The first step to becoming a member of Atlas is to go under a variety of tests in order to determine which area you excelled in the most. My auburn-haired instructor explained this as she was giving me a tour of the different departments and areas the academy had to offer. Spacious halls with natural light emanating inwards guided us to remote places I had yet to discover. I notice that many parts of the walls have gold inscriptions that seem to be famous quotes, but since Olivia is walking at a hurried pace, I cannot even briefly stop to read any of them.
After passing gradually narrower corridors, we come to a wide room with hundreds of huge bookshelves, we've reached the library. My eyes do not leave the sliding belts that connect the entire space; They are at all levels, going from top to bottom so that everyone can reach the books on the highest shelves. In the middle of the room, there are circular tables filled with people reading and taking notes on their digital tablets. I have already realized that everyone here has one of those. Finally, I look up to see a crystal dome, giving light to the busy readers.
"This is the main library, polymaths of all specialties spend hours here doing research."- Olivia begins explaining, looking at my amazed face with a side smirk. - "Atlas has compiled works ranging from the beginning of writing, the era of hieroglyphs, the Renaissance, the Modern Age, the Last War, up to today. There are approximately 15 million books here. Also, we're proud to have obtained very peculiar editions."
After saying those last words, she goes to the closest shelf and picks up a random book, she comes back and hands it to me, her expression encouraging me to open it. The first thing I notice is its lightweight, in contrast with its large size. I open it and discover that it has a tactile index, where you could select the language, font, interactive audio, and video. I make my selection and turn to the first page, a voice narrates the paragraphs before me, showing moving pictures and videos, that stand out from the book like a 3D video.
"Amazing, right?"- Olivia awakes me from my absorption, taking the book from my hands and returning it to its original place. – "You'll have plenty of time to use as many of them as you like, but we have to continue the initiation tour now."
. . .
We go through some labs, a big swimming pool, and some of the normal dorms. During this, Olivia explained that depending on the evolution and improvement of your skills, you would get an individual or shared room. Since I was a newbie, I would have and be meeting my roommate very soon. I'm feeling excited at the prospect of sharing a space with someone for the first time in my life.
Now we are outside, looking at the obstacle course and running track around it. Olivia informs me that this is where combat training mostly takes place, although it's also used by anyone who likes to work out.
She continues talking but my ears muted her voice as my eyes looked beyond the field to the lush rainforest that met the horizon. I can't believe it has been almost three days since I escaped, hid through that jungle, and got taken in here. I still have doubts about how much Victor knows about me, and how much I should and can share about my background. Did these people actually have good intentions? Did they have secrets they were keeping from me? The notebook I found incited horrible thoughts. But it was impossible, he couldn´t have been here and written a journal. I decided to hide it below the mattress, for now. I hadn't read it or told anyone about it. There were still a lot of issues to tackle. Questions to solve.
"So, I know and understand you probably still feel overwhelmed about this whole new scenario, but it would be best to go through the tests as soon as possible. The sooner you get settled, the better, and trust me, all your inner worries will dissolve."- Her gold eyes glimmer and she gives me a warm smile, I really want to believe her, everything would be better if I could genuinely believe her.
"I can start the tests whenever possible."- I respond, showing determination in my tone.
"Well, then we'll start tomorrow morning. Are you sure you're ready?"- She asks, I nod my head. A couple of minutes later, I see a girl in the distance approaching us. Olivia salutes her with a little assent.
She's coming from the running field, jumping like a little kid, exuberating joy. She's quite tall, half a forehead taller than my instructor. Her blonde beachy waves shine brightly along with the colors of the setting sun. When she is very close to us, I take in her deep blue eyes, with a tint of green. She has a warm smile and sharp features.
"Hey Olivia!"- She enthusiastically greets.
"How are you darling? Hopefully, the project isn´t causing you a lot of stress."
"Don´t worry Liv, we're figuring it out. It's going to take some time, though. Today was a long day but I just took a good breather."- She says with a wide smile, tiny drops of sweat daintily placed on her forehead. She looks at me cordially.
"Katherine, this is Bianca. She's new and will be taking the tests shortly. Bianca, this is your new flatmate, she might also be working with you."
I shyly extend my hand, I'm not very good with social situations. She happily takes it.
"Hi Bianca, it's so nice to meet you. Beautiful name by the way! I work in neurology, brainy stuff you know?"- She says and laughs, I smile at her.
After that, Olivia leaves us to get to know each other better. Katherine immediately starts talking about some work she does, cool things you can do at Atlas, and promises to introduce me to her friends. I feel very comfortable in her company, which I find new and pleasant. There's an undeniable kindness that makes me want to open up to her straight away. However, I know that needs to happen very gradually. We proceed on the topic of movies we like as she leads us to our rooms. She jokes about my "classical taste" in cinema. I'm a bit confused by the comment but go with it. She stops in front of a dark wood door with three silver numbers hung at the top; 134.
"Thanks for the chat Katherine, I am very glad to be your flatmate."- I tell her as she opens the door.
"Don't even mention it, and same! Also, just call me Kat."- She responds while guiding me inside.
I just go in, into a new beginning.