The Trials (The First Book in the Life Button Series)

-13-

There is a knock at the door. Jake looks up at me, slipping the cloth back over his jaw. Kat comes walking through. "The President requests to meet with you sometime this week. When would you-"

"I. Don't. Want. To."

"I wasn't asking you if you wanted to. Even if we have to drug you and haul you in there, you will speak with her."

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." I say defiantly.

"We can kill off your little boyfriend here if you don't listen to us." She snarls.

"Do that and you'll never hear me speak again."

"Okay. Okay. The President wants to see you. Demands to see you. What do you want in order to speak with the President?"

"I want you to not ever kill Jake or me under any circumstance! I want a free card. He gets a free card. We cannot be killed." I growl.

"Fine. Whatever you wish. As long as you are willing to see and speak with the leader. She has been waiting to see you. She somehow knew you'd get out." Kat says with a smirk. "I thought you wouldn't."

"Well we did. And you didn't get your wish Kat. Wow, you are a lot uglier in person than I thought you'd be." Jake snickers.

"Get some rest Jake. I'm gonna go speak with the President."

Kat smiles, "Perfect. Although I must want you, she does wish to speak about some different things."

"What kind of things?"

"Things from the past and things that should happen in the future." Kat shrugs at me. "Come on, let us let him get rest."

I get up to leave but Jake holds me back. Kat leaves, saying "I'll give you a moment."

I turn back to look at Jake. He looks at me, "It's okay. I promise I'll be back Jake."

"B-B-But I don't want you to leave me."

"I'm not leaving you. I will come back." I assure him.

"Everyone leaves me."

I bend down, pressing my lips to his forehead. "I swear I will not leave you. I will always be here with you. I will come back. I will not abandon you no matter the cost." I whisper.

"Okay." Jake whimpers.

He seems so...vulnerable. Like a small child who is just lost in the world. I hate to see him like this. He is so broken inside from everything that has happened to him.

"I have to go now. Kat will be waiting for me."

"Okay. Hurry back?"

"Of course." I smile. "I will be back soon."

I get up, letting go of his hand. I wave goodbye as I walk out the door. I shut it, letting go of the breath I wasn't aware I was holding in.

"You two are overly dramatic." Kat sighs. "I hate it when couples are all lovey-dovey. It's like you guys are saying goodbye forever."

"For all I know, I could be. You could be sending me to my death sentence. The President could click my button and kill me in an instant."

She laughs, "You still haven't figured out why we put through Brunettes through the Trials have you? Brunettes don't-sorry ma'm. I didn't realize you wished to tell her."

"Why did you stop like that?"

"It's this, it lets me speak with the President whenever she wishes. And she just told me I can't tell you why we put you through the Trials. And that you will be able to see her in a few minutes." Kat turns a corner almost bumping into a Brunette.

The Brunette has her eyes cast down and looks up, "I am so sorry Miss! I was just-"

"Do you want to go through the Trials too?" Kat snarls at her.

The Brunette whimpers and almost cowers away. I push Kat, "That was a bratty move! Who died and made you in charge?"

"Are you challenging me? My authority?"

"I won't challenge you. I already know I am better than you. You wouldn't have survived the Trials!"

The Brunette steps up, "Y-Y-You survived the Trials?"

I turn to her. She looks like she is between 12-14. "Yes. How do you know about the Trials?"

"Everyone here knows about the Trials. That's why we aren't allowed to speak. Or do anything. But our jobs. And even if we do that wrong, we could easily get put in the Trials." She shivers. "It sounds like a nightmare."

"It was. But trust me, just keep doing your job and continue you how you are. You stay out of their way and they'll stay out of yours."

She nods at me and turns back down the hall. "What was that Acid?" Kat snarls.

"IT WAS ME STANDING UP FOR THAT GIRL! YOU CANNOT JUST TREAT PEOPLE LIKE THAT!"

"Yes. I. Can. I am second in charge! You-"

"Don't you dare insult me after what I've been through! Have you ever felt terror in your heart because you could die whenever? Have you ever had to survive out in the wild? Have you ever-"

"I get the point rugged girl. Now shut up and follow me. We are close to the President."

"The Killer more like it."

"Call her that and you will be dead!" Kat growls.

"That is why I called her that." I say with a grin.

Kat hides her mouth but I know she is trying not to smile. Even some Governments need to have fun sometimes. Especially someone as 'serious' as Kat.

We stop in front of a big metal door. Kat leans down and literally whispers something to a box. The door swings open. "Hello Kat. Welcome. And this must be Her." A woman's voice says from within. She is sitting in a chair taller than her so I can't quite see her. But her voice sounds familiar.

"Come in Acid. Come in."

I talk a hesitant step inside, towards the giant chair. I could faint when the chair turns around. "Hello."

"Mom?"
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(Oo0) ERMAHGURD?!? Did she just say Mom? But I thought she was dead.

Maybe she is....n't

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