The Town

Chapter 4: Test Time

Morning came earlier than I would have liked. I woke up to my mother banging on my door, telling me to get ready to go to Oakenbreak to speak with the leaders and take my aptitude test. I slowly raised myself from the bed and stood, then grabbed my standard black tee and dark blue jeans from my backpack before heading towards the bathroom for a quick shower.

Mom had a quick breakfast of eggs and toast waiting for me when I got to the main living area.

"Miss Annie is down in her shop baking, she asked me to tell you to visit her when you leave. And you should leave soon, it's apparently a twenty minute walk if you don't want to ride your bike."

"Alright. What are you doing today?"

My mom joined me at the table with her own helping of food before answering.

"I am going to my office to meet my new employees and make sure everything is ready so I can open tomorrow or the next day."

"Sounds fun."

"I hope so. These employees are assigned here as their job or Title or whatever, so I don't know their skills or how well we will work together. Kinda nerve wracking if I'm honest."

"It will go well. There isn't one person you don't get along with."

I stood to put my dishes in the sink as she chuckled a little.

"Yeah. That's true. Don't worry about the dishes, I'll clean them."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. Just go quick, so you can chat with Annie and get there on time."

"Alright. I'll see you later, Mom."

"See ya."

I quickly shuffled on my shoes and jacket, and ran down the stairs. Turning onto the street, I opened the bakery's door, hearing the little chime, and watched as Miss Annie flitted around the bakery stocking items and talking to customers while a young girl handled the cash register. She looked towards the door and welcomed me, which caused Annie to glance over as well. She smiled as she saw me and waved me over.

"Good morning, Ari. Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you."

"So I asked you to come here because I wanted to give you directions and I wanted you to try something"

She handed me a cheese danish, one of my favorite desserts, and sat me down at one of the tables.

"So lucky for you, I live on the main street that connects directly to Oakenbreak. So you just have to walk down the street until you enter the next section, you'll know because there should be Bruisers there. Once there, just keep going forward until you see a clocktower. At that point you should turn to the left and the building should be right there along the larger buildings. It has a sign that says 'Town Hall' right above the door, and it should be sandwiched between the bank and the main Bruiser station."

"Bruiser station?"

"Yes, the Bruisers. They keep the order here, you know, find criminals, watch the city, search, that kind of stuff."

"Oh, like the police."

"Basically, except they more follow the rules of a gang, not the police you are used to. More brutal and demoralizing, and different weapons than the police outside of the town."

"Oh... okay."

"So anyway, take that danish and eat it on the way. Walk fast, they like it when people are early. Maybe explore a little when you are done, visit a different section, make some friends, whatever teenagers do nowadays. Have a nice day and I will see you later."