Sector 7

19:00

Emperor Theophilus:

Empress Liselotte:

Lord Lemuel from Area 1:

Lady Mahala from Area 1:

Lord Alban from Area 2:

Lady Wilhelmina from Area 2:

I had never worked so hard in my entire life. My lungs were aching and my limbs were twitching from the rigorous exercise I just put them through. I wasn't the last but I was close. I beat Phrynia and Iras. I'm pretty sure Thaliard won and Thasia was about as close as I was. I wasn't sure about Ajax though.

I looked up to see four people on the podium. The four people who came in last place. Only Iras didn't look sorrowful. The others hung their heads in shame. The man from earlier walked around them, tsking as he did so.

"These so-called people," He spat. "Couldn't even complete the easiest task you will be given. It goes to show how disgraceful this generation is. I can't even look at them."

He yanked who I remembered was called Flower by the arm forward. "Of course, the little girl with the lowest score comes in DEAD LAST." He spat on her face. Tears welled in her eyes, but they dared not spill. "I am ashamed to have you wear my Sector 1 colors. You must be taken care of at once." And with that, he whipped out a pistol and shot her, right between the eyes.

Someone screamed. Others gasped. It was unreal, unimaginable. My jaw hit the floor. I had never seen someone get shot there, or shot in general. I didn't know what to do or to say. Blood bubbled from the bullet hole like molten lava. It was like a trainwreck; I just couldn't look away.

He pulled Iras up next. "A Sector 2 girl. You're supposed to be in the best sector of Area 2. Disgraceful." He held his pistol at the ready, but before he could pull the trigger, she interrupted him.

"Before I die, can I have a smoke?" She asked, right as the bullet flew through her brain.

I squeezed my eyes shut as the next victim was pulled to the front. "Another Sector 1 loser? Spirit, you pathetic coward. I am so ashamed of my Sector." He was about to shoot, when he dropped the gun, chuckling. "Anybody else want to do this? Anyone at all?"

No one moved. This had to be a test of our loyalty. Yet no one could move. Finally, someone took the pistol from his hand. It was the boy, Frenzy. He took the gun and shot Spirit twice in the head. He handed the gun back and stepped down.

"Thank you Frenzy." He beamed at him. "Finally, you." He whipped around to face the last man standing. "Say goodbye Capital." And shot him. He then addressed the shocked crowd. "Now leave."

It was as if he shot into the crowd. Everyone was sprinting as fast as they could. I couldn't find Thasia anywhere but I saw Ajax falling behind. Fearing that he might get shot at, I made my way over to him and grabbed his hand.

He opened his mouth to say something, but I wasn't listening. I didn't realize where I was until I slammed the door of the apartment shut. I was panting, but not as bad as Ajax. I looked at him before I mumbled, "Shit."

"Yeah, no kidding." I whipped my head around to see Thasia sitting on her bed, arms folded over her chest. She slid off the mattress and walked over to me. "He's not supposed to be here. He's supposed to be back at the male apartment complex."

"I didn't mean it, honestly," I swore.

"Sorry," Ajax mumbled.

Thasia sighed. "It's not your fault. It's no one's fault. We're all just a little shaken up by what just happened."

We all grimaced as we thought about the sound of the bullet hitting its target. I then spoke up. "He should probably go back."

Thasia shook her head. "Too late. They've probably locked all the doors by now." Just for extra measure, she tried the doorknob. It wouldn't budge.

Ajax gulped. "Again, I'm really sorry."

"Don't be." I smiled and put a hand on his arm. "It'll be okay."

He smiled and sat on the edge of my bed cautiously. "So, now what."

Thasia shrugged. "Wait for food."