บท 31: Closer Inspection
The female line opens into a room with female guards only.
A very muscular female guard made her presence known.
The female guard gave off an unfriendly and unapproachable vibe.
Even appeared as if she came first regularly in bodybuilding championships.
Nothing missed the guard as she walked along the line inspecting the girls.
All guards were wearing identical black uniforms, dark sunglasses and matching hats to hide the color of their hair.
Another female guard with a slimmer, pale body shouted, "Strip naked!...All items are to be disposed of in the garbage bins provided before entering the shower stall…Failure to comply will be met with strict punishment."
Several gasps from the females but everyone did as they were told.
Boobs galore, all shapes and sizes, perky and droopy.
Some bodies were tanned and some were pierced in places where the sun doesn't shine.
While some bodies reeked of urine and sweat.
So much for modesty.
Charm didn't even know where to look and instead focused on her feet and hoped that she didn't bounce into any nude bodies.
There were no divisions in the shower stall, every nude body was stuck out in the open for all to see.
It reminded Charm of a movie she watched about a woman with a mistaken identity.
Poor darling was falsely accused and sent to a female asylum for the insane.
Where the caretakers were so afraid of the inmates that they forced them to bathe in groups.
Poured liquid soap on the ladies and then turned on the hose.
This experience just meant that they were so serious about the tests that this was just another method to expose and get rid of all weapons and possible cheats.
Thankfully there were no mirrors and Charm would not have to see her anxious face reflected back at her.
Some girls were so upset, they couldn't hold back the tears.
While others looked so apathetic and unbothered.
Like being in that room was the least of their worries.
"It's 3:00 p.m.," said the voice from the intercom.
When it was Charm's turn to wash, she did as she was told, quickly washed and got out.
The water was warm and just the right temperature but it had a weird smell like a mixture of chlorine and some other unknown chemical.
One girl in front of Charm had lice, a female guard came doused her with lice shampoo and led her over to a stool.
Then the guard forced the girl to sit while she removed and trimmed most of the girl's hair with a pair of scissors.
It amazed Charm did not put up a fight or utter a cry for help.
Like a docile sheep to be sheared, the guard went in hard with sheers until all that was left behind on the girl was a tender scalp.
Pools of dark brown strands of hair fell on the floor around the girl's feet.
For most girls, their hair was their crowning glory but this girl just sat there with soulless eyes and did not make a sound.
As for the rest of the females, they were told to put their hair in one.
Then to put on the white overalls provided and move on to the next room.
Charm did as she was told, made sure to pull her hair away from her face.
Plaited her hair in one flat twist then wrapped it around until it formed a bun with the black scrunchies provided.
When she was done she sneaked a look at the others for the sake of curiosity everyone looked almost identical and it bothered Charm.
It felt like they were being stripped of what made them unique and were about to be molded in whatever ideals this shady company wanted.
"I'm glad that's over with," said Kat after she tied her own hair in place.
Charm had almost forgotten about her while going through the whole shower ordeal.
Their eyes met as they both rejoined the main line, even though Kat's words echoed Charm's own inner thoughts they were still far from friends.
It was too late to look away or pretend she didn't hear Kat's words so to save herself the embarrassment Charm just nodded.
Kat just glowed with a natural, ethereal beauty, her long eyelashes were natural and Kat's cheekbones were high and flushed.
She was definitely the envy of many who had to leave behind their cosmetics, fake hair, eyelashes and eyebrows that had been penciled in.
Even devoid of makeup and beauty enhancers Kat still looked like she could walk down the runway while next to her Charm felt like a wet puppy.
"It's 4:00 p.m.," said the voice from the intercom.
Thinking Charm was in agreement, Kat spoke again, "One more hour to go."
"That's right," replied Charm.
Wondering why she felt a sense of obligation to continue the conversation.
"I'm nervous, how about you?"
"I feel the same but our thoughts and opinions don't matter so it makes no sense to worry about things we can't change."
The fact that they all made it to this warship meant that they possessed spirit power.
Charm rationalized that these tests were designed to fit them into positions where the organization could mobilize and take advantage of their strengths and weaknesses.
They continue to stand in line and wait patiently until it's their turn at the table.
The guards sitting there have lists, once the females tell the guards their names they are handed a cloth with a number and a safety pin to put on their white overalls.
After Charm was given her number she moved to join the group she was assigned.
While to her relief the talkative Kat was placed in another group.
They were placed in groups of twenty.
It felt intimidating now that they were closer to the entrance to do the upcoming test at 5:00 p.m.
Every now and again a few of the guards huddled near the table break out into raucous laughter.
Heightening the stress of the girls and contributing to the tense atmosphere of the room.
At first the guards seemed to be arguing amongst themselves.
Upon closer inspection, Charm realized that the callous guards were gambling and placing bets on the new recruits.
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