BLESSING AND CURSES

EXAMINATION DAY

***~~Chapter 1~~***

**I was walking nervously down the corridor towards the examination hall. I turned a corner and kept walking, keeping a nonchalant expression even thought my head was going crazy with thoughts. I have been hiding *it* for almost 7 months, I didn't want them finding out, if they found out I would never see my family or friends again.**

** I stopped infrount of two massive wooden doors. I stood there for a while, I was tempted to turn back but I knew it was to late so I walked in. It was a massive room with a big red gem in the middle, there where no windows and the only form of light came from the gem. A woman came up to me with a cold and somewhat irritated look, clearly disgusted to be breathing the same air as someone like me a **"Z"**.**

**She led me to the middle of the room and stood beside the large gem.**

*"Pls place your hands on the gem and wait for further instructions"*. **She said coldly not even bothering with pleasantries. I placed my hand on it and after a few seconds it glowed turning from red to blue. The examiners just nodded and took notes. The woman looked disgusted her nose scrunched up as if she smelt something unpleasant the she changed her expression to a nonchalant look. **

**After answering some question, I was escorted out of the building, there where around 70 people waiting outside for their turn, which was normal because it was only 13:47**

** I walked out the gates not really looking where I was going. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I reacted quickly elbowing the stranger in the guts and spinning around ready to give another blow. I stopped when I saw who it was, I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.**

*"Damn Kev, I didn't know you could punch like that",*

**He said clutching his stomach trying to act indifferent, but I could tell he was in pain. It was Antonio my classmate. We are like best friends but I'm not sure because he has so many, his is tall and skinny but not so skinny that he looks like a sack of bones he has messy brown hair that looks like a mop was dumped on his hair, and green eyes, he can pull any type of clothes even a trash bag would look good on him, his not the sports type but his great at video games and gets best scores in class**

*"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to just... Don't sneak up on me like that I thought you were some kinda thug",*

**I said relived it wasn't a criminal. I looked over his shoulder seeing two familiar figures walking toward us.**

*"Antonio, are you ok?"*,

**Summer asked, trying but failing to hide her grin. Summer is my neighbours' daughter, 16 years old, a bit on the chubby side, short brown hair, hazel coloured eyes and a smile so bright and warm it could melt your heart but don't let her innocent looks device you she's can be very mischevious.**

*"Hey Kev, done with the test",*

**Ash asked walking towards me completely ignoring Antonio . Ash is a cool headed guy and the oldest one of us being 17 and born in February. He is the type of person that can be popular if he wanted to but he doesn't like people and doesn't trust them either he has a small group of friends or people he can trust, and I'm one of the lucky few, he had deep brown eyes, looking at them reminds me of coffee**

*"Yeah, just taking a stroll before I go to the shop",*

**I answered with a tired expression.**

*"Where are you guys going?",*

**I asked raising a brow they don't usually hangout together when I'm not around.**

*"Well we where heading to your house",*

**Antonio replied putting his elbow on Ash's shoulder, which Ash roughly shoved off. Antonio and Ash have a complicated relationship. Antonio is more outgoing and extraverted but Ash hates being around people and doesn't feel comfortable that he has to share his friend with Antonio and only hangs out with him because of me and Summer.**

**Ash gets along well with Summer, and treats her like a little sister. Antonio also gets along with summer. They are a chaotic pair, always pulling pranks on people.**

*"Huh, why are you going to my place?,"*

**I asked glancing at summer who was distracted by a fight happening near by.**

*"Well, since today is the anual test. We wanted to see how your doing because of...."*

**Antonio paused glancing around.**

*"..you know, your rebirth"*

**he said in a low conspiring tone clearly enjoying the tension but it just pissed Ash off more. Ash slapped him not too gently on the back of his head**

*"Are you trying to let his secret out, you idiot?"*

**Ash asked annoyed, every second spent near Antonio made his blood boil**

*"Come on Ash don't be mean to Antonio"*

**summer chipped in, patting Ash's shoulder gently to calm him down**

*"Why don't we head to my place so we can talk more privately"*

**I said nervous about the growing tension**

**While we were walking my head got filled with thoughts again, thoughts about how unfair and complicated this world is.**

**Since the beginning of creation, this world has been split into two halves. The 'ZINKED" and the "GIFTED", the two halves shared each other but one side was clearly more powerful than the other.**

***The "ZINKED" or "Z's" for short are people who were born with bad luck and didn't have the ability to use blessings. ***

***They were looked down on by the "GIFTED", treated like trash. They lacked the previlages given to the "GIFTED" and could do nothing about it.***

***On the other hand the "GIFTED" were people born with familiars that allow them to use blessings. They have high privileges and more power than the "Z's".***

**But they are "Z's" that have been reborn with a familiar and can use blessings, but they are seen as a threat and are treated far worse than a average "Z".**

**The "GIFTED" hate people like that because they see the "Z's" as useless trash and filthy bugs that don't even deserve a second glance, but people who are reborn threaten there position as the most powerful. So and "Z" who has been reborn are sent to live with the "GIFTED"**

**So an exam is held every year for the "Z's" to look for a reborn. If one is found they are immediately separated from the other "Z's" including family and friends, most reborn never get to see there loved ones again.**

**And here I am Kevin Blackwood one of the unfortunate few who had a rebirth. When I found out I was devastated and tried my best to hide it but if I missed the examination it would be suspicious and the *council* would have people watching me in case I had a rebirth and I would still be found out and still be separated from my family**

*"Hey Kevin, are you okey?"*

**Summer asked looking up at me concerned**

**I snapped out of my trance when I heard her voice. I smiled down at her,**

*"Yeah, I'm good just thinking about something".*

**She smiled back at me and skipped ahead of us**

*"Summer slow down",*

**Antonio said, as she turned the corner, picking up pace to catch up with her**

**Ash and I walked together in silence matching each other's pace watching as Antonio disappeared around the corner after Summer.**

*"We might not have much time left together the rest for the test will be out soon"*

**Ash said, it didn't show on his face but I could tell that he was worried.**

*"Well let's make the days we have count"*

**I said trying to lighten the mood. As we finally turned the corner my eyes widened at the scene before us**