Manifest: Aftermath

Mind (Zeke's POV)

I'm sitting there next to Saanvi staring at Michaela's icy body.

'She looks exactly like me when I was freezing to death before my death date. What if she's freezing to death'

'She's not. I don't think she is, for now she's just- cold. Nothing else is wrong, no frostbite no other effects. She'll be ok.'

'Maybe if I kept her awake rather than let her sleep we could've got more info to help solve the calling so she wouldn't be like this.'

'Hey it's not your fault Zeke, you can't stop whatever the callings doing... even if it's bad'

'You sure we shouldn't take her to the hospital? I trust you and all but if something worse happens it would be better if she was there.'

'You wanna try explain this? It's basically impossible for this to happen. If people found out we still have callings what if we get put back in that detention center. Imagine what they'd do with Michaela, a calling putting her in this state. If we really need to we will but for now it's better for everyone if she stays here.'

'That's true. All you guys thought you would finally get a normal life but with the callings back that's thrown out the window.'

'Would've been much cooler if we all got super powers after the death date like you did.'

'Eh not sure how much of a super powers reading feelings is. Although I wouldn't object to knowing a bunch of people with magic stuff.'

'Seems like it's happening all over again. Some crazy sign about our miraculous experience, following callings to survive, not knowing what comes next.'

'Now that you mention it... I think Ben mentioned that Michaela was in the cockpit at some point, and she's done a lot to help the passengers. What if this, what's happening, is kinda like the exploding plane calling you all had at the start? A sign that something was happening- and why's Michaela the new star?'

'Maybe something happened in the glow. Something we didn't realise, her and Ben did basically lead us all.'

'Those two are getting the calling the most intense. Michaela having whatever this is happen, and Ben, well the calling seems more important- targeted towards him more than it was to Cal and Eden.'

'Interesting... it's possible but- the callings, surely they wouldn't put Michaela in danger like this?'

'You guys are the calling experts. I only had them for a few months. It's past the death date and a lot of stuff changed about the callings what's to say this didn't?'

'Just don't think it would want someone in this situation.'

'How's your arm doing? The bullet wound.'

'Oh fine. Healing nicely.'

'Still a crazy story, Ben saving Angeline just for her and some others to get- killed? Trialed? Taken?'

'Yeah that parts a bit hard to explain. Lucky Vance could come up with some lies and stories for their families.'

'I just hope Michaela's ok.'

'She will be don't worry.'

We sit in silence for a few moments before I suddenly feel a wave of calm wash over me. I reach out and hold Michaela's hand.

'She's warm. Like a normal person. And she's feeling calm. It's an unsettling calm...'

'It's a good sign she's not freezing any more.'

Michaela slowly starts to more and her eyes open as she sits up slightly, propping herself up on her elbow.

'Mick?!'