Chapter 2

"Why hasn't anyone put an end to it?" Joshua asked as we walked to Math.

"Everyone's terrified?" I suggested in a small voice. "I don't know. But even if we tried, we don't actually have proof. All we know is that if a tall, macho man comes, whoever he takes doesn't come back. I've watched many students come and go in my time here. They never see their twelveth birthday."

"That's sick. It must be tough to watch....erm, witness."

"It is....especially when everyone is as close as we've been. We're the only family each other has."

Joshua was distraut, his face scrunched up in pain.

"Faith!"

I turned and saw Mr. Crowley holding Crystal's hand. Please, not her.

"I'm going to be strong!" she shoute triumphantly. "I love you!"

"I love you, too!" I shouted back, using all my will power to stay in control.

I watched until Crystal and the man were gone. I turned and looked at Joshua through the tears.

"I'm sorry," I said before running back towards the big tree.

I sat on the dead ground and hid my face in my hands, breaking out into heavy sobs.

"I put her into Your hands, God!" I shouted, leaning back against the tree.

"Miss Faith!"

I gasped and looked up at Miss Bertrum.

"Come to my office, now!"

I stood without protest and quickly followed her. I knew what was coming, and it was something I had often heard over and over again.

"Must we continue to have this discussion?" Miss Bertrum asked, closing her office door. "I realize that you're fond of the other students, but life goes on as it should. You must stop being so grieveous."

"I'm sorry," I said, unable to meet her eye. "It's jus-"

"I know, you're close to everyone."

I took a deep breath and looked at my feet. Big B would never understand.

"Faith," she went on, "I must inform you that the headmaster of the school will be here a day early. Don't let him see you in such a state. It shows weakness on your account. Am I made clear?"

"Yes ma'am," I replied, nodding my head.

"You may go."

I turned and left the office, closing the door behind me. I passed the 'Mistake Wall', where all the pictures of the 'deceased' students were. Right next to Lukan's picture was one of Crystal. It was almost as of Miss Bertrum was rubbing it in my face, but I was going to try and not let it bother me.

"They're in a better place now," I said to myself.

"Are you alright?"

I turned, Joshua was coming down the hall.

"I'll be fine," I said, wiping under my eyes. "I'm so sorry that you had to witness that on your first day."

"How old was she?" he asked, looking at Crystal's picture.

"She just turned eleven," I replied, staring at Lukan's  picture.

"Good morning," came a man's voice.

Joshua and I turned to see the man walking up the hall. I recognized Mr. Clarkson and stood straighter, squaring my shoulders.

"Good morning sir," I said respectfully.

"Please," he said, "no need for formality. Is Miss Bertrum in?"

"Yes," I replied, walking back to the office door.

I knocked.

"Yes?"

"Miss Bertrum," I said, opening the door. "Mr. Clarkson is here."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, fidgeting with her uniform. "Send him in."

I stepped aside to let the headmaster through. I was about to close the door when he stopped me.

"Stay," he said, motioning for me to sit. "Young man-" he went to Joshua in the hall, "-I would like for you to be present as well."

When Joshua was inside, Mr. Clarkson closed the door.

"Have we done something wrong?" I asked, doing my best to hide my anxiety.

"Don't speak unless called upon," Big B scolded.

"Miss Bertrum," said the headmaster in a calm, but firm voice. "There is no need to be harsh. She has the right for freedom of speech." He turned to me "No, my dear, you've done nothing of the sort. I only wish that you may be present so that you may know the new rule of this year's Assembly."

He cleared his throat and started pacing back in for around the office.

"Since," he said, "since Group D never has children over the age of eleven, the school board has decided to eliminate the group all together. But this will not be completed the Assembly is past. The students will be moved to th other groups, so that they might have a better chance of completing their education. And in this year's Assembly, only two of the eldest students in each group shall participate. One boy and one girl."

As I listened, I felt a small wave of hope come over me. All the ounger students would be getting out of Group D! They would have a better chance in life! God had heard our prayers. But then I started to worry. Joshua and me were the oldest in the group, we would have to participate in the Assembly by obligation. But would we have the ability to stay in the events long enough to even have a shot at being in the graduating class? Would we even pass the first round?

"I would train you personally," Mr. Clarkson went on, leaning against one of the tables. "Miss Bertrum, see to it that they are ready to depart with me, after tomorrow's gathering."

"Yes sir," she replied with a tone of disapproval. "But what of the teachers and headmistresses of this group?"

"That remains to be seen. What are your names?"

"Faith," I replied, looking up because I was looking at my hands.

"Joshua."

"Faith, Joshua. You may go now,"

Joshua and I stood and left the office. A new set of sobs was trying to build up in my chest as we passed the wall. I stopped and looked at Lukan's picture one last time.

"I'm getting out of Group D," I whispered to the picture. "I survived the past eight years. We almost did it."

"Is that...Who is that boy?" Joshua asked, pointing to the picture.

"That's Lukan," I replied quietly, taking a deep breath to calm myself. "He sort of helped me cope from losing all of my brothers in the Assembly."

"Are your brothers on this wall?"

I shook my head "Those who lose the Assembly are taken right after being told they'd lost. No one actually knows what happens to them."

"Well, I guess we're about to find out," Joshua said.

At lunch, I was having a tough time gettging any food down. My mind was still on Crystal and Lukan and everything.

"Faith," said Cassie, one of the other girls that share my room with me. "Please eat something."

"I don't know if I can," I said without emotion.

"But if you don't eat, you'll die. And if you die, what will happen to the rest of us? You won't be around!"

"I'm not going to die."

Cassie sighed and rested her head on my arm. I rubbed her short, black hair, and for a moment we were both able to relax. But the feeling was gone when Big B entered the mess hall, Mr. Crowley was with her. He was full of pain in his eyes as I met them briefly.

"Master Jeremy," Miss Bertrum boomed, crossing her arms. "You are to go with Mr. Crowley."

The little boy at the end of my table stood slowly. He looked at me, tears started to fill his eyes as he pounded his chest softly with his fist.

"Be strong," I whispered, doing the same.

The room was in utter silence as everyone watched yet another brave, little warrior walk out of our lives.

"As you were," Big B ordered before slamming the big doors closed.

The remaining twenty-eight children flocked to my table. Joshua didn't know what was going on, but he came as well. Including me and Joshua, there were now only thity students left in Group D. We all held hands and bowed our heads.

"Lord," I prayed as my voice broke. "Give us all strength in this retched hour. We lift up Crystal and Jeremy to you, and ask that you be with them as well. We place them into Your hands."