The Ultimate Test

Two~

I walked through the dark and quiet house to my room that I shared with Paige and Nathan. I saw them both in their beds.
I went to my bed and quietly opened the chest that contained most of my personal items. I was careful not to make any noise as I grabbed two pairs of pants, two shirts, my sandals, and my worn boots.
I close the chest and set my bag on it. I thought of what I wanted to bring to remind me of home.
"Anna," I heard Nathan whisper.
I froze and turned to him.
"You were chosen, weren't you?"
I nodded. "Yea."
He got out of bed and sat next to me in mine. "That isn't a good thing."
"Why?"
He sighed. "Well.... when I went.... lots of things happened. But I remember none of them. I only get small glimpses of them when I'm asleep. And they're nightmares."
"But.... how?"
He shrugged and turned to me. "There was this one...." he took a deep breath. "I remember having a roommate named Marcus. I remember seeing him go through a door after some other boy did. I remember not seeing him after that. I remember this girl..... and I was running with her and away from something. But I don't remember what that something was. And that's all that I remember....."
"So I need to be careful?"
He nodded. "Anna, these tests aren't what they seem to be. I remember almost nothing that occurred during the testing, but I remember the University. Please, be very careful."
I nodded and he got up from my bed. "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning...." I said quietly and he went to one of his shelves. He placed a metal object in my hand and closed my other hand over it. "Keep it."
"What is it?" I asked.
"You'll have to wait and see. But when you're alone, ok?"
I nodded.
He went back under his covers. "Good luck. And be careful, ok Kiddo?"
"Ok," I smiled weakly. I slipped the object into my bag and folded it into my underwear.
"Get some sleep. You can get your next item in the morning," Nathan whispered.
"Alright," I said back, to tired to argue that I could choose to sleep. I yawned and crawled under the sheets of my bed.

The next morning, I woke early.
I still need my other item....
I climbed out of bed and went to the kitchen. I walked around, trying to find another item.
I then stop, and smile before going back into the room I shared.
A few years ago, Nathan and I both received interlocking charms. I strung mine on a plain stretch of string while he laced it within one of his journals he usually had.
I opened my chest and rummaged through, looking for the make-shift necklace. I finally found it within the folds of a pair of socks.
I then tossed in the socks, figuring it would be a good idea. I then slid on the necklace, smiling to myself.
"Anna," I heard Nathan call.
I looked up, spotting him in the doorway. "Mom said I could walk you. We have to get moving now if you don't want to be late. And trust me, you don't."
I nodded, following Nathan out of the room.
On the way, we passed the school I once went to and that Nathan currently teaches at.
He excelled in the fields of education he studied in the University, making him one of the youngest teachers in history.
I smiled at the thought, but then Nathan's warning repeated in my mind:
Be very careful Anna
I looked up at him, his jaw set. His pale blue eyes were colder and harder than I've ever remembered seeing them. His own copper hair, falling in wisps that neared the edge of his vision laced with hints of blonde.
Lately, my mom has pressured him to find a girlfriend and try finding his own home.
I always laughed at the thought. Nathan was always too much of a goofball to be serious.
But now, seeing his current expression, I wondered what he really thought. And what he remembered from his own testing to make him this way.
"Video cameras."
I snapped out of my thoughts. "What?"
"I can't tell you much. But I can stress that there were a lot of video cameras."
"How do you know?"
He looked around us. "The serum. At the end, everyone was given some serum to make them forget."
"And?"
"It didn't work on me."
I raised my eyebrow quizzically. "What?"
"Well, it did for a little, but then I got sick, threw up, and then it was gone. I figured I was allergic to it or something. But Anna, remember what I've said. There isn't enough time to say everything. And don't forget about what I gave you. And at home, I lied about not knowing..."
I nodded. "Ok."
I realized we were back at the building where I earned my testing candidacy. Outside was the testing official, Magistre Owens, and a skimmer, one more sleek and fancy than I've seen before.
The only other candidate so far was Gerald, who silently shifted his weight between feet.
"One last thing," Nathan whispered, grabbing my arm. "Most candidates will do anything to win. Be careful who you make friends with," he said in a hushed voice. He then cleared his throat. "Good luck Anna."
I nodded, plastering on a smile I hoped was convincing. "Thanks."
I gave him a quick hug before joining Gerald.
"Hi," I smiled to him.
He looked up and mumbled a quick, "hello."
He said nothing else, so I hummed as we waited for the other candidates.
"They have about five minutes," the official said, walking over to Maigistre Owens. He then said something in a hushed voice that I couldn't quite make out.
The two talked quietly while I watched the direction I came in, hoping Connor would arrive soon.
I soon heard footsteps and spotted Connor's tall figure reaching the top of the short hill he had to climb. I wasn't too surprised that he came alone, since he had a younger brother his mom had to take care of, that his dad was off at work, and his older brother was with his dad.
"Hi Anna," he smiled, joining Gerald and I. "Hey Gerald."
Gerald only waved to Connor.
"Your mom had to watch Thomas?" I asked.
Connor nodded. "Yea. And dad and Steven were already at work. Did anyone walk you?"
"Nathan," I said. I then wondered if I should tell Connor anything that I learned..... he is my best friend....
But Nathan's other warning echoed in my head.
Most candidates will do anything to win. Be careful who you're friends with.
But... I've known Connor for a while...
I decided that if I really needed to, I would tell him later. There was no need to take away his current joy.
But.... there is a possibility he already knows, because his older brother also was a candidate, and miraculously was placed back here....
Maybe he told Connor what happened.....