EN ROUTE TO THE UNKNOWN

Time passed, and Ashley grew increasingly concerned about the absence of her friend Josh. She hadn't seen him since that bewildering moment when he seemed to vanish into thin air. Days turned into a monotonous routine of medical check-ups, meals, and the occasional bath – a luxury considering the crowded conditions in the facility.

Then, on a seemingly ordinary afternoon, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Men dressed in black uniforms entered alongside the doctors, including Frank. The unexpected arrival of these stern figures heightened the tension in the room.

"Hello, everyone," Frank greeted the assembled patients, his expression troubled. "We have some news for you."

As Frank moved aside, a man in a black uniform stepped forward to address the group. "You are being moved to different facilities for your safety. We hope you cooperate with us," he stated before leaving, the other men in black following suit.

The room was filled with uncertainty, and Ashley was left grappling with the abruptness of the announcement. Frank, with an apologetic tone, added, "So, um, you have an hour to get ready."

After he and the doctors departed, Ashley found herself sitting on her bed, feeling a sense of emptiness. She had nothing to pack, no personal belongings, and no means of keeping herself busy – no cell phone, no connection to the outside world. She could only wonder where she was being taken and if she would ever see Josh again.

After an hour they were asked to leave the ward. As they were led out of the room, Ashley couldn't help but observe the diverse group of people in the facility. It was evident that the meteorite's impact had affected individuals of all ages and races, creating a shared, unexplained bond among them.

Determined to find Josh, she scanned the crowd and quickly spotted him. Without hesitation, she rushed toward him, embracing him tightly. "Josh," she breathed, gasping for air as the hug became almost suffocating.

Josh finally released her, and he reciprocated her concern. "Are you okay?" he asked.

But Ashley's main concern was for her friend. "Don't worry about me. Are you okay? What happened to you?" she inquired, her eyes filled with worry.

Josh smiled warmly. "I'm fine now," he assured her, tenderly caressing her cheek.

However, their moment was interrupted by an unwelcome voice. "And I'm fine too, thanks for asking," a sarcastic voice chimed in.

Ashley turned to face the source of the voice and couldn't hide her scowl. "Hello there, Ashes," the newcomer continued.

The guy who was with Josh was Dylan, and by his side was his best friend, Thomas. She couldn't help but be skeptical of their presence. "What are you doing with them?" she questioned, directing her inquiry at Josh.

 "I don't want to be here either," Dylan said.

Thomas jumped in to explain, "We recognized him, so we just stuck together."

The sudden yell from a man in a black uniform resonated throughout the room, instantly silencing all conversation. The room fell into an eerie hush as every eye turned toward the authoritative figure who had raised his voice.

"In one single file, move to the black door," he instructed.

Despite some grumbling and hesitation, the group complied, forming a line that slowly snaked its way toward the ominous black door. As they reached the door, the names and fingerprints of the evolved individuals were meticulously recorded.

After the process was complete, they were led to an awaiting airplane. The seating arrangement on the plane consisted of three seats in each column. Ashley took her place next to Josh, while Dylan and Thomas chose to sit behind them. The third seat beside Ashley and Josh was occupied by a muscular girl with short blonde hair. She appeared disinterested in conversation, and so they refrained from initiating one.

The flight to this unknown "safe place" was long and left them with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. When they finally arrived at their destination, it was shrouded in darkness, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their journey.

Upon disembarking from the plane, each person was given a key card and directed to their assigned rooms. Ashley and Josh were reluctant to be separated, but the orders were clear, and they had no choice but to comply. The new facility was organized by gender, and a guide led them to their respective areas.

As the guide showed them around, Ashley and Josh were given a glimpse of the facility's layout, including the washrooms, the doctor's office, the training grounds, and various other spaces. Ashley noted that the rooms were typically occupied by two people, which meant she would have a roommate. It was a new beginning in an unfamiliar place.

However, when Ashley entered her room, she found it empty. Two beds were neatly made, indicating the presence of a roommate, but there was no one in sight. Perplexed, she approached the guide and inquired about her missing roommate.

The guide responded with an enigmatic statement, "She's not here yet."

This raised more questions for Ashley. Everyone had arrived together, so how was it possible that her roommate was not present? The mysteries and uncertainties surrounding her situation seemed to deepen as she tried to make sense of it all. She pushed those thoughts away and went to sleep.