Project R.A.R.E

Chapter 1: Unit 189

Willow opened her eyes to darkness.

Not the natural kind—this was electric and stale, like a screen left on without a signal. Her head pounded. The floor beneath her was cold, metallic, and humming softly.

'Where am I?'

A soft mechanical chime rang out, followed by a click. A beam of fluorescent light cut through the darkness as a metal door hissed open. She shielded her eyes with her arm.

Two girls stood there, just as dazed as she felt.

The taller one looked annoyed already, crossing her arms with a scowl. Her short grey hair was messy, like she'd woken up in a fight. The other girl had bouncy pigtails and wide eyes that darted around like she was taking everything in at once.

Their eyes locked onto Willow.

"189," a smooth, metallic voice intoned from behind them.

A sleek robot, with one glowing blue eye and a screen for a face, hovered into the room. It made a whirring sound as it turned to face her. "Unit 189. Join Units 188 and 187 in Dorm Sector C."

Willow sat up slowly. "What?"

The pigtails girl smiled nervously. "I think that's you. I'm 187. She's 188." She jabbed a thumb at the grumpy one.

"And I didn't ask to be part of a weird numbered club," 188 muttered.

"Come," the robot repeated, rotating toward the hallway.

With no better options, Willow stood. Her legs wobbled, but she caught herself. The other two followed in silence.

Dorm Sector C

The room they were led to was stark and clinical—three beds, three white dressers, one glowing screen on the wall.

"Welcome to your living quarters," the robot droned. "Sleep cycles begin at 2200 hours. Training schedules commence at 0700 hours, Review your schedule. Prepare for rest."

A panel in the wall slid open, revealing three small slips of paper—each with a name and a list of scheduled times for physical training, power testing, and aptitude monitoring.

Willow read hers slowly. Unit 189 – Combat Aptitude – Intermediate Rank – Assigned Leader Potential.

She turned to the other girls. 187—Daisy, she'd said—was already bouncing on her bed like she didn't care about any of this. 188 sat rigid on the edge of hers, still scowling.

Willow cleared her throat. "So... we're roommates now?"

Daisy giggled. "Guess we're all stuck here together, huh? I'm Daisy! You?"

"Willow," she said cautiously, then looked at 188.

"Call me Wither," she replied, lying back with an arm over her eyes. "Not that it matters. We're probably lab rats."

Willow didn't argue. She had too many questions and no answers. But one thing was clear—this place wasn't normal.

The screen dimmed slowly.

Sleep Cycle Initiated.

As the lights faded, Willow stared at the ceiling and whispered to herself, "Whatever this place is... I'll find a way out