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  The news seemed surreal at first. Jason took it in as if a story. It didn’t happen, there was a mistake. If some sort of virus had been released then what of his family? How did ‘whoever’ took him explain his disappearance.

  That was his first reaction.

  Sort of like the stages of grief. Shock and disbelief then anger.

  Never one to lose his temper often, Jason was outraged. How dare someone take control of his life like that? How dare someone take it out of God’s hands?

  He made the mistake of saying those exact words to John.

  John tried to be philosophical. “Maybe it was God’s plan.”

  “God’s plan to have someone release a virus and stick me in some sort of vat of fluid to freeze me?”

  “Maybe. If God indeed gave man freewill, and if God indeed created man, then didn’t somehow by proxy, God did all this?”

  John wasn’t the best person for Jason to talk to.

  In fact, after a few days to stew about it and Jason was no better than when he initially heard the news. He just started at the clock on the door as it dwindled down.

  Grant, like Jason felt betrayed. How dare they take him without his permission? He had no idea how long he was in that blue coffin of fluid. It could be years, decades, it was conceivable that even if the virus didn’t go awry, enough time could have passed and everyone he knew and loved was gone.

  His room had a backpack, at first he thought it was for the items in the locker, until he opened the locker and found another backpack. No, the one in his room was for him to carry supplies.

  In the locker were his clothes, wallet, money, identification and other items. Grant changed from the pajama clothes into his jeans and sat by that countdown door. The second it opened he was leaving.

  He didn’t know if he was still in New York or not, but New York was his destination. That was where his family was, his girlfriend.

  It was possible that the world outside was fine, normal and a team would be waiting for them the door opened. Just to be on the safe side, he made the second backpack a bug out bag. In case all was not glowing and good. If it was bad, then at least Grant would cross the barren world with supplies.

  “I think everything is fine,” Amy stood, arms crossed in the storage room with Meredith and Nora. “Whoever did this was prepared. We are an assurance. That’s all. A plan B.”

  Nora asked. “Is that why you aren’t packing a supply bag.”

  “Yes, I am that certain. We’ve been frozen for about six months, that’s what I think. I think that door will open and a team of scientists will be there to debrief us back into the world. And if it isn’t, it’s not like this place will self-destruct and I can’t turn around and come back in.”

  “You demeanor is commendable,” Nora said. “Wish I could have a better demeanor.”

  “Don’t confuse my confidence with content,” Amy said. “I’m mad as hell. My poor children. What did they think? My God, I missed six months of their lives.”

  “Me, too,” Nora said. “My youngest is three. Come on, you know how much they grow and change. Plus, it all better be good. The only items I have belong to Summer Rosewood.”

  “You crashed the event,” Amy stated.

  “Sounded like a brilliant prank at the time.”

  “Nora?” Meredith called her name, “Was there anything in Summer’s belongings that could give us a clue?”

  “She has a journal in there.”

  “Did you read it?”

  Nora shook her head. “No, just in case Summer is out there, arms folded with attitude waiting for me. I don’t want to emerge to confrontation. What about you, Meredith? What do you think?”

  “I think we’ll know in about twenty minutes, now won’t we? No use guessing, right?”

  “Guess,” Nora said. “That was your forte. You dealt with theories. I know you have one. I know you have thought it out.”

  Meredith exhaled and paused in packing her supply bag. “I don’t think we’re in New York. Where would they build the facility? They wouldn’t take a chance on placing it anywhere that could be a ground zero. Ravishing diseases bring panic. Panic breeds war. We are somewhere close to an intellectual center point. MIT, NASA. And this place more than likely …” she shifted her eyes to Amy, “will seal up once we walk out. They’ll want this buried. This place is proof that the population control method was intentional. So pack your survival bag. And I think at the very least we’ve been in stasis long enough to be forgotten. My hair is white. I didn’t have gray hair. It didn’t grow, but it lost all color.”

  Nora asked. “So you think we’ve been in stasis for a while and everything is fine.”

  “Depends on fine. I’m going to be the pessimist here. The virus failed. Knowing the state of the world, I’m willing to bet war broke out as well. We need a plan for when we leave here and one that doesn’t involve heading home to our families and returning to normal. Because that’s not going to happen.”

  “Ladies,” Malcolm spoke rushed as he stepped into storage. “I cracked the code. I found the rest of the video.”

  With no more being said, they hurriedly followed Malcolm.

  Malcolm excitedly, positioned himself in front of the computer while the others circled around. “We all got to see the whole wake up video. The one that said that after forty-eight hours we’d get more info? Right? Well, the forty-eight hour mark came and went, no video. The reason was, the first video was timed with the wake up setting for each unit.” Malcolm looked at Jason. “Your unit and Nora’s were first, then after a half hour, the others were timed to play every five minutes to coincide with the units. Understand?”

  Jason nodded.

  “Well, the second video wasn’t on automatic. It was in there, but my guess … someone from outside the doors was supposed to play it. No one pressed play so the video didn’t roll.”

  Nora gasped. “No one is out there.”

  Malcolm held up a hand in defense. “I’m not saying that. I’m just saying someone didn’t press play. There are cameras. Four of them.” From the far side of the computer he pulled forward a small ball shaped object. “This is my invention. My cam. They were here. I actually found the uplink to these first. The signal for the camera was sent when the units released us all.”

  Nora asked. “We don’t know if anyone saw the images the camera sent.”

  Malcolm shook his head. “No.”

  “Have you watched the video?” Jason asked.

  “Some.” Malcolm answered.

  “Play it,” urged John. “What are you waiting for?”

  Malcolm turned toward the computer. He clicked the video.

  The same man from the previous videos appeared.

  “Good morning. My name is Dr. Raymond Harrison. By now, you are oriented and remember who you are and where you were. If by chance, you are having problems, I am sure Dr. Rosewood has talked to you about the side effects.”

  Everyone looked at Nora.

  She cringed with an apologetic look.

  Dr. Harrison’s video continued. “On September 17, all of you were in New York City and in the same hotel. This is not by coincidence. Each of you were carefully selected because of your skills and knowledge. Each of you represents many aspects of humanity. Law, music, mechanical, agriculture and so forth. I could go on, however I am sure you know by now what each other represents. You were chosen because in the event that the human race or civilization needs to be rebuilt, each of you possess a part of a whole system that would work together to do such a task.”

  John turned to Grant. “Considering there are only eight of us, there goes that theory.”

  “This is a plan that has been in motion for many years. At the hotel a diversion was set so that each of you could be retrieved. You were placed in what is called the Genesis unit, they were designed by Rosewood Institute for cryogenic studies. Not even Dr. Rosewood knew the date that the project would be implemented. She was released from the unit at the same
time as Reverend Rudolph. She was to explain and he was to be the spiritual guidance.”

  Again, all eyes shifted for a moment to Nora.

  “On September 24, in an extreme attempt to save humanity from extinction by way of mass culling, a virus was released. A hybrid measles based virus that would infect fifty percent of the population and kill seventy five percent of those infected. Overall the effect would be a 35% decrease in population worldwide. You have been in stasis for seven months in a special facility under Marshal Space Flight Center outside of Huntsville Alabama. This is a time frame we determined safe. Three months for the virus to take hold globally, three months for distribution of the cure, and one month added insurance. You are here in case things go or have gone badly and the plan did not go as projected. Rest assured, your families were notified and given the cure. You also have been given the cure. We are confident that when the door opens, you will be greeted by our prepared staff who will brief you and update you on all events. Your family members will also be present. Please note that as we have protected you to ensure humanity continues, we have provided you with supplies in the event things did not go as planned. This facility will go through an equipment decontamination process fifteen minutes post your release. Take precautions and supplies. You will be well compensated for this inconvenience. Thank you for your service. God Speed.”

  The video ended.

  Jason laughed maniacally. “Inconvenience? Compensated for our inconvenience. They took seven months of my life. Seven months of my family’s lives.”

  Nora stepped to him. ‘But our families are alive. They’re out there waiting on us.”

  “Maybe,” John said. “We don’t know.”

  Meredith added. “It’s longer than seven months. I feel it.”

  “No,” Amy gasped out. “You heard the video. Everything is going to be fine.”

  “If everything is fine,” Grant said. “Why didn’t the video play?”

  President Thomas stepped forward. “We can argue and guess all we want. But that door is opening soon. We’ll find out everything then.”

  “Six minutes,” John said. “So I suggest, since there are extra backpacks due to our losses, that each of us packs up. Just … in case.”

  “Go on,” Jason said. “I’ll grab things in a minute. I want to watch the video again.”

  “Why?” Malcolm asked.

  “To take notes this time,” Jason replied. “To listen again with an attentive ear. Just like food and water are vital to survival, so is knowledge. This video has information I want to remember …” his eyes shifted around. “Just in case.”

  SIXTEEN – TICK TOCK

  There was something about Meredith that drew Nora to watching her. She was too smug, had it together, didn’t emotionally waiver.

  Nora was a mess.

  She wanted her children, but a part of her was scared something went wrong. Repeatedly she reminded herself that all was well and a great big roast beef sandwich along with her family waited for her.

  Nora couldn’t get beyond Meredith in those final minutes waiting for the door to open.

  “She has no family,” Jason said. “There’s no worry. If all is fine, nothing changes, if it’s not, she loses nothing emotionally.”

  “She knows,” Nora whispered. “She knew about this whole thing.”

  Jason crinkled his brow. “Nora, she is in the dark as much as us.”

  “No. She knows. When I walked into the event. She was at the table. On her phone, texting or something.”

  “Ok.”

  “No, it’s this uppity gala and she’s texting.”

  “Yes, Nora, people text.”

  “She knew the whole thing. Her behavior is odd.”

  “If you want to discuss odd behavior.” Jason nodded once toward the door.

  Nora looked over.

  Exhaling heavily, John sighed out as he dropped yet another box by the door. “They were stacked there.”

  Malcolm followed and placed a box down. “Last one or you wanna grab one more?”

  “This should be good.” John said. He opened the flap of a box and pulled out an object. “I only took four of these, they are heavy. Any idea what this is.” He lifted it up. It was half the size of a car battery, with a handle and reflective top.

  Malcolm took it and examined it. “It’s a solar battery. It’s a backup source for solar powered equipment. But it can be utilized elsewhere...”

  “Sweet. We will need these.” John smiled.

  Guiding Nora toward the door, Jason stepped to them. “John, what are you doing?”

  “In case this door opens and nothing is there. I want everything out of here before the timer ticks down.”

  Jason drew up a quirky look. “Are you that convinced things are bad?”

  “I’m smart.” John said. “And this is my plan B. Seriously, if it is bad. It’s best to be prepared. If it’s early, we could emerge to a violent world, if we overslept, nothing will be good anymore.”

  “You’re ridiculous,” Jason said.

  “Call me what you may, but you’ll be calling me for food when you’re hungry.” John stated smug.

  “Guys,” Amy said and pointed. “Twenty seconds.”

  The digital time counted down while the eight of them waited by the door. Jason, Nora, Malcolm and Grant had two backpacks each.

  John, of course, had what he could grab from the storeroom.

  Amy, Meredith and President Thomas optimistically had nothing.

  Ten seconds …

  John inhaled deeply and bounced from heel to toe. He was closest to the door and he turned to look at those behind him. Each had placed on the clothes that were in their locker, no longer did any of them wear the comfortable drawstring pants. No longer did they look like lab experiments.

  “Aren’t we all going to look silly with all this stuff when this door opens and people yell ‘welcome back’?” John asked the group.

  Jason tossed a serious stare his way.

  “Maybe not,” John cleared his throat.

  Five.

  Four.

  Three … Two... One.

  A deep buzz rang out and the door slid open.

  Seventeen – lifting

  John’s allergies, would act up for sure, after all, according to Dr. Harrison, it was April. At least he missed those dreadful winters in Connecticut. Those were some of the thoughts that raced through his mind. None of them ever considered an elevator was behind the countdown door.

  Yet, sure, enough it made sense why they couldn’t get it open, when it slid from left to right.

  The opening of the door exposed a huge freight like elevator, one everyone hesitated in entering.

  Using his foot, John pushed a box to ensure the door remained open, they started moving their belongings in there.

  “None of you are gonna help?” he asked. The others just entered, moving to the side of the items John shoved inside.

  Appearing frustrated, Jason set down his backpack. “I’ll help. Only because you’re so darned adamant about this. You’re scaring me.”

  “Little voice of your savior not chiming in and telling you give it to him?” John asked with sarcasm. “Get it, the big Christian saying, Give it to God.”

  A slight growl rolled from Jason’s throat, yet he continued to help move the boxes inside.

  Soon enough Malcolm and Grant joined in, along with Nora. Meredith was agitated and the president urged them to hurry because he just wanted to get topside.

  They got what they could inside, not everything fit, and John didn’t want to waste time, especially knowing the lab would be decontaminated.

  The door to the elevator closed. John turned and faced the rear of the lift. Another door was there and he was willing to wager, that was the one that would open once they were lifted to the top.

  With a shift, the elevator moved and they began to rise. It moved slowly and steadily for a long time. John figured they were deep in the belly of the comple
x.

  Very deep.

  Supplies surrounding him, John waited impatiently but didn’t show it. Even with his doomsday attitude and ‘just in case’ ways, John was optimistic. To him, when the elevator doors opened those supplies wouldn’t be needed, he’d be the butt of all jokes when the group of scientists, along with his pissed off wife, were there to greet him.

  The spark of nerves fluttered in the pit of Jason’s stomach when he thought about reaching the top. He closed his eyes and said a prayer. To those outside the elevator it was seven months, to Jason it was only five days, but he missed his wife as if it were a year. His daughter, just a baby at the time he left, was probably walking.

  He had missed so much.

  Jason spent five days not only mentally preparing, but losing the anger. He was angry, someone took control of his life, his family’s life, and he wasn’t given a choice.

  He wanted answers and those answers were just moments away. After he greeted his family, Jason was going to demand the truth. Why was he chosen? What made him special? Why would they do this to the world?

  Who exactly was it that released the virus? Whose decision?

  Mind racing, eyes glued to the door, the elevator jolted to a stop and Jason’s stomach flopped once more.

  Hundreds of feet below they spent days with white, fluorescent style lighting. The elevator had the same clinical white lights. Jason expected when the doors opened to see the same light.

  Instead … there was no light.

  The door slid open and there was a wall of darkness. The elevator lamps cast enough light into the room for them to see it was empty.

  No one was there.

  No group of scientists, no family … not a single soul.

  Tiny particles of light pushed through the slats of the tightly closed blinds on the windows to the room, doing very little to brighten the lab.

  A large lab, void of people, filled with the stench of ‘stale’ was abandoned and apparently had been for quite some time.