984 (Complex Series, #2)

Chapter Thirty-Five

All I can do is stare at Miranda. I stutter, “W-what?”

 “I have no idea how he could have anything to file an Examination on you for. You haven’t been here very long, and I’m pretty sure you’ve only personally talked to him twice.”

 “It was only for a few minutes each time.”

Miranda sighs, “He’s Christopher. If he can’t find anything against you, he’ll make something up.”

I say, “What exactly is an Examination?”

“Sometimes I forgot your still a Rivie. Basically you and Christopher will meet in a room with the Council and I. Christopher will tell his side of the story first, then you will tell yours in defense. The Council and I will then leave the room and discuss. We finally will vote for who we believe. If we believe Christopher, we will give you the punishment we see fit. If we believe you, you will go back to normal life.  Here’s the thing, the Council is allowed to ask questions, so be prepared to answer anything.”

I’m going to have to meet in front of the whole Council and listen while Christopher  lies to every single person there.  Will they believe me or him?

I ask, “Am I allowed to reveal my true past to them?”

Miranda answers, “Yes, everyone is bound to secrecy at the meetings. They aren’t allowed to share anything from it with anyone.  If they are caught sharing something, they will be removed from the Council. You can tell the entire story, and you should.  You should always use honesty. Lies only grow longer and twist together until they completely trap you.”

I can’t help but feel like she is saying this to me for a reason. After all, I have lied to her over and over again.

I question, “If the Council does agree with Christopher, what might my punishment be?”

Miranda shrugs, “It all depends on what Christopher is accusing you off.  If he says you said or did something offensive to him, you might not be allowed to be a Fields as your Pros, or you may have to make sure to keep your distance from him. But, if he accuses you of something bigger, like being sent by Officials as a spy, well…a lot of things could happen.  You most likely would get one of the worst Pros, like Cleaners or maybe Fields.”

She pauses, and then adds, “Honestly, no one would trust you and talking to you or being around you would be considered almost a disgrace.”

I swallow hard. I can’t imagine be nothing but a Cleaners or a Fields.  I haven’t seen the Cleaners yet, but it sounds horribly boring and I couldn’t bear being a Fields, working under Christopher. I’m sure that would be just what he would want though, to boss me around all day.

I voice the question that I’ve wanted to ask the most, “Who do you think the Council will believe more, Christopher or me?”

Miranda stares at the far wall, “I honestly don’t know.  I have my friends in the Council, and Christopher has his.  I get to vote, but being the Leader of the Unknown doesn’t make my vote worth anymore than any other Council. I’ll vote to believe you, of course, but…my vote might be only one against many.  I’ll try to convince as many people as I can, but it will be difficult, considering how much time I have spent with you. They might think that, just because you and I are Rebs, that it’s getting in the way of my judgment and I’m showing favoritism. It all really depends on what he is accusing you of, and we won’t know until the day of the Examination.”

My head spins.  Everything just gets worse and worse. Miranda didn’t sound too hopeful of her being able to convince people of my innocence.

I whisper, afraid of the answer, “When is it?”