Numerical Apocalypse

seven

"If we sit in this car any longer, my spine is going to cave in," Lena moaned.

Theo snorted. "I'm pretty sure that's not how it works."

"Well, it feels like it's caving in."

Mr. Jim grit his teeth, glaring into the setting sun. "Well, if you kids don't stop bickering, I'll throw you into the next pack of mutants we come across."

"I thought you were supposed to be protecting us helpless little teenagers." Theo smirked.

Mr. Jim sighed, but it sounded more like a growl.

"Are we there yet?" I swiveled around from the front passenger seat and looked quizzically at Theo.

"No." He glared at me. "Don't ask me that again."

I sighed. "Why are you so difficult?"

The sun continued to set, leaving streaks of pink across the horizon until the darkness engulfed us.

I leaned to one side until my spine cracked. "Theo, how much longer?"

"Get out."

"What?" I turned around to blink confusedly at him.

He stared at me menacingly, and though there was no light to catch the number above his head, my mind flashed to it immediately. "Did I stutter?"

"N-no....... we're going like 85 miles an hour in who-knows-where with bears and-" I gulped.

The blue light from Theo's phone illuminated his sharp features. "I told you, I don't wanna-"

"Hey, what's that?" Lena cut in, pointing out the window.

A very large block of concrete stretched over the valley in front of us, lights illuminating the three-foot-tall structure.

"Looks like a building of some sort." Theo checked his phone. "Oh, wait, that's the shelter."

Mr. Jim sighed loudly. "Thank goodness."

Lena nodded, looking relieved. "I sure hope my parents are there."

Mr. Jim shone his flashlight around the truck.

The beam caught several other cars parked in the gravel lot in front of the concrete structure. "I think we're in the right place."

Theo grumbled something about him always being right and slung his duffel over his shoulder.

Lena hugged her bag to her chest. "Huh, look at all the stars."

Mr. Jim began to walk away.

Lena squealed from behind me. "Hey, wait up."

My backpack strained my shoulders down, and I had to lean slightly forward to keep my balance.

By the time we reached the vault-looking door of the concrete structure, my back was aching.

Lena surveyed the step-down that led to a large metal door. "This is... interesting."

Theo pushed past her. "Whatever."

He knocked sharply on the metal, sending a resounding clang into the forest around us.

Mr. Jim shifted on his feet, eyeing the door. "They better open up soon. That was rather loud."

I nervously felt for the outline of my gun underneath my jacket. If they don't open the door soon....

Luckily, after a few more moments of silence, a small panel in the door slid open.

The eyes of our town mayor, Mr. Sanchez, stared out at me. "Who are you?"