Hidden ( being rewritten)

Chapter Sixteen

[Autumn]

Even in high heels, I had to hold up the hem of my flowing dress as I walked over to the Leaders' building. The seamstress had no trouble making mine, and I left before Layla could arrive.

I decided to walk with Genni, who was already finished and on her way as well. She wore a floor length, lacy beige dress and a necklace with a small, diamond-moon charm.

"What's that symbol?" I asked, pointing to the intricate design on her neck. I had never seen any other Fray, Blender, or even a Special wear one.

"Oh, it's just an old charm that my parents gave me." She replied, not looking at me. "May thought that it would look good with this outfit."

"Okay." I half-smiled. "So is Jay co-"

"Genni!! Autumn!!" A powerful voice chirped from behind us. I turned around and saw Vera jogging towards us, her short, yellow dress ruffling as she moved. Once she caught up to us, I saw Natalia following closely behind her.

We soon came to the door, and Vera rushed to it to open it.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Genni asked as Natalia jogged a couple of steps to catch up to Vera.

"We're co-hosts, so we have to be here early." She explained. "But we arrived a bit late due to our dresses, and Vera's amazing ability to delay."

"I heard that." Vera popped back outside with a frown on her face.

"You were meant to," Natalia mumbled. Vera rolled her eyes playfully as we all walked inside.

The once crude, earthy room was nearly unrecognizable. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, soft music played from invisible speakers, and the Frays mingled and ate as if they didn't have a care in the world.

Despite the almost Special-worthy ambiance, I noticed that most of the guests appeared to be quite nervous underneath their facade of carefree joy.

"Hey..." I whispered to Natalia. "Why does everyone look so scared? Is something wrong?"

"You don't know, do you?" Natalia sighed, smoothing out her dress.

"Know what?" I asked.

"Today is the beginning of the Aggregate Trials," She pursed her lips, hatred evident in her eyes. "Every living member of the Hutchinson family is required to go to Counciltown to meet with the Supreme Leader and the Council, where they will begin a series of tests to determine who is to inherit the position of Supreme Leader. We can't expect any improvements though, as usual, every candidate is rotten."

"Trials? Already?" I raised an eyebrow. "But Syrena Hutchinson is so young...She'll probably rule for at least thirty more years. She won't need an heir anytime soon!"

"She wants to get it decided now, so there are no conflicts later," Natalia looked up at me. "And, haven't you heard? The projected winner of the Trials is Vyvienne Hutchinson, the Supreme Leader's aunt. I know it's hard to imagine, but some say she's even worse than her niece!"

A loud voice over a microphone turned everyone's attention towards the front.

"Hello, people of Fray Sector, and welcome!" Vera smiled, stepping up to the makeshift podium in the middle of the room. "Tonight, we celebrate another year of successfully hiding from the Specials. Tonight, we celebrate another year of freedom!"

I joined the rest of the guests in thunderous applause.

"But..." Her expression darkened. "We are far from safe. Tomorrow is the official beginning of the Aggregate Trials."

Murmurs surrounded the crowded room as Vera cleared her throat.

"But, even with the Trials approaching, Syrena will have no reason to come here. So, we will still be safe for another year!!" Vera cheered. "First, I would like to introduce some of our bravest citizens, our Fray Sector Warriors. They brave the dangers of the Outside to hunt fresh meat for us, nearly every day!! Come on up, you guys!!"

I saw Genni and several other people approach the front. They beamed, as everyone applauded them.

"And to all the other hard workers of Fray Sector!!" More applause filled the room, before Vera cleared her throat, switching everyone's attention to her once more.

"Now, it is time to celebrate!!" She walked off of the podium, as everyone started to talk and have fun.

It was like they didn't have a care in the world.

I find myself unable to adopt their cheerful attitude. The Aggregate is still searching for me...

"You okay, Autumn?" I heard Julie ask.

I turned to face her, and saw her ginger hair in a carefully done crown braid. She wore an light-brown dress that somehow matched well with her pale skin.

"Huh?" I shrugged, looking down at my dress. "Oh...nothing."

"Is it the Trials?" She asked. "Don't worry about them, the outcome is going to be horrible no matter what. Vyvienne Hutchinson is just a little more of a monster than the others. It's disgusting." Julie cringed and I nodded.

"Anyways, how did you-"

"Oh Autumn!!" Emma skipped over. She was wearing a navy blue dress, with her hair in curls that hung down her back.

Julie looked over with disgust, as Emma pushed her hair behind her.

"What are you doing here, being a little downer?" She narrowed her eyes at Julie, and I heard Julie scowl.

"Lets go outside, and get some fresh air!!" She squealed. "Its getting stuffy in here."

"If you don't like it here , you can just go away...." Julie snarled.

"I intend to."She grabbed my hand. "Let's go, Autumn."

She pulled me away, and I heard Julie stomp away.

What's wrong with those two?

Soon, we were outside. The cold wind whispered through my hair, blowing it into my face.

Emma still was holding onto my hand. We were speeding up, and I saw us pass the market.

"Where are we going?" I asked. Emma groaned, and turned to look at me.

"You know Autumn..." She started slyly. "Do you ever wonder about what's really Outside? Beyond the vicious animals, and the marked territories?"

"No," I shook my head. "Jay told me never to go Outside unless I have protection."

"And since when do you listen to that little troll? " Emma planted her hands on her hips. "It's not like she doesn't go Outside either."

"Jay never goes Outside!" I barked. "Why would she go Outside, if she doesn't want us to go Outside?"

"Because she's hiding something...." Emma whispered.

"Like what?" I asked. I haven't seen Jay around very much, but that doesn't mean, she's hiding something.

Emma smirked, and pulled out something from the side of her dress.

"You've been kept out of too much Autumn..." She hit me in the head, and then, all I could see was darkness.

____________________________________
Oooo, poor Autumn.

What new secrets will surface?

Find out in the next chapter.

~Saralee and Naty