TAINTED ROSE

Chapter 13

The school was called up to the hall for an assembly. This was not good, Helen thought. Not good at all. The last time an unplanned mass assembly was called, they witnessed the execution of Alyss. This assembly would be no better. No lack of the same importance and seriousness from the previous one.

When 2/4, the last class to enter the hall, was settled down, the hall suddenly grew quiet. Big Brother himself was there. He walked up to the podium, his grey eyes scanning the crowd. The girls took a deep breath, not daring to break the pin drop silence. He wore a black tuxedo with a crimson red tie. No one dared to oppose him. No one dared to look away from his eyes.

Big Brother stood at the podium, his expression unreadable. Everyone knew why they were being sent into the hall. They anticipated what he would do.

“I had heard of a serious matter from the prefects concerning this new girl from 2/4 that calls herself… yes... Adolpha.” Big Brother’s voice boomed the entire hall. Adolpha gulped while Sherry obstructed his view of the lanky girl.

“I had also heard from the teachers that she is unpredictable and unstable.”

Adolpha diverted her glance to Sherry’s back. Natasha handed her a pen just in case.

“This girl, according the prefects..." Big Brother rattled on the long list of charges following the chaos. Theft, assault, the full works.

Natasha noticed Big Brother’s body language. His eyes were addressing the entire school instead of where 2/4 was located. When realisation sank in, she became rigid. The purpose of the assembly was not because of the conflict. It was something bigger and deadly than that. She poked Adolpha and darted her eyes. Adolpha got the message. She than poked Helen that sat beside her.

“As all of you know, The Day is approaching. After which, you would get back your examination results provided if you are still in existence.”

“The worst punishment is not to be executed in front of the school. It is actually to fight yourselves. Your teachers, your classmates, your friends and even yourself. What happens to a man when he is faced with adversity. Would he do it? He certainly cannot avoid it. What would you do when you are to shoot you friends to save yourself from death. If you don’t do it, you would die. If you do it, they would die. Would you rather save them or save yourself?”