Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

Author:Joelle Charbonneau [charbonneau, joelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Goodreads: 17165932
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-01-07T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Mine is not the only face streaked with tears. As I look around,

I see students huddled in groups. Their eyes wide with shock

and sorrow. Across the bridge, the final-year guide Sam has

his arm tight around Olive, who is kneeling at the edge of the

ravine, shrieking Rawson’s name. Horror is etched into every

inch of her face. The shrieks turn to sobs as Sam gets Olive

onto her feet and steers her to the bridge.

Olive takes one step onto the metal walkway, breaks free of

Sam’s hold, and runs. Not over the bridge toward the residence,

but away. Sam turns and races after her, but Olive is fast and

soon disappears. Whether the push was deliberate or an acci-

dent born of anger and stress, it’s clear from her reaction that

Olive never intended for Rawson to go over the edge. I can’t

imagine how she will live with the guilt that action will bring.

Quiet murmurs and sniffles fill the air as we all watch the hori-

zon, waiting for Olive and Sam to return. They do not.

Once a dry-eyed Vance stands on this side of the bridge,

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Joelle Charbonneau

Professor Holt steps from under the tree into the dwindling

sunshine and asks us to gather near. “Normally, we would hold

the Induction ceremony tonight. However, in light of this trag-

edy, it will be postponed until tomorrow so together we can

mourn the loss of Rawson Fisk. Dr. Barnes and I will be avail-

able to talk to those who need help dealing with this terrible

event. All leaders are forced to confront tragedy, but we are

sorry that you have to face it so early in your careers. Please let

an official know if you are struggling to cope with this horrible

loss. We are here to help.”

Dr. Barnes puts his arm around a sniffling girl and leads her

into the residence. His posture speaks of caring and concern,

but I see the cold calculation in his eyes as they sweep across

the mourning crowd. Is he making note of the students who

cry or the ones whose eyes are dry? Does he believe tears make

a better leader? Will the students who come to him in search of

comfort find themselves suddenly placed behind the rest of the

pack, or will they be considered worthier of a high leadership

position? It is impossible to know, and I am not interested in

staying here and finding out.

When Dr. Barnes and Professor Holt disappear inside the

residence, I head in the opposite direction. Away from what-

ever new test Rawson’s death has spawned. When I cross the

bridge, my throat tightens. I know I will see Rawson in my

dreams and wonder for the rest of my life if making a differ-

ent choice when selecting my team could have saved his life.

Would he be safe inside, preparing to start classes on Monday,

if I had picked him first instead of the person I thought would

help my team come out on top? While I know Rawson’s death

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independent study

is not my fault, I cannot help the guilt I feel. My team won this

Induction task, but that victory wasn’t worth the cost.

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