Okiedokie!!!
Nicodemus Pike sank back into the cushioned seat on the train as it raced over the track, speeding so fast that everything beyond the 18-year-old boy's window was nothing but a blur of barren landscape occasionally dotted with a half-dead tree or two. The motion made his stomach churn; he pressed a button on the wall that allowed an automatic shade to cover the window, blocking his view of the outside world.
He knew he hadn't been on board the train long, but it felt like an eternity. Of course it did, because he was dreading the destination: Territory Nine. How had he failed his Analysis so miserably? He'd been so certain he would make it– he'd been so sure–
He clenched his fists, squeezing his eyes shut. What did his family think of him? His friends? He'd never know; none of them had gotten scores as low as he did.
He knew he had to distract himself. He slowly opened his eyes, drawing in a breath. He glanced around the huge, well-decorated cab of the train. Everything was top-quality, clean and tidy. The passengers were supplied with their basic necessities for the time being, but Nico knew it wouldn't be this way long. Everyone always said that Territories Eight, Nine, and Ten were awful labor camps. Eating and drinking abundantly wouldn't be an option there.
Nico scanned the faces of the other passengers in his car; everyone in this cab would be headed to the same place he was, and he was curious to see whether or not they shared his level of misery.
It sucked.
It sucked bad.
Fenton Monroe sat on the second-to-front row of seats in the Territory Nine travel car, reminiscing over his failure. His shoes were propped on the back of the chair in front of him, probably smearing muddy shoe-prints over the back of it, but it really didn't matter. There were more pressing matters– like the fact that he– Fenton, one of the most intelligent people in his class back at the School– was headed to a shabby labor camp on the far end of the country.
It could've been worse; at least he wasn't going to Territory Ten, right?
He opened a bag of expired peanuts that he'd found underneath his seat and popped it open. He dug his fingers into the bag and began to devour the nuts. The damage of his failure had been done, and there was no going back. He might as well enjoy a snack.
Fenton peered over his shoulder at the rows of seats. There were several other people in the cab, all heading to the same place he was.
They were all headed to Territory Nine.
Sheena
Sheena sat in the car, keeping her face blank. She failed. Did she think she would? A bit, probably. She fidgeted slightly, glancing around, twisting her black hair around her finger. Her heart was still pounding in her ears. Area Nine. The words still danced in her head, almost mocking her. Area Nine! Area Nine! Area Nine! She blinked slightly, looking down at where a sleeping Anarchy was shifting on her shoulder. At least they were still able to stick together. I hope.
Anarchy
Anarchy had made herself fall asleep early in the train ride so she wouldn't panic. It very much did not work. Her sleep was restless, and her dreams were nightmares of the worst case scenarios. She jumped awake, swearing a bit. "Why did I think sleeping was a good idea?" She mumbled, running a hand through ginger hair,
He could see the worry written on the faces of the other passengers, imagining that he himself probably looked even more sickened. His mind wouldn't rest, despite the attempts he had made to calm himself. He contemplated on speaking to the other passengers– but, no. He refrained, biting his lip. How could he bring himself to make conversation when he felt like he was going to pass out from stress?
"Peanuts, anyone?" Fenton asked, waving his expired snacks around– despite the fact that no one was within reaching distance of him. His question was rather loud, disrupting the silence of the train car. "They're honey roasted."
Sheena
Sheena looked up at the boy offering peanuts. "No, thank you." She said softly. "I'm afraid I don't have much on an appetite." She said forced a smile.
Anarchy
Anarchy looked up. "Yes, please." She said, getting up and going over to get a few. "Who are you?"
He watched the others with interest, debating on whether or not to engage in conversation with them. They didn't look like they belonged here any more than he did. Surely, some mistake was made to bring them to this place. They couldn't have scored that low, could they?
"The name's Fenton Monroe," he responded, handing her the stale peanuts. He offered her a wide grin. "And you are..?"
Sheena
Sheena went back to fidgeting slightly in her seat. Her mind was mostly Oh, yikes. She still wasn't entirely over her internal panic. Still she kept a straight face.
Anarchy
Anarchy grinned. "Anarchy bloody Lyndon." She said, popping a peanut in her mouth.
Nico finally decided to go talk to the girl (Sheena) who was now sitting alone.
"You scored a Nine too, then?" he asked as he sank down into the seat behind her.
Fenton smirked. "Anarchy? As in a state of lawlessness and chaos?" He chuckled softly. "I like it." He extended his hand to shake her own. "They call me Fenton."
Sheena
Sheena looked at him, nodding slowly. "Not sure how. I stayed up almost two weeks straight studying." She said, shrugging. "But, at least, it's not a 10."
Anarchy
Anarchy smirked back. "Yes, be thankful I had strange parents." She said, shaking his hand. "Though, Fenton isn't exactly normal either."
"Yeah," Nico responded quietly, glancing down at the ground. "I studied a lot, too, but it didn't do me any good. I'm hoping this is all some sort of mistake, you know? Maybe they messed something up and will come fix it."
"Why, thank you," Fenton responded, still grinning. "Normal is the last thing I want to be, so I'll take that as the highest compliment. "
Sheena
Sheena shook her head. "As amazing as that would be, we all know they don't make mistakes." She said quietly, biting her lip. "We messed up, somehow."
Anarchy
"Of course." She said, giving a dramatic mock bow. "Normal is the worst possible thing."
Nico sighed. "I guess you're right," he mumbled. "But, it could be worse. At least we're not in Ten. Or dead."
"Absolutely is," Fenton responded. "Hm. You seem far too intelligent to have scored a Nine. Interesting, considering I myself should've scored much higher as well. I think the government is out to get me," he said, smirking. It was hard to tell if he was kidding or being serious.
Sheena
Sheena nodded. "I guess you have a point." She said quietly, glancing to where Anarchy was. Help I cannot social-
Anarchy
"I wouldn't be surprised if they were out to get me too." She said, grinning. "I do tend to live up to my name, y'know."
Nico followed Sheena's gaze. "Is that your friend?"
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't," Fenton replied. "I'd love to cause a little bit on anarchy in our government, myself, as corrupt as it is."
Sheena
Sheena nodded. "Anarchy. Since we were kids. Only good thing about this is so far, we're still sticking together…" She said quietly.
Anarchy
Anarchy nodded. "Yep. Miracle I haven't been killed yet." She said, shrugging off-handedly.
"It's good to have someone through all of this," Nico responded. "I'm kinda on my own here, but I guess that's alright, too."
Fenton smiled again. "Me too, but for different reasons." He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "Between you and me, some people find me a tad bit… obnoxious." He stood up straight and grinned. "Apparently so much that they'd like to kill me. But, hey, here I am." He chuckled. Again, impossible to tell if he was being serious or kidding.
Sheena
Sheena looked up at him. "My name's Sheena, by the way."
Anarchy
Anarchy laughed. "Oh the only thing keeping me from that is Sheena holding me back by the collar." She said, popping another peanut in her mouth.
"Nicodemus," he responded slowly. "My friends generally call me Nico." He offered her a genuine smile.
"Sheena?" Fenton glanced around the car. "Would that be the little lady down there?" he inquired, motioning to her.
