Gebyld got out of bed and went to his bathroom. It was shared with his roommate, although he wouldn't be up for a few more minutes. He looked at the mirror, at the images floating across it. There was news of terrorists obscuring his face. His body tensed, he thought of the crimes he heard of, of the people they say were killed. "Why would people hate the cities," he thought, "they had everything someone might want, they were perfect."

Gebyld pulled himself together and looked at his face. He had brown eyes and black hair. He was average, though he wouldn't know it as he had been told to think of everyone the same. Exactly the same. He got ready for school. His routine was the same everyday, though most of it was automated. So he spent time thinking of the trip today, they would be traveling to a nearby city for his school. He had only left the city twice before, "it was just a waste of time," he thought.

He met his roommate and they both got in the car waiting outside. It went and he stared out the window. The buildings of his city were passing by, grand but dull. The car picked up a girl, then another boy and girl. No one exchanged words, they all watched the news and busied themselves on the screens, as did Gebyld. It always demanded attention, there were always new things to stare at, schedules to check, games to be played. It was all a distraction. The trip would go as planned.

They arrived at the school and left the car. Gebyld was greeted by one of his friends. Everyone was his friend, as he was told, but some are more special than others. "Hey," said Gebyld.

"Are you ready for the trip," said Geong

"Yea, what about you?"

"Yep, though I haven't left the city before."

"It's not bad, I would even say it's kinda boring. All the cities seem the same to me."

"Really," said Geong, "I wonder how the bus will be, aren't there also things between cities?"

"Those are just rumors. Besides there will be some mecha with us." Gebyld hadn't thought of what they might see on the way there. Rumors had circulated between students about monsters and terrorist out there. It was where criminals get exiled to.

A voice came on the PA, "All students on the trip to Andred please report to the bus directly outside the school."

"Finally," said Geong.

Gebyld went outside, as did everyone else. "Everyone please board the bus, sit in your assigned seat, and sign into the screen in front of you for attendance." Gebyld boarded and sat in his seat.

Bryd next to him took a minute to get there and said, "Hi!" when she got there.

Gebyld looked up from his attendance and said, "hey."

"Please make yourselves comfortable," the teacher said, "we will now be departing."

"What's up Bryd?" asked Gebyld.

Stolen story; please report.

"Nothing really," said Bryd.

"Are you nervous?"

"No, I'm not expecting much. The only other city I've been to was pretty bland."

"I know, I've been away twice and both cities seem the same."

"At least we'll be doing something there," said Bryd.

"Yea."

As the bus drew near to the city edge, three police mecha joined the bus. Gebyld could see one on the left, but no others. He assumed they surrounded the bus. They finally left the city and the road changed immediately. It was not longer the clean roads of the city, rather it was cracked and covered in debris. These roads were made of crude stone. He was taught people used to travel on these regularly, but he doubted it. They would fall apart with so much use. He also looked at the forests. Like the road, they were unrefined. The parks were far superior with orderly trees and straight paths.

"If you look to your left, you will see an old dwelling," an hour had passed and Gebyld looked up from his screen, "These were highly inefficient dwellings, only one person would live in it," the teacher finished. It was an ugly sight with a curved roof and one side caved in. Gebyld could not understand the people of the past, they were far too inefficient and wouldn't fit into a civil society. The journey continued and Gebyld had grown tired of the feelings of these roads. This trip was worse than he had imagined.

The bus stopped. "We must stop for an obstruction in the road, the trip will continue shortly," the teacher said, "please be patient."

"I hope it's nothing bad," said Bryd.

"It's nothing," said Gebyld, then the bus shook just a little.

"Please stay seated," said teacher.

"What is it," said Bryd.

"I can't see anything," said Gebyld, "the mecha still aren't back." he felt tense in his stomach. It felt abnormal, the day was not to plan. The bus started moving to the right side. Gebyld still could not see anything, but people yelled that another mecha was pulling the bus, one that no one recognized. The bus left the edge of the road, but did not fall. Instead it seemed to float down to the ground and was put down with care.

"Do not attempt to leave the bus," a new voice said from the bus' speakers, "you will not be harmed."

"Is it terrorists?" asked Bryd.

Gebyld new the answer, though he did not say it, he could feel it in the pit of his stomach.

The bus started passing through the forest, on a rough hewn road. Gebyld did nothing, he felt fear. It was something unknown to him, but it was clear and present. Divine force stuck him to his seat, as is the voice came from god himself, even though his logical mind knew he was being led to death.

He thought of the people around him, his city, and his life, but his feelings for those things could not sway him. He was taught inaction, it was part of him like his black hair or brown eyes. He only learned of men fighting and failing in school, and never of success. He was told to follow others, as they were right and he would be wrong. His current state was in conflict with his teachings. His being wanting to stop what was happening, but was unable to.

The bus stopped and Gebyld was pulled from his mind. "Step off the bus. Do not attempt to run, you will not escape," a man had boarded the bus. It was too late for Gebyld, for all his classmates as well. He stood up, as did everyone else. The bus was emptied in an orderly way, as they had been taught. Even his teacher was reduced to subservience. Gebyld's eyes met the sun as he left the bus. It was evening at that moment, they should have been to the city by now. Everyone stood in line, headed by two men and followed by two more. The men were lean, standing like weathered stone towers. There would be no escape.

They began walking and followed a trail in the woods. It was like a ditch with two banks. The air was warm, no one from the city could be accustomed to it. Many walking suffered, but they dared not offend their captors. They reached a camp after many minutes of walking, and continued on.

They reached a large stone building, Gebyld didn't recognize the material, but it was crude. The inside was tall with few windows. After everyone was inside the men closed the only door, and several students collapsed to the floor or the wall. "I wish I was home, it's so hot," one girl whimpered.