outsider [h.s]

21

Today I woke up at around seven, making my way down to the eating area to get food for Niall, Jess, and myself. It only seemed fair due to the countless times they had done it for me before, and they were extremely grateful by the time I made it back to the initiates shared room. We ate in relative silence as I wondered what the day would bring, thoughts drifting as I finished up my meal.

Jess and Niall have seemed distant lately, but I can't really be bothered by it. I have been distracted as well, mainly by thoughts of the outsiders and Harry. Everything about our situation holds uncertainty, and given that I've known him for just under a month makes me feel even more unsure about things. Of course I want to be with my family, but an undetermined amount of time with Harry is what life in this district would ensure, and not to mention there would be no danger to go along with it.

I decide not to think of it any further until I'm able to talk with him privately again, wanting to be absolutely positive this is the path I want to take. There's just so many risks about it, which I'm sure Harry and myself would be willing to take, but it's still a huge decision to make.

"Looks like Rose is off in space today," Niall remarks with a grin.

"I think we all have been, training will be over soon and the future is still unclear, to me at least." I say, all of my thoughts practically put into a sentence.

"I'm sure the government will help to put us on the right path, they always do." Jess says seeming so naive, and I can't help but notice the way Niall's features turn to stone, clearly not agreeing with her.

I decide not to say anything, not wanting to throw gasoline onto the already burning fire which is noticeable between them. Jess and Niall are alike in more ways than one, but also differ at so many point of views that it's hard to keep up with their constant arguments and excited chatter. Honestly they are literally like fire and ice, the sun and the moon. It wouldn't surprise me if something happened between them, if it hasn't already.

The chime of a bell causes all initiates to stand, knowing exactly what to expect as Harry walks into the room while rubbing his eyes slowly, as if he's just woke up. He has on a white t-shirt and black gym shorts, hair swept across his forehead as his eyes glance around the room.

His eyes falter once he gets to me, quickly moving on to avoid any curiosity. "Our time together is almost finished, and given that there are still fifteen of you, today we must say goodbye to five. We will head to the room where you were judged and ranked last time, only ten coming out on the other side." He nods before continuing, "form a line, and remember to keep your composure in there."

We do as he says, being led down different halls of the training center until we reach a door, the person at the front of the line entering it. Niall and Jess are in front of me, meaning that I won't know their fate unless I'm one of the unlucky or make it out the other side.

Niall is leaning forwards and back on his feet, "I heard that if you don't make it then you drop through the floor into the sewers below and have to make your way out, then after that you're practically homeless."

"Thanks for that," I tell him sarcastically.

A member orders people to go inside the room one by one, and as I get closer to the front the knot of anxiety in the pit of my stomach grows. It isn't until Jess goes in, followed shortly by Niall that I'm nearly out of breath, ready to pass out when I'm told to go inside.

As I open the door and step across the threshold it is complete darkness, then the lights are turned on and there is one chair in the middle of the room. I sit on it, the metal cold against my skin. Around me are four white walls, nothing covering them until a screen appears, almost as if it's projected but there is no source. On it several camera angles show up, all of them focused on me as I train. In one I am fighting Daniel, in another I am running, and in the last I am shooting. They continue to alternate to different parts of my training, and after a minute or so a woman appears.