The Wards

Chapter Three

"Who am I?" The mystery voice stated, "I am the thirteenth ward's keeper. The keeper of hope."

With that, the TV went dark. No way, I thought, no one could kidnap the council. Jaya suddenly stood. "Welp, its official. The guys in charge of the TV have a terrible sense of humor."

"Ha," Aeryn started grabbing the remote, "we can clear up all our doubts by just Turning on the News."

The channel switched to our Wards news. No body was on the screen. Across the bottom, the words council has been kidnapped ran on repeat.

"No, no, no.." I shook my head, "this cannot be happening! This man claiming to be the keeper of hope.. how could he have taken our keeper? That's supposed to be impossible!"

"Yeahh," Aeryn drew out,"but what did that guy mean by 'only some of us will know'?"

"Oh!" Jay jumped,"maybe he expects some of us to go after our keeper! Can we, Jet? Can we?"

"What?" I questioned.

"It's a great idea! Go after our keeper, find him, and bring him home!"

"Jaya," I shook my head, "I know you're a little stressed but we can't ju.." ring...ring... "Aer, your phone is ringing."

Aeryn left the room to answer the phone. I decided I needed a rest, apparently at the same time as Jaya. Long story short, We both ended up banging heads on our way down to the couch.

"Ow," Jaya wined, "just for that, I should get the couch."

"No way! You hit my head too! I should get the couch!"

"Compromise!" She yelled,"we both get the floor!"

"Fine," I said, pretending to get on the floor only to be pushed to it.

"Ha!" Jaya jumped up, "I win!"

"Cheater," I mumbled right as Aeryn walked in while shaking her head.

"I don't know what's wrong with you guys... but I just got off the phone with Ms. Whitlyn. She said we are need at the town hall."

"What?" I asked. This week has been wayyyy to confusing. Ms. Whitlyn was our Wards history teacher, and the town hall was only for the keeper and his "cabinet". Why we'd meet her there way beyond me.

"I dunno, she just said to be there as soon as possible." Aer said, exasperated.

I jumped up, ready to go. "Fine, and Jaya, i get the couch next time."
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After passing one hour and two riots, we arrived at the town hall. Right when we entered the door we saw Ms. Whitlyn with a huge smile.

"Hello girls!" She said, cheery, "you may be wondering why I requested your presence. As my top three students, I thought it best to have you take the Aptitude test, especially now."

"Why now?" Aer asked.

"Well Ms. Pierre, all the other ward's are having their top students take it, so I thought I would have you three do the same."

"Why us ?" I questioned.

"Well, Ms. Ebony,  Ms. Maddox, Ms. Pierre, and yourself are very capable students. I have no doubt in my mind that you will all receive the highest scores out off all ten wards."

"I dunno.." I hesitated, not trusting her motives, but Aeryn and Jaya's niceness made up for it.

"Of course, Ms. Whitlyn. Can we start testing now?" I shook my head. Where's the girl that pushed me off the couch go?? Ms. Whitlyn led us to a table set up with three testing stations. As we sat down, Ms. Whitlyn explained the test.

"So, " she started, after a very complex explanation, "would you like a snack before starting?" We all nodded. Might as well eat if this test is going to take three hours, I thought. We all grabbed a PB&J, and dug in.

"This tastes funny," one of my friends said, but I was too dizzy to realize who. She drugged us, I realized, but it was too late. As I passed out, I heard Ms. Whitlyn say that she is sorry, but this was all for the greater good.