There's probably not too many times in your life, that you've encountered a frightened girl clutching her body tightly with her hands while bathing and she slaps you in the water beside her, because, oh well, the situation says enough. Bless you, if you've not encountered this situation because, oh lord am I dying of embarrassment! This is totally something out of a rom-com. What is even happening with my life!

And the scenario is extremely off-putting but, trust me, I'm a good boy! Believe me! I was just in the wrong place in the wrong time, because of my lack of attention.

I repeatedly apologise to the girl, but no amount of apologising could revert the situation back to normal. So once, I know there's nothing better to do, I guard my private parts and get out of the water. I retrieve my glasses lying on the floor somehow with my blurry vision and head to the other side of the bathhouse.

Yeah, it's too big to be called a bathroom. The aliens were thoughtful enough to divide rooms by gender.

But maybe they are still not all the way through if you ask me. There should be signs telling which door is for which-

Oh there is a sign. Right above the door where it should be even. I opened my glasses too early to notice it.

...

Shit!

I wasn't thinking straight. I wasn't thinking at all!

I thought this was the only bathroom and there won't be anyone else since everyone got out. And how was I okay with the fact that kids of all ages and gender were bathing together? Maybe I was undermining these aliens big time.

I was made to undress in the hallway! What else was I to expect! Nobody told me anything.

Or maybe I am stupid.

I wrap my towel around my waist and head out the way I came. This has to be the most embarrassing incident of my life!

From what it looks like, there are two separate areas for bathing. The area immediately after the entrance is the girls area, while the boys' area is a bit to the left side.

"AAAGH", I grit my teeth and hasten to the boys' area. I want this out of my head. I want it out ASAP!

After entering, I find some younger boys and some others the age of mine. They don't make eye contact for too long nor do I.

"Let's just get this over with quickly," I mutter under my breath and find myself a clear spot. It is all lathered up anyway like before, so I have my privacy.

But the poor girl... I need to properly converse with her after I get out.

__________

Getting out after a while, I quickly come out of the bathouse and into the open. I couldn't find my clothes. Maybe they disposed of them. They were filthy anyway. But my wallet... The money was of no use, but my cool photo. Ahh, to hell with it! Once outside I start looking for the girl.

Surprisingly, nobody tried to pull up a conversation with me, or with anyone for that matter, in this entire time. Figures. They are all shocked like I was back in the barn. Does that mean we were all brought here today? That must have been a heck of an alien invasion.

After looking around for a while I finally spot her coming out of the bathhouse. She sure took her time. Noticing me she immediately turned around and was about to leave when-

"Wait!" I called out to her, and thankfully she stopped.

She's younger than me. I wasn't sure back there but now I definitely am. This looks so bad, ugh.

But before I can say anything further, she surprises me by being the first one to apologise.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have slapped you. I was just...startled and shocked y'know. I know you didn't do it intentionally." She fidgets with her hands.

Aw, she's a good girl. She understands.

"Forgive me for being such a fool." I massage my temples. "I was too careless and-"

"I'm Bethany, " she cuts me short.

Eh? That was quick. I didn't think she'd talk with me normally so soon. What's-

"You're the first person I have spoken to, since coming here." She looks at me then down at her feet, looking a bit sad honestly. She seems like a bright girl, so this look hurts my chest.

Ah! I think I understand now. She didn't want to be on bad terms with me since she couldn't speak to anyone here and was alone and scared. I an the only person she has spoken to.

Hey, this isn't too bad!

"I'm Jordan, " I try to smile and hold up my palm for her.

She nods but doesn't say anything further.

"So where did the others head off to?" I ask her, looking around again, trying to put her at ease. "I heard the alien I met say we'll be having a meal. I was terrified for a moment but looks like I'm off the menu. " I snort at my own joke and she smiles. Alright! We are getting somewhere.

"I saw some of the bigger girls go over there," she points her finger at a collosal door on the opposite side of the bathhouse.

I blinked a few times just to be sure I was seeing things right. I have my glasses on so it shouldn't be a problem this time around.

"So beyond that is the dining area?" I continue to stare at the door, my mouth hanging open.

"Mm hmm."

"Ooof. Okay then! Shall we?" I point my hand forward and start walking. She follows suit.

Upon closer inspection, she is pretty cute and petite. Not to say pretty strong from the example she showed me earlier. She is obviously shy and it matches well with her appearance, but she is brave as well to talk to someone like me after what I have done, and not run away like I thought she was going to. She is short, but average for her age. She has ebony hair with a natural curl to it which makes it look a bit meshy. Her hair is tied into a ponytail and right now we both just have towels wrapped around our bodies. She has a thin necklace on though. It's pretty. Looks like her clothes were met with the same fate as mine. Her name is Bethany, but I think I'll call her Beth. That way, we'll feel closer and she'd feel safer!

We did not get off to a good start so I must make up for my mistakes, shouldn't I?

She took a good look at me too and didn't complain me for staring at her. Ha! I feel we'd get along well! I take a deep breath in and face forward. We can hear the voices of the others. And no, by now I can distinguish between the aliens and the human kids so I am pretty sure I am not barging my way into their den.

"So...how did you come here? Do you remember anything? My head's a bit fuzzy ever since I woke up in an alien store room an hour or so ago. I can't really remember anything other than the fact that my sister's wedding is tomorrow, and from what it looks like, neither I nor she will be attending it!"

Beth chuckles at my dramatic way of speaking. Then she presses her lips and starts with her own story.

"I-I was playing with my little brother Henry." Hmm, her voice is sweet. "He loves frisbees and so do I, so we were out on the playground in the afternoon an hour before dusk."

"Mmhmm," I looked intently at her cute features. Man, if I ever wanted a little sister (which I always have), she would be the perfect fit!

"So, while playing with it, Henry suddenly stopped while running to catch it. I shouted to ask him what happened. He just said, 'Big Frisbee,' and pointed at the sky." She looked down at her feet while we continued to walk.

"Ah, that makes sense. So you got abducted by the UFO." I took a moment to let that sink in. "Where's your brother?" I asked, naturally they should be together if they were abducted at the same time.

...

"Right. Where's my sister?" I facepalm, hanging my face down.

I don't remember if I was with her or not when I got abducted. Why do I have amnesia anyways?

Well, whatever may be the cause, if I keep repeating how little I remember in her presence it would only unsettle her more. She's already on edge as is...

"This makes me wonder, Beth. What happened to our parents? What happened to the oldies?"

I haven't seen any other age groups other than kids and teenagers since arriving. It certainly is odd.

She looks back at me with eyes shining with tears. Oh no. Looks like bringing that up wasn't a good decision. She sucks in breaths in gasps and it hurts me more and more. "I-I want Henry back. He's too young to be on his own. I don't know what would happen to him if me, Mommy or Daddy are not there with him."

I looked away. I can't say I don't miss my big sister, Helena. Oh, I remembered her name. She's probably okay on her own since she's a grown up, but...where is she? Where are my parents? Where is anyone? I have no one here whom I know, who I am acquainted with from before. And worse, I don't know if I can remember the names of anyone else. I just can't remember anything recent. It's... unnerving.

Looking at Beth now, I get brief flashes in my mind. At first, I don't know what to make of them. It only takes a few seconds before I realise, these are memories.

Of girls I know.

A video of me and big sis near a river, holding fishing poles where she has three fishes in her bucket, and I have two. I probably remembered that video because it carries such a profound and sentimental value to me. It was one of the few times when I had such a fun time with my sister. We were singing songs taking turns while waiting for a fish to bite.

Another memory was of this girl I knew from when I was younger. She and Bethany looked close but that girl was a brunette. I think we shared seats in the school bus and were close friends. However, I could not remember the name or the fact if we are close friends still. I hope we are. The scenes in my memory were pleasant and sweet. She seemed to be a nice girl.

I also remembered the faces of three other girls, but that's about it. I don't remember any of their names or their background. What's even more funny, is that I don't even remember the face of my ex, whom I mentioned earlier. But I definitely should, right? She was definitely very pretty (and troublesome) from what I recalled. I don't know what's wrong with me.

We proceed towards the dining area and enter the big doorway. The immediate detail that I pick up upon entering is that, there are rows of pillars in here. It's as if ancient Romans were infected by alien pathogens and created this place that looks both ancient, as well as alien and modern- even futuristic in a way.

We spot many many children sitting in the hall, huddled close, keeping each other company. All still wearing the towels. Hmm, I guess we are not getting any clothes anytime soon. We would need to see what they hand out to us. I was surprised to see my clothes missing when I came out of the pool and into the hallway. These insect-like aliens do wear clothing and know of fabrics so we probably won't have to dance around naked.

Bethany and I take a seat at an unoccupied spot. We have a boy sitting alone all by himself to my side and three girls to the other immediately after Beth. There are four boys of my age sitting in front of me on the other side. They all have neutral faces- probably deep in thought, but fear is hiding behind their appearance. I can tell. Their eyes are a little too wide, jaws clenched and eyebrows raised the slightest bit upwards. I can tell they are all tense.

Well, I for one am having a blast! That's what I would have liked to say...but saying that would be plain lying. I too am equally anxious, like them. After all, I need answers. I need to figure out what happened to big sis and where she ended up in. So for that matter, my enthusiasm has taken a deep dive while still staying prevalent, and my rational mind is pulsating like a siren. I need to figure this all out. Nothing that has happened till now feels like anything probable of happening in the real world, and yet, here I am.

The aliens are incredibly smart. They have exotic technology and they even decided to make separate areas for boys and girls. Such an obvious thing to us, but for them to be wary of it? Impressive, to say the least. Maybe they have researched on us long enough to understand our social behaviour. That would explain how I was able to speak with the alien back then aa well. For that translator to work they must have a fairly good grasp of our languages. Maybe not all the way but quite a ways.

From the other side and mine, our gazes meet and I give my hand out to greet them all. Rather than figuring it all out on my own, if I join forces it's all the more likely I'd progress faster and get to the bottom of it all sooner. And also, though I don't like to admit it face first, it's definitely a bit too scary to be all alone on another planet.

"I am Jordan, this is Bethany."

We all shake hands and try and smile- but it is forced.

I gulp. This is going to be a long day.

__________

The others politely introduce themselves, maintaining that neutral facade and even smiling. Well, I guess being more amicable in this situation is better than weeping in the corner, so it's probably mature of them to do this.

"Sally. Nice to meet you, Jordan and Bethany," a sharp-featured girl smiles. She is probably in her twenties and has a confident charisma. Her hair is dyed a dark red and her skin is tanned. Yeah, I can already see her becoming a leader or something of our little group, if we get along.

"These are my two friends, Diana and Fiona." She waves at them and they wave back at us- Fiona with a glint in her eye and Diana with a smile, mouthing a "Greetings" with a head bob. Both are younger than her and about my age I'd say.

Fiona in particular catches my eye as she seems like a bright girl with big ambitions from that look she gave me and Beth. She has strawberry blonde hair and a little freckled face with large eyes, a button nose and prominent lips. She is tanned as well.

As for Diana, she merely seems to look friendly but it feels fake. Her eyes give no genuine happy note- which is understandable, given the situation, but she does seem the most morose of us all. Her smile is gone completely and she's looking off into the distance, her hands wrapped around her knees and her face resting between them. Except...

"Kevin...I'm Kevin," The boy beside me squeaks. He couldn't be older than Beth; in fact, I won't be surprised if he were younger. Short black hair, trembling shoulders and a tear-stained face, all gave away the panicking young boy's weak heart.

I put a hand over his shoulder and he flinched. "Easy, bud." I give an awkward smile.

Bethany waves at the four boys in front of us, a bit self consciously. She's shy, but she is trying to make friends. I just met this girl half an hour ago but I already feel so proud of her actions. I pat her head in admiration, and she blushes. We have developed a connection with each other rather fast. I knew we'd get along well! We have good understanding of each other's actions and mindsets.

"Haha, she's cute. She your girlfriend?" A boy sneers at me.

What now...

"No, buddy. She's just like a sister to me. In fact, we just met a little while ago in the bathhouse."

Okay, that sounds misleading, but whatever.

"Uh-huh?" The expression never leaves his face and I already have a bad impression of this boy. He can pass for a classmate of mine. His looks are none so bright, and I would even go as far as to say his grades aren't either. Not that they would matter anything now. He gives me a sense of disgust and I would rather not speak with him again. But considering the others around him, they seem like a group, I wonder if they are any better.

"Ah, anyway, myself Billy. Nice to meet you, sweetie," he says to Bethany, flashing a smile and shaking her hand before she could offer it on her own.

Okay, now I have a new mission: Protect Bethany from Billy. At all costs. I put a hand on her shoulder as she looks at me with uncertainty. Even she can guess this guy is trouble.

"Ha, it seems to me that the gravity of this situation has been lost on all of you. It really unsettles me that people like you are in this multitude, and I'd be deeply troubled if there are any more of your kind," a boy with round glasses looks at us with eyes filled with indignation. It is a familiar look to me. Maybe I was scolded a lot by teachers. Yeah, probably that. Not to mention, my mother with her ever present fury.

...

Ugh, my life before must have been pretty shitty. Though there are some sweet moments like me and my sister in that video. I really want to reunite with her. I really do. I miss her.

"Just drop this act and think of something. Be cautious. Don't let yourself fall to these insects' appendages." He flares his chest, but it does little to no effect, as he is a thin boy. He's probably a year or two younger than me. He has an academic air to him, his hair split in the middle and falling on both sides to his ears. Okay, maybe if he did not come across as a jerk to me, I could have voted for him to be the leader. But Sally has my vote. No way am I letting this bastard take the crown. He's stiff and strict from how he is coming across.

"Dude, chill. You can't do anything single handedly, or if you raise an army for that matter. You are practically on another planet. We all are," Diana speaks, her voice surprisingly level. Her face, the faintest bit annoyed. She's rational, that's good. But maybe too up-front with the bitter truth.

"Yeah, now I'm being tutored by a girl. This totally sucks," he says something like that and looks away. Yeah jackass, don't even try to come near my team. Keep your ideals to yourself. He is sure to have some tough time in the future with how he acts.

Another of them comes to speak now. "I'm Rocky, and this guy can't remember his name yet, but I call him Chap, so let's all call him that," he speaks rather fast and introduces both of them. He has a bright expression and seems rather energetic. Chap is another dude sitting between Billy and Rocky. "So, let's hear your stories. How did you come here? What do you think is happening?"

...

I...like this guy. I really do. He is just the type I would want to be friends with. He hates small talk and likes to keep it to the point. He is rational and knows how to choose his words. Admirable. Beth seems intrigued by him as well, as are the other girls. I can't blame them. He is that type of dude. Though, he's a bit fat. While working here under the aliens, he's sure to loose a lot of that body weight.

"I-"

Before I can start speaking, Sally begins, "Nothing special. I went to sleep after school. The next thing I know, I wake up in this huge cavernous room. The ceiling was sooo high, I-" she swallows her words. Then starts with another sentence instead (a good decision because, straying away from the main point of discussion to give an example to compare the height or her reaction upon seeing it, would be unnecessary). "Well, after that when I tried to explore the place...I met them," she gulps. That...was surprisingly uneventful. Did she leave anything out? Maybe I was the only one having got a beating. Well, considering my record for getting into trouble, I can't blame anything or anybody save my luck. Well, it's an inherent aspect of mine. Can't do anything about it so let's move on.

"Hmm, not much information. What about you, fellow? Jordan, was it?" Rocky turns his head to meet my eyes.

I smirk. "I woke up in an alien store room. I remember nothing about how I got there. But considering my state that I woke up in, I think I might have been in a fight."

That triggers everyone's attention. "Wait, a fight? Can we even stand up to these guys?" Beth says with fear.

"Don't know anything about that. I can't remember. But what I think is much more practical, is: give them what they want, while keeping a close eye on them and reading between the lines. There's probably much more going on than they are telling us. And maybe..." I knit my brows and squint my eyes, while adjusting the glasses, "before coming here or before I passed out at least, I came across something that I shouldn't have known or seen. That's why I was beat down, laid on a table, and left all alone. The place was a mess, trust me."

"Interesting," the irritating leader contender says, while stroking his chin. You have a long way to go before any beard hairs show, buddy. Drop the act. I mentally remark at his actions.

Next thing we know, the door opens from the other side with a loud noise.

"Well, looks like food is here. Let's see if we'd get anything remotely like on Earth," the fat guy Rocky, smiles and shrugs simultaneously as he looks expectantly in that direction.

"I'm... hungry," the boy beside him squeaks, the one who still can't remember his name.

I sigh and press my back on the wall and look at Kevin. "Let's talk after we've eaten something. Try and ease up, alright?" I say as affectionately as I can and make him shake hands with Beth. "She is a sweet girl. Try and converse with her. I'm sure we'd be able to help get you back in your spirts."

"Hi," Beth tilts her head and smiles at Kevin, who is awed at her generosity.

"Th-thank you," he mutters.

"There we go!" I laugh heartily at their cute interaction.

I catch Fiona smiling at me and I blush.

Billy makes a "tch" sound, but I ignore him.

And like that, my first day in this alien world proceeds. I can't help but wonder what more there is to see yet, but I sure am excited! Rocky is definitely coming into my circle of friends as are all the girls and Kevin. I don't know about that other kid with him yet, but Billy and mister tall-nose can piss off!

Fiona laughs at me blushing and starts talking with Diana again. Beth chats with Kevin, and I can't help but smile

"So how has your day been?" I ask Sally, and that's how our conversation begins.