A familiar boy stands to his left.
It’s the dumbass who attacked me.
He’s a few inches shorter than Knox, with bronze skin and hair buzzed to his scalp. One side is dyed white and the other black. On someone I despise less, I would find it cool. He is perched on a railing, boots braced beneath him. His fingers drum idly against his thigh, and his brown eyes churn with a frantic, restless energy.
There is a girl beside him with blond hair so colorless it appears white. And beside her is a muscular boy with flaxen hair and a stoic expression.
These must be the members of Black Star.
“You know why you are here,” Ender says. “You were picked to be tested. During your training, your weaknesses will be stripped away, and you will be molded into perfect soldiers. Only one of you will make it to the end. And the rest of you will die trying.”
Murmurs travel through the group as they exchange nervous glances.
“If you are having second thoughts, you may leave,” Ender says. He pushes a button, and the door opens. “The choice is yours.”
As much as I don’t want to be a part of Ender’s secret unit, I can’t ignore this opportunity. I can infiltrate his trusted circle, but if I leave, I will never get this chance again.
This is why I came to the Forge. To advance my position in society. The military is the regime’s primary tool of control, and what better place is there to be than at the top of the chain?
I remain in position. I cannot take Ender’s offer to run. I must see this through.
A boy breaks from the group with a nervous expression. Slowly, he makes his way to the door, glancing warily behind him, as if Ender will chase after him when he gave him a perfect opening. His shoulders loosen, the tension slipping out from him like fresh air through a cracked window. And he fully turns ahead, picking up his pace.
A crackle echoes through the chamber, and I flinch. The boy crumbles to the ground, blood pooling around him.
Ender shot him, point-blank.
“That was a trick,” Ender says calmly. “Thereisno other option. You signed the paperwork, which means your life is forfeit. You belong to me.”
His eyes dig into mine, hooking like talons. I shiver at the callous look on his face. He just killed a poor boy because he decided this cult wasn’t for him. How is that fair?
A ripple of tension moves through the recruits. Spines straighten as everyone tries to toughen up and mask their fear.
“Knox will be overseeing the training structure,” he says, pointing at the blue-haired boy. “You will be divided into two squads led by Spider, the idiot to my right, and Orion.”
Spider pouts. “Rude.”
The blond boy gives a short, disciplined nod, his jaw set like stone.
“Clover will be aiding Knox,” Ender continues, pointing to the white-haired girl.
Everyone shifts, uncomfortable by the force of his stare.
“Remember the stakes,” Ender says coldly. “You are not just fighting for your place in this unit. You are fighting for your life.”
A few of the recruits suck in a surprised breath, but no one dares to speak. Nobody glances at the door. Or even contemplates escape. Not after what we just witnessed.
Ender’s eyes slide to me, lingering on my vest and the pistols at my hips. His mouth twitches as if he finds my getup utterly ridiculous.
He crosses the room towards me.
They are all Gifted. I’m the only Common, which means I’ll have to rely on myself.
“You will observe today,” he says.
Ender steps back, hands clasped behind his back once more.
“Begin,” he orders.
