"The set of your mouth, the worry in your eyes. I know your face, Cia. I can tell when something is wrong."
I shrug and try to deflect. "We just left our families and friends behind and might never see them again."
"I've seen you worry about your friends and family. I've seen you stress over getting an answer to a question just right. This is different." His hand settles over mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. "I know I wasn't your best friend back home, but you can trust me."
Can I?
My heart skips a beat and I look away from his intense gaze back at the skimmer — the cabin — where the cameras are waiting. I have known Tomas my entire life. We've worked on school projects together, played games, and even danced in each other's arms for one memorable hour at last year's graduation party. We haven't talked as much this year. My fault. More than once Tomas has asked me to take a walk or work with him on some assignment, but I've always found a reason to say no. My brothers' teasing after that party, the other girls' angry looks, my uncertainty over what those dances meant made me take a step back. Now I have to choose whether to step back again or take a chance and reach out to him. Technically Tomas is my competition, which should make me shut him out.
Soon the others will emerge from the building. Cameras will once again be watching and capturing our every move, possibly our every word. I know that here in the shade of the trees, where I am almost positive the cameras have not followed, is the last opportunity to share my concerns without being heard. My father said to trust no one. But looking back into Tomas's serious gray eyes, I decide to ignore that advice this one time. If it is a mistake, it is my mistake. The consequences will be mine to live with.
"There's a camera hidden in the skimmer. I spotted two more in the cabin."
"Are you sure?"
I nod.
A lock of hair falls over his forehead as he looks toward the skimmer. "I don't understand. Why would someone be watching us now?"
"Because," I say. "The Testing has already begun."
CHAPTER 5
NOW THAT I'VE started, the words rush out of me. My father's missing memories. His fragmented nightmares. The belief that our former teacher shared the same nightmares and used her authority to prevent Five Lakes students from being selected for The Testing. I hold my breath and wait for Tomas to condemn my father's ideas. To tell me that we will be safe. This is only a test like all the others we've taken in our lives.
Instead, he says, "It's a good thing we're in the same group. We'll be able to look out for each other."
"You think my father's nightmares are real memories?"
"I think it's a good idea to be prepared for whatever might be coming. If they aren't real, then we won't be any worse off for keeping alert. If they are . . ." His fingers lace with mine, and we sit there as the unfinished words hang between us.
A whistle makes us jump. Michal is waving. He's ready to leave.
Tomas scrambles to his feet and helps me up. He doesn't let go of my hand as we trek back through the tall grass. Halfway to the skimmer, he stops and pulls something wrapped in a white cotton handkerchief out of his pocket. Cookies. He takes one and offers me the other. "Since we're partners."
The word makes me smile. Partners. As we have been so many times before. Every time we worked together, we scored the highest marks in the class. I find myself hoping this time will be the same.
"Well, partner," I say, taking the cookie, "make sure you turn down any cookies offered to you by our competition. Just in case."
As expected, Zandri looks annoyed when she sees Tomas and me climb into the skimmer together. While Tomas might not be concerned with Zandri, it is clear by the daggers she's shooting me that she doesn't feel the same. In fact, my partnership with Tomas might have just netted me a new adversary. Perhaps not as dangerous as those who would poison my food to get ahead, but still worrisome considering the length of her fingernails.
Tomas heads to the back of the skimmer to sit with the other two. A hand touches my arm as I start to join them. "Everything okay?"
Michal's eyes are filled with concern. I smile and am fully aware of the camera as I say, "Everything's great. It was nice to see the revitalization work up close. My father would be impressed."
He glances back toward the camera; then he returns my smile. The concern in his face is gone, replaced by pleasure. Yes. For some reason, out of the four of us from Five Lakes Colony, Michal has decided to help me. And clearly he believes I have performed well.
Telling me to take a seat, Michal climbs into the driver's compartment. Zandri is busy talking to Tomas about some party they both attended a few weeks ago as I sink into one of the couches and feel the skimmer begin to move. She fingers her bracelet, a square with a stylized flower in the middle, as she leans forward drawing attention to the loose neckline of her blouse. I don't know if the people watching us are annoyed by Zandri's flirting, but I am. And worse, I'm certain her antics don't reflect well on her academic standing. Considering her reluctance to attend in the first place . . .
I wait for an opening and ask Zandri about the new windmill she had a hand in designing. While her primary passion is painting, Zandri has a wonderful eye for symmetry and balance that our town's architect has been happy to utilize. I'm betting her bracelet design has something to do with this skill.
Zandri gives me a curious glance, probably because I was also involved in the project, but doesn't dismiss the opportunity to talk about herself. Tomas asks her questions about the windmill and pulls Malachi into talking about the things he's been working on. For the next hour, Tomas and I trade off interviewing our fellow candidates, helping them look good in front of the invisible Testing committee. They are my competition, but because they are from home, I will do what I can to keep us all safe.
The conversation tapers off, and I find myself fighting to keep my eyes open after such a long day. "Why don't you get some sleep?" Tomas slides into the seat next to me and gives me a warm smile. "I'll wake you if anything exciting happens."
I follow his advice and stretch out on the cushions near the front of the cabin. I'm not sure how well I'll sleep knowing Tomas might see me drool, but I close my eyes and give it a try. The last thing I hear before the real world fades is Tomas telling Zandri and Malachi to speak softly.
My father talks to me in my dreams. The Dad I knew before I was selected. He patiently shows me how to splice flora genes. Holds my hands while I attempt to mimic his movements. Tells me the biggest failures typically come before the biggest breakthroughs. That no matter what, I should never get discouraged. Learn from my mistakes and all will be well.
"Cia. Wake up." My father's hands shake me. No. Not my father. Tomas. I am no longer home. Tomas smiles as I open my eyes. "Get up. Michal says you don't want to miss this."
Michal's right. Out the window I can see a shimmering, impossibly clear body of water. The dimming light cannot detract from its obvious purity. The five great lakes our colony is named after have been cleansed, but not like this. Not yet. The sight takes my breath away.
And then I see it. What the others are watching with shining eyes and open mouths. Up ahead — beyond the water. Silver buildings. Lights bright enough to be seen for miles and miles. These can only mean one thing — Tosu City. We're here.
In school we've been taught that ninety-nine years ago, Tosu City was created as the first tangible sign that we as a people had survived the Seven Stages of War — the Four Stages of destruction that humans wrought on one another and then the following Three Stages in which the earth fought back. This spot was chosen because its predecessor was deemed an unimportant military target by the wagers of war. While it could not escape the corruption of the earth or the earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, much of the city still stood when the earth quieted, and those left alive began to rebuild.
As we move closer, the buildings seem to grow taller. How thrilling and scary it must be to view the world from the top. Some buildings aren't as tall, but the squat, perfectly cylindrical shapes constructed of steel and glass are no less impressive. Building after building after building. I cannot tell how many of them are new or which survived the wars. The buildings begin to blur together and everywhere there are people. Walking. Running. Laughing. Hurrying. Skimmers and bicycles crowd the streets. Old-fashioned cars and glide scooters. Most streets we pass look neat, clean, and new. Exactly what I expect from the city that serves as the center of our country's hope for the future. But as we travel, I catch a glimpse of other streets that are dirtier and in disrepair. The people walking to and from those areas look worn out and tired. Some appear hungry. Others look as though they haven't bathed in weeks, and I wonder why. From school I know the greatest concentration of our population is here — in this city. At least a hundred thousand people. Until this moment I never fully understood what that number meant. Now that I do, I am overwhelmed. I feel Tomas's hand slip into mine and hold on tight. His face is pale. His eyes are wide. I think I'm not alone in my feelings of insignificance and confusion.
Michal tells us we'll go immediately to the Testing facilities — no sightseeing will be allowed. But I notice he takes us past the towering capitol building and the cold, stone department of justice, both places Malachi expressed interest in seeing, before steering the skimmer through a large arching gate. A wrought-iron sign next to the arch reads THE UNIVERSITY OF THE UNITED COMMONWEALTH.
My heart skips. We are at the University. Here I can tell the buildings are old. Red brick. White trim. A clock tower. Some buildings made of glass. Others of stone. All speak of age and of wisdom. I see a large sculpture of two hands clasping each other — in prayer? In hope? Zandri might know, but I don't want to ask her. I just want to take it all in.
We pass a large stadium, and moments later the skimmer slows. It comes to a stop in front of a massive, sleek building made of black steel and black glass. The grounds around it are lush and green and filled with flowers, but they in no way soften the stark, imposing exterior. A small bronze sign in front of the entrance reads TESTING CENTER.
The skimmer door opens, and the four of us hop out. I look up at the tall structure and then at the heavy steel front door and my stomach clenches. I feel a large warm hand touch my shoulder. Tomas. Just knowing he is beside me helps keep the gnawing panic at bay.
"Here." Michal hands me the bag marked with my symbol. "Make sure you don't let it out of your sight." He says this in a low, quiet voice. His gaze locks with mine. There is no smile or amusement in his eyes. He is serious. I am to keep my few possessions with me no matter what.
Then the moment is gone. Michal turns back and his voice booms out, "Once we get inside, you'll be assigned your sleeping quarters and your roommates. Most of the other candidates are already here since their skimmers didn't have mechanical problems. The last few will arrive sometime tonight." He gives us a big smile and asks, "Are you ready to go inside?"
There is only one acceptable answer. "Yes." We all give it.
Michal nods and presses six buttons on a small keypad next to the door. There is the click. The door swings open, and we follow Michal inside. Tomas is the last to cross the threshold. The minute he does, the door swings shut behind him. The sound of locks being engaged accompanies our first glimpse of the Testing Center. Which, to be completely honest, is kind of a letdown. The lobby area is dimly lit — white walls with a scuffed, gray floor. Two gray and wood chairs are arranged in a corner to suggest a conversational gathering place, but the chairs look as though they've never been used. We don't get to use them now because Michal is leading us down a long white and gray hallway to a bank of elevators. I've never been in one, but I've read about them, studied how they work.
The doors open the minute Michal presses a button, and we all step in. Whoosh. In a matter of seconds the numbers over the doors have gone from one to five. The elevator dings and the doors slide open to reveal a large, electrically lit lobby with shiny white tile floors. The side walls are painted blue, but the back wall is all glass, giving us a view of a large room beyond filled with tables, chairs, and people. People our age. My stomach lurches. Dozens and dozens of other Testing candidates.
The sound of a throat clearing brings my attention to an overly large woman with long curly white hair and round, gold-rimmed glasses seated behind a large wooden desk. She gives us a smile and stands.
The woman begins to speak, and I relax. Her voice is warm and friendly as she welcomes us to Tosu City and congratulates us on being chosen for The Testing. "Most of the other candidates arrived yesterday or earlier today. Dinner is being served in the hall behind me. You can freshen up and leave your things in your rooms or you can just go straight in."
"I'd like to go straight in," I say. If I am shown to my room, I might never have the courage to come out. Zandri looks like she wants to fight about it, but Tomas agrees with me and that settles the issue. Michal gives me a subtle nod and leads us down the corridor, through a door, and into the large hall we saw through the glass. I don't think I'm imagining it when I hear the room go silent. All eyes dart to us. Take in our faces. Size us up as competition. Then the talking and eating resume.
On the left side of the hall is a buffet table piled with food. Three servers stand behind the table as though ready to explain the choices. Several types of bread. Apples, oranges, and grapes. A red stew made with lots of vegetables and beef. Carrots and tiny onions in a light sauce, and thick steaks of some kind of fish I've never seen before. Michal tells me the fish is called salmon. There is a separate table filled with cakes and other sweets.