Checkmate.

IV

That day went by quicker than usual. Most of my thoughts were occupied with Lieutenent Mertoff, but a large portion of my brain was dedicated to reminding me of Cara. I couldn't stop repeating that strange sentence, probably just because of how she phrased the words. I had to be over thinking this. At least all that worry gave me something to think about.

I sat down at the end of a metal bench, and waited for the lecture to start. The last of the class quickly made their way to a spot before Professor Clarkson walked in shouting, "Silence, you should be seated!" He sorted through some papers. "Today's matches went well, the standings have been posted in the dining hall. The top five students from that list will compete for a chance to enter the competition that I will explain momentarily." He paused, and seemed to frown. "I don't think I can stress how important this is. I excpect the top five to fight for this and ensure a win every time."

He started talking like this for a while, its funny now, but he sounded slightly desperate. I didn't understand it, not until later.

The 55 minutes disappeared silently, and the second we were dismissed, a wave of students rushed out the double doors and headed toward the hall. I got up rather slowly, mostly because I was afraid of what I would see. I knew that I had to be on the list, but in some strange way I was afraid I wasn't. But I haven't lost in a really long time, almost 4 years.

I followed the crowd and eventually made my way to where the list was supposed to be, except there was about a hundred people standing in front of it. I've already heard one person scream, probably signaling that they made it. Then another. Soon enough, people began to clear up to the point where I could actually see the sheet. I pushed my way through trying to get closer, took a deep breath, and looked at the results. I ran down the list, missed my name, and read it again, slower. Okay, okay, it's going to be alright, I told myself, just go over it again.

1. Erik Benson

2. Nikov Budič

3. Amelie Paine

4. Theo Johnson

5. Jenah Crier

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOP FIVE!

... Something had to be wrong. I looked over the rest of the list, and didn't see myself, anywhere. I could feel my face burning up, one betraying tear slipped down my face. I glanced at that screwed up yellow page one last time. This is obviously not right. Maybe I could tell someone, they would fix it... But who could I ask, people have been punished for not agreeing with the system.

There was nothing I could do. My chance was over, destroyed. My life's worth of work, resulted in failure. Please stop, please stop thinking about it, it will only make things worse. I begged my body to stop reacting. It's not the end, there'll be another chance, I told myself. Just keep living life as you always have.