Gold

Official

    Let's just say I passed all the tests with flying colors. Tomorrow is going to be my official orientation into the Guard. It was a fulfilling feeling, knowing I was so advanced at fighting that I was accepted into an elite organization at a young age. What’s even better is that my whole “I’d rather be in the crosshairs than in this room, unable to help anyone” motivational speech really got the four leaders to like me. I honestly feel like the guard is where I belong. 

    I was in my room. I couldn’t sleep because I was so excited for the next day. The book opened in my lap was my mom’s favorite. It was some book about star-crossed lovers. The cover had fallen off and I never knew what it was called but I called it The Story of the Star Crossed Lovers. I wasn't a particularly emotional person but for some reason, I have read this book a million times. The fact that it was my mom’s favorite probably has a big part. 

    “Guard Kira!” A voice yelled from outside my door. I jumped at the sudden noise. Running to the door I was trying to think of what could cause someone to come yelling at my door. The wooden door wasn’t heavy but it seemed to swing open in slow motion. It was just a random man. He was in grey. His uniform reminded me of the ones the Protectors wore. The Protectors were the specially trained Guards that protected the Crowne family. 

    “Protector… What’s up?” I asked casually. Quite honestly I was a bit perturbed but I didn’t want him to sense any weakness. I flipped my ponytail over my shoulder and leaned against the doorway waiting for his response. He glared back at me coldly. 

    “Mayor Crowne wants you to come to the Estate. He needs to speak to you.” The protector spoke briskly. His hair was perfectly groomed and I didn’t like how stiff he was being. I may be a hardworking person, and I love being professional… in a certain sense. But stiff, I don't do that. It’s more fun to make stiff people uncomfortable. 

    “Hmm, that’s interesting. You do know that I’m not a guard yet, right?” Mr. Stiff nodded. “Then why does he need to speak to me?” He opened his mouth to answer but I held up my hand. “Great answer, let’s go.” I walked out into the hallway and started towards the back entrance of the Compound. Mr. Stiff had paused awkwardly, not used to not being respected, and then followed me. 

    “How did you know to go to the back entrance?” Mr. Stiff asked. He walked briskly beside me. 

    “You’re a Crowne protector, you're most likely in one of their cars, well that would draw a lot of attention if you pulled up to the front.” We made it outside and got into the black car. It was large and covered with protective glass and metal. 

    “Guard Kira, I need to inform you that you need to be more respectful especially once we get to the Estate. The Mayor deserves your respect.” The Protector grumbled. 

    “Of course, what made you think I would be anything but respectful?” I smirked and Mr. Stiff decided to ignore me by this point. Good decision, I thought to myself. I looked out the tinted window and watched as the dead lonely landscape flew past. We may call our home Utopia but there was nothing Utopian about the scenery. The Great War destroyed a lot. 

    Not only did it destroy the government which had once been in charge of the mythic “United States” but it destroyed the land. Trees could be found in special Gardens, but they no longer grew in the wild like all the history books claimed they once did. 

    “We’re here,” Mr. Stiff broke me out of my reverie. I looked up at the large grey building, nearly every building was grey, and felt my stomach twist a little. The last time I was taken to the Estate was when I was informed my parents were killed in an Uprising. I felt my breathing pick up slightly. “Are you ok?” Mr. Stiff asked, not seeming as if he really cared, it seemed more like he was amused by me getting upset. 

    I turned towards him and glared at him. My eyes flashed in the afternoon light and his amused smirk fell off his face. My gold eyes sparkled intimidatingly in the sun. “Yes, I am fine. Now let us go see the Mayor.” I said calmly but with a warning in my tone. The Protector looked away uncomfortably, then stepped out of the car and opened the door for me. I uncurled and left the guarded car. I walked into the open and up onto the sprawling stairs leading to the entrance of the Estate. There were servants and Protectors waiting at the top. I walked up slowly, at my own pace making sure to let everyone know that I am confident and not to be messed with. 

    The large doors opened just as I reached the top of the stairs. The inside of the Estate was covered with Pre-Utopian art. The paintings and pictures were so vivid and beautiful, that even I, a hater of art, appreciated them. “Ahh, Kira Fortis. Or should I say, Guard Kira? You are quite young to be a guard which is precisely why I need you.” The Mayor was standing by a fountain that stood in the middle of the large hall. He was a tall man, with greying hair and a handsome face. He couldn’t have been much older than what my parents would have been. 

    “And why do you need a young guard?” I asked a bit abruptly and I felt Mr. Stiff glaring at me from behind. The Mayor smiled.

    “That is a great question,” He managed to say before a door on the side of the hall was flung open. 

    “Father, we need to do something, a group of rebels are on the Boundary planning something.” Leo stopped talking right when he saw me standing there. He glared at me. “Excuse me, who are you?”

    I hated the tone he used but he was the son of the Mayor. My usual response would be quite rude, I tried to hold my tongue. “Guard Kira, your majesty,” I said my voice dripping with sarcasm. I curtsied and returned Leo’s glare. The Mayor laughed and I couldn’t tell if Leo wanted to laugh with his father or punch me. 

    “Father, why is Guard Kira here? I need to speak with you,” Leo turned away from me and stared intently at his father. The Mayor still smiling put his hand on his son’s shoulder. Leo shrugged it off. “Father.”

    “Leo.” The Mayor stopped smiling. “Do not undermine my authority. I am the Mayor and I have called Kira here for a reason. The three us need to have a meeting.” The Mayor grabbed Leo’s shoulder again and began walking within. He glanced behind his shoulder, “Are you coming?” I nodded and followed the Mayor as he took us deeper into the Estate.