Mutants|| Reddie [DISCONTINUED]

XVI

"'When will I know I'm ready?' 'You won't. That's all it is . . . a leap of faith.'"

     Shots rang in Beverly's ears as they sprinted into the nearest room. Pulling the door shut behind him, she gasped for breath. They quickly locked and barricaded the door as the men pounded on it.

     "This is the security room," she said, relief sweeping through her. "The one with the cameras."

     "Wait," Ben said suddenly. "Where's- where's Richie and Eddie?"

     Bev cursed under her breath. They all rushed to what seemed like a hundred screens, scanning them for any trace of Eddie or Richie.

     "Th-thuh-there!" Bill pointed to a small screen near the corner. "Shit . . ."

     They were both cornered against a wall, looking at a woman holding a pistol. "We need to get there, now." Beverly said urgently. "Where are they?"

     "Somewhere on the second floor," said Mike. He slowly unbarricaded the door, looking back at them. "You ready?"

     "No," Ben replied, standing. He grabbed a chair, smashing it against the screens. They shattered, and Bev thrust up her hands to shield her face.

     "Okay." Mike pulled open the door, falling into a fighting stance.

     Chaos ensued. As the others fought, Bev turned to come face to face with a person in shell-like armor. His gun had evidently been lost, as he leapt towards her armed only with his fists.

     They began a sort of dance, whirling and throwing punches and kicks. The man cornered her against the wall.

     Bev thrust her fist forwards in a last-ditch attempt to hit him, but the man merely grabbed her wrist. She weakly tossed her other hand forward, but he caught that one too. As he approached her,

     (i worry about you bevvie i worry a LOT)

     she gasped, lost in a hallucination or a nightmare or

    (memory)

     something.

     She stared at him, her breathing light and shallow. And suddenly, her fear morphed into anger, as though a flame had reignited in her chest.

     Beverly let out a piercing, angry yell, and the man stumbled back, seemingly in shock. She lit each hand on fire, advancing on him as he backed away.

     As she approached him, a shrill siren went off and water sprayed from the ceiling. The fire alarm. Bev looked up, blinking water out of her eyes, and almost fell over.

     Her hair had caught fire. She must've accidentally ignited it while fighting.

     Taking advantage of her distraction, the man leapt at her again. Beverly shot a stream of fire at him, and he collapsed.

     "Oh my God . . ." Ben stared at the man's charred body. "Have you always known you could . . ." He gestured towards her hair, which had gone out.

     Bev shook her head. "Not until now."

     They all stood there awkwardly, surrounded by bodies, until suddenly, a shot rang out from a few rooms away.

     A jolt of panic raced through her. In the battle, Beverly had almost forgotten that Richie and Eddie were still in trouble. "Come on!"

     They sprinted down the hallway, skidding to a stop in the doorway. Richie was kneeling in front of Eddie, and he looked up. "Oh, thank God," he breathed. "Eddie-"