DING! “Please buckle your seatbelts and remain seated as we begin our descent.” said a melodic voice over the intercom.

  Alex’s eyes snapped open. He took a shuddering breath and released it. What in the world just happened, he thought. The cabin rattled. Oh no, no, no. This can't be happening. He grimaced as he gripped his arm rests. The cabin rattled again.

  DING! “It appears we will be having some slight turbulence. Please be sure your seatbelt is fastened and remain seated.” said the voice again. Alex raised his shade and looked out the window and was relieved to see they were not encased in clouds. The cabin rattled again.

  Alex looked at the emergency exit door, dread and fear banging in his chest. Please, please, please, he thought to himself. Sweat beaded on his brow as his nails dug into the armrest. What felt like an eternity passed, but nothing happened. The plane bounced as the tires hit the tarmac and an immediate rush of relief filled his body. He let out a long breath he didn't know he was holding. As the plane taxied to the gate Alex thought back to the strange dream he had. It was so real and who was that voice.., he thought.

  DING! The seatbelt light went off and the cabin erupted in clicks and movement as the passengers on board shuffled their way to the front of the plane. Alex sat and waited. When the aisle was mostly clear he got up, grabbed his backpack from the overhead, and made his way to the door. The stewardess that made him the drink was at the door wishing people well and thanking them for flying.

  Smiling at him she said, “Hope you had a great flight.”

  “I don't remember a thing about it, thank you,” Alex smiled back and made his way out the door. He had no luggage to collect so he made his way straight to the pick up area. As he stepped off the escalator and looked around he saw a familiar and grumpy face.

  “Agent McGuinnely! Pleasure seeing you here!” Alex said as he walked up to him.

  “Mr. Moorez, this way,” he said in response

  “Such a chatterbox as usual. So, where are we headed? I could use a bite to eat. Lunch maybe?” Alex asked.

  “We are headed to the facility grounds. There is a food court, you can eat there.” Agent McGuinnely said as he quickly made his way out the doors and towards an all blacked out sedan. Alex let out a low whistle, “nice ride,” he said as he ran his fingers up the hood.

  “Please don't leave your prints all over the car,” Agent McGuinnely sighed. “Get in.”

  Alex pulled his hand off the hood. “Can I touch the door to open it?” Alex asked sarcastically.

  Agent McGuinnely sighed again and got in the car. “Get in or I will leave you here.”

  “Okay, okay!” Alex said getting in the car. “I see you are just as grumpy as when we first met.”

  “Mr Moorez, this is not a social gathering. I am not here to be your friend. You were not asked here to make friends. You are here to meet up with others to hopefully save the world.” Agent McGuinnely said a furrow on his brow as he looked at Alex.

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  “Got it, Sir,” Alex said as he buckled his belt and looked out the window glumly.

  Agent McGuinnely felt slightly bad for being so crass. He let out a sigh. He is just a kid, he thought to himself. “I feel like a burger. Let's get something to eat before we go to the facility.”

  Alex’s face split with a grin. “Sounds great!”

  “Oh man, I think that was the best burger I have ever had!” Alex said, sitting back in his chair. “And these waffle fries! Amazing!”

  “I think you were just hungry.” Agent McGuinnely said as he put some cash on the table to pay the bill.

  “Dude, we do not have diners like this back home.” Alex slurped the rest of his milkshake.

  “Full now?” Agent McGuinnely asked.

  “Oh ya. Let's get to work!” Alex exclaimed as he got up from the table and headed to the car.

  Agent McGuinnely followed him with a slight grin on his face, but only because he knew Alex couldn't see it. When they got to the car he looked at Alex and asked, “Want to drive?”

  Alex’s mouth dropped open, “Uh,Yes!” he exclaimed as he started to walk around

  towards the driver side.

  “You wish,” said Agent McGuinnely as he got in the car.

  Alex stopped mid-stride, his mouth dropped open in shock. “I should have known that was too good to be true.” He laughed and walked back to his door. As he got in and buckled his seat belt he looked over at Agent McGuinnely and saw the slight smile on his face. “Ah, you can smile. I knew I would wear you down.”

  Agent McGuinnely immediately frowned and started to drive. They drove for about thirty-five minutes before arriving at a lone guard at a gate. The Guard scanned something in the lower left of the windshield and signalled for Agent McGuinnely to lower the window.

  “Badge,” said the guard in a stern tone. Agent McGuinnely handed him his badge. The guard scanned it and handed it back. “Proceed.”

  Agent McGuinnely waited for the gate to open and drove through. They drove for about fifteen more minutes down a two way road with trees on either side. As they rounded a corner the view opened up.

  “Wow,” Alex whispered as he looked around. There were numerous buildings sprawled before them.

  “Short tour,” said Agent McGuinnely. “These buildings here,” he said as they drove past, “are the apartments. This is where you will be living for the foreseeable future.” He turned into the driveway of the third apartment building. He parked by the front doors, “follow me,” he said as he got out. They headed to the door and went down the corridor to the third door. “This is you,” Agent McGuinnely said as he handed Alex the keys to the door.

  “Nice, first floor.” he said as he opened the door. Inside was a simple one bedroom apartment. Everything he needed was there. A kitchen, living room, an eating nook, full bathroom and the bedroom. All furnished. “This is nicer than where I was living,” he laughed. “When will my things get here?” he asked.

  “Your items should be here in the next three to five days,” said Agent McGuinnely.

  “Okay, uhh, is there somewhere to get clothes or wash them?” Alex asked, remembering that he only had two extra outfits in his backpack which he placed on the chair in the kitchen nook.

  “There is a shared laundry area in each apartment building. Everything else you need will be in the recreation area. There are shops, a food court, and leisure things to do. Let’s go.” said Agent McGuinnely as he headed out the door and back towards the car. Alex locked his door and placed the key in his pocket. As they drove back out of the apartment parking lot and onto the road Agent McGuinnely pointed to a large building in the center. “That is the recreation center. Everything on the campus is within walking distance, but you are allowed to have a scooter. A lot of people tend to use them here.”

  “Oh I definitely want one.” Alex grinned.

  “Of course you do,” Agent McGuinnely sighed. He kept driving and turned into the driveway of a two story building, the sign out front labeled it as Administration. “This is, of course, the Admin building. You can request your scooter here, and anything else you need that is not purchasable at the Recreation area. Here is where I leave you to do your paperwork and get your badge. Welcome to the team Mr. Moorez.”

  “Agent McGuinnely, thank you.” Alex said genuinely, as he reached to shake his hand.

  Agent McGuinnely shook his hand in return and nodded. “Let’s hope you can help save us all.”

  “I will do my best, Sir.” Alex said. He turned and walked up the steps, as he grabbed the door handle he let out a long breath, “Let’s get to work.”