Dissension

Chapter Three

I worried the entire way to the classroom. It was difficult to believe that a little part of me was also excited, but considering the apprehensive chatter that submerged me the second I let the crowd direct me toward my class, it was too hard not to get swept into the excitement of it all. Only this morning I had been eating pancakes with mum and Zeke, and now I was on my way to my first training session, with a terrible idea of what it was going to be like. My thoughts were completely warped by worry, but I couldn't help imagining we were about to be thrust into terrifying scenes filled with violence and terror. It was supposed to test us, wasn't it? What better way to test somebody than to throw them into a chamber with a virtual representation of their worst nightmare (which they believe to be real) and see how they deal with it. Maybe that was a little drastic, it was only our first hour here, but I didn't want to underestimate the teachers.

Jynx didn't have class with me this morning, but Jamie did and I was blessed with her stony silence all the way down to the classroom. Rather than take the path we had just a few moments before during our tour – up to the second floor, across the glass tunnel toward the second building and then down the staircase - the crowd exited the food hall via a sliding glass door and crossed the space between buildings on ground level. I hadn't been out here yet. Flynn had pointed out the grounds from inside, claiming there were a few benches dotted around for you to enjoy some fresh air if you felt like it. You were not to go near the perimeter fence of course, but you were allowed to enjoy the rest of the space as you wanted. Beyond the buildings, the neatly trimmed green grasses sloped down and opened up a couple of acres worth, providing plenty of breathing space or room for a few outdoor games, just like the parks dotted about the city. The fence was always in sight however; an ever-present reminder that we were technically imprisoned. It was already hot out this morning and as the sun blazed down I ducked my head to shade my eyes from the glare, feeling the heat of it beating down on the back of my neck before I could make it into the shade.

Here, the crowd split. The door opened onto a very narrow corridor, and many of the students took a right and carried on further into the building. The rest of us took the near-by door, and as it opened in front of me I caught a glimpse of the studio and quickly slipped into the room. It was exactly as it had been half an hour ago when I'd first seen it, except now the room had spilled over with sixteen-year olds. They milled about in the centre, all unsure as to what we were supposed to be doing now we were here. Jamie reappeared beside me, sullen and pouting but I ignored her, trying to check out the faces of the other students. Three of them I recognised from home – two twin brothers by the name of Archer and Arrow Hadlow, and a sweet-natured girl called Lily Nixon. I felt my heart sink – I'd only ever spoken to Lily twice and I didn't really know the Hadow twins by anything more than name.

"Erin!" I turned at the sound of a familiar male voice and relief washed over me as I saw my brother, Zeke, entering the room. I couldn't help but grin widely and take a step toward him, just stopping myself short from pulling him into a hug. I'd only seen him a few hours ago, there was no need to embarrass him by showing everyone how freaking desperate I was right now. I didn't need to hold his hand to survive the day...or so I kept telling myself.

"Zeke!" I exclaimed. His familiar impish grin made me relax and he enveloped me in his arms regardless of the curious looks of other students, before pulling back and observing me at arm's length.

"See, I told you it'd be fine." He said cheerfully before letting me go. I smiled, just managing to refrain from rolling my eyes at his typical optimism. Two boys appeared at Zeke's sides, flanking him like sidekicks – or guards - as we both took a step back from each other. The one on his left elbowed him in the ribs and Zeke started in surprise. "Oh right, Erin this is Tommy and Zach, my roommates." He indicated first to the blonde on his left who had given him the dig, and then the dark-haired boy on his right. Tommy smiled, Zach didn't and I gave a nod and a shy smile back. "Boys, this is my sister Erin." Zach mumbled a grumpy hello that instantly reminded me of Jaime's attitude– which she had taken elsewhere to someone she had seemed to recognise.