Sapphire's POV "RUN!" One word, one command, but it's all I need to get into motion. I take off, weaving in and out of the objects strewn everywhere at random. I focused on my breathing, keeping it even, concentrating. I jumped over a broken TV laying in my path. I looked to my right and saw Dante tripping over his own boots and smiled. Out of the six of us out here, he was the weakest. I turned and focused on the obstacle that was supposed to come next. A giant rope wall. When I reached the area where it was supposed to be, I stopped. I heard the tell-tale signs of the other five sliding to a stop around me. We all stared at this new development. Instead of the rope wall, before us lay a huge fire pit. It seemed impossible to cross and I could read it on the faces of the others. But I wasn't about to give up. Surely there was a way across. I looked around and saw a series of vine like ropes hanging from the ceiling, just out of reach. I looked around for a way to leverage myself into reach. To my left was a pile of derbis. I ran at it full speed, feeling the stares of the others watching my every move. I jumped from object to object till I was within reach. I glanced at the others and jumped, reaching for the closest rope. "Saphire! NO!" it was Seth, one of the better initiates. My hand wrapped around the rope and my shoulders burned from the sudden yank of the stop. I wrapped my other hand and my legs around it and glanced back. The others were starting their way up the pile. I turned back and started swinging from rope to rope like some crazed jungle man. I hand reached the last rope when my hand slipped. My eyes wide with fear I fell. I could feel the heat blazing from the pit as I ascended.
Sapphire's POV Plop I had landed solidly on the pavement. I stood up and looked back at the others. Most were already on the ropes, only one was on the pile. I checked her posture. Her feet too wide, body angled wrong. "MARIA!!!!" That was all I had time to get out before she fell, right into the pit of fire which consumed her. I turned away. People here die everyday, that's the risk we take. I can't afford to dwell on this one, even if it was my sister's. I took off running towards the platform ahead and smiled. Take that. I win, you lose Terror. I stood on the platform as it raised, the stimulation melting away. I took off the glasses and walked out of the vast stimulation room into the small control room. Terror and Seven, the two in charge of the initiates, stood off to the side. Terror had a scowl on his face. He has never liked me, mostly because I was close to becoming a better initiate that he ever was. Seven, his brother, smiled and walked forward. "Excellent Sapphire, that was better than I expected." He patted me on the back and turned to the rest, Seth, Maria, Dante, Cody, and Taylor. Seth was smiling and so was Maria. Dante was scowling much like Terror. Probably because he looked like an idiot in the stimulation. Taylor and Cody were not paying much attention, they were whispering to each other in hushed tones, occasionally glancing back at me. Seven took a step forward. "That, Initiates, is how it is done. Now go grab something to eat. You may have the rest of the day off." With that Seven and Terror walked out of the room. I walked out shortly after them, heading to the Café. Seth came up behind me. "Great um great job today Sasa." He said shyly. I stopped an turned to him. "How many times do I gotta tell ya Seth? It's Sapphire. Not Saph, Sasa, Riri, or any other nickname, got it?" I raised an eyebrow. He nodded and we walked forward in silence when up walked Kurt.
Sapphire's POV He smiled and ran a finger through his black hair. "Hey Saph," He did a goofy half grin," What ya say you and me grab a bit to eat....you know, together?" He looked at me hopefully. I blushed and smiled, moving my baby soft, brown hair to hide my blushing cheeks. "Sure, I'd love to Kurt." I looked up at him as we walked away, completely forgetting about Seth still standing there looking like a lost puppy. Kurt is a full blood Guardian, he pasted his initiates test two years back. He's one of the best there is. Some say he's on his way to becoming the next Guardia, the leader of the Guardians. I keep glancing at him as we ordered our food and took a seat. "So, I heard you did an amazing job today in the stimulations room?" He asked. "Oh I guess, I just went with my instincts you know? It's hard sometimes because it feels so real but I didn't let that stop me I guess." I took a bite from the turkey sandwich I had grabbed. "Well I think you're pretty amazing to surpass even Terror's stimulations scores." I looked at him, "I did what?" "Terror's stimulation scores, you beat them. In his, his brother was killed and he stopped even trying, he stayed by his brother until they shut it off. It was too real for him." I nodded showing I understood. We made small talk for the rest of the meal. When we were done I started off in the direction of my room. "Sapphire, wait." Kurt walked slowly towards me and placed a hand lightly on my face. He leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips. "Good night." I watched as he walked away, putting a finger on my lips I turned around and entered my room. I got changed and stared at the ceiling. What just happened?
Kurts POV I smiled as I walked away from Sapphire. She was cute sure, and I heard her snapping at that one initiate, Seth I think, about nicknames. When she responded differently to me calling her a nickname, it became obvious. She had a crush. I laughed out loud. "Boy is this gunna be fun." I stated out loud just as Zach walked around the corner. "What's gunna be fun?" He asked. Being that he was my best friend I decided to let him in on my plan. "That initiate, Sapphire, she's got a crush on me. So I figured I'd have some fun ya kno? Toy with her a little, reel her in, then snap." I snapped my fingers in emphasis. "Break her little heart. She acts tough as nails, let's see if she still is after I'm done with her." "Sapphire? The one who's acing every initiation test?" "Ya that's the one" I smirked. "Hmm maybe I'll break her heart right before the final test...just to see if she's as strong as everyone thinks." "Dude, thats not even cool. You can't just toy with people. They ain't your little pets. And deliberately screwing someone over right before the final test? That's harsh man, harsh" Zach turned and walked away shaking his head. What do I care? It ain't my test. I continued walking towards my room, without a care in the world. Zachs POV When Kurt told me bout his plan for Sapphire, I knew I had to warn her. I shook my head. That asshole. He don't care bout no one but himself. I've never actually met Sapphire in person but everyone says she's the best initiate they've seen in a while. Some say better than Kurt. Maybe that's his prob. He's afraid of being out shown by a chick so he's gunna try and ruin it. I was starting understand. I lifted up my head and clenched my fists, angry for no apparent reason. "I won't let him do it. No matter what the reason." I said out loud staring into the black abyss.