DIVERSITY

DIVERSITY- Chapter 17

i gazed memorably at the only decent members of the experimental until, that i had previously succumbed to calling 'friends'. Becca, Jace, Peeta, and violet lounged tiredly around a sitting room, prior to the main hall of the prep room, awaiting the return of their group instructor; Caden.

i hesitated at their presence, not completely aware of whether the remnants of our brief 'friendship' were still in tact, due to the past few days of shocking events. i couldn't help but question their thoughts, as their harsh stares lifted to my area of the room. i knew that they were all unsure of exactly what had happened in the simulation, only that they believed what rubbish Melanie had shoved down their throats, mainly about the now dead couple being a teen rebellious act of a prank. They deserved to know the truth, that the boy and the girl were in fact not part of our society, and one day, when i could be sure that we were alone, i would tell them. I would tell them and everyone in the city if i could, all about Melanie's unkind and untruthful reign. but at this current moment in time, i could not, my life depended so much on passing the final test, that i would have to put all other plans of out-throwing Melanie aside. 

The Quiet Room, as i liked to call this space, was by far the nicest room i had ever seen in my lifetime. All i was ever accustomed to were the cobwebbed bricks of my family home back in the village, and quite recently, the grimy, bloodstained walls of my cell.

The teenagers suddenly sprang to life as Caden strolled over to the centre of the room, ready to take control of the situation. Caden had already begun to address the group, but i was unaware of that. My eyes were fascinated by something as they stared just past the instructors shoulder. Behind him, at the back of the room, were six odd looking wooden doors. Each of them had a thick lining of soundproof padding around the outskirts of the frames. I was curious as to why such soundproofing equipment would be needed for whatever was behind these doors.

"Aria?" At the mention of my name, instinctively my gaze snapped back to the leader's deep toned calling. Caden had caught my interest in the doors behind him, following my gaze towards the questionable soundproofing equipment. 

Completing a self-conscious glance over my shoulder at the other's stares, i stated with great relief, that they too had been distracted from Caden's lecture, to observe the doors.                                              Sighing defeatedly, Caden strode over to the stand by the centre wooden frame.

"I suppose i better just skip to the explanatory part of this lecture, then." 

Slanting a crooked arm against the outskirts of the door, our notorious 'chief' gestured with his beckoning fingers, for us to join him. Lost in our own curiosities, we slugged across the room, encircling him, as if we were in primary school, us the wonderstruck students, and he as the knowledgable professor. "The preparation for your final testing consists of 3 tasks. Each of the three groups will rotate through these tasks, over the three days remaining before your testing. For every task that you complete successfully, you should find yourselves on the verge of discovery, attempting to find out every single hidden detail of your abilities, so when the day comes for your test, you will have full control over what happens when you choose to activate your abilities."

His eyes did a survey around the gathered group of kids who stared up at him, fear reflecting their youthful faces. Caden flexed his fingers in hesitation before continuing to explain to us our first task.

"As you can see for yourselves, there are six doors, one for each person in this room. Your first task, is to talk to a professional, and discuss what you already know about your abilities. This way, the lab gains information they will require to set each of your tests, depending on your strengths weaknesses, and of course, the very thing that makes you all different to one other; your power. You will also be required to stay put in that room until you figure out everything you can about your abilities, mentally. This task is known to us as, 'The state of mind therapy'. The other two tasks will help determine how well you know your ability physically, and spiritually. Think of it as getting to know another person, inside and out, their flaws, their capacity to control you. By the end of these three tasks, i expect each and every one of you to know your abilities like you know yourselves."