The Determining

Chapter 4

Once I am brought inside my legs are sore from all the standing. The inside of Capital Hall is just like the rumors, except more intense. The smell of tears seems fresh mixed with that clean machinery smell with chemicals.

Up ahead of me everyone is taken to a numbered room with their assigned Scholar. My turn is next before I even blink and I find myself being led by a tall emotionless woman. She has red hair with black streaks all over in the oddest fashion. It was strange to see a Scholar with such hair.

The room is just like the hallways, white walls and the same marble floor. The only difference is that there is only one light, right above an uncomfortable metal bed with the flattest thing I would barely call a pillow.

"Hello Blaire," She talks to me like a first grader. "I am Trina, you will be under our watch the whole time you are here. Of course, we do have a few rules; first, no matter what, never leave this room. We will have it locked, but under no circumstances may you exit."

I have such an urge to ask why, but I flash back to my dad's eye's intensity and hold back.

"Next, do whatever I or any other Scholar commands of you. That is pretty much it! I hope you will cooperate."

Trina opens the drawer of a high desk so just noticed. She takes out a needle and some neurotransmitters to connect to me.

She notices my sudden change of breathing and gives me an apologetic look of understanding or pity, I couldn't tell.

"Oh, honey. It won't hurt. It's not even the official test day. the blood test I need to make sure your all healthy," she starts to look at me like a star pupil of her class, "The transmitters are to measure your brain activity."

I just nod and let her take my blood and connect me to the transmitters. If I do am everyone willingly I can't get any deductions in my Determining, right?

Trina exits the room and with what felt like forever she came back in with a tray of food.

"Eat up. You have much to do"

I get up from my upsidown position on the bed and don't understand. "So much to do? Tonight?"

I then realize I just questioned her. Not once but twice? How could I be so stupid!

Trina ignores my total existence including my questions. Setting my prison food down she leaves. With nothing else to know I feel totally and completely at loss.

While all of this I couldn't help but think of Tommy. Was he going well?

I faintly remember Trina took out two of my wires to attach to my temples. Talking softly she said "Relax, this won't hurt."

Ya right. I hate Scholars, but Trina seemed different.

Obediently I relax and close my eyes. Soon I fall in a deep sleep. With my eyes still closed I then go into a nice soothing sleep.

With my eyes still closed, I hear a strange sound. I open my eyes and see I'm not in Capitol Hall anymore. I look around and see the rusty train tracks I'm on.

Wait, train tracks? Where is the train?

At the thought of the hopefully impossible I hear the loud chop of the incoming train. It didn't look like it was gonna slow down for me at all.

I put two and two together. I'm in train tracks, but I'm in my Determining test. Do I'm in to places at once? No! This can't be real! I was fighting my mind with the truth and it was giving me false information in return.

Nevertheless, the train was gaining speed. I looked around for a ladder. Not finding one I resorted to running away from the train. I ran for what felt like miles My hair was sticking on my face from the sweat.

Sweat? This can't be possible. How can this be.

Then I see it, a train station, to far to jump like a normal being. Next I here a scream. It's a little girl 30 feet away She's somehow closer to the train then me.

I don't have time to think about this as an illusion. I just to her and she reminds me of Tessa with her lite eyes. I grab hold of her and scream, "Tuck and roll!" At that I throw her hard. She goes flying and lands safely on the train station platform.

I would rather die from falling then train so I jumped as far as I could then from the speed of this treacherous train so I jump. Those few seconds in the air made me feel like a plane. I smacked and tumbled into the ground. I could feel almost every bone in my body break. I made it, though! I really made the jump.

Then I wake up into a rushed sitting position. the transmitter in me are lighting up every which way as some of them disconnect from me from my sudden movement.

I don't know what the time is, but I feel very rejuvenated whether from my adrenaline or my great nights sleep. I can see Trina's outline through the door.

Finally she comes through the door and asks me in low voice, "Did you know it wasn't real?"

"What?"

"Why do you have different results?" She asks differently.

My mind is still processing and she thinks I don't know anything she is talking about and shakes her head, "Nevermind"

"Through a series of tests you have been determined a Protector. Congratulations."

The time she walks me out is around 12:24 pm. Great thing was, it was over really fast depending on what you did, some kids stay longer for hours of a difference. I wait awhile for Tommy, but he never comes out. He probably is so smart they are keeping him for a longer time. So I head home.