"Level 1" Conrad says in a booming voice. "Margie Anthony" I see the level 6 girl from the start of the exams stand and move onto the stage behind Conrad. A soft cry comes from the crowd of viewers. I assume it is from the girl's parents. Conrad continues announcing the new level 1 members. He has called up 5 people before he moves to level 2.

"You got lucky 4" Liam whispers into my ear through gritted teeth. I roll my eyes.

I don't know anyone called to level 2 or 3. Conrad starts calling the level 4 names. A bit of hope inside me says that I will be called up now and be reuniting with my family. But I know that won't happen. I recognize a few people called up to 4 from my building. Abbey hasn't been called yet. Neither has Liam, which disappoints me. The level 4 members have been called and I haven't walked up to join them. I can imagine my mother trying to hold back tears, my father comforting her.

Level 5 and 6 are called up and I only know a few of them as former 4s. Conrad is calling level 7. Maybe I will be called up now. I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life protecting people, but I realize I am not strong enough to. I will never be strong enough to protect anyone, even myself.

"Abbey Anderson" Conrad calls. Abbey gets up from her seat in the front row and go onto the stage in a section for the 7s. She looks happy, like she should belong there. I know that she belongs there, protecting the people in the city.

Conrad calls more names I don't know. Then he calls someone I'm surprised would make it as a 7.

"Liam McAllister". Liam peels himself off of his seat with a smirk.

"See you later, 4" he mutters to me as he heads onstage with the other level 7 members. I huff. I never thought Liam could be smart enough to stay in his level. One of his friends is called up after him.

All the level 7 members are called. Now it is time for level 8. The ceremony is getting closer to the end and I am getting more nervous each name called. I am hoping with all my heart that I don't get in 9.

Level 8 members are finished being called and level 9 is starting. There are five 16 year olds left: Me, two 9s, a 1 and a 7. My palms start becoming clammy and my hands shake. I hold them on my jeans to keep them still. 'Please don't be a 9' I think. I want to run up to my mother and father and cry while they hug me and stroke my hair. "It'll be ok", they'd say. Conrad calls up the rest of the 16s into level 9.

"Now, for the first time in 4 years, Level 10 members" Conrad says through the microphone. A quiet murmur goes through the crowd. Soon, all eyes are glued on me. I look down at my hands.

"Hayley McCray" Conrad announces. I get up from my chair and head towards Conrad. My legs are shaky from sitting so long and out of the anxiety of being stared at. I don't know if I can make it to the stage without tripping. I make it to Conrad after what seems like a mile of walking. Smiling, I turn to the crowd and hope I don't look bad.

"Introducing your new level members!" Conrad shouts through the microphone. Everyone in the commons cheers. Each level starts filing out, starting with level 9 and ending with level 1. The whole time Conrad has his large hand placed on my shoulder. When all the levels have gone only Conrad, the other three 10 members, four level 7 members and I are left in the commons. 'Why are they still here?' I think, looking at the level 7s. By some unspoken command, they form a diamond shaped barrier around me.

"Wha-" I begin but am cut off by Conrad.

"Just..." he pauses. "Just a proper escort". This doesn't feel like a "proper escort", but I go with them anyways. I hear the 10 members walking behind me. We go outside and I am put in a fancy car only level 10s have access to. I see three of them in a line. One of the 7s slams the door behind me and I am alone in the car with a level 2 driver. A few seconds later Camden opens the door and scoots in beside me. He turns his head and stares at me as the car pulls away. His blue eyes are full of pity. He shakes his head.

"Welcome to level 10" he mutters. At this, he turns his head and looks at the seat in front of him.