CHAPTER ONE
Blood.
Falling down to the ground in a crumpled heap, the crimson liquid trailed down from her face. Resting on her knees, Sofia moaned as she shrugged to regain her composure. Weakening by the second, her limbs trembled beneath the weight of her own body as she rose from the ground.
"Do you concede?", asked the Matron as she stepped forward.
Sofia shook her head, "No."
The Matron pursed her thin lips as she watched us with irritation in her aged blue eyes. This fight has been drawing out for quite some time. The Matron stepped away from the sparring mat as Sofia straightened her back. Raising her fists in my direction, my stance shifted in anticipation.
The old woman ordered, "Continue."
Stepping toward me, the attack came in the form of lousy swing. Punching Sofia in the face, she stumbled back with a shriek while clutching her broken nose. Crying out in pain, fresh blood dripped down to strain her white shirt.
"Pain is weakness.", said the Matron "And there is no room for weakness."
The small group of other girls stood to the side of the large studio. Waiting patiently for their turn to spar, they listened intently to every word spoken. Their eyes fell forward as the Matron circled around to stand next to my opponent. Sofia looked up at me with fear and fatigue.
"I have spent many years moulding you girls to be the image of perfection," spoke the Matron "I gave you strength and purpose when you had none. Now, prove to me your worth."
The Matron pulled away Sofia's hand in order to wipe away the smear of blood. Stepping backwards, the Matron clicked her fingers. Sniffling with a wince of her face, Sofia raised her fists in my direction. There's determination in her baby blue eyes.
Striding forward, there was no time to waste as I engaged in the fight. Kicking her in the shins, Sofia buckled before regaining her balance. Lashing out with a swipe of her hand, she suddenly slammed her body into mine. Knocking us to the ground, I gasped as the air was forced from my lungs.
It was a childish attack.
Our time is running out and so she's lashing out in a desperate attempt to win. Straddling my waist, Sofia wailed as her fists came flying down at random. My mind couldn't think as pain rattled all over my body. It was only in a blind act of self-defence that I managed to push her off with a hard shove.
Rolling up on my feet, my fingers intertwined in a fist full of her golden hair. Smashing her face down onto the floor, my warms wrapped around her throat in a firm chokehold. Locking her in place, Sofia elbowed me in the ribs but there was no letting go. Sofia spluttered and gasped as her pulse began weaken.
The Matron stared at us with a blank expression, "Make your decision."
Sofia tapped at my forearm as she struggled to breath. It won't be long until she passed out from the deprivation. Looking down at the girl in my arms, her body continued to twist and kick for freedom. My brows furrowed in confusion and hesitation.
"The strong will endure," spoke the Matron.
My head tilted towards the other girls as they stood unfazed by the blatant order, but we know it's a façade. The subtle change in their appearance made it obvious. Despite having trained for this moment, we've never been given the opportunity to kill any living thing.
This isn't how it should begin.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, my arms continued to squeeze around Sofia's neck. The pulse beneath her skin is slowing down. Despite our own differences, we shared many memories together as children. We weren't raised in a kind or caring home, but we always had one another.
Clamping my arm tight around her neck, Sofia kicked and squealed in protest. The others are all watching the scene unfold and a part of me can't bear the suffering. The last act of kindness I could offer would be to end it quickly.
Instead, I allowed her live.
Wheezing for a breath of air, Sofia clutched her throat as she slumped to the floor. My heart is pounding beneath my chest. Standing from the floor, my eyes lowered in shame as the Matron made no attempt to approach me.
"Clearly, I overestimated your strength of character."
Watching the guard take Sofia's limp body away to the infirmary, my thought wandered as I stood back in line. The matches continued but no one else was made to make the same decision. It seemed unfair that the burden weighed heavy on me and no one else.
Although my decision to save her life might have seemed liked the right thing to do, it made me question my own capabilities. We all knew the day would come, but we never anticipated anything as cruel as this.
We've known each other since we were infants. The personal connected complicated the situation, but she already knew that. This obstacle is just another test. If we could kill each other, then we could kill anyone.
As the clock ticked over, the Matron dismissed us from our training for the day. The group is quieter than usual. Heading along the hallway, we trailed in awkward silence. Stopping in my tracks, a small group of younger girls passed us in their darling grey dresses and plaited hair.
They're far from innocent.
Turning away from the children, I faced one of the many windows of the Estate. The sky is turning vibrant with the afternoon colours and it's snowing heavily. A white blanket covers the grass and the trees. The Estate is the only place we've ever known since we were taken from our mothers.
Mothers who are dead.
A familiar voiced caught my attention as the Director came down the main staircase. He's accompanied by a man I've never seen before. Standing tall, the Director is a middle-aged man who always wears a suit with swept back hair the colour of pepper. The Director and Matron have been here since the very beginning.
They created this place we call home.
My brief observation of the other stout and balding man suggested that the stranger represented a military presence. Wearing a deep green uniform, he stood proud with several glimmering badges upon his breast. He seemed to be a man of importance, considering we rarely received visitors.
The Director smiled as he approached, "The view has always been quite lovely this time of day."
"And who might this be?" asked the military man.
"This is one of my students," replied the Director "Alina, why don't you accompany me and the General. I was just showing him out."
"Of course," I replied.
Trailing from behind, there was no mishearing the conversation as they continued to speak to one another. It seems the General is here for more than a grand tour of the Estate grounds. A business proposal of some kind has been offered.
I'm curious to know more.
Standing either side of the large front doors, the guards dressed in black opened them wide. Stepping out into the open porch held high with four white columns, my lips parted with a puff of smoke as the cold air brushed my skin.
Watching from a distance, the Director and General approached an awaiting black Chevrolet. The vehicles glossy paint shimmered with the sunlight, while its driver waited patiently by the back door. The Director gave a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"It was a pleasure having you, General."
"The pleasure is all mine. We look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour," replied the General "In the meantime, keep us up to date on your progress."
"Most assuredly."
The General ducked down into the vehicle before the door closed. The driver turned the ignition before driving off into the white distance. The Director made his way back as I took in another breath of fresh air. Those brown eyes glanced over my bruised face.
"The Matron has already informed me of what happened," said the Director "Need I ask why?"
"It was a mistake. It won't happen again."
"That would be wise decision on your part," he replied "Things are going to change from now on, and it will be for the better."
It's never been our place to question the inner workings of the Estate. We're merely pawns in their game of chest. They move us to wherever they see fit. However, this seems entirely different as the Director offered the information at his own free will.
Heading back into the warmth of the Estate, we stood in the foyer as the guards locked the metal latch to the front door. The Director faced me when I questioned, "What kind of changes?"
Holding his hands behind his back, he replied, "We've been given a rather extraordinary opportunity, and a chance for something much greater to come of my work here."
I could only wonder what kind of changes the Director had planned. There's no denying the fact that we've been pushed harder than we ever have before. The choice that I had to face with Sofia is a prime example. The Directors confession only confirms that there's more to come.
Resting his hand on my shoulder with a gentle squeeze, he said "This is means more than you could ever imagine. In the years to come, my sacrifices will once again turn the tide in our favour."
His sacrifices.
Leaning in, the Director placed a brief and gentle kiss on my lips. The intimacy made me uncomfortable, but it was over as soon as it happened. My lips drew tight in as the man gazed down at me with pure adoration.
"You've always been my favourite."