The Book of Randomness

Project A.R.C Segment V.1.01

Authors Note: The Title is only temporary.
The room was silent, as quiet as a mouse. You could hear a pin drop with this level of tension. The air was hostile, but that was to be expected, it always was.  The walls were dark grey, along with the floor and roof. Everything seemed so...dull. Rows of people, with various expressions ranging from despair or even fear, were sitting solemnly on slate benches, all in the same bleak, dark grey uniform.  Most were young, the youngest being around the age of 7, but there were a few older kids near the back. They observed the newcomers, eyes already gleaming with ideas, scanning for those with the most potential.

Those who had bright eyes and a beaming smile, bouncing with energy, were quickly shot down. The optimist always was.  Bets were most likely already being made on how long the kid would last. For the ones who were cold, distant and aloof, they wondered how long it’d take for them to crack. Many were sure it wouldn’t take long, and if it did, well, all the more fun. The worst, however, were the ones who thought themselves above the rest. Those were the ones who sat up tall, arrogant smirks and lifted chins. They could only laugh inwardly. Did they truly think they were special? Perhaps they would have been, in another time, that is. Not anymore. And they would soon learn. And oh, how wrong they’d be. The thought only made their smile widen in glee.

That smile quickly dropped when they thought about what they had seen thus far, and frankly, they weren’t impressed. It seems that the new batch was even worse than last year, and last year had been full of overconfident, rebellious brats, but at least they had potential and skill. Still, they believed the potential had been wasted. The brats last year quickly learned their lesson, that is to say, it was beaten into them. But perhaps they had been too brutal. Most of the candidates last year had ended up dead. Regardless, they would have to make do with what they have. Once their analysis was complete, they stood up and began to walk, metallic boots making a clack-clack sound as it connected with the concrete floor. They walked up to the podium, surveying the crowds once more. Something caught their eye.

Two redheads, seated at the opposite side of the room. One had dark, chocolate brown eyes, and a slight scar on his cheek. He wore a cocky smirk and sat up tall. He seemed like someone who was overconfident, that is, until they looked into their eyes. Although he looked like another arrogant child, thinking they were superior, within their eyes, another story was told. Their eyes didn’t shine with the innocence and hope of the others, even if diminished. Instead, in its place was a raging fire, a symbol of defiance for all to see, as fierce as a blazing inferno. They could tell that that would definitely be a stubborn one, and determined as well, the type to desperately cling to life against all odds, the type who only wanted to survive. They were sure he would be fun to toy with.

The second boy, had mint green eyes, the most hopeful they had seen for a while. And that was a rarity in itself. They wondered if that child-like innocence would remain after they were through with him, or would he succumb to the darkness like many others before him, and give into despair. Still, despite seeing many like the boy before, albeit less pure or perhaps even naive, they couldn’t help but to be intrigued, by both of the boys. The two would make an interesting pair indeed, especially considering the contrast in their personalities, or so they assumed. Yes, the two had caught their attention and they would keep an eye on them. At least, for now.

They once again peered at their audience, wondering if they had missed anyone. But it seemed that despite the two redheads, none caught their interest. They seemed disappointed as they sighed and began their speech, a speech they had said many times before, each being in front of a new batch. During their speech, they watched the children’s squeamish reactions with amusement. Most of them looked terrified, fearful of their lives, perhaps. Or even at the horrific things they took pleasure in describing. But through it all, the defiant redhead continued to smirk, a taunting one that had many of the older kids glaring at him and muttering things like “brat.” It seemed he would also be a trouble-maker. Resisting the urge to chuckle, they nodded to the figure by the stage and slinked back to the shadows from which they came. Their job today was done. They would watch and wait. Then, like a predator stalking its prey, they would strike when the time was right.