Anna's POV

My room was cold. It was a mess, and for some reason I wasn't upset about it; me being so organized. My pillow had a humid smell, and the damp cloth was pressed against my cheek. Had I cried in my sleep? And if so, why? And when it came to my mind, I suddenly felt hot.

The tasks. Today. I shifted in my sudden sticky and igneous covers. Hot air filled my lungs and my hair sticked at the back of my head. I sat up; my feet barely touching the cold floor. I moved away my sweaty hair from my face. And then a frustrated and suffocating scream escaped my mouth. And maybe I screamed a little too loud, since my mom swung my door open.

"Anna!" She exclaimed. "What's wrong!" She said kneeling beside me.

"Nothing it's just..." I took a deep breath; and I felt that my neck sucked all the air in. "I'm nervous that's all."

She didn't said anything. She hugged me tightly into her embrace. "I love you." She muffled in my hair. "You'll make it, okay?" She said pulling away, and her fake smile turned into a frown, and her frown turned into a crying face.
"I love you so much, baby." She said hugging my head; her crawling fingers making their way into my tangled morning hair. "Love you too." I said joining her mourning sorrows.

She led go abruptly. "Get ready!" She exclaimed. "They'll be here any minute!"

I nodded, and I darted towards the shower. I undressed as quickly as I could, and jumped into the shower. I turned the water on, and I didn't even notice the cold water running down my body; since that was not an option with the lack of time I had.

"There here!" My mom shouted over the rushing water; which sounded more like a distant sound.

"I'm going!" I shouted back.

I wrapped a towel around my body, stepped out of the shower and into the slippery floor, and headed back to my room. I slipped in my sticky legs my khaki pants and slipped on a plain olive green t-shirt. My feet found their way into my boots, and then I brushed my soaking wet hair with a hairbrush. I ran to the door; the wet points of my hair banging in lashing movements against my back. The car waiting outside vehemently honked with desperation; indicating that I made my way out. I hugged my mom with one arm and she gave me a quick kiss. And as for my dad, I wrapped my arms around his neck firmly. He hugged me back, but quickly stopped as the car demanded my presence.

"Love you both." I spat, and I ran to the car. I suppose that my parents gave me good wishes, but I didn't hear any, for my running made the world around me tunnel; blocking out everything. The cold morning air, and the gray sky, made me shiver, but as I got inside the car, warmth clasped my body.

I got inside, and the car's heating fell so good. I looked around my surroundings. The four of them-Lisa, Drew, Derek, and Dylan- were all inside. But something was odd and a strange feeling hung in the air. I furrowed my eyebrows as I stared at their miserable faces. Where they sad because of the fate that laid ahead? But no, their eyes were puffy and so bloodshot, that redness covered most of their eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked generally.

They didn't dared to speak, and they all bursted in crying sobs. Lisa, who was beside me, hid her face in her hands while her shoulders shook uncontrollably. Drew hid her face; her red hair falling to the side. I looked at the back seats. Dylan's eyes held tears, he whipped them away, but he began crying. I've seen Dylan cry very few times, most of the time, it was me crying. Derek had his jaw clenched as in anger, or maybe it was to hold back the tears.

I didn't wanted to ask anything else, for they'd feel worse. I kept my questions to myself as the car engine's started. The vehicle began to move and I stared back at my house, my parents. As they faded away, I saw strange men with big guns getting close to my parents.

The movement was so fast that it didn't gave me chance to process what had actually happened.

Two gunshots. My scream. My tears.

They killed my parents. Lisa hugged me without hesitation and I cried harder than ever before. My chest ached and my throat felt sore.

*****

I'm was more calmed down by now. But sobs still formed at the back of my lungs. The car stopped.

"Get out." The driver ordered.

We obeyed his command and got out. We were facing a gigantic building. I'd compare to a white huge block. Waiting outside was the leader, Phil. He had his usual sarcastic smirk.

"Welcome, fellas." He said. "Get inside" he spat.

We did, as we stared at him with our miserable faces.

We got inside. The room was plain, just a few chairs now and then. Sweat collected at the back of my neck as I noticed the elevating humidity.

"Why it's so hot in here!" Protested Drew.

Phil got in. He rolled his eyes. "Follow me." He said pushing past a glass door.

We followed him, and cool air splashed my face.

"Now that's better..." Drew muttered.

We walked in a maze of halls; white lights lining the ceiling. We finally came across to a black metal door. It was big; the size of two refrigerators maybe.

A long hallway was in front of us; five doors to the left side.

"Get inside. One person per room." He commanded.

I got in the first one; the nearest to the door. I got a glimpse of Dylan getting in the one next door. Dammit.

The walls were what made the rooms different. They were transparent, so I could see everyone. Next to Dylan was Derek, then Lisa and Drew. To the right of each room, I saw a plain bed. I sat on the thin mattress and waited.

*****

The rooms didn't had doors. There was just a gap in the wall. It had passed like an hour. An hour of boredom, frustration, and grief. All our parents were dead. These people are taking our lives away, literally. Then, the banging of a the swinging door interrupted my thoughts. I jumped instantly as I saw Phil holding cloths, and five pairs of boots. We all got out and payed attention to him.

"Wear this." He said handing the cloths to us. When he gave me mine, I stretched it out of it's folded state. They were thick, black, and maybe a little too...small?

"What the heck is this?" Lisa said giving Phill a puzzled look.

"Yeah," Derek added. "I didn't came here to play dress up." He sarcastically said.

Phil rolled his eyes. "This suits will give you protection." He began. "They have a thick fiber, resistant to the elements." He concluded. "Now fit yourselves in them, before I change my mind about your survival." He said leaving the room.

I went back to my alcove. I searched the room for a bathroom, but there wasn't any. Where were we supposed to change! Us five stared at each other awkwardly. Our heads turned when the door opened again.

"What are you waiting for! Hurry!" Phil said annoyed. "And girls, don't wear bras, the suits will adapt to your bodies."

"But theres no-" Drew began, but was cut off by the closing door.

No bra. Nice.

Lisa used that time wisely and was already in the suit.

Drew turned around and did the same.

I played along and turned to the left; the wall facing me. I was lucky to have the wall. I took my pants off quickly, and slipped the first part of the romper-like suit. I lifted it all the way to my waist. I took a deep breath, and took my shirt off. Then the part that made me anxious, I unclipped my bra; revealing my bare back to Dylan. This was so awkward. I just wanted this moment to be over. I slipped both my arms on the long sleeves, and yes it was true, the suit adapted to my body. It gave me shape and I felt secure.

"Watcha looking over there, huh Dylan?" Derek said from behind with a guffaw. For some reason, the noise that was made in this rooms amplified.

I slightly tilted my head to the left, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dylan turning around, facing Derek.

"How ugly you are." He muttered through gritted teeth.

I chuckled to myself and felt my suddenly hot cheeks blush.

I slipped the boots on, and then I felt a cold air on my back. I had to zip the zipper up!

"Get out." Phil came in the room; holding the door wide open. Dylan went through the door first, then Lisa and then Drew. I was struggling to zip the suit. And then, I felt someone doing it.

" 'welcome" Derek said getting out.

"Thank you." I mumbled, smiled to myself, and got out.

Again, we walked through the maze of halls; Phil on the lead.

He finally opened a door, and we all got in. It was a wide spacious room; where our echoes were multiplied by thousands. The room was maybe the size of three olympic swimming pools.

"What now?" Drew spat.

"Task number one." Phil said with a smirk and slamming the door behind him shut.

We all looked at each other; our faces a mask of confusion, fear, and worry.

Then, a siren rang, and the ground beneath us began to shake. I looked at the siren, but then, something caught my eye. In the ceiling were the words

There is a way out. Find it.

"Guys!" I called their attention. "Look at the ceili-" But I was cut off by metal walls that rose above from the ground. Now I was trapped in close quarters with no signs of a way out, although there was one...

Task one, had began.

​Out of all my surroundings, the ominous sound was the worst. The sounds were robotic, creaking, and twisting at the touch of metal. The claustrophobic room was empty. I ran to the walls, searching for an exit. I led out a panicked scream. "Get me out of here!" I pleaded. No answer.

Something sandy fell on my shoulder, then my head. A dusty and rough substance was falling from the edge of the ceiling-sand. It was falling faster now. I kicked the wall, frustrated to break it. The sand was rising to my ankles now. The sounds were unbearable. I shrieked at the sound of a squeaking creak and covered my ears. The sand was in my waistline, then my neck. The sand got into my mouth; making my tongue feel harsh and rasping. Now, it was finding a way down my throat. I coughed several times. I gasped for air but got none. The sand was suffocating me. And I gave up, letting the sand swallow me.

I held my breath, but the sand in my throat wouldn't allow it. That was it. That was I was going to die; buried in sand.

The deafening sounds stopped, and I felt relived. But then, I heard a loud noise. Thump! And the sand around me led go. The room was no longer filled with sand, but air, and faces staring down at me.

"Is she okay?" I heard, what I think Lisa was, asked.

"Is she hurt?" Drew added.

"No." I mumbled; but it was barely audible, for the sand in my throat was dense.

Then, the face of Derek inched closer to mine.

"Are..." He said with a sarcastic smirk. "You alive?"  He asked, and his colorless gray eyes winded.

"Yes." I replied.

His smile faded and his eyes hardened. "Then get up!"

I blinked my eyes out, and he gave me a hand. But as soon as he did that, I felt dizzy, bent, and pressed my hands to my stomach.

The warm burning liquid rose up my throat. I imagined the sand burning like liquor, combined with the acid taste of vomit. Disgust filled my gut, and more of it came out. Lisa pulled my hair back and helped me up.

"Thanks." I mumbled through my shaking lip.

There was no sand anymore, like if it had been drained.

"What just happened?" I asked to no one in particular. "How did we make it?"

"Dylan here figured the way out." Derek began. "You tell the rest." He told him.

"I happened to look at the ceiling again," he said. "The words changed when we were trapped. They read 'Press the button.' It was kinda obvious." He continued. "I think that the task was hard because you needed to stay focused and without panicking." He concluded.

"So how did you press it if it was on the ceiling." Drew asked with her eyebrows raised.

"I left the sand do the job." He said, and as soon as those words were spoken, Phil came in.

We all looked at him with angry faces.

Derek was clearly the angriest.

"What the fu-" but he was cut off.

"Uh-uh." Phil said moving his index finger sideways. "No cuss words here."

Derek rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Now where were we?" He acted. "Ah yes perhaps, was that easy?" He asked, and no one answered. "Was that easy?" He repeated, this time louder.

"No." We said in unison, all in different tones.

"Good, they'll get harder." He coldly said. "Follow me." He concluded.

We did like he said, and got out.

We ended up in a small cafeteria. They served us a meal, although it wasn't so good. We all ate in silence, feeling all as miserable as we possibly could.

I thought about what had just happened. Was I the only one who didn't make it? I mean, was I the only one who got swallowed up by the sand? Yes, I thought, I was the only one. I was so mad! I felt so...so...weak! So dumb and useless!

Then Phil came in again and told us that we could take showers. We all agreed. They gave us simple clothes, and then we took turns with the showers. To be precise, they gave us comfortable clothes, to sleep. The girls were given shorts that fell just above our knees and a simple t-shirt. The boys were wearing also t-shirts but instead of shorts lose pants.

We all went to sleep. But I was the only one awake. Why? Why was everyone so calm? It bothered me that I was the only one feeling like this. I turned around to my side; facing everyone.

After minutes of long thinking, and staring at Dylan sleep soundly, my eyelids began to feel heavy. A dull ache behind my eyes stung, making me close them, and with that, I fell asleep.

The night would await, the time would pass, and tomorrow we'll be facing task number two.