The Forsaken

it, I see a huge space carved into the sandstone, with rows of lights hanging overhead. There are about ten different cubicles inside, separated by glass walls rising nearly to the ceiling. Each one appears to have a narrow mattress inside it, along with a table and a chair. There are curtains inside each room to pull around the walls for privacy, like in a hospital.
    I feel nauseous for a second. These rooms remind me a little of the scanning cells in New Providence.
    “It’s just for a few days,” Dr. Vargas-Ruiz says, noticing the looks on our faces. “You’ll each get your own cubicle. And it’s not like we’re going to lock you in or anything—although I’d prefer if you stayed in here for the next three days, for your own safety.” She walks forward and opens up another metal door in the side of the rock wall, displaying a primitive bathroom with a toilet and a shower stall inside. “There are towels on the rack. Fresh tunics and pants as well. You might want to clean up.”
    “Definitely,” I say.
    She gestures at the cubicles. “You can each pick your own. In a few days, when we’ve thawed out the other pods from your plane, this place will be filled with more kids from the island.”
    “What about the Monk’s people?” Liam asks, concerned. “On the island, there are two tribes of us—”
    “I know,” she interrupts. “There’s your kind and those you call the drones. The drones are generally just kids whose minds get more affected by the chemicals on the wheel. We tend to keep the different groups separated at first. Just so there’s no fighting. But pretty soon all of that goes away.” She pauses. “Here at Destiny Station, we’re all equals. United by a common cause.”
    Liam nods.
    “I’ll send a doctor to check on you both tonight,” she says. “To make sure you don’t have any tropical fever, parasites, or other medical conditions.” She eyes us. “Do you both feel okay?”
    “We’re fine,” I tell her as Liam nods again.
    She moves back over to the main door and opens it. “Someone will be in shortly with food.”
    She steps into the tunnel and closes the metal door firmly behind her. Liam walks over to it and checks the handle. Indeed, it isn’t locked. He swings the door open and then shuts it again.
    For a moment, Liam and I just stand there in silence, like we can’t believe everything that’s happened to us. Or that we’re still alive.
    Then, inexplicably, we both start laughing.
    It comes out of nowhere. It’s the sound of being safe. The sound of being overwhelmed. The sound of relief that for the first time in as long as I can remember, we’re not facing imminent death.
    But then my laughter slowly fades as I remember that despite our good fortune, our friends are still in jeopardy back on the wheel. Not to mention all the other kids in the UNA just like us.
    “Which room do you want?” Liam finally says, gesturing around. “I think they’re all identical.”
    We end up taking two cubicles across from each other, so we can leave the glass doors open and talk.
    I sprawl back on my narrow mattress. Liam does the same on his. Although our journey is over for the moment, I know that many more challenges await us.
    I’m just about to say something to Liam, when the door to the room suddenly opens again. I sit up, expecting to see someone bringing a tray of food. Instead, I see Dr. Vargas-Ruiz.
    “Back already?” Liam asks.
    “Yes.” She turns to me. “Alenna, there’s someone here who wants to see you.”
    I start to feel nervous again. “What? I haven’t even showered yet or anything. And what about our checkups?”
    “Those can wait. I thought you could meet with her tomorrow, but she demanded that I fetch you right away.”
    “Who?” Liam asks, standing up protectively.
    “It’s not my place to say,” she tells him, sounding mysterious. “Besides, this meeting is really for Alenna.” She gazes at Liam with an unreadable look in her dark eyes. “I can’t explain why. Not yet. But it’s her choice whether you come with her or not. If she wants you to, you can.”
    “Oh, he’s coming,” I say. There’s no way I’m going to let anyone separate us.
    Liam speaks up in agreement. “I go where she goes.”
    Dr. Vargas-Ruiz nods. “Fine. I’m actually coming too. These meetings can be stressful. It’s best if I’m present to mitigate any issues.”
    Issues? I’m too tired to even want to know what she’s talking about. But I