The duration of the journey was in around 4 hours, but to Claire, it felt like forever.
The bus made one stop along the way to refuel, it was also at this stop that a 10-minute break was also made. The refuelling station also had a small shop in which most of the passengers from the bus went in and bought something, except for Claire.
She didn't feel like eating nor drinking anything. Claire knew all too well that she felt this way because of her departure.
The only thing she got was a bottle of water which was bought by Lieutenant Mason for everyone on the bus, sort of like a treat. A thank you for being brave enough to step up and volunteer.
Beginning their journey at a little bit past nine, since they had to drive to a nearby town, they arrived at the base at around half one.
Claire stood up from her seat and walked towards the front of the bus. The exit.
By the door stood Lieutenant Mason. He cleared his throat before beginning to speak. "From here on, you will be carrying any personal items you brought along with you. You will go to the main office, where you will be given your room number. You may not go to your room straight after, as I have to give you a tour. I know, it will be an inconvenience to carry whatever luggage you brought along, but it's the best we can do.". The Lieutenant wrapped off his talk by giving the directions to the main office. "You can choose to follow the pathway I just said, or - an easier option, in my opinion, follow the crowd. Whoever gets to the main office first gets to be registered first.". To end everything off, he gave his salutations to the small group from his bus. "I will be seeing you all later for the tour.".
With that said, Lieutenant Mason walked off, heading his desired way.
They all looked at each other before they all took their first step towards the base.
For some reason, unknown to Claire, it was those looks, gazes that made her feel at a bit of ease. 'Perhaps, was it because we all shared the same emotion? Fear?... Because we can all relate to each other?'.
***
They all found the entrance to the base.
Upon them embarking such a site, they were greeted by people upon people. Claire widened her eyes in surprise when she saw that the crowd consisted of both men and women.
She had worries that she might have been the only woman in the base.
They all managed to find a vast crowd heading in one direction.
"Is that the crowd the Lieutenant was talking about?" A young man from Claire's bus asked.
Another one approached him and replied, "I'd say so, I am not too sure. I guess there is only one way to find out.".
With that, they too joined the crowd of people heading a certain way.
Minutes of them walking past before they arrived at a stand-still. A bottleneck. From there, the movement stopped.
'I-I assume we are heading the right way...' Claire thought to herself before turning around. Behind her, the line of people only grew bigger and bigger with each passing second. While the movement forward felt like it was a million times slower than the rate at which people arrived and joined the group.
One by one, Claire was getting closer to the front of the line.
The smell of men's colognes, aftershaves and women's perfumes filled the hallway. Mumbles just above a whisper were audible, echoing throughout the corridor.
Claire let a gentle sigh as she looked at her luggage which she pulled behind her.
'I-I wonder if Garrett is here?' she thought to herself before moving a step forward.
Before she knew it, she was at the front of the line, ready to go next.
The door in front of her opened, allowing one of the boys from her bus to exit. With that, a middle-aged woman, who was by the door, gave her a smile and a nod, indicating to her that she can enter.
Following her instruction, she walked forward, pulling her bag behind her. She felt worried as slight fright lingered in her chest the closer she got to the opened door.
Upon her entry, she kept her head down to the ground. She walked over to a vacant seat before taking her place.
Only then, did she look up at the person who was sat in front of her.
It was a he. He had wide shoulders, and his gaze was set upon a page that rested on his desk. He was writing something. His hair was a similar shade to hers, except a bit lighter. He looked familiar...
Only when he rose his gaze and when his eyes met hers did she realise...
Claire widened her eyes in surprise as she found herself looking into those beautiful orbs from only weeks ago.
'I-It was him! The Captain!' she exclaimed to herself. 'I... I wonder if you remember me too, Captain.'.
With that, the man who was sat in front of her swallowed whatever was in his mouth before him speaking. "What's your name, Miss?". He kept his gaze on her before looking down at the page in front of him.
"My name..." she began but paused for a second when she felt a wave of jitters travel down her body. "My name is Claire, Sir.".
"Surname?".
"Emerson, Sir.". Upon hearing her surname, he froze for a second. Then, he looked up at her and back down at the page.
"Alright..." his voice trailed off, he wrote down a few more things before he stood up. Claire followed his actions.
"My name is Captain Gabriel MacIntosh," he introduced himself, holding his hand out towards Claire.
She accepted his offer of a handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain," she spoke. 'It's nice to see you again...' she thought to herself.
"The pleasure is all mine," he replied, smiling at Claire. With that, their hands slid off from one another. Claire looked at Gabriel as he sat back down in his seat. "Also, when you leave now. From the door, turn right and go forward, you will see a double, glass door. Exit there, and to your right, you will find the crowd who just registered along with my colleague, Lieutenant Mason.".
After hearing the instructions the Captain gave her, she picked up her luggage, turned around and began her way to the door.
But just as she was about to open the door, Gabriel spoke up.
"Also!...". A pause. "It's very nice to see you again, Claire.". She couldn't help but smile at his words.
'So you do remember me, Captain MacIntosh.'.