The Society of One

Part 5

I look around before heading into the Province Building, a grand building with pillars and a flair of importance.. About ten yards back, I see a tall, ash blonde haired girl. I realize it is Rosemary, one of the other selected candidates. Patiently, I wait for her to catch up. Rosemary is a good friend of mine, she was always kind and fair whenever I was around her. I am glad she got chosen so that I won't be alone in this journey. She graciously thanks me for waiting for her. I look into her ice blue eyes and sense a bit of hollowness beneath them. I take in the rest of her appearance, the bags under her eyes, the slight hunch of her back, and can tell she is also very nervous. Maybe she also knows more than she should, just as I do.

Together we walk inside, glancing at our surroundings. The building is full of old artifacts from before the Decade War. They surround the lobby, creating a warm atmosphere. We walk up to the receptionist, a middle aged man with black hair that's slightly graying at the edges. He takes a look at the two of us and says, "You two graduates?" We both give our confirmations and he checks a list on the desk. He turns to me and asked, "Arabella Jacobsen?" I tell him yes and he does the same for Rosemary. He tells us to head down the hallway on our right and to take a left. Then, we need to head up the stairs to the second floor. From there, we are to take a left and head down the corridor and there is a door on the right. The meeting is in that room. We quietly thank him and head on our way.

We walk in silence, perhaps both of us too afraid that if we break it all our emotions would flow out like a glass bottle shattering, it's contents spilt everywhere, never able to be put back the way it was before. Finally, we arrive at the door. I look at Rosemary, silently asking if I should knock. She gives me a quick nod and I proceed to knock three times. We wait and hear a small click. The door opens and we head inside. The room is small, set up with couches and armchairs. It feels comfortable, but there is a heavy feeling in the air. Sitting at a couch in the corner is Kaiden. We head to sit with him, waiting silently for the others. After a few minutes there's another knock. The person that still remained anonymous got up and opened the door the same way she did for us. At the door was Hollis and Cormac. They head over to where we are sitting. They give hushed greetings and wait with us, Hollis staring up at the ceiling, Cormac's head in his hands. Then finally the door opens.

"Hello candidates, my name is Elowen Harisher. I thank you all for coming. Now is there any questions before we begin?", says a young lady around the age of 20 with tight, brown curls. When no one says anything, she continues on. "The Integrity Syllabus is by no doubt one of the most important processes the confederation has. It is important we uphold it by making you ready to take on this tremendous task. First off, here is a cell phone." She pauses for a moment to hand us each a small phone. "It is only for emergencies and government calls. We will be calling you during the next week. This coming week will be hectic but it is to prepare you for what is coming. Several tests will be taking place before your trip to the Capitol.", Elowen informs us. My mind begins to wonder as she goes into the formalities of the entire process. I hear the important facts like officials will be visiting us Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday this coming week, and how we are expected to always be open to everything presented to us. I used this technique in class when I had already learned the material and was only listening to the teacher for things that would be on the exam. Elowen finishes her speech and we are dismissed.

I head out the door with the rest of the candidates behind me. They begin chatting quietly behind me, talking about what the Capitol might be like and what they're most excited about. I just hope they realize what is really going on. We are being torn from our family, forced to perform unbelievably feats all for the sake of our country. Yes, I am proud to serve my country. However, I feel trapped in this life. I didn't choose this, but I will participate and I will succeed, I decide suddenly. The group and I continue walking and I start engaging in the conversation. By the time we head separate ways, I feel cool and confident. I pause for a moment before heading in a direction, and decide to take the short cut through the alleyway between the administration building and the science building. I start heading on my way. I have just rounded the corner when I feel a hand clench on my wrist. I try to scream but another hand clamps down on my mouth. I bite down hard on the fist. My attacker grunts in pain still dragging me. We reach an empty janitorial closet and I'm dragged inside. Everything is dark.