The chosen [Niall Horan]

Chapter 27 (Sybil)

"Hello everyone! I hope that you've all settled into your new homes well and that you're all getting along with your house mates. I'd like to congratulate you all for having come so far.

So as you may have guessed, today is a big day. Today is the day that twenty more of you will be cut. Revealing our last 60 chosen. Today also marks the two month since you started your training, I know it seems that cuts are being made awfully quickly but after today we will not be having any more tests for quite some time." The keeper takes a breath before finishing.

" so far you have had two tests, one physical and one intellectual, this one will be both. Each one of you will be put in a maze individually, the order has already been decided. While the one chosen goes through the maze, the rest of you will be put in a secluded area and will watch via cameras in the maze. Everyone's maze is different, they are specifically made for every one of you, testing your weaknesses. You have 10 minutes to talk amongst yourselves before you go off to get ready. Say your goodbyes because if you rank in the bottom 20, this is the last one you will get." He finishes

He walks away without another word, leaving behind the now familiar buzz of anticipation that the tests bring. We all look around semi-frantically, looking for those that we'd like to give our possibly last goodbyes to. I glance over at Niall and motion that I'm going to go talk to Jennifer and Fredric, he gives me a slight nod and takes off towards Jacob.

I take long strides over to where they stand, the moment Fredric sees me his eyes light up. The three of us haven't known each other very long, but I suppose they're the closest thing I have to parents now. The moment that I'm within reach, Jennifer pulls me in for a warm hug, holding me a slight bit harder than usual. I takes every ounce of my being to not smile, however somehow I seem to manage it.

She pulls away from me and holds onto one of my hands while Fredric stands close beside me.

"How are you feeling? Do you have the jitters?" Fredric asks me, earning a giggle on Jennifer's part.

"No, I'd really just like to get it over with. How about you guys? Excited?" I ask, pushing some stray hairs behinds my ear.

Fredric answers first, impatient to get everything out within the given time. "I suppose so, I'm not quite sure what I'm hoping for though. I mean of course I want to get through, we're proving ourselves, but I also miss my family. The kids and Emily will be there whenever I get home though, and for the time being I have you guys." He says.

Jennifer wastes no time in giving me her answer also. "I'm not ready to go home. I have so much more I want to do here. At home all I was was an artist, a famous one yes but that's all people saw me as. Here I'm just Jennifer and I like it. I'm not going to lie, it's been nice seeing you slowly let a few stones tumble from your wall too Sybil." The last part makes my heart race because I haven't even noticed it happening. I haven't been aware of the fact that every now and then the corner of my mouth will turn up a bit more than the last and that my words contain more emotion. It's always been my biggest fear, but somehow this feels right.

My train of thought is interrupted as Jacob comes barging into the small circle. "He's acting absolutely mental, go calm him down before I whack him in the head" he says, teeth grinding in annoyance as he points over to Niall. He's pacing the room, grasping the back of his neck every few seconds.
I find myself moving over towards him, legs moving mechanically.

The air gets caught in my throat as I see his face, brows creased,in a deep frown as he continues to pace back and fourth. I reach out to him and grip his bicep in my hand, pulling him over to to the other side of the room and around a corner, leaving us in a small but empty space.