The Experiment

Chapter XI

Katrina glanced over at them. Sure enough, the two of them were nervously looking towards the blocked windows and doors, where the wind was starting to pick up.

"Yeah," Katrina replied. "Who wants to go with Alisha?"

Ted shook his head. "It's obvious that you're not going, so I'm staying with you."

Wyne chimed in his agreement. "Yeah."

"I guess we'll be going with Alisha then," Celia replied, sighing in relief. Some of the color had drained back into her face, as her power undoubtedly told her that she'll be fine.

"We must go now," Amari declared. "The tsunami will hit soon, and the hurricane not long after. Good luck." With that, she and the three others climbed over the furniture and outdoors, where Alisha floated them up. Katrina watched them hanging in midair for a couple of moments before moving the furniture back in its place.

"David, you'll be fine?" she asked.

"Me good," he confirmed, giving her a thumbs-up. "I safe."

Katrina nodded, not doubting his safety. David was so intangible that he was transparent. He looked like a ghost.

Ted sank down onto a couch, sighing. Katrina climbed the stairs to the second floor, where the windows and doors were not blocked.

She peeked out the window and towards the ocean. Whatever sunlight there was, was almost gone. Clouds darkened the sky and drizzle created small puddles of water on the streets. She peered further out towards the sea, and to her alarm, a five-meter-tall wave of muddy gray water was rapidly approaching. It knocked down trees like dominos and she could hear metal groaning as the buildings tried, and failed, to withstand the force of the water.

"Everyone get ready!" she screamed, rushing downstairs. "It's coming!"

Ted barely had the time to look at her in alarm before the wave hit them. Katrina held on to the balusters for dear life as the water, sharp glass, wood, and other debris slammed into her. With one last effort, Katrina wrapped her legs around the baluster as it was ripped from its foundation, and she was left to the mercy of the waves.

Water covered her screams as she struggled to stay afloat. She kicked her legs and lunged towards a floating tree, its branches slapping her arms. As Katrina got a sturdy grip on its limbs, she wiped the blood streaming down her face out of her eyes and glanced around, looking for a glimpse of Ted or Wyne. Neither were found.

As the waves slowed and calm down, Katrina climbed onto the tree, sitting on it as she called for the others.

"Ted? Wyne? Where are you?" she yelled, her voice hoarse. As the minutes passed without an answer, her panic grew. She could see patches of dark maroon blood in the water, as well pieces of red objects, floating next to her. She shuddered as one of those objects bumped into her foot, releasing a stream of blood into the water. She turned away as she gagged, the irony smell choking her.

Katrina nursed her wounds quickly, remembering Amari's warning that the hurricane would approach soon after the tsunami. There were deep cuts all over her body, ones that she knew could be fatal if not treated properly. She ripped off the sleeves of her shirt, binding the injuries tightly. However, within moments, the fabric was soaked with blood.

Katrina hissed as she dug a piece of glass out of her skin, pain seizing her body. She yanked it out and threw it away, the glass landing with a splash in the water.

Katrina cursed weakly as she found blood pouring out of her wounds in currents. She fumbled with her bandages as she attempted to retie them, but instead, she dropped them.