Scrapmetal (on hold)

Chapter 4 {Iridium}

The maniacal smile creeping on the the kids lips was not so terrifying as it was intriguing. I was definitely going to keep an eye on this one, with or without a black eye. All the initiates, well, most of the skittish crew were spread apart nerves on edge and white knuckles all around either shoved in pockets or held at a firm fighting stance. This happens every year, useless poker faces giving away everything the initiates are desperately wanting to hide, but not needing. We keep the ones who need and the surprises. Which are very rare, very. But judging by the looks of this group I'm in for a pleasant surprise. Just a few more moments of unbarable tension (and Iron will's snoring) and a nervous murmur would erupt from the cage. And I was right. The dull roar crashed and died down like a wave over and over just a few more times and someone will crack, it's usually the tight jawed guy who thinks he will come out on top or the impatient one usually chewing nails or bouncing on the balls of their feet. The fourth wave of gibberish nerves came to an end and I turned to look at brass who grinned to himself and started the countdown on his fingers with a low hum of a chukle announcing itself when he looked back at me.......3.........2.......1.

" WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" it was the impatient one, with pigtails, her face contorted in a fury as enflamed as her scorching orange hair. This was our favorite part and maybe not for I.W. it was his alarm.

" that, young lady is what you may not want to hear," he said with a sputtering cough, fluffing is broom head stache. "who here thought there was going to be a fight to the death?" and of course the usual baffled hush of the crowd no one moving a muscle.

"well?" brass spoke up and a few scrawny initiates flinched. " oh didn't know I could talk did you?" a few more terrified twitches. That's six out.

" knock it off brass, I.W. Is that my que?" he responded to me with a shaky hand gesture to continue. "sense no one has enough courage to do something as simple as raising your hand I suppose no one will continue on to the junk yard," almost all hands rose to the mild threat,"all of you who just raised your hand, you will be deported to the village following the ceremony to congratulate those who do not need an invitation to show courage,"

"you can't do that! I've worked to hard for this bull!" and there goes the tight jawed jock that finally snapped

"you will stay for the ceremony and be present when you are congratulated," an uproar of complaints erupted in the small cage. Just as planned. " you all on the other hand will still be heading for your new home in the village for your act of copying the acts of a higher up," silence took over the area. "brass, it's your turn," the grin on that mullet headed dimwit was spread ear to ear.

"okay I'm brass knuckles, NOT the snot nosed kid remarks you have all been trying to hide this whole time, let me get one thing straight with all of you I am not nice," a chuckle puffed out from my nose and brass continued. "I am a scrap piece and I will see to it who stays and who goes try anything and see what I try." brass got up from the stool he was plunging into the ground and strode across the arena circling the death trap of a cage like a vulture. Then he unlocked the cage. " alright all of you who were just proved cowardly leave, this is an order not an invitation. And don't think I won't notice you if you stay" half of the kids cleared out all heads hung low, except two, their heads were held high, brass stopped them in their tracks. " not you, stay, at this time nominations for scrap pieces will be taken from our founder," brass finished with disappointment edging his tone. I.W. took a creaky stand and spoke ruggedly.

"the nominations this, huff, year will be passed on to my associate, iridium," my eyes grew to an unbelievable size and brass' thundering clap echoed in my ears as I stood up and cleared my throat.

"I nominate the small girl in the corner for showing amazing spontaneous acts of attacks underground, the brother of her for coming prepared with a chain, the pigtailed girl for gaining a reputation, your brother would be proud, and finally, the boy with the black eye for surprising the doubtful, welcome aboard,"