I wake up to darkness. Slowly I move to a sitting position, peering into the darkness, hoping for a glimpse of familiar surroundings. I look around frantically, trying to see any hint of light. Nothing. I crawl along the floor, trying to feel for a wall of some sort. I nearly run over an object. I tentatively pat my hand along it, and jerk back in horror. 

It was a body. A human body. 

I frantically backpedal and feel my back hit the wall. Finally! Getting up, I gingerly feel my way around. Before long, I feel a bump against the wall, and I press it. The room lights up, and I am momentarily blinded. I blink, feeling my eyes adjust. The white walls of the room glared back at me, and a lone metal door was on one side. I look around, and to my utter astonishment, see people scattered about on the floor. 

Upon closer inspection, I realize that they were three of my classmates from high school. Everybody had separated after graduation and gone off to fulfill their own dreams. Liam Davis, a biology undergraduate. Calvin Williams, an aspiring technology designer. Jacquline Myers, my best friend from high school, who was studying for three PhDs all at once. 

Last but not least, yours truly, Hailey Anderson, part time writer and full time journalist. I cautiously step over Liam who was curled up in the corner. Calvin was sprawled across the floor, taking up most of the space. Finally, I reach Jacquline, and gently shake her. She groans, and swats my hand. I poke her cheek.

“Jackie. Hey. Jackie! Wake up!” I whisper. She sleepily opens both eyes, and blinks in confusion.

“Hailey? Why are you here? Where are we?” She mutters as she sits up and rubs her eyes.

“I think the more accurate question would be, why are we here.” I say, as I point out the other classmates. Her eyes widen, and she glances around, taking in her surroundings.

“I think we should wake them up too.” She suggests. I nod, and move over to Liam. He slept curled up in the corner. As I kneel down to shake him, he punches my arm. I reel back, cradling my injured limb.

“Ow Liam! What the heck?” He sits up, puzzled at my voice.

“Hailey? Where are we? Why are you here?” He murmurs.

“ I don’t know. At least you didn’t have to hit me…” I mumble. He stammers out a half hearted apology. I roll my eyes and wave it off. He sits up, utterly confused, and looks around the room. At the other side of the small room, Jacquline was valiantly trying to wake Calvin up, but he resisted her efforts. I knelt down next to him, and lowered my head to his ear.

I whisper.

“Wake up.” He rolls over to face me, and blinks his eyes open. Seeing me hovering over him, his eyes widen, and I quickly jerk my head back before he can pull me towards him. I grin smugly at him as he glares at me, and sits up. He ruffles his hair, and glances around the room.

“Where the hell are we?” His question brings everyone to a standstill.

Liam had already stood up and examined the room, which was completely blank save for the locked metal door. I get up and wander along the wall, wondering where the light switch that I had touched was. 

I didn’t see it. Running my hands across the wall again, I walk around the room. I feel a bump, and click it. Instantly, the room becomes dark. Everyone panics and stumbles into each other. I click it again and grin sheepishly at the others.

“Oops. Sorry…” Liam comes up and examines the button that I had clicked.

“Amazing. It blends perfectly with the wall. But how?” He mutters to himself as he runs his hands against the bump.

I shrug and say “I don’t know. Lots of paint?” He raises an eyebrow at me. I shrug, and continue on scanning the wall. Then I encounter another bump on the wall.

“Hey guys! There’s another bump here.” Liam comes over and examines the place I point to. Then he presses it. The whole room rumbles, and I rush over to Jacqueline to cling onto her.

“What’s happening?” Calvin yells.

“EARTHQUAKE”