Inside Project: E.D.E.N Registration Centre
Maya's eyes opened slowly, head pounding as her eyes adjusted to the bright light. The air smelled sterile and clean. She looked up and saw a concrete ceiling with fluorescent lights. She tried to move and realised that she was in handcuffs.
Memory rushed back all at once—the warehouse, Sam, Lena, the knife, the chaos, then someone called her.
"Maya?"
She turned her head. Rory was beside her, also restrained, his expression concerned.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I think so," she said, though her voice came out dry.
Across from them, Jace sat slumped against the wall, his eyes already open but distant. Lena leaned against him, her face pale but conscious. Clarissa sat nearby, scanning the room.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"No idea," Jace said.
Footsteps echoed nearby. Two guards walked past them, rifles slung casually over their shoulders, talking like they were on a lunch break.
"—heard one of them got out," one said.
"Yeah?" the other replied, "Who?"
"Some guy named Jackson Keane, I think. Slipped through before lockdown. Lucky."
Rory's head snapped up, "What? He just ran?" Rory said, disbelief creeping into his voice, "He left?"
"Rory—" Maya started.
"He left us here! I trusted him!" Rory exclaimed in betrayal.
"He might've gone for help," Clarissa cut in calmly.
"Or he saved himself," Rory shot back bitterly.
"Silence!" a guard barked.
Five armed guards came into the small room, pulled them up and took them down a long white corridor. They then heard voices, a large open room came into view. Dozens of people lined the walls, all restrained, some whispering, some crying, some just staring blankly ahead. It looked like an airport terminal; the group overlooked hundreds of people standing in long lines that stretched across the entire floor. Guards were everywhere, positioned along walls, near exits, above on elevated platforms.
The group proceeded down a metal staircase. Screens hovered ahead.
WELCOME TO PROJECT: E.D.E.N - REGISTRATION IN PROGRESS
As they were pushed forward, Maya overheard voices.
"I told you this was real," a teenage boy said, grinning. "They said we'd get paid. Like, a lot."
"Yeah, and imagine being part of this," his friend replied, "We'll be in history books."
Maya' chest tightened because they don't know the truth.
"They think this is… a job," she whispered.
Rory followed her gaze, his expression darkening. "They're being sold a dream."
"A lie," Jace corrected.
Maya watched the teenagers laugh, completely unaware of what waited for them. She remembered the Dome. The hunger. The fear. The deaths. And this was only four days ago, they were given no time to rest.
They watched as lines moved again. Persons were directed to a station, and their names were taken, and faces scanned with no explanations. When it was their turn, a guard shoved Jace forward first.
"Name."
"Jace Phillips."
The technician paused briefly at the screen. Something flashed in her eyes, then it disappeared.
"Next."
One by one, they gave their names.
Maya hesitated when it was her turn.
The woman barely looked up.
"Full name."
Maya froze.
What was her full name? The silence stretched.
Jace spoke quietly beside her, "Maya… Phillips."
She looked at him. The technician looked between them, writing something on paper, and typed it in without question.
After registration, they were separated from the crowd and led down another corridor. Smaller and quieter with fewer guards this time. The guards opened a door and pushed them inside. The guards took off their handcuffs and left, locking the door behind them. The room was plain with white walls and dim lighting. But they weren't alone.
At a rectangular table at the centre of the room, three people sat on the far side. Maya recognized them immediately. The college student, the delivery driver, and the nurse who were on the news. All three looked up as they entered. Relief flickered across their faces.
"Oh thank God," the nurse said, "More people."
"You've been here longer?" Rory asked.
"Couple hours, but they gave us temporary rooms for three days now" the delivery driver replied, "They said we're part of some global program."
"They said we were chosen," the college student added, almost proudly. "Top candidates. Something about survival testing."
Maya stepped forward, "No," she said firmly, "Listen to me. That's not what this is."
He looked at her, confused.
"It's not a test you walk away from," she continued, "They put people in controlled environments, dangerous ones. People get hurt and...many don't make it out alive."
The nurse frowned, "That doesn't make sense. And how would you—"
"Because they're—" Maya paused as Jace held her shoulder, turning her away from them.
"Maya, there are cameras here, be careful of what you say. Just stay low for now," Jace whispered.
The delivery driver cleared his throat, "Well they said we'd be compensated. That it's voluntary."
"It's not," Rory said quietly.
The college student laughed nervously, "You're just trying to scare us."
Maya stepped closer, but Jace pulled her back, shaking his head.
"You're stressed," the nurse said gently. "It's okay. We all are."
Maya felt something sink in her chest. They wouldn't believe her.
The door opened again. Heels clicked against the floor as a tall woman dressed in a stylish blue linen outfit entered. Her hair was in a neat bun, her posture perfect, and her expression calm. Power radiated from her, and Jace recognized her.
"Good," she said, surveying the room, "You're all here."
No one spoke, but she smiled.
"You can call me Director Hale," she introduced, "and I'd like to personally welcome you to Project: E.D.E.N."
Maya felt her pulse spike. She reminded her of Kessler but dangerous in a different way.
"You have been selected," Hale went on, "for your unique potential, your resilience, and your ability to contribute to something greater than yourselves."
The college student straightened slightly, pride flickering.
"You will be part of a groundbreaking initiative," Hale said. "One that will shape the future of humanity."
Maya snapped, "You're controlling these people."
For a moment, something flickered in Hale's eyes, suspecting. Then it was gone.
"Rest," Hale continued, turning toward the door, "Your first phase is in four days. Guards will escort you to temporary dorms in the meantime."
The door closed behind her, and the room fell silent.
Lena looked up at Jace scared, "Are we going to go through this again?' her voice shaking as her hand rested on her stomach.
Jace looked at her, not knowing what to say, then he spoke, holding her hand, "Lena..I promise you. I will get you out of here, and you will not go through this again."
Lena nodded, trusting him. Maya and Rory looked at them sadly. They knew that their only way of ending this was to get others on their side, and they only had four days.