Subject 9012

Chapter One, Part One

Chapter One-An Introduction to The Test Zone

The metal plate turned as it descended, the machine producing the hideous sound of nails scratching against a chalk board as it sunk down into the earth. Kelsi kept her gaze locked straight forward, even if she could only see up to around five feet in front of her. She slowly turned around with the plate’s motions, hands clenched into fists. She couldn’t help but find the slow revolution speed unnerving; everything at the training center had always worked so quickly, smoothly—and in particular, quietly. The narrow hole from which the plate once occupied didn’t allow much room for light to shine down. After a few seconds, the plate came to a rest, a soft thud putting an end to the awful grinding noise. She couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief, even though her ears were still ringing. However, the silence didn’t last long; a crackling sound was briefly heard before a monotone male voice spoke through hidden speakers.

“Please proceed to the table to your right to retrieve your guidelines and a list of requirements. Further instructions will be given then.”

 Although no one was there to see her, Kelsi gave a slight nod of her head. Just like the announcer said, a ceiling light quickly flashed on, casting the small rounded wooden table and single sheet of paper in its soft yellow glow. She turned sharply and walked to the table rather stiffly, head held high. The second she touched the wood, she heard a whirring sound behind her. Whipping around, she watched silently as the metal plate began to rise once again, slowly cutting her off from the world. A loud BOOM resonated through the cavern as the plate returned to its original position, shutting off all light from above. The only light which to see with was the faint ceiling light, dimly lighting the small space around it. She focused once again on the pristine pearl paper, printed on with delicate and careful script handwriting, resting upright on a rather dusty glass stand. Grasping the paper with two pale fingers, she lifted it off the stand, squinting to make out the words in the low lighting.

“Please read these words as I read them aloud,” the announcer boomed. Instead of rolling her eyes, like she normally would, she simply stared down at the black lettering. It was easy to see that she was quickly losing much of her previous confidence.

“Dear Subject 9012,

                You have officially entered the Pre-Test Zone. The Test Zone is a comprehensive series of tests that will test your ability to fight and survive, as well as analyzing your intelligence, reflexes, and ingenuity. You will be required to think and move quickly and to keep track of your own resources. You will be responsible for taking care of any personal injuries-“

Kelsi visibly paled when she heard that line. *Injuries?* she questioned silently. *I thought this wasn’t supposed to be dangerous!*

                “-and other health and supply issues.” The calm recording continued. “You are not allowed to stop the test at any time. All of your actions will be recorded on camera, video, and audio once you enter the Test Zone. Everything you do before then will not be seen or recorded in any way.

“Before you go into the Test Zone, Please make your way to the door to your right. Here you will find all and any basic supplies you may need, except for weapons.”

Right on cue, another ceiling light turns on towards my right; if I was still standing on the plate, it would be behind me. This light had a brighter glow, and was more of a white color instead of the low yellow. Instead of a wood floor, the tile over there was pristine pearl marble, ridden with jagged yet perfect streaks of azure and aquamarine. A few lines of yellow flash across the sea like streaks of lightning, stirring up roaring waves and gusts of pale gray wind. Above the ocean stands a simple gray aluminum door, with a knob for a handle and a solid color and no designs or inscriptions; a stark contrast to the flooring. The lighting, however, cast the door in such a light that the paint appeared to be gradually fading from a shimmering white in the top right corner to a smoky gray in the bottom left.

“Your test will begin in exactly thirty minutes.” He continued, drawing her eyes back to the paper. “If you are not in the designated area when the test starts, then you will not be allowed to complete the test. You will be given periodic verbal warnings at twenty, fifteen, ten, five, three, two, and one minutes before the Test begins. You will also be given verbal warnings at forty-five, thirty, and twenty seconds. A countdown will begin at fifteen seconds, at which you will hear a number for every second. Further instructions will be given upon your entry to the Supply Room.”

The light above her quickly turned off with the speaker’s voice. All that was illuminated now was the rolling waves and the eye of the storm. A click pierced the still air as the polished knob rotated slightly, indicating that it was now unlocked. Pressured with a new time constraint, she quickly turned on her heels and hurried towards the door, trying not to think about all the things the announcer just said.