Timeless and Bliss #wattys2016

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Shortly after my confrontation with Felix, Malakai led me to the fourth floor. I was beginning to familiarize myself with the location of everything in the headquarters. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I had thought. Even though it was early in the morning, the halls were alive and people were swarming in and out.

"So where are we going?" I tried to stay as close to Malakai as I could.

"Maintenance." He continued to weave through all the people.

"Huh?"

"Up keeping," He said.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Maintenance, up keeping, cleansing, we're going to get you cleaned up is what I'm trying to say."

"Oh?" In my mind it didn't make much sense as to why we needed to get cleansed considering they give us our own showers.

"You'll have a better understanding when we get there," he said as he pushed the button for the fourth floor. We weren't alone this time. A few strangers rode along with us with matching white coats.

"Where's everyone else going?" I whispered.

"I don't know. Training, cafeteria, maybe even their assigned professions. It varies for everyone," Malakai clarified. I nodded stepping out leaving the three behind. I had so much to learn. Everything was overwhelming and happening so fast.

We walked through the cafeteria and I instantly felt the gaze of many foreign faces follow me until I was out of sight. We went up a flight of stairs then taking a right down a hall. I soon found myself in a gray room with a few others.

"Here's how it works," Malakai said. "Every month you need to come up here for maintenance. It's your job to keep track. Everyone that lives in the headquarters is required training. Depending on what job you are assigned also determines the types of training and hours. For example if you work in the lab you require three hours of physical training four times a week. The rest of the time you are taught skills for your job until you are capable of doing it yourself. The hospital section works less physical hours than the rest of us and the people with miscellaneous jobs work the most.

We also break up training in different rooms, different times, and different days so it's not so crowded. For each meal there are two different periods and it's according to your schedule. It's recommended you eat all your meals but not mandatory. You saw how when we walked up the stairs there was that section that overlooked that cafeteria, almost like a balcony, and then split to the right and to the left? If you had gone left that's where small meetings take place. The big meetings are in the dining hall below us. After this you'll also need to get registered. I.D tags must be worn at all times. It's also how you gain access to certain areas. Like a cook can't get access to the lab, but a doctor can't access the same places a Voyant could. We work from seven in the morning to about five in the evening. Any questions?" I stared at him with a blank look.

"How will I know what job I'll be assigned?"

"Well usually we have our outsiders take some sort of advanced aptitude test. Your job was already pre-determined though."

"Oh, so what is it?" It was a legitimate question, one that cause Malakai to laugh hysterically.

"I will personally give you your schedule. Don't worry, you'll adjust quite nicely. I'll be here to guide you these next few days. See you in a little bit." And before I was able to thank him Malakai sauntered off.

I had never in my life experienced anything as uncomfortable as Maintenance. It started off with a painfully deep cleansing followed by a thorough head to toe body examination. They explained that it was to make certain we were free of diseases and anything that might cause concern. After, I was sat in a chair where my hair was snipped at for a good half hour. The women was careful to make sure it was the perfect length so it fell just below my shoulder blades.