The Gifted

Dan

I keep going. No matter what's behind me, I keep walking forward.

I can hear the screams. The yells. I can hear it all, but I don't let my heart stop me. I don't let fear call me out.

The only voice I hear is Kat's.

"Danny!"

I turn around. How I wish it was Blake running up to me with wide eyes. But I watch Kat give me a hug and frantically say, "We have to get out! They're coming for us! We have to--"

"Where's Nikki?!" I start to look around to make sure there isn't any soldier. There won't be. They're all entertained with my brothers. The moment I saw fire at one of the windows, I knew they came.

"She's with Jordyn. We have to go to them! Before they all get taken away!"

"Who else is here?!"

"I couldn't really see. I came for you! Danny!"

"No. Kat. We have to do something! People won't die tonight for nothing!"

"Danny. Please. Listen to me. There will always be sacrifices, but we will come back stronger. We will avenge their deaths, but we have to be alive for it!"

I hear my father yelling in my ear. I hear the girls calling out to us through our earpieces. But I ignore them all as I look deep in Kat's determined eyes. There's fear and it doesn't convince me to follow her.

"Listen," I start to say as I take her arms, but Gen suddenly appears around a corner. Her eyes are wide and frantic as she runs up to us.

"Guys! You have to leave! They knew! I don't know how! I don't--"

"Who did?!" Kat says.

"My father. His people. They're coming for you! You have to go before it's too late! Tell your people to--"

"What about Gabriel?!" Kat says with worry. "What will happen to you?!"

Gen carries uncertainty for the first time and it scares me. Even she's in danger. But she only gives us brown determined eyes and says, "I don't know, but I will call you. You have to get out. The both of you."

"Kat." I turn to Kat and her eyes turn sad when she sees my determination. It's like she knows my next words. "You have to go."

"No. I'm not leaving without you! We came in together, we're leaving together!"

I shake my head and stop her from pulling me with her. "Listen. You need to find the others. You need to tell them to run. I will be right behind you. I always am."

Her eyes hold tears at the edge of them. Gen nods at my decision and I know she will show me a way to where I want to get. I'm finishing this mission. I'm going to make all those innocent deaths worth it. Even if it means giving up my own...

"Danny..."

I tenderly take her hand and say, "Tell her that I love her. Keep her safe. Don't let her stop smiling."

It's what I fell in love with from the start.

Kat nods as tears fall down her cheeks. "Why do you have to have such a pure heart, Danny? Why don't you come home with me?"

These words almost convince me to let it all go. To run back to Blake's arms. To taste her lips again. But I stand firm and say with a soft smile, "Because nerds will always save the world in the end."

Kat's eyes let out a few tears at my last words. She gives me one last tight hug and I imagine it's Blake hugging me. I give her my heart as I watch her run away. Her eyes give me one last teary look before turning a corner.