Page 18 - Combined Inter-section 3B & 3R Creative Writing publication 8-28-2021

Flash Fiction Series Combined Sections: ARW-3B & 3R - Draft Copy 8-29-2021 13

The Examination

By Yuka Iriguchi

Read the text from the novel and answer the questions.

In 2021, the world was attacked by an anonymous virus that made

humans into zombies. Therefore, the government decided the policy that
elects the best human in the society and except them, people will be devoted

themselves to the zombies outside the protection wall. In Japan, it was

decided by the test score. A girl, Socrates has a frenemy whose name is Mary
Webster. She is almost always at the top because of her picture memorization
skill except for calculation. Socrates is the only child in her family, so she has

to survive but her score is exactly the same as the border. On the last day

when the sacrifices are decided, Socrates realises Mary Webster failed one
test to make her score above the average. This examination starts from this
point.

“You think you are better, right?”

Socrates cannot stop herself. Her fist turns red as the anger grows.
Mary Webster’s face is as pale as the skin of an elephant.
“I, I’m not…” She refutes with mumbling.

The classroom is filled with the cold and curiosity of the other students.

Someone drops his pen or something. Pad sound is spread, but no one can
move an inch. Suddenly, the door is opened with the sound of lighting. Most
of the students turned their heads around. The teacher comes. He has

evaluation papers for the whole class. Everyone sits down on their sheets.

During this, Socrates notices that Mary Webster is not distracted by his
entrance. She has never averted her eyes from her friend. Socrates looks away

first.
“So, take a look at that!”

The students open the paper as if they are children towards Christmas
presents. Socrates slowly opens the paper. With a red letter, all she could read

was “Failed”. All of a sudden, her head is shortened with countless questions.
Little remaining reason follows Mary Webster, but her face also looks as if it is

a dead body. She shakes her body with fear of death sentence.