I expected this main hall to be big, but not this big. For once in my life, I had arrived first and on time to something. I looked around, noting the lavish maroon carpet with intricate green and gold swirls running up the centre of the room. The towering marble columns situated next to the carpet, shining in the bright light coming down from the glass roof. A large gold and glass chandelier hung down at the back of the room, over a large throne-like chair. Footsteps echoed around the room and I looked over to where I thought the sound was coming from. A tall man was leaning against the column furthest away from me. "Magnificent, isn't it?" He asked, his deep voice fluttering softly to me.
"You could say that." I murmured, looking down at the floor. Even the floor around the carpet sparkled in the light that didn't quite reach it. I nervously started to plait strands of hair. Glancing up, I saw the man had disappeared. "Strange," I muttered. "I would've heard him-" My words were cut off as I felt a hand brush my cheek. "Dear one, do not be afraid." He whispered, coming around to my front. His hand still lingered on my cheek. "I am not here to harm you." His gaze locked onto mine and for the first time, I noticed how blue they were. Icy blue, almost white around the pupil. He bent his head closer to mine, drawing his thumb over my lips and I shivered slightly. "Torin!" A harsh cry came from behind me. He frowned and slowly pulled away from me, his hand leaving my skin bristling. Quick steps and a woman appeared; her eyes were the same shade as his, but she was different in every other sense. "Torin, you're not supposed to seduce them." She hissed.
"Seducing isn't the word I would use, Tanaka." Their tones of voices were completely different. Torin's was deep, and flowed smoothly with every word he said. Tanaka's was high-pitched and full of sharp angles, waiting to cut you open. "What word would you use then?" She asked. He pulled her away from me and whispered something in her ear. She threw a furtive glance at me and ran out of the room. Torin smiled at me before pushing past. Alone, once again.
Sighing, I stared out at the room, hoping to see someone else. Anybody. I was currently sat on the floor, leaning against one of the marble pillars. The stone pressed into my back and chilled me to the bone. The leather on my boots was coming off slowly as I picked at it. The scraps floated gently onto the floor. "Delphi," I said to myself. "What a fine mess you're in now. Never done anything bad and you end up here." I leant my head back and it landed on the pillar with a soft thud. The double doors to my right opened with a swoosh. The confident figure of President Paylor swept in with two armed guards by her side. Her gaze slid across the room and landed on me. "Get up." She said. Her voice was one of authority, and you wouldn't dare go against it. I quickly stood, pressing myself into the column. Suddenly, I saw 3 shadows in front of me. They stepped into the light, revealing the other 'chosen.'
Clarice.
Nolan.
13…
"1," she looked to the other adult in the room. "2," to Nolan. "4," her piercing stare landed on me. Then finally to "13." She strode swiftly to the chair at the end of the room. Her guards flanked the sides. "The main 4 of the districts who tried to overthrow me and my government." I was pushed forward roughly, but this time, the others were as well. I was forced onto my knees and my wrists were handcuffed together. Wow…Déja vu much. Nolan tried to fight his captor but he was pushed to the floor. "The 4 districts," she continued. "Whose actions were more pronounced than the others." I saw her eyes flicker to Nolan and I began to ask questions. Why did she look at Nolan then? Was it something to do with what he did or who he was connected to? Her voice snapped me out of my mental questioning. "Take 1 and 13 away, I need to speak with the 2 others." With groans and angered words, mainly from Clarice, they and their guards marched out of the room.