Someone was pounding on the door, not aggressively but sounding more urgent. I creak open the door to see who it is… Watkins?!?! I slam the door shut not wanting to believe what I saw. What was he doing here, was he going to kill me? My heart started racing, my head was spinning, why would he come back? “Open up,” he said, “we want to help.” What did he mean by ‘we’? “What do you mean by we?” I shout so he could hear me through the thick wood door. “Obviously you don’t know how to talk to a woman Watkins, let me handle this.” A female said with sassiness, I like her. “My name is Alex Sawyer, me and my team needs more people but we can’t find anyone, until you came to downtown. I sent Watkins here to ask you to join, but you declined. We need anyone we can get, and I understand that you can’t trust us yet but we are here for the right cause. We need you Astra, we need more people for this mission to be a success.” She sincerely said. It’s more trusting to hear that from a woman, it’s go big or go home so I creak the door open again to make sure they aren’t ax murderers. They didn’t barge in, they just smiled, a hopeful smile. I opened the door further, “Come in.” I said, there was a tall and muscular guy that I haven’t met. He came across like the type of person you don’t mess with. “Thank you.” Alex said. All three of them came inside to my small, one story house.“I’m Alex, as you already know, this is Watkins, which you’ve met, and this is Andrew Brown.” “Hi.” I said monotone, I didn’t want to show any emotion. Andrew was his name… cute. “So we need to get to our headquarters where we can plan.” Alex said. Andrew snickered. “I wouldn’t call it ‘headquarters’.” Andrew said. “Oh shut up! It’s the best we got, unless you have anywhere else we could stay with privacy?” Alex retorted. I started laughing in my head, it was funny to see people fight over the littlest things in the end of the world. “Astra, would you be willing to move to the apartment?” Alex said giving a dirty look to Andrew. “Hey guys, let's not fight.” Watkins was saying. “We are not fighting, Watkins.” Alex said while clearing her voice. “I do hate that I have to leave the house but… I’ll come. One question, how did you get here?” I said with curiosity, I didn’t hear them come up. “My dad works,” Watkins started, “worked in the military, he told me about silent technology vehicles, STV. We went to his compound and found some of the products they were going to sell.” “So you just stole it?” I said. “Well we didn’t think the laws really existed anymore because… well, you know.” “It makes sense, I guess, how do they work?” “You know, that’s a great question that I don’t know the answer to.” Watkins replied. “You need to pack up, travel light. We’ll give you 10 minutes to gather your belongings, be quick.” Alex interrupted. I nodded my head in response. I run upstairs to my room while they explore the land I live on. Alex was the leader, you could tell. She wasn’t bossy, she was a good and strong leader, she would never ever show her emotions. She was about the same height as me she was also really pretty, lean and she had cherry brown hair in a bob cut. I fold some clothes to put in my bag, to have enough room for everything. Lastly, I grab the most recent picture of our family, Mom, Dad, Alura and me. It brought tears to my eyes, stinging them, burning at the memories of my loved ones. I wipe the tears away and head downstairs. “Ready.” I said. We walked out the door, I took one last look at my house before locking it away forever. I wanted to come back, but it wasn’t likely that I’d ever see it again. “Good bye.” I thought. I rode with Alex on the STV, it was like a hybrid of a motorcycle and an ATV. She was going really fast, like 100 mph fast. It was silent, you could barely hear the engine rumble.
Chapter 5 We got to the apartment complex, it was the most amazing thing I laid my eyes on since the end of the world. It was called Luxury Villa’s, probably bigger than your average apartment but not a penthouse. We walked in silence up to the 3rd floor, I guess the elevator wasn’t working. “This will be your apartment room, we meet in room 711 in 15 minutes. I’ll give you time to unpack and take a look around.” Alex said. She was compassionate, she may not want to show it in front of the boys, but she is very thoughtful. I walk in my room after thanking her, she gave the key while reminding me where 711 is. It is luxurious, the kitchen was huge with marble counter tops and gray cabinets. I walked into the living room, it was filled with lavish furniture and a flat screen T.V that probably doesn’t even work anymore. There were two bedrooms, the guest room was pretty big and the master was huge. I mean like I could fit half of my house in there! I realized I’ve already taken 7 minutes to look around I needed to start unpacking. It didn’t take long, I freshened up and headed to room 711. I tried opening the door but it was locked, so I knocked. Andrew opened the door and to my surprise it was only me and him, I guess I arrived a little early. He let me in, I sat down on one of the chairs. The room was big, but not one of the villa’s, it must’ve been a converted conference room. It was filled with computers with code and technology that I haven’t even dreamed about, Andrew then broke my daze by asking me a question. “So tell me about yourself, Astra, I like to know my teammates before I start working with them.” Andrew said. “Uh, well I was still in college when all of this happened, I was studying to become an environmentalist. I play golf and I got a full scholarship to Columbia in New York, but it was summer break so I came home.” “Cool stuff, what are your hobbies?” “Well I like baking and cooking, I like to swim and I love archery.” “Nice, I like getting to know people, it’s weird thing about me.” “That’s not weird, I like that you want to know people more.” His cheeks turned into tomato’s. I started laughing and I think he realized that I was laughing at him, which made his cheeks even more flushed. Soon enough he joined into the laughter too, it was nice laughing, like genuinely laugh. Alex and Watkins came in, we immediately stopped our laughter. “Why did you stop?” Alex said. “Stop what?” Andrew replied. “Laughing.” “I don’t know, I guess it was old after that.” “Why are you so uptight with me?” Alex said in a misunderstanding way. “Well Alex, you told me to straighten up because I was supposedly acting like a child.” “I didn’t mean like you can’t have a little fun around everyone, you just kept on messing up the database and you wouldn’t stop talking while I was. I need to lay out the plan and then you can comment.” Things were really tense, me and Watkins didn’t know what to do. “Oh, so now you’re the leader? Why can’t I be one, Watkins or even Astra? Why does it always have to be you? From day one you walked around here like you own this place.” “I’m not the leader, I’m just the one who comes up with the plan and who does what. I will admit it’s the most important job, but if anyone has objections, please raise your hand.” Alex said back in a sarcastic yet serious way. I like Alex being in charge, she’s a confident woman and compassionate. Only Andrew raised his hand. “It’s not fair tha-” Andrew started. “We are NOT fighting today, we have a new comer and we don’t want to scare her off, now do we.” Watkins said, I was glad someone broke it up. Alex kind of gave a shocked look to Watkins and Andrew, shook her head and said, “We need to get down to business guys. We know who is going to be who based off of their best trait. Andrew, fighter. Watkins, thief both on the internet and off. Astra, you and I will plan everything out and the people who distract the opponent.” Alex said. “So grifters?” I ask. “Eh, sure, if that's what you want to call it. The gas is being let out constantly from a gas plant in New York, probably planted there just in case some people like us were to come out. Of course, if the conflict is what we think it is then we play these parts, if it’s not, then forget I even said this.” Alex said with a smile. “Ok then, so how do we find the headquarters of the E.A?” Watkins asked. “Well our satellites picked up something from here.” Alex replied while pointing at an abandoned building at the edge of Chicago city limits. “What about this building?” I asked. “Well it’s in the most obvious spot, why would they put in the most obvious place?” Alex replied. “Reverse psychology, if it’s in the most obvious spot, then people would think it would be in the not most obvious spot. Making that the headquarters.” “Ok, I did not take that into account, good point Astra. Watkins, you and Andrew go to the abandoned building and Astra and I will go to the obvious building. I’ll send you the coordinates.” Alex gives each of us something that looks like walkie talkies but modified into a cool gadget. She taught me how to use it, they call it Maken’s. “Maken’s? What does that even mean?” I ask Watkins. “I have no idea to be honest, it was just a random name that no one would come up with.” He replied. “Ok then.” I said laughing. There were three switches, one for volume, one for turning it on and the last button being the USB drive. “It’s basically a phone we can send stuff to, like uploading sensitive files or something like that.” Alex explained, “Here is your earpiece, just put it in you ear and set it to the designated volume.” She said while handing me it. “Ok, you boys go off to your place and we’ll head out in a sec Astra, I need to grab something.” Alex said. “Ok Alex see you later.” Andrew said. “Bye Alex.” Watkins said while leaving.
Chapter 6
Alex came back out with a flash drive, I gave her a questioning look and she answered my question, “It’s for if we find any files.” I nodded in response. We started walking outside and Alex asked a question. “Where is your name from?” That was an odd question… “Oh, well my Mom loved this show when she was a teenager it was called Supergirl and one of the characters names was Astra and she loved it. I think the show went on for another decade before stopping.” I replied. “That's such a wonderful name, I wish I had a cool name like that.” “I love your name, is it short for anything?” “Alexandra.” Alex said rolling her eyes. “Its beautiful.” “Mhm, sure.” She said sarcastically. We hopped on the STV after the brief conversation, and off we went. The drive was pretty short, only about five minutes, but then again Alex was going 100 mph. We moved into the compound in silence, softly touching the ground with our shoes. It had been trashed, papers filling the empty hallways and files scattered around holding critical information. After we cleared the building Alex and I looked for information about the E.A. “This had been the building our parents would come to, work here everyday.” I said, getting a little teary eyed. "They must’ve moved somewhere else, in case one of the workers decided to come back here. We need to find where they are.” Alex said, she touched her earpiece and said into it, “Guys, we found the place but it’s abandoned, they moved somewhere else. We’ll keep on looking for more information.” “Well, we found their new hiding place, it’s at that warehouse. We’re here now spying on them from some distance, meet us back at the Villa’s in two hours.” Andrew whispered. “Ok, will do.” Alex said back. Footsteps started at the end of the hallway, I looked at Alex wide eyed. She motioned me to get behind her, after all, she’s the one that had the gun. The footsteps grew louder and louder until a person arrived. “Hands up and drop the weapons.” Alex yelled at the stranger. “I’m here to help,” a woman said, “I worked for the E.A, and I still do. They did this, they let the gas loose. I know where they are but I was sent here because they spotted something in the old compound. I’ll just tell them it was an animal that got in, you must stop them. I have to go now, meet me in front of this building tomorrow at 12 P.M sharp.” The woman said in a shaky voice and off she went. Alex and I looked at each other confused and shocked, we knew exactly what we were thinking, it was like we were linked telepathically. “What do we do? Should we go or should we stay clear?” I asked nervously. “Uh, I-I” Alex stuttered, “I don’t know, we would need to discuss this with the team.” “Did you know her or something? You were really shocked to see her.” “No, I didn’t. She just looked like someone I knew, but it’s not her.” I don’t know if I should believe her or not. “We should head back to the Villa’s.” Alex said. “We should also tell Watkins and Andrew to.” I said back. “No, it’s ok. We don't need to tell them everything, plus we could have some alone time. I haven’t got anytime to myself or with another female teammate.” “You know, that's a great idea.” We descend down the stairs and push open the door and head to the STV. “How did that woman come up here? You would think she had a vehicle.” Alex questioned. “I have no idea… unless they had STV’s, do you think they could?” I ask back. “They could’ve definitely came up with their own tech, but other then that, no.”
Chapter 7
I was back in my room at the Villa’s and I heard a knock on the door. “Hey Astra, can I come come in?” Alex asked. “Yeah sure.” I said while unlocking and opening the door. “What is it?” I asked while she came in. She sighed and said, “That woman that we saw... she was my mother.” “Oh, uh wow? Why did she not recognize you?” “She is my birth mom that I met years ago, she looks exactly the same and I don't.” “Wow! Isn’t that exciting?” I say trying to cheer up the mood. “No, no it’s not,” Alex said as she plopped on the couch, “I don’t know, what if she does something to hurt us? What if in reality she knew who I was and told her boss?” “Hey, hey it’s ok. She won’t, I know it.” “How?” “I have faith in her, I believe she is telling the truth. I don't think we should tell Andrew and Watkins about this, we can just make an excuse and go back to the place.” “I think we should, they would reject the idea of meeting my mom… Astra, I can’t hurt her, I just can’t.” She said while bursting into tears. “Hey come here,” I said while I embraced her with a tight hug, “I know, I know. I wouldn’t be able to hurt my own mother if I found out she was alive.” And we just stood there hugging each other. “Wipe away the tears, you don’t need to cry, everything will be ok.” I said, she followed what I said and wiped her tears away. “Oh my gosh, I was supposed to make dinner! It’s already five and they’ll be back in an hour. Could you help?” “Of course I can, I used to be the chef at my house.” “Ah, perfect! Dinner’s at my place tonight, so we should head there now.” We walked towards her room, which was right in front of mine. “Welcome to my home.” Alex said. It was definitely more personalized, she must’ve lived here for a while. “Fried chicken?” Alex asked. “Sure, I’m down for it. Ok get a pan and put oil in it, put it on the stove.” “Okay.” Alex said saying they ‘y’ for an extra three seconds. “Get the chicken and chop it up to pieces and then just hand it to me.” “Ok will do.” Alex said while she saluted, we both laughed for a few seconds before the boys came in. “How did you guys get in?” “Oh, well it was unlocked.” Andrew said. “I always forget to lock it!” Alex said. “Dinner’s almost ready, go set up the table please.” I said to the boys, and off they went. It was about another ten minutes before the chicken was ready. I brought the steaming plate over to the table while Alex got the water bottles, it’s not the best idea to drink tap water. “I would like to make a toast,” Watkins started while tapping on the bottle, “to new friends-” “And new family.” Alex interrupted. “Yes, to new friends and new family.” We clinked our bottles together and ate. Now that I think about it, Alex was right, this is my new family. “Sorry Mom and Dad, I loved our family but this is a new day.” I said to myself. We laughed and joked through the evening until it was about 10:30 P.M. “It’s getting late, we should head back. Plus I’m getting tired.” I said while yawning. “Ah, true. Andrew and I have to go back to the warehouse to check out some more things.” Watkins said. “Yeah same here. Astra and I need to follow up on some information at the abandoned building.” Alex said, I nodded my head to support her. “Good night!” Watkins and Andrew said at the same time while they left. “Night Alex, sleep well.” I said sincerely. “You too.” Alex said back, she was going to say something but didn’t. From there, I went in my room to go take a nice, hot shower. The shower was nice, it was a rainfall showerhead attached from the ceiling. It was wonderful washing my hair after days of not doing so, it got so greasy and unmanageable. After I'm done, I wait for another thirty minutes to let my hair dry or else it’ll end up really frizzy. I lay awake in my new memory foam bed for ten minutes before falling asleep. I wake up to the smell of bacon, “Am I dreaming?” I think. I get out of bed and see the clock reading eleven o’clock. “No way? Sleeping Beauty finally woke up?” Alex said. “Haha, very funny.” I say sarcastically, “how did you get in here?” “Oh, haha, you left your keys in my room so when I knocked and no one answered, I let myself in. I'm sorry, I just didn’t want you waking up at twelve and we miss the thing.” “Oh, I don’t care that it was you, if if were one of the guys I would’ve killed them.” “I agree, totally.” I ate breakfast, which was surprisingly good considering that Alex made it. I got ready, tamed my wild hair and brushed in under seven minutes, that's a record. “Ready?” Alex asked. “Yep.” I say back. “So what did your parents do?” “Both my Mom and Dad worked at the E.A. What about your parents?”
“Well my parents gave me up when I was ten, so I went to my adoptive parents, Eliza and Jeremy. Jeremy worked at the E.A and Eliza was a senior vice president at a GreyCo.” “Wow, that’s prestigious. Your parents made good money.” “Yeah, I guess. They were never around, especially Eliza. Everyone thought I had the life because Eliza and Jeremy were rich, it was honestly pretty sucky. They always fought and for me being only ten, it was a rough childhood.” Alex said. “I’m so sorry.” I say stunned, no one should have to go through that as a child. We walked outside to the STV when I heard a voice. “Alex!” I whisper yelled, “I heard a voice!” “Crap! Who is it?” Alex asks. “I have no idea?!” “You wouldn’t know who I am, I’m here for Alex.” A feminine voice said from behind, “Drop your weapons, no need to fight. I am the head of the E.A and we can’t have you adolescents to mess our genius plan.” We turned around to see who it was. “Oh my goodness.” I say while gasping. “Mom?” Alex said feeling betrayed. “Earth has fallen, and there is nothing you can do about it.” Alex’s Mom said while smirking.