Chapter 1 - Welcome to the family, son.

One more time. For just one more time.

A hundred... no, almost two hundred people today, shifting restlessly in their seats.

Unconsciously, I bring my hands together. My fingers are cold. My hands are cold. My whole body is cold. They can't feel it, they can't see it... they only remain in their seats, waiting for something... waiting for me.

I get up from my chair on top of the stage as the director says my name, that's my cue to reach the center, take the microphone and begin my speech. Thinking back now... I certainly was anxious over nothing. That was over ten years ago.

A loud noise snaps me from my reverie. My eyes search the perimeter frantically, as if trying to see the source of this siren-like sound. Not a second later the cell door slides to the right, just as seemingly, opening up the cage I've been locked in for the past hours. Surprised, I shot up from the steel bed, then I froze in place.

'Should I really walk through it? Is it really gonna be that easy? What awaits me outside these walls?' But there was no other way, I hadn't really been given a choice. I cautiously made my way out of the cell and quickly crossed the doorpath. To my left, a concrete wall, to my right, a corridor featuring rows of additional cells identical to mine, all of them open, all of them empty, except the farthest one.

A figure lying in the corner. Immobile. I opened my mouth to say something, then I stopped myself. I recognised that attire. 'Seriously?' Thought I. Of all the people in that gathering... "Seriously?" I said it aloud this time, though I hadn't meant to. I approached the figure, realising she was asleep. 'Moira Burton...' Looking closely I spotted the same bracelet that appeared on my left wrist when I'd woken up, on her wrist as well. I couldn't help but try to reason it all in my head. 'Why abduct us? Why in the middle of the celebration?' But that was obvious, it's because everyone found themselves in the same place. 'Then who? But whoever it is... they're fools. Moira joined Terra Save just a couple months ago, therefore not having access to any privileged information. Whoever's behind this is in the dark about Terra Save's employees. Or maybe they just want ransom... After all, Barry wa-'

"Claire?" A voice interrupted my thoughts. 'Again.' thought I. Looking down I catch Moira staring at me intently.

"Moira" I say, crouching. "Did you see their faces?"

"No." She answers. "Where the hell are we?"

"No clue, but they... no, someone opened the doors." I take a step back towards the corridor. "Let's get out while we still can."

Moira got up, her legs tremble. I wager it's fear, but I have no inclination of pointing it out or even in assuaging her. Hopefully we'll find more captives here, then things will get less awkward.

-/-

"And you would be?" I asked, smiling.

"Moira." Said she, also smiling.

But I already knew that. 'No mention of Burton, eh?' Thought I. 'Alright I'll play along. I wonder what she wants.'

Though it was stamped on her face, crystal clear in her eyes. As we made small talk my doubts were slowly vanishing.

'Not gonna happen.' Thought I. 'I'd better cut this short before she gets any ideas.'

"I see." Said I, cutting her off from whatever she was saying. "If you're that interested, why don't you apply for a job with us? We're always looking for people like you." I put up my best encouraging smile and gazed at her eyes. I swear I could hear her heart flutter. I didn't mention it was voluntary work.

But I wasn't done, I kept praising our people that work around the world as she blushed, enchanted with my speech, no doubt feeling lucky and special, as if we were secretly bonding.

With a standard excuse and a "See you there!" I was finally away from her and back to my own devices.

'She disgusts me.' I felt bad for thinking like that, at the same time I couldn't lie to myself.