The Zero Game

I’m so close, I can see the stitching on the back belt loop of his slacks, and the overgrown stubble on the back of his neck. I almost forgot how big he is. From down here, he’s a giant. I tighten my jaw and raise the pliers even higher. On three: one… two…

Springing upward, I jack-in-the-box straight at him and aim the pliers at the back of his neck. In a blur, Janos spins around, holding the neck of the golf club and swatting the pliers from my hand. They go flying across the room. Before I can even react, he’s got his other arm up in the air. In one quick movement, it arcs downward. And the black box stabs directly at my chest.

76

“HURRY… WE HAVE to get help!” Viv insisted, tugging on the sleeve of Barry’s jacket.

“Relax, I already did,” Barry said, scanning the hallway. “They should be here any second. Now where’s Harris?”

“There…” she said, pointing back to the machinery room.

“What’re you pointing at? The door?”

“You can see?” Viv asked.

“Just outlines and shadows. Take me there…” Grabbing Viv’s elbow, he rushed forward, forcing her toward the door.

“Are you nuts?” Viv asked.

“I thought you said he was in there with Janos.”

“I did, but-”

“So what would you rather do – stay out here and wait for the Capitol cops, or get in there and maybe save his life? He’s alone against Janos. If Harris doesn’t get help now, it’s not going to matter.”

“B-But you’re blind…”

“So? All we need right now are bodies. Janos is smart – if two people walk in, he’s not risking a confrontation. He’ll run. Now you coming or not?”

Lost in the rush, Viv trailed Barry slightly as he tapped his cane through the hallway. Looking over her shoulder, she once again checked for the Capitol police. Barry was right. They were running out of time. Picking up speed, she quickly led him forward. She wasn’t leaving Harris alone.

Halfway up the hall, they passed Lowell ’s lifeless body, still sprawled against the ground.

Viv glanced up at Barry. His eyes stared vacantly ahead. He couldn’t see it.

“ Lowell ’s dead,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

She looked back at the frozen body. Lowell ’s mouth was wide open, lost in a final, soundless scream. “I’m sure.” Turning back to Lowell, she added, “Was he the one who called you?”

“What?”

“ Lowell. Was he the one who called you? Is that how you knew to come?”

“Yeah,” Barry said. “ Lowell called.”

Barry’s cane collided with the base of the door. Viv reached out for the doorknob. As she pushed the door open, a cool burst of air brushed against her face.

“How’s it look?” Barry whispered.

Peeking inside, she made sure it was clear. Nothing had changed. The mop bucket. The propane tanks. Even the army blanket was right where she’d left it. Further back in the room, though, she heard a deep, guttural grunt. Like someone in pain.

“Harris…!” she cried, tugging Barry into the room. As fast as she moved, he held tight to her elbow. She thought about leaving him behind, but Barry was right about one thing: There was still strength in numbers. “You sure you can keep up?” she asked as they rushed forward. To her surprise, even with Barry’s weight, it was easier to run than she thought.

“Absolutely,” Barry said. “I’m right behind you.”

Viv nodded to herself. He’d obviously done this before. But just as she turned away from Barry and focused back on the room, she felt his grip tighten around her elbow. At first, it was just an annoyance, but then…

“Barry, that hurts.”

His grip got tighter. She tried to pull her arm free, but he didn’t let go.

“Barry, did you hear what I-?”

She turned to face him, but he was already in midswing. Just as Viv spun toward him, Barry backhanded her across the face. The punch was wild, catching her just above the mouth. Her top lip split open, and as she fell off balance to the floor, she could taste the thick sourness of her own blood.

She put her palms out to stop her fall, but it didn’t help. Crash-landing on her knees, Viv scurried on all fours to get away.

“What, now you’re suddenly quiet?” Barry asked. He was right behind her.

“Harris… Harris...” she tried to scream. But before she could get the words out, Barry wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled as tight as he could. Viv coughed uncontrollably, unable to breathe.

“I’m sorry – did you say something?” Barry asked. “Sometimes I don’t hear so good.”

77

JANOS’S BLACK BOX comes lunging at my chest. My eyes are focused on the two fangs on the end of it. They’re going straight for my heart – the same place I saw him stab Lowell. Twisting, I try my best to slide out of the way. Janos is ruthlessly fast. I like to think I’m faster. I’m wrong. The needles miss my chest, but they still punch through my sleeve, sinking deep into my biceps.

Pins and needles come first, shooting down my arm and rippling across my fingertips. Within seconds, the jolt begins to burn. A rancid stench that reminds me of burnt plastic fills the air. My own flesh and muscle burning.