The People with Useless Power

Chapter Twenty-five

Mara tightened the hood around her face, her hands jittery. Present Silver- or, Michael- was across from her, banging on his desk and laughing hysterically.

"Silver is a stupid last name," Mara muttered bitterly.

"It's better than none," Michael hissed, finally calming down. "But- Mara- she's crying so hard."

"Good."

"You're heartless, Mar."

"I'm not the one laughing."

"You don't know what humor is."

Mara's face heated up. "Hu·mor. Noun. The quality of being amusing or comic, especially as expressed in literature or speech."

Mike blinked a few times. "Wow. You- you're good."

"Stop stuttering. You sound like Emma."

His face hardened. "You can't blame her, after what your father put her through when he went back."

"My father's homophobic. That's his problem, not mine." Mara glared at the shiny wood of Michael's desk, anger boiling her blood.

"I believe you told us he visited and never said a thing to that gay couple," Michael pointed out.

"He doesn't know about them," Mara shrugged. "Okay, well, he does- but he's overprotective of me. Emma was also acting..."

"Like you," Michael nodded.

"I was going to say stone cold, but that works. How's Emily?"

He looked back to his computer. "Let me see."

...

Emily's head was pressed against Lavender's chest, listening to her heart beat slowly. Her eyes were closed, just listening to the soft, predictable noise, trusting that it wasn't going to end.

"The first kill's always the worst," Vincent sighed, interrupting the silence that had fallen amongst the five. "Emma, stop glaring at me."

"Is she sleeping, Lav?" Emma's voice whispered.

"I... think so. Or at least, she's close to it. Her breathing has slowed way down."

"We need to find an exit. Grayson, you take the middle door, I'll take the left, and Emma will take the right." Vincent's voice was harsh, and silence fell again.

A few minutes later, Grayson yelled, "it's this way!" and Lavender carried Emily out with the others.

She finally drifted off to sleep.

...

Emily woke up, sore and cold, and she opened her eyes to see a light as bright as a thousand suns. She squeezed her eyes shut, whimpering.

"Emily. We're going to ask you a few questions about that shelter you were staying in, okay? And if you tell the truth, you'll get to see your family." She couldn't place the voice, but excitement took over her mind and she nodded quickly.

"Alright. Where was the building?"

"I don't know. They kidnapped me and took me there."

"Who was the manager?"

"Manager?" Emily repeated, confused.