Flicker by Anya Monroe Page A

We ask that you practice the discipline of patience. Questions are best answered as you discover the Truth. That process takes time.”
    A murmur passes between Basil and Hana. Basil’s furrowed brows reveal she’s unhappy with the vagueness of this woman’s statement. I look at Mom. Her face remains still.
    “Gentle now, Vessels,” Honor says to Basil and Hana.  “Our Nobleman did not enter this world the day it was created. He waited many years before his time came. Can you not wait to understand your place in The Light?” The room becomes quiet around me as I try to absorb the ridiculousness of that statement. A person named the Nobleman created the world? I’ve been taught the world was formed by a big-bang-meteor-crashing-explosion; at least that’s what Dad’s old books said.
    I look at Mom, to any outsider her face remains steady, but I know her better than anyone. Her eyes narrow, and I know this earth-creation-information confuses her as well. 
    A woman on the perimeter comes to our table, passing around a tray filled with steaming mugs of tea, filling the room with an aroma of apples and spices. I inhale the intoxicating smell … although I immediately regret my choice. Tea was an accomplice to the deaths on the compound. This cup represents everything I lost.
    But maybe it holds everything I’m meant to gain. Mom must notice my hesitation because she squeezes my knee, encouraging me to drink it. I listened to her wishes last time and it saved my life, of course I will listen now. Still, as I lift the mug and take a sip there is trepidation in my heart for the unknown. As I swallow, warmth spreads through me, although my body’s fatigued from hunger, the tea restores me with each drink I take.
    After the tea, Basil, Mom, and I are given a packet of papers and a new, sharpened pencil. Dad used the same pencils when he taught me to write, showing me to trace my letters impeccably, not allowing for any slight error.
    Honor indicates how we are to proceed. She explains how although each test is the same for Vessel’s over thirteen years of age, different answers reveal different parts of our character, and that will determine our roles as members of The Light. We are to answer each question to the best of our abilities, and afterwards we will be partnered with another Vessel for training purposes.
    Hana is led to another room, where someone will give her a test orally, and although Basil begins to argue, she settles down, knowing there is nothing she can do.
    Basil scans the pages quickly as if she is looking for something.
    “Is there something wrong?” Honor asks.
    “Oh, it’s just, I can’t read.” Basil answers without shame. Being illiterate seems impossible, I’ve been reading since I was young.
    “What is your age?” Honor inquires.
    “Almost fifteen.”
    “Very well. You will be given the test with a proctor, like your sister. Follow me.”
    Honor leads her through the same door Hana exited. I crane my neck, wanting a glimpse into what else we have in store. The idea of being assigned a job based on intelligence intrigues me.
    At the same time, it doesn’t feel fair. I grew up in a warm home with clean clothes, and though the environment felt hostile at times, it was still a family. I was able to focus on my education instead of survival in a dangerous world. Dad and the others at the compound spent years quizzing me on facts and figures. I went through every book in the library more than once and sure, the adults I lived with treated me as a child, but I could outsmart them in a game of chess any day. Guilt spreads through me as I watch Basil leave, realizing what a privileged life I’ve lead.
    “Lucy,” Mom whispers after Honor’s walked away. “You will do well on this, but don’t reveal too much about yourself, we don’t know everything about these people yet.” She discreetly points to my palm. It’s the first thing Mom has said to me to indicate she may have