Metropolis Bridge, 2018

[ Ambulance sirens everywhere]

Voices of people screaming, fire and smoke, collapsed buildings. He struggles to open his eyes to take in his surroundings, and all he sees is devastation, wailing, and the injured. He hears only the voices of people calling for help... and some voices that seem to belong to rescue teams checking for survivors.

A hand turns his face; he can feel it. "He's here," someone shouts. "We found him!" His body is pulled from under the rubble, lifted, and then placed into what seems like a vehicle. Voices give instructions and orders... his exhausted body collapses, and he loses consciousness.

__________

An hour had passed. On an island about 30 miles from the city lay a laboratory belonging to the Justice League. The medical team prepared to receive the promised survivor. The helicopter landed, and they quickly moved the boy inside the lab.

Twenty-four hours had passed since he'd lost consciousness, but at last, his limbs began to stir.

With difficulty, he opened his eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of his surroundings. Bright lights shone from every direction, and he managed to lift his head slowly, turning it from side to side as a look of confusion spread across his face.

One of the agents noticed his movement.

"You're far from home, aren't you?" she began.

"Where am I? What is this place?!"

"You're in the lab, the health sector to be precise. I imagine you have a headache, but don't worry—you'll be fine soon."

"What? A lab? What's going on?"

"Don't worry about the details. You'll know everything in time," she replied. "For now, you need to rest."