"All right!" the DJ shouts, "It's time for the midnight countdown!"
"Time to go," I say, waving good-bye to Derek as I run out of the house.
I duck behind a tree and mutter, "All right, ten seconds to midnight…"
"Ten!" the DJ shouts.
Rustling.
"Nine!"
I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Eight!"
I turn to see Derek near me.
"Seven!"
"Derek!" I hiss.
"Six!"
"Layla, I need to know why you're acting this way!" Derek says.
"Five!"
"Derek, you won't understand!" I say.
"Four!"
Derek's hand grips my wrist.
"Three!"
I turn away and whisper, "Omega-Xis, a little help here…"
"Two!"
"No can do," Omega-Xis' voice whispers in my ear, "Too risky."
"One!"
Derek pulls my chin to him.
"Now!"
At the last call, I pull my hand out of Derek's grip and stand up.
"Not now, Derek!" I say, "I told you that you wouldn't understand, and you're proving me right!"
"Layla!" Derek says as I begin running.
The TR activates with the data.
"Show me the data!" I say.