The Mysterious Door

Chapter 7

For the next three days our group wasn't allowed to leave our rooms for anything other than bathroom breaks. Brandon came to each of us in turn at lunchtime on the first day to explain why. We had to wait for the last group to finish their lessons before we will be let out again, in time for the first test to begin on day four.

I tried to keep myself busy. I attempted to teleport through the reflection of the mirrors surrounding me, combining short range teleportation with teleporting through pictures. It took me a bit less than a day to master (given that I took a lot of breaks in between).

After that I tried seeing the figure in different positions before I teleported, attempting to change into said position along the way. It took me a very long time before I even begun to get it, but by the end of the third day of isolation I was able to teleport into a laying position on my bed, a crouching position on the desk, a sitting position in the chair and from all of these back into a standing position.

The tests are finally starting tomorrow. I don't know what to expect, but whatever it is I will be ready. I am going to make it out of here alive. I am going to see my parents again.

The doors slide open after dinner and for the first time since we were sentenced to solitary, Anthony and I are let out to shower at the same time. He looks a bit shaken up, but still in good spirit. We turn into the hallway leading to the boy's bathroom with a quick wave at Cindy and Jasmine heading the other way.

"You ready for tomorrow," I ask, "Doesn't look like you've been getting a lot of sleep."

"I think I will be," he says, rubbing his eyes, "I've been practicing a lot the last few days. I'll be ready for whatever they throw at me."

"What do you think they'll have us do?"

"Some of the other guys think they're going to throw us off a cliff and see if we can survive."

We walk through the doorway, into the bathroom. It's still empty. "That's ridiculous," I say, "I don't think they will risk killing so many of us in one go."

"I guess we'll find out tomorrow then. I don't know how I'm going to get any sleep tonight. The stress is eating me from the inside out."

"You did great in training," I put my hand on his shoulder, "You'll make it through this." He doesn't say anything, only gives a weak smile in my direction as he gets undressed.

The horn wakes us again the next morning. The tests are finally here. The time for me to find a way out of here has finally come.

I eat breakfast, get dressed and stick my hand carefully underneath the mattress, retrieving the shard. After I twirl it in my fingers for a bit, I slide it into my pocket.

"Will everyone please make their way to the training room," we hear the Instructor's voice, "The time for the tests has finally come."

All the doors screech open in unison. I was expecting to hear everyone's excited chatter again, but I found a room full of sullen, nervous and even some scared looking faces. The tests were obviously taking its toll on everyone's spirit.

In the training room the podium has returned and the Instructor is already waiting for us on top of it. The last time we saw her 20 became 19. I really hope that number doesn't drop again.

"Good morning everyone," she says cheerfully, "Congratulations on completing our training program. From what I've heard it went well. But before we continue, are there any questions?"

Silence fills the room. No one seems willing enough to try her hand this time.

She only smiles, knowing we are exactly where she wants us to be, "Good. Each of your helpers have given you a score out of thirty based on your performance, mastery and time it took you to master each skill, which was then evaluated by another helper. Your ranking will determine your placement in each test and points will be added or deducted based on your accomplishments during said tests. Your scores will now be added to the board."