THE WARD

The dread day of when I have to sit in front of the evaluation Committee finally comes. After burning the candle at both ends for months on end, I stand in front of the committee weary, with little to no desire to be there in the first place.

It comes as no surprise when I find that Emmeline, Eric and my economics professor are on the committee along with a few other people I haven't met before.

My sleep-addled brain takes no notice of their names when introductions are made. It goes without saying that I'm not the only one going through this wretched evaluation. Outside, waiting impatiently are another fifty students, who hope just like I do to get out of this place holding a degree before their time.

It has been almost six months since I started at the academy, and I can confidently say that it feels more like a prison than a school.

Therefore from now on, I'll be referring to my remaining time at the academy with a word I didn't believe I would ever use in reference to a place of study.

Standing in front of the committee, I realise that I'll do whatever it takes to finish, and get my degree as fast as I can so I can just be free from another place that is trying to stifle my growth as a person.

I've been wracking my brain between study sessions and training sessions to find a solution.

" Miss Abernathy you may proceed," Eric says in the quiet room. It's nothing innovative. Nothing new. I begin with a presentation on the political impact the trade deals have had on the economy across districts, including Helej Norun.

They listen intently, my statics professor nods in agreement when I present the graphs, and his face lights up like a Christmas tree when I pull up the large sheets I've working on day and night for the past two months, representing the economic growth and decline over the past fifty years. Again, to them, this is nothing new. This is all common knowledge to those who work in the field.

The cherry on top of my presentation is the business plan I've recently started working on. It is only a rough draft, but in my opinion is good. It embodies my core values, my beliefs, and my ethos.

Emmeline's eyes flash up to mine in surprise. Aside from Mason, I'm the only other student who has submitted a business plan this early on. Mine is a few months later than his, but I'd like to believe that under different circumstances, things would have gone differently for me.

Emmeline nods in approval while Eric gestures for me to sit down so they can begin to questionnaire. I settle in my seat, grateful for the reprieve my feet are getting. Instantly my body sags against the backrest, and I don't think I can stay awake for much longer than I have to. I'll be crashing like a rock thrown out of an airplane the moment I'll touch the bed.

" Miss Abernathy," A lady with a hoarse voice, rasps from one end of the table drawing my eyes to her. She has a waspy figure, an aquiline nose, and wears a pair of glasses that are way too big for her face.

" Please name the required five conditions to complete a takeover?" I don't waste my time to dwaddle with useless expletives and just tell her the five elements. I don't have the energy for it, not anymore.

They carry on questioning me relentlessly, and it goes on for hours. It's not what I expected but I've learned to embrace the unexpected.

When we are done, I thank them for their time while Eric just gestures to the door and tells me to show myself out and invite the next student in. Ever the gentleman.

When I step outside, I'm greeted by a sea of curious, and fearful eyes, all looking at me like I'm their salvation. I'm not.

" Luke Yarrow," I say into the silence, and a lanky boy rises to his feet, brushing his suit with the palm of his hands. A gesture meant to help him regain his composure. Luckily, in my state of everlasting tiredness, my mind forgot about being anxious and focused on staying alert enough to survive the gruelling grilling.

Smiling, he moves through the throng of students and pauses next to me long enough for me to wish him good luck. No one has done that when I walked in, and I'd like to think that it feels nice to have someone cheering for you.

He meets my gaze, and nods," Thank you," He says under his breath, grabbing the door handle and sliding in.

On cue the students return to their previous activities, some return to their books, others continue chattering and others just stare at the wall in front of them seeking absolution.

I make my way out of the large room and make a beeline for my loft where I know I have a date with a lumpy bed and a pillow.

Since it's Friday, those who aren't questioned about life's meaning, are attending classes and the academy grounds are pretty empty. Except for the groundskeeper, who busies himself with maintaining shrubs.

When I reach my room I discard all my belongings on the floor and dive straight into bed. The results will be in, in a few weeks, until then, I can finally breathe, if only for a day.