We enter the commons. It is a large room with multiple rows of seats. Often, it is used to gather large groups or showcase important presentations. Or, in this case, conduct intellect exams. At the front of the room are five doors where the tests happen. Most people only go in those rooms twice.

I sit in the 4 section next to Abbey. The testing order goes by last name alphabetically. It is the most logical way to conduct the exams. My last name is McCray, so I will be tested about half way through. Abbey's last name is Anderson, so she will be going around the beginning. Her expression is blank, though I can see a spark in her eyes that shows adrenaline.

As I predicted, Abbey is with the first group of test goers. I squeeze her hand. "Good luck" I whisper

"Good luck" she whispers back, then walks toward room three.

I sigh. Being alone makes my thoughts roam. I think back to the first intellect test I had when I was 6. My parents received my score the evening after I took it. They opened it and read it over. Mother's eyes looked glossy, like she was going to cry. I was sent to bed early that night. Quiet sobs kept me awake. I must have gotten a mark that guaranteed I wouldn't stay in 4 with my parents.

A door swinging open interrupts my memory. I see a 6 girl walk out of room one. She looks upset and slowly walks away. Her mark must be really low if she finished this early. An 8 boy takes her place in the room, and the door swings shut.

I go back to thinking. What level will I be in? Surely not 1 or 2. Or 3 for that matter. It would be nice to go back to 4 and continue the family library with my parents, but that is unlikely based on my original intellect mark. That leaves levels 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9. I don't even bother with 10 because practically nobody gets 10. That is why we have just enough leaders to run the city. Level 5's are lawyers. They used to be librarians with 4, but the level 4 population grew so large that they were assigned to run small businesses along with the libraries, and 5 was given the role of keeping the law in place. 6's are teachers, but I'm too impatient to teach children the curricular assigned by 10 leaders. And 8's cover our health so that our city isn't wiped out by epidemics or diseases. Everything is run logically and according to strict rules.

"Hayley McCray" I hear my name called. How long was I thinking for? My palms grow sweaty and I feel as if I can barely stand. My entire future counts on this moment. I walk towards door five. A 7 girl has just walked out with a smirk of pride on her face. She must have done well. Did Abbey do okay? I never noticed her leave.

My heart is pounding so hard I fear it will escape from my chest and fall out. A shiver runs along my spine as I step inside the room. The door slams shut behind me and clicks. It is locked. Others must have tried to escape in the past. What is coming for me if the door needs to be secured?

The room has two circular speakers mounted to the roof. A singular fluorescent light bulb hangs in between them. All the walls are white. I flinch as the room is illuminated with holograms around me. A female voice comes through the speakers.

"Welcome to your second Intellectual Examination. Your test may commence." And it does.