the newest prisoners

10

the general walked up to the front of the room, where a podium and a microphone were waiting. behind him walked in four men, and one woman. they all wore lab coats over business suits. the others sat in seats that were prepared for them behind the podium. a hush fell over everyone in the audience.

"welcome to the ceremony. today we will be welcoming groups 2, 5, and 7 into our ranks. everyone has been evaluated and has their place secured. when your group is brought up, you will be scanned, allowed to announce your new name, and will be assigned your group. there are three levels. Zero-2, Zero-6, and Zero-9. please join me onstage. "

three older teenagers walked up and stood behind him, two girls and one boy. the first girl had long dark black hair, nearly blue, ties up into a high ponytail and dark marks that look like interlocking rings winding around her arms and legs up to her neck.  she wore a white tank top like the rest of us, and green shorts. i could see on her neck that she had a bar code and underneath was tattooed "Zero-2."

the next up was a boy, he was tall, with sandy hair, and marks like snowflakes on his arms. he too wore a white tank top, and his shorts were a dark navy blue. under his bar code was "Zero-6."

finally a average height girl with white blonde hair like mine walked onstage, her hair was long and loose around her shoulders and down her back. her tattoos were fine and intricate, winding up and down her arms and legs in no particular pattern. along with her white tank, she wore blood red shorts. written on her neck was "Zero-9" she looked right over to me.

Ellie... you're alive... you're really alive.

i didn't even realize that i began to tear up. i quickly blinked it away. i knew that there must be at least one set of eyes focused on me that i didn't want to let see me weak.

"each of these represent each level you will be sorted into. those in green will remain in your current program of training. those in blue will be sent to support training, and those in red will be sent to advanced training. Zero-9. please step over here."

Ellie stopped looking over at me, and walked over to the general. the general placed his arm around her shoulders, and squared his gaze onto me.

"this is my personal prodigy. and i expect that each one of you will one day be able to reach the level of my wonderful little fairy, Ellie."

i gulped. i could see the threat, either i succeed and play his game, or else something bad will happen to me, and my sister. and Raymond.

"now. without further ado, let us begin the sorting. we're going to start with group 7." the general, Ellie and the others walked back. the general sat down in an empty chair, while the representatives stood off to the side, presumably to direct the kids to where they need to go.

the first one to the stage was a girl, she was very shy but walked up to the center, and let a scientist scan her neck.

"what is your ID?" he asked

"7-4beta"

"what is your name?"

"Sara"

"okay Sara, you are now assigned to green." the girl relaxed slightly, and then walked over to the girl in green shorts.

then came a boy, he walked on confidently and had his code scanned.

"wha-" the scientist began.

"my ID is 7-5alpha. my name is dagger."

the scientist sighed, "okay dagger. you are assigned blue."

"what? why blue? I'm not support!" he began to protest, immediately he was swarmed by guards, they dragged him out. and the next person was ushered on.