Dark Friends Read Free Page B

under-achievers, he would surely chastise them in his way.
                  Amelia finished her test first. The government man eyed her critically, for no child had ever finished their exam as quickly as she had. He had been doing his job for years and he had seen it all. Some kids simply filled in the blanks on their answer sheet, just to get the entire humiliating experience over as quickly as possible. Others tried to draw pictures and impress him with their artistry. Some kids simply left the answer sheet blank and cried. He had time while the other kids still tested, so he extracted his bright red marker and began grading Amelia’s paper. It took him three minutes and he double checked the answer sheet, just to be certain.
                  “Amelia Gannerson, please come here.” Amelia rose from her seat warily and every eyeball in the room was on her, including Ellis’.
                  “Amelia, if a number were to be divided by one half, then one quarter, then finally one fifth and my remainder is two, what would that number be?” the government man asked. Ellis tried to figure it out in his head and he felt a small ache develop behind his eyes.
                  “Eighty, sir.” Amelia said immediately, her eyes bright at the challenge.
                  “Amelia, what would you say I am if I told you that I’m something that is at the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, and I’m in everything and everywhere?”
                  “God.” Ellis said from across the room, causing everyone to glance his way.
                  “No.” the government man responded, his voice dismissive.  Ellis’ face turned red and he glared at the kids in fiery embarrassment, “What are you looking at? Get back to work!”
                  “Sir, you’re the letter ‘E’.” Amelia said proudly.
                  “Correct. Please Amelia, take your seat.” The government man said once more. He made his way towards Ellis and the two men whispered furiously. The government man seemed to be trying to convince Ellis of something and Ellis kept shaking his head no until the government man threw his hands in the air in exasperation. He stormed back to his desk and started scribbling furiously in his notes. In the rear of the class, Ellis seethed.
                  Once the final girl turned in her exam, the government man gathered the answer sheets and left, purposely avoiding looking at Amelia.  He could not allow another supremely gifted mind to be crushed by the small-mindedness of blind authority.  Had this gifted young girl been born into an affluent family, she would have been recognized early and lived a life of philosophy and wonder.  She might have become a famous scientist who cured cancer, or a business guru that generated endless revenue for her chosen company.  Such minds were a gift from God, the government man believed, bequeathed upon the world to reveal a glimpse of Him.  Sadly, the girl was an orphan, destined to live a life of servitude to her intellectual inferiors. It was an unbearable travesty that the government man could simply not allow to happen. With great solemnity, he vowed to himself to watch over this girl, and when the time was right, to guide her.
    Amelia watched the government man depart and wondered at the disappointed look on his face. As she watched him leave, she noticed that every eye in the class was on her
    Even Ellis was staring, confounded.
    “Geoff, get them back to work” he snapped at a young male counselor that stood behind him. Geoff started towards the front of the class, reflexively flinching as he walked by Ellis. Amelia wondered if he had been an orphan once, too.
    “OK, girls...line up.” Geoff ordered the room in a nasal tone.
    As the girls organized and made their way out, Amelia stood to leave, but Ellis indicated with his eyes and a shake