In the After

me, get Rice.” I glance at the cameras in the hallway. “I miss him. I wish he could visit more often,” I say loudly .
    “Yes, of course.” Dr. Samuels studies me, and I can tell he sees beyond my drugged act. Still, his remorse seems to outweigh his loyalty to Dr. Reynolds and he says, “I’ll let Rice know you’ve been asking for him. Or perhaps, one of the Guardians?”
    My head snaps up. “Kay or Gareth,” I whisper. “Not Marcus,” I breathe, hoping the camera microphones won’t pick up what I just said .
    He leaves me, with a curt nod. I continue down the hall, careful to shuffle my feet and keep my head low .
    • • •
    The Guardian test was on my birthday. I’d thought of nothing else since my mother and I had our talk three weeks ago.
    I looked in the mirror. I was seventeen, an adult according to New Hope, but I still felt like a child. Baby had already moved into the dorm and I’d soon have a one-bedroom, picked out in a building near the Rumble Room, where the Guardians lived.
    I stretched and put on my running clothes. My mother had left me a note on the kitchen counter: Happy Birthday, Amy, and good luck. You can do it! See you tonight at your party. Love you . I slipped on my shoes and headed out the door, stopping by the dorm. I stood under Baby’s window and whispered her name as low as I could. In just a few seconds, she stuck her head out the window, waving at me excitedly.
    Happy Birthday, Amy! she signed. Test today?
    Yes. I’ll see you afterward for my party .
    Good luck! She turned back to her roommates, her new friends. She had no idea how important the test really was, but it was probably better that way.
    I noticed a lot of people on the way to the Rumble Room, way more than could be coincidence. Gareth was there, clutching a clipboard and making ticks across the paper.
    “What’s up?” I called to him.
    He grinned. “Biggest testing day ever,” he told me.
    “How many applicants?” I asked, trying to get a glimpse of the list.
    “Two hundred and nineteen. I get to check everyone in and record times for the distance run. Joy,” he said sarcastically.
    “How many do you think will make it?” I asked.
    “Hell, I’ll settle for ten trainees and one spanking-new Guardian.” He winked at me and I hoped his trust wasn’t misplaced. “Go on. Line up with the fresh meat.”
    It wasn’t long before Kay got on a loudspeaker. “Okay, everyone, we’re going to put you into groups now. If you fail a trial, you’re cut. If you stray from the group, you’re cut. If you whine or complain, you’re cut. Group one,” she hollered. “All adults between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one, you’re with Jenny.” Jenny was waving her arms, indicating who she was.
    “Okay, guys,” Jenny told us when everyone was gathered around. “We’re going to do a five-mile run now. I’ll set the pace, but you can go ahead if you want, the path is marked. Anyone who can’t at least match my pace will be cut.”
    I smiled and kicked off my shoes. I started off with the group, but soon pulled ahead. We followed the markers, bits of orange plastic tied along the trees and in bushes. I began to outpace everyone but a tall guy with annoyingly long legs. Little by little I inched ahead, pushing myself harder than I had ever before. My legs started to hurt and my chest ached with each breath.
    When I saw the finish line, Gareth standing with clipboard in hand, I forgot all the pain in my muscles and chest and ran like I was being chased by a Florae. I finished first, barely, the tall man right on my heels. Gareth recorded our times on his clipboard. I wanted to collapse on the floor, but instead I kept walking so my legs wouldn’t cramp.
    “Save something for the other tests, guys,” Gareth chastised, but I knew he was proud I’d won.
    When I’d recovered, I searched for Kay. She was busy speaking with some of the other Guardians, but when she saw me she raised her eyebrows. I held up my index finger to indicate I was first, and she smirked, pleased. I was no longer Amy. I was a reflection on the director and the Guardians. And I knew that would be my ticket to freedom.
    • • •
    The next day I spot Frank’s dark curly hair from across the hall. I haven’t seen him for a while, not since his last outburst. I follow him to his door .
    “Hi.” I glance up at the camera. “I’m Amy; we’ve met,” I tell him, wondering how I can ask him about the Floraes without