Chapter 7: Doomsday

The green car pulled up to the gate and a woman in her late 30s leaned out the window.

"Name."

"Francisco Shirker."

"And your passengers?"

Chris and Heather both gave their name. They received badges with their name on it. Francis pulled the car forward to an enormous door on the side of the mountain. The door looked like it was made of a mixture of steel and concrete. Above it Francis could make out the words "No-a-'s A-k #151". For the time being, he didn't think much of it. 

The time was 10:45. Their tour was supposed to begin at eleven. Two more cars pulled into the lot. One was a black SUV with two people in their late seventies inside while the other was a red sports car with a young couple in their early thirties inside. The older family walked up to the teens and greeted them.

"Well hello. I'm glad to see such youngsters this interested in history," said the old man, shaking Chris's hand.

"I didn't think anyone could be more interested in this kinda stuff than my good pal Francis," said Chris, slapping Francis hard on the back, knocking him over. 

"You're not looking so well dear, is everything all right," asked the old lady, turning to Heather.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well," replied Heather mid yawn.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that dear. I hope these lovely gentlemen are taking excellent care of you."

"They are."

"That's good to hear, dear."

Francis looked down at his watch. The time was eleven. The guard walked in front of the three groups. 

"Hello everyone. My name is Joleena, and I'll be your guide for today. I just want to give a few reminders before we go in. Please don't touch anything. There will be absolutely no flash photography. Everything in there is exactly the way they left it. Lunch will be at noon and after that I will allow you to explore freely."

Joleena turned around and walked to the door. There was a keypad under the handle. Francis watched the numbers get punched in and memorized them. "4,1,1,2,8" He noticed something unusual about them. They represented a date. Today's date. April 11th, 2028. He leaned over to Chris and whispered, "Hey. I just watched her put a code in the door."

Chris whispered back, "So."

"The code is four, eleven, twenty-eight that's today's date. Doesn't that seem a little fishy?"

"Stop being suspicious about everything and have fun."

"You're right."

With a loud creaking and moaning sound the door opened allowing the groups inside. Inside there was a short hallway that looked like it used to have a receptionist desk. At the end of the hall, there was a large elevator which looked like it could carry a hundred people at a time.

The three groups entered the elevator. Loud creaking followed the movement of the doors. They sounded like they needed oil. 

After about five minutes, the elevator opened, revealing another long corridor. Along this corridor were doors that led to different rooms. Joleena opened the first door, which led to what seemed like a conference room. In the center of the room was a large wooden table with about thirty chairs. In the middle of the table sat what looked to be a hologram projector. Around the table were many files, most of them looked the same. Francis, who was at the end of the group, took one of the files while no one was looking.

Francis remained hidden from Joleena and the others while he pulled out the file from behind him and opened it. The front page read [Project Eden]. Out of curiosity, he flipped to the last page of records.

"April 9th, 2028" Francis was in shock. The ninth was on Friday. He continued reading. "Today we finished preparations for Project Eden. Despite our warnings, Daniel Shirker insisted on setting the launch date for Sunday, April eleventh, 2028."

"What did my father have to do with this? But this would explain his absence from home recently," Francis thought to himself. He continued.

"All 150 Noah's Ark will be filled. To all reading this, welcome to the new world."

Confused on some terms, he flipped to the project overview page. Now the group was heading towards the armory of the bunker. He began to read.

"Project Eden, funded by Daniel Shirker, was a secret government operation that served as a reset button for the world. It would trigger a chain of natural disasters that would wipe out all of the human race. In order to restore life after the event. Project Eden established around 150 bunkers across the United States to hold both people and animals during the events of this project and release them once the state of the planet returned to a suitable environment to live in. These bunkers were known as Noah's Arks. Between the 150 bunkers Project Eden planned to save up to one million citizens ranging from the age of 18-30 to restart the population. These people were to be healthy and fit, with no hereditary illnesses or conditions. There were also older people selected within various occupations such as healthcare and government to care for and lead the survivors in the new world."

"Holy shit. It's happening today."

Francis realized that he said that out loud, and he quickly slid the folder between him and his backpack. The arrogant rich man in front of him turned around and rudely said, "Awwwww, did someone forget about their playdate today?"

"Why don't you shut your mouth and mind your business," scolded Heather overhearing the conversation.

"Whatever little girl, your not worth my time,"

"Ugh, I want to punch him in the face," said Heather, turning to Francis.

Francis whispered to Heather, "Behind you. I'm handing you something."

Francis handed Heather the file.

"Look at the project overview, then look at the last page. When you're done, hand it to Chris discreetly."

"Ok."

Heather looked at the documents carefully. Her eyes became wider than ever before.

"Oh my g-" gasped Heather.

Francis took his hand and covered her mouth. Then asked her to hand it to Chris. Chris had the same shocked look on his face.

Francis looked at his watch. 11:55. They were now back in the main corridor. Joleena was talking about something historical.

"So when this Project Eden thing happens, we'll be safe here right?," asked Chris with a worried look on his face.

"Yes, then sign above the door on the outside said Noah's Ark #151," replied Francis.

"But that file only said there were 150 bunkers. How is that possible?" asked Heather.

Francis was getting ready to respond to the question, but before he could answer, there was a bang. It was a bang louder than anyone has ever heard before. The world began to shake. 

Joleena and the rich lady quickie got into the elevator. The rich man tried to get on but was pushed back by Joleena. The door closed, and the elevator began to ascend. 

The lights hanging from the ceiling were now shaking violently. Heather grabbed Chris and Francis by the hand.

"COME ON WE NEED TO GET TO THE ARMORY!"

"Why?" asked Francis.

"JOLEENA SAID THAT WAS THE STRONGEST ROOM!"

No more was said. The three took each other's hands and ran. The shaking grew more violent. It was not becoming hard to walk. Minor pieces of dust were falling from the ceiling. Now crawling, the three entered the armory and shut the blast door. 

Heather was in tears. Chris and Francis were in fear.

"If we don't get out of here Chris, there's something I want you to know. Chris, I lo-."

"Why don't you wait to tell me when I can hear better. And don't worry, we will survive this."

"Way to ruin the moment," Heather thought as she held on to Chris tightly.

BANG!

"What was that!" cried Heather.

"I think the elevator cables broke, so the elevator went into a free fall," explained Francis.

After thirty minutes, the shaking had stopped.

Project Eden was over.

But the Adventure has just begun.