HeRo (Sⓗort Stⓞrⓘⓔs)

Good and Evil pt. 2

Good and Evil pt. 2

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"Zachary Welches, Aliyah Soto, please report to Mayor December's office."

It was a regular afternoon in Territory B. I was attending Maths class, when I was suddenly called to the mayors office. It wasn't the first time I had gotten in trouble, but it was sure to be the last.

Everyone turned around in their seats and started whispering, as I stood up, as did Aliyah. She was the star student. All A's, and perfect record. The fact that she was being called to the office was almost like her being suspended. It was unheard of, and was sure to make its way around Territory B like wildfire. I glanced at the teacher, who nodded and I proceeded to the door, letting Aliyah go ahead of me.

As she elbowed past me, Aliyah muttered a venomous, "You better not have gotten me in trouble, Zachary."

I only gave her a small smile, and we walked alongside each other in the grey halls of Territory B. The learning facilities of T.B were pretty barren. There weren't enough books for all of us. Most of us shared. The walls were dull colors of monotonous black, white and grey. Smiles seemed to be a foreign concept here. I was sure Aliyah couldn't even muster what one one would call 'joy'.

It didn't take more than a couple minutes to make it Mayor December's office.

She was dead center in the building, and I took a look at her door, dust covering the painted letters MAYOR, before knocking profusely.

Not a minute later, we were ushered in by Mayor D herself. Mayor December was the wife to Coach December. She had beautiful dark skin, and long brown hair that reached a little past her shoulder. Her eyes were a twinkling sienna color, and her smile was kindly. It was almost too bad that she had been assigned in the murks of Territory B, where it was always grey and gloomy, where the sun never shined, and where smiles were forced and barren. A woman as bright as herself deserved better.

"Good afternoon Mr. Welches, Ms. Soto. Please, take a seat," the woman said in her soft voice.

We both did as asked, Aliyah shooting me sidelong glances as if confused. I'm guessing she's never met Mayor December. She's probably not used to her attitude.

"Afternoon, Mayor December. Nice to see you again," I replied, smiling broadly. "I see you've gotten a haircut. Quite nice if I say so myself."

Mayor D chuckled, thanking me.

"Now, onto why you are here. Do you remember that assessment you took a week ago?"

"Yes," both Aliyah and I said.

"Well," Mayor December began, placing her chin on her hands, "that was a Territory conducted test. Everyone in our sector passed...except for you two."

I blinked rapidly. My mind reeled. I failed? Aliyah failed?

"I failed?!" Aliyah screeched. Her face turned a sickly shade of olive.

"Calm down, Ms. Soto. It's not as bad as you think. You failed for several reasons. Mr. Welches, you helped out a fellow teammate. This, according to Territory B, law seven, is unacceptable. Although I openly disagree with this rule. Ms. Soto, you accepted help from said fellow teammate. Not only that, you worked together in the end to pass the test. The whole point of being Territory B is to be independant, ruthless, and fearless."

I sat grimly in my chair as Mayor December spoke. She was right. It was eat or be eaten in T. B.

Mayor D sighed, and rubbed her face. "You showed fear when your rope was breaking, Ms. Soto. You showed no sign of willingness or determination to help yourself, despite many lessons - even extra curriculum - to function in panic situations."