Pandora's Box

Chapter 2

“Finally, you’re done!” I exclaimed when I saw my sister going down from the stairs after a long time of waiting. But I will wait more, since she will eat her breakfast and I am almost finished with mine.

“Eat your fill,” mom said to her but she just raises her both hands, like she was telling us to stop.

“I’ll eat later mom, my make-up will be ruined,” she said, and mom just looks at me but I shrug my shoulders because I don’t also know what to do with her.

“Let her,” that’s the only words that came out of my mouth and she just looks to me, asking me if I am sure but I just gave her a nod telling her that I will be the one in charge for taking care of her.

“Let’s go?” she asked me and I should be the one asking her that since she’s the one who consumed a lot of time putting on her make-up. She grabbed our luggage and I stood up and she handed mine to me. I already booked a Taxi to take us to the airport.

Cheryl and I said our goodbyes to mom and we got inside the Taxi. Mom is continuously waving her hand towards us and we waved back. The taxi started its engine and proceeded with our way towards the airport so we can meet with the others before we go to the Prism state.

I still felt so frustrated after I received a text from Alexander that he will wait for us. We are the only ones that is going to be late. We are already late, what do I mean?

I glanced over my sister beside me and I cannot fathom what I am seeing right now. She is still putting on her make up. After the hours that she had spent in my bathroom, she is still not satisfied with her put on?

I noticed that the driver decided to open the radio and that’s a great way to kill some time along our way.

“Prism state will open its borders to tourists,” the anchor of the news stated and I felt happy about that and I noticed that the news now is entirely focused on Prism State. “But protesters are against it saying that it would cause a global outbreak of the bacterium that will lead to catastrophic events,” the news anchor added and I looked so confused right now.

“Honestly even I am against it,” the driver said out of nowhere. I can understand the fright that he is feeling right now. Such as the nature of humans, always afraid of the unknown. Only a few has the heart to face the abyss that wait within. But that only few are seen as fools and endure the humiliation to bring greatness.

Imagine right before our eyes, that magic of evolution is happening, with just one species of bacterium it produced different kind of species just by taking host of different animals. Producing a brand-new characteristics unknown to man-kind.

Their origin plane is still in the dark but soon, when there is advance technology capable of doing that, it will be discovered. That’s what it means to be human, learn and adapt. I really wish I am still alive by the time it happens.

It’s like a treasure chest waiting for me.

The rest of the ride went by normally and there’s nothing special that happened except for the beautiful environment that I saw. I enjoyed it so no biggie.

 After the long ride we finally reached the airport and the amount of excitement that I’m feeling right now is about to explode. Just seeing the plane that we will board is making me drool. But seeing Alexander there standing waiting for us, my excitement suddenly disappeared.

We got out of the taxi and we carry our own bag and we walked towards him after paying the driver the due amount of the ride. The fee is based on how long we traveled. When Alexander spotted us, he quickly walks towards me and I felt so nervous just by seeing him walking towards me, he might scold me for being late.

“Let me help you with your bags,” he offered and I... wait he didn’t scold me? Phew, that’s better. I looked at him awkwardly because I don’t have a face to show him anymore after making him wait for a long period of time.

“I- it’s okay, I can carry this,” I said to him rejecting his offer but Cheryl is handing her bag towards him and I am the one feeling so embarrassed in her place. How far can she go? I wonder.

“Took you long enough,” he remarked, and here it is, the situation that I don’t want to happen.

“The taxi is so slow and there is a heavy traffic,” Cheryl suddenly said and I looked at her and she just winked at me. She is saying this, as if that really happened because of how she said it normally without the guilt of lying. I am starting to get impressed with her character.

“I see,” Alexander replied to my sister.

“At least you are now here, better than not showing up, right?” he said.

“Y- yeah,” I replied cheaply and I stuttered making it obvious for him that I am lying.

“We will be flying towards Prism State soon enough,” he said and we reached the stairs that will lead us inside the cave. He took the lead of entering the plane and Cheryl quickly followed him, excited seeing his boyfriend inside the plane, but here I am. My feet are pinned to the ground as the amount of excitement that I am feeling earlier is surging back to my body.

As soon as I take a step on one of these stairs. My view on life will completely change and I am sure about it.

“Hey Jennifer, are you coming or not?!” Alexander asked me and I snapped out of my thoughts.

“COMING!” I said excitedly rushing to get inside of the plane.