Mutation

Chapter 26: Elevator Shafts and Final Fates

Hazel

Leo was kissing me. Leo Esteban was kissing me. My best friend just gave me my first kiss. I'd always wondered if Leo and I would become more than friends someday, and the idea always scared me a little. Now, while his lips were still pressed to mine, I wasn't so scared.

Before the kiss deepened, I heard someone clear their throat from behind us. We immediately broke apart and saw Dana, Maxine, Sonni, and Jazz grinning like Cheshire cats. Jazz and Sonni were making sick faces. Leo and I instantly turned shades of red. Of course they probably saw the whole thing.

"I hate to break it to you guys, but we kind of have a war going on right now, and we don't really have time for making out," Dana said as seriously as she could, trying her best not to laugh.

On the other hand, Maxine was practically squealing. "I can't believe this! I knew you guys would get together! I just KNEW it!" This made me and Leo blush even more, if that was even possible.

"Ew, that's gross! You guys were KISSING!" Jazz exclaimed. I forgot that six year old's thought kissing was something horrid.

I couldn't help but laugh at how horrified Jazz looked. Now all of us laughing. But then I remembered that there was a war going on. It wasn't really the time for joking around. I thought of how Dr. Baker would scowl at us for not taking things seriously.

Wait. Where was Dr. Baker? Was she okay?

It seemed Leo read my mind. Then I noticed he was holding my hand. I tried not to blush again as he asked, "Hey, have you guys seen Dr. Baker during all this?"

The group got quiet suddenly. That wasn't a good sign.

"The last time I saw her, she told me she was going to help defend the colony entrances up on the outside," Maxine replied. "I haven't seen her since."

"Well we have to go find her," I said. "She might need our help."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Then Maxine added, "Oh, wait. One problem. How are we going to get up to the outside? The elevators were destroyed when Evansby's army invaded."

She did have a point. How were we ever going to get up there? I was hoping Maxine, who let me remind you is most likely the smartest human being alive, would think of a plan. Because I had nothing.

"Why don't we just clear the damage in the elevator? I bet Hazel could use her levitation powers and Leo could use his strength to lift the rubble," Sonni said suddenly. That was an idea.

"Sonni, you're a genius," I beamed at Sonni. He looked very surprised.

"Hazel, I don't know about this," Maxine said. "So many things could go wrong."

"Well do we have a choice?" Leo said. He was right. Even if one of us got hurt, we had to see if Dr. Baker was okay.

Maxine hesitated for a moment, her eyes meeting Dana's to get approval. They both nodded in sync, like they agreed by reading each other's minds. Then Maxine finally said slowly, "Okay. We can try it."

And with that, our group headed towards the elevators, which were about a mile away. Part of me wondered what the heck were we thinking of attempting this. But I also felt brave and confident that everything would work out. I mean, I had the help of Leo, so it wouldn't be as much pressure on just me. Leo and I were a good team, and I truly believed that.

When we arrived, we saw that the elevators were indeed destroyed and unusable. The sliding doors were all smashed and caved in, and inside the elevator cars were stacked to the top with rubble from a possible explosion. Leo pulled the doors open all the way so we could get inside, which wasn't an easy task. I could tell Maxine and Dana immediately regretted their decision to let us do this.