Cameron could hear his words dripping with exhaustion – the same exhaustion she felt as well – and it couldn’t help but get the wheels of her mind turning with ‘what ifs.’ Since they had crossed paths, there had been nothing but turmoil, bloodshed, and fighting to not only save their own lives, but potentially, humanities as well. Why did it fall on their shoulders? What did they do to deserve this burden of responsibility?

“Justin,” she nearly whispered, staring at a square of tile a few feet in front of her. “I might just be playing the Devil’s advocate here, but what if…” She paused. Would he take this wrongly? Justin wasn’t one for anger, so maybe, just maybe, he’d hear her out. “What if we just [i]stayed[/i]? Of course, if we pass the tests. There isn’t a home out there left for either of us, and I’m tired of not knowing where I’m going to lay my head down at night.” 

Cameron shifted from the tension, causing a tinge to spark up in her back. She put an arm behind her and kneaded the spot with a balled fist. “There’s food here. Water. Animals. They obviously chose us for a reason. We could finally stop killing ourselves and just relax for once.”

She hadn’t worked up the courage yet to look him in the eye, so instead, her eyes remained fixed on the floor, and she mindlessly scratched at her head. “You… You don’t have to answer me now. But, at least think about it, okay?” 

Before she could get a response, the small, circular speaker that sat dead center of the ceiling crackled with static, startling Cameron.

“Subjects, please rise. We will be transporting to you to the next testing sight.” 

She groaned as she stood, then turned her body to the door as it swooshed open, revealing the guard that had brought them there. “Let’s go,” he said gruffly. 

[center]*****[/center]

They were brought to a dark room; it was lined with black fabric from ceiling to floor, and the only break in the panels were a slim, rectangular window meant for viewing whoever was inside. Both now stood in its center, viewing the familiar three on the other side of the glass.

Avery spoke. “We are now moving on to the mental tests. You will be fitted with a virtual reality helmet along with sensors on your body. The helmet will be showing you images and videos, both real and produced by us, that based on our observations of you, may make you upset. Your involuntary response to these videos will determine how mentally tough you are in less-than-pleasant circumstances.” 

William now stepped forward towards the microphone. “Justin, you will go first. Guards, go ahead and get him wired up.” 

Cameron’s eyes widened with horror at imagining what they’d be showing them.  Would she be able to not panic?