“Reset” By Emily G

I woke up to the sound of electric buzzing. I try to sit up but my arms and legs are  strapped down to a bed. I turn my head to find myself in a compact room, surrounded by four white walls and a single white framed mirror. I don't remember how I got here but I know who took me; I know I’m not alone.

They’ve been kidnapping humans from the moment they arrived. When they  first invaded, madness and terror filled the streets.  We didn't know who they were or why they came; we still don't know. Then, people started disappearing: neighbors, friends, pets, no where to be found. The terror hadn't hit my town until my best friend Ally didn't show up for school. I just thought she was sick and would call me later to tell me so. Ally didn't call me that day nor will she ever. I went to her house after school, knocked on the door and her mom appered. Her eyes swollen and raw told me what I was dreading. That's when I knew she was gone, I would never see my best friend again.

The door swings open and a women, with skin like snow and an empty pair of blue eyes, comes to my side and stares down at me. “Hello Harper. My name is Capella and you’re probably curious to why you are here”. I look up at her and I’m baffled to see how human they look on the outside; they could blend in a crowd. However, the stiffness of her body, her  flawless features and the emotionless tone of her voice reveals to me that they are nothing like us. “ You can ask yourself that same question, why did you come to earth?” I respond. “I will answer all your questions, but before I begin, let's un-strap you from this bed” as she removes the straps and I begin to sit up she says, “I apologize for restraining you. You fought our authorities and we weren't certain how you would react when you woke up”. I stare at her as I get up from the bed and she takes a step back.

“To answer your question I will start from the beginning. My species originated from the Andromeda Galaxy; the closest neighbor to the Milky W-”, “Skip the beginning! Now answer my question. Why did your kind come to my planet?” Silence. “Tell me!” I yell. “Okay!” Capella says as she throws her hands up in frustration. “I will explain everything, now please sit back down or I might have to restrain you again”. I sat back down on the bed and Capella begins to explain.

“We came to your planet to fix it. Humans have mistreated Earth’s resources for centuries and destroying the planet  without even knowing it. We made it our mission to restore Earth to its original glory.  “I understand that Earth  is deteriorating  but how does fixing the Earth involve kidnapping humans?” “Please don’t take offense to this but in order to restore Earth we must eliminate  the problem; humanity. The human species must be terminated or else Earth will cease to exist.” In outrage I say “ You can't do this, this is genocide! Killing off humans won't solve anything! If you give us a chance we can fix the Earth’s problems.” “ No, humans are like pesticides, everything you touch dies; besides, we aren't “killing” humans, we are merely erasing the human inside. Your bodies will remain the same and living, however your memories and the characteristics that make you your own person will be gone.   The human species is not ending but starting and continuing a new meaning and awareness of humans survival on Earth. We haven't solved the method of enacting a world wide deletion of humanity, so we’ve resulted in  plucking you off one by one, like a flower.” Capella walks over to the mirror, “She is ready for reset” she orders to whom ever is behind the mirror. Before Capella leaves she says, “Once the process is completed you won't remember anything, not even your name. You will be relocated to a new city and to a new family. Goodbye, Harper.” With that, Capella is gone.

I can no longer feel my body, it’s gone completely numb, I can only hear my thoughts as they strap me back down to the bed. I don't resist because there is no fight left in me anymore. In my last thoughts as Harper I say goodbye to my parents, my childhood memories, and I say goodbye to Harper Genesis Taylor and then, I let go.

“Hello Lauren.”