The Fallen

Blake

Emms and I watch as Kat nervously walks back and forth in front of us. She's eaten a few apples now and her hands seem to be everywhere. Her bright blue eyes shine with worry.

"I'm not ready. No. I can't do this! What am I? Just some random girl that--"

"That just saved the president's son," Emms says. She sighs and stops Kat in her tracks by putting her hands on Kat's arms. "You're going to be just fine." Though she sounds true to her words, I can see fear in her brown eyes.

"She has a right to be afraid," Nikki says as she enters Kat's room. "Imagine pretending to be loyal to the most important person in this place. The pressure is on."

"You're not helping," I say to Nikki.

She shrugs at me and walks over at Kat. Her big blue eyes carry the same fire when she was at the table. "Look." Her voice is like Emms, steady and stern. "I know you're scared, but we got your back. We are all risking our lives here, but the only thing that's keeping all of us together is the same reason you decided to take on this mission. Hope."

By now Nikki looks at all of us in the room. Sam is leaning at the doorway with Mia, while Danny and Dom sit by me at the couch and Jordyn stands beside Emms. We all listen to Nikki as she fills our systems with that strength she carries.

"Hope that we can create a better place than this hell hole. Hope that we can get the answers our ancestors have been searching for, for so many years. Yes, you're right. We're just a bunch of kids that have nothing else to do but cause trouble. But at least..." Her voice is quiet this time. "But at least we try. And we fight trying. That is the only thing that will keep us alive. Fighting." She puts a hand on Kat's shoulder and says, "We all got your back, Kat. We're ready. Are you?"

It's amazing how these few words change the atmosphere. We all look at each other with a new light. A new strength. Kat gives us all her wide smile and nods in determination. "I'm ready."

Dom stands up and for the first time, he gives all a genuine smile. "Let's do this." He looks at Nikki and that strength seems to fill his own body as he stands up straighter and shoves his hands in his pockets. They give each other a nod.

"Okay," I say with a smile. "But I think you should get ready. I hope you weren't planning on going like that."

Kat looks down at her ripped jeans and her sweater. "But I'm cold."

"I think she looks fine," Nikki says as she observes Kat's outfit with a smile. "That messy hair is bomb though!" They give each other a high five.

"Very funny, sis. But she has to impress the President not make him think she's begging for food," Jordyn says as he crosses his arms on his chest. His teasing smile makes Emms hit him lightly on his arm. "Ow!"

Kat rolls her eyes at Jordyn and sighs. "I'm with Nikki, but I know you'll win so tell me what I should wear."

I jump with joy and walk towards her closet. I quickly look for a business/casual outfit and walk out to show her. "What do you think?"

I knew that the professional leather jacket would help me out convince her. She touches the orange leather with a wide smile. Even Nikki seems to approve as she raises her eyebrows in wonder and nods. "Now we're talking," Kat says. "Alright. I'm gonna..." She looks at the guys in the room and points towards the bathroom. "If you don't mind?"

Her playful tone makes Danny laugh. "You hear the lady. Let's go guys." He gives me one last smile and leaves the room.

I watch as Sam quietly follows Danny and Jordyn gives Emms a quick kiss. As he's leaving, Nikki crosses her arms on her chest and furrows her eyebrows. "Where's my kiss?" Her seriousness falls with her sweet grin. Jordyn kisses her hand and leaves the room with a chuckle.

We all look back at Dom who's still sitting on the couch. He seems to have made himself comfortable and carries a teasing smile. "Oh. I'm sorry. Was that for me, too?" His glimmering eyes fall on Nikki.

Mia sighs and rolls her eyes at his tease. "C'mon dude. Let's go."

"If I were you, I'd listen," Kat says. "She punches hard." She shares a laugh with Mia.

"Very well then." Dom gets up and his eyes seem glued on Nikki as he walks out the room. She gives him a look and walks towards where he was sitting.

There's definitely something between them...

"Alright ladies!" Mia says with her contagious smile. "Do your magic!"

It's almost time for Kat to go as Dr. A doubles checks the equipment used for today. Danny adjusts Kat's earbuds and admires her outfit one more time. "Well done, Blake."

"Thank you!" But despite all the fake smiles I make, a pit of fear makes the weight heavier on my back.

I can see it in all of us now as anxiety starts in the atmosphere.

"Now remember. Be yourself and respectful!" Christina rubs her shoulders and gives her an encouraging smile. "You got this." Kat just nods back. She hasn't said anything ever since she's walked down the stairs.

"What if something goes wrong," Dom says. He's gotten up from the couch six times already. Fear shines behind those dark blue eyes of his as he says, "What do we do if something goes wrong? Is there a Plan B?"

"We've decided to let Blake and Mia take care of that," Sam says. He's been odd with Kat this whole afternoon, but a small glint of worry runs through his tense muscles otherwise. "They are the people that are almost invisible when they use their abilities. From a far distance, Mia can take control of their guns while Blake can bring Kat back in less than a second; outrunning all the traps if something goes wrong with Mia. Emms would
take care if we need them to forget."

"Nothing is going to go wrong," Emms says almost angrily. Her dark eyes soften when she gives Kat a reassuring smile as she brushes her neatly wavy hair. "Everything is going to be okay. They should be here any minute now."

Almost on point, the doorbell rings loudly and we all seem to tense for a second.

"Ready?" Emms gives Kat one last determined look. Kat's eyes fall on each one of us, as if reminding herself why she's here. Each of us is giving her strength.

"I'm ready," Kat says with a firm nod. Her voice is nothing I've heard before. The seriousness doesn't even seem to fit with her crazy persona.

"Alright," Dr. A says. "Everyone disperse. We don't want anything..." Remembering they're outside, he signals us to leave and we all obey. Each one of us giving Kat a hug.

"You got this." Sam seems to push aside the awkwardness between them as he hugs Kat strongly. "I'm here for you."

"I know." Kat's voice is only a whisper in his ear when she says this. Finally, they pull apart and he disappears up the stairs.

Dr. A and Christina take a deep breath by the door. The next second, Dr. A finally opens the door.