I ran down the brightly lit corridor, taking turn after turn trying to put as much distance between myself and the waiting room, my feet echoing on each time they hit the floor. I tried to soften my my footfalls, but the sound carried even then. Reluctantly I slowed to a walk even though every instinct in my body screamed at me to run.

 The instant I stopped running, cold hard logic was finally able to catch up with me. The facts started to run through my cluttered mind, I had no idea what I was looking for, I had no idea where to find it, I now had no clue of where I was and I had no idea how to get back into the waiting room without being noticed. I realized the recklessness of my actions and mentally slapped myself. Even if there was some sort of scandal what was I going to do about it? Go up to the matriarchs and say "Look what I found!" No, they were the ones hiding stuff in the first place. They would probably scold me then stab me on the sly and hide my body in a closet to keep my mouth shut. Wonderful. Exactly how I wanted to decompose. In a closet with cleaning supplies.

 I stopped walking entirely weighing my options in my head, I could keep up this useless expedition, or I could retreat and try to sneak back into the waiting room. It was hardly a competition. I swung around and started heading in the direction I had come, taking the turns I had thought I had taken.

 After a few turns I started to question myself- this felt like I was taking too long. I should be back by now, I thought. It must of been just because I had been running, I try to comfort myself, though I can feel the anxiety brewing within me as it always seems to do.

 Why does everything look the same?! Why is nothing marked?! The people who designed this place, as far as I was concerned, were certified fike heads. I thought in frustration looking at the endless hallway of white marble.

 I took a sharp turn into another hallway and I saw a large wooden door that ended it, stopping me dead in my tracks, I had definitely gone the wrong way. I was about to hightail it the other way but I heard a faint murmuring coming from the other side. Seized with curiosity, I approached it cautiously throwing a glance behind me and making sure I was completely alone.

 I was such an idiot, I decided as I crept toward the door. I should be running the other direction, every strand of common sense in my body screamed it. My heart began banging on my ribcage as adrenaline rushed through my veins in a fashion I was all too used to. I bit my cheek hard drawing blood in a lame attempt at distracting myself from my abundance of fear. I had to know who was in there.

 I crouched down on my hands and knees, trying to see through the small crack under the door without much luck, however my hearing was much more successful....

  “...we need to decide quickly. We’ve already been in here for too long.” A masculine voice drifted through the crack.

 “Well honey, forgive us, this doesn't exactly happen everyday.” A brash female voice silenced him. The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it.

  “I am sick of listening to you two squabble like a bunch of hens!” A voice that I would know anywhere registered itself in my brain- Evicia Lyveen Falconess. It was The Guardians in there- they were talking about me. “Like it or not Jade Aye Crestfall, Vesten Luminous Jai has a point, we are taking too much time, we must decide whether Wesley should go to the branch The Colleagues decided he was best for, or whether we should overrule them deeming him as too much of a threat.”

 “Nothing like that has ever happened before…. I thought my my machine was foolproof….” A dazed voice drifted into my ears.

 “Yes, Atlas Heathcliff Rhett, we’ve already established this point. Just the fact that he was able to figure it out and break free from it makes me want him in my branch, not even mentioning his cleverness earlier. His bloodline also makes him ideal, his father, mother, grandparents, great grandparents, all were successful military leaders and its clear he thinks differently than any other child we’ve tested so far.” Evicia Lyveen Falconess said crisply to her companions.

 “Different is bad- really bad. Just look at his papers, he’s clearly very unstable… picking fights… always alone… very obsessive... no respect for authority. And you said the same exact thing about the other one, and look where that got us! He has the right qualities, you have to admit! I say we kill off  Gambit’s entire bloodline before it gets bad.” The voice I assumed to be Vesten Luminous Jai’s made my blood run cold. I found myself frozen- no glued to the floor, wanting to escape somehow, but unable to tear myself from the conversation that determined my fate.

 “And don’t forget about this all occurred when he saw the water, its clear that he was terrified of it.” Another voice that must of been Atlas Heathcliff Rhett added. No, no, no, this can’t be happening, I thought, trembling now.

“He almost died in a tank full of water earlier, I would of been impressed if he had’nt reacted in some way. His social behaviors? A little time in the White Room will fix both. As to you Vesten Luminous Jai, different is very good on the battlefield. Different thinking helps out outsmart the enemy, and if you can outplay your enemy, you win.” Evicia Lyveen Falconess snapped, clearly flustered by her fellow Guardians telling her no.

 “What has gotten into you Evicia Lyveen Falconess? Its almost as if you’ve developed a… soft spot  for this boy?” The brash female voice from earlier mocked.

 There was a sharp movement of some type and the female voice cried out in pain, I jumped a little at the suddenness of it. “Listen closely. I have no soft spot for the boy, I simply know a strong warrior when I see one. If you are correct and the boy proves me wrong, and is average or below it, we will sacrifice him to the gods at the Winter Lights festival in 4 months time. This conversation is over.” I heard footsteps approaching the door-I felt a wave of nausea pass over me as I shot to my feet looking around desperately for somewhere to hide in the empty hallway. There were doors. I could duck in there. I darted over to the one on the left, shoving my weight against it and jerking at the knob.

  It didn’t open. I glanced over in panic at the wooden door, I could see the knob turning. I ran for the other door in the hall as the wooden door creaked open. I held my breath as I tried to open it. I practically threw myself inside the room, I would have closed it but the head of the Xiomaran branch was already in the hall, I heard her approaching. Desperately, I threw myself under the desk in the center of the room and prayed she wouldn't see me.

  “Blaze Hugo Thaddius, why didnt you lock the door when you printed the file?” Evicia Lyveen Falconess snapped as she stepped through the door without turning the light on, throwing some papers on the desk under which I hid. I held my breath, risking the movement of shutting my eyes, not wanting to see the second she looked down and saw me. It was impossible that she wouldnt. I was so dead. They were going to kill me. I was dead. Dead. Dead. Dead.

 "I thought I did...." Came a response from the hallway.

 "Well you thought wrong, you need to be more careful." Evicia Lyveen Falconess snapped, her hands feeling around the desk for something. I held my breath as a loud grinding sound was heard- some machine.

"Come on, we have to go." the deep voice of Vesten Luminous Jai came from the hallway. "Finish shredding the file and get out here! You can reset the computers later."

 I heard Evicia Lyveen Falconess sigh and walk away from the desk and a door slammed shut. The Gaurdians footsteps faded as they walked down the hall.

 I didn't move. I didn't dare move. Was I really alone? I opened my eyes to see the room was dark with the exception of a dim light glowing from a computer on the wall of the room. I slowly forced myself to crawl out from underneath the desk, trying to convince myself this wasn't some type of trap.

I stood up slowly, my teeth clenched, just waiting for some type of alarm to sound. I remained unmoving for another few moments, taking in my surroundings.

The room was huge, much larger than I had originally realized. It's walls were made up of computers completely, however only one was turned on. I glanced at the only desk in the room, and saw whatever file that Evicia Lyveen Falconess and the other Guardians had been looking at was now absolutely mutilated. It was strewn across the desk in the smallest shards of paper I had ever seen, next to a strange machine that must of accomplished this feat.

 I knew I had to get out of there, The Guardians were headed toward The Waiting Room as I spoke. As soon as they realized I was gone they would start looking, and I couldn't let them find me here. I could say that Alma had left the door open when she went to go found the bucket and I had ran off and gotten lost while I was trying to find a bathroom? Maybe.

I placed my hand on the door to push it open- then I stopped as I realized that this was the room that I had sprinted off on a wing and a prayer to find- there was no way I was missing this chance. I swallowed my fear and turned toward the one computer that was still on. I walked over to it and looked at the screen apprehensively knowing that something important was on it, remembering how Vesten Luminous Jai had told Evicia Lyveen Falconess that she could reset them later.

 My eyes skimmed over the screen and I felt my heart race at what I saw- it was about me. Two pictures of me, one from the front and one from the side were next to words. I squinted at the pictures, never having remembered them being taken. I couldn't dwell on it though, I didn't have enough time, my eyes skirted to the words that appeared next to the pictures.

I squinted at the words in confusion, they seemed to be crushed together to form lines. My eyes skimmed the screen picking out words I knew; Xiomaran, brilliant and unstable appeared more than a few times.They didn't help me much though. The word lines seemed to be formed to write like the sentences we speak, I instantly thought the idea was absolutely brilliant. You could write entire story's on computers instead of having to verbally explain everything.

I squinted at the words on the paper, wishing that the elders had taught us more than just the basic words that they used to label things. I wondered why they hadn't.

I put my finger to the screen scrolling downward. There was nothing here that could help me or give me solid information of anything unless I knew what all of the words meant. I scowled.

I poked my finger at the X in the corner of the screen, the tab that held my profile shut down. Underneath the tab was a long list of words I didn't know. I clicked one and another profile popped up almost identical to mine. This one belonged to a kid that was two years younger than me. I had never talked to him but I had seen him in the gym a few times. I glanced at the long lines of words picking out the words good, Veronian, and holy repeated a few times.

I hit the X and clicked another name, this time Barricades profile popped up. He didn't look nearly as intimidating without the evil grin on his face. I skimmed the words and my eyes saw that the words Xiomaran and strong were the only ones that were consistently repeated that I knew. I silently swore in my mind, realizing that Barricade would be in the same branch as me. I hated him. I hit the X once again and went back to the main page knowing I didn't have much time. Instinctively I glanced over my shoulder, seeing nothing but the dim outline of the desk and chair.

I looked back at the computer, I was looking at a list of every child in the Growth Center, I realized. I scrolled downwards a few times and the list probably went on forever. I went back up and tried to find my profile again. I had to get it back up before I could leave or the Guardians would know that someone had been here.

It took me a few dozen clicks but I finally found my profile again. I stared at it for a few seconds wondering what exactly it said about me before turning my back on the computer and walking toward the door.

I pushed it open, it seemed much heavier then when I had shoved it open not ten minutes before. I let the door to the room that held the answers to probably every question I had ever ask swing closed. I would of liked to search through more files, but quite frankly I didn't have enough time and I wasn't about to put my life in even more jeopardy to look at words I couldn't understand.

I started trudging my way down the hall anxious to put as much distance between me and that room as possible.

Thoughts about all the information wheeled around in my head madly as I tried to organize and decipher it all. Evicia Lyveen Falconess wanted to give me a chance because she thinks I'm some wonder child, the other Guardians  think I'm trouble- which lets face it I am. If I am not doing above average by the Winter Lights Festival I will be sacrificed to the gods. All of the branches for the children are predetermined by some group called the Colleagues who are higher ranking that the Guardians. I had always been told that Guardian was the highest rank besides Empress in the country. So who were the Colleagues? I furrowed my brow as I walked, my anxiety starting to kick in once again. Then the stuff I found in the computer room, they documented all of us. I was willing to bet that they broken our phycology down to the best of their ability. I couldn't read, but the files had been very large. How did they do that? And more importantly HOW extensive was their knowledge? I felt my face redden REALLY hoping they didn't know everything. My mind wheeled reminding me of every embarrassing thing that I had done in the short expanse of my life.

I sigh loudly trying to calm myself down. The Guardians hadn't seemed to know that I had an anxiety disorder but they still might. I hadn't seen the word on my profile but who knows? I took a sharp turn a lot faster than I should of and collided with someone.

I fell backwards startled, sprawling on the floor. I groaned looking upwards in dread, expecting to see the Guardians scowling at me, deciding how to kill me. Who I saw was quite the opposite, but whose thoughts were probably along the same lines.

Barricade stared down at me with a face so shocked it looked like he had seen a ghost.

I probably didn't look much better.

He was standing with Luca Raspet at his side who looked equally shocked, though unlike Barricade he was clearly thinking the situation through in his head. He seemed to be calculating the thousand and one possible outcomes and how they would affect him with ease.

"You- you- I thought I killed you!" Barricade yelled in a mixture of confusion and anger.

"You did. I'm a ghost. Boo." I said flatly glaring at him evenly. Until this point I had thought I would be terrified when I set eyes on Barricade again, after all he almost killed me successfully. I surprised myself, instead of cowering in a corner I found myself wanting to rip his throat out.

"Yeah right. You got lucky but you won't get lucky again." Barricade hissed "I will rip that  tongue right out of your mouth."

I clenched my teeth getting to my feet, "That's nothing, I will freaking cut you open and gut you like a fish!" I growled with every ounce of venom I had. Barricade actually looked frightened for half a second before he lashed out, the very picture of fury.

Suddenly his fist stopped. I looked over to see Luca Raspet scowling and grasping Barricade's wrist. He had stopped the fist mid swing. I wondered how such a slinky little man had the ability to stop such a blow, but I pushed the thought aside knowing I had way bigger problems now. Until this point I had actually forgotten about his presence. I tried to suppress my anger remembering todays earlier events but it didn't go well. I still wanted to rip his throat out along with Barricades.

"Barricade, get ahold of yourself!" He yelled angrily, "And Wesley," he turned to glower down at me, "What are you doing?"

"Trying to find a bathroom." I lied with terrifying ease, "What are you doing?"

"I am taking Barricade to his test, if you really couldn't figure it out on your own. Explain yourself Wesley." He demanded, his face full of hate.

"I don't need to explain myself to you." I snapped, "But if you really can’t figure it out on your own, Alma left me in the waiting room. I told her I felt like I was going to vomit. She told me she was off to find a bucket but she never came back. I really felt nauseous so I tried the door and forms she had left it unlocked. I decided to help myself and find a bathroom. Care to help me before I vomit all over your Maevren designer shoes?"

Luca Raspet sniffed through his large nose very loudly, "Exiting the area the Guardians left you is against the rules and you will have to be punished as such.” His little beady eyes were cold, the little evil gears in his brain had stopped turning. He had decided on a course of action, what action that was I had no idea. Perhaps if I had been thinking clearly or had been a different person I would of saw that it would of been a good idea to proceed with caution however I was me. Angry, disgruntled me.  

“I didn’t see a sign.” I snapped feeling my anxiety begin, however instead of making me cower, the adrenaline mixed with my rage filling me with a feeling of electricity.

Luca Raspet’s face contorted, and for a second I thought he was going to explode, but after a second it was all gone and a placid look replaced it. “There is a bathroom around the corner.” He said gesturing to the bend in the hall behind him.

That stopped me. I looked at him absolutely startled, I had been preparing for a fight but I hadn't got one. I eyed him warily raising an eyebrow, “Thanks….” I said weaving my way around Barricade and into the hall beyond ignoring whatever threat he was attempting to mouth at me. He looked really stupid, moving his mouth very slowly and deliberately, but they didn't seem to form and legible words. He looked like a fish- yeah that was right.

I heard Luca Raspet whispering to Barricade and I rolled my eyes. Probably gossiping about me like a bunch of clicky girls. I rolled my eyes almost to the end of the hallway. One day I was going to kill both of them, assuming that I wasn't first, I let out a grim chuckle. I stopped suddenly. Something was wrong. The whispers had stopped.

I turned around slowly unsure of why this was such a problem, but it was if an ominous strain that could only be felt with one’s instinct had settled over the corridor. From nowhere a huge fist barreled into my stomach, I doubled over, the air forced from my stomach. I looked up already knowing who it was, Barricade sent another blow, this time toward my jaw. I ducked clumsily but it still grazed me enough to send me flying backward. I hit the floor, my head cracking against the marble. I saw stars, but I forced myself to think shoving the fog in my brain away with all of my mind.

Barricade was coming at me, full speed. I waited half a second  before I kicked his groin with all of my might. He keeled over howling and I jumped to my feet kicking him with all of my might repetitively. In half a second the fight turned from self defence to revenge, every built up emotion just came flooding out of my and I felt myself lose control.

 Barricade tried to grab my ankle and pull me over but I easily crushed them under my feet.  I leaned forward grabbing his shirt, “Not so nice when you’re on the receiving end, is it?” I sneered, feeling my heart pumping stronger with the electric feeling of power that was surging through every fiber of my being. I loved it. “Not so tough without little Wilder to protect you, huh?”

His face contorted into a mixture of rage and pain as he tried to wheeze something. I stomped on his stomach and laughed at the pained expression that crossed his face. I kicked his jaw powerfully and watched his head snap back like a twig. “Maybe I should do that to your neck too….” I spat hovering my boot over his neck, l watched his eyes that had once smiled as I drowned turn pleading. Blood and tears covered his face as he whispered, “Please don’t….”

My sanity finally caught up to me, a creeping horror at what I had done trickled into heart. I was no better than him, and worse I hadn't even been in full control. It had been like my brain had stopped working and my feelings had taken over. I remembered how just before he had attacked me I had decided that I wanted to kill him, I don’t think I really meant it now. I thought of all the people I had deemed on my kill list, all of a sudden the anger was gone replaced with a numb terror at what I was capable of. Today I learned a aspect of myself that I hadn’t realized existed, and I hated it.

I slowly moved my foot away from Barricade’s neck and he collapsed with relief, breathing heavily. I backed up unaware of anything but myself. Unconsciously I wondered where Luca Raspet was and why he hadn't intervened. Barricade and I were alone in the hallway, I realized perking up a little. Where had he gone?

Then I heard it, pounding footsteps running toward us. Around the corner came seven figures clad in robes.They stopped when they saw me. “H-He just attacked us! Came out of nowhere! I tried to stop him but- but….” Luca trailed off his voice faltering as he saw Barricade motionless on the floor.

Luca was lying. That had been his plan all along, to frame me. I couldn't bring myself to say anything though, looking back I think I was in shock. I looked downward so I wouldn't have watch the Guardians terrified glances at one another. I heard one of them approaching me. I couldn't look up. They were probably going to shoot me on the spot. I deserve it.

I felt a finger under my chin forcing me to look upwards, Evicia Lyveen Falconess stood there  with a pleased smile on her face that really should of scared me. Who smiles at a kid after he nearly killed another guy? “Wesley,” She said, “The goddess Xiomara has called you to be a warrior.”

Luca Raspet let out strangled gasp that embodied his fury and sock perfectly. “But Evicia Lyveen Falconess-” He ran up to her almost pleadingly, “He is clearly insane! A psycho killer if you will! How can you reward that behavior?” There were some murmurs of agreement from the other Guardians.

Evicia Lyveen Falconess let out a annoyed sigh, “My friends, perhaps in your branches this behavior is bad, but for Xiomarans how many ruthless soldiers you have determine if you win a battle. Wesley managed to successfully defeat a boy much larger than him for the second time.” She sent a distasteful glare at Barricade who turned his face away in shame. Evicia Lyveen Falconess went on. “Xiomarans are… ‘psycho killers’ if thats the term you want to use. You yourself are Xiomaran Luca Raspet. I am disappointed in you and so is Xiomara, I feel her anger coursing through me.” She turned stiffly and strode powerfully down the hall, the other Guardians followed.

Suddenly out of nowhere Alma appeared holding a large mango colored bucket. I had no idea how she had managed to find one. “Why are you here?” She asked dumbly cocking her head to one side in confusion.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything, but Luca Raspet had no trouble finding words, “Alma kindly take Wesley here back to the waiting room and actually guard him this time. I have to go find some Veronian healers.”

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Alright! Another chapter done! Tell me what you guys think! Okay I am dedicating this chapter to Rhenn2434 for the comment. Comments mean so much to me they really inspire me to keep writing. <3 Thank you!