Nikki only half-listened to Andrew’s explanation of Nox, Korac, Colita, and their grudge against Rayne’s ancestor. Instead, Nikki kept peering around Kyle to see if Rayne was on her way back from the restroom, yet.

“Don’t worry. Sagan’s with her,” Kyle assured, clued into the direction of Nikki’s distracted thoughts. As he discretely laced his fingers through hers, she soaked in the comfort.

At least there was someone else who shared Nikki’s secret misery—A support group to pine in silence after the blue-eyed, midnight-haired beauty. Like with all unrequited love, Rayne was oblivious to their suffering. So, it was nice to see Kyle’s eyes flick toward the hallway for the same reason Nikki couldn’t keep from doing it.

When Rayne emerged through the terrible lighting, Nikki fought not to cry in delight. There was an additional sobering at the sight of Rayne and Sagan holding hands.

Rayne said, “Matt survived.”

Sagan pointed behind them. “We just sent him out to the football field.”

Well, there was some good news. Still, the reminder of peril filled Nikki with shame. This was an apocalypse, not an excuse to moon over Rayne, who looked perfectly content with Sagan.

Kyle squeezed Nikki’s hand before releasing it. He said, “We’re all caught up and ready to move on.”

Tameka punched her fist into her palm. “Let’s kick some ass.”

Even though some tension had surrounded Andrew’s arrival, the other four Progeny—Tameka, Sagan, Rayne, and Kyle—all gained some confidence by Andrew’s presence. Nikki found it infectious. Even John stood a little straighter and gripped his knife tighter as they made their way down the hall.

Rayne took point and as they approached the library, Nikki heard her mutter, “Please, don’t let there be anything around the corner.”

Rayne, Andrew, and Kyle popped their heads around. Kyle cursed, and Andrew shook his head.

Nikki asked, “What is it?”

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Rayne’s eyes were on Sagan as she said, “Have a look.”

Tameka and John went with Nikki to catch a peek.

An Icarus, almost as tall as the door, lingered inside the ‘Media Center.’ By the glare of the emergency lights, Nikki saw the attractive man was wearing black leather. Coat, pants, gloves with the fingers cut out, and heavy boots. His straight, white hair flowed down to his waist, looking like a stereotypical Anime villain.

Nikki whispered, “Think we can slip past him to the cafeteria?”

Kyle shrugged. “Yeah, but we can’t be sure if there’s more waiting on us.”

Rayne never took her eyes off Sagan, who looked as though she were afraid to peer into the library. Rayne said, “We take that chance.”

John asked, “Is that Nox?”

Nikki said, “No. Remember? Korac has long white hair.”

“Right. Hard to keep track of all these players.”

Rayne beamed so brightly at Nikki’s correct assumption that the wattage melted her heart. Rayne said, “Good eye, Nikki.”

Sagan, on the other hand, hid something close to panic.

Tameka continued the briefing. “He’s armed. Two weapons, but I can’t tell what they are. We can’t fight him with these.” She shook her tiny knife for emphasis. “He’s between us and the cafeteria, but we can make it.”

John ticked off on his fingers, saying, “Okay, so we’ll sneak by the library and hope like hell Krack or Borak or whatever his name is doesn’t catch us?”

Sagan smiled. “To put it simply, smart ass, yes.”

He shrugged. “Just making sure we’re on the same page. Oh, and sorry, Kyle. I didn’t mean to come for your title.”

Sagan snickered. Nikki rolled her eyes. Kyle, resident smart ass, added, “Don’t get cute.”

Andrew muttered to the ceiling, “We’re all gonna die.”

Rayne took a deep breath before saying, “Okay. When I count to three, Tameka and I will run by the library. Andrew will go last with Kyle to be sure everyone gets there safely.” She inched a little forward. “One. Two—”

“Wait, wait,” Nikki said. “Do we go on three or after three?”

Tameka laughed.

“Three.” Rayne and Tameka ran alongside the wall, past the Media Center entrance, and slipped around the corner.

Tameka signaled for John, Nikki, and Sagan to follow next.

As Nikki ran past, she glanced inside. Korac took a drag on his cigarette as he examined a ‘Stamp-Out-Smoking’ poster. He blew a smoke ring at it. Adrenaline kept Nikki from staring and blinking at his magnificence.

Andrew and Kyle brought up the rear.

As Andrew slipped into the hall, he muttered, “Man, I could really use one of those.”

Sweat from stress cleared a streak through the soot on John’s face. “Oh, yeah? Why don’t you go ask him for one?”

The two glared at one another.

Nikki snickered—Again, inappropriate response, but she’d heard once that a morbid sense of humor in the face of adversity was healthy.

Someone put their hand on Nikki’s back, and she peered up to find Rayne beaming down at her. The person Nikki wanted most said, “You’re doing great.”

As they made their way into the bowels of the burning school, Nikki knew there was nowhere else she’d rather be.