Numerical Apocalypse

six

"You know, normal people don't have a basement full of weapons." I surveyed the organized chaos of shiny blades in front of me.

"I'll have you know that every single one of these knives has saved a life at least once." Theo grabbed a knife from the wall, tucked it into a sheath, and hooked it to his belt.

Lena looked around the room. "What about the guns?"

Theo shrugged. "Those are just for decoration."

I nodded. "Uhhh, okay."

Mr. Jim ambled down the stairs and whistled. "You have quite the collection here."

"My parents started it. My uncle and his wife couldn't bear to sell them, so they've been here ever since." Theo hopped onto a stool to sit, staring around the room with disinterest.

Mr. Jim tossed a handgun in my direction.

I caught it with both hands. "Uh..."

"President gave a speech the other day. Said you didn't have to have a permit to carry a gun." Mr. Jim nodded at me. "Do you know how to use it?"

"I know.... the basic parts. And how to pull a trigger." I hefted the gun in my hand, liking how it just fit in my palm, and flipped the lever on the side to keep the safety on.

Lena gulped. "Am I going to have to..."

Theo shrugged. "Do you want to live another day?"

"Woah, okay, easy Mr. Depressed." I tucked the weapon into my leggings pocket and crossed my arms.

Mr. Jim nodded. "It's a good idea to at least have a pocket knife on you."

Lena nodded and accepted a small silver folding knife.

"I'm not depressed." Theo grumbled darkly.

"You're sure giving me angsty vibes." I started to climb the stairs back to the truck.

Mr. Jim grabbed a box full of various types of ammunition. "It's what teenage boys do."

"What, sulk?" I laughed as Theo grumbled. "You may be right."

Lena squeezed next to me in the narrow stairwell. "I dunno, it's pretty hot."

"You think everything's hot, if Theo does it." I whispered back.

"Did you say my name?" Theo pushed in between us.

"No." I turned to look at him quizzically. "I said phew."

He nodded, though he didn't look convinced, and jogged up the stairs.

A shout from outside jammed my heart into my throat.

Theo glanced outside, then slammed the front door shut before I could see who yelled.

"Was that Mr. Jim?" Lena asked, fiddling with her knife.

Theo nodded.

"So you're just gonna stand there?" I exploded, pushing him away from the door.

He grabbed my shoulders, stopping me from turning the doorknob.

I stumbled back, surprised at his strength.

"He's surrounded." Theo explained darkly.

"Which means we help him, not stand here like free snacks!" I wrestled away from him and managed to turn the knob.

"Alex, stop!" He reached around me again, but I quickly pushed him away, the heel of my hand catching his jaw.

Like the domino effect, the rest of his body followed.