Evergreen

II

'No. 0369 would you please enter the viewing room.'

After the Elimination, the Regime decided that something had to be done for the protection of the people, and so they implemented the Trials. A series of examinations to be taken a week before a persons' eighteenth birthday.

The first, a physical examination. They look at you whilst you are simultaneously being asked questions, at which are not revealed beforehand. The second an Aptitude test. This I assume, is how the government decide what your future job is. If you do well enough you are put in government work, if not labour tends to be where you end up. Then the medical, to test your susceptibility to each of the four diseases.

I was whisked away by men in white, led to a glass room. The lights were bright, almost painful, my eyes had to readjust. Once my blurred view cleared I could see a woman on the other side of the glass, her overall appearance sharp and proper. She was glaring at me through her pointed glasses. Men in lab coats circled me from outside the glass, clipboards at hand. I felt uncomfortable; exposed. 'Name?' The woman demanded, a bored tone.

'Brianna Evans.' I replied, trying but remaining unsuccessful at stopping my voice from shaking.

She continued to look at me, scrutinising me as she asked me to remove my robe. I wasn't pretty, not ugly either. Average at most. Maybe a little taller than average but other than that? I wasn't skinny, nor was I overweight. Blonde hair, which was sometimes wavy, sometimes straight. Typically, I preferred just to tie it up, much more practical that way, but not today. Mother had insisted she do it for me. 'You have to look your best' she said, 'Today they decide your future husband.' Reluctantly I agreed, and so here I stood. Half of my blonde hair curled into tiny intricate patterns whilst the other half lay flat against my waist. Naked, in front of a room of strangers. The woman in front of me was now accompanied by a man, she muttered quietly to him, I could only pick up a few random numbers and words. '...Grey eyes...clear...17...blonde...'

I was more than relieved when she told me I could put my robe back on. 'How would you describe yourself Brianna?' The woman asked from the other side of the glass. I paused. Mother told me not to talk too fondly of myself, but not to talk down either. 'I am intelligent, I believe I am a very capable person.' I said quickly, hoping that should it not be the answer they were looking for maybe they would soon forget how I answered.

'Is there someone you admire?' She looked at me inquisitively. 'Not someone, but more so the Regime as a whole. The work being done is saving humanity and whilst it cannot be placed on one singular person I admire the system.' She smiled. I'd said something right.

'and your favourite colour?' This took me by surprise. Why of all questions would she want to know my favourite colour? I hesitated. 'Green.' She looked at me as if she was asking me to continue. 'Not like a light green but that of an evergreen tree, it's persistent, even through the severity of winters, the tree still survives.'

The doors opened and two men in white walked over as the woman turned away. They escorted me to a separate room.

Their silence was disconcerting yet comforting at the same time. I didn't feel pressured to speak and neither did they try to, as we walked the maze of white hallways to the second room.

The test began and I ran it with ease. Everything I had done throughout my school life had prepared me for this examination. For every part but one. Before time ended the sharp looking woman from before entered the room. A singular pill was placed before me and then she was gone.

I examined the pill. Translucent but obvious in colour. I do not know if it was clever or stupid of me, but I took that pill. Everything went black. Yes, perhaps stupid is the correct answer.

I awoke in a room much more familiar to me. Light blue walls, sun piercing in from the right-side window. My bedroom. The only thing unfamiliar to me were the three pages and envelope on the bedside table next to me.

I cautiously brought them onto my lap before first looking at the three sheets.

Compatible Suitors

A shiver ran down my spine as I realised my entire future was before me right now.

Frederick Read

Age: 18
Prospect Occupation: Laboratory Technician
Expected annual Salary: £45,000
Appearance: 5'10
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes

Oscar Dixon

Age: 17
Prospect Occupation: Labour
Expected annual Salary: £30,000
Appearance: 6'0
Blonde Hair
Blue Eyes

Isaac Clarke

Age: 18
Prospect Occupation: Teaching
Expected annual Salary: £37,000
Appearance: 6'2
Black Hair
Green Eyes

One of these three people, of whom I had never met before would be someone I spend my whole future with.

I turned to the envelope still lying unread on the bedding, flipping it from hand to hand. In this envelope are all my hopes and dreams of saving humanity.