CHAPTER 2: The Hall

"Please be quiet, I don’t want to wake your mother."

Jace couldn't open his eyes but he could hear a voice. The smell of copper rushed in his nose, then a sharp pain in his veins. 

"It's over now Jace. Go back to sleep...."

He snapped awake, like he was in a nightmare. His body drenched in sweat, his breath fast and uneven. His limbs felt heavy and his vision blurry but he was sure that was his dad's voice.

Morning arrived quickly after.

Michael was gone by the time Jace fully woke up. Unlike Michael, he was a heavy sleeper and his mom had to wake him about four times for it to sink in. He dragged himself to take a cold shower, then to the kitchen with his towel on, to make breakfast.  His mom was already packing his clothes into a leather bag when he walked in. Normally, he would be annoyed but he was running late, so he let it slide.

"Why are you just standing around?" she asked.

"Um, I want to change."

"So...?"

"I need some privacy."

"Hurry up," she said, kissing him on the forehead.

In twenty minutes, he was done then came the goodbyes. First to his mom and the twins and last to his dad who was waiting at the door. He pulled him into a longer hug than usual, then walked him to the inner gate of District 7, where the Wave Rider and the other candidates from Regens were waiting.

"Yo Jace!"

He spotted his friends calling to him—Chance, Hector, and Diana.

Including them, the Wave Rider was packed with about fifteen candidates. As they exited the outer gate of Regens, Jace looked back from the window, a sudden realization hitting him—this might be the longest time he would go without seeing his family.

“Do you miss them already?” Hector teased.

“No way, I’m glad to be on my own for a change."

He said to save face but he already missed them

The Procedure this year took place in the Founders house.

They arrived at the Founders outer gate, a massive gate decorated in gold and white. The Wave Rider stopping just outside the gate. Unfortunately, the Founders was off-limits unless you were one of the Founding Families or received special permission. but that didn't stop Michael sneaking Jace in. Meaning, if Jace had the mutant gene, he had to choose either the Elite or the Glades.

"Jace!"

He turned to see Michael dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt and matching pants. Behind hm were five more with the same outfit.

"Aren't you dressed yet, we're gonna be late,"  he said getting closer to Jace.

"Not yet, we just arrived."

Then a voice sneered.

"Well...well If it isn't the dynamic duo. Did you enjoy yourself in our House?"

Michael turned to see him glaring at him. "Oliver, how are you? Still stalking me I see."

"Stalking you? You're fool of yourself." Oliver came closer to them until they were touching noses. "i Just find it funny that you get to walz in and out of Regens when we can't get into yours."

"So what?" Jace asked deadpan.

"And you!" Oliver yelled. "You're worse than him. You think you're better than us because you're friends with a founders kid?"

Hector stepped in. “Back off, Oliver.”

Then...

"Welcome esteemed guests to the Founders. Today, the rest of your life begins. My name is Arlon Griffin and I will be the Overseer. This procedure is very special as we are celebrating 200 years since the very first one. On behalf of the founding families, I am delighted to give you access to the outer gates. "

With that the gates opened and the fight stopped but not before Oliver gave them one last glare. 

As they entered, in front of them were what looked like guards with black coats with X logos on their backs. They looked so cool, at least that's what Jace thought.

"Who are those guys?" he asked.

"They look awesome right," Michael said. "They are the Taskforce X. The best of the best and some of the most powerful mutants in the Dome."

They walked for a bit while Michael gave Jace an impromtu tour. They passed by Arcadia, where plants, vegetables and crops were reproduced. Some of the plants were planted naturally but mainly most were chemically engineered. A much bigger version of the Arcadia existed in the Elite. where meat was processed.

To make life easier in the Dome, each House had its own responsibilites. The Elite developed food and medicine; the Glades were in charge of security; the Regens provided manual labor and the Founders offered leadership. A well oiled machine.

They arrived at the hall, where from the entrances it was flanked by flags and logos of the four Houses. Inside, seats were arranged in a circular motion following the same pattern until the top. They were  organized in four rows according to the houses they belonged in. The Glades sat closest to the exit, then the Founders, Elite and finally the Regens to the further side of the wall.

When everyone was seated four people walked in from the entrance straight to the podium where they sat on chairs raised slightly. Jace noticed one of them was Michael's dad. They were known as the Four, otherwise known as the leaders of each house. 

 Arlon then entered the podium and began.

"Today is our 150th procedure. I take this opportunity to welcome our candidates with much enthusiasm and promise to ensure the smooth running of the procedure. We mark this momentous day, with a new system that will be implemented for this year's procedure. We hope you enjoy.”

The entire hall went silent.

The he continued. “Since it was conceived, we have used the same procedure system to determine the mutant gene. But this year thanks to our Elite scientists and engineers we are now able to evaluate the exact ability that one holds and then there is another thing that I will let Mrs. Dumont have the pleasure of announcing. Thank you and welcome Mrs. Dumont with warm applauses.”

Everyone claps and as a woman steps to the podium.