[Audio clicks on. The soft pattering of rain can be heard in the background]

Well, it's been a month. Summer's almost here. I'll be glad once these stupid final exams are over. I'm barely passing, and it's stressing me out.

[A shrill, though faint, beeping begins. Jordyn groans]

And so are you, you stupid, annoying, overly-loud alarm! Why can't you just shut up?! Niki just got to sleep! Shut up! Shut up!

[Sounds of hasty movement as Jordyn jumps up and yanks open her window. The rain sounds grow louder, and the alarm quieter. The window is slammed shut]

I'm going to sit outside until that stupid thing shuts off. Even if it's raining.

[A pause, then she sighs]

Those stupid alarms. Ever since the government installed them in everyone's home, they've been driving us all crazy. I hate them. They do nothing besides wake us up at ridiculous hours just for it to be nothing.

Because it's always nothing. None of these earthquakes are ever serious enough for the us to need to evacuate to the submarines. People say experts are afraid Initium might sink, but I don't think it will. It's just gonna shake a little and then stop again. Just like every time.

And I really don't want to go on the submarines anyway. They haven't even been tested to see if they can withstand the currents of the ocean. And there's really no way to know if there'll even be anywhere for us to surface. We can't all stay down under the water forever.

Imagine being trapped in an underwater vessel, living each day knowing you're all going to die slowly with no way out, because there's no land. The food stores will run out eventually.

Ugh.

[Jordyn falls silent. The rain is the only sound, until the window opens and a new, weary voice speaks]

Jordie? What are you doing out here in the rain?

[Jordyn]

I didn't want to listen to that horrid alarm anymore. Is it off now?

[Male voice]

Yeah. I swear, I'm going to figure out to shut that thing off. I get little enough sleep as itis.

Speaking of, you should comeback in and go to bed; you have school tomorrow.

[Jordyn sighs]

Alright, Niki.

[End of audio]