Mr. Black shifted the weight of his daughter in his arms. "What the hell? We've got to go, now!"
"It's Higgins." She ran to him and dropped to her knees to check his pulse. Still alive, but barely. "Headmaster Higgins, are you okay? Can you hear me?"
His eyes flickered open. "Ah, Lucy, you must leave. All of you must leave. Terrible things are happening."
"Yes, I know. Here, I'll help you. Come with us." She went to lift him but he moaned and pushed her away.
"It's too late for me. I tried to help, tried to do what I could. I'm sorry. I failed you all." He grabbed her hand and pushed something into it. "Get what you need and leave. End this."
His breathing slowed. Then stopped.
"Mr. Higgins! No!" Her cries ricocheted around her and inside her.
Mr. Black kicked the back of her feet. "He's dead, we're not. But we will be if you don't move your ass."
She looked in her hands, a key ring and a note with passcodes written on it. She shoved them into her pocket next to her sphere, and ran with Mr. Black toward the gate.
Staff and students all struggled to get through and out of harm's way. Mr. Lancaster seemed to be in charge, organizing the students and teachers, getting them out safely, or as safe as he could.
When they arrived, Luke was there waiting for her. "Sis, what the hell? I've been worried sick. And why the hell is he not dead?" He pointed to Mr. Black.
"Long story. Let's get out of here."
Before they could escape, a dozen guards surrounded their small group.
One guard held up a megaphone. "Everybody freeze."
Lucy looked to Mr. Black, still carrying his child. He stepped forward. "Stand down, men. I have this under control."
"With all due respect, sir, we no longer take orders from you. You have been compromised."
Sam, where are you. We need you. We're in trouble.
Without further warning, the guards raised their guns to start firing into the crowd.
A surge of power pulsed through Lucy. Her sphere came alive, which meant.... "Luke, put up your field. Our powers are back."
He held up his hands and the air condensed around them. The bullets had stopped mid-air, just inches from their targets.
Lucy expelled her breath, and she and her brother led everyone toward the gate.
Lucy's mind opened to another presence. Sam.
"Lucy, I'm here. I'm coming."
Chapter 59 – Mr. Black
His daughter's form lightened, as if part of her were already leaving him. He refused to let her go so easily. "Someone, help! I need an ambulance. My daughter is dying."
He hated to use that word, that horrible, awful word that meant this world would lose its brightest star.
Two medics from the local hospital arrived to help him. "Please, bring her to our ambulance. We'll get her to the hospital."
At the ambulance, an EMT said, "Sir, your daughter's pulse is weak. We need to move her now. She might not even make the trip to the hospital."
Lucy touched his arm. "I hope your daughter gets better. You did the right thing, helping the students get out. I hope you know it."
He'd already forgotten about Lucy. He couldn't believe she'd actually followed him into a burning building to save his daughter. For a moment, guilt surfaced over how he'd treated her, but then his daughter coughed, and the moment passed. Nothing mattered but Sarah, and anything, or anyone, who interfered with his ability to care for her would suffer.
"If my daughter dies, someone will pay."
He stepped into the ambulance after his daughter. The EMT reached to close the door, but Mr. Black put his hand out to stop it. "Lucy."
She turned and looked up at him.
"The other kids, they're in a facility in Utah." He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. "Here's the address. Don't let these guys get too powerful. It won't be good for anyone. And... thank you for helping Sarah."
He pulled the door closed and sat next to his daughter.
Her labored breaths came at fewer intervals, despite the oxygen attached to her.
Yes, if she dies, someone will pay.
Chapter 60 – Sam
In the last moment of his life, a bright glow rose from his chest and out through the window. Was it his soul? A final burst of energy from his powers? I didn't know, but whatever he'd been, the Seeker died to protect someone else.
It was a noble deed, and that's how I'd remember him.
The climb down the fire escape tore at my burned hands until the pain threatened to overwhelm me. The view from the window showed me a school fallen into chaos. My dorm would be completely engulfed in flames soon. Bodies of students and guards littered the once peaceful walking paths, and para-powers sparked everywhere in conflict.
A group of students moved toward the front gates, which had miraculously remained untouched by the fire, but not for long. I needed to get down there and find Lucy and Luke... and Drake.