Examination

Chapter Three - A Bright Welcome

   "Welcome to your Examination. You will have a test every Friday on a large variety of subjects, and if you pass all the tests, you get to be placed in a district, where you will attend college there for four years," a young woman said proudly at the front of the group. There were only around sixty kids in the group, because their district was one of the smallest. Aria looked around for people that she knew and only spotted those in her class, which was about 15 people. But, of course, it's not like she knew all of them. She turned back around to face her friends. To her, they were all she needed.

   "This is the entrance to the Examination building. This gate is where your life will begin. It's surrounded by a large fence, so don't even think about going into the city" the headmaster stated sternly. Some of the kids snickered at her order, but they stopped immediately after Headmaster Ferry shot them a furious look. 

   "She reminds me of Ms. Irwing," Aria thought. "Man, I miss Ms. Irwing. I'd much rather be in her boring history class than taking my Examination."

   All of sudden, one of the guards in their dark uniforms and black hoods screamed, "We got a runner!" The entire group went into panic mode. The woman up front got on her hands and knees while the guards chased after the runner. Out of nowhere, another kid started running and another. Soon, people were trying to claw their way out of the fence, but only the first runner succeeded. People were screaming and running and crying, but it all went silent after a shot was heard just outside the fence. Those who were running stopped, and the woman got back up onto her feet. A guard walked back into the premises waving around a small pistol. 

   "This is what happens when you try to escape," he shouted with a smirk plastered across his face. Aria shivered at the thought of someone being shot just mere feet away from her. "Don't even think about it, kids."

   "We're not kids!" Lillie yelped at the guard. This got several nods and whoops from the rest of the group.

   "What's your name?" the man asked.

   "Why should that matter?"

   "Answer," he said as he put his hand on his gun. It was obvious he wouldn't actually shoot her then and there, but he was probably considering it.

   "Lillie. Lillie Pickens," Lillie replied with a hint of worry in her voice.

   "Well, Miss Pickens, as a matter of fact, under the National Law Code of New Australia, set in order by President George Jiason himself, you are a kid. Until you pass your Examination, you are a kid. And if you fail, you fail as a kid. You hear?" Lillie could hardly get the words out of her mouth to say something witty back. Before she could, Dylan put his hand protectively on her shoulder. "I said: DO YOU HEAR?"

   "Ya, I hear," Lillie said softly.

   "Excuse me?" the man replied, walking closer to Lillie. 

   "Yes, I hear... sir," Lillie replied louder. The man was hesitant to accept this answer, but he did. Before he could say anything else, the woman at the front started speaking again.

   "Well, now that that's over, let's get a move on, shall we? My name is Samantha Ferry, but you lot can call me Headmaster Ferry." Whispers filled the crowd as they slowly realized that they were looking at the person who'd be in charge of seeing if they passed or failed. "Please, follow me to your dorms."

   The tour was brief and quiet after what had just happened. Headmaster Ferry led towards the central fountain, which glistened in the setting sun. 

   "This is the center of the campus," she explained, gesturing to the various buildings surrounding the fountain. Closest to the front gate was a classroom lined with giant windows and an office for the professors. On either side of the fountain were two dormitories, one for the girls and one for the boys.