I didn’t object, unsure what to say. Was one government system better than another? Back home things were a mess, but I hadn’t seen how it was any better here. Truth was I hadn’t seen any part of their government. I was here to train, perhaps as a soldier, but had no understanding of their real mission. I was blindly trusting a town unwilling to grant me the freedom to leave.
“Jacqueline, Adam.” A voice came over the intercom. I looked around, wondering where it had come from. “Please head to the sleeping quarters for your room assignments.”
I finished what I could and grabbed my apple. I had managed to eat far more than I thought possible, and yet hadn’t satisfied my hunger. Joshua and I stood and stalled, unsure where to find the sleeping quarters.
“Out the door and to the right.” Margo pointed giving us a faint smile. I saw something in her eyes and the way she held herself that showed me she didn’t fear being here and neither should I.
Stepping out of the cafeteria, we slowly walked together down the hallway, only to see a sign that read ‘Dormitory’.
“I guess this is it,” I remarked, heading inside finding rows of bunk beds. I walked along the wall reading the names beside each bed, and I noticed Joshua had the top bunk and I had the bottom. “At least we’re roommates,” I said, turning around to see Chancellor Collins coming into the dormitory.
“I believe you’ve gotten acquainted with a few of our recruits?” he remarked, cane in hand. He leaned on it for support. I was certain he hadn’t needed one the previous night. Had something happened after he locked us in the cabin? “Adam, how’s the foot?”
“Healed.” Joshua nodded. “Good as new.” His eyes shone as he must have been curious about the Chancellor’s injury, as well.
The smile never left the Chancellor’s lips as he stepped further into the room with us. “Glad to hear it. Some of us don’t heal at the same rate as those who are younger.” He tapped his leg with his cane. “You both have recruit wear to put on.” He gestured toward our outfits laying on the bunks. “It should fit. If it doesn’t, let Maya know.”
“Thanks,” I breathed, spotting the gray and blue outfit. I had no idea who Maya was, but figured I’d find out soon enough. I was grateful to have something clean to change into, even if it wasn’t the most stylish. In Genesis, I made due wearing the same outfit every day. It was nice to have lived in Haven, even for a short while, to see what it was like to choose what to wear. I didn’t ever want to take that for granted – choices.
“You will be given pajamas to wear at night, and we expect you both to wear these during your weeks as a recruit,” he informed us.
“Can I ask something?” I was tired of not getting any answers.
“Be quick, dear. I don’t have much time.” He studied his watch.
“Why is this town such a secret?” I voiced staring at him, refusing to back down.
“Interesting question. For someone so young, you’re too smart for your own good. If you pass the tests and that’s a big if,” he reiterated, “you’ll have your answers. Until then, you should know that allowing you to join the recruits is an honor.”
It didn’t feel like much of an honor, though, I kept my mouth shut. I could see it wouldn’t do any good to start a fight. I didn’t ask anything else. This was our only option – fight to stay alive or escape and go on the run. I was tired of running. I’d seen the Gravelands, experienced the brutality of the world we lived in. It had to be better here. Chancellor Collins turned on his heel and limped out of the room. I grabbed the clean clothes from the bed, giving them a once-over. “I guess we should get changed.” I realized it was the same outfit Jaxon and Margo had been wearing. It must have made it easier for the town to identify all of its recruits, especially if we weren’t supposed to leave the building. “Turn around.” I gestured toward Joshua.
He laughed, shaking his head. “Fine, fine. Eventually you’ll let me see,” he mused, quite proud of himself.
I rolled my eyes and waited until he faced the other direction. I glanced toward the closed door and quickly disrobed, slipping into the outfit provided to us. “Done yet?” I asked with my back to him.
“Yeah,” Joshua smiled. “Just waiting for you.”
“Oh! I’m done.” I laughed, turning around to face him. “So, I guess it’s back to the cafeteria until they tell us where else to go?” It seemed the most logical place to be, with the other recruits. I still had a million questions and hoped Jaxon and the others would be willing to share more details with us. I had a feeling, though, that with only five spots and nine recruits, I could expect things to get competitive quickly.
CHAPTER 17
We headed back into the cafeteria after meeting with Chancellor Collins in the dormitory. Dressed in the recruit uniform, I gripped Joshua’s hand as we scanned the now empty room. We hadn’t been gone more than ten minutes. “That’s odd. Where did everyone go?”
Joshua let go of my hand and walked further into the cafeteria. I didn’t know what he expected to find, perhaps some of the recruits hiding behind the line for food? “Think this is some kind of test? See how daring we are to explore the compound?”
“I doubt it.” There was no way they’d willingly let us leave the premise. Not with the way things had been going for us. “It’s more likely the Chancellor wants us locked up in this place.” As if on cue, an announcement was made across the intercom.
“Would all recruits please meet in the gymnasium.”
“Collins.” Joshua nodded, recognizing the voice. “I guess we should head there.”
“I don’t really see any other choice.” I knew our training was about to begin and for the first time I didn’t feel nervous. After all we’d been through together, this I could handle.
We walked down the hallway in the opposite direction of the dormitory. A plaque on the wall read, Gymnasium, with an arrow pointing to the left. Joshua and I followed the sign until we reached a set of double doors. At least the building was well-labeled with directions. If it hadn’t been for its size alone we’d have been lost for hours.
I hesitated for only a moment before I pulled open the heavy doors, making my way in first ahead of Joshua. I was pleasantly surprised to see Jaxon and Margo already sitting on the floor along with several other recruits. I counted seven on the floor, knowing we had arrived last.
A woman in her late twenties stood over us in a similar uniform as we sat down with the others. I grabbed a seat on the ground beside Jaxon, and Joshua sat down to my right. At least we knew someone. I hoped it would make things easier.
“Now that everyone is here, I’m Maya,” The olive-skinned brunette introduced herself to the group. She had strange cat-like eyes and a surprisingly rare thousand-watt smile. “You are all here so we can determine the very best and brightest that the rebel alliance has to offer. I know many of you have a lot of questions, and some of you may even be questioning the legitimacy of us allowing two additional recruits this year to join us.” I felt all seven sets of eyes turn towards us. After a brief moment, the attention returned back to Maya, and I let out a heavy breath. “Let me start off by reminding you only five will be accepted. Should five of you fail, then we will accept four. We have no issue accepting none of you, should you all fail to meet the minimum requirements. Over the next two weeks, you will be training rigorously to prove your commitment and your reliability to our community. Should you fail any test, it will be over for you. Should you be removed from training for failure to cooperate, it will be over for you.”