Gone

Goodmorning Miss Davies

"So remember to think about what you say before you actually say it." We're standing outside the examination building. My mother is going through the dos an don'ts. She hugs me, maybe my last hug from her. Then I hear a murmur in my ear.
"They can tell you what to do, but they can't tell you what to feel." The words escaping her mouth are dangerous. They could get our whole village in trouble. She pulls out of the hug, I try to read her expression but it has turned into a smile.
"Good Luck, remember I love you."
"I love you too."
I turn my back and walk into the metal gates incasing the examination building. I turn back one more time to see my mothers tearful eyes, she waves and I give her an encouraging smile. 'Good Luck' she mouths.

I stand in a line of girls my age. Fourteen. There's about one hundred or so of them. In single file we obediently walk in to the examination building. I feel myself starting to cry at the thought of never seeing my family again, never going to the beach I was brought up on. How would they survive? I won't be there to fish. I am now more than ever hoping that I pass the test. My family could die without me.
"Miss Amelia Davies." Says a strict looking woman wearing a lab coat. "Please report to Examination room number 23." I stand up and walk down the amazingly long corridor until I reach number 23.

"Good Morning Miss Davies, let's not dawdle. I'm going to put you in the room next door and the test will begin." I peer over at the woman instructing me. She has grey hair tied up in a top knot and quite pale skin. She is very skinny and looks like she has been doing this job for years.
Without thinking I follow her instructions, focused on the computer in front of her. There's clearly cameras in the room next door as on the screen is a clear view of the room. I open the door and see exactly what I saw on the screen. She's watching me. The door slams behind me and I start to feel trapped.
The room has been painted blue and the floor is lined with blue tiles. The colours are bright, too bright.
Suddenly I hear a crash as a holographic man starts running through the wall. This must be the test. They are testing my reactions. A wall nearby holds a knife, a bow and a spear. My other option is to run into the gap between two walls that have just opened up. I think not. My family was brought up to fight not to flee. I grab the knife and throw it straight towards the mans heart.
Next in a corner of the room, out of no where another hologram appears. This time a child. He is begging me for help, he looks starving and badly wounded. I go over to him, still holding my knife for protection. This may not be real but the holographic boy reminds me of Hunter. My brother I may never see again. When I'm about two feet away from the boy his face starts to twist and at the back of his head lies the face of a beast. I'd say it's somewhere between a bear and a wolf. The animal pounces on me and I let out a squeal. I try to push it off but my surprisingly weak arms struggle. I pull my arm far enough to stab my knife into the heart of the beast.
"Thank you, Miss Davies that's all I needed to watch." The voice of the woman booms from a speaker somewhere. "Now could you please come back to this room."
I shuffle through to the room she's in an see her looking worried.
"Can I ask you some questions please Amelia?" She says.
"Why? Have I failed? Please don't take me away." There's a Sense of urgency in my voice and I think I'm about to cry.
"Not yet. The test isn't over." I feel stupid. "How did you know how to throw a knife?" Weapons are illegal to own in our country without permission. Something I don't have.
"I just guessed" I reply
"It's remarkable really, the way you can 'just guess' something people spend years learning." There's a hint of suspicion in her voice. "I'm afraid you are going to have to come with me. Certain people aren't safe to keep in our country. Unfortunately, Miss Davies, you are one of these people."