Sub Zero

Chapter Nine

I grin. "Cool, yeah?" Finn asks, smiling cockily and tilting his head to the side. "Very cool." I laugh, amazed by what I've just witnessed. Finn puffs out his chest in pride. "There's someone like me!" I giggle girlishly. My smile is soon turned into a frown, though, as something suddenly occurs to me.

Finn seems to sense my sudden change of mood. "Are you okay?" He asks. I shrug. "It's no big deal. Don't worry about it." I murmur.

"I mean, this is all hard to deal with, but is something else wrong?" He continues, his eyebrows knitted together with concern. I sigh.
"I only have one day left to live. Scratch that, less than a day. And I don't even know why!" Finn's eyes widen.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to cry. Death doesn't really bother me. I just wished I would've done something with my life. I don't know, like make some kind of change in this world.

My eyes sting with tears. I turn my head away from Finn, trying to hide my puffy eyes and tear-streaked face. "Oh Crystal, please don't cry." Finn gently says. I flush. "I'm n-not crying!" I say shakily. I bury my head in my hands, the salty tears stinging a cut on my cheek from where Torren hit me.

"I'm not crying!" I uselessly fib as the tears continue to fall. I feel strong arms wrapping around my waist. I whip my head around, startled. "What are you doing?" I ask, my chin quivering. He's embracing me. It feels so strange. So... warm. "Finn? Why are you doing this?" I bury my face in the crook of his neck, letting out sobs. He gently caresses my hair.

I'd never even dream of being held like this. I feel so safe. I feel like I'm worth being comforted. "I'm sorry." I sob. "For what?" He whispers soothingly, rubbing my back. I let out a shaky sigh. "I don't know."

I finally look up at him, drawing in an unsteady breath to try to calm myself. I search his big brown eyes, almost hypnotized by them. "Shh. Its okay." He assures. He gently lifts my chin up by cupping my face in his palms, then frowns at the bruise on my cheek. Using his thumbs, he gently wipes away my tears. He once again gazes into my eyes. It's like I can see the galaxy within those dark pools. "We're getting out of here. I promise."

I shyly nod, sniffling a little. He seems to realize how close we are. He clears his throat, standing up. I feel a pang of sadness as he does. His gaze sweeps over the room. All concrete. No windows. No air vents.
I expect him to be frustrated. Instead, he grins.

"I have a plan." He announces. I curiously raise an eyebrow. "And what could it possibly be?" I say sarcastically. It comes out a little harsh. He doesn't seem to notice.

He gestures for me to come near him. I stand up and cautiously walk over.  He leans in and whispers, "Okay, so, it goes like this..."

The day of my execution could possibly be my day of freedom. Finn tries to look as sickly as possible. He goes back to my corner, where he slumps against the wall.

Earlier, he had convinced me to eat some of the bread. I asked how he was certain it wasn't poisoned. He shrugged and said, "They wouldn't want to kill us before we are scheduled to be executed. The Shadows like attention and order."
"Shadows?" I asked curiously. He shook his head. "They have powers too, but they're like the bad guys. I'll explain everything later." He explained. Later. If we ever get out of here.

I hear footsteps behind the door. Finn immediately slumps into position. The little trap door snaps open.

I take a deep breath, and try to sound more scared than I already am."Help! Please! He's sick!" I can hear muffled laughter behind me, and I whip my head around, glaring at him. Indie seems to pause. To add to our charade, Finn coughs dramatically. "This will never work..."

I hear the jangle of keys, and the door opens. Finn nods. Now!

I tackle Indie with as much force as I can muster. She tries to scream, but I clamp my hand on her mouth. Finn hurries over, shutting her up with a gag that we had briskly made out of his hoodie, now ragged. I try to tie her hands behind her back, but I touch her skin and it burns me. Such as when you accidentally touch a hot seatbelt buckle.

I gasp, jumping back from her and clutching my hand. A blister immediately starts to form. Finn seems familiar with this. He crouches down next to me, picking up the old rope that was used to restrain himself less than a day ago. I try to cool my skin off using my powers, but it barely seems to work.

Finn ties her wrists together, then stands. He picks her up and slings her over his shoulder. "I'm immune to heat." He explains. She brutally and repetively kicks him. He seems unfazed. Someone very powerful must've beat him for him to handle brutal kicks so well. Either that or he's just that strong.

Finn goes to set Indie down, but I remember how afraid she was of Torren. It would be cruel to leave her here.

"We have to take her." I say matter of factly.
"What? Why?" Finn almost shouts.
"Torren, our captor, is cruel to her." I say, crossing my arms stubbornly. "She's just a child." I add.
"Bu-" Finn starts to protest, but instead he glances down at Indie. Her wide green eyes truly are terrified. She seems to be begging us to take her. Finn sighs. "Fine. But she's gonna be our prisoner." Indie looks relieved. I nod, satisfied.

Finn grabs the keys that clattered to the floor from around Indies neck, and tosses then to me. I catch them, then wince as the lanyard presses against the blister. I quietly approach the door, and press my ear up to the cool metal. I hear nothing. "Okay." I whisper and signal for Finn to get moving. I unlock the door, and we step out into the bright hallway.