District 1

Chapter 1

"i don't know.. Maybe i shouldn't stay, after all i am traceless" I proceed with washing the dishes, watching the foam of the soap disintegrate as it washes the once stained plate, i overhear a conversation with Lillian and Lucia, people around here are aware that in a couple of days specifically three, there will be a trace exam and it is taken when those who did not receive a trace since birth, i happen to be one of them, people have already decided to run away or hide as the consequences of failing the exam tend to be highly frightening.

"don't say nonsense like that Lillian, you are going to pass this exam, we both will" i wonder if they are aware that i can hear them. "but what if they-" a tap on my shoulder cut me off from the conversation.

"i hope you're not eavesdropping Angelina" Madame Felicie, she's the head around here,"of course not Madame" i let out a slight smile to assure her of my lies.

"good, i assume you have prepared for the trace exam?" she stares at me then slowly moves her eyes to my hands which hold a sponge and a half clean bowl "of course i have, I'm just helping with the washing because i didn't want rose to do it alone" she stares at me and let's out a "hm".

"is everything alright Madame Felicie?" i ask as i finish up the washing "where exactly is roseanne?, shouldn't she be here with you if you're 'helping her' hm?" my eyes slightly widen. Shit i thought to myself.

"oh yes Madame, she's just gone to the restroom" she looks at me up and down, not sure if she's trying to scare me or read my mind "are you sure?" i nod in agreement "so if i just go and knock on the door, she'll be in there?"
Shit shit shit "yes, yes she will" i mentally beat the shit out of myself for saying that, as Madame Felicie makes her way to the rest room.

"why do you look so sweaty?" i hear from my left rose i look at her ready to kill her "what?, what's the matter?"
She questions the audacity "what's the matter?, i almost had my head ripped off because of you rose, and next time to you want to sleep with ben just at least try to help me out with some of the washing" i say wiping hands clean, rose sits on the kitchen counter and stares at me before laughing "wow I've been gone for that long? She really wanted to kill you" she continues laughing, i chuckle a little.

"who did?" rose immediately gets up and runs to my side pretending to do some cleaning or at least something
"ah, roseanne weren't you supposed to be in the restroom?" both Madame Felicie and rose look at me with an eyebrow arched in confusion "ah yes i was but then took five minutes to appreciate nature" i snort at her response, she glared at me and nudged me.

"is that so?" she nods profusely, eager to convince her "but roseanne, you always said you found nature boring"
Idiot "d-did i?, i don't recall saying that Madame Felicie" rose pretends to think "are you calling me a liar, roseanne?" the once calm eyes of rose are now widened to it's extent "no no no absolutely not that would be preposterous of me" she shakes her hands signalling that it's not what she meant.

"i didn't me-" she was cut off "don't care off to bed now girls" Madame Felicie says startling the both of us.

The last time I checked this mirror had a small crack at the very left corner, is it just me or has it gotten bigger, i shrug it off and proceed brushing my teeth, i cant help but to allow my mind to wonder about that conversation with Lillian and Lucia, i mean what if i do fail this exam, maybe running isn't such a bad choice. "Angie?" a voice breaks me from my thoughts "yeah?" turning over to see who i just responded to
"thank goodness, i thought you were having a stroke, are you alright?" sarah questions me as she brushes her chestnut locks, "yeah I'm fine, thanks"
She smiles and walks away.

"wait sarah" she turns to me waiting for a response, i walk towards her "i was just wondering how you were feeling about the trace exams?" she looks at me with her once relaxed brow now raised "oh, well i mean i hope they go well for everyone, I'm praying on it, it is very scary though, but" she crosses her fingers "we'll make it" she smiles and walks off to her bed.

I hope we do.

The rays of sunlight hit my face, i let out a groan as i rub my eyes with my palm. At least the weather is good the golden lines of sunshine hitting myself and the wall behind me, looking over at the clock it's currently 9:15 am, i realise there's only two days left until the trace exam begins, i  let out a sigh might as well enjoy this beautiful day.

"you're up?" i hear rose question me "more like, you're up?" i throw the question back at her with a teasing smile, she playfully rolls her eyes "it's so not the first time Angie" which is followed by a "sure" from me.

Placing my feet off the bed and on to the floor, i begin to stretch my legs and arms. walk towards the window and pull it up to let some air in, i breathe in the air and enjoy the peace and tranquility surrounding me, until i hear "Attention traceless feebles, as you know your exams start in two days, fortunately for me, they start today at exactly 11:45 am, you are expected to be in the training hall at spot on 10:00am for practice, as always good luck, you'll need it.

No way
Panic falls within me as i hear the news. my stomach turns and my gut churn, i feel my heartbeat accelerate as sweat beads form on my forehead my breathing becomes rapid inhaler i need my inhaler i feel tears form in my eyes, feeling dizzy i hold onto the nearest thing. I'm going to die

"Ms Angelina Amoretti?"