The Last Of Us Book 2: The Leaders

Chapter 1

"So...how have you been?", Zayn asks quietly, moving his pawn forward a space on the chess board.

There was a technical problem with the simulation system, so the leader of the Leadership region (Bryson Williams as Zayn has learned, but they're supposed to call him Mr. Williams) decided to cancel it, and instead have a small chess tournament.

"Meh.", Jade replies, shrugging her shoulders as she surveys the board in front of them, trying to figure out what her next move should be.

"That's not an answer.", Zayn remarks just as Jade has moved her piece.

"What is the significance of this question, Malik?" It's now Zayn's turn to shrug his shoulders, and Jade rolls her eyes. "That's not an answer.", she says, mocking his earlier statement.

Zayn's lips twitch up into a crooked smile once he finds a new strategy on how to win this game, Jade eyeing him suspiciously. He then turns his gaze over to Jesy and Harry's table. Jesy is carefully watching Harry's hand as he moves a pawn to a particular square, a smirk on his face. He sighs, remembering what Jesy had spoken to him about earlier that day, then turns his attention back to Jade, her hand moving forward to move a piece, then retreating once she thinks of another choice.

"Jesy told me something very interesting earlier today.", he says, watching Jade's face to see how she reacts. She doesn't exactly react, but she is about to speak, until something catches her attention over Zayn's shoulder.

The boy turns his head as well, and both of them watch some guy cheering as a girl looks at the board in shock, clearly signalling that the young man has just won. Some staff members tell them to both stand and walk to the exit, however, once they get there, Mr. Williams instructs the boy to walk through a different door than the girl. Zayn narrows his eyes, turning back around to face Jade once again after the peculiar sight.

"They're sorting us.", Jade whispers, Zayn barely catching it.

"Sorting us?"

"The winners go through one door, the others through the other door. They're trying to see which of us are better with strategies."

"How'd you figure that out?"

Jade flicks her eyes up to meet Zayn's gaze for a brief moment before she goes back to studying the board. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Sorry we're all not as smart as you.", Zayn says teasingly, but starts to frown as Jade stays serious. "Jade?"

"I've had a lot of time to think I guess..."

"About?", the boy asks cautiously, moving another pawn to the space he wants, trying his best to follow his strategy while also focusing on Jade's health.

"I don't think that's any of your business."

"It is when it's about something serious."

"Like what?"

"Jade, you know what I'm talking about."

There's a small pause as the two watch another two groups finishing, however, all four of them walk out the same door. Jade furrows her brow, Zayn doing the same as they both try to analyze what's going on. This was a strange type of sorting, it being almost impossible to decode.

"If you're talking about the possibility of me trying to commit suicide again, then I suggest you stop treating me like a mental person that requires extra caution to approach. That'll only make me feel worse.", she says, forcing them to focus back on the game.

"I don't want to say it because I don't want you getting any ideas."

"Well I already have some, so your attempts are pointless."