THE DOME

PRESENT DAY, 2022

“Guys, shh... I can sense her coming. Act natural,” said a cautioning voice that sent a shiver down my spine, its familiarity taunting my amnesic mind.

Despite all my worries, an inexplicable sense of comfort embraced me, as if invisible threads were weaving together a connection between us. My thoughts wandered to the aftermath of the earthquake, as I tried to piece together the fragments of our past together.

Did anyone not survive it? How many people survived it?

The female walking beside me had mentioned that amnesia was normal for those awakening from a long coma. Although the faces from before seemed blurry in my memory, I still remembered who I was, and that knowledge provided a glimmer of hope that these friends of mine might help fill the void left by the lost years.

“Are you sure you’re ready to meet your friends?” the girl asked, worry etched on her face. “I already gave notice to them of your coming.”

Taking a deep breath and mustering all the courage I could find, I replied, “Yes, I’m ready.”

The girl placed her palm on the scanner, and the glass doors parted, revealing my friends within. Ten pairs of eyes locked onto me, and the room fell silent, the air thick with expectation.

My heart raced as I stepped inside, my senses heightened by the tension in the room. The walls of the room were made of glass, allowing a clear view of the outside world without letting harsh light penetrate the serene space. Chairs were arranged in clusters, where my friends sat waiting for me, their expressions a mix of anticipation and concern.

The scents of different perfumes mingled with the faint hum of electricity from the glass walls. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, as if they were trying to see through the amnesia that cloaked me, waiting for a sign that I remembered them.

Terror, anxiety, and a strange sense of nostalgia battled within me, their relentless onslaught threatening to overwhelm my senses. My head felt unbearably heavy as if it were being crushed under the weight of countless unspoken words. A cacophony of static-like sounds assaulted my ears, drowning out everything else.

Waves of agony coursed through my body, fueled by the torrent of memories that threatened to burst forth and drown me in their depths.

“Elise!” The girl with bright blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears and cried out. Her familiar scent - a mixture of fresh flowers and sunshine - enveloped me as I returned.

“Guys, do something!” another voice joined in, this one panicked and urgent.

“Help her!” yet another voice pleaded, desperation evident in their tone.

“Stay calm, everyone,” someone else urged their voice a calming balm amidst the chaos that threatened to consume me. “We’ll figure this out.”

My vision blurred and darkened, the faces of my friends melting and blending until they were nothing more than indistinct shapes suspended in a void of blackness.

The last thing I heard was a strangled cry of, “Oh shoot! She passed out” before everything went black.

And then, there was nothing. Just an empty, endless abyss that swallowed me whole and left me feeling more alone than ever before.

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‘Beep’

Wait, a beeping sound.

It then clicked in my brain, “Oh well, I fainted.”

Somehow managing to muster the strength, I opened my eyes and blinked against the harsh overhead lights, which felt like they were burning holes straight through my retinas. The sterile scent of disinfectant filled my nostrils, and the stiff linen sheets seemed to scratch my skin. I must have a love for hospital beds.

Realizing I was alone in the room once again, I decided to explore my newfound interest - the plain white ceiling. As I stared upward, the unbroken expanse seemed to morph into shapes and patterns that swirled before my eyes.

“But why did I faint?” I pondered to myself, pulling myself back from the brink of losing myself in the stark simplicity above me.

I saw images flash before my eyes but they were not clear enough; fragments of memory that felt like trying to catch wisps of smoke with bare hands.

Closing my eyes, I tried to concentrate despite the stinging pain that shot through my head like lightning bolts. Maybe I had rushed things. My mind raced back to the moment when I met my ‘friends’ - those faces that seemed vaguely familiar yet entirely foreign at the same time.

That must be the key. If I could recall what my friends looked like... But I don’t think any of them had bright blond hair though.

Who were those people?

The memories teased at the edges of my thoughts, ever-elusive as I tried to grasp onto them. I needed some answers because all I could remember was the earthquake and the chemistry lab.

And they mentioned something about an explosion...

I inhaled deeply, gathering my courage as I stepped out of the room and ventured into the unknown. My bare feet padding softly against the cold, sterile floor, I made my way down the familiar hallway. The air was heavy with anticipation, my pulse quickening with every step.

As I continued down the corridor, I couldn’t help but overhear a hushed conversation taking place around the corner. My curiosity piqued, and I slowed my pace and strained to listen.

“What if she doesn’t remember us anymore? Or worse, what if she finds out what she has become and decides to kill herself?” the first voice said, the panic evident in its tone.

“You know, for a guy, you are a drama queen,” the second voice replied, a touch of annoyance lacing their words. “You overreact so much. Funny enough, she can hear you. Can’t you, Elise? You don’t have to eavesdrop, you know?”

Giggling nervously, I rounded the corner and found myself face-to-face with two individuals whose features seemed to dance at the edge of my memory. “I just stumbled into the conversation. Not to be rude or anything,” I explained, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

The person who caught me, a girl with a warm smile and gentle eyes, looked so familiar.

As I tried to recall her name, images flashed through my mind - laughter, shared secrets, and long-forgotten moments of friendship - causing a sharp pain in my head. I rubbed my temples, willing the ache to subside.

“Hey, don’t worry about it,” the guy said reassuringly, his expression softening. “We’re all just glad you’re awake and on your feet again.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Thanks,” I murmured, still feeling disoriented and overwhelmed. “I’m just trying to make sense of everything.”

“Take your time,” the girl replied kindly.

Instantly, the two people I just met bowed down to the figure behind me. “Sensei!” they conveyed with respect.

Turning to the one they call ‘sensei’, I saw the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen, it was both clear and delicate. Sensei’s deep blue eyes seemed to hold an ocean of wisdom, his golden-bronzed skin a testament to his strength and resilience. His clothing, reminiscent of ancient Israelite robes, gave him an air of nobility and grace.

Snapping me out of my trance of how flawless his skin was, “Shouldn’t you two be in the Dome now, everyone else is waiting?” he declared with authority.

“We will be on our way now, Sensei”, they spoke simultaneously. They bowed to the Sensei and walked to the ‘Dome’.

A wave of curiosity washed over me as I followed their retreating figures, my footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit hallway.

My senses were heightened, taking in every detail around me - from the faint scent of wood lingering in the air to the gentle hum of fluorescent lights above.

As I approached the entrance of the mysterious ‘Dome’, a flicker of nervousness danced in my chest, but I quickly quelled it, reminding myself that answers awaited within.

“Elise, shouldn’t we be on our way too?” Sensei’s words reverberated through me, a mixture of nerves and curiosity brewing in my chest. He extended his hand toward me, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Me?! Oh! Please lead the way.” I gingerly took his hand, feeling the warmth of his fingers envelop mine.

As we walked, the Dome loomed before us like a majestic, crystalline castle. The sun’s rays danced across its glass exterior, creating an ethereal glow that made it seem as though it had been plucked straight from a fairytale. The closer we got, the more my heart raced; part of me was excited to learn more about this mysterious place, while another part feared the unknown.

Reaching the entrance, Sensei gestured toward a tablet mounted on the wall.

“I shall let you do the honours of opening the doors yourself, just place your hand on the scanner,” he encouraged with a gentle smile.

Taking one last deep breath to steady my nerves, I pressed my palm against the cool surface. As the doors silently glided open, I stepped into a world unlike any other.

“Elise!” A blur of motion nearly collided with me as a girl flung herself into my arms.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement and concern as she rambled, “Are you okay now? When you conked out, I was so scared. I hope you didn’t hit your head or have a concussion. Well, if you had a concussion, you would still be in the medics but I guess you are fine right?”

She paused for a moment, her gaze searching my face. “Oh my, how could it skip my mind? You have forgotten me? Well, I will reintroduce myself, I am Hannah and I control plants. Oops! I shouldn’t have told you my power but anyhow I hope you are well.”

Her words washed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me feeling disoriented and overwhelmed. My mind struggled to keep up with her rapid-fire speech, desperately trying to make sense of it all. The scent of freshly cut grass faintly clung to her clothes, reminding me of carefree days spent running through fields under a warm sun. As she finished speaking, her expression softened into a frown.

A pang of guilt hit me like a sudden gust of wind, and I realised that my stunned expression had inadvertently hurt Hannah’s feelings. Her eyes, the colour of freshly sprouted blue Hydrangeas in spring, shimmered with unshed tears as she pulled away from our embrace.

I couldn’t bear to see the sadness etched on her face, so I forced a smile and reassured her, “I’m fine, really. Thank you for your concern.”

At my words, a tentative smile bloomed across her face, like the first rays of sunlight after a storm, warming my heart as it chased away the shadows of her sadness. I felt an innate connection to this girl whose warmth and energy seemed to be as boundless as the plants she could control.

“Did you just say you control plants?” I asked, wanting to know more about her extraordinary ability and hoping to ease the lingering tension between us. The words tumbled out of my mouth, driven by a mixture of curiosity and disbelief.

Hannah nodded, a sheepish grin playing at the corners of her lips as she confirmed my question.

Just then, a sudden cough interrupted our conversation, drawing our attention to the rest of the people gathered in the Dome.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized that we were not alone and that our exchange had been witnessed by everyone else in the room. It was as if my inner thoughts and emotions had been laid bare before them all, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Despite the awkwardness of the situation, I found solace in knowing that I was surrounded by others who shared my newfound abilities and experiences.

These people, though their faces were still unfamiliar to me, held the key to unlocking the secrets of my past and the potential of my future.

“Please, have a seat,” he gestured to an empty chair among a circle of my peers, who were all watching me intently.

Their gazes were a mix of concern, curiosity, and anticipation, but I could also sense their loyalty and camaraderie. These were my friends, even if I couldn’t remember them just yet.

“Before we begin,” Sensei spoke up, interrupting my thoughts. “I must ask if you are ready to hear what has transpired during your absence. The truth may be difficult to accept.”

Swallowing hard, I nodded firmly. “I need to know,” I insisted, my voice laced with determination.

“Very well,” he acquiesced, and with a glance at the others for support, began recounting the events that led to my awakening.

The stillness in the room was palpable as I sat there. The scent of lavender sanitiser mixed with the faint rustling of clothes against chairs, creating an odd, yet almost comforting atmosphere. I took a deep breath, inhaling the unique mixture, reminding myself that I wasn’t alone in this strange new reality.

“Elise,” Sensei’s voice was gentle as if carefully treading through the delicate emotions that swirled around me.

Sensei paused for a moment, his gaze thoughtful and distant as if he were reliving the past. “When we all woke up from our comas, it became apparent that something extraordinary had happened to us,” he began, his voice soft yet firm.

"“It all started on that day of the earthquake, the earthquake itself wasn’t what caused the change but the other activities going on simultaneously as the incident occurred. Not so far from your school, the earthquake caused an explosion to happen at the underground research lab. The research was all about enhancing the human limit in different life situations.”

“But were they ever successful?” I interrupted.

“No, no they weren’t. The earthquake had an immense impact on the lab and the toxins being researched got exposed into the atmosphere, nearly wiping out everyone.” He pauses, gets up from his seat, and paces around before stopping before the see-through wall of the dome.

“We assumed we were all dead but we were just going through a hibernation cycle of the toxins, altering our genes from the inside out. We were lifeless for two years, never ageing, just evolving.”

“This is where it gets a bit complicated. When everyone slowly woke up from this coma, those under thirty seemed to have gained these incredible abilities. It was as if the toxins had unlocked hidden potential within our very genes. Hence institutions like ours have been given the mandate to teach and supervise these unique abilities. So that you can live semi-normal lives.”

As he spoke, I listened intently, my heart racing with each revelation. My mind raced to process the information while simultaneously grappling with the emotions that accompanied it - disbelief, fear, anger, and ultimately, acceptance. The world I had known was gone, replaced by a reality where extraordinary abilities were commonplace and danger loomed around every corner.

“Ah yes! Lest I forget. Your parents are aware of these changes. So, so that’s not too much of a problem”. Relief washed over me. At least, Mom was safe.

I felt a chill creep up my spine, despite the warmth of the room. The air smelled faintly of ozone, like the aftermath of a lightning storm, and the hum of electricity from the lights above seemed to vibrate through my skull. Was this truly my reality now?

“Elise,” Sensei’s voice broke through my whirlwind of thoughts, his eyes filled with compassion. “I know this is a lot to take in. But please remember, you are not alone. We are all here to help you navigate this new life.”

“Thank you,” I choked out, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Despite the overwhelming weight of it all, I couldn’t deny the solace I found in knowing I had people who cared about me.

“Your friends,” Sensei continued, his eyes meeting mine with a look of deep empathy, “they all survived the explosion, just as you did. Each of them has experienced their unique transformations, both in their abilities and in their physical appearances.”

Gazing around at the faces of those I once knew, I tried to reconcile the friends of my past with these individuals who now sat before me, each one radiating an aura of newfound power and confidence.

“Each person’s abilities seem to be tied to their innermost nature,” Sensei explained, his voice calm and reassuring.”

Sensei’s words echoed through the room, a quiet assurance that my friends were all here, their faces a mosaic of familiarity and strangeness.

I watched their expressions, trying to find the connections between past and present, but the ache in my head grew more insistent, forcing me to give up for now. There would be time to sort it all out later, I reminded myself.

“Okay, I believe you,” I said, offering a small, hesitant smile. “Anything else I should know?”

At that moment, Hannah emerged from behind me, strange-looking vines snaking around her hair. Her tone was casual, as she dropped the bombshell: “Oh yeah, you control ice.”

“Wait! WHAT!” I blurted out in shock, feeling my heart race in my chest. My breath fogged up in the cold air, a visible reminder of the power that now coursed through me.

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