The place we are in can be called a dormitory. Of course, not your usual one. It has that alien flair to it, but for the most part- it's a dormitory. We all sit close, the ones who are friendly to me, that is. Others scoot away.

Each inspects the oddity that I now bear.

The reactions are mixed. Some treat it like a spider and back away just at the sight of it, probably in something resembling fear. Others just resist the urge to puke.

Man, I could just die in a hellhole seeing these reactions.

However, in particular- Kevin finds it cool, and he even dares to touch it, something even I haven't dared to do yet.

Insects are gross. But a cross between an insect appendage and a human hand? Pure disgust. If this doesn't turn your stomach, I don't know what will.

"This is weird, but I find this so fascinating. This is groundbreaking! You would have become famous overnight had we been on Earth!"

I look at him without the slightest bit of excitement. "Yeah, I can just do without people cutting me up for experiments right now." Next thing you know, they cut my hand and put it in a jar, and it's the next best thing after Frankenstein.

"What do you think its power is?" He asks in curiosity.

I look at Beth. She looks intrigued as well, though none of them are keeping their eyes on my hand, actively averting their gaze elsewhere or looking straight at me. But I can understand they are trying to be sympathetic from the looks on their faces.

"Well, what do I know? It can be anything from a laser shooting super cool weapon to a morphing black oddity that can change shapes. Or maybe it can eat stuff?" I dramatically shrug at that and enlarge my eyes. This is weird.

"Should we stimulate it?" Kevin asks.

...

I feel like somebody knocked my head with solid bricks.

"W-what?" I mutter, not sure if I heard right.

A different voice speaks. "Well, sooner or later you would find out if it is dangerous or anything, or what it does. So I think it's an idea that is worth being considered. Though I would hate it if you accidentally blow any of us up doing trial and error," Sally says flipping her hands and tilting her head, lifting her brows up. Her dark red hair is like a red signal in my peripheral view, warning me not to do anything stupid.

"Let's see what it reacts to and then, maybe we can find more about it and see what it can do aside from just sticking on to you like that," Kevin says with enthusiasm.

"It's a toxic relationship. I can say that much." I shake my head. He laughs. Kid really has got back his spirit. For that I'm glad.

Seeing our interaction, Beth smiles. Maybe she is the reason Kevin is better now. I did the right thing to introduce these two to each other. Or maybe, it would have developed naturally even if I hadn't done anything. You can't completely predict human behaviour. We are complex beings.

"Be careful you guys," Fiona voices cautiously. Hearing her voice, I look at her.

"Yes ma'am!" I salute with a beaming smile. She blushes instantly and looks away, embarassed. That expression is like an arrow to my heart, I tell ya!

But, as is usual, happy times don't last long. I suddenly sense something. I turn around my head. By this time, I have garnered quite some eyes staring at my hellish hand from all around, of children I don't know. Of course, it's not only the ones I have met. There were hundreds of children back when we first met at the 'dining hall'. There are far too many of them to truly meet and befriend. But what I have got going here is a concern for them as well, so I should probably keep in mind not to do anything rash or else, they may treat me like the supervillain I claim to be and call on alien heroes.

...

That would be baaad. It's for situations like these when you need connections. I hope Sally can keep any riots from happening. If she properly used that leaderly charisma of hers, maybe I can guarantee my safety.

__________

"This is so cool!" I want to scream but I'm beyond spellbound. What even are these structures? I guess when you think about aliens, you expect stark differences like this.

In front of me, and all around me are machines that are integrated into the very structure of the building. For analogy, all I can think of are lifts in a building.

These are not anything remotely like lifts, but I can tell that they are moving and they have some purpose that they serve, and are not something for show like statues or props or things of that sort.

The sound of multiple steps echo through the hallways. I'm being accompanied by my fellow humans. Well, the ones that are on fair terms with this supervillain that is.

Among them walks someone unexpected as well. It's Rocky. Ironically enough. Being unable to keep to the dorms upon the anticipation of what results we get from experimenting with my hand, they have all joined me. We are currently en route for a safe testing area, and what better place is there, other than an open field! Pretty sure one's around here nearby.

I momentarily look back at Rocky. I didn't see him the moment I went into the dorm after waking up. He was in another room but he came soon after and showed interest in coming to see what really happened to my hand. He was afraid as well, and warned me not to be casual with it. But he did say that "It's the coolest shit I've seen happen to somebody" so I guess there's the fire igniting inside him. He is not grumpy and can show enthusiasm when it naturally comes to him. Just like the time when he asked about how I woke up in this world. I really admire his character.

"Hey. What have y'all been doing all this time I've been gone? What have I missed?" I throw the question while looking back, being the one to lead the way alongside Rocky. It's more like I'm following him but whatever.

They were talking amongst themselves while Kevin was proposing experiments one by one to me, walking on my left. Upon my sudden questioning, all their eyes position on me.

"We started working, Jordan," Beth answers cutely to my question.

Ah, of course.

I raise my eyebrows and nod. "Right. So how is it? I have NO idea what they would make me do, now that my hand is like this. It's worse than before actually, won't you say?"

They briefly steal a glance at it but then, deliberately avert the topic of my hand and move on to a more general answer scheme. "They give jobs according to our merit and physical prowess. They have some sort of testing method to assess our capabilities and we are sent to work in groups who are basically fit for that job. The jobs aren't too difficult. We've been discussing about each of our experiences for the past few days. It's only like how labour works back at home." Sally has succinctly put everything into words.

"Hmm, so based on that. Are you all on leave today?"

They smile at me. But I can't tell why rightaway. It's not that smile that says "lying around will get you nowhere". It's something else.

"Today we'll be having enhancement sessions," Diana says.

My eyes enlarge in their sockets. "That sounds cool." I look at her with interest.

"Basically, they present us with specially designed games, or tests, or chores that would make us more fit for jobs we are meant to do," Sally explains again. "We have these sessions regularly. It's basically exercise. We'll be doing the works assigned to each of us as well, but later on in the day."

I say nothing for a few seconds. That's a lot to take in. I didn't expect them to have such a proper schedule, but this is only them being realistic. They can't have us working at low efficiency can they?

"For example," Fiona begins, and my heart skips a beat at the sound of her voice, "I am made to 'stitch' fabrics. It's not your usual stitching. They have special tools they use for that and they have quite a few patterns of lacings that they follow for fabrics suited for different purposes. In the enhancement sessions they make me better understand where which pattern is needed and when I have to use which tool, plus problem solving and all that." She ends with a faint smile and a waving gesture of her hand in a manner of 'whatever'.

"But do you enjoy it?"

"Huh?" She gets surprised.

"Well, you know. They can ascertain which job suits you the best, but do you like doing it?"

She stays mum for a moment. Then, her expressions brighten up. "Well of course!" she says. "It's interesting, Jordan. This environment, all these equipments. It's all very fascinating."

I shake my head. "I see."

Finally after walking all the length of the building, we arrive at a hose. I have been observing the buildings and structures all around me quite closely. The humongous scale of it, the unknown material the flooring is made of (it is bluish in colour. It's not metal, I can tell that much.) I get shivers from my last memory of this place, of when they took flight alongwith me and brought me to the lab. But Rocky gently pats my shoulders and says, "This is a fun ride. Trust me, you'd enjoy this."

I gulp and nod, not wanting to blatantly scream like a kid on a rollercoaster. He doesn't know that I have had my time with this before. It's better that way anyway. I don't want to tell him I almost peed my pants last time. God, lend me strength. I don't want to make a mess of myself in front of all these girls.

We all sit and then, gently start sliding.

"Woah, WHOA-"

We whish downwards so fast my stomach turns.

"I'M GONNA DIE!" I scream in my head.

My head starts spinning. The world around me is making a crazy merry go round. We all, pressed tightly and holding hands go round and round all the way down. Amusement park slides don't stand a chance with this one.

"Whoo!" Beth yips. Even she's enjoying it!

"Ahhhhhhh!" I can't keep my mouth shut as I shout my lungs out. It's thrilling, but on a deadly level.

To my right, Beth is having a genuine wonderful time, and to my left-

"Fiona?!"

She looks at me with a feared expression. "What!" Her eyebrows are scrunched and she's holding onto my hand tightly.

I had completely failed to account for where I was sitting. Now I feel more embarassed. But the good thing is, Fiona's scared as well.

"N-nothing," I back down, but I hold her hand tightly.

"This is so fun! Wohoo!" Beth says, loudly in joy, and she looks at me. "Don't you think so?" Her eyes cut through my heart.

...

"Of course!" I shake my head fast to make the statement as believable as possible, but she laughs in return.

Gosh, I'm a wuss.

After like twenty seconds we finally reach ground, and-

-I fall flat. My hands and legs pointed outwards, I pant.

Fiona looks at me while sitting cross legged and panting and says, "Honestly, this scares the shit out of me. But now that I have had this experience for more than a few times, I'm adjusting to it." She sends a smile of power my way, then offers her hand. I take it and pull myself up on my butt.

Can't say this is the most romantic moment. But I don't completely feel like a total retard. Which is good... I guess. None of them made fun of me. Thank God Billy and Mister Round glasses aren't here. Those two would have totally grasped this opportunity for teasing me.

"Hahaha!"

I hear laughter. I turn around to find Kevin and Beth seated together talking about the times they had slid down this hose. They have really grown a bond. It's such a heartwarming sight.

Beth notices me staring and suddenly, I feel like I have done something lecherous. I blush and try to turn my head around. I'm not a creep, Beth!

Instead, she just laughs a bit more and then when I look back at her, she has an adorable smile on her face. And with that, she starts explaining to me from the very beginning. "So it's like this, bro. The first time we rode this, we were going all around rolling and smashing ourselves into a dough." She has such a playful expression on. Her hands are flying through the air making all these weird shapes. "So we figured, we should hold hands to keep ourselves stable. Kevin in particular hurled his guts out the first time around." She chuckles.

Heh, that would have been me this time, if they hadn't had the bright idea of holding hands yet.

"Oh is that how it is? Hahaha." I am so miserable right now. Someone just kill me.

__________

After smacking the dust and dirt off our apparel, we make way to the field. The sky is beautiful right now. And there is something I have never seen before up there. How the hell did I miss this?!

A ring.

Yes a freaking ring!

What can be cooler?

I can point out no moons at the moment so can't say for sure if this planet has one or not.

The sky is a bright turquoise and there are pink clouds. I may as well be in Dreamland right now.

The sun is low on the horizon. It has stayed like that ever since I came here. One alien day must be pretty long. Or maybe we are on the poles. Can't say for sure.

"Here should be perfect," Diana says.

We stop.

"Yeah this is far enough," I agree.

Turning around I can see our building in the distance, almost a hundred metres, to my estimation.

"Okay, Kevin," I rest my hands on my hips and say, "pick up a rock!"

Time for experiment number one!