A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

You Won't Break Me Down

All night long, the only thing I can think about is Jack and Alex and their escape plan. I desperately want them to come to their senses and realize how stupid they are being. Trying to escape? How would that work? How could they possibly do it? I want them to realize that it's impossible and I spoke the truth. We are never getting out of here, and that's final.

But what if they are completely dead set on escaping? Then do I help them? If I don't, it could go terribly wrong and the two of them could end up dead. Do I try to escape with them? Go with their plan and have all four of us escape? Either way, if I help them or I don't, they could still get caught. Whatever happens, it will be my fault. If I lost two of my friends, I don't think I could ever forgive myself. I still haven't forgiven myself from last time. I don't think I could stand living any longer with the knowledge that more people have died all because of me.

Kellin can tell I'm lost in thought. He sends me worried glances from across the guards come to our room, leading us out. Oh, I had forgotten about Mr. Styles' plan. Still, I can't bring myself to focus on what's around me until I'm standing in front of the door to the Study room.

The guard pushes the two of us in. Kellin sends me a worried glance as they strap the contraptions to his wrists. They don't bother to put any on me—something that probably should bother me but doesn't. Seeing Kellin standing between two guards, the contraptions strapped to his wrists snaps me out of my daze. He looks so small, so scared. I desperately want to run across the room and tell him that everything will be okay, but I can't speak to him, not with the guards in the room.

Kellin sees me watching him, and his face lights up. He lifts his hand to tap two fingers against his lips. I love you. I smile at the gesture, my heart fluttering as I see him do it. He remembered. I do the same back to him, grinning as he smiles at me.

The smile quickly falls from my lips as Mr. Styles enters the room. He's followed by two guards who have a boy with light brown hair in tow. He looks somewhat familiar—I must have caught glimpses of him in the Study room or in the hallway. The number M-91 is printed across his blue uniform. I remember what Alex and Jack told me about the last one of us here. This must be Craig.

"Good to see you all here," Mr. Styles grins. As if we had a choice. He turns to the other scientists. "We're here to test both M-91 and M-49's powers." So not me. Great. I'm just a guinea pig today.

He motions Craig and me forward into the center of the room. This time, there are blue foam mats set up in the center. I remember Jack and Alex telling me they've fought Craig before. Is that what they intend me to do?

"Ready?" Mr. Styles asks. I glance up at Craig, see his cold, expressionless face. I flash him a smile, trying to be friendly, but the lines at the corners of his mouth only deepen. "Go."

I tense, waiting for him to charge, but Craig simply closes his eyes. A band of pressure tightens around my head, shards of pain slicing through my skull. Everything sounds muted around me, a ringing sounding, blocking out everything else. The pressure in my ears disorienting as exhaustion closes in on me, the sensation of being underwater growing stronger.

I hear someone scream my name—probably Kellin, but he sounds far away. I must have fallen, I realize dimly. I'm so disoriented I can't tell up from down. I feel like the wind's been knocked out of me. I can't seem to get up, even as I try. I reach for my powers, but they're just not there, just an empty space where they once were. Instead, burning agony pours through my skull, making me almost scream.

Craig just stands there, a fire flickering at his fingertips. How did he do that? Alex's voice sounds in my mind. He has power manipulation. Of course. That's how he manages to beat everyone. It's honestly a great first impression of him—I'm beginning to realize why Jack hates him so much. Surprisingly though, he doesn't make a move toward me. I expect him to punch or burn me, but he just stands there, stoking a ball of fire in his hand as he looks toward Mr. Styles.

"Five seconds," Mr. Styles calls out, impressed. "Improvement from last time."

Craig nods, not taking his eyes off of me. "Thank you, sir," he responds. I gasp for breath as the pressure lessens, my head clearing. My eyes flit over to where Kellin is standing, held back by two of the guards. He's staring at me, wide-eyed and panicked. I want to reach over to him and comfort him, but I can't, so I lift my hand, tapping my first two fingers against my lips surreptitiously. I love you. I'm okay. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kellin relax slightly.

I turn my attention back to Craig, who is still standing on the mat in front of me as I get to my feet. The flame in Craig's hand hasn't gone out but when I reach for my powers, I can feel them. It's like a rush of warmth flows back into my body as a flame flickers out onto my hand, relief filling me.

Craig sees me staring. "I can manipulate your powers," he explains. "Just enough so I can use them, and you won't notice, or enough to incapacitate you. It's all my choice." He looks proud of the fact. I can feel the pressure tighten around my skull, my powers slipping away from my grasp. I send him a questioning look. Craig shrugs, looking away from me as he walks off the mat.

Mr. Styles nods, and two of the guards come forward. "Alright," he says. "M-49, your turn."