-Sanshi 836 & Emily 835-
2 years have passed since their mutations have started to really show. Both girls now have a tough skin with markings that resemble scales but only when one looks close, their vision at a distance has greatly improved and they both have developed tails and the beginnings of wings. Sanshi and Emily walk side by side headed again to their morning check-up. Emily nibbles on a piece of bread she saved from dinner the previous day while they both make their way to the nursing area. The number of friends and other children in their classes has steadily dwindled and the younger children have been few and far between. Since their is no line today Sanshi rings the bell. A few moments go by but there is no reply.
After 10 mins Sanshi begins to get impatient, she doesn't want to miss their morning workout. "What's going on? . . . " Sanshi asks no one in particular as Emily finishes her bread.
"Maybe the nurse is just late, let's just go in and wait for her".
"She's never been late before. . . Nurse Tia is never late," Sanshi looks around and down the empty hall. "Maybe we should call in a code?" Emily rolls her eyes at the statement then tries the door handle, it's unlocked. She slowly opens it and peeks inside.
The nurse's room is a mess and it appears whoever was in here last must have gotten into quite a fight. In the dim light she can see one of the rooms treatment chairs are broken its pieces scattered everywhere. There are tools from the counter tops scattered on the floor. She spots broken glass in the corner of the room then notices a light green liquid. When she opens the door wider letting in more light from the hallway she can see blood splatters on the cabinet and floor. "Sanshi . . . . something . . something is very wrong here" her hands shaking as she backs away from the now open door. Sanshi steps up to take a look inside, she never seems to be shocked by anything.
She surveys the scene and rattles off a theory as to what happened, "maybe one pair didn't want to move to the next level so they fought with the nurse. See that must be the serum for them over there and I'm guessing the needle was used as the weapon, they are crazy sharp. We should head to our classes they will have this cleaned up soon" she says, confidence not wavering.
Emily looks at her sisters calm face, "how can you be so calm! Someone might be dead!" Emily says hands shaking.
Sanshi takes them in her own, "If someone were actually dead there would much more blood and the alarms would be going off. Remember when the Tiger boy lost his mind? Everything is fine there was just a fight. I'll send in the code . . . Now let's go to our workout and come back afterword ok?" Emily looks down then follows her sister away from the nurse's office. She's convinced something terrible happened there, irritated by her rational sister and her lack of emotions.
Sanshi uses her wrist communicator to call in the code and note that they missed their checkup for the morning. Emily keeps looking back until Sanshi gets her around the corner. "You're so heartless," Emily says looking away from her sister to look at the unimpressive white wall.
"Yeah well that's what happens when you have a sister who gets you into trouble all the time. You just want to stay and investigate to see if you can get us into more trouble. We probably shouldn't have opened the door," Sanshi says while adding information on her wrist control. They make the next turn to the workout room which is also vacant. Sanshi looks around shrugs it off and starts walking in to start her usual routine.
"Come on you can't say this is normal! Something serious is going on Sanshi!" Emily stubbornly looks at her sister from the doorway, "where is everyone? Maybe we were supposed to stay in our rooms?". The pair hear footsteps in the hallway, Sanshi counts the number of people in her head, 3 I think. It doesn't take long for 4 people to walk up and in the doorway leading the group is the nurse who initially increased their dosage, Sarah. Sanshi secretly curses at her miss count as Emily moves away from the door next to Sanshi. Sanshi had forgotten that Captain Higgs and Sarah always seemed to walk in step with one another, it was odd but she should have remembered it.
Captain Higgs speaks first looking straight at Emily, "Good morning you two. Sorry about the mess you found this morning, you see we have lots of children graduating today including you two" He smiles thinking this is comforting information. Sarah looks at both girls, "What he means to say is you two have completed this level's requirements and will be moving up to Wellspring academy starting tomorrow. Before we take you both up I'd like to give you your last shots and walk you both through the graduation process ok?". Sanshi eyes the two leaders and two men they brought with them. If it was such a simple process why did they need the two guards. Sanshi nods waiting to hear an explanation while Emily shifts her weight uncomfortable with the situation and the sudden rush to graduate kids.
"The graduation procedure is simple," Sarah starts off folding her arms and shifting her weight, "you both will be given the final graduation exam which is broken down into 2 sections. The first section is the written which will consist of 20 different battle scenarios as well as a 200 multiple choice exam," Emily's jaw nearly drops. "After will be the physical portion of the exam which will include a full body scan and a demonstration of your current abilities".
"What happens if we don't pass?" Emily blurts out glancing at her sister then back to the four.
Sarah uncrosses her arms placing a hand on her hip. She looks judgingly at both girls, "If you fail either portion you will be terminated from the program". Emily looks down looking relieved naively believing they will be set free should they fail, while Sanshi's eyes stare right at Sarah's. Sanshi takes in a deep breath in realization, by terminated they mean killed.
Sanshi looks to the captain, "when does the test start?" Higgs smiles at Sanshi's response, he has always called her his best student so he is unsurprised by her direct question.
"We start now, follow us and we will take you to do the written portion first then we will go straight into the physical portion". Higgs leads the way the others following closely. They enter a classroom where two desks are set with their backs to each other. Sarah waits for the two girls to take their seats before continuing. "The written exam paper is already on your desk, you'll find a pen and paper and anything else you may need inside the desk. When I say you will break the seal on the exam paper and begin. You have 2 hours to complete the exam ready? Begin!", Sarah says keeping an eye on both girls. with 4 people watching there is no chance to cheat. Time moves so quickly when you don't want it to, both girls take the exam up until the final minutes. Sanshi finishes first, closing her exam book she takes a deep breath and lets out a sigh of relief.
Shortly after Emily slams the exam book closed, "Done! I'm finished". Sarah collects the exams and one of the two men take them and leave the room.
"Now for the physical portion of the exam. We are going to head to the recreation room to do sprints and lots of other physical tests." Higgs smirks as he leads the now mentally exhausted girls to the recreation room.
Sanshi sighs, "we don't even get a short break?".
Higgs turns after entering the room, "no the best time to test for physical traits is when you're not prepared to show them, hence we make you take the written exam first". He starts setting all the trials up while the girls watch.
"You both have come so far, don't sweat it here and just do your best alright", Sarah says walking in behind the two girls. The physical exam only takes an hour and a half but it is grueling, by the end both girls are covered in sweat.
"You both can take a seat and catch your breath", Higgs says looking over his clipboard. The girls both lay on the recreation floor not caring. Higgs walks around as he checks his clipboard page by page. "Good we finished everything go ahead and hit the showers we'll meet you both in the main room afterword". Higgs keeps looking at his clipboard as Sarah joins him. The two guards lead the girls to the main showers and wait outside for them.
"That was way more testing than I thought they would do", Sanshi says stipping off the dirty uniform and turning the water on to let it warm up.
"I don't remember hearing of any of the other kids getting tested like this," Emily groans doing the same.
"Yeah well . . . maybe it's a good thing they were testing us. I don't think those other kids passed" Sanshi says getting into the shower letting the warm water ease her now aching muscles.
Emily peeks in looking scared, "what do you mean you don't think they passed!?" Sanshi ignores her sister and starts washing. "Hey I asked you what you think happened to those other kids!" Emily says with more force this time.
"I'll tell you later for now get showered I am sure those guys are waiting for us to finish washing" Sanshi barks back getting irritated. Emily backs off and cleans up as well. They were issued new uniforms that were set out for them in the dressing area. They seem more like civilian clothes than the clothes they are used to. The girls dress quickly and men lead them towards the main room where Sarah and Captain Higgs are waiting. Higgs looks down at the paperwork.
His normally cheerful face tightened into a stern emotionless one, "I regret to inform the both of you . . . . that you passed". He smiles suddenly easing the tension, "sorry for the joke ladies. This means, much to my dismay, you both have graduated and will be leaving the growth floor and me behind. That said, Sarah and I will be taking you both to the elevator". He speaks holding back his emotions, "congratulations and may you continue your outstanding success," he salutes the girls who salute back.
"Come on Higgs don't be such a cry baby," Sarah says leading the girls out. For the first time in their lives they are walking toward the elevator. They are going to leave this floor behind just like their friends before. They both stop after walking past the double doors leading to the elevator bay. Sanshi looks back down the white hallways taking a deep breath she steps onto the elevator. Emily hesitates for a moment then joins her sister and the rest on the elevator leading up to the next level. Sarah controls the elevator putting her key in and pressing the correct floor.
Emily focuses on her feet as the elevator begins to move. She takes her sister's hand and grips it tight the actually moving on to the next floor finally sinking in. Finally the elevator stops and the door opens to a huge open space with artificial sunlight. The large open space has the look of a small town and in the background they can see a building with a tall tower. The tall tower has a clock before the peak with a large bell inside. All the houses down the main street they see are unique. Sanshi estimates in her head that the small town probably houses around 10,000 people. The main street is full of people going about their daily routine as the main tower bell rings many people with an evolution move about as well.
Sanshi leads Emily as they follow Captain Higgs and Sarah out of the elevators, "What is this place?". Sanshi's eyes now turning to meet Higgs'. The doors behind them close and a fresh breeze passes through the compound blowing through their hair. Higgs turns and smiles, "welcome to 8B main floor better known as Wellspring Academy".