Static chapter 8

(I'm happy to finally get this out of the way- Can you believe it's already 8,000 words? That's the longest thing I've ever written!)

They were caught about twenty minutes after that. They had been carefully moving to look into one of the smaller buildings in the complex when a large group of guards suddenly fell in from everywhere. Instantly they were surrounded, and helpless as their arms were bound and they were forced to march towards one of the many buildings.
“Maybe they will take us to mom- this is really in our favor you know,” hissed Tori in Ezra’s ear as they marched into what looked to be a miniature hotel lobby. It was composed of gold-plated walls and plush couches. There was a small reception desk where a guard without armor was fixing it’s hair in a mirror. When the guards marched Ezra and Tori towards the desk, the receptionist looked up. It said something in what must have been it’s own language, as the other guards understood the mess of noise that came from it’s mouth. The guards conversed for a minute before Ezra and Tori were once again moved, this time towards a gold-plated elevator. The doors slid open, only to reveal what seemed to be a normal elevator. They stepped in and stood in silence for a long elevator ride down.
The room outside the elevator was entirely different then the lobby. It was all concrete, a giant mess of hallways leading of in every which way. There were a few guards here and there, but mainly just men and woman in white uniforms. They held clipboards and spoke in quiet voices that Ezra was unable to hear. As they passed through the maze of halls, people passing would acknowledge the guards with a short nod.
They turned into one of the many identical black doors that lined the halls. Inside there was a office with a decorated man sitting at the desk. He had a nameplate which simply identified him as Murner. Ezra knew he right away. Murner Clo was one of the high ranking members of The Cascade. He wasn’t a very tall man, but still broad shouldered. His expression seemed to be one that gave you the expression that he was disappointed in you. He had the black uniform of The Cascade on, with his hat on his desk.
When he spoke to them, he sounded more like he was spitting the words out. “Infiltrators.” He spat, “Care to fill say why exactly you were here? I don’t suppose you just ‘got lost’ or ‘didn’t know this was a restricted area’ like the others? Because the fate of the others isn’t something I truly would wish for anyone.”
Ezra had nothing to say. His mind had gone into panic, unable to think of anything. All he could think about was how much trouble he was going to be in. Tori, on the other hand, seemed to be fine. “We came to get my mo- dog. You guys took my dog.”
“Hmm. Did we? The only dog we have had here certainly isn’t here anymore.”
“Where is she? You better give her back!” Tori yelled at Murner.
“I don’t think you ought to be giving us orders, considering your position right now. You can always replace dogs.

“Next we have to consider your punishment. We would do the usual, but you two could be useful to us... Guards! Take these two to room N457. Have them registered.”

“What do you mean, ‘registered’? I don’t trust you!”

“I do not blame you. I wouldn’t trust you either. This punishment is something you might even enjoy... I know plenty of other people will. Leave now.”

The guards once more started moving them, this time first taking another elevator down a few levels. The next room they entered was set up more like a doctor’s room. There was a tray of medical instruments on a table and a high bench. A man with flyaway hair greeted them with a almost sad smile.

“The girl first.” He said.

“What?” Said Tori. “What does that mean?”

“I will examine you first, then the boy. Guards, please guide the by out of the room.”

Ezra was taken out of the room again. Quite simply, he wasn’t quite sure what was happening. Murner hadn’t exactly been clear on what was going to happen to them. Now they seemed to be getting health screening. Why would they possibly need a health screening? They were probably heading for death anyways.

The sound of the door opening signalled that Tori’s screening was over and now it was his turn. He was escorted in by one of the guards into the office. The doctor took blood from Ezra’s arm, checked his heartbeat and took his temperature. That was it.

“I’d prefer to do a better examination, but they insist I just do this. I’ve told them many times that it doesn’t get that much information time and time again, but they never listen. So sorry about that.” Said the doctor as the Ezra left the room. “Oh, and guards- next is room W185. Right down the hall.”

They headed down the hall again. The next room they entered was quite different from any of the other rooms. For one thing, it was at ground level. For another, there was a large amount of people waiting in line for the desk. Outside, cars passed. Tori and Ezra were moved to the front of the line right away.

The woman at the desk smiled at them. “Welcome to the Udalto registration desk. How may we help you?”