I regained consciousness in a bed. My head was pounding. Gingerly, I reached up to touch it, but found my hand pushed back down by someone else's hand. "Rest, now." The voice was calm and soothing, a voice I could imagine to be a friend. The speaker slid into view. Her thick, black hair was braided and coiled on the back of her head, exposing her dark face. She smiled, still holding my hand, and began to sing softly. I had never heard much singing, and her voice was beautiful, full and flowing, like a river.

"It's only a blink of time, 

A breath of air,

No matter where you are.

Let the current, of the river,

Carry you home,

Where I wait,

For your return,

In our-"

I sat up abruptly, breaking her off. "Where'd you learn that?"

She flinched and muttered "I heard it somewhere." Nervously she fiddled with her hair.

"I love it." I murmured and sat back on the pillows. She let out a long breath and relaxed, her eyes shining relief. 

A bell rang somewhere. She stood up. "I need to go. Congratulations on your test, by the way. My name's Ivy."

Then, as quickly as I had woken, she left. I climbed out of bed, nervous, but not knowing why. I reached up to touch my head and realized that my headache was gone. Surveying my surroundings, I caught sight of myself in a mirror.

Long brown hair in a neat braid hung down my back. My grey eyes were sharp and clear, my lips tight. I wore a light blue t-shirt and knee length grey pants. Something about my reflection was different, but I couldn't tell what, even after studying it for several minutes. 

I did know, however, that I had questions, even more than usual.

Who was Ivy? Why did she sing to me? Why was she nervous when I asked her how she knew it? Why was she in here? What was different about me? 

With a rising sense of unease, I strode to the door through which Ivy had left, trying to seem confident. As my hand alighted on the doorknob, the bell rang again. It was a light noise, more of a jingling, like the sound of keys clinking together. Before I could turn it, it opened and nearly hit me in the face.

"Oh. Goodness, I'm sorry." The same man who had spoken to me before the test stood in front of me. "I didn't know you were there. My name is Range."

I freeze, unable to know what to say. This was the man I as good as called a cold blooded murderer. Does he remember?

"Oh, I remember our earlier conversation, Miss 4819. Don't worry." 

How did he know what I was thinking?

"You would be surprised at what I know." 

Shit, I think. This is not a man to cross.

 "You would be correct in thinking that." He says loftily. "Now follow me."

Now I can't read my own thoughts. Confusion and chaos reign in my head. Anger, fear, shock, to name a few. I calm my pounding heart and follow Mr. Range's long strides down the hall. 

About halfway down, he stops, opening a door and beckoning me inside. I do so. The room is about half the size of the auditorium where I started my test and filled with chairs, most of them filled with girls and boys my age. He sweeps him arm, gesturing to the multitude of chairs. "Sit down, Miss 4819, anywhere you please." I hasten to find a seat, trying to avoid the eyes that watch me. When I look up again, Mr. Range is gone. Next to me is a girl with short, brown hair and pale skin, making her freckles stand out. On my left is a boy with dark hair and light brown skin. He introduces himself as Zharko 6085.

"What's your name?"

"Nara 4819. I've never seen you before."

He chuckles, somewhat morosely. "That's cause I come from the Sea Branch." 

I had always been drilled on the Branches, 12 of them. The Dust, The Metal, The Spark, The Air, The Stone, The Sea, The Desert, The Water, The Fire, The Earth, The Rain, and The Paper Branch. I came from The Air Branch, number 4. Each one is spread out like part of a ring, surrounding The Core, where adults live and work. That's where people go when they pass The Mending.

"Where are we?" I asked, finally.

A girl ahead of me turned around. "Nobody knows, but I think we're in the Core." I broke into a silly grin, feeling stupid, but nonetheless happy. If I was in the Core, I must have passed The Mending.