[ WP ] Upon graduation , all high school students must take a standardized test . Anyone who fails is executed on the spot .

*How had I failed*, I thought. 
 
 The room was musty and concrete and, as I sat cross-legged, the floor was beginning to pinch my skin between itself and the bone. Sweat poured into my eyes, stinging. I had quit blinking in futility for some time. I eased my tongue over my upper lip. It tasted heavily of salt. 
 The door to the hot, dark room swung open. Dorrin walked through the bathing light, shifting seamlessly into the shadow as his heavy boots reverberated across the floor and walls.To his right walked a soldier, elite guard I was sure, with rifle drawn at the ready. 
 Dorrin was professional as always, `` I apologize for the comfort, or lack there of. It is much easier to undress the blood, you see?'' 
 He smiled for a moment, then upon noticing the perplexing nature in my face, approached me and lowered, bending at his knees, to meet my face with his own. 
 `` You wonder how you failed?'' his voice was calm, almost sweet, `` The essay, young brother, was rank. It was permeable. It stunk of independent thought.'' 
 Immediately, I knew to what he was referring, `` Administrator, I only tried to show the Mind in a new light. I love the mother and I love the Chancellor. I felt my words should march with my heart.'' 
 `` Are the Chancellor's words insufficient?'' 
 `` No sir, that was not my int-'' 
 The soldier quickly stepped forward and firmly placed the cold muzzle of his weapon against my temple. I could feel my blood beating ceaselessly against it. 
 `` We desire as much of your mind and body as we do your heart,'' said Dorrin, `` Good initiative, bad judgment and all that.'' 
 I felt a great stir within me. It swirled from the bottom of me and was armed with useless wings, bony, featherless things, beating against my own entrapments. I payed it no heed, and instead, with controlled breath, aware of my biting tongue's every word, let go one final thought to the ethereal. 
 `` I am but a thread, woven of the fabric of the Mind. If I'm seen loose, by all means pull me, Sirs. But pray, the Mind does not unravel.'' 
 Dorrin, smiled. It offended me so, as I found it condescending. He turned to the guard. 
 `` Stay your hand,'' he said, lightly placing his fingers upon the weapon's barrel and, by his graces, lowering it. 
 `` That, little brother,'' I now saw another smile, `` was the true test. You have passed.'' 
 He and his intimidating company turned to leave as I sat speechless, stirring with awakened thought. Dorrin did stop, if for just a moment at the door and said plainly, `` You will find your skill already assigned to you. Check with the Bureau.'' 
 He stepped away through the light. 
 I sat for some time contemplating woefully. I stared into that very light, laughing inwardly and cynically at its misleading disposition. That's when it occurred to me. A thought that would lead me once again to a room much like that one, where I sit once again, labeled a revolutionary. 
 A cold muzzle is pressed against my temple. My heart beats with unmatched fury. This is all-together an entirely different test.
