Lights Out

Don't Kill the Messenger- or do, we won't judge (Cal)

The rain continued until eight, and Cal had stayed with Theo the whole time. By noonday, they had managed to rustle up $29, a roll of quarters, 6 credit cards, 3 granola bars, a bottle of water, and 9 sticks of gum. At around, 12:15, the rain started drizzling back in freezing drops; So, Cal and Theo moved under an awning and began to divvy up their prize.

"So you can either have an extra stick of gum, or an extra dollar," Cal pursed her lips, "the real question is who gets the water,"

Theo shrugged, he stuck out his tongue and tried to catch the raindrops rolling off the clouds above, "I'll trade you my entire share of the money for that water bottle."

Cal longingly looked at the water bottle, she was tempted to accept the deal, more money was always a good thing, but at that moment she noticed a potential client walking down the street. They were speed walking, almost running, they looked worried, there coat was flaring around them, their hair was disheveled. Cal whacked Theo, who groaned in protest, before getting up and stepping in the way of the person.

The man's pupils dilated, he took in her hair, her clothes- he looked terrified. Then, to Cal's surprise, put his arms up in surrender.

"Please don't hurt me, he put his arms up in surrender. I'll give you anything you want, just please let me live."

Cal was taken back, she glanced at Theo; who just shrugged. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

"You're not?" the man looked up between locked arms, he was so pitiful it made Cal laugh, "then what do you want."

"Well you see sir," Cal said, imitating Theo's pitiful accent in higher tone, "my brother 'ere is 'orribly ill-"

"Ill? Young lady, don't you have better things to do with all that's happening right now?"

"All that's happening?" Cal raised an eyebrow, Theo walked over and stood by her side, "what's, happening?"

"What's Happening?!" The man's breaths became sporadic, tears peaked at his waterline, "the entire- southern half of the city- is blacked out." The man held his head as if trying to block out memories, he looked up with bloodshot eyes and pointed a shaky finger towards the direction he had come from, "something isn't right. It's anarchy, more than that, gunshots, the killing. So many people are dying...they'll be here soon." Looking around wildly, the man shoved passed Cal and sprinted away.

"What was that about?"  Cal looked to Theo, he didn't say anything, he stared at the man until he disappeared.

I told you she was angry.

Stop, Cal thought, the last thing she needed were those thoughts.

Jenga Blocks, remember Callie?

Cal shook it off, she looked at Theo, she was still staring off into the distance.

"Come on, we need to move." Cal began walking away, Theo didn't move. "Hey," she slapped his shoulder, "stay with me."

Theo didn't move, he didn't stir, he didn't even blink. "Theo. Theodore. Theodore Elliot Swanson. Are you hearing me?"

"What?" Theo blinked, he turned to face Cal, "I told you not to use my middle name."

Cal sighed in relief, "you were out of it," she smirked, "I did what I had do, are you okay?"

Theo hazily shook his head, "fine. Just, surprised I guess. I never expected anything like this when I ran away."

"Yeah join the club," Cal linked arms with him, "the man said the blackouts in the south right? If he truly believes it's intentional then the north won't be far behind. We move north, as far up as we can."