How Many Heroes

16- Matches

Maria and I took off running to the hospital. Luke said that the orphanage was in the back west side of the building, but I just followed Maria since she knew the place pretty well.

"I wish jogging was a part of our training," Maria said, panting.

I laughed. "Tell me about it." We had just entered the hospital, but my thighs were already burning.

Maria fell silent. I wish she would speak so I couldn't focus on the dark emptiness of St. Monica's.

"Take out your flashlight," Maria said. I did.

"Shouldn't overnight patients still be in the room?" I asked.

Maria hesitated. I don't think anyone had thought about that. "Most people with conditions that serious go to St. Benedict's. But we can check."

In the eerie light of our flashlights, we continued, checking every door that we passed. I still felt uneasy.

"Shouldn't we check all the rooms?" I said.

Maria shook her head. "The orphanage is where most people are. We'll get come back here once we're done."

Will we ever be done? I thought. Once we got the children out, we had to figure out where to take them. After that, we were supposed to help Luke on the ground, or put out fires in the hospital, whichever came first. There would be no time. Still, she had a point. Checking the rooms so far was a colossal waste of time anyway.

"It's midnight," Maria said, glancing at her watch as we reached the orphanage. "They're here."

I shuddered. Luke had a plan, but I was certain Amy did too. He could only buy us so much time. And if we were too slow...

Maria tried the doorknob, then knocked. The door swung open, revealing a dimly lit room. The boy who opened the door was our age, but was way taller than either of us.

"Who are you?"He asked. He looked at Maria, recognition crossing his face.

"David, it's me."

"Maria?" David asked. I couldn't help but notice he had beautiful, curly hair.

"David, we don't have a lot of time. The gang is here, and they want to burn this place down. You need to help us get the kids out."

David eyes widened with fear. "You need to get out of here," He said in a harsh whisper. "Get out-"

"Careful, David," a familiar voice said. "Did you forget our deal?"

Someone pushed him out of the way, then turned to face us. I gasped.The boy standing before us was dressed in all black, like us, but was streaked with electric green paint. His blue-green eyes took on a manic glint as he flexed his huge muscles, the type of muscles only professional football players have. Vaughn.

Anger surged through me. "What are you doing here?" I snarled.

He smiled at me like I was a naïve little girl. "Same as you. Trying to save the city."

"We aren't trying to burn children alive," Maria said. She took out the pocket knife Luke had given her. Somehow, it made her look even less threatening.

Vaughn laughed. "Oooh, I'm definitely scared now. Do you also have a NERF gun in your bag?"

Maria slashed across the thin cloth of Vaughn's shirt with the blade, leaving a dark line across his shirt. Quicker than my eyes could follow, Vaughn dragged Maria through the threshold and slammed her against the wall. Maria shrieked. I tried to reach for my Mace, but David grabbed my hand, immobilizing me.