The haze of euphoria clears, and this time I think before admitting, “I’m not sure I know who the real me is.”
“That’s what we are here to find out. Tell us about your family, Cia.”
My family. I take a deep breath and carefully consider my answer. That I can stop and think before speaking makes me believe the liquid in the vial has counteracted the worst of the truth serum. Now I need to give them the answer they’re looking for. They must already know about my parents and my brothers. So what do they want to hear?
I decide to keep it simple. I list my family members. The other Testing officials ask a couple of questions about Five Lakes Colony, and I answer them as best I can. Their questions focus mostly around my father—what he taught me, what he told me about his Testing experience. I admit that he told me he remembered very little. “But he did warn me some of the other candidates would be very competitive.”
They ask follow-up questions, and though my muscles are loosened, my mind stays alert enough for me to avoid answers that could put my family in jeopardy. When Dr. Barnes mentions he has heard that my oldest brother has spearheaded several projects for my father and asks me whether I think he should have been tested for the University, I do not hesitate. I lie.
“My father tries to give all of his workers credit for projects they work on whether they deserve it or not. I love Zeen a lot, but his work is sloppy and doesn’t merit the credit it receives.”
I am relieved to navigate this pitfall when the next opens up in front of me. This time they ask about my father. Did he want his children to follow in his footsteps? Was he excited I was chosen? I keep my answers simple and upbeat. No mention of my father’s dreams or his unhappiness at my candidacy. Nothing to cause Tosu officials to think twice about my father’s memories of his time in The Testing.
The questions shift to The Testing itself.
Why did I alert Brick to what I believed was Roman’s deception?
To do less would make me a poor teammate.
What was my reasoning behind burying the unknown testing candidate?
My parents taught me to treat life with respect.
Did I come in contact with people from outside the Testing barriers?
No.
How do I feel about my decision to trust Will?
Trusting Will was a poor choice. I will choose more wisely in the future.
As I answer, I am constantly aware of Dr. Barnes’s eyes studying me, weighing every word.
When he finally speaks again he asks, “Tell us about your relationship with Tomas Endress.”
The question surprises me. Carefully, I answer, “The two of us are close friends. He says he loves me, but I think that’s because I remind him of home.”
“Surely you feel more than friendship for Mr. Endress. Why else would you have risked your life by taking the time to save his?”
I bite my lip and try to decide what Dr. Barnes wants to hear. Finally, I say, “My family taught me to help others at all costs. It’s the Five Lakes Colony way.”
Dr. Barnes leans forward. “Do you think taking time to rework your bicycle in order to save his life was a smart decision?”
“It worked,” I answer. “We’re both alive.”
“Yes. You are.” He smiles. “But I’m concerned you might be too emotionally attached to candidate Endress.”
The benign tone cannot mask the menace behind the words. Even the Testing officials flanking Dr. Barnes shift uncomfortably in their seats. The silence stretches between us, making it hard to breathe. It must be my turn to say something, but no question has been asked—and without knowing what he is asking, I cannot hope to answer correctly. And something tells me this answer is the most important of them all.
Finally, when the silence becomes unbearable, I admit, “I don’t understand.”
“Emotional entanglements can be challenging in these kinds of situations. For instance, what will happen if you are accepted to the University and he is not?”
My heart thunders. “I will be pleased for myself and disappointed the Testing committee didn’t recognize Tomas’s potential. He’s smart and resourceful. The United Commonwealth would benefit from having him attend the University.”
“Should we be concerned that your disappointment could impact your performance at the University?”
How to answer the question? My mind races. Whatever I say will not only impact my life, but affect Tomas, too. To say I am going to be indifferent will be a lie they can easily identify. After all, as Dr. Barnes pointed out, I did save Tomas’s life at the risk of my own. The truth serum they gave me is supposed to render lies impossible. If I answer with an obvious lie now they will know something has gone amiss and wonder why. I resist the urge to wipe my sweaty palms on my pants and force my mind to focus.