The Test Chapter 2

President White didn't bother to wait for the cheering to come to a stop. He talked loudly through the hoots and hollers.

"The Union is a strong place," President White laid eyes upon his people, "but I plan to make it even stronger. I know a way to make the Union a place that people dream of going. A place where people live in harmony and in justice. I created this test for all of you."

The crowd went crazy, news reporters hurriedly aimed their cameras, and people pushed to get closer to President White.

"What the test is based on is, for now, confidential information. But after you take 'the test,' then you will become an official honored citizen of the Union. You will win one thousand dollars, and will be a role model for all the people around you," President White was smiling when his ears heard the crowd become ecstatic, "And if you fail, then you'll be left with nothing to lose but your own life."

The cheering died and a wave of whispers rose upon the crowd. My heart stopped a bit. I remembered when I was just six years old, and Celeste was still waiting to be born, that day when father took the test. 

The day we lost him.

"All who are taking the test, please enter the memorial," President White ordered, and simultaneously, the memorial doors were carefully opened. 

"Good luck, Aspyn. Whatever you get, just know I'm here for you," Mother locked me in a tight embrace. "Thank you, mother." I whispered. I turned to leave, when Celeste stopped me.

"Don't go," Celeste said with pleading eyes. I bent down and looked her in the eye.

"Don't be scared. I'll be okay." I said. "Promise?" Celeste asked.

"Promise."

As I left Celeste, as I left my mother, I couldn't help but feel a little sadness growing inside me, a little nervousness. I knew that the test was a life-threatening chance. I lost my father to it, and if I lose myself to it as well, then I wouldn't ever forgive myself for leaving Celeste, and leaving Mother, and leaving the tiny bit of family I had left.

As the oak doors of the memorial greeted me, I stepped inside the memorial. A cool sensation overtook me. The room was crowded. There wasn't much talking. The testers were all nervous looking. I took one last glimpse at Celeste before the doors swung closed.

The room was a rather tight place for so many people to gather. I could feel the coldness of the tiled floor even through my boots. A chandelier that hung so high above, that to me, it was merely a few lights on the ceiling. Paintings of past leaders, and paintings of President White were kept well with priceless golden frames that were hung to the wall. Shortly saying, the memorial was an architectural masterpiece. 

Some time went by. It was mostly silence. A few whispers would start, but they would end abruptly. Eventually, the tapping of stiletto heels on the marble floor could be heard. A woman with stiletto heels who was wearing a formal uniform approached us. She pushed up her glasses up the bridge of her nose, eyeing the crowd.

"You will be tested one by one," She said, "First tester is Amy Dillan."

A potbellied girl departed from the crowd, and followed the woman into the testing rooms. As soon as the tapping of stilleto heels could no longer be heard after the woman had departed, whispers went around the  room.

I wrapped my hood aroud my arms and tried to calm down. I was anxious about this test. By looking around the room, I could tell that many felt the same. A girl in the far left corner was crying of nervousness, her tears forming a puddle on the floor. 

After twenty minutes, Amy Dillan returned. She looked relieved as she happily left the memorial.

The clock told me as each hour passed. The crowd became smaller as more went to test. I was the last person left.

The stilletto heeled woman came again. "Next tester, Aspyn Winters."

My heartrate increased to a nearly dangerous amount as I departed from the room. Taking a deep breath, I followed the lady.