Dying Powerful

Chapter 1- Phoenix

Hey!

Welcome to our new story “Dying Powerful”. The story is being written by me (Sarah) and my friends Ryan and Julie. It will be told from the point of views of Phoenix (Sarah), Iris (Julie) and Layton (Ryan). We will be posting regularly and are hoping to film a book trailer for it soon featuring us as the cast. We would appreciate if you guys could vote, fan and comment. And don’t forget to add to your reading list. Hope you enjoy!

Xx Sarah

Phoenix's POV

I kick a rock with my dust-covered boot. I step over a huge piece of debris. The moss covered statue depicted a previous world leader. I couldn't resist rolling my eyes. Politics pretty much was given up on once Moriens was diagnosed. I stray piece of my dirty blonde hair falls in my eyes. My eyes well up at the colour of the hair. It was the same my baby brother Chadler has. Well, I guess it's had now.

The year is 2020. A year ago, scientists were working on a project. They were working on a cure for all Cancer related diseases. And they found it alright. Everyone in the world subjected to it. It seemed to work at first but then the side-effects kicked in. Nowadays we call it 'Moriens'. It gives you a deadline. 31 days, roughly one month. That is how long after the first day diagnosed that you have to live.

Chadler was diagnosed 32 days ago.

It's November 30th. Today is the day Chadler is slated to pass away. My 3-year-old brother is clinging like a monkey to my back. We've been traveling for days now in search. The moss covered buildings all look the same though. My mother and father died approximately 5 months ago, telling me of a place where we would be safe. If it got to an extreme where both of us were diagnosed, they told us to get help.

So now I've brought Chadler to the ruins of place once known as New York City. In hopes, that there is someone here that can save him or at least delay the deadline. But it's been 3 months since we even spotted another human. He snuggles close to me as we walk. I can hear his tiny heartbeat racing. His pale hand has a big ink tattoo stamped prominently on the back of it.

The number claims '0'

I feel panicked. I turn my jog into a sprint holding tight to my little brother. All I can think about it saving him- no matter the cost. I can't be alone. I need him. Hot tears sting my face as I know that it is useless. 31 days is all you get. I've seen enough people die to know this. Chadler never got stuck as one of the Elemental Patients. I took pity on the people who were cursed with powers of one of the four elements of nature. Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

It wasn't something that was easy. They were treated like animals and hunted down by the ones who remain healthy. But since the population of the world went down about 75%, they've started to become superior. Someone planted inside their minds that they we're the ones went to rule that they were above those without their talents. So we've been running.

Chadler goes into a coughing fit and I stop. An abandoned car is sitting near the road so I carry him towards it. I set his little body on one of the seats and I take the one next to him. He's going to be okay. He has to be. But as he continues to cough, blood starts to come out. I hold onto him tightly. Hugging him and clasping his hand.

"I love you Chadler. Don't forget that." I whisper to him as he tries to gasp his breath.

"I'm going to see Mommy and Daddy aren't I?" He asks, his big eyes looking up at mine. I kiss his forehead, despite the blood and dirt that covers him.

"Yes, sweetie. Maybe soon, I'll get to come be with you too." I smile sadly. He looks distressed.

"No Phoenix! You need to keep going! That's what Daddy said. You-u have t-" He stops his sentence as he starts to shake uncontrollably. He squeezes my hand and he goes still.

I start to sob at the thought of it. How is this fair? What did a three year old do to deserve this? I sit down in the street. I pull my backpack off and begin to rummage through it. My eyes are probably red and puffy and my cheeks tear stained but I don't care. I've been wearing the same outfit for months after all. Green Jumper and black pants with a blue tank-top underneath. I've been wearing a pair of beaten up brown boots.

I shift through the contents of my bag. A photo case with pictures of all my old friends and family (all of which are now dead), a phone with no battery left, an iPod and some headphones, my broken sunglasses, a camera, hair ties, a hairbrush with large patches of bristles gone and a brass key. I pull out the key and the stick note attached.

'Phoenix. If you have found this, your father and I are both gone. The disease has killed us both and hopefully you and Chadler are still undiagnosed. Take this key to The Empire State Building and find Martigale. He will help you. Love always, Mom and Dad.'

I look up at the building in front of me, key in hand. It's the iconic building that is plastered on aged advertisements around the town. This is where they wanted me to go. And if I had gotten here a day ago, Chadler could still be alive right now. Maybe it was fate fault but I could feel all the blame. I wipe my eyes and try to clear my head. I need to survive now. December 1st. I glance down at my hand.

In bold black and tattooed across my skin is the number 31. I raise it and I knock on the rusty door.