How Not to Save the World

Preface

18 Months ago...

I was choking. I couldn't breath. My legs were pumping faster then they ever had before. I needed to get away. I needed to run faster.

I could just barely see the apartment in the darkness. Only a couple of blocks up ahead. I could make it. I willed my body to go faster. Or I was going to die.

I sprinted down the street my face streaked in sweat and tears, slowing only to climb up a fire escape stairway. I climbed two steps at a time finally reaching the 3rd floor. My lungs were on fire and I was trying not to heave. I leaned up against the brick apartment wall trying to pull myself together. I swiped at the tears streaming down my face. I needed help and fast.

Turning to the familiar window, I tapped on it lightly as a warning, and waited a second or two. I then slid it up far enough for me to crawl through. I could just barely see from the streetlight outside, his outline sit up in bed.

"Claire?" he asked groggily. "What in the world are you doing at-" He glanced at his clock, "3:30 in the morning!" I heard him rustle around and his lamplight clicked on.

"I swear if this is another one of your stupid pranks..." his jaw dropped when he saw my tear streaked face and ragged breathing.

"Claire!" he rolled out of his twin sized bed and lurched towards me.

I could feel myself freezing up, and I started to choke. I slid to the floor. I was going into shock. "Austin," I sobbed. "You need to help me!"

He knelt down in front of me and grabbed my shoulders, his eyes wide. Austin examined my face. He swore.

"What is going on?" he demanded. "Are you hurt?" He was gripping my arm, and his jaw was clenched.

"They killed them Austin!" I was breaking down. "My parents are dead! They killed my mom!" I sobbed uncontrollably. "They killed them!"

Austin looked at me, the color draining out of his face. He pulled me into his arms, his breathing coming out fast.

"I'm going to yell for my mom. Okay? Claire? Come on listen to me, you're safe, just hang in there." Austin spoke to me firmly.

He yelled for his mom still holding me tightly. I was shaking from silent sobs and I gripped his grungy shirt like it was a lifeline.

Seconds later, Austin's bedroom door burst open, and his mom rushed into the room wearing a robe and aiming a shotgun. Her gaze whipped around the room looking for trouble. She zeroed in on me and immediately lowered the gun, and rushed to kneel by my side.

"Claire?" She asked breathless her eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. I continued to cry. Jen noted the window open and she turned to Austin, her face tight.

"Tell me what is going on, right now." She demanded. I buried my face into Austin's chest and started to hiccup from crying so hard.

Austin took a shaky breath, "Brian and Lacey are dead." He swallowed. "Someone killed them." He told her.

Jen, the lady who always seemed to be prepared for anything, her mouth fell open in shock and fear crossed her face. She was speechless, and we all sat on the floor listening to me sob.

My heart was shattering to pieces. I wanted to fall off the face of the earth.

"Oh Claire." Jen's voice was choked, and her face crumpled with pain.

She stroked my ratty hair and gripped my hand tightly. She swallowed hard trying to hold herself together.

"You're okay now. We'll keep you safe." She promised.