Ashlyn wiped the sleep from her eyes.  The tears that had dried on her face made her skin feel stiff.  She looked over at Laren.  Heaving a sigh she said "Lar, I'm sorry about last night.  I was - AM - scared.  Besides, I don't even know what you COULD do, even if you were agreeable."
	Laren sat on the edge of Ashlyn's bed.  "I'm sorry I was so rude too.  It's just that, well, everything is so confusing.  First I'm thrilled to be accepted to a place like the Institute and then you tell me that you guys have these weird powers and I have 'em too.  I have no clue as to what powers, if any, I would have.  But tell me, why are you so scared?  Surely nothing could be that bad."
	"Laren, there are a lot of things you don't know about the Institute.  I've got to take a test this afternoon.  Test 54."
	Laren interrupted Ashlyn.  "But geez, what's the big deal about a test?  I mean, it's not like it is going to tell you that you are going to die, you know."
	Ashlyn paled.  "In this case, it does.  Only one person has survived this test and the Institute killed him when he was escaping."
	"You're kidding, right?"  Ashlyn just looked at her.  "Ok, you aren't kidding.  Well, what is there that I can do?"
	"I don't know.  If I knew, I'd be trying to push you into helping me.  The guys are trying to find out what they can about the test now."
	Right then, the bell rang for breakfast call.  Ashlyn got up, ran a brush through her hair quickly and said "Come on, we don't want to be late.  Maybe we can figure something out while we're eating.  And maybe the guys will be able to help."