lost island

chap. 1

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job at DOER. See, I'm working on Identifying a new type of energy. They're calling it XH. " Here you are, miss." I smiled at the fisherman. "Thank you for taking me here." " No problem. Are you a tourist?" "No. I'm one of the scientists." "The laboratory is famous in the area," he says. "Be careful. Researchers are not welcomed on the island by the islanders." Huh? What's he talking about "I'm not an islander, so I don't know a lot. When XH was discovered, the government wanted to build a research institute. It caused a lot of trouble between the government and islanders..."

A government official begins to address a group of islanders in a meeting room. "This new energy source, extrahydrade, or XH, is the discovery of the century. We would like to construct a laboratory on the island in order to research this energy." The room was filled with questions and rebuttals, some asking where they would build such an elaborate laboratory. "Do not worry," the government official continues. "We plan to build it halfway up Mount Aoshi." Another government official begins to speak. "It is close to where the energy source was discovered and should not disturb you." Again, the room was filled with objections. "Now now, there is no need for anger. It's for the future of our country. We will also pay the utmost caution to not disturb the environment during construction. We will do our best to not discharge any waste that could harm the surrounding areas during our research as well."

Just then, an elder speaks. "You shall not go near Mount Aoshi. You will invoke the wrath of the gods!" The government officials dismiss the idea. "You people are ignorant. Misfortune will befall you." They continue to dismiss the elder as other islanders demand that they return to the mainland.

"Even after that," the fisherman continues, "there was a lot of conflict because of the construction. In the end, the government allegedly paid the islanders to keep them silent. I don't know if that's true, but construction began. It was finished without incident, although I did hear a scary rumor. Since they began construction, many of the workers have disappeared. The islanders say it's a curse, but it was probably a rumor started to protest against the construction." Welp. That was terrifying. "Miss, are you okay?" I must have looked scared.

"I'm fine. I just didn't know anything about the island where I'm being relocated to, so I'm glad you told me." As I thank him for his help, the boat approaches the island. Shivers run down my spine at the sight of the unbelievably beautiful island. Although I'm not sure why, I certainly felt afraid.

I stepped off the boat and stood on the shore. Glancing around at my surroundings, I wondered where the laboratory is located. I called out to a man wandering by, hoping to ask for directions. The man doesn't recognize me and asks if I'm from the mainland. I nod and explain that I'm a researcher. An unpleasant expression crosses the man's face. He shouts at me, demanding that I leave the island, and leaves. I just arrived and someone has already demanded that I leave," I think to myself. "I agreed to come as soon as I heard about the discovery of the new energy source, but I wonder if I can survive on this island."