Page 54 of The Commons

I gravitate toward the door with “O5” inscribed on it. It is Observation Test Five. I step into the room just before the clock strikes 8:88 a.m., ready to conquer this test, but I am shocked upon looking up. My feet vibrate backwards as if to flee upon instinct. What the devil is this?

Seven transparent water basins surround me, and a crocodile devours a student’s foot in one of them.

Oh God, help me.

Horrified, the hairs on my body jump up, numb with shock.

The basin is a giant covered bowl, half-filled with water and mud. The student is screaming, his blood is gushing as the crocodile continues to grasp onto his leg. Patron Brik throws a yellow bomb-like substance into the water. The crocodile struggles, then faints in a pool of blood. Patron Brik opens the cover completely, and a nurse runs to carry the boy out on a stretcher as he continues to scream.

Okay, just breathe, Shantavia.

Control your thoughts.

Keep calm.

Assess the situation again.

There’s a crocodile in a basin. I am about to enter a similar basin. The boy before me was bitten. Yep. You’re gonna die.

I tilt my head, uncomfortable, but I force my chin to stay up.

I have to be brave.

I am so close to the finish line, to finally getting the book of secrets. I can do this. All I have to do is survive till then. God help me.

Despite my racing thoughts, I propel my feet forward. I am approaching the basin as Patron Brik’s grassy gaze looms over me. His green glare upon me is like a scorpion that stings. Without even looking, I can sense it sizing me up like a hunter to its target. Before I know it, I am standing in front of Patron Brik at another basin.

How did I get here?

Patron Brik now fully turns in my direction with an aggressive glare on his rock-like face. “Patron Brik is the name because I will break you.” He hands me a device with a single button.

“What’s the aim of this test?” I manage to ask.

“Don’t get killed. Or hurt substantially. We’ve put a rare chemical in the liquid-mud mixture that makes the crocodile invisible to the human eyes, until it is ready to attack. The moment you enter, it will stop moving. It’s a special breed found only in Commonda. You must keep moving in the water to stop it from attacking you. However, we will not permit you to leave the glass basin if it does not move at least once. The moment you think it has moved, press the button or scream and we will throw this substance in, which will immediately repel it. We will then open the basin and pull you out, in whatever state you are in. When you are attacked, here’s a trick—poke its eyes. You should also know; this special breed of crocodile has a fondness for eating humans.” He pauses with a gratifying smile.

I look at the basin, then take a deep breath.

Okay, Shantavia, what’s the best approach to this? Just survive. Screw passing the test. Just don’t die.

“Let’s see how you do on this one, smarty pants,” he whispers. I turn, confused at his patronizing look, wondering what I had ever done to offend him. I proceed to enter the glass basin.

I feel the water on my pants, hold my breath, and listen intently for movement. But instead of moving to avoid the crocodile’s movement, I stay still. I straighten my legs and relax my hands outside the water, holding tightly to the alarm. I figure there is no need to prolong my potential suffering. I look around the water, eyes sprinting in every direction to spot movement.

I see bubbling in the water.

Fear flares up in my eyes and I press the button instantly.

I look to Patron Brik, and he shakes his head, indicating that it has not moved yet. Eyes like silver lightning, I continue to look at the water with intense focus.

Again, I see bubbling, then another, then the third one. The crocodile jumps out the water and in the same instant, I press the button and submerge myself. Underwater, I hear loud whispers from behind the basin.

“Are you gonna put in the chemical and let her out?”

“No. She needs to be scratched a little, or she’ll get a big head.”

“What do you mean? That thing could kill her in the next second. You know we can’t kill on the tests!”

“Not death. It’ll bite a foot or so.”