Remember Them

Rules Are Made To Be Broken

"Good morning students. I'm sure you're all wondering why I've asked you to attend assembly today"

The hall was silent. Nobody wanted to say the wrong thing, so nobody said anything at all. Mr.Joel smirked, as if this whole situation was one big joke.

"Cyra Collins, a student in your year group, was tapped a couple of times this morning-"

"A couple! You beat the crap out of her you sicko!"

A boy screamed. I cautiously turned around in my seat to see that it was Titus. His voice cracked mid sentence in utter disbelief. The other people in his row widened their eyes but didn't interfere, in fact, they seemed to move themselves further away from him.

"Its Titus right? Titus Feesly? You just earned your very first detention"

"Detention? Aren't you going to beat me too you sicko"

The teacher who was suppose to be watching that class suddenly snatched Titus's right arm and yanked him out of his seat. He collapsed on the floor, kicking and struggling to get away. The teacher pulled Titus, despite his echoing cries, down the white marble steps, and out of the assembly hall. The girls in my class cowardly covered their squinted eyes and ears. I wanted to follow suit but I couldn't tear my eyes away.

"Anyone else?"

Mr.Joel asked. His skeletal white hands reaching out into the audience. The people in the front row launched themselves backwards, trying to escape the clasps of our extremely deranged headteacher.

"Where was I? Ah yes. Cyra. Well students, Cyra was a burden in our school. It was best that we got rid of her"

"She's dead?"

Nym whispered to me, her jaw dropped. She looked rather uncertain of how she felt, though I don't blame her. I couldn't look at her for any longer as I pleaded that Cyra wasn't actually dead. Maybe by 'got rid of' Mr.Joel meant expelled or transferred to a different school?

"There are new rules around here children"

The hall was flooded with sighs and anxious stammers. He continued on, rambling about the most absurd rules. We didn't really know if he was serious or not, though we didn't dare to argue.

"Rule number five, no one shall identify as an individual. You will be a group of four and this will be how you are referred to"

We were then called out one by one and sectioned into different groups. I wondered if there was any significant meaning behind the groups, or if they had just pulled names out of hats. It seemed as if each group member shared the same personalities.

"Jax Racco, Raylee Stunt, Remi Woods and Nym Evans; you will all be in the Mercury group"

I looked sulkily over at Remi who was still emotionless. Nym patted my shoulder sympathetically, and mouthed the word 'sorry' to me before taking Remi by the arm and standing with the rest of their assigned group.

"Arden Yang, Ryker Evans, Blythe Willows and Dimitri Hans; you will be in the Venus group"

Once I heard my name along side others who I wasn't familiar with, I instantly had a minor panic attack. However, the raging fear of being beaten to death by Mr.Joel overcame my anxiety and relaxed me. Sort of.

I stepped cautiously over towards the group. Ryker was the only face I actually recognised. That was only because he was Nyms twin brother, but I had never really spoken to him. As soon as I got to the front, the girl who I presumed was Arden, wrapped her hands around mine. I looked around, feeling uncomfortable, but I could see how terrified she was and I couldn't just shrug her off. I kept my eyes on her, observing her fully. Arden had long, silky black hair and dark brown eyes. She was a small girl, barely half my size.

Mr.Joel finally finished reading the student names off of his psychotic list and everyone was placed in a group that was named after a different planet or star constellation.

"Get to know your group. These will be your groups throughout the rest of your school lives"

There was an awkward shuffle of feet and coughs. I don't think any groups interacted much at first, but there was always one who'd start up a conversation.