The First to Die at the End (Death-Cast #0)(74)

“Oh shit, a Broadway show?” Orion asks, looking over my shoulder.

“I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m not interested in revisiting Times Square for some reason.”

“Hmm. Yeah, I wonder if it has anything to do with the dude who pulled a gun on you.”

“Probably more because it was really crowded.”

“Good point, good point. Anything else jumping out at you?”

“Not really.” I close the website and right as I’m passing the phone back to Orion it begins ringing. “Scarlett.”

“Get it, get it, get it!”

I put the phone to my ear and answer. “Hey.”

“I got a flight!” Scarlett shouts while breathing hard, sounding just like when she’d join me for a run and would yell at me to slow down whenever my thoughts carried me ahead of her.

“You did?!” My smile tells Orion everything he needs to know. “For when?”

“They’re about to begin boarding. . . . I don’t even have my suitcases!” She’s panting and telling people to excuse her as she charges past. “It sounds like . . . a Decker has been pulled off the plane . . . airline sees it as a risk . . .”

Hopefully the Decker wasn’t trying to go home to see family. In the event they are alone, I hope they find someone who can help make their day count. Like I have.

“I feel horrible for them, but I’m grateful I’ll see you.”

“Twin thoughts. I’m here, I’m going to board. I love you, Val. Be safe so I can see you soon.”

“I’ll guard my life with my life.”

We hang up. I’m so happy that I start shaking. I might even cry.

“Scarlett’s coming!” Orion says.

“She sure is! She’s boarding her plane now.”

“We just got to guard your life with your life,” Orion says, smirking.

Five-hour flight with another hour for traffic. I have to survive another five hours. I’m not good at math, so I don’t know what the probabilities are of seeing Scarlett with just under twelve hours max before my End Day concludes, but the odds are feeling great. I’m no longer exhausted and starving, I’m rested and satisfied. I would take off into a run right now with my hands thrown up in the air as if I’m breaking through marathon tape, but now’s not the time to overexcite Orion’s heart or risk falling into a manhole.

“What should we do? How about something iconic? Maybe the Empire State Building?”

Orion winces. “I’m not going to hold you back, but I don’t really do super tall iconic buildings anymore.”

“Say no more.”

“I’m happy to go with you, I’ll just hang out downstairs.”

I try to make sense of how that would work in this new world of Death-Cast. If Orion—someone who isn’t dying today—doesn’t accompany me up to the Empire State Building, does that increase the risk of something catastrophic like the attack on the World Trade Center? Or if he did go up with me, does that thwart death? I’m sure the world will get its answer one day, but I’ll die without it. It doesn’t feel like a true loss in the grand scheme of things, and the same goes for not visiting the Empire State Building.

“No worries. It would’ve been cool to feel like a king of the world and swear at the sky again, but I’ll save that for another life.”

He’s quiet, and I feel bad. I don’t want him down on himself, because he’s not holding me back. He’s been pushing me forward.

“I’m sorry. I was only kidding.”

“No shit,” Orion says with a smirk. “Come on, I’m not that soft.”

It’s funny how well I feel I know him and how much more there is to learn. The one bright side to Scarlett not being here yet means I get to spend more time with Orion. Hopefully I’m able to introduce them to each other. Not only because Orion will be carrying my heart but in the hopes he can look after Scarlett in New York when I’m gone.

“What are you thinking about, then?” I ask.

“The next two stops in your End Day adventure. The first is somewhere most New Yorkers haven’t visited, and the second is iconic. Do you want to know or be surprised?”

I choose surprise. That’s a welcome gift.

Wherever Orion is taking me, it’s also downtown and only a few minutes away from the street corner where Scarlett called with the best news. The best news given my situation, that is. It’s dawning on me that even if I reach out to my parents this second, it would be pretty impossible for them to see me in person one last time. Should I feel guilty? Do they deserve that chance? What do I owe them as the son they raised? Then before I can voice any of these feelings, I remember Orion’s wisdom from last night. I’ll speak to my parents if I have something to gain. But I owe myself peace more than I owe them anything.

Today is beginning to feel like I’m doing years of growing up within hours.

“Earth to Valentino,” Orion shouts. “I love your little lost-in-thought moment but I kind of have to blindfold you quickly.”

“Why?”

“So you can’t out my organ harvesters, duh.”

“Cool. Just wanted to know.”

Orion removes his hoodie—technically, my hoodie—and wraps it around my head. His smile is the last thing I see before the sleeves are tied around my eyes. The hoodie is snug around my face, and the darkness is more peaceful than I’d imagine. A shiver runs up my spine when Orion holds both of my hands. This alone could be the surprise, and I’d love it. He starts leading me to our destination, and I’m walking awkwardly like that time I put on my mother’s high heels as a kid, nervous I’m going to fall and snap an ankle.