of black circling the atmosphere, the solar panels haven't been able to absorb much power. But all we can really do is wait until the Fives' plan in complete. That's where I come in.
The almost silent squeaks of my sneakers echo through the long stretch of empty silence. As I spin around three more corners, shoes skidding the floor at each turn, the only thing that pervades the sticky, moist, underground air, is the soft pitter pat of my squeaky clean tennishoes hitting the tile, and the hushed sound of my breathing.
I am not surprised that these halls are empty. Why wouldn't they be? I mean, the only people in the community allowed down here are the Five. This underground level is reserved specifically for confidential meetings about our planet's (or what's left of its) fate.
I whip around another corner and skid on my heel. I transition into a sprint, speeding down the blank hall, only to be met by a spiraling metal staircase. I quickly size it up, and begin bounding down, taking two steps at a time. The rusted steel steps groan beneath my feet as I make my way down. I quickly become fatigued and force myself to a stop. I lean against the cool metal rail of the staircase to catch my breath and quickly sneak a glance down the center of the spiraling staircase. My eyes grow wide and my stomach plummets when I discover there are still several rotations around the staircase needed to be made, in order to reach the bottom.
I should have taken the elevator.
Almost immediately, my mind begins to wander as I regain composure. Without thinking, I stare at the spirals below in a daze, and make the decision that I am going to jump.
I grab hold of the cool metal bar in front of me with both hands, and grip it so hard, my knuckles turn white. I gather a deep breath and close my eyes. Within one fluid motion, I propel myself forward, and leap over the metal railing as if I am mounting a horse, and prepare myself for the drop.
I am suspended in the air for what seems like an eternity. I float over the steps, casting a long graceful shadow over the rusty metal beneath me. My stomach lurches with the thrill and ground flies up to meet me.
Then, all of a sudden, my sneakers collide with the tile in the center of the spiraling staircase, leaving behind an echo of a hard thud, bouncing off the sterile walls of the narrow hallway.
I hesitantly let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding, and giggle at the insanity of the stunt I just pulled.
I take stock my surroundings once more and speed walk to the third door on the left of the hallway, marked Confidential. The door is thick, and metallic, and the new coat of dark blue paint is already beginning to peel.
I stand directly in front of the metal door and prepare myself for what's inside. Before I enter, I grab the loose, wispy strands of dark hair, which have escaped during the journey, and place them neatly back into my tight ponytail.
I take a deep breath and place my hand on the shiny metal doorknob. I give it a twist and casually walk inside the small conference room, hoping to get by un-noticed. Although to my surprise, four heads whip back at me, with annoyed expressions and almost simultaneously say the words I've been dreading to hear:
"You're late again, Ms. Blake."
