Anti-Dote

1 ~ The Beginning of the End

Hazel shifted her focus from her science textbook to the morning news. The world ending was one thing that she might actually find more important than her science.

“With almost seven people dying from whipper bites every two minutes scientists estimate that humans will be extinct in less than 4 years. If the whipper snakes reproduce any faster than the current rate the humans species as a whole could have a year or less to survive. The world’s top scientists are working around the clock to find an anti-dote, but will they be too late? Coming up next…A pill that can make you lose ten pounds in just two weeks. Is it really possible??”

Hazel rolled her eyes and flipped the TV off; even when humans had less than a year to survive they were worrying about weight loss. That pill won’t be of any help when you get bit by a whipper. Hazel imagined a whole bunch of pretty, thin, dead people lying in their coffins, and giggled. Idiots. With that she focused her concentration back to her textbook.  Science makes more sense than people…

Bang! The door burst open like a rocket, hitting the opposite wall. Clarity bounded through the doorway, closing and throwing Hazel’s textbook onto the threadbare sofa next to the wall. “Haze, put away that silly book for a minute; midterms aren’t for two weeks yet and we have company.” She smiled devilishly, and Hazel rolled her eyes. A couple seconds later a slightly disheveled guy walked into the room. Hazel scanned him over. Shaggy nut brown hair that really needed a trim, tanned skin, dark brown eyes, and a short, stocky stature. Probably a street runner. She mentally reminded herself to keep a close eye on him. Some street runners were respectable but more than a quarter of them wouldn’t think twice about picking money straight out of your pocket.

“Don’t wait for me or anything” He smirked, “I’ll figure out where I’m supposed to be going eventually.” He shut the door behind him, only slightly more gently than it had been opened.

“I don’t wait for anyone, so it’s not like it’s just you.” Clarity said as she set Hazel’s text book on the floor, sprawled out on the couch and started bouncing her feet up and down. She never sat still for more than two seconds. “The bathroom’s over there” Clarity said to street runner boy, pointing to the tiny hallway on the other end of the room.

“Great. Be right back” Street runner guy said as he walked across the room.

“Don’t mind Clarity’s mess!” Hazel yelled to his receding back, hoping that Clarity had picked up her dirty clothes from the floor this morning. Or at least the underwear.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine” Clarity said, rolling her eyes.

“Please tell me you’ve known him for more than an hour.” Hazel said, raising one eyebrow.

“Come on, don’t be such a pessimist.  I think he’s kind of cute, he looks like your type” Clarity winked at her.

“And what exactly is my type?” Hazel asked, curious.

“Chance is.” Clarity stated.

“You think every guy is my type.” Hazel said, her light brown ponytail swaying as she shook her head.

“Oh, and after class I need to show you and the guys something. It’s totally secret.” Clarity whispered, her face assuming one of her rare serious expressions.

“Ok.” Hazel, assumed it was another one of her “missions.” They were fun but not really top secret. Though if the authorities figured out who dressed up the park statue… Street runner came out of the bathroom, looking only slightly cleaner and more organized than when he went in.