5
Chapter 5
I was stunned, completely stunned. My body froze and I couldn’t move. I thought that it was a mistake and the president was joking. The crowd was whispering. Someone shouted, “Go on up!” A pair of hands pushed me forward and I stumbled slightly, turning my head wildly around to look at Mother. She only looked at me and said quietly, “Go up.” Another pair of hands on my back pushed me forward. “Go up,” someone hissed in my ear. I looked around the crowd and then at the stage. Amelia’s look of confusement was quickly replaced with a look of excitement. “Come on up,” she called, waving her hand as she smiled at me. The whispers of the crowd grew and I walked forward carefully. My arms were held stiffly at my side, my fists clenched slightly. Yes, I was scared but I held my head. I wasn’t going to let anyone see my weak side. “Come on!” Amelia repeated. I locked eyes with Mother one last time before walking up.
“And now we have our chosen ones!” Amelia Bennet chirped happily. We were ushered off the stage to the Square gates. The crowd parted in the middle to make way for us. I averted my eyes, making sure not to look at anyone, instead keeping my eye straight forward. A government official opened the gates and showed us to the government car. We were pushed into the car and the doors shut behind us. A moment later, we were off. To the Government City, I thought bitterly. I looked to my left and locked eyes with Aragog. After debating to myself whether I should say something or not, I turned away. I couldn’t bear looking at him, knowing that we might both die and Mother left with no one. I didn’t want to meet the other chosen ones. I didn’t want to know how they’re able to survive. I didn’t want to know who they were.
The tall buildings of Government City came into view as the car drove through a set of crystal white gates. The streets were practically empty; only a few people were out and those few people were holding coverings over the lower part of their faces. The buildings rose around us until we stopped in front of the Government Building. I’ve never been here before, but I have seen pictures of it. The car door was opened and I tumbled out clumsily, holding onto the car door handle for support. Straightening up, I followed the others into the building. The entire floor was covered in plush red carpet and the walls were made of glass. I could see my reflection on the wall. We were taken into a large room where multiple people were standing around. Judging by their faces, I immediately knew it was the chosen ones from the other elemental Districts. Some of their faces were hostile, others were empty, some nervous.
“Welcome to the Government Building!” Amelia Bennet announced dramatically as she swept her hands around. “The elevator has multiple buttons but there are 5 buttons according to your Elemental District. Ice, fire, water, Earth and air. You will press the button of your District and the elevator will take you to your floor. You are not allowed to visit the other Districts except for meals. There will be separate quarters on your floor for the boys and the girls. An official will be assigned to each District’s floor. Now, it is time to assign you your mentors. Come on, follow me!” With that, she clopped out of the room. The chosen ones remain for a second, each sizing up the other. I caught the eye of a tall light haired girl and we stared at each other. She was the first to break contact and I smirked to myself, walking out of the room.
“And now we have our chosen ones!” Amelia Bennet chirped happily. We were ushered off the stage to the Square gates. The crowd parted in the middle to make way for us. I averted my eyes, making sure not to look at anyone, instead keeping my eye straight forward. A government official opened the gates and showed us to the government car. We were pushed into the car and the doors shut behind us. A moment later, we were off. To the Government City, I thought bitterly. I looked to my left and locked eyes with Aragog. After debating to myself whether I should say something or not, I turned away. I couldn’t bear looking at him, knowing that we might both die and Mother left with no one. I didn’t want to meet the other chosen ones. I didn’t want to know how they’re able to survive. I didn’t want to know who they were.
The tall buildings of Government City came into view as the car drove through a set of crystal white gates. The streets were practically empty; only a few people were out and those few people were holding coverings over the lower part of their faces. The buildings rose around us until we stopped in front of the Government Building. I’ve never been here before, but I have seen pictures of it. The car door was opened and I tumbled out clumsily, holding onto the car door handle for support. Straightening up, I followed the others into the building. The entire floor was covered in plush red carpet and the walls were made of glass. I could see my reflection on the wall. We were taken into a large room where multiple people were standing around. Judging by their faces, I immediately knew it was the chosen ones from the other elemental Districts. Some of their faces were hostile, others were empty, some nervous.
“Welcome to the Government Building!” Amelia Bennet announced dramatically as she swept her hands around. “The elevator has multiple buttons but there are 5 buttons according to your Elemental District. Ice, fire, water, Earth and air. You will press the button of your District and the elevator will take you to your floor. You are not allowed to visit the other Districts except for meals. There will be separate quarters on your floor for the boys and the girls. An official will be assigned to each District’s floor. Now, it is time to assign you your mentors. Come on, follow me!” With that, she clopped out of the room. The chosen ones remain for a second, each sizing up the other. I caught the eye of a tall light haired girl and we stared at each other. She was the first to break contact and I smirked to myself, walking out of the room.
