"We havent an idea where they came from." ---"How is that, you are the Mother of this experiment."--- "But, we chose randomly, sir." ---"Well seperate them into different compartments, her with the boy and the father."--- "Yes sir." _______________________________________ I believe I was lying in a compartment, in a silver welded room, furnished with nothing but junk scrap, the first time I saw Alex. He wasnt in great health, but it wasnt too poor either. He had scratchmarks across his cheek, and a bloody hankerchief in his hand. I thought our captors had done this to him, but apparently he had a bloody nose (heights do him in), and the scratchmarks were from falling down a flight of stairs during one of his more intoxicated nights. He rank of soberness, which was at first impressive, then realizing how long he must've been up here, disappoiting. Eye-contact was made only on rare occasions, as he could tell I was still angry. His face was carved with unswept emotion, waiting to be put away, but I wouldnt accept any of it. I coughed, and all of the bones in my body ached, apparently aliens were more keen on men then women because I had been beatne thoroughly. At that point he sat beside me, frightened at first. BUt I was too weak to even shoo him off. We sat for hours, in a silence which was defening, given the furnishings of the room. Finally I spoke. "We've missed you, you know." ---"I know."--- "You can still come back." ---"I know."--- "You're not going to though, are you?" ---"I'm not making any promises, if thats what you're saying."--- "Do you like it up here?" ---"Its not bad."--- "You'll come back when you're ready." ---"I know."--- Our conversation was followed by three more long hours of silence, and finally yhre squeak of a door in the corner of the room which I wouldn't of noticed otherwise. "She is needed." ---"I know."----