The courtyard of the orphanage was buzzed with silence, children's look at each other with unease as they ready for the appraisal. Line moved slowly, one name at a time was called to be examined. The Enforcers are at the side watching closely and making sure none would escaped towards the exit. They handle children who would gotten the color red and they would be escorted away towards the other building. In fact, a few had already been escorted.
"Hey" a soft voice broke the tension.
Nora turn to see Ella, her hands are nervously tugging to her sleeves. She looked at Nora with a worry.
"Stop worrying to much, will you?" She sigh. "You'll pass"
"What about you?" She asked.
"Are you that worried for me?"
"How can I not be?!" Ella defended while Nora huff with amusement.
"That's new" Nora said teasingly.
Ella throw a few weak punches at her, a child throwing a tantrum. *'How cute'* Nora thought comparing her to a small squirrel who got annoyed. She felt grateful to Ella for breaking that suffocating tension she felt from earlier. She guessed that their little banter also help Ella to calm down a bit.
Before Ella could retort and scold her, her name was called upon by the caretaker.
"Next! Ella Santiago!"
Nora's gazed follow her friend's who's walking towards the appraisal platform. Her heart beats fast in pace, a hint of concern seeping in. She could only hoped for the best for Ella.
The aura she received was blue, the color of aura that meant good alignment, she could feel overjoyed at that moment. Now the next batch was called, and it was her turn to stepped forward to the platform.
"Please come forward, Nora Alceo!"
She step forward and when she passed by Ella on the stair she whispered her good luck and she nodded.
She slowly approached the appraiser, the two enforcers on the side look at her piercingly. As if treating her like she had done something wrong without even starting yet.
She placed her wrist on the table, ready to get appraise. Nervousness written across her face. Bit-by-bit the white neutral color of the aura regained color. Her eyes was focused while her mind was chanting *'it will be fine'*.
Then her eyes widen in terror as she pulled her hands away.
*'This....this can't be happening'*
The color was revealed as red, it was ***red***. She step back, her hands were shaking.
"Seize her!"
Before she could even run, the Enforcers rushed towards her and grabbed both of her arms and pinned her on the ground, leaving no room for resisting. Every kid who was watching gasped in shock and disbelief. Ella was also stun, she doesn't want to believe this. Nora wasn't dangerous, she was her friend. That can't be right.
"This must be a mistake!" She tried to reason but her voice was unheard for the enforcers. They ignored Ella's plea and proceed to dragged Nora with force towards the other old building where the other dangerous labeled children had been dragged to.
But Ella blocked their path, she was still reasoning and she will never give up saving Nora. Nora tried to escape from the grasped but she was weak in terms of strength against the enforcers. Their hold was enough to leave bruises.
"Move" One of them coldly said.
Ella shakes her head. Her eyes meet the Captain, she was desperate.
"I won't repeat my word again. Move"
Before Ella could even muttered another word, a Sister pulled her to the side and trying to explain and calm her down.
The captain snorted, then ordered his squad to continue on their path. Nora can't look properly at Ella, she was trying everything to help her. But she was dangerous as the system stated. She muttered a quiet apology before being escorted.
Upon arriving at the old building the captain barely gazed at her, he pushed open the door and turn to face her. He gestured to his squad to open the door and throw her inside where she hit the floor hard.
"Nothing personal, you are just one of the unfortunate children" the captain explain, his voice was stern and authoritative. As the door closed with a loud thud.
She weakly supported herself up to see what was waiting for her, once her eyes darted around. She could feel shivers jolted through her body just the sight of the place.
"You gotta be kidding me..."