"Alright. If you are currently standing on a stool, you are lucky that you are not Miss Ashlynne. However, you have defied your government. We choose to believe you were being socially pressured to participate by the Abandoned one. This is how merciful we are.

"But you will continue to stand on these stools for the next 24 hours. No food, no water, and no talking. And yes, you will miss the Debate. This is the price you will pay. Remember this the next time you consider questioning those who only want what is best for you."

The children grow pale, for they will no longer be eligible for the highest positions of employment because of this. They will have to stand outside for a full day and a full night, and they will have brought shame to their parents and friends.

They are lucky our Guardian was so merciful.

"To those of you who did not take part in this little act of rebellion, you are not thanked or honored. You have done your duty as citizens. Do not grieve for Ashlynne. She has brought you nothing but dishonor. Mourning her openly will not be appreciated. I hope you keep that in mind." I swear the man looks me in the eye when he says this.

"The times for the Third have been moved up for Sector 21. You will now march back to the amphitheater in the correct order and begin the testing. Any complainers will stand up on the stools like your other classmates. Now move."

The marching is barely registered in my brain, for I feel quite distant. What is Ash doing now? Can she survive? What if I had been there? What if I could have stopped her? What if Delphi had stopped her instead of encouraging her?

Before I know it, we have arrived. I will now have to debate. And Group 5 is going first.

  We are lead down rows of chairs, given sections where our groups sit. My group is lead up next to the stage. A man wraps a paper number 5 around my arm before I stiffly climb up the stairs to the podiums.

My podium is right in the center. My heartbeat hammers in my ears as I try to think of anything but my cousin, anything but the Third, anything but the people watching me.

        I've tried to deny what is happening up until this point, but the moment I see the judges, a weight settles in my stomach.

        Perched on silvery chairs behind metallic desks, three pairs of eyes are already analyzing us, perhaps already predicting how the night will end. The Director of Education, the Supervisor of Occupational Placement, and Prime Parom herself, the woman in charge of the whole sector.

        I desperately want to prove myself capable and bring honor to my family. But how am I supposed to make it to the Fourth if even standing on the stage makes my friends in the audience appear huge, my sister a giant, and a single hair on the Prime's head incomprehensibly gargantuan?

I also struggle to push away the thoughts of my cousin. It is not logical to think of her, I know, but I can't help it.

       Then it occurs to me. What if they think that I helped Ash? What if I say the wrong thing and they Abandon me, too?

       Just. One. Wrong. Word.

        My hands shake unnoticeably, uncontrollably humming but invisible to a spectator's eye. Nevertheless, I place them behind the podium, grabbing onto the very edge so that I can try to stop the nervous movement. Adrenaline paints over the official regulations of the debate, unforgiving to my needs. I barely register it when the first question appears on a screen above the judges.

Senior Citizens and Nurturers: Job Distribution
Guardians, very important and valued by all sectors, are having difficulty providing for all members of society as they are outnumbered by the citizens. While it has always been this way to a certain extent, recent years have brought an all-time low for new Guardian Recruits as fewer people have been found compatible with the occupation. A recent idea has been proposed that the Guardians used for elder supervision should be replaced by androids designed to care for our seniors. This way, more Guardians can be used to effectively supervise the more rowdy children, thus preventing recent incidents to happen again. However, the materials needed for so many androids will require another mining expedition. Should we or should we not use androids to serve our senior citizens in the stead of our Guardians?

        The first time I read the question, I don't pick up any information. When I realize I have read to the bottom of the screen without processing anything, I quickly try to make up for it in the last few seconds of our reading time. Regardless of the fact that I now have a vague idea as to what the question is about, my shyness is preventing my logic from even making a sound in my brain. Besides, am I condemning Ash by saying that children should be supervised after the stunt that she pulled? Would I be betraying her? Attempting to pull myself together, I try to remember that they are just people. And I must only speak words.

        Before I can remind myself that words are quite dangerous and that these are no ordinary people, the girl next to me, Azalea Alvine, finishes her statement. I actually have no clue as to what she said, but the eyes of the judges fall to me.

        "Willow Galloway," Prime Parom says through a voice magnifier, "Please state your opinion on the subject."

        "Um," I wince as I realize that I have already lost a point for using a word of doubt, "I think, that, uh, androids are really the best option in this case." Audibly shaking, my voice rings out awkwardly through the massive auditorium and I feel my face burn.

     Now I have to defend my statement, but my mind is feeling foggy and unhelpful. It's been too long. All eyes are on me. I repeat my statement, forcing strength into my voice. I add a few words of emphasis, but it comes out even more jumbled. I try to recall my hours of nervous reviewing, and I hope to find an answer in my panic-inflicted memories. 

        "Because, first of all, uh, clearly due to recent events, the child supervision is not sufficient. While the mining may be inconvenient for our Maintenance Workers, we also have to, uh, think of the positive effects long-term. I think turning towards technology is a, a good idea, especially when often the Guardians for our older citizens can only, um, supervise so many at a time. As for, like, emotional connection between Guardian and patient, I think that the children are more important when it comes to priorities of developmental nourishment. So, uh, yeah. I guess that's where I am on that."

        My cheeks feel warm as I chastise myself for my incompetence. I second-guessed my opinion, had no conviction, spoke softly and in the broken jargon of a fearful speaker.

        "I find it interesting that Willow thinks that," Davian begins on the other side of me. He is Carson Osipova's boyfriend. I plead that he doesn't drag me into this further. "Because in my opinion, a mining trip is a dangerous endeavor. We would be risking the lives of at least twenty people, and due to the mines being in more wild areas, I wonder how she can think that it is for the greater good and the 'positive efffects long-term.' I say we increase volunteer hours for children, and therefore teach them responsibility and discipline, as well as giving more attention to our elders in a more personal way."

         "Willow Galloway, would you like to respond to this statement?"

        Preferably not. Davian seems to be very good at this. I again rack my brain to find an answer.

        "Well, um, while Davian's argument can be, uh, easily justified..." my voice trails off awkwardly, and my eyes accidentally trail to the judges' stand. I almost think I make eye contact with the Prime, but I quickly turn away, because seeing her only makes me feel worse. But I must stay calm. My life depends on this moment. I take a deep breath.

"...While his argument can be justified, I would like to point out that there have been no mining failures since Year 44, and eleven years is a lot of time. Especially because we have sent out twenty-nine expeditions for outside resources in the eleven-year time span. Besides, the emotional aspect of the androids will be programmed by our best engineers, likely making way for more technological advancements due to their exposure to such complicated programming."

        I hope that my answer is enough to get me to the Fourth. As the rest of the debate goes on, Davian is a clear standout.

        Azalea, the girl next to me, seems intelligent but very full of herself. She's from a nearby Community in our Sector, and while I don't know her very well, I don't see us being friends. While we are taught to never assume, I can't help but feel an immediate disliking towards her. I must admit, however, that something about her face is very attention-grabbing, very charming and yet strikingly attractive as well. Somehow this makes me uncomfortable and slightly inadequate as I look out to the audience and stand beside her.

        A few more questions come my way, and all go similarly to the first. My panicking doesn't get much better, but I keep gripping to the side of my podium as hard as I can, and I think I might give off the impression of slight calmness once or twice. But it is no consolidation when they conclude my debate, and I file into my section of the amphitheater. Finally unnoticed, I feel little relief as the lights go dark yet again before Group 4 prceeds to the stage.

        "Good job, Willow. And, by the way... I am really sorry about Ash. But I'm sure she will be okay, especially with the Guardians being so merciful. I hope she has not brought you too much shame," a girl behind me gives me a reassuring pat on the back. I know her well enough. Her name is Marci, and I suppose you could say that we hang out with the same group of people. But I don't know her that well. Her intent is good, but her words only make me feel worse. It's clear she's lying, but I do appreciate it.

        "Thanks, Marci. Good luck."

Azalea turns toward me, acknowledging me for the first time this evening.

        "Ohhh. That's right. Your name is Willow. I think I remember you from the Sector Field Games. Couldn't decide whether you were Delphi or not, but I guess the lack of, you know, actual words should have been indicative of that. By the way, your sister is a great runner."

        "Oh, yeah. I remember you, as well. Azalea Alvine. Couldn't decide whether it was you or a snake, but your lack of a spine should have been indicative of that. By the way, you're a terrible runner." I turn around and see Delphi situated a few chairs to the left of Marci. My sister gives Azalea a satisfied grin.

        Azalea actually goes red when she hears Delphi's comment. Then she laughs. "Gee, it was just a joke. Don't take everything so seriously."

        "You seem a little red," I say, and when I feel a wave of nervousness come over me instantly, I turn away from her in my chair. But I feel her golden eyes follow me in shock, and I feel satisfied that I've finally made her uncomfortable. But I still hate myself for feeling anything but sadness. Ash. Ash.

It is impossible to register the tragedy with so much going on. Perhaps that was the intention of the Guardians.

         I hear Davian stifle a laugh as he sees the whole thing happen, and he gives me an encouraging smile as I lean closer to him and farther away from Azalea.

        "Congratulations," I remark to Davian. "I don't kno­­w how you people do that so easily."

        "That's the trick, then, isn't it? We're all scared of something."

        "It's fairly inconvenient to be scared of people," I reply, surprised at my sudden openness.

        "I guess it is. But we all have something. I mean, Carson is just as bad as you are, but you know what? I'm scared of...of..." his voice trails off. I'm instantly curious.

         "Of what?"

         "Well, I don't know, but there must be something," he replies, visibly puzzled.

        Feeling slightly inferior, I turn to watch Group 4. Their debate seems to go by quickly, and all I can think about is Ash. What will her parents think? My parents? My father in particular will be worried, she is his niece by blood... But he will try to do what Nkri has always told us: Not let our feelings get in the way of logic. We will all recover soon enough.

Still, I can't imagine what she must be thinking, experiencing. But my mind is still stupid, incapable of processing the great loss of my cousin. They say that we should accept our stupidity in times of loss, for it is our key to survival. But for some reason, I want to feel something.

It occurs to me that if she does survive, she will be different. The Ash I know and love is dead forever, regardless of whether she will live in the physical sense. A giant and an ant.

        The sound of clapping saves me from my claustrophobic, drowning thoughts, and the lights come on as Group 4 leaves and Group 3 enters the stage, Xander in the very front. My mind still fuzzy, it feels as if my mind is asleep, and I register almost no information.

Delphi and Marci are in Group 2, and as I force myself to focus, I conclude that my sister performs so well that I objectively don't know how she could lose.

As is to be expected with my sister, the first question is asked and Delphi cleanly states her opinion and supports it well. She calmly approaches the question with wit and reason, listening attentively to the other opinions of her peers.

        However, by question number two, her incorrigible personality kicks in and she becomes very passionate about whatever she is saying, seeming to feed off of any student who can catch up with her, loving the thrill of the debate. Soon, she begins to act almost dismissively to any student who seems to lack reason in her opinion, getting frustrated when they seem to ignore her facts and statistics.

As she comes off stage, and Group 1 finally goes up, I wince as only nine people come out for the last of first-stage debates, Ash's absence again prominent.

       When they announce the winners of the first round, no one is surprised that Delphi pulls a decisive victory in her group. However, they take off points for her dominance of the conversation, which I find to be very reasonable. I beam and clap loudly when they announce her victory. But then I remind myself that I am angry with her, even after her snake comment, so I immediately stop clapping and I glare at her, even though I know she can't see me.

        Xander wins from his group, and Davian wins from mine. Two girls from Groups 1 and 2 win as well, but they are from different communities and I don't know them as well. Sura and Octa, I think. Our community, Community G, is well-honored tonight, what with three students in the Top 5 in the all-sector debate.
 

       A bit resentful of her confidence, a small part of me feels a guilty satisfaction when I realize Delphi has been placed at the very end of the line, making it harder for her to take part in the event. But I mainly feel like I have to throw up. Partly because I still haven't recovered from my time in the spotlight, but I am also strangely nervous for Delphi. Nervous that she will say something wrong.

        Ash's flushed and terrified face seems to haunt me. I see her everywhere I look, and when I close my eyes she is only more visible. And yet I cannot say that I am sad yet. I am still in shock; I've had no time to register the danger she is in. This is good, I tell myself. You are already getting illogically emotional. Welcome the ignorance.

        Two minutes pass by as the Top 5 contestants read the situation on the HoloBoard, faces ranging from smug smiles to nervous pursed lips and knitted brows.

        I am almost completely sure that Delphi can defeat Octa and Sura - two girls who are very dull in personality from what I know - fairly easily. But Xander and Davian will be her biggest competition.

        The Top 5 will be debating for thirty minutes, double the time of the first round. If Delphi makes it to the Top 2, she will have to hold her own for a full hour. While still nervous for Delphi, I can't help but be excited for the Debate to come. It should be a show.

      While fairly good at debating, I was right in assuming that Octa and Sura aren't very threatening to my sister. While they are able to keep up with the others, they have neither the charisma that the other three have nor the ability to rebuke as cleanly or as cleverly.

        It almost seems as though Delphi and Davian will go to the final round together after they oppose one another passionately as Xander stays neutral and inconclusive for an important question, but then Xander picks himself up in the last few minutes by absolutely ripping apart Davian's argument, turning his main points upside down. And that decides it. Xander Rothe and Delphinium Galloway have made it to the final round. The Top 2. Together.

        Most people begin to get bored very quickly when watching the final round. An hour is a long debate, especially after watching an hour and a half of them already. Admittedly, I find it hard to focus after a while and I don't know how the judges are still counting points up. But the final question makes every hair on the back of my neck stand up.

       During recent occurrences, the motives of the great nation of Nkri have been questioned unfairly. How do you think that those involved should be managed?

        Delphi and Xander look at one another for a second. I can tell that they are both recalling the moment when he pulled my sister away from the situation, but couldn't get to Ash. This question calls to them to renounce a cousin and a friend. For a moment, they look at one another, and there is perfect understanding.

Xander compassionately goes first, trying to give Delphi some time.

        He responds by saying nothing of importance, nonchalantly stating basic facts. He calls it a misunderstanding. He never says anything against the government, but he never says anything against the rioters either.

His response is tactful and well done, and I can't help but admire his ability to protect himself without surrendering his values.

All Delphi has to do is agree with him. Even with Xander's comeback in the Top 5 round, Delphi is far ahead of him on the leaderboard in points, having been phenomenal throughout the night. If she agrees with him, adds her own rephrasing of the same thing, smiles and nods, then she should be fine.

         "I think we should hear them," Delphi begins, without any tactful buildup at all. She leans casually against her podium, as if teasing the judges.

        Why did I ever assume that she would just shut up for once?

        "Please explain, Delphinium Galloway." The Prime herself sounds visibly surprised and defensive as she speaks into the microphone.

        "I think that our sector - the whole nation of Nkri, really - would benefit from having more say. When we act negatively towards these riots," I almost hit my hand to my forehead in frustration as she says the word, therefore blowing up Ash's movement out of proportion, "we portray as a government that we are fearful of what our people might say or do."

        The whole audience is engaged now, processing what Delphi is saying. The audience begins to mumble as they talk to each other in low voices. Delphi seems unfazed, almost smiling slightly as she gives the idea to the members of the audience.

        "...Which is why it's so wonderful that we have these debates," she concludes. "Our voices can be heard in civilized ways as we hear whatever questions the government has about our daily lives. So in a way, this is how we deal with such dangerous occurrences." She smiles widely, and cocks her head to the side innocently.

        I nervously look to the judges. Delphi may have actually pulled it off. She saved herself, but she also planted the seed of doubt into the subconsciousness of each member of the audience. My sister is planting the seeds of revolution.

        A few minutes later, it is declared that Xander has won the debate, even though Delphi was clearly in the lead. They give one another the honorary handshake, as the crowd cheers them on and they walk offstage. Davian, who is already sitting next to me again after his loss, turns to me.

        "That was brilliant. Now the audience has the idea in their heads without even knowing it."

        "Let's just hope Delphi can keep her head," I reply, bitter on the outside so that no one knows how scared I am.

        "She's doing a good job. I think she can take care of herself. She may be impulsive, but she didn't lose her head once."

        As we file back into the common rooms, I notice Delphi and Xander talking quite frequently. They seem to be constantly together. I know Delphi won't talk to me because she knows I won't reply kindly. Davian gets bored of my company and leaves to join them, and soon Carson is sitting next to me.

       "Davian craves people," is the first thing he says to me when he sits down. "Needs them to thrive. Loves being in the middle of it all. Loves attention. That doesn't mean he isn't vulnerable."

        "He doesn't seem vulnerable," I reply earnestly. "He doesn't even know what he's afraid of."

        "Of course he does." Carson stops a moment, and looks over at Davian, who is currently in the middle of a group of people, on the floor, laughing so hard that the whole room is beginning to look at him.

Carson is visibly questioning his last statement. "Well, there must be something."

I can't help but let out a small chuckle in a half sob, trying to find amusement through Carson's exact and unintended mimicking of his boyfriend.

"My feelings are illogical." It's all I can say. It's all I want him to know.

"Of course they are. They may tell you that feelings are dangerous and that we should ignore them, but we have them anyway. You can work on it. Just don't let your emotions get in the way of the pleasures of everyday life. I am sorry about your cousin, by the way. I hope you don't feel too much shame."

He has given my the basic etiquette and response for emotional turmoil. He's very convincing, but I don't feel much better.

       Nonetheless, Carson and I have always been close. I'm glad to have him as a friend. Even if I would never tell him that.

        I look over again at Delphi and Xander, as I have been consistently doing all night. They have inexplicably begun to dance in a strange and dramatic fashion, and I am highly confused. I march over to reach a further conclusion, and find myself grabbing Delphi's arm.

        "Oh! Hi, Willow. Wanna join us? We're-" Xander begins, friendly and open.

        "Delphi, I think there are more important things going on right now than your social gathering," I say, glaring at Xander.

        Delphi gives a meaningful look to the sector winner of the Third.

        "I have to go." I tug on her arm again. She turns to the rest of her friends.

        "See you later, everyone!" Then she tugs away from me, and begins walking towards the corridors that lead to the cubicles. I follow suit furiously. When we have walked to a quiet location, she spins around and grabs my head harshly, shoving her mouth to my ear.

        "First of all, they do not like it when we show emotion. The best candidates for employment are the ones who can think instead of feel. And secondly -and most importantly- if we show them we are afraid, we will give them power. If we, the cousins of Ash, appear unconcerned, then we show them that they have no power over us."

        "What's wrong with them having power?!" I shriek-whisper back.

       Delphi looks at me like she doesn't know me anymore.

        "Well, maybe you would know if you stopped looking at me all night like you were going to kill me and actually thought about it for a second."

        I continue to glare at her, unsure of what to say. 

        "You weren't looking at me, were you?" She looks at me for a second. "I thought you trusted me more than that. I think I know my own sister. Also, I'm not an idiot. It's not like it's that hard to figure out."

         I'm still silent. "By the way, we were playing charades. Our topic was the Annual Sector Gala," Delphi smiles a little, and begins to walk away.

        "I hate you. I still don't know how you can be so manipulative."

I see Delphi's eyes actually go red for a second. She looks genuinely wounded, and I almost regret my words for a moment. Almost.

        "You hate me temporarily, and your hate for me has nothing to do with Ash. So stop wallowing in self-pity, and pull yourself together."