I’ll take you there. It will only take a couple of minutes since the courtyard’s just downhill from the train station” he said in a clear, firm tone.
We all trailed behind the man to the exit. When I stepped out into the open air, all I saw was a green field leading down to the Unknown courtyard. I looked down and it seemed even larger and higher up from that proximity. I heard a crowd of people talking loudly.
As we stumbled down the hill, Lexus caught up to me and grabbed my arm to keep her balance. It was a really steep hill. We were only a couple of yards away from our possible death or victory. The Unknown was getting closer, and closer, and closer. My stomach was flipping like a fish on dry land. We were almost there. I could see the crowd from atop the steep hill. I could hear their loud murmurs. I had heard rumors that the people seated on the benches were actually affiliates and that they had to pay the guards just to watch.
We finally reached the entrance of the courtyard. The guard stopped at the entrance and turned to face us. I yearned to sit down. It was a really tough walk.
“This’s where we’ll stop. The leaders of the sectors will call out your names, ten in each round. The entrance is over here,” he pointed at the door beside him.
“When you enter, you will find the Unknown on your right and the stadium on your left. There are ten entrances to the Unknown and the ten people who have been called must choose the entrance they will go through and stand facing it. The leaders will then provide you with the rules. I’ll go and fetch some water for all of you.” The guard ended his statement and left to get some water.
I slumped down onto the ground with my head buried between my knees. I kept repeating the same words in my head over and over again:
Please choose me, please choose me, please choose me.
++++++++++
The guard returned and handed everyone a bottle of water to drink. I took mine and sat back down in the same spot. Lexus came after a short while with her water bottle too and slumped onto the ground next to me. She then took a sip from her bottle. I looked at her and chuckled.
“You didn’t push anyone out of your way while getting some water, did you?” I asked teasingly with a raised eyebrow. Lexus’s rule was simply: Push and take.
She laughed a small, quiet laugh,
“If the bottle was, let’s say, a burger, then you would’ve seen people on the ground squirming,” she said matter-of-factly. “You know what they say: the first one’s the fresh one. Always.” I laughed, but it was over as soon as it started. The weird part was that the crowd outside was so quiet; not a single cheer but a lot of murmurs. I have always known that people cheered and clapped in ceremonies to express their excitement. Was the Sector Commemoration any different?
“Why aren’t they cheering?” I asked Lexus. I thought she should know since her older brother, Landon, was here before her. Lexus’s mother had also convinced the guards to let them into the stadium.
“My dad told me that the affiliates must keep quiet to give the Undecided a chance to think while they’re in the Unknown. I was there, remember? When we came to support Landon,” she answered. I remembered what happened in detail. I also remembered when Lexus came back that day in tears. She didn’t come to school the next day. Lexus loved Landon more than anyone else.
Suddenly, a man’s voice appeared through what seemed to be a microphone,
“Welcome everyone: leaders, affiliates and loyal guards. We are gathered here today to witness our brave Undecided enter this maze to prove their worth by battling the unknown and becoming one of us - The Guardians of Purlieu.” he said in a resonant tone. He didn’t even need a microphone; his voice was enough to rattle the maze.
Lexus pursed her lips in irritation,
“Can’t the guy just tone his voice down a bit!” she said in a harsh yet loud whisper, “Is he giving us a prep talk or just turning us all deaf?” she grunted. I didn’t notice the guard standing next to her. He kicked her leg lightly, “Shut it, kid…” he said scornfully. Lexus grumbled,
“I don’t know how…” she said under her breath. The guard slowly lowered his pistol near her head. Lexus froze. When I saw the pistol near Lexus’s temple, it reminded me of the boy who got shot near our house and it made me fear for Lexus’s life. The man crouched down next to her,
“I’ll demonstrate by shooting a bullet through that thick skull of yours. See if that works…” he said in a menacing tone. Lexus was about to respond, but the man’s amplified voice erupted from outside.
“Now, I will read the names of the first ten Undecided.”
I tensed up and clasped my hands together, shuddering. I didn’t want to be the first to handle what the leaders had in store for us in the Unknown.
“Xavier Stone” the voice said. A boy stood up confidently and waited near the entrance for the rest. I had a feeling that he was going to win. Confidence and bravery can make you go far in the Unknown.
“Eliza Redwood.”
The girl stifled a sob and stepped forward behind the boy. Xavier comforted her as she covered her face in her hands. I felt sorry for her, but she needed to get her act straight if she wanted to impress the leaders.
“Barbra Praydon.”
The girl stood up, flicked her hair away from her face and stood next to the entrance. She snarled at Eliza who was crying next to Xavier.
“Lulu Everwood.”
The girl made her way towards the entrance with her head down. Everwood? My professor’s name was Felix Everwood, and he never came back ever again. I wanted to stand up and ask the girl if she knew him, but I quickly reconsidered since the girl was probably trying to gather her wits.
“Ellamae Trance.”
The girl shook her head violently, like she couldn’t believe it was her name being called. She rose slowly from the ground and walked towards the entrance. Ellamae was in my class once. She was a really sweet girl. I hoped that she’d make it. I hoped everyone would.
“Nelly Ross,”
The girl took a deep breath and stood behind the others.
“Jack Ruce.”
The boy, who wore glasses, frowned and walked towards the entrance.
“Riley Delmar.”
The girl walked boldly towards the entrance. Lexus suddenly grinned happily and waved to her. Riley noticed and waved back.
“Who’s she?” I asked.
“My friend” She said quietly.
I raised my eyebrows “You’ve been secretly hanging out with another friend?” I asked jokingly.
Lexus pulled out her smug face “What can I say? I’m popular. Jealous?”
I gently punched Lexus’s shoulder.
“Luther Conrad.”
Luther stood up and cursed under his breath while walking behind Riley. He glanced at me and patted Riley’s shoulder. They probably knew each other.
“Sam Mayze.”
The boy nodded as if he was accepting the fact that he got picked. I liked that attitude. He, too, walked towards the entrance.
“Ladies and gentleman, please welcome our first ten Undecided to enter the Unknown”. A roar of applause erupted from the stadium, and the ten teens walked through the entrance. The guard closed the door behind them. I did not get the chance to see what it looked like outside. I saw a glimpse of light that made me squint since we were in a partially dark room near the Unknown. I waited just in case they decided to call out another name.
My clasped hands relaxed and I sighed in relief. Lexus did too. I felt like I had been running for miles. Anxiety