Chapter 6: Chapter 6
As Collins alighted from the cab alongside Michael, dressed in perfectly tailored Black suits complemented with a matching bomber jacket. He exhaled as he stared in disbelief.
"The Shining is a church?!" He mumbled in awe and then looked to the card address again for affirmation.
"At least it isn't a mosque." Michael chattered causing Collins to reward him with a disappointed look.
"If that is a joke, it wasn't funny." He scorned while Michael giggled. His frown grew evident as his partner's actions irked him. Within the hours he spent with Michael, he could proudly declare Michael as the stupidest person he's ever come across.
"Check the address again, perhaps we came to the wrong place." He added, squinting his eyes to affirm the address yet again.
"I think this is the right place." Michael chirped.
"Dude, this is a church!" He gestured his hand towards the magnificent brown building poised in their front. "Doctor Roberts is a Technologist who deals with labs and companies, not churches."
"This is definitely the right place, man." Michael gestured in the same mannerism with his face still donning a smile. Collins growled.
"Look if you're going to keep blabbing rubbish just shut up!" He inched closer to Michael with a threatening glare. "Shut up okay!" He added yet again before returning his gaze impatiently to the gold card.
"Don't be foolish!" Michael scorned in response. "Look at the symbol inscribed on the building. Look!"
Collins stared uninterestingly in the direction he pointed but sighed. It was a circular inscription with the words 'The Shining'.
"And look at the card, they have the same symbol." Michael added. Collins frowned and then exclaimed.
"Oh my God," he gasped as he stared in surprise awe at his friend. "But why would Doctor Roberts build something like this?" He asked rhetorically.
"That's for you to find out. Now pose yourself well, we have a billionaire to scam." Michael tugged at his arm before pacing up the stairs into the building. "And remember, don't use your powers!"
He gritted his teeth.
"Okay Collins, you can do this." He took deep breaths whilst adjusting his suit. "Just get this over with and you can get rid of that idiot." He whispered to himself before pacing like a gentleman into the building.
"Interesting!" Michael chirped with a grin but Collins frowned. Unable to comprehend the Altar, the portraits and inscription of Jesus and the long wooden chairs arranged in an orderly row and column fashion. They reminded of good old Catholic days but It only dosed his doubts further. He started to wonder if Doctor Roberts were simply playing a trick or he knew their agenda. But that would be virtually impossible right?
His thoughts soon tousled when two men emerged out of an elevator rooted by the Altar side. Dressed in black suits and glasses with expression so icy. As they paced towards him, he eyed them with skepticisms while Michael gleamed a smile at them.
"Good Morning, Mr. Collins," one of them uttered as they stood inches away. "Mr. Michael, Doctor Roberts is ready to meet you both now. Please follow us."
"Sure!" Michael chirped as he happily strolled behind them but Collins stared in disbelief. He couldn't phantom why Michael easily trusted these people. Nevertheless, he cautiously trailed behind them, mentally preparing himself for the worst.
As the Elevator travelled downwards, his bones started to shudder from anxiety. They were going underground and none of them felt tensed. He started to suspect his friend. Michael might look innocent and act stupidly but it could all be a camouflage.
The elevator pinged as it reached their final destination. It's door opened and they were all greeted by a brightly lit blue inspired room filled with young people.
A familiar fair lady, a young dark haired girl and two grown men probably in their early twenties. One, was donning a messy blonde topknot style and the other a dazzling black crew cut. They were all seated in a circular manner.
The room was square shaped and the only furniture that existed in the room where the metal chairs.
"Doctor Roberts will join you shortly." One of the guard mentioned before they exited into the elevator.
"This is weird." He mentioned as their gaze landed on him while Michael roamed about the room with a sheepish grin. Like a child who was seeing fireworks for the first time. He glanced at the familiar lady yet again, squinting his eyes to decipher where or when he had seen her.
"Hey, aren't you that lady who stages protest for Area X medical association?" He asked with a tint smile. She was about to respond when the dark haired guy interjected.
"And aren't you the guy who stole my money two days ago?!" The guy ferociously chattered. His words establishing itself more as a statement than a question.
Collins scoffed.
"I'm sorry but you seem to have mistaken me for someone else." He lied effortlessly while his mind raided for places he had met this man. He has stolen from quite a handful of people in the past days. Remembering this man was going to prove tasking.
"I remember you very well and don't you play dumb with me!" The man growled.
"Collins, stop lying and just give the poor guy his money already before Doctor Roberts arrives." Michael interjected as he strolled. Collins glared icily.
"You heard him, give my money back!" The man swore, with his eyes a roaring brimstone.
"Chill man, I didn't take your money!" He retorted as he took a protective stance. He knew he was guilty as charged but at the same time, he didn't want the others to mark him off as a petty thief.
"Chill?!" The man suddenly arose, threading towards him furiously. "You took my money and you tell me to chill?!"
"Oh well," the blonde guy mentioned. "This is going to get interesting." He sarcastically toned.
Michael giggled. Collins gasped as the guy grabbed him by the collar.
"Please, will you both act like civilised people and settle your dispute amicably." The lady mentioned in a calm voice but it only infuriated the dark haired guy more.
"Excuse me, this idiot dressed in a suit here stole thirty five thousand Pillings from me." He retorted while Collins struggled in his hold. The strength at which the guy handled his collar, somewhat terrified him.
"For Thirty five thousand Pillings, that's why you're causing this drama?" The blonde chirped. "Seriously, man."
"Thirty five thousand Pillings is what's going to stop me from being homeless in the coming hours so shut your trashy mouth and mind your fucking business!" The guy growled.
"Look man, stop ruffling my suit! I need space to breathe." Collins interjected causing the guy to sneer at him. His hold tightening on the collar. Collins wondered why they all sat, leaving him helpless in the hands of a furious man.
"Like she said," Michael pronounced causing all attention to be diverted at him. "Let us behave like civilised being-"
"Shut up!!" Collins yelled alongside the guy and the blonde haired. The last thing he needed was words from a stupid partner who implicated him minutes ago.
The lights suddenly went off and the walls around them brightened like a TV.
"What's happening?" The lady asked as they each stood cautiously. With confused expressions rocking their face.
"Something we are not gonna like." The blonde referenced with great emphasis. But Collins exhaled, his heart racing like sport cars and his breaths hyperventilating.
"In 2020," the wall solemnly voiced as it visualized images of the world before the explosion. "An Alien technology invaded causing a nuclear explosion that stormed the world, wiping half of humanity and resources." The monitor sounded as the beautiful images faded into images of the new continents. Utopia, Heathers, New Canada, Republic of Africa, Rivernea, and Area X.
"Amidst the disaster the explosion created, it also mutated few humans DNA making them gifted with special abilities. Special abilities that would one day make relevance to the world. Welcome to The Shining, a home for the gifted."
The voice ended and the wall lights suddenly went off.
"Okay, this is creepy!" Collins chattered in horrific awe.