After the End

Chapter 12: The Search Begins

Five’s mind raced as he left the Academy, ignoring the concerned and confused expressions from his siblings. He had no time to explain. Not now. He needed to find Xiaina, the only person who could help him figure out the missing pieces. But as he stepped out into the chilly night air, the realization hit him: where was he going to start?

He had no clue where Xiaina could be. She was a mystery even to him, someone he had known so deeply in the future, yet here, in the present, she was an enigma. He paced the streets for a moment, his frustration building. Think, Five. Think.

And then it struck him: Griddy's Doughnuts. Xiaina had mentioned it once, how she used to spend time there. Maybe, just maybe, she would be there now.

Without hesitation, Five space-jumped, landing in the familiar spot in front of Griddy’s. The neon sign flickered in the night, casting a soft glow on the deserted street. Inside, the place looked as it always had—small, cozy, with the lingering smell of coffee and sugar. But there was no sign of Xiaina.

He sighed, frustration rising. He had hoped to find her immediately, but of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. Still, he couldn’t afford to leave. Not yet. So, he took a seat in the corner booth, his eyes scanning the empty shop. He would wait. However long it took. He would wait for her.

Hours passed. The night grew colder, and the shop was eerily quiet. Five’s eyelids grew heavier, and despite himself, he eventually dozed off, slumped over the table, lost in dreams of the apocalypse and the future he had left behind.

When the sun rose, the warmth of daylight filled the shop, and the once-quiet Griddy’s became lively again, bustling with morning customers. The sound of chatter and clinking dishes slowly stirred Five from his sleep.

"Excuse me," a voice said, soft but direct.

Five blinked, slowly opening his eyes. A figure stood before him, casting a shadow over the table. He squinted against the bright morning light, trying to make out the person’s face.

"Is this seat taken? It's pretty packed in here this morning."

Five’s heart skipped a beat. It was her. Xiaina. The very person he had been searching for. She stood there, looking almost exactly as he remembered, though there was a certain freshness to her, an innocence that hadn't been worn down by the harshness of the future.

Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her hand. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, firm but desperate, startling her.

"Xiaina," he said, his voice hoarse with a mix of relief and urgency.

Xiaina looked down at him, her eyes wide in confusion. She gently tried to pull her hand away but stopped, her brows furrowing as she studied his face. "Do I... know you?"

Five’s heart sank. She didn’t remember him. Of course, she didn’t. This was her present, not the future where they had survived together. But still, seeing her in the flesh after all this time—after everything—they had gone through, was overwhelming.

"It’s me, Five," he said, not letting go of her hand.

Xiaina tilted her head slightly, a confused smile on her lips. "I think you’ve got the wrong person."

"No," Five insisted, his grip tightening. "It’s you. You helped me once—well, not yet, but you will. You have to."

Xiaina stared at him, her expression shifting from confusion to concern. "Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I think you need to let go of my hand now."

Five hesitated, his mind racing. This was her, but she didn’t know him yet. He had to be careful, or he could ruin everything before it even started.

Slowly, he released her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. "I’m sorry," he muttered, trying to pull himself together. "You just... remind me of someone."

Xiaina rubbed her wrist, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to place him. "Right... well, if you don’t mind, I really need this seat. The place is packed."

Five nodded, his mind still whirling. He had waited all night for this moment, and now she was here, but things weren’t going as planned. He had to think fast.

"Go ahead," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Sit."

She hesitated for a moment but, seeing no other options, slid into the seat across from him. The clatter of cups and plates filled the air, but for Five, it felt like the world had narrowed down to this moment—just the two of them at this booth.

Xiaina glanced at him again, clearly uncomfortable. "So... what’s your deal? You just sit in doughnut shops grabbing strangers’ hands?"

Five managed a smirk. "Something like that."

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, she looked down at the menu in front of her. As she did, Five couldn’t help but notice something—the faintest shimmer of recognition in her eyes. It was as if, somewhere deep down, part of her remembered. Maybe not consciously, but there was something there.

"I’m sorry about earlier," Five said, deciding to tread more carefully. "You just looked familiar."

Xiaina shrugged, clearly still on edge but willing to move past the awkwardness. "It’s fine. I get that a lot."

The two sat in silence for a moment, and Five’s mind raced, trying to figure out what to do next. He couldn’t push too hard, not now. He had to let things unfold naturally. But one thing was clear: he had found her, and he wasn’t about to lose her again.

As Xiaina picked up the menu, her fingers traced the edge of it absentmindedly, and then something strange happened. Her gaze drifted off, and for a moment, her expression changed—her eyes glazed over, as if she was seeing something that wasn’t there.

Five noticed immediately, his heart pounding. He had seen this look before. Xiaina wasn’t just reading the menu—she was seeing something beyond this moment, something in the future. She was having one of her visions.

"Xiaina?" Five asked quietly, watching her closely.

Her eyes flickered, and she snapped back to the present, looking startled. She blinked a few times, shaking her head as if to clear it. "I—I'm sorry. What were we talking about?"

Five leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What did you just see?"

Xiaina’s face paled slightly. She looked around the crowded shop as if trying to shake off the strange feeling. "Nothing. I didn’t see anything."

Five didn’t believe her for a second. "You saw something, didn’t you? You have powers, don’t you?"

Xiaina’s eyes widened, and for a brief moment, fear flashed across her face. She stood up abruptly, knocking her chair back. "I—I need to go," she stammered, her voice shaking.

"Wait!" Five stood up as well, but she was already moving toward the door.

Without hesitation, he space-jumped, appearing right in front of her as she reached the exit. Xiaina gasped, stumbling back in shock.

"You do have powers," Five said, his voice firm but not unkind. "You can see the future, can’t you?"

Xiaina’s breath came in short, panicked bursts. She stared at him, her back pressed against the door. "How do you know that?"

Five softened his tone, stepping closer but not too close. "Because I’ve seen you use them before. In the future. You don’t know me yet, but we’ve met before. And you’re going to help me stop the apocalypse."

Xiaina’s eyes searched his face, fear and confusion warring in her expression. "I don’t understand," she whispered.

"You don’t have to," Five replied. "Not yet. But you will."