CHEERLEADERS VS THE APOCALYPSE
SEVEN

After all the excitement, Marco sent Taylor a super mushy text. I zoomed in and read it.

“Just thinking of you. Game done! We won!”

He put his phone aside and attempted to sleep. Xandi went back to her place and stayed up for several hours researching possible future encounters with Laken.

The next day she sent Marco a text asking him to keep his Sunday free. All Saturday was spent with him on edge. Everyone noticed something was off.

It’s Sunday night as of this log, and I’m worried he’s about to spill everything to Taylor, at least. He hasn’t yet, but he’s losing it.

Xandi asked him to meet her back at the football field where it all began, and as he waits by the front gate, his gaze is locked on the spot where Laken had been after the game.

As Xandi approaches him, she laughs. “I should have told you to wear something you can train in.” She tilts her head. “That being said, maybe this is better because you never know when duty is going to call.”

“Duty?”

“Remember that guy I fought Friday night?” she asks. He nods. “Those kinds of things happen pretty spontaneously. I caught wind of him attending the game the other night on a message board online. His group, The Coalition, like to start comment strings on various websites about what they’re planning to do. I was lucky enough to spot it. I’m getting good at learning what to look for.” She pauses. “Or he wanted me to find it. I’m not sure. He’s a tough one to figure out. Always has been.”

“You got a close personal relationship with him?” Marco asks.

“I did once…” She shakes her head. “I took a risk, and it paid off. Because I wanted you to see. He wasn’t planning on doing anything too crazy. The whole point was to get my attention. I think he wanted me to follow him, and he’s probably confused about why I didn’t. Once he meets you, he’ll put it all together.”

Marco chuckles nervously. “I’m going to meet him?”

“Someday, the two of you are going to fight. It’s almost certain.” She says it so matter of factly.

He swallows. “I’m not much of a fighter. You know that. I don’t like conflict or contact. It’s why I don’t play football.”

“But you’ve got a level head, I trust you, and you believe in helping others. Those are more important to me.” She bites her lip. “Outside of the squad, I don’t have many options. You’re the only people I know. I see the depth of your heart, and we’ve always connected on another level.”

“I understood the first time you explained it to me Friday night,” he says. “I’m nervous because I’m not sure how I’m going to be useful when there is so much I don’t understand and I’m not…I’m not that kind of guy.”

She puts a hand on his shoulder. “It’s my job to prepare you. To teach you. And one of the things that will make you an asset is that you’re a think first then act. I’m the opposite. You can quit at any time. I only want you to know and try because I can’t do it on my own.”

“And you can’t get one of your fellow aliens to join you?”

Xandi shakes her head and starts to walk to the middle of the field. “I wish. We’re all trained for different jobs. And we’re spread thin. We’re not doing as well as the Coalition. Their numbers are always growing. Members from our side are leaving to join theirs. I’m worried about your planet. They seem to be doing well in recruiting people from here too.”

“I don’t want my planet to suffer,” he says. “You’re right. I gotta do the right thing.”

She waves for him to join her. He jogs over. It’s dark, only the moonlight is there to see by. I’ve switched to night vision for convenience. “First, you’re going to be bonded with the gift. From there, we’ll know how to train you best.”

“And how do I get this bond?”

“Grab my hands. I have to let it go.” She holds her hands out to him and he stares at them for a long time.

Then he grabs them in his own. “And now?”

“Try to relax and focus your thoughts.”

“On?”

“Anything, really. The gift that comes to you will be drawn to that thought.”

“O…kay…”

Things are still as he does what she commands. Then the screen lights up. I switch back to day vision to get a better idea of what gift he’s claiming.

Orange.

Wow.

Orange as a first recruit is rare. She really does know how to pick them, because she picked well.

Xandi knows it too. Her smile says all.

Just as suddenly as the light appears, it’s gone. Marco pants.

“What…” He groans a little. “Why…do I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus?”

“Your body is going to begin adjusting,” she says. “Don’t worry, you won’t start doing anything strange until we start training. Even then, your gifts aren’t going to be the explosive kind.”

“And you know this how?”

“Because of the color that’s claimed you.”

He closes his eyes. “Too many questions. I’m not liking this.”

“I know, but I can’t tell you everything all at once.” She smiles at him softly. “We’re almost through it all.”

“I sure hope so.” He doesn’t seem all too happy about this, and it’s making me worried.

NANO REPORT:
WC: 23176