The next day came, and over the night, I had the best sleep ever! Even though my bed was as hard as rock -and was basically a table- I had completed the first step, to The Omega Machine. The rest of the day went slowly by, while I was doing my usual route. Eat, portal, guard, eat, portal, eat, sleep. After that, when the next morning arose, I went above ground, to get some fresh air. All of a sudden, a flashback happened. A blurry flashback, and all I could see were red and white, and I could make out sharp teeth. I got dizzy and fell down, back down under The Hopes base. The flashback stopped, and all I could feel was a sharp pain everywhere. I closed my eyes, and I think I fainted. "She's too," a voice said as I was waking up. A sharp pain went through my right side and left leg. I opened my eyes, and closed them again. All I could see were people. I couldn't make them out, though. "C.J.!" I heard a voice say, but wasn't the same voice. I opened my eyes, and could make out Greyson. "Come on... Stay with me," I heard him mumble. I tried my best to make my eyes stay open. "I'm not going anywhere," I mumbled. Greyson smiled. I winced at the pain. The injury probably seemed bad, but I knew after a day of rest, I'd be fine. The Hopes Doctor reassured me on this by saying, "She'll be fine, after a day of rest." Greyson reached for my hand, and I clutched his hand, so hard, trying not to scream from the pain. People left the room and I realized I was in my room. I sat up from my bed, right as Greyson urged, "No. Lay down. Please... I want you to stay safe." I slid back down, under the covers. I shut my eyes, and heard Greyson start to sing a soft song, my dad used to sing to me to get me to go to sleep. "Close your eyes... Theres always a tomorrow... New hope... New song," Greyson whispered. "New hope," we sang at the same time. We both smiled. I soon fell asleep. That song is where I got the name for The Hope. I woke up, the room empty. I was sore for a second, then the pain disappeared. I checked an old clock. I've was asleep all day, yesterday? I thought. I hoped out of my bed. I went over to the dresser and got out a red romper. I slid off my clothes from the other day, and slid on the romper. I wasn't hungry, but I went to the dinning room to look for Greyson. As I entered, I heard gasps. People ran up to me asking things like, "Are you okay?" or "Have you healed?" I nodded and the crowd disbursed after a minute. The only one left standing there was Greyson. He ran up and hugged me. "I thought you were a goner," he whispered. The Hopes base is far underground, and I took a hard hit. "I'm not going down with out a fight," I whisper back. We let go and walked over to a table. "Hungry?" Greyson asked. I shook my head. I saw the new boy across the room. "Have you met the new recruit?" I asked. "No. I've heard he's good with a knife, though," Greyson replied. His facial features made him seem weak, because they took away from his strong and able body. He came over to us and waved. "Hey," he said. "Hi," me and Greyson replied. "What's your name?" I asked. I made my voice sound sweet, but demanding, at the same time. "Jay," the boy added, quickly. "Cool. I'm Greyson, and she's C.J. Nice to meet you Jay," Greyson smiled. "Are you the one who fell down from above ground?" Jay asked as he sat down on a rock stool. I nodded. "How are you feeling?" Jay asked, worriedly. He probably just asked that because he knows I'm the leader, or that I'm healed and can snap him in half again. "Good," I say. "What's Gillion leaves? I heard you talking about them at the river," Jay said. I shuffled my feet, but by the look of his eyes, he won't going to take no for an answer. "Non of your business. Ask around about four days ago, kay? Good," Greyson snapped. "Fine," Jay sighed and left. "I have a bad feeling about that boy, C.J.," Greyson whispered. "I don't know," I sighed, "he seems... Odd at least." Greyson nodded, seeming to understand what I meant. "So what's the next step for the Omega Machine?" Greyson asked, saying Omega Machine softly. "Well, it's not around here. It's called Superinu. I know, I know, weird name," I whispered. "Where is it then?" Greyson asked, quietly. "Follow me. We need a place more... Private," I say. We went into my room. "It's in Siliu," I whisper. Greyson gasped. "Siliu? The city? The only city, not under Panbems rule? Isn't that a myth?" Greyson asked. I shook my head. "I've been there before. Superinu is a microscopic chip, that will aim the Omega Machine. Very important," I say. Greyson nodes. "We go one day, just not soon. Keep your eye on that Jay guy," I mumbled. "Okay. Got to go. Bye C.J.," Greyson smiled and left. I went in my bathroom, and looked the "mirror." My hair was soft and smooth, right down my back. I sighed. Dad, we'll save you. I promise... I went to the portal, where stood Ashley, standing guard. "OMG!! You're healed! Look!" Ashley squealed, and I just laughed. Ashley hugged me tightly, and I pushed her away. "Clam down," I laughed,
"You're one of my best friends, and you should've known, you're not losing me like that." Ashley giggled. Me and Ashley were friends long before The Hope started. Me, Ashley, and Greyson against the world... Man, the past has pasted, and I'll never be the same. Before the Panbems, I was just C.J., innocent, and weak. Now I'm C.J., strong, a rebel, and a new found leader. Jay came in, but avoided my gaze. "I'll be right back," I say to Ashley, and went and hid in a hall. Jay walked over to Ashley. "Hey Jay," she said to him. "Hi. What happened four days ago?" Jay asked Ashley. "Well, C.J. made a speech about the Omega Machine, and to stop the Panbems," Ashely says. "What's the 'Omega Machine?' " Jay asked. "A machine that will kill the Panbems. Her father made the plans, but was captured while building it," Ashley replied. "Oh," Jay said. I walked out. "Hey guys," I say. "So, Omega Machine? Can I use it?" Jay asked. No because I don't trust you, nor do I like you, so no. "Sorry, but no. You wouldn't know how to use it, plus it's not built yet," I say, despite what I was thinking. "But you can teach me," Jay argued. "Sorry," I say. I walk back to my room. I get all the things I have so far, and lock them in a safe. I had a feeling Jay would want to try it out. He's such a child, I thought, and the truth is, he acts like one.