Jacks And Jokers

14: The Sorting Ceremony

I woke up with a start. Everything from the previous night came rushing back to me. How was I in my bed? Had they brought me back while I was blacked out? There was heat from the sun that was outside my window peeking above the horizon in a blazing sunrise. I took a deep breath in smelling the scent of dirt and trash along with what scraps I'd be having breakfast. There was a cold sweat all over my body from my dream. I shook it off and looked around. My desk by the door had new clothes on it. They were probably for the ceremony today. 

As I got changed I noticed hundreds of new scratches. Bruises decorated blue and purple along my arms, shoulders, and legs. I finished changing and looked around my room seeing it potentially for the last time. I took in the red and orange glow, which gave me a new sense of energy. The only good part of living in the twos is the vast sunrise. The Kings got the benefit of the even more luxurious sunset.

I walk over to the table we have in the kitchen. Our house isn't that big, with only two rooms it's barely enough for a three person family. My mother's gaze was boring into my head as I looked at the food.

"Good morning," her phony sweet voice calls. "Are you ready for the Sorting Ceremony today?" She's doing it for points, and I hate her for it. In spite of my feelings for her there's a ding from her wristband. 

"Good morning," I retort a little sourly. There was no buzz for penalty, which is mildly surprising considering that it was rude towards her. 

I'm a little concerned for today though. Should I have acted better in previous years? That never really helped. I could rarely ever gain points no matter how much I tried even as a younger child when it was easier to gain points.

I quickly eat all the scraps off my plate and get ready to head to school for the ceremony. My mom comes over and hugs me saying, "Honey, just remember that I've always loved you." For once I couldn't tell if she was lying so I smiled and waved her off as I left. 

The clothes were extremely comfortable making me wonder what they're made out of. I got to the school and realized that it had a somewhat brighter mood than previous days. Everyone seemed a little more light hearted, and a little less fake. That wasn't surprising considering what today was, what was surprising was who greeted me.

"John! Last night was crazy, right?! I heard about the train crash, and asked to return to the twos so I could check on my friends. Renard had to tell me a couple of things before I came back, but other than that I was back here to make sure you were all right. Do you know what happened?" 

When conjured back to my mind I was rushed with image of a large beast, a bent card some would say, and an older child with glowing hands. "I really don't know what happened, but I'll tell you when I do." She knew I was just as clueless as everyone else. 

"I heard you saved someone!" She said as we got to our first class. "How many points did that get you?" 

I looked down at my black wristband only to see an even lower number than I remembered. "It looks like I went down... I wonder if the point system gods just don't like me." I knew it probably wasn't that. With what I had seen in the capital made me question so many things. I hadn't known bent cards existed asides from old tales told from generation to generation to spread fear, let alone have them be real, and have a large amount in captivity within our own capital. 

I didn't know what to think anymore, so I didn't. I just decided to enjoy the day till it was over.

"Good morning class!" The teacher said cheerily. "Is everyone prepared for the Sorting Ceremony?" We had been going over preparations, proper etiquette, and schedules since last year. Almost all of us probably had it memorized, but just in case we forgot, the teacher went over it. After she was done she asked, "Does everyone understand?" We all said our normal resounding yes and went on with the day. 

Most of the day was uneventful. After leaving our classes were allowed a bit of free time, then there was lunch, more free time, then the final preparation for the ceremony. Everyone was hustling and bustling to an empty field. Our 'graduations' were always in the fall, as a result we always had a free crop field to do the ceremony in. I sat down in my specified seat, or at least the one with my name on it. Izy was directly in front of me so I could talk to her if I wanted. After about fifteen minutes of waiting, everyone was there so we started. 

Izy and I waited dutifully rarely chatting. When we did chat it was small things like Are you excited?, or What do you think we'll get?.  She seemed very nervous, and I assured her she'd be fine. 

"Izy Bingen!" Called the lady at the podium. Izy stood up and started heading towards the front.

"Good luck!" I whispered.

When she got to the podium she shook the woman's hand and walked back towards her seat with and envelope in hand. She got back to her seat and held her future in her hand. She quickly opened it up to reveal what she had. A king of hearts. I wasn't surprised to say the least, just astonished at how fancy the card looked.

After calling about 30 of my other class members the said "John Alastair" I walked up slowly savoring the moment. With my entire life laid out I thought I'd probably stay in the twos. With any luck I might go to the threes. The lady at the podium smiled, picked up a card and handed it to me with one hand, and shook my other. She told me not to open it till I got to my seat and wished me luck. 

When I got back to my seat I hesitated. What if I stayed in the twos. Maybe I should've tried harder. Was there anything I could change? What could I do to escape the twos? 

"What did you get?" Izy questioned. 

"I haven't opened it yet," I replied.

"Well do it." she urged. 

I slowly opened the envelope trying not to rip it. I pulled out a card that was ripped, muddy, burnt, and one I had never expected. A Joker.