CHAPTER 9

A letter come. A man dressed in filthy clothes, accepted it. The letter is quite childish, with children design outside of it. But what is written is the complete opposite of it

Dear Douglas,

I hope you are still well. The things outside are getting dangerous and soon they will affect your place. Prepare your things and leave with him. You and your friend will be smuggled out. Informed him. I will await for your answer.

W.K.

The man named Douglas get a quill and wrote:

Dear Sir,

I am afraid that I cannot do as you said . My friend have made a big move which may put him in more danger than here. He has gone to the capital. I will await for your response.

Douglas.

...

KLEIN POV

I watched the eighth gate opened and closed when we enter the seventh. This is only the beginning. There will be many gates to be opened and I will soon be at the capital.

Besides me, is someone named Moore. I am aware that he is watching me, he is always there watching, observing and perhaps investigating and now he unexpectedly joined this caravan.

"Hey", I called. You are Moore, aren't you?" I asked.

Moore turned his attention to me and said, "Yes I am".

"We are going to the capital, do you have a pass? Or are you going to drop by somewhere?"

"I have a pass", he said.

"Then, why are you living in the eighth?" I asked. I wanted to know his answer, I may be able to have some hint.

"I have my reasons", he answered, completely blocking any clue. He then diverted the conservation, "do you by any chance practice anything that could help Lady Jane during the competition?"

I shrugged, "My decision was a bit hasty, I haven't prepared or practised anything".

"It is a competition, if you cannot passed at least a level you would still be a resident of your current gate. Be aware of that" Moore said

"I know", I said.

Moore looked at me before shrugging.

I give up for now, but I will find out soon what he is unto. I look at my surroundings and I noticed that the vast difference here and back home. The houses here is definitely better than the eighth. The people have good clothes, but just like the eighth, they work like there is no tomorrow, it is quite understandable as almost every one here are working for quota points to be stock up and use as leverage to transfer to the next gate. You could actually bring your whole family to the next gate if you could achieve a certain point. But the family members at the age of sixteen to seventy will need to prove themselves worthy to be inside that gate or they alone will be transported to the lower gates. The only exemption to this are the nobles. The nobles are allowed to stay the capital as long as they won't break the law.

I have been here before or more likely pass through this place, but I took the long way instead of travelling in the middle, I take the outer part just so I could pass safely and with less attention. I presented myself to the eighth freely. Who would have known that I would exit it with my own volition as well. I sighed, no one knows more than I, the troubles this would invoke, however, I have been in the middle of crossroads for a long time now. Not deciding anything, just letting the time pass through. I know I have disappointed someone important to me. What Sir Thomas presented to me is actually another chance to choose again. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but I know longer wanted to run. Whatever will be, should be. I cannot be stagnant anymore, anyway. The things that is about to happen would still involve me. I may have complicate things a bit but it doesn't matter.

The carriage stopped at what appear to be a lodging house. We have been traveling for hours now and the horses are probably too tired to continue. It is about time to wrap up the day. I have saw Lady Jane get out with not so much attention to any of us, probably too worn out due to the travel.

JANE POV

I watched as the gate separating eighth open and we went past through. At last, I have gotten out, and not just the eighth, no, I am going to pass through the seven gates and I'll finally be back home. My parent never really abandoned me, they support me by giving Sir Thomas financial so I could continue living without so much burden but I will never be able to see them again if I won't do anything at all.

My parents, they won't be able to interact with me to avoid any complications, they had said so in the letter when they learned that I will be at the selection. They said that they will support me and I am contended. After I win, all of those complications would be gone. I could hug my mother and father without fearing that I would implicate them.