Independent Study (6 page)

This is the first I’ve heard of the internships. Although, over the past few months, I’ve noticed some students leaving campus more regularly than others. Now I know why.

“In the next couple of weeks, the older students will help Dr. Barnes and the residence advisers assign internships. Those internships allow students to get practical experience that complements their studies. It also gives you a chance to help us find information that might help Symon convince the president and other high-ranking officials to remove Dr. Barnes from power.”

“How hard can getting a good internship be?” I ask. “There are only three of us assigned to Government this year.”

“Only three of you from the colonies. Add in the Tosu City students, and there will be a whole lot more.”

“Tosu City students?” Icy shock is replaced by frustration at my lack of perception. With a hundred thousand people, Tosu City and the surrounding boroughs contain the largest concentration of the United Commonwealth’s population. It only makes sense that the University trains students from that pool. I should have known they would be included, even though they have not been a part of the Early Studies classes my fellow colony students and I just completed. During orientation, our guide pointed out some of the Tosu City schools. The buildings were large and made of glass and steel and wood that gleamed in the sunlight. The kids walking into those buildings were no less polished. Healthy. Strong. And no doubt prepared for whatever a future at the University holds. But one thought stands out above all others, making my blood heat and my emotions flare. “They didn’t report for The Testing.”

They didn’t watch friends die. They are not plagued by nightmares or doubts. They are safe. Whole. Unscarred.

“No. The selection process for Tosu students is different. Most of the students are the sons and daughters of past University graduates. Those who wish to attend the University are required to submit an application and sit for an interview. Fifty applicants take the same examination you took yesterday. Those who pass are welcomed into the University.”

“And those who fail?”

“We’re told that they get reassigned to jobs outside of Tosu, but no one who visits the colonies has seen proof of that. Symon is certain those students are Redirected.”

I feel a stab of satisfaction that is immediately replaced by a wave of shame. Just because a Tosu City candidate’s path to the University is easier doesn’t mean he deserves to be punished in that way. None of us do.

“Of the fifty, how many passed?”

“Forty-two. Including the three from the colonies, sixteen students have been selected for Government. It’s the largest Government class in decades. Which is why they don’t have enough internships for everyone.”

“How many internships do they have?”

“The last I heard, there were twelve.”

If thirteen students have ties to Tosu City, the math doesn’t work in my favor. “What happens if a student doesn’t get assigned to one of those internships? Do they get . . . killed? Redirected?”

“We believe the Tosu City students get shipped to mid-level jobs outside the city.”

“And the colony students?”

Eyes filled with sadness and concern meet mine. “None of them have been heard from since.”

P
ANIC BURNS MY
throat, but I swallow down the fear and force myself to think. Worrying about an unknown penalty is pointless. The best way to avoid the problem is to make certain there is no need to be penalized. Taking a deep breath, I ask, “How and when are the internships assigned?”

“The faculty member in charge of Government, Professor Holt, will assign internships two weeks after classes begin, once the final-year students give her their assessments of the incoming class. Be careful when dealing with the first years from Tosu. Many of them have the ear of the professors or high-ranking United Commonwealth officials. If they think you are asking questions you shouldn’t or doing something suspicious, they’ll report you. They aren’t above destroying your life or one another’s in order to get ahead.”

Michal glances at his watch and mutters a curse. “I have to make my final report to the University officials. Now that you’ve been placed in your designated field of study, my assignment to watch you is complete. Symon’s asked some of his allies within the Commonwealth Government to shift me to a job that will help influence change, so I might not be around to help, but I’ll get word to someone who can.”

I start to ask who, but Michal starts walking toward my rooms and I have to hurry to catch up.

As we walk, he quietly explains, “During the first couple of days, the upper-year Government students are going to put you through what they call an Induction. They will be watching how you react to certain challenges. They might try to intimidate you or make you feel weak just to see if you are. Some challenges will be mental. Others, more physical. All are intended to see whether you can handle the pressure of leading a country. Remember that the Tosu City students haven’t been through the rigorous Testing process. This is the University’s way of exposing them to the same pressures. Once in a while, a first-year student gets angry and reports the initiation tactics to his head professor. Don’t. As a colony student, you already have one strike against you. They expect you to be weak. They expect you to be less than they are. Show them they’re wrong.”

Fear shivers up my spine. “What if I can’t?”

Michal stops walking and puts his hands on my shoulders. “You can. Everything you did in The Testing proves it. You may not remember what happened then, but I do. You’re smart. You’re fast, and you’re strong.”

“I’m the youngest student here.”

“Use that.” He nods. “The Tosu students are going to look at your size and pretty face and assume you aren’t a threat, but I know different. They have no idea what you are capable of. I, for one, can’t wait for you to show them.”

I tamp down my anxiety and force myself to concentrate as Michal gives me all the information he can. Since the final-year students are the ones who orchestrate and execute the Inductions, no one can predict what exactly will happen—teamwork evaluations, trivia tests, exercises that push the boundaries of physical endurance.

“Memorize every face. Every name. Every detail. Learn where they come from and who they are related to. You never know what information will help you or the rebellion. Most students come from the families of high-ranking officials. But every year, there are a few from the less influential neighborhoods. They can be the most dangerous. They fought hard to get where they are. They won’t be pushed aside without a fight. More important, don’t show anyone if you are afraid. Government professors value students who can push aside their fear. Everyone at some point is afraid of making the wrong choice. The program’s faculty believes the difference between Government students and the rest of the University student body is the ability to rise above that fear.”

Thank goodness Michal doesn’t say I’m not allowed to feel fear. Minutes later, as I replace my bracelet on my wrist and follow the sound of conversation and laughter to the common room, fear consumes me. Fear that I have made the wrong choice. That I should have run far and fast. That my fellow Government students will see the horror of what I know in my eyes. That they will pass judgment. That I will fail.

Only the warmth of Tomas’s hand in mine and the hope that Symon’s plan will put an end to a system that goes against the principles our rebuilt country stands for keep me in this seat, in this room, at this University. Stacia glances at Tomas and me and rolls her eyes. I pretend to laugh as I look around the room at the faces of those who might have killed to get here as they celebrate. As we say our last good nights in this building and head off to our beds, my fellow colony students are unaware that a new test begins tomorrow. They do not know they should be as afraid as I am.

When Tomas walks me to my door, I consider passing along Michal’s warning, but stop. Trust wars with love. The knowledge that the Transit Communicator’s recording is real doesn’t stop my heart from wanting to believe in Tomas’s innate kindness. But something happened. Something he lied about then. Something involving Zandri. Then Tomas’s arms pull me close. His lips touch mine, and all thoughts of the Tosu City students fade. I let myself forget the world around me and revel in this instant when I feel safe.

When Tomas steps back, he whispers that he will see me in the morning. That he loves me and that no matter what our fields of study, we are still a team. We will always be a team. With one last gentle kiss, he disappears down the hall to find sleep. I turn to do the same.

A stunning girl with deep red hair appears out of the darkness. Anger pours from her blue eyes. Anger at me because I wasn’t smart enough. Fast enough. Observant enough. I realized too late that our team was betrayed. She was punished. I was not.

A door appears beside her. I yell for her not to open it, but it’s too late. Just like it was then. Her body goes still. Her skin turns gray. Her eyes roll back in her head. The door swings open just in time for her body to pitch forward into the darkness. The minute the door slams shut, I bolt upright in bed.

“Annalise.” The name passes my lips, and though there is no mention of a girl named Annalise on the recorder, I can close my eyes now and picture her. Not angry as she was in the dream, but flashes of her laughing in the hallway of The Testing building. Confident in her abilities. Friendly.

Real? Imagined? I search inside myself for the truth, but find only the slamming of my heart and the lingering taste of fear.

I turn on the lights, walk to the bath, and use the water to wash the terror from my face and mouth. Through the bedroom window, I can see dawn has yet to break. Hours yet before I start the next phase of my studies. I climb back into bed, hoping to find much-needed rest. Finally, I do.

The sound of doors slamming pulls me out of sleep. Raised voices are filled with excitement. Everyone is up and ready to relocate to the new residences. If I want people to continue to believe I am enthusiastic about being here, I need to get ready too.

I have just finished dressing when I hear a knock on my door. I open it expecting to find Tomas and instead come face-to-face with a tall, imposing woman with a cap of orange hair that matches the frames of her glasses.

“Malencia Vale?” When I nod, she smiles. “I’m Professor Verna Holt. The head professor of Government Studies.”

While her voice is warm, it feels calculated. Practiced. The tone my mother uses when she trades with arrogant Mrs. Pitzler for wool yarn. Professor Holt’s dark, almond-shaped eyes don’t blink as she looks down at me. Had I not talked to Michal, I might have shown surprise. Most likely, I would have assumed I’d missed a meeting time and offered my apologies. Instead, I hear Michal saying I will be tested. As a colony student, I’m expected to be weak. I vow to show Professor Holt and her team that I am strong.

Straightening my shoulders, I give my most confident smile. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m looking forward to moving into the Government Studies residence later today.”

Professor Holt’s eyebrows rise. “If you are packed and ready, I’ll walk you outside, where a final-year student is waiting to show you to your new home.”

I glance at the clock. It’s two hours before the time we were instructed to be ready. Good thing I’m prepared to leave now. I sling two bags containing my clothes, personal possessions, and books over my shoulder and exit through the door without a backward glance.

The sky is overcast. Outside, a male student with close-cropped brown hair and an intense expression is waiting alongside two of my fellow first years, Will and the dark-haired Rawson. I take a step back when Will turns toward me. I know he’s a murderer. Has Rawson also killed? My recorder never mentions him, but so much of what happened is missing. Should I believe that every candidate is capable of taking a life?

“This is Ian,” Professor Holt says. “He will see you to the Government Studies residence. I trust you will be comfortable there.” With a curt nod, she turns on her heel and strides away.

We all look at Ian. In his fitted black pants, shiny black boots, and deep purple shirt, Ian is more than a little imposing. Until he grins. The sternness disappears, replaced by an exuberance that makes me think of my brother Win. In a rich baritone voice, he says, “Congratulations on being selected for Government Studies. Not only are we the smartest students on campus, our house is the largest, which means we all get our own room.”

I see Tomas come out of the building as Ian asks us to follow him. Tomas turns toward us. While I want to run to him and tell him where I’m going and what possibly lies ahead for both of us, I see Ian watching me. Waiting.

Over the years, my father complained several times that University graduates rarely had friends outside their designated fields of study. Part of me always thought he was exaggerating, since none of the graduates in Five Lakes behaved in that manner. But the way Ian’s gaze shifts from me to Tomas makes me pause. If my father is correct, the students in my field of study might not appreciate my relationship with someone outside our career path.

Tomas comes closer. His eyes are bright. Happy. Seeing him warms my heart, but I do not return his grin with one of my own. Instead, I give a tiny shake of my head. I hope he sees the apology, love, and warning in my expression before I turn and walk away.

Ian glances up at the rumbling sky as he leads us across campus. “If we hurry, we should make it to the residence before the rain starts. The one downside to being part of Government Studies is the distance you have to walk to class. Professor Holt says exercise moves the blood in the brain, which helps us think.” Ian laughs. “I’d be more impressed by that reasoning if Professor Holt didn’t use a skimmer to get around campus.”

We laugh. After a moment, Ian asks, “So, did any of you actually want to be chosen for Government Studies?”

Will looks down at the stone walkway. Rawson’s cheeks tinge red. It’s clear none of us want to be taking this walk today. Ian must know that.