Maddie coul tell that they were waking up. The light ocean waves subdued the sounds of footsteps, but in the vast expanse of this lonely sea in their rafts she could hear the voices of the children. A part of her was sad because the people around her can no longer afford to be children. They, all of them will be adults, the oldest among all that are here in the world being tested and challenged endlessly because they are survivors and not children. 

The moment she heard the flap from the door she knew that someone finally decided to come out. The people who trained her told her it might be best to greet each one of them personally, but Maddie thought differently. If these seedlings were to grow up and survive properly they’d need to learn how to live by themselves. It was harsh way of thinking, but to Maddie that was just life. 

The first person that would speak to her in this world was the little girl. It felt ironic for some reason. The little Indian girl introduced herself and Maddie responded kindly. “Hello Deepti, My name is Dr. Bates. It’s nice to meet you.” Introducing herself as a doctor was out of habit. She identified herself as a doctor not because of pride, but because it was the truth. It was imperative to her that she immediately display a sense of authority to take control of the situation before anything happens. She also wanted to let the girl know that she was doctor. 

“You’re feeling well I hope?” She asked the girl with a kind, but medicated voice. From what Maddie could tell the girl was physically okay. There were no symptoms of the machine failing. The girl was standing straight while correcting herself to match the sway of the raft. Overall, Deepti looked physically fine the problem was in her psychological and mental state. “You look like you’re feeling fine, but If something’s wrong you tell me right away. Understand?”

Maddie didn’t bother to wait for a response since the girl seemed to shell shocked at how calm Maddie was. Normal people would have the same reaction so she didn’t held it against her, and Maddie wouldn’t hold it against any one of them if they reacted illogically. They were all allowed to be emotional right now. She smiled, faced the girl and told her “Do you want to come with me and get the others? Afterwards we will talk. Is that Okay?” 
---
Summer could tell she was in the ocean. When her body was inside the coffin like machine she could tell that she was in a boat of some kind floating above an ocean. The many summer’s and weekends she’d spent on a boat told her that she was on a boat. For a few moments after realizing this fact she was happy, but things change when you find yourself inside some sort of contraption glass coffin. On one hand it may have looked like she was princess waiting for her beloved, but on the other hand she felt like a prisoner being studied and experimented on. 

Fear is a powerful emotion that drove people crazy and finding yourself trapped in machine was a solid way to instill fear. The moment Summer realized what was happening to her she immediately pushed hard on the glass case, but it didn’t budge. She pushed again and again, but it did not move. She’s never been claustrophobic or had any problems with enclosed spaces, but this was something else. After a while she Summer began shouting for help, but her voice cracked and stopped when she did. For a split second she thought that she would be trapped here forever, but just as soon as she thought of it a worried face greeted her. 

The two of them did not know each other, but Summer felt that he was a good man. The tattoos definitely shocked her for a bit, but she kept her hopes up. Tattoos were an indication of many things, but did not guarantee that he was an evil scientist watching his lab experiment slowly die in some sort of machine. It took a while but Summer eventually got out of that contraption. Her initial thought of the man was right. He was helpful, kind and had an air of responsibility round him. 
Pleasant introductions ended when he left to go help some people on the boat. Summer watched him leave, but felt confident that he would come back. He left her alone, but she knew that he would come back somehow.

Once she had calmed down and the tears stopped forming she stood up and patted herself for reassurance. She saw what she was wearing and wondered what it was, but it was comfortable, a quality product and aesthetically speaking so she didn’t make a fuss. Her instinct told her to go outside and see the ocean for herself and that was what she did. 

The ocean sway was comforting, dreadful, and peaceful all at the same time. It was a familiar feeling that brought her joy, but the moment she got outside she started to feel fear once more. She hoped that she would see a bright ocean facing a beautiful coastline full of autumn colored trees, tiny building full of tiny people in the distance, and boats with beautifully colored flags and bright white sails. She didn’t see any of that. The only thing she saw was the empty ocean and the suffocating white fog that surrounded the rafts. 
---
The two new faces that greeted Alex were a surprise. He didn’t get a good look at the man, but he could tell he was also a little Hispanic if not more. The woman on the other hand was defiantly a hundred percent all American girl form the south. “I know the way. I just passed the exit when I came to help you out. ” Alex said answering the question. To be honest though he didn’t really know if knowing that there was exit really helped their case. Knowing that there was exit answered only one out of the millions of questions running through his head. He ignored those kind for now since they never lead to anything good. 

“Anyway my name is Alex, professional tattoo artist and absolutely clueless at the moment.” It was weird was to introduce one’s self, but he’d rather it be awkward than silent. He hated it when no one was talking and simply doing things. The three of them were already in a weird position as it is. He was on the passed out man’s right shifting most of the weight on to himself and she was on the man’s left tried to help pull his weight. The three of them looked like some kind of ill three bodied and headed creature. 

“The exit’s right there.” Alex pointed using his free hand. “Don’t know what’s on the other side though, but fresh air should do this guy some good.” His tone was light and there was a chuckle to his words, but he was only forcing himself. “Anyway I can carry this guy by myself through the door, but can you go outside and see if anyone out there can help us? By the way what was your name again?”