WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

[gatonina]

ARRIVAL

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PASSENGERS: 41 You know how the story goes by now. One minute you’re somewhere familiar, and the next you’re suddenly somewhere else. Unlike previous times before, the source of your rude awakening isn’t a mystery. A harsh jostle causes your body to lunge forward as a tire jumps over a pot hole in the road. Try as you might, it’s hard to ignore the steady thrumming of an engine and the gentle sway beneath you. The faint scent of gasoline seems to waft from the outside, but as you look around you’ll notice that the windows are locked, tinted, and impossible to see through. Likewise, the door ahead of you appears to be locked as well. Perhaps the scent is your imagination…? Regardless, though the lighting is a tad dim, it becomes apparent that you’re inside a large bus dotted with the occasional seat and amid a jumble of other bodies. The people you were last with may be among your fellow passengers. Perhaps they are not. But worry not; there’s plenty of time to look around and get to know one another on this long, strange trip. It may even be wise to examine the staircase at the other end of the bus. Who knows what awaits you on the other floors? Ah, but before you move too far it may be best to assess the situation. On the bright side, any injuries you incurred have been healed! Isn't it nice to have your limbs in place again? Miracles happen. But...what happened to your clothes? You’re fairly certain you weren't wearing this t-shirt before...and what's with the denim shorts? Maybe you were fortunate enough to get the knee-length version, but for those of you waking up in bootyshorts...well, we're sure you look great! And what better way to tie the whole look together than white socks and tan sandals? At least you'll be comfortable for the ride. Lucky for you, your new threads aren't the only gift you'll receive upon waking up. Attached to your waist is a high-quality bag filled with some fun goodies for every passenger! For those of you who unzip your bag to check its contents, you will find: -Dry shampoo -Wet wipes -Deodorant -Travel pack of toilet paper -Travel toothbrush + toothpaste -Poncho -A stylish travel guide No other items are on your person at this time, even if you were holding onto it as you began your previous departure. That's a bit troublesome, isn't it? Not really; it's still a bus. Be grateful for the extra elbow room, alright? Oh, and one last thing...on the wrist of every passenger is a small, equally fashionable white scrunchie. Not your style? Perhaps it's a good idea to give the travel guide another read. Searching the bus from top to bottom will net zero results in the way of an escape. All of the windows are similarly tinted and locked, and the only exit door appears to be the one on the first level that can't be opened at this time. But hey. You're all old pros at this, right? You know what to do next! Get to know the people around you, trade stories with your fellow passengers, and...well. Buckle up for the bumpy ride ahead.

Comments

[wowcool]

...Eh?

[He whips his head around at the sound of the other's voice. The sudden elation he feels - it hurts, somehow, like a needle through his heart.]

Ah! Brother! [He reaches over to touch the other's shoulder, and then, as if touching a fire, he draws it back, like he's afraid Dimitri will just disappear under his grasp.] Dimitri, that's really you...? What's going on?

[overruns]

[ Dimitri looks puzzled a moment at his reaction, but soon reaches out to give Anaido's arm a tight squeeze, as though to reassure him. To prove to both of them that they're solid and real before he shakes his head. ]

I wish I had an answer for you. Shouldn't we both be back home—? I thought...

[ Maybe he'd been tricked, and the ritual never ended at all. But as he glances about, it's not quite the same. Not the same group, exactly. ] Who are these people?

[wowcool]

I...thought so too. I don't know who these people are.

[But they're here. It never ends. For Anaido, he should've been with the person who finally accepted him. But he's here, instead, and he doesn't understand. None of this makes sense.]

What happened...? [He pauses, before letting his hand drift over Dimitri's hand, giving it a squeeze of his own.] Did we do something wrong?

[overruns]

[ He takes some comfort in that, eyes softening slightly before he turns his gaze ahead, deathly serious. ]

No, there's no reason to blame yourself.

[ The one at fault is whoever or whatever brought them here, again. Even if he doesn't understand anything else going on, he knows that much. ]

If the others from that accursed island aren't here... I think it is safe to assume they made it home safely. Which means we can do the same. [ Whether or not he truly believes what he's saying, Dimitri's voice doesn't falter. ]

[wowcool]

...

[Honestly, he wouldn't care that much, but Wen Ning...]

[He looks around for him. He isn't here. He can't see him. Can it really be that easy to believe they're home safe?]

What if they're just in another place like this one? There's no way to guarantee that they aren't.

[overruns]

...There isn't, no.

[ He can't offer him hard proof of anything. There's no empirical evidence to soothe anyone with. ]

But we will figure this place out and find them, whether they are at home or otherwise. [ In the end, maybe idealism is just denial. It's still something, though. ] Just another reason we need to keep it together and survive.