Sector 7

Area 1, Sector 1, November 7th, 2498, 9:58

Two minutes until the guards would come and take us to the Page's estate. Thasia and I had put our dresses and accessories back in the boxes and tried to tie the bows the best we could. We were dressed in the olive green jumpsuits from day one that had appeared on our footlockers overnight. We were sitting on our made beds, waiting. No one spoke and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

I opened my mouth to speak right as there was a loud knock at the door. We both quickly got up and answered it. We greeted by two identical looking women who were wearing olive pencil skirts and blazers with black buttons and lining. Their dark black hair was swept up into a simple bun under a little olive cap that looked like the air force caps from my history books. They had piercing brown eyes and small mouths drawn into a permanent scowl. They took our boxes and marched down the stairs.

I turned to shut the door and as I followed a few paces behind, I saw Juith being escorted out by two women wearing a similar uniform as the one our guards were wearing, but in white with black details. They had blond hair in the same bun under the same cap in white, with bright, cheerful blue eyes and the same scowl.

We seven walked down the stairs and got into the last car of the train on the left side. The guards put the three silver boxes into a small hall closet, and sat in the front, while the three of us sat in the back. We sat there for only a few seconds when the door on the right opened. In walked Gadget, Ajax, Frenzy, and another stoic-looking man accompanied by male guards that looked identical to our female guards. The corresponding guards sat next to each other while the other boys sat near us in the back.

Frenzy and the other man sat next Juith who gave them both big hugs. Frenzy didn't show any emotion, as per usual, but the other grimaced and scooched away from her. She simply rolled her eyes and face forward. Thaliard gave the three of us a nod, before facing forward. Ajax hugged me and kissed me on the cheek and hugged Thasia before sitting down. After another few minutes, the train took off like a bullet and sped along for a good fifteen minutes, which we spent in complete silence.

I noticed that Frenzy kept stealing quick looks at me and eventually Ajax caught on because he wrapped his arm around me as if to claim ownership of me. This did not deter Frenzy in the slightest. I also caught on to some hostility between Gadget and the strange man from Sector 8. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but it was something very bad. You could feel the hate in the atmosphere around you.

The train made its way through the city in a blur and we eventually arrived at a gilded station. As soon as it stopped, the guards stood up and grabbed our things. We followed them out onto the platform where everyone else was assembling. We saw the Count, who I could assume was Count Llewellyn, and the Countess Briallen, standing huddled together with smiles plastered on their faces.

"Welcome!" Count Llewellyn shouted over the voices of everyone. "We're so happy to see all of you here today! Your guards will escort you to your rooms. Lunch will be served in 1:30 hours."

With that, we followed the Count and Countess into a tunnel that most likely leads to the Page Estate. We all walked in Sector order with our guards on the outside carrying identical silver boxes. It seems everyone was given outfits for the ball. The only other sound besides the shuffling of feet were the occasional whispers that were just a bit too loud. Mainly people were discussing what the Estate looked like and how excited they were for the ball. I sighed, wishing the knots in my stomach would unwind. I was anxious for lunch. I could NOT embarrass myself in front of my most important allies. If I did, my chance of dying in the Slate would skyrocket, along with Thasia's and Ajax's. I couldn't let that happen to my friends.

We exited the tunnel and my eyes had to readjust to the bright light. I looked up to see the biggest house I have ever seen. It was a muted white cylinder with oval windows sporadically dotting the place. There was a grand stairway that leads to the circular front door and an exquisite terrace with little shrubs lining the steel fence. There were three reverse waterfalls in a garden full of mushrooms and rock plants. It was absolutely incredible! I can't believe someone actually lives here!

Our guards went a few paces ahead of us, into the Estate. We followed them up the stairs to the third floor and down the hall to the third door on the left. As soon as they opened the door, my jaw hit the floor. I can't believe the room fit into the house it was so big! There were two king-sized beds with two matching dressers and two walk-in closets. The two desks were sitting side by side in front of the massive landscape window. I counted at least six lamps and three lounge chairs. This room was fit for a Lady!

"Make yourselves comfortable." One of the guards snipped, her voice thick with a French accent. "We'll get you ready for lunch with the Countess Gwyneira and Lady Mahala."

I choked at what she said. I was having lunch with the most prominent women in the Area. I can't believe Cyril wouldn't tell me that I would also be dining with THE Lady Mahala of Area 1. I glanced over at Thasia and she looked like she was going to faint. The guards nodded their heads at us before leaving swiftly and silently.

As soon as the door shut, Thasia turned to me and tried to force words out of her throat. I bit my lip and looked away. "Did you know about this?" She managed to choke out.

I wasn't sure if I should lie and say I didn't or show her the letter Cyril sent me which I had smuggled into the folds of my jumpsuit. Before I could stop, I took the letter out and she snatched it from my hands. She read it through in ten seconds flat and looked at me with disbelief.

"I should've told you sooner. I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Yeah, you should've told me I was having lunch with the Countess and the Lady! I feel so underdressed and underprepared! I wish I knew sooner so I would know what to say! What if I choke on my words or spill my water. AGH! I'm so nervous." She started pacing and biting her fingernails.

I tried to suppress a giggle as she continued to spout off everything she was afraid of. This was the exact opposite of how I thought she was going to react. It was rather amusing. "If it's any consolation, I feel the same way."

She looked at me before sighing. "Thank God I'm not the only one!" She then went back to worrying. "What are we going to wear? The dresses in the boxes are for the ball and I'm sure it's taboo to wear it for something like lunch. Do you think we could call the guards back and see if they'll bring us new dresses? I'm sure you could fit into something of Countess Briallen's and I'm sure they HAD to have had a daughter my size."

I shook my head. "I don't think they're our servants. I think we'll just have to wing it."

"Wing it! Oh dear God." She sat on her bed and fanned her face. "We're going to die."

I laughed and flopped down onto my bed. I almost sank right into it and I screamed out of surprise. Thasia started chuckling as I scrambled out of the bed. I pointed to it and said, "That bed is man-eater!"

"Yeah, it is!" She shrieked with laughter. We continued laughing until we couldn't laugh because we were so sore.

As our laughter died down, I looked at her and murmured, "We're going to be fine, I promise. Everything is going to be ok."

She nodded softly. "I know. We're going to be just fine."

"Yes, we are." I hugged her.