The Trials by Grace Smith (i can read book club .TXT) 📕

“...to a hovercraft that will take you to Occtula. Then you will be given further instructions. Good luck and, you are always being tested.”

We are ushered out the door and into the nicest looking hovercraft I have ever seen. The seats seemed to be made of silk and there was a restaurant inside. There is a dining room, a sitting room, and even a playroom with a trampoline and a huge TV. After we are given the full tour we are assigned rooms. Mine was at the end of the hallway, number 7. The door slid open and I step in. A straight faced attendant tells me to get some rest and that someone will be sent to bring me to dinner. She then shuts the door and I hear the distinctive click of a lock. I turn around and try the handle. Locked. Wandering around the room I almost want to throw up. Everything is a rich color of deep green, or hot pink which is a combination no one could possibly enjoy. It is about 8 feet by 8 feet and about 7 feet tall, only enough room for a bed and a closet. I strip off the pink and green cover and throw it in the trash. Much better. I take out my hair clip and bend it to fit the lock. After about a minute of fiddling the door swings open and I crack my head out. The hall is deserted so I go to Leo’s room. I use my hair clip again and I open the door. I am instantly enveloped in a hug. I stick the clip in the door to keep it from shutting.

“Did you notice they were locking us in” He asked.

“Yeah, These people are acting so weird. Why all the secrecy. Someone showed up this morning, demanding I go with him. He said he would see me again. What do you think that’s about?”

“I don’t know but Lilliana mentioned something like that to me when she came in. Just be careful about them. I feel really uneasy about this”  

“Shh” I hush. Mouthing bugs I swing my elbow behind me, breaking a camera I spotted earlier.

“I need I get back to my room. See you later, and you are always being tested.” I say, mocking the letter.

Squeezing out the door I forget to look both ways and am ambushed by a dark figure. It plunges something into my arm and the world goes fuzzy.

I wake up to a blinding light. I blink and look around I’m back in my room and my hair clip is nowhere in sight. The sheets are back on my bed and I am wearing a plain gray dress. My hair was combed out and braided. I sit up and yawn. A speaker in the room comes to life and blares.

“Welcome. I hope you are enjoying your trip. You will now be escorted to dinner. Please do not resist, we have locked your doors for your safety. Have a nice evening. Keep in mind you are always being tested.” If they say that one more time I think I am going to puke.

A sudden knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. It slides open and another expressionless worker escorts me to the dining hall. It is a simple room with a wooden table and wooden chairs. No cushions or tablecloths or anything. I sit down in one of the chairs and tell my zombie that he can go. It shakes it’s head and replies.

“I have been told to assist you until dismissed b-b-by,” he halters “by Commander.”

“Okay then.” I say turning around. This was definitely getting creepy. In a couple minutes Gracie walks in, with one of the child control officers nervously, also wearing a gray dress and with her hair in a braid. As soon as she sees me she rushes over but my assistant stops her.

“Your spot is over here.” he commands, pointing to a chair at the other side of the table.

Gracie ignores him and continues on and her zombie comes up and picks her up. She kicks and fights but she’s just too little against the buff woman who restrains her. Carried like a baby Gracie is led to the other chair.

“Sit.” Commands her zombie. Gracie slumps down, all her energy drained. Things here are getting really strange, I look up at my assistant, wondering if I could make a run for it when Lilliana walks in, chatting the whole time to her escort. She walks over and sits next to Gracie, apparently this was her assigned spot because the zombies don’t object to it. Lilliana starts a conversation with Gracie about the importance of cosmetics while I stare at her. Why is she here. She has good grades and paid attention in class but there was no zing in her like the rest of us. Leo can build something from nothing, Gracie designed a laptop that charges using sunlight. Alexander can take apart and rebuild a car into a hovercraft. I started a council where citizens can get help with community projects. So far we have built a rain road, started a garden and a nursing home. Lilliana, well she is just populare.

Alexander arrives and then Leo, each escorted by an expressionless zombie and wearing a gray jumpsuit. We talk for a while and finally the clock strikes 8 and an old man dressed all in gray walks in, taking the last seat at the table which happens to be next to me.

“Good evening.” He mutters and clapped his hands. A truckload of servants walks in holding platters filled with food, depositing one in front of each of the guests. Mine was filled with steak, pot pie, and a heaping scoop of sweet potatoes with marshmallows something I have not had in years. Leo’s plate looked like a thanksgiving buffet, his favorite holiday. Gracie and Alexander had almost identical meals that matched the Food Plate. And the man next to me has what looks like a sandwich with a odd colored piece of ground meat with yellow goo squeezing out the sides. It looks repelling but smells wonderful. Clearing his throat the little man looks up and starts.

“H-h-hello. W-w-we are s-so g-glad you are h-h-here. Y-you musssst be wondering w-why you have been brought here.” Then losing his stutter he starts again. “All will be answered in time but for now I must tell you” At this point timid Alexander raises his hand and says in a squeaky voice.

“Why are we being tested, sir?”

“Excellent question young man. But not one that shall be answered at this moment. I have faith in you all and my only advice is to remember, you are always being tested.” With that he walks off, not pausing to say goodbye. I chew my steak and notice a hint of chemical. My eyes go hazy and I try to spit the stuff out but I can’t.

“Poison.” I faintly say as I slip out of consciousness.

Blinking I sit up, surrounded by a field of grass. A folder is neatly tucked under my arm with a sheet of papers. I clutch the folder to my chest and bite my lip, staring at the massive white structure before me. I know I have seen it before but I don’t know where. Opening the folder I find a slip of paper inside. It reads:

Make it to the library. Good luck!

Looking up at the building again I smile as I remember the lesson in second grade. Our teacher Mrs. Leechon was working through a section on the history of Occtula. She was pointing at a picture of the building before me. Talking is the most high pitch voice I had ever heard she explained how presidents of America, the country that inhabited the land before our country of Sofia was born would live in the house for 4 years until their time of presidency was over. I had thought  that kind of stupid. Living in a house for only 4 years and then having to move again. In our province the living space you were born in was your house until you were matched with your spouse and then were assigned a new living space to live in for the rest of your life. Then Mrs. Leechon explained how the House of White was turned into a library, one of the only few in existance.

Snapping out of my daydream I stare up in awe at the historic building’s splendid beauty I hadn't noticed the dark figure creeping up behind me. A hand clamped over my mouth and pulled me into one of the giant bushes. Earlier I had thought them a thing of beauty but now I see them only as an opportunity for disaster. I thrash and try to scream but I only succeed to annoying my captor. I stop struggling as someone binds my hand and my feet. The sound of crunching leaves tells me that I am alone. I can’t see a thing in the pitch black of the bush but I can hear the distant calls of others calling in distress. This must be a test, I thought. I have to pass. I have to continue on or else I will be eliminated. Fingering my restraints I find that it was a loose square knot, that can be easily undone. If you plan to kidnap someone you should know how to actually tie a knot. Growing up near a lake and spending much of my time sailing the water collecting water samples for my dad I know how to tie knots and sail a ship. In a few minutes I am free and have my pocket flashlight in hand, collecting fallen papers. I calmly walk out of the bush as if nothing ever happened.

Listening to the other contestants struggle to find their way out. I wish we knew what the point of th test was. Are we supposed to help the others get free, or to continue on and get to the house first. I decide no matter the consequences I will go with my heart and what my parents have taught me all my life. If someone needs help, you help them. I set my papers on a bench and crawl into the nears bush. I switch on my flashlight and find a girl caught in the branches by her dress. I catch her hand and whisper.

“It’s all right. It’s just a test. You’re fine.”

She finally calms down and I start to pry her dress free from the clutches of the branch.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Samantha” She chokes out then starts to shake. Soon she is crying and all I can do is to hold her close. When her dress is freed I half carry half lead her out to the bench. Setting her down I sit next to her and stroke her hair.

“Shhhhhhh.” I say trying to comfort her.

Soon she stops crying and I leave her to go find someone else. When a particularly loud bush starts to shake I decide to go find whoever is in there. Climbing through the branches I find a boy sitting on the ground, clutching his foot. A stick was impaled in it and the wound was gushing blood. I gasp. I am the most squeamish person you will ever meet. I hate blood, I hate bones, I hate doctors and hospitals, practically anything in that category. not pointing the flashlight at his foot I start to unbind his wrists.

“My name is Ann and this is all a part of a test. It’s ok. Once we get you inside they’ll stitch up your foot and you’ll be fine. It will all be fine.” I say more for myself than him. “What is your name.” He just whimpers. With the bindings off I take a deep breath