Page 19 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
“This is the Dome, where we’ll run simulations and tests,” he explained as we ascended to the next level. “Mostly independently, occasionally jointly.”
I admit, I gawked. Frosted crystals glittered from the ceilings and grew down walls that had a plethora of cutouts. Each cutout was big enough to fit a single individual. Crimson sand trapped in resin covered the floor. There were no windows or murals here.
We took another hallway and entered a spacious enclosure divided into an entertainment area with games and a dining room with four round tables, each seating five. Lining the perimeter, machines offered different types of food and educational resources.
“This commons is exclusive to your team,” High Prince Dolion said and kept walking.
Yourteam, he’d said. Notour.
We entered a hallway. A space filled with gurneys, medical equipment, curtained-off rooms, and Shiloh. We shared a quick smile, and my pulse quickened. He stood with six other medics.
“Learn the route to this medical wing.” Still the HP refused to slow. “You’ll need patching regularly.”
Shiloh made a funny face at me, there and gone, and I would’ve laughed out loud if I hadn’t pressed a hand over my mouth.
My group exited into another hallway, then strode through a set of thick double doors. Finally, High Prince Dolion stopped. He spread his arms and announced, “Behold, your rooms. You’ll bunk in assigned pairs.”
I tried not to cringe. Actual prison cells, complete with barred doors.
“Lady Pink, you’re with my assistant.” The line ahead of me parted until I had a direct view of our illustrious superior.
I gnashed my teeth. He didnotcall me Lady Pink in public, after calling me Bubble Gum in private. Wait. Roommate? I hadn’t shared a space with anyone since Amelia, and I couldn’t do it now. I just couldn’t. If Mykal were to break ...
Heart thudding, blood chilling, I shot my gaze to the HP. He watched me, his expression colder and harder than before.
“Are you done panicking over nothing?” he asked, merciless.
For the second time today, everyone focused on me in unison. Irritation spiced my ever-simmering pot of frustration, billowing smoke hiding my anxiety. For the moment anyway.
Once again I jutted my chin. This time I added a stiff nod to the action.
He swept his gaze over everyone else, dismissing me. “If you do what I say, when I say, victory is yours.” Pointing to a digital board on a far wall, he issued his final commands. “Find your assigned room, put up your stuff, and meet me in the commons in thirty. You’ll be picking a representative to serve as my second-in-command. Do not be late. And never forget everything is a graded test.”
He left, taking his force field of control with him. To my relief, he didn’t glance my way again. I didn’t think I liked that man even the slightest bit.
Soldiers rushed over to discover the identity of their partner and where they’d be staying. I went straight to Mykal.
“What a great day!” Grinning, she hugged me. “I expected the worst, and in a single moment, all my fears were wiped away.”
I hugged her back, desperate for a friend.
Her grin widened as she tugged me to a cell on the far right. “This is ours. The good news is it’s the biggest and the best, and our locker room is around the corner. The bad news is Jericho is our next-door neighbor.”
“I’ll learn to ignore him.” As I checked out our space, my shoulders rolled in. We had a sink, a pair of small collapsible desks, and uncomfortable-looking beds that folded from the back wall onboth the left and right side. A bowl of meal bars rested atop each thin, plasticky mattress alongside a coil of chain.
Relief warred with ever-increasing trepidation. No doubt we were to lock ourselves in place each night. A common enough practice, though not one I’d ever risked. Though we’d be trapped, neither of us able to attack the other, I was far from comforted. Too many things could go wrong. If she verged on breaking and only pretended to lock up, she’d be free, and I’d be a helpless buffet ready for plunder.
I dragged my focus to the walls. Carved images and messages from previous trainees covered them. I traced a fingertip over the most uplifting of the bunch and cringed.Don’t die.Maybe I’d paint trees and flowers over the depressing words. I wasn’t the best artist, but anything was better than this. If I managed to acquire pots and soil, I could grow my own plants.
“I haven’t eaten in days, and I’m starving.” Mykal ripped open a bar, sank her teeth into the pale-gray “meal,” and grimaced. “These never get better, but we should gobble up. Before I got here, Roman’s dad outlined what to expect. The second-in-command is chosen through an endurance competition, and tomorrow you guys will be evaluated for your performance. From strength to smarts to fear response.”
Heeding her advice, I gobbled up a bar. The familiar bitter taste barely registered. “Why did you pick me as a roomie?” Why not Roman, a known friend? “Did Shiloh request it?”
“He did, but he’s not the reason.” She tossed her bag on a bed and gave me a wry smile. “Honestly, I’d really like a friend. Someone I can trust, who relates to me. You strike me as a prime candidate.”
Okay. That was a little bit wonderful. I hugged her again. “Thank you. I would really like a friend too. In the name of full disclosure, former classmates called me Panic Girl. Also, I geek out over plants.” I dropped my bag on my bed and dug through the contents, hunting for my precious seeds. “If it’s allowed, and if I can get my hands on the proper supplies, I’ll grow an indoor garden for us.” Except. “My seeds. They’re gone.” Dismay flooded me. Where were they?
“Probably got confiscated.” Sympathy etched her delicate features. “I saw a guy rummage through my stuff. He took my music. Ineedmy music.”
