"Heilute what?"

Simone shuffled around her room, picking up random things I couldn't quite tell. "Heilute bites. They're supposed to enhance your physical abilities but they were banned long ago."

"And why were they banned?" I choked. If Chloe was handling illegal substances then I truly did have a right to be suspicious of her.

The air in here got stuffier. Simone turned, her eyes fixed on me. "Heilute bites were introduced thirty years ago. I remember I was just a teenager when Annexians were forced to consume the vile substance. They started with a few people; the older population of our planet to be exact. It was supposed to make us different from Earthlings and heighten our abilities, but things didn't go as they were planned. At first the Heilute bites make you stronger and even more aware of things around you, but overtime they tear down the immune system bit by bit and..."

"Simone and? And what?"

"You die."

My heartbeats suddenly became louder, drowning down everything else in the room. Chole was going to die.

My derriere fell flush on Simone's small bed and it suddenly dawned on me. "Could that have been the reason for the-the..his death?"

"I don't know, Alyssa, but it very well could be."

"Wait. Isn't Joseph supposed to be sacked or something. He's risking the life of a trainee."

"Look, we're supposed to be the bad guys in the story. There are other things we need to focus on at the moment. Chloe knows perfectly well what she's getting herself into. Annexia has seen dark times, believe me and Heilute bites are quite addicting."

People were dying around me and I was just supposed to sit and watch. How wonderful!

"Do you really think she'd risk all that just to become a guardian?"

"Who knows? Forget about that now. You should get back to your room, you've been here for too long already. I'll talk to your father about the Heilute bites."

I nodded, knowing that arguing would be of no use and she was right. I had spent too much time here already. Just as I was about to leave a "ding" came from one of Simone's machines and she scurried off to see her notification.

She took off her glasses as she read through, blinking to see if what she saw was right. She released a strangled breath. "This is what we've been waiting for Alyssa."

My heartbeats increased significantly. I didn't think I could keep up with the amount of surprises that had been thrown at me the past few days. "What do you mean Simone," I squeaked.

"The Council just gave us orders to start the elimination process now. More than forty percent of you will be sent back home."

This wasn't what I hoped for. I thought that I would have had at least a months time of preparation before facing any major challenges. I felt the temperature of my body suddenly go up. My breaths became heavier and my hands clammy. I wasn't prepared. I couldn't do this.

I hated when things weren't planned and I had no control over them.

Simone seemed to have noticed my inner struggle. She closed the distance between us and engulfed me in a hug. It was such a long time before I felt anyone hug me like this. My parents had no time for meaningless gestures involving body contact.

This felt nice.

My body relaxed into her embrace. All tension had left my body and waves of serenity shot through me, leaving me calm again. "It's going to be alright sweetie, just calm down. You can do it. I believe in you."

Simone was truly a wise woman. This was exactly what I needed at the moment. Some reassurance, someone to tell me that everything was going to be okay.

I almost teared up at her words. Almost. Those were words that were never directed to me, instead my parents would comfort me with words such as, "don't mess this up", "stupid girl", "you don't want to get locked up again". Oh they were the nicest of words. But I couldn't complain. They raised me to be a strong woman and I was going to be exactly that.

Time was far spent and as much as I appreciated Simone's concern, it was time to act up and do what I was sent here for. I released myself from Simone's hold putting on a small smile. I'm sure that I must have looked constipated, but it was the effort that mattered, right?

"Thank you," I muttered, really meaning it.

I left the room and sauntered to the auditorium, knowing fully that I was going to do just any thing to pass this test.

The auditorium was packed with other trainees in their pajamas. Only the members of staff dressed formally. Perhaps they had mastered Mr. Orion's golden rules. Rule four, always be prepared. I blended into the crowd easily, not wanting any unnecessary attention.

Joseph stood on the podium, comported as ever as he waited for the noise level to reduced. Soon, the full-blown noise became whispers, then the auditorium became as silent as a graveyard, daring anyone to destroy the serenity.

It was quite a wonder how the darkest of souls managed to masquerade as angels around us and put on an act worthy of an Oscar. Joseph was far from an angel yet he managed to stand on the podium with a mask of friendliness and charisma. I couldn't blame him though, nothing was as it seemed these days. I wasn't innocent either. I stole someone else's chance to be a Guardian and I'm sabotaging my planet. We were all demons inside.

Feeling quite satisfied with the calm atmosphere, Joseph began. "As you all must know now, one of our students, Mori Chang, past away a few hours ago. We do not know what could have caused his death just yet, but what we do know is we need to speed up the eliminations. There are forces that do not want Annexia to flourish." A frown made an appearance on his face as he said the last part.

It wasn't a shocker that people didn't want to see Annexia prosper. There were Earthlings and Annexians that believed living here wasn't right and we all belonged on Earth. They had old minds that refused to grow with time. It was a sad thing really.

He continued, "Eliminations are starting right now. You'll be grouped into five and assigned to different rooms in the building where you'll take your tests."

Murmurs were heard throughout the auditorium. Anxiety settled in the air at the shocking news.

My lips were set in a hard line. My hands were fully moisturized from the sweat sipping through them.

It was time.