Day Zero
Page 28
As the car grated past us, it dragged a chunk of a plane’s fuselage.
Evidence that planes had dropped.
All eyes turned to me—as if I had done that. I raised my hands. Big Guy looked like he was about to murder me with his meaty fists.
“I’m just a student. I-I didn’t have anything to do with this!”
Big Guy had followers now. As he and two other men stalked closer, I felt some odd force building inside me.
“Don’t come any closer!” My hands shook, my body vibrating with energy. Something was happening.
Was I truly the Star?
My mind flashed to my chronicles. Nova. Supernova. Superluminous supernova. Stellar-mass black hole. Inburst. Outburst. Nuclear fusion.
Cataclysm.
“I-I don’t want to have an outburst! Please, stay back.” They didn’t. That energy inside me seemed to draw in on itself. Soon it would demand an outlet. “Please! I don’t want to hurt you!”
Big Guy’s eyes went wild. “So you did have something to do with this!”
“Nooo!” I felt like I was about to explode! My raised hands vibrated so fast, I couldn’t make them out. Just two blurs. My jaw dropped at the sight.
Big Guy seized the front of my shirt. Mistake.
Luminescent matter erupted from me like a shock wave. “Ahhh!”
In horror, I watched a blue light vaporize everyone before I lost consciousness. . . .
Slow to wake. What a bizarre dream.
Something hard was gouging my side. Had I fallen asleep with a book in my bed? I frowned. Was that . . . metal? I opened my eyes.
Ah, God, I lay on tracks! Naked? I shot upright. Dread coursed through me as I craned my head around.
The train! My breath strangled in my throat. What was left of the train.
The exterior had exploded, metal furling outward, like a tin can blown up by dynamite.
I gaped at the wreckage, imagining my next text to my parents: You were right about everything.
The Moon (XVIII)
Selena Lua, Bringer of Doubt
“Behold the Bringer of Doubt.”
A.k.a.: The Huntress, La Luna
Powers: Pathokinesis (emotion manipulation). Can cause doubt and use moonlight as a lure. Enhanced speed, endurance, senses, dexterity, healing. Precise aiming and superhuman archery.
Special Skills: Motorcycling, marksmanship.
Weapons: Longbow, sword, firearms, whatever’s handy.
Tableau: A glowing goddess of the hunt with red-tinged skin, poised in moonlight.
Icon: Quarter moon superimposed over a full moon.
Unique Arcana Characteristics: Skin glows red like a hunter’s moon.
Before Flash: Motocross champion, Olympic archery hopeful, and college student who just moved away from her aunts’ home.
Highland University campus
Day 0
2:01 a.m.
As I lay paralyzed in a lacrosse player’s bed that smelled of sweat and stale beer, I listened to four players debate who would get “first dibs.”
On me.
I willed my muscles to work. None did.
I mentally screamed for my eyes to open. They refused.
All I could do was lie there, helpless, and replay the events that had gotten me to this point.
_______________
Three weeks ago
“Of course you’re not leaving, Lena.” Aunt Wanda adjusted her glasses, her nervous tell. “You belong here with us.”
“Why would you go to college?” Aunt Sharon demanded. She was as confident as Wanda was nervous. “The only things you need to learn concern the game.”
Always with the game! I might’ve been cursed to be the Moon Card, the Bringer of Doubt—but that didn’t mean a normal life was impossible.
My card was associated with longing. No more. I was sick and tired of not having friends to talk to, not having a boyfriend, not doing any of the normal stuff teenagers got to do. Resolved, I shook my head. “I’m going.” I pushed past them out the front door.
They followed, stopping short at the sight of my new black Tahoe. Sharon snapped, “Where did you get that? You don’t have access to your trust fund for years.”
Shoulders back, I said, “I traded in Dad’s bikes.” God, I’d agonized over that decision. He’d won some of his most famous motocross races on them. But I figured he and Mom would’ve wanted me to use them to get out from under Sharon and Wanda’s rule.
I tossed my bow case inside the SUV, then headed back toward the house. I only had a one more trip.
Sharon followed alongside me, the breeze ruffling her long dark hair. “We forbid you to leave.” Wanda trailed, wringing her hands.
I laughed. “I’m eighteen.” And stronger than a dozen women put together. “You can’t forbid shit.” I stopped at the front door and asked them, “Why would you begrudge me this when we all know I’m probably gonna die soon?”
Die meant lose. That kind of thinking was blasphemy to them.
Sharon’s expression turned fierce. “No, you will win!”
And if I did, what would immortality do for me? Just bring me more longing. Endless helpings of it.
In a firmer tone, I said, “The game will begin soon.” I’d already started hearing the calls, and some of my powers were blooming (otherwise I never would’ve believed these two about the game). “If some disaster is about to strike, I plan to experience real life before then.”
Though we lived in a mansion and they’d taken me all over the world, I didn’t have a single friend to text. I’d never been on an official date.
Evidence that planes had dropped.
All eyes turned to me—as if I had done that. I raised my hands. Big Guy looked like he was about to murder me with his meaty fists.
“I’m just a student. I-I didn’t have anything to do with this!”
Big Guy had followers now. As he and two other men stalked closer, I felt some odd force building inside me.
“Don’t come any closer!” My hands shook, my body vibrating with energy. Something was happening.
Was I truly the Star?
My mind flashed to my chronicles. Nova. Supernova. Superluminous supernova. Stellar-mass black hole. Inburst. Outburst. Nuclear fusion.
Cataclysm.
“I-I don’t want to have an outburst! Please, stay back.” They didn’t. That energy inside me seemed to draw in on itself. Soon it would demand an outlet. “Please! I don’t want to hurt you!”
Big Guy’s eyes went wild. “So you did have something to do with this!”
“Nooo!” I felt like I was about to explode! My raised hands vibrated so fast, I couldn’t make them out. Just two blurs. My jaw dropped at the sight.
Big Guy seized the front of my shirt. Mistake.
Luminescent matter erupted from me like a shock wave. “Ahhh!”
In horror, I watched a blue light vaporize everyone before I lost consciousness. . . .
Slow to wake. What a bizarre dream.
Something hard was gouging my side. Had I fallen asleep with a book in my bed? I frowned. Was that . . . metal? I opened my eyes.
Ah, God, I lay on tracks! Naked? I shot upright. Dread coursed through me as I craned my head around.
The train! My breath strangled in my throat. What was left of the train.
The exterior had exploded, metal furling outward, like a tin can blown up by dynamite.
I gaped at the wreckage, imagining my next text to my parents: You were right about everything.
The Moon (XVIII)
Selena Lua, Bringer of Doubt
“Behold the Bringer of Doubt.”
A.k.a.: The Huntress, La Luna
Powers: Pathokinesis (emotion manipulation). Can cause doubt and use moonlight as a lure. Enhanced speed, endurance, senses, dexterity, healing. Precise aiming and superhuman archery.
Special Skills: Motorcycling, marksmanship.
Weapons: Longbow, sword, firearms, whatever’s handy.
Tableau: A glowing goddess of the hunt with red-tinged skin, poised in moonlight.
Icon: Quarter moon superimposed over a full moon.
Unique Arcana Characteristics: Skin glows red like a hunter’s moon.
Before Flash: Motocross champion, Olympic archery hopeful, and college student who just moved away from her aunts’ home.
Highland University campus
Day 0
2:01 a.m.
As I lay paralyzed in a lacrosse player’s bed that smelled of sweat and stale beer, I listened to four players debate who would get “first dibs.”
On me.
I willed my muscles to work. None did.
I mentally screamed for my eyes to open. They refused.
All I could do was lie there, helpless, and replay the events that had gotten me to this point.
_______________
Three weeks ago
“Of course you’re not leaving, Lena.” Aunt Wanda adjusted her glasses, her nervous tell. “You belong here with us.”
“Why would you go to college?” Aunt Sharon demanded. She was as confident as Wanda was nervous. “The only things you need to learn concern the game.”
Always with the game! I might’ve been cursed to be the Moon Card, the Bringer of Doubt—but that didn’t mean a normal life was impossible.
My card was associated with longing. No more. I was sick and tired of not having friends to talk to, not having a boyfriend, not doing any of the normal stuff teenagers got to do. Resolved, I shook my head. “I’m going.” I pushed past them out the front door.
They followed, stopping short at the sight of my new black Tahoe. Sharon snapped, “Where did you get that? You don’t have access to your trust fund for years.”
Shoulders back, I said, “I traded in Dad’s bikes.” God, I’d agonized over that decision. He’d won some of his most famous motocross races on them. But I figured he and Mom would’ve wanted me to use them to get out from under Sharon and Wanda’s rule.
I tossed my bow case inside the SUV, then headed back toward the house. I only had a one more trip.
Sharon followed alongside me, the breeze ruffling her long dark hair. “We forbid you to leave.” Wanda trailed, wringing her hands.
I laughed. “I’m eighteen.” And stronger than a dozen women put together. “You can’t forbid shit.” I stopped at the front door and asked them, “Why would you begrudge me this when we all know I’m probably gonna die soon?”
Die meant lose. That kind of thinking was blasphemy to them.
Sharon’s expression turned fierce. “No, you will win!”
And if I did, what would immortality do for me? Just bring me more longing. Endless helpings of it.
In a firmer tone, I said, “The game will begin soon.” I’d already started hearing the calls, and some of my powers were blooming (otherwise I never would’ve believed these two about the game). “If some disaster is about to strike, I plan to experience real life before then.”
Though we lived in a mansion and they’d taken me all over the world, I didn’t have a single friend to text. I’d never been on an official date.
