Numbers: Where Their Story Begins

Chapter I Destiny Unfolded

Destiny

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I have been told I’m a beautiful girl, although I never thought of myself that way. I have a heart-shaped face with a straight nose. My eyes appear an ocean blue and sit slightly wide set. I have full lips that are tinged pink without having to add lipstick. I stand petite with an athletic build. I enjoyed running a few years ago but recently I haven't been interested. My hair appears black most of the time, although it is a dark brown. It stands out against my fair skin. My hair sits below my neck with a slight wave to the bottom. As I stand in front of the mirror in my room, I wonder if I would ever become what I wanted to be. The strong woman I saw in my mother, or the faithfulness I saw in my friends. Before my mind could wander any further, I heard Chloe beep her horn, meaning I'm already late for school.

Crap! I call out. Late again.

I hurry down the ice-covered driveway trying hard not to slip and fall. I make it down unscathed and climb into the navy blue Subaru.

Hey! I say.

Hey, Des! Wow. You look like you’ve been thinking way too much, Chloe says.

How can you tell?

I just know you, that’s all, she says, laughing.

Chloe has an oval face with a pointed chin and an upturned nose. Her eyes sparkle a chocolate brown and sit underneath low eyebrows. She wears eye-catching clothing, all the newest styles, that fit her curves perfectly. Her hair sits below her waist, totally straight and colored a light chestnut. She has a contagious smile even though her teeth lay slightly crooked. She has been my best friend since before kindergarten. Riding our Big Wheels down the street one day we ran right into each other. Ever since then we’ve been inseparable, unless she’s with her boyfriend, Darren. I can’t blame her though – he’s handsome, protective, and loves her very much.

We slip out of the car and head into school. It stands alone at the end of a long narrow road. The weathered sign hangs limply above the school, Raney High School, Home of the Frogs. Really, no one could be any more creative than that.

Senior year, I can’t wait to be rid of this place, I say, dreading the day ahead.

I know – I can’t believe you still haven’t filled out a single college application.

Yeah. I’m just not sure college is my thing.

Well it’s going to have to be your thing if you want a real job.

I’m not sure what job I want though. I know my mom’s probably going to kill me, but I think I may just take a year off, maybe take a few classes at the tech.

Sometimes I just don’t know about you, Des.

As we walk into biology, Mr. St. Clair begins his lecture on amoebas. How fascinating.

The rest of the day drags on in the same boring manner. Biology, English, math, gym, lunch, and then drama. The only class I actually enjoy at school. After the bell rings Chloe and I start toward her car. I can see Darren already waiting beside it. Chloe runs up to him and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.

I thought we could head over to Betty’s Diner and grab a burger. You’re more than welcome to come too, Des, says Darren.

That sounds amazing right now, I’m starving, I say, jumping into the backseat of the car.

The best comparison for Darren would be a model. He has a square prominent chin with deep-set, caramel-colored eyes. He has small, narrow lips that cover perfectly straight, white teeth. He stands tall and is fit. His hair is a light blond, styled into messy spikes. Darren has never been my type, I guess I like a guy that’s a little more rough around the edges; he’s almost too perfect.

I've always thought there was someone out there waiting for me. Like the decision has already been made about whom I'm going to be with, I just need to run into him. I think that's why I avoid dating people. I think I'll just know when it's real.

Darren and Chloe slide into the car and we drive out of the school’s parking lot. I start in on the conversation that’s been nagging me all day.

Four more months until my Number appears, I say, too excited to hold it in any longer. Chloe, you only have a month left, isn't that amazing?

Of course, I’m a little nervous too though, says Chloe. Do you think it will hurt?

I don’t know, says Darren. I heard it feels like a burning sensation. I still have six more months for mine to appear though, so I’m sure you guys will let me know what it’s like.

Well I’m sure it won’t be that bad, I say.

I wanted to try out for the swim team this year, but I was afraid that after my Number appeared someone would see it, Chloe says. I guess the whole team showers at the same time.

I know that’s why I haven’t signed up for any sports this year either.

I guess we'll just be sticking with the school play then, Darren says.

We pull into the parking lot at Betty’s Diner. It’s a small red-and-white 50s-style restaurant. It has white-and-black-tiled floors with red booths made of a weird plastic material. The waitresses all dress in poodle skirts and wear rollerskates to bring you your food. Most of the kids from our school hang out here. They fill the booths along the windows, so we decide to sit at the counter.

What can I get you kids? asks the waitress.

Ladies first, Darren says.

All right, I say. I’ll have the banana milkshake with a turkey club and fries.

I'll have the chocolate milkshake with a hamburger and fries, says Chloe.

I’ll have the same, says Darren. Except with a strawberry milkshake.

All right, I’ll put that order right in, says the waitress, rolling away.

We make small talk while we wait for our food. Chloe and I chat about how we need to go dress shopping for the senior ball before all the good dresses disappear. Darren sits holding Chloe’s hand and listening to us talk. Watching them together makes me long for someone’s hand to hold; for someone to love. I drift off thinking about the boy who may have the same Number as me. I wonder where he is right now, what he’s doing.

Then I see a flash of someone’s face across my vision. He has a heart-shaped face with a square chin. His smile is big and shows his straight teeth. He has hazel eyes that sit underneath his long lashes. He has brown hair, cut short and styled. His smile reveals a small scar across his right cheek. Then he fades away. I reach down instinctively and touch the right side of my ribs. A burning sensation spreads through me, deep into my bones. Like I’ve been encased in flames. The pain becomes overwhelming and I fall to the floor.

Chapter II History Revealed

Destiny

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When I wake up I’m surrounded by Darren, Chloe, and a few EMTs.

What happened? I say through squinted eyes.

Destiny, I am an emergency medical technician. I’m just checking your vitals. Can you tell me if you have any pain? speaks up one of the EMTs.

No, I don't think so. I don’t really know what happened though.

You just fell to the floor and passed out. I didn't know what to do. Chloe fills me in.

We are going to help you to your feet, states the other EMT. Do you think you can stand?

Yes, I say.

One EMT goes under each of my arms and pulls me to my feet.

How do you feel?

Besides a little dizziness, I think I’ll be fine. Thank you for your help.

If your dizziness continues or you feel lightheaded, come into the emergency room. You may have given yourself a concussion when you fell.

Okay.

They look me over one more time and make their way toward the door.

Are you all right? says Chloe, concerned.

Yeah, I’ll be fine really, I must’ve been dehydrated or something. I’m just going to go use the bathroom.

Want me to come with you?

No really, guys, I’m fine. I’ll be right back.

I race into the bathroom and shut the stall with a slam! I lift my shirt up slowly and look at my right rib cage. The Number 24 now stands out on my side. It looks as if I had a tattoo. It’s just solid black, plain number. I like it a lot actually. It’s exactly how my parents said it would be. I put down the lid on the toilet and sit for a moment. I think back to the day my parents told me about the Numbers. I was only ten.

My mother sat at the kitchen table fidgeting with the tablecloth. My father stood above me in the living room, concern spreading across his face. My father was a handsome man, he had dark brown hair like mine; it was always messy as if he had been running his fingers through it all day. He wasn’t tall, but he was built like an athlete. His light brown eyes were set back by his strong facial expressions. Opposite of my mother’s light blond, curly hair and her bright blue eyes. Her face a perfect oval. She was short and thin, fitting perfectly into my dad’s arms.

Destiny, we need to tell you something. It’s very important you pay close attention to what we say. It’s just in case something happens to me and your mother.

My father’s face seemed torn as if he didn’t know if he wanted to cry or be angry. He kept trying to change it, to be brighter, but it kept returning to that torn face. I walked over to the table without any hesitation, needing to know what he had to say. The three of us faced each other at the table. My father started.

Now remember, Destiny, you have nothing to be afraid of right now.

Okay, Dad, I said, even though as each moment passed I became more terrified. Afraid my parents would soon disappear.

Destiny, you are different from other kids your age, everyone except Chloe. You’re special, unique. You have something we call a Number and not exactly like the numbers you learned about in school. This Number is built into you, into your very body, and someday will be printed on your side. Few people have Numbers like us, but one day you’ll find someone with the same Number as you. Just like your mother and me. Special families like ours have a symbol that represents their family. Do you know the engraving we have on our door?

I nodded my head and let my dad continue.

Well that's our symbol. Families like ours display these symbols or family crests. Other Numbers look for the crest if they need help. Numbers also wear a golden pin of their family crest. Now not everyone decides to display their family crest, some think it’s too dangerous, so just because they don’t have a pin or an engraving on their door doesn’t mean they’re not a Number. Let me show you my Number.

When he finished, he lifted the left side of his shirt, revealing the number 25. Then my mother lifted the right side of her shirt revealing a number 25 as well. My mouth was wide open in shock as he continued.

Now I know you’re wondering what being a Number means and we will try to explain it as best we can for you. One important thing to know is when your Number does appear the bad people will be able to find you. At this time you should begin to be very cautious.

Who, Daddy? I said nervously, crouching down in my chair.

"There are people in this world, people who know about our Numbers, who would do anything to have what we have. People like us who have Numbers are special. We have good fortune, good luck placed over us. We beat odds we shouldn’t, reach heights no one else can, and those bad people want to take that away from us. They want to take it for themselves. Now there are people in history that you’ll learn about as you grow, that have been killed for their blood. The stories you’ll hear are not the truth. Others like are Abraham Lincoln, JFK, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, and Princess Diana. The list goes on and on of people like us, killed because of what they had. Our blood is the key to making the bad people like want us. I don’t want to scare you, Des, but I want you to be prepared, ready for what may come. These bad people – they are called Necromores. They may find us at any moment, any time, and that’s why we must always be ready, always on our guard. That’s why we have to move all the time; we don’t want them to find us.

Now you know about the hatch under the rug in the living room?

Yes, I said.

Good, just know for now that what’s in there is important and we’ll explain more to you when your Number appears. Now the bad people, the men and women that are after you, look like normal people. They look just like you and me, but they hide their true identities.

Like with a costume?

Sort of like a costume except they don’t have to spend the time taking the costume on and off, it just shows the way they want it to. They make themselves appealing to us so we can’t tell the difference. When the illusion fades that’s when you can easily see the differences. Eyes that are only pupils, black like the night staring into your soul. Teeth that end in points and are razor sharp, ready to tear flesh away.

Daddy, that’s scary.

Yes, but you mustn’t be frightened, you must be brave.

I’m pulled abruptly out of my memory by a loud bang on the stall door.

Are you dying in there? yells Chloe.

Not yet, I say, unlocking the bathroom stall and swinging the door open. Jeez, can’t even spare a moment of peace around here.

Not when you’ve nearly died.

I didn’t nearly die.

I walk over to the sink and take a look at myself in the mirror. I don’t look any different. I don’t even feel any different since the pain has subsided, but in this moment my entire life has changed – everything will be different now. I follow Chloe out the door of the bathroom. Darren is sitting at the counter looking anxious.

Are you okay? he asks.

Once again, Darren, I’ll be fine. I think I just need to go home and sleep it off.

Darren gives me a questioning look, but Chloe doesn’t notice.

I think that sounds like a good idea, she says.

We are all quiet during the drive home. I think Darren and Chloe are afraid they’ll set me off again and I’ll pass out. We pull up to my house, where it sits alone on the road. It’s a ranch??, colored a deep blue with white shutters. Deep thick woods fill the yard behind the house. My mom’s grey Volvo sits in the driveway.

I’ll see you guys tomorrow, I say, getting out of the car.

Feel better, Chloe says from the passenger’s seat.

The cold air hits me as I leave the car and walk up the long driveway. It helps clear my head and I realize what just happened.

My Number appeared today, a day I thought would never come. I wish my dad could be here to see it.

When I walk into the house, my mom jumps up from the couch when she sees me.

Are you okay? she asks.

Yeah, I’m fine. Why?

I just had this bad feeling today, she says, relieved.

Mom, we need to talk though. My Number appeared.

But your birthday isn’t till April, and it’s only January.

I know, I say, feeling nervous, I must be an early bloomer or something.

I see the terrified look in my mother’s eyes and it makes me want to cry. I know exactly what she is