Ben
I look over each candidate before addressing them. They are all dressed in well-pressed training uniforms. Their posture is impeccable, telling me that they are taking this seriously even though most of them are older than I am.
"Good afternoon, candidates."
"Good afternoon, sir!"
"I'm sure you are all wondering why you are here. So I'll get straight to the point. You have spent your life dedicated to training to become guardians. The moment of truth has arrived. Do you have what it takes? Maybe. Maybe not. Four of you will find out soon. We have called you here to select a team of four temporary guardians. Failure is not an option. We ask that you use discretion when outside these doors. Even if you aren't one of the final four, please speak of these proceedings with no one, not even each other. No one, and I do mean no one, outside this room right now needs to know what happens here. Not even Headmaster Lockhart, is that understood?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"My name is Ben Lockhart. I'm the head guardian for Mona Lockhart. I will select four of you based on skill and ability to guard and defend Miss Lockhart. Information during these proceedings will be on a need-to-know basis. And I will be the one to tell you what you need to know. Any questions you have will be answered here tonight."
I open the extra folder that I got from my dad's office and pull out a small stack of papers. As I walk down the line of candidates handing each candidate a thin packet of papers, I explain what the papers are for. "The first page is a confidentiality agreement. Read it carefully and sign it. The second page is an acknowledgement of risk, again read it carefully and sign it. The final page in the packet is a profile page. Answer all the questions thoroughly and honestly. This page will help us identify you and assist in determining your compatibility. If any of you have any questions regarding the upcoming proceedings or the ensuing assignment, please feel free to ask them now."
All thirteen candidates simultaneously take a seat on the floor and begin reading and signing papers as instructed. I turn to check on Mona as one of the candidates stands up and starts toward us.
He hands me his papers. "Sir, my name is Ryan McMasters. I just want to say that I look forward to this opportunity. I do have one question I'd like to ask."
I can sense something in his tone. He's good at masking his emotions so I'm not entirely sure what it is.
"What would you like to know?"
McMasters casts a nervous glance around the gym. "Is this really going to be dangerous, or is this one of those graduation mock assignments we hear about in the halls?"
I'm not sure if I should tell them all the truth just yet, but if I don't we may end up with reluctant guardians. If I tell them everything then at least if anyone wants out of the assignment we can save time and come to a decision quicker.
I look at each of the candidates, who are now staring at me in anticipation.
"Inside these walls and between the fifteen of us in this room, this is very real. Outside these walls, among your friends, this is one of those pre-graduation mock assignments that you hear about in the halls. Each of you is close to graduation and permanent placement as a guardian, so I feel I can trust your judgment. The information you are about to receive is highly sensitive and must never be repeated outside this room."
I give them a brief explanation of the situation and everyone looks very serious.
"In closing, let me remind you that if the other students find out about the threat it is very likely to cause a widespread panic. And when people panic it becomes harder to predict what will happen. We trust you to use discretion and never speak of this outside of this group. Is that understood?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
As the last candidate hands me her packet and returns to formation I notice the time. "Does anyone have any other questions before we dismiss for the day?"
Nobody says a word, and I take that as my answer. "I expect to see you all here immediately following breakfast in the morning."
"Sir, yes, sir!"
I take Mona's hand and start leading her toward the door. "Dismissed!"
I can hear a collective sigh of relief from the candidates behind me followed by some whispers.
* * *
Mona
He must be able to see my exhaustion because he scoops me up and carries me upstairs to dinner. As we arrive at the door, it opens and John is standing on the other side. He steps back so Ben can bring me inside – he must be able to tell I am exhausted.
"Take her into the living room and lay her on the couch."
Lois brings in trays of food for me and Ben and then sits in the chair across from the couch, not bothering to hide the concern on her face. I don't want to eat, I just want to curl up and go to sleep.
I stare at my plate of food. I don't even have the energy to pick up my fork. Ben reaches over and rubs my back for a minute. "Mona, you need to eat."
I reach for my fork and take a bite. It isn't until I swallow the first bite that I realize just how hungry I am. I continue to eat while John and Ben talk about the selection of my guardian detail.
"It's going to be a difficult choice to make, Dad. They all seem very dedicated and well-trained."
"Well, son, you will have to make the choice soon. I realize that Mona has her heart set on you making this decision, but if it's too much for you to handle I need to know now. There is no shame in not being ready for this much responsibility."
"Don't worry, I'm ready for this. I'll have a final decision for you by dinner tomorrow."
By the time I finish my plate, I am starting to feel a little stronger. The tension is high in the living room tonight. Lois still hasn't spoken to me.
"I hope you aren't still angry with me. I want you to know that I never intend to put his life in danger."
Lois sits there staring at me and says nothing.
She turns her attention to John. "It's getting late. I'm going to bed. We'll talk in the morning."
With that she stands, crosses the room to Ben, gives him a hug and leaves the room.
The three of us sit there in stunned silence for a few minutes before John breaks the silence. "What on earth was that about?"
"She's upset that I asked for Ben to be my guardian. She thinks I'm being selfish and that I don't care what happens to him."
"That is just absurd. Even a blind man could see how much you two care for each other. You've been inseparable for years, since you were both in diapers. I'm sure she's just worried about what's coming. She knows first-hand how ruthless Abaddon can be."
John pats me on the knee. "I'm sure this will all blow over soon."
I look at the clock and realize it is almost midnight, and it has been a very long day. Just as I am about to say something, Ben stands up and turns to help me off the couch.
"Dad, it's late, it's been a long day and tomorrow is going to be even longer. Mona is exhausted, and quite frankly so am I. Thank Mom for dinner for us and tell her we will see her soon."
We say goodnight and John walks us to the door. Ben tries to pick me up to carry me back to my room, but I tell him I can walk. We don't say anything on the way back to the third floor. There are few sounds coming from the rooms, and I am grateful for the late hour. I'm not in any shape to be around people.
When we arrive at my door, Ben notices a note attached to it. He takes it down and hands it to me without reading it.
Mona,
Figured you could use some privacy, staying with Jake tonight. Can't believe he got hurt! Try to get some sleep.
Will stop by in the morning. TTFN Lucy
After I finish reading the note I tell Ben what it says. He looks thoughtful for a moment. "I don't like the idea of you being here alone. Maybe I should take you back upstairs."
"Ben, stay here with me tonight. I really don't want to be up there right now with her mad at me." The truth is I don't want him to be alone, but I can't bring myself to tell him that.
"I have to look at these profiles and consider the best options for your guardian detail. But if you promise to get into bed and try to get some sleep, I'll stay."
I agree and hurry off to my bathroom to change into my pajamas and brush my teeth and hair.
As I am undressing, I notice a new mark on my back. "Damn it!"