The lights activated in the room, and a voice echoed from above.
"Wake up and go wait by the door for a guard."
The children didn't know what was happening, but they obeyed without question. All of them were afraid—afraid of what might happen if they didn't follow orders.
They stood by the door, silent, tense, their hearts pounding in their chests. For about five minutes, they waited like that—glancing at each other, then back at the door.
Suddenly, the door opened automatically with a soft hiss.
A guard stood there, dressed in all black. His uniform was different from the others they had seen before—sleeker, more intimidating. On his hip was a pistol-shaped weapon.
A futuristic pistol? Heng thought.
"Follow me," the man said sharply before turning and walking down the corridor.
The children stepped out, falling into line behind him. A group of children had already gathered ahead. Number 2 stepped out first, followed by Number 1. Heng went after Number 3, who stayed close behind him.
As they walked through the corridor, more children joined the group. Guards flanked both the front and back of the line, and sometimes they would stop and enter side rooms, emerging with more children to join the procession.
It seemed like they were gathering a specific number. Once the group was full, they were instructed to walk faster. They passed many corners, zigzagging through the cold, sterile hallways.
"What do you think is happening?" Number 3 whispered.
"Well… maybe we're being moved somewhere else," Heng said. "Or maybe we're going to get more of… you know what."
He couldn't help but shiver at the memory—the burning pain in his veins, and the terrifying sight of children vomiting blood.
"Stop," said the guard.
They all halted. The man approached a metal door, and as he stood in front of it, a red light scanned his face.
So that's how these doors work… Heng thought.
With a soft beep, the door slid open.
Inside, they saw a large room. Dozens of children were lining up in front of long tables. Behind the tables sat more guards, handing out bundles of black clothing—long-sleeved shirts and pants. Three people in white lab coats stood nearby, directing children to different lines based on size and body type.
Number 2 and Number 1 were guided into separate lines for different sizes. Heng stepped forward next.
One of the scientists examined him silently, then pointed him toward a line—coincidentally, the same one where Number 2 was standing.
A few seconds later, Number 3 arrived and was also pointed to their line.
They stood there together, waiting for their turn to receive the black uniform.
None of them spoke. There was something heavy in the air—an unspoken tension. A feeling that something was about to change.
They didn't know what came next.
But they would soon find out.