Numerical Apocalypse

sixteen

Throughout the following days, I fought to stay together.

Most of the kids I'd trained with had returned, though not without serious injuries. I recognized Ava and Cole from among them. I wasn't sorry to see either of them, despite Cole's bullying tendencies.

Through it all, many people had been lost. Mr. Jim and the rest of the leaders still hadn't turned up. Ms. Thana was the only survivor of her peer group.

I refused to stop hoping that everyone was alive somewhere.

Ms. Thana was the only one of us that had any medical expertise. She took to staying in the east wing of the building, only emerging to eat. Whenever I saw her, she had deep circles under her eyes.

I tried not to think of what she must be going through. It made me want to cry and punch someone at the same time.

Theo wasn't looking much better than Ms. Thana. He'd also isolated himself, but his retreat was in the basement with all the technology.

Lena, Theo and I had decided to keep our weird abilities under wraps until we figured out more. That was easy for Theo, secluding himself as he did.

Lena began growing impatient with little things. I assumed it was a side effect of her new speediness. She would tap her foot and fidget until I yelled at her to stop.

That only made her more grumpy.

I had been researching radiation all day when Lena approached me and asked for help with the containers on the top shelf of the kitchen pantry.

I shrugged. "Okay."

We made our way to the kitchen. I grabbed the step stool and unfolded it, making sure it was secure.

Lena huffed at my sluggishness, her number turning to an 8. "You couldn't go any faster?"

I rolled my eyes and stepped on the ladder. The top step clicked into place under my weight, and I reached for the container of flour Lena had pointed out.

I stood on tiptoe, reaching a bit farther.

Suddenly a loud crash made me jump. The movement knocked me off balance and sent me down.

The next thing I knew, I was staring at the ceiling. A round container rolled next to me, a dent in its side.

The flour. At least it didn't spill.

My head ached.

Lena picked up the flour. "You good?"

"I guess." I stood slowly, holding my head. I could already feel a lump forming on the back of my skull. "Let's go figure out what that was."

We found Theo amidst shattered glass and loose wiring.

"Did you make that noise?" Lena hesitantly moved towards him, glass crunching under her sneakers.

I was less timid. "Theo?"

"Go away."

"No." I crouched down.

Theo was on his back underneath a machine of some sort. He didn't even look at me. "I said, go away."

"Tell me what happened first." I rubbed my head.

The movement attracted Theo's gaze. "Fine. I broke that TV screen."

He pointed to a pile of plastic and wires in the corner. "I needed to get something inside it."

I nodded, then tilted my head, concerned. "Did you get cut by the glass?"

He scowled, then swiped his hand over his face. I could barely see his 20. "That's none of your business."