The Final Six (The Final Six #1) - Alexandra Monir Page 0,72

for you to recognize the suffering going on outside these walls, and to understand why the Europa Mission is the answer,” Dr. Takumi continues. “To keep you informed and remind you of what’s at stake, I’m lifting the TV restrictions today.”

I glance at Leo and Asher on either side of me, unsure how I feel about this. On one hand, it’s a relief to be able to catch a glimpse of the outside world after being out of the loop for so long . . . but there is something manipulative about Dr. Takumi letting us watch the news on a day when the images are certain to be harrowing.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself as the screen flickers to life. But even after everything I’ve seen in the past two years, there’s no way to prepare for this: the sight of skyscrapers swaying and sinking into the waves while the earth shakes, the echoing screams of the hundreds of victims trapped inside. I grip the armrest with white knuckles as the scene shifts to a weary-looking anchorman facing the camera.

“We’re looking at the wreckage of Oklahoma City, which faced widespread destruction last night in the earthquake and subsequent tsunami,” he reports. “The landmark Chase Tower was one of the buildings to fall, and the entire state of Oklahoma is still out of power.” He rubs his face, seems to fight back tears. “This marks another city taken from us by Mother Nature.”

Panic presses against my chest. I can’t watch any more, I can’t listen to them counting the casualties. And as the footage pans over anguished Americans, standing in the waist-high rubble and water where their homes used to be, I shoot out of my seat. My family may be miles away from the epicenter of the storm—but they’re not far enough to escape its reach, not in this disfigured Earth we’re living in. And I can’t sit here a second longer, not until I know if they’re safe.

I can feel the other finalists’ eyes on me as I dash toward Dr. Takumi, who stands by the screen with a poker-faced expression.

“Please—I need to see my family, to know if they’re okay.” I look him in the eye, hoping against hope that my desperation might move him. “Is there anything you can do? Can we arrange a video-chat for today?”

He sighs. I can feel his refusal coming, and I try another tack.

“Not just for me, but—but for Beckett, too. I’m sure he’s worried about how things are looking in DC.”

It may be easy to deny me a favor, but Beckett is a different story. The president of the United States is one of the key figures who signed off on this mission, who helped get Congress to bankroll it. If Dr. Takumi thinks his nephew wants to see him . . .

“Fine,” he relents. “But let it be known to all of you that this is a one-time exception. If we allowed spontaneous video-chats every time a natural disaster occurred, we’d be spending all day in front of the computer instead of preparing for the mission at hand.”

“Thank you!” I cry, before turning to Beckett in the audience and mouthing, You’re welcome. After all, it’s because of me that he gets to check on his family. But he just looks away with a scowl.

“Sam!”

My eyes well up with relief as soon as I see his face. He’s okay, he’s okay, my mind chants on a loop, the air seeping back into my lungs. But as I look closer at my brother, I notice something is different. His eyes are hollow, all the light gone from them. It’s like looking at someone with my brother’s face, but none of his spirit.

“What happened?” I ask, afraid to hear the answer. “Is it Mom or Dad? Where are they?”

“They’re fine. The only reason they’re not here right now is because they’re helping the downstairs neighbors evacuate. The lower floor flooded completely in the storm,” he says heavily.

I flinch at the thought of the sweet, elderly Bursteins being forced to flee. “Did—did they lose everything? Where are they going to go?”

“They salvaged what they could, but . . .” He shakes his head. “They’re staying with us in your room, until they can get ahold of other family.”

“I’m glad they’ll be with you guys,” I say quietly. “So our apartment is okay, then?”

“Yeah, it managed to stay afloat. The damage wasn’t as bad up here. But listen, Naomi . . .” He