Merge

Chapter 2

I wake up back in the waiting area, fold -able chairs surround me. A cleaner is taking away all the chairs one by one, as I am escorted out. I turn back and stare at the cleaner, she has a very familiar weary face. She looks up and her lips curl into a smile, I gasp in shock.

The guard's grip gets tighter, I blink a few times. Just tired. I am just tired. I am marched down a hallway , another innocent  initiate is escorted past me. Their eyes filled with fear, I try to show them it will be okay, but it won't.

I am entered into a sea of sixteen year olds, noise attacks my ears.

"Tori!"
I turn around and Regan is walking towards me, his face looks older, more vexed.

" How did you go I was so worried, I can't remember anything from my test" , he folds me in his arm and I instantly feel safe. His large muscles, feels like a bulletproof wall.

" I'm fine, it's just um-" I turn my neck and my guard is still there by the door, watching me. Regan follows my gaze and pulls me tighter and we leave.

The Town Square is packed, farmers  selling their produce. As this is the Agribusiness Province, markets and farmland cover the land. Millions of sentences swim around my mind.

Could I be Aptness? Audacious? Amergence? Or will my home be my future?  There four Provinces, so I have a one in four chance.

"Victoria!", my twin sister sashays towards me," How was your test?", Her long, chestnut hair hits my face as she notices Regan, her dark eyes look him up and down, " Well, can you tell Mum and Dad, that I'm gonna stay here in the Square with my Friends, k".

" Isobel, you know, your gonna be the death of me one day!", I run my fingers through my fair, short hair, the complete opposite of my sister's, " Fine, but don't blame me when you have to clean up after the cows tomorrow".

She leans in hugs me tight," I know, Thanks love ya".

She giggles off into the crowd and I realise how this might be the last time we'll be with each other. By tomorrow, I could be packing for the Northern Province.

Regan pushes me forward through the crowd, " Come on, our trains here!".

I hear the chug of the engine, the lighting speed of its metallic body against the tracks. It begins to slow down, but never stopping. I use all my energy to run, Regan hurls himself in after me, we propelled forward by the rest of the travellers.

He catches me in a hug, Where going home. We climb into the carriage and I lean my head against the window. Feeling every bump, every movement the train makes. It doesn't take me long to fall asleep, but something tells me I should have stayed awake.