Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker

Author:Terry J. Benton-Walker [Benton-Walker, Terry J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2023-09-26T00:00:00+00:00

CREEPS

In the first second of darkness, the world completely disappears.

I hear Liam’s sharp intake of breath beside me.

Eight minutes. Eight minutes until this is over. Until we’re free.

The first person’s scream ices my blood. The floodgates open then as screeches and shrieks ring out from every direction. I feel trapped in a coffin, my air supply quickly dwindling—but then the inside begins to fill with the rush of fear and anxiety raining in from everyone like sweat from their pores. It’s like I’m drowning again, standing in the dark by the stage, right next to Liam. I put my hand on his back, careful to only touch his T-shirt, to ground myself in reality. He doesn’t shrug me off or flinch. He remains strong and sturdy, like an old willow.

Breathe.

Focus inward.

Breathe.

Focus inward.

Dim emergency lighting clicks on, illuminating the walkways to the exits. Cell phone flashlights flick on throughout the crowd, strobing across the frightened faces of all the people stumbling over chairs, stairs, and each other to get to the doors. But none of them open. People snatch and bang and push and shout, but nothing works.

This wasn’t part of our plan. And now we’re all trapped here.

“Time,” barks Liam under his breath.

Oh, no. I got so overwhelmed by the influx of emotion from the crowd that I forgot to start the timer on my phone when the lights went out! I mumble, “Sorry,” and start the timer.

Liam presses his lips together, his disapproving face underlit by the glow of my phone’s screen, which makes me feel like even more of a royal mess.

You’re enough, Orin’s voice echoes in my head.

Not sure I believe that right now, but thanks anyway.

“It’s okay,” Liam whispers gently. “I guess about a minute passed before you started the timer. We’ll just assume the timer’s behind a minute.”

Relief curls through my chest. “Good idea.”

But my reprieve is short-lived, because Alex Wise never gets a break.

The timer crosses the two-minute mark, and the fireworks haven’t gone off yet. This is bad. The lights have been out for over three minutes now. Loren’s late.

My heart drops. I hope nothing’s happened to her.

“We can’t wait anymore,” Liam says. “It’s now or die.”

I boost him onto the stage, then grab his hand so he can help me clamber up too. His grip on my hand is a jumper cable, sending a tremor of power and adrenaline through me. I’m sensitive enough to notice the wisp of fear that follows the moment we release each other.

“Be ready,” Liam whispers, slowly uncoiling the rope. “Things are gonna happen fast.”

I swallow my nerves and nod.

He takes off in a fast crouch toward the front of the stage, where I can make out the silhouettes of Death, Famine, and Pestilence (who’s on his feet now) in a huddle. But something doesn’t feel right. Wait…someone’s missing.

My eyes dart around the stage, but War is nowhere to be found. I think to warn Liam, but he’s already halfway to the others, poised and ready to strike.

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