~ Number Four's POV ~
Students, staff, this is John Smith. Please stop what you're doing and listen. There's—There's a threat among us. I hate to call her that; that's not what she is. It lies in—Emily De Silva. If you've seen her, don't panic, don't engage; just turn the other way, but do so calmly. I'm issuing our first lockdown protocol. If you're in a classroom, duck and stay low away from the door. If you're in the gym, do the same. If you're elsewhere—in the cafeteria or a bathroom or an office—stay low. Turn every light off. Stay still. Stay quiet. Keep to the floor, away from windows. Professor Nine and I will handle this. We'll inform you all when it's over—when it's safe—but for now, stay indoors.
I zero in on Lexa's mind once the word is out and ask her where Em is. She comes back to me in seconds, her mind spiralling; she's in the middle of the courtyard, the centre of the HGA. I relay her location to Nine, then ask what she's doing. She's just—standing there, Lexa says. Be careful, John. I assure her that I will, but honestly, my safety is far from being at the top of my priorities. Shit! John—?
Yes, what's up? What's going on?
It's the power—My computer won't turn on. I can't see anything. Nine stares at me; he won't stop asking what's wrong. I hold up my hand to keep him from peppering me; I don't need that right now. I need to concentrate. There's... There's something else, John. Something's wrong... I don't... I can barely keep my eyes open...
"Shit. That's not good."
"What's not good?" Nine asks.
"Lucas," I tell him, pinching the bridge of my nose. "He's using her Legacies!"
"Her—so, you're saying—"
"Yes, her ergokinesis," I spit. "I have an idea. I'm going to try something." I reach out to her mind with a breath and think: Em, are you there? Answer me.
She's busy, says the internal voice of a boy. I'd tell you to try again later, but well, there won't be a later. Get lost, Smith. My time is now, not hers, and certainly not yours.
Lucas, stop this! I know you used her Legacies to turn off the power, and I know you're using it to drain the lives of everyone inside. I take a breath. I'm outside. Are you listening?! I want to negotiate this. Quit using her Legacies and we'll talk this out.
Interesting proposal, I hear him think, blandly. No thanks. You see, Smith; it doesn't matter what you do. You couldn't stop me anyway. I'm about to erase all of God's mistakes; I'm about to make him proud. Everybody that has the wretched evil inside them is about to be reborn. I'm about to reset the world.
By killing hundreds of people?! That's absurd!
It'll be as easy as one... two... three...
WAIT! I shriek. Just let me have five minutes with her. I'll let you do whatever you want after; hell, you can kill me if you want. But let me talk to her, please.
And why would I do that? That's obviously a trick.
It's not a trick, I assure him, sharing an image of my empty hands. C'mon, I swear I won't try anything. All I want to do is see her. Let me talk to her just one more time.
I can't do that.
I'm only asking for five minutes.
I can't, he reiterates, and when I hear that, I freeze. It's what I do. I couldn't let her out even if I wanted to. There's no way she can talk to you. I'm in control.
YOU ARE READING
A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition
FanfictionTHE EVENTS IN THIS STORY ARE REAL. NAMES AND PLACES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE LORIEN. WHO REMAIN IN HIDING UNTIL THE TIME IS RIGHT. - SHE HAS DEVELOPED POWERS. SHE CAN FIGHT BACK. SHE CAN HELP YOU SAVE THE WORLD, BUT SHE MUST CHOOSE A SI...
