Take Off

We drove around our neighbourhood some more and picked up 13 more families before going to other neighbourhoods where we picked up another 19 families. After 20 minutes of picking up families, we drove to the space station which took another 24 minutes.

"We're here!" Eric shouted while looking up into the mirror. There were groans of people getting up after sitting still, little kids jumping around and more kids just being overall very hyper. The parents and older kids, however, looked very concerned and some even scared. It was reasonable for them to be a bit worried since we could die but if we stay here we will all definitely die so it really should concern them less than staying.

The doors on the bus opened.

" 'Kay everybody off!"

"Aren't you excited Alex? I mean we get to go to space!"

My mom was obviously trying to cheer me up. When my friends heard about the meteor they gave up, they didn't want to live counting down the minutes to their death. Instead, my 3 friends killed themselves to be completely in charge of their fate. They jumped off a bridge together. I was going to as well but I hesitated and my mom found me just staring off the edge. It actually wasn't as sad as I thought it would be, I'm sure there is something wrong with me because of it.

"Yeah I guess ... it is probably better than staying here though."

"Everybody pair with a worker and they will find a suit that fits you best!"

Everyone looked around for a moment and then paired up with the men and women wearing uniforms. When everyone paired up they got measured and got a suit that fit them best and everyone lined up. The suits were blue jumpsuits with the Gray Missions' logo on the leg and chest. We were given 2 more jumpsuits one with a felt lining and another with shorts. All the pets that were brought got put into carriers and cages and got loaded onto the rocket including Yuki, who did not look very happy. Across the room, I saw A familiar face.

" Eric you're coming as well? I thought you were just the bus driver."

"Of course I'm coming! After all, I created this project!"

"Wha... WHAT! Your Eric Gray? The creator of the gray mission?" I stuttered.

"Haha, surprising huh. Don't seem very professional, do I?" He said while laughing.

"No... No! Of course not. that's not what I meant!" I quickly said, embarrassed.

Eric, the bus driver, is Eric Gray the famous man who developed spaceships that could travel at the speed of light and the man who came up with the idea for The Gray Mission when everyone else had lost all hope.

"Naw its fine, I mean not many people believe that Eric Gray is seventeen years old."

"you're in high school?!" That couldn't be possible the genius Mr.Gray couldn't be only three years older than me. He laughed.

"Well I should be in high school but I skipped three years ahead. When I finished high school I got offered a job here and, Well here I am today!" I stared blank faced at the genius seventeen-year-old standing in front of me. Then I got an idea.

" Ummm, Mr.Gra- I mean Eric I know you will be very busy..." I hesitated " If possible when we are finding a new planet could you like, tutor me?"

"You want me to tutor you?" He started to get nervous. "I Haven't taught anyone before though so I don't know how much I will be able to teach you. What grade are you in?"

"I'm fourteen and I'm in grade ten"

"You're in grade ten? but you're so short!" our conversation was cut short by a voice through a speaker system telling us to board the rocket.

When everyone was on board and stapped into seats a countdown started.

"10"

"9"

"8"

"7"

"6"

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

Blast off.