Age of Antiheroes

Chapter 2 - Elites

I awaken to Elias pressing a damp washcloth against my forehead. It's safe to assume that he's also the one who wrapped my wrists, hands, and chest with strips of fabric. Isabel is sobbing, and while Damian tries to comfort her, Theo stares blankly ahead into the living room.

"Theo, don't—"

Elias perks up and cups my face in his hands.

"You're awake!"

I groan, attempting to lift myself off what's left of the kitchen floor, but excruciating shockwaves of pain surge through my body.

"Don't try to move. You were hurt pretty badly," Elias says, his voice laced with concern.

"Keep Theo and Isabel away from the living room."

My voice is barely audible, but the twins nod and gently guide their younger siblings toward the kitchen.

"She's dead, isn't she?"

Theo and Isabel begin to wail, their chins quivering, while the twins turn to me, searching for answers.

"All of you, look at me."

Three sets of eyes meet my gaze.

"You too, Theo."

Once I've gathered their attention, I take a sharp breath, bracing myself for what I must say.

"If we're going to survive, we need to be smart. It's too dangerous for all of us to go outside just yet. We don't know what could be lurking out there. Vortex may be gone, but there could be other threats. Our top priority is safety—ours, and any other survivors we might find."

A heavy silence draped over us, thick with fear and uncertainty.

"What do we do?" Damian asked, breaking the tension.

"One of you needs to scout outside. It doesn't have to be for long—just enough to get a read on our surroundings. If you can find my binoculars, use those. If not, head for higher ground and get a good look at the area," I instructed, my heart racing.

"I'll do it," Elias offered, his voice steady but his eyes alight with a spark of recklessness. The two tiny, circular birthmarks beneath his eye twisted and danced like shadows as his gaze intensified, sharpening with a fierce focus that seemed to slice through the air.

He had always been the brave one in our group, bold to a fault, yet quick-witted and sharp. More times than I could count, he had talked us out of trouble, his courage often bailing me out of tight spots.

"Okay. I trust you," I replied, masking my worry with a veneer of confidence.

As he began to rise, I placed a hand on his shoulder, my grip firm. "Be careful."

He nodded, slipping away into the debris as if it were second nature.

"Damian, Theo, I need you two to apply pressure to the open wounds. Isabel, see if you can find any supplies," I commanded, urgency tightening my chest.

Minutes dragged on, each second amplifying my anxiety for Elias until the kitchen door creaked open, and I heard soft footsteps.

"I'm back, and I brought something that might help," he announced, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

I rushed to him, relief flooding my system. "You were supposed to be quick! Where the hell were you?!"

"I'm fine, by the way," he muttered nonchalantly. "And you're welcome."

He reached into his pocket, revealing a handful of bandages and a small vial of disinfectant.

"I found these in Akeem's shop... and this."