Terror

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Everyone stood in shock, their eyes glued to the display of fireworks that illuminated the dark sky. The explosions burst in shades of blue and purple, each eruption accompanied by a fierce glow that seemed to see everything ablaze.

Scarlett felt a rush of emotions as tears streamed down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand while taking in her surroundings. People around her were staring in both disbelief and awe at everything they had just witnessed.

It finally ended. After months of hell, she had witnessed her daughter defeat the thing that had kept them trapped inside this bubble. How easily Cassandra beat that thing was astonishing, almost as if it were a simple game.

"Run!" Mark shouted.

They run from the burning plaza, Scarlett's heart racing, toward the highway.

The raging fire consumed everything in its path. Overturned cars, nearly houses, and fallen trees were reduced to ash. Flames crackled and leapt with a fierce roar.

Scarlett felt a firm hand grasp hers and looked back to see Greyson pounding toward her. Relief crashed over her in waves. She dropped everything and hugged him tight, holding on as if letting go might make this nightmare start again.

The two of them actually survived this madness through the long eleven months.

They ran forward, but most people froze at the edge of the real world. Parents frantically searching searched for their children, while others clutched them tightly, tears streaming.

Scarlett knew her own parents wouldn't be among them.

"Let's go to McDonald's! We can get hotcakes, fries, and ice cream!" Mia cheered.

However, the scene around them was anything from joyful, as police officers and paramedics swarmed the area.

Scarlett scanned her surroundings. The nearby road nearby was closed off, and emergency vehicles were parked haphazardly on the grass and in the middle of the street

In the distance, she could see the McDonald's just off the highway, its parking lot filled with rushing adults.

"We need you all to head to ambulances!" a voice boomed in a megaphone.

Greyson took hand and guided her toward a waiting ambulance. As they neared it, a tall police officer stepped in front of them, blocking their path.

"Greyson and Jason are coming with us," said the blonde police officer firmly, gripping Greyson's shoulder. "They need to be contained in a separate room."

Scarlett hesitated, heart pounding. Greyson's fingers twitched as if he wanted to use his powers, but they didn't resist. She followed the female paramedic into the ambulance, wondering if any of them still had abilities left.

When Scarlett touched her wrist, she widened her eyes and felt her low rank.

As they helped her into the ambulance, the other paramedics tended to her wounds. Two other people were loaded inside, who were Emma and Mallory. The police officers shut the door before the ambulance drove off.

"You'll be taken to Toronto SickKids hospital," the paramedic said. "Because of your injuries and malnutrition, you may be separated from your peers."

"Why do we still have our powers?" Emma whispered. "We shouldn't... we saw them die."

"Is something internal?" the paramedic asked.

Scarlett frowned, thinking back. She had watched Cassandra melt away Divina and Ashley, who were the ones primarily responsible for the powers they had developed over the past couple of years.