Infinity Born UNEDITED

Testing Day~ Chapter 2

  "Posee, Ms. Bates is going to watch over you at her house while I take the exam." Her bright blue eyes look up at me scared, I can't help but stare continuously at the big bruise on her right cheek, another beating. I pat my own bruise on my neck at the thought of Matilda's wooden bat knipping at our flimsy bodies this morning, "Understood?"

  "Loxy? Will I see you again?" Her face goes dark.

  "Let's do lunch at the Zoo, okay? Sweetie I really gotta go! I love you!" I kiss her cheek and head for the door. Ms. Bates promised not to leave Posee alone with Matilda... Even if that means moving in.

  My feet move quickly on the cement gum stained ground of the inquisitive born head city. My teacher in eight told me that the inquisitive city used to be known as New York City, or Times Square. But that generation is long gone... She says.

  "Phlox? Phlox?" I hear a familiar voice and turn to find my best friend Matty standing behind me, with a nervous smile on his face.

  "Matty!" I throw my arms around him and inhale his sweet scent.

  "You nervous? Because I am freaking out!" He laughs and hugs me back tightly.

  "A little." I pull away smiling and grabbing his hand. I tug him towards the direction of the city hall.

  "Here we are, Phlox, the beginning of our lives." He squeezes my hand, and for just a moment, I know I will choose what he chooses, but then the feeling of wanting to stay by his side forever disappears and I know my exam scores will choose for me. I already know I qualify for Inquisitive and Bright. You always qualify for birth houses and raised houses. Which leaves the fact of which I want more. Maybe I will become a Mutt... At this point I would be happy with anything.

   "Phlox Sixteen and Mathew James Sixteen." The loud voice sounds almost robotic... And I am almost positive it is. 

    Matty and I step through the large glass doors and into the testing room. Two Robots stand aligned with each other. Their program image smiles make my stomach churn.

  "Phlox you will be going with Edith, Mathew will be going with Adam." We nod our heads and head off with the two pale white robots in front of us.

  I wink at max one final time before entering the large white doors to the exam chambers I will be testing in. He smiles back and throws open the doors.

  "Now, now. Phlox, this is a simple test involving your imagination. It will not hurt nor feel like anything. All you must do is answer simple questions and perform in a physical, emotional, and mental exam, all while feeling as though you are simply dreaming. It will only take a few minutes. Understood?" I nod once again.

  "May I ask one question?" The robot tuns towards me, "What are the odds I will be able to remain a hybrid?"

   "I would say very high, Phlox Sixteen, Based on your history in my data program." She turns back and slowly moves towards a white operation table, "Lay here. This computer manages your heart rate, this one manages your oxygen, and this is how I view your dream." she points at the screen on her face.

   I lay on the cool white glass of the table and let Edith hook wires up to my chest and head.

   "You are all set." She places a mask on my nose and mouth, it smells like artificial cherry flavoring, "Now breath normally and give into your imagination."

   In a flash my mind goes foggy and I am on the streets of Inquisitive city, but no one is around. I begin to walk towards the bay, or what Inquisitives call the bay, but is really just a flooded part of the city.