Life has become better and worse for Dinah Alcott. Just a week ago, the numbers showed that someone would take her from her family. Then, out of nowhere, the numbers changed. Her chances of getting abducted have gone down, which was a good thing.

  Unfortunately, her chances of dying had gone up. Dinah really wishes she hadn’t asked that question.

  In her defense, when she saw that her kidnapping had become less likely, her mind immediately jumped to two possible but drastically different conclusions. Either she was safe from an abduction, or she was going to die.

  As morbid as it was for a twelve-year-old to come to that conclusion, it’s also understandable. She had been living under the threat of being kidnapped for a while at that point. Why wouldn’t she think of the worst-case scenario if the greatest threat she had faced in her life was suddenly in the single digits?

  Making matters worse is the reaction of her parents. They simply refused to believe that she had powers. When she tried to talk to them about her possible kidnapping, they didn’t listen. When she frantically screamed that she was going to die, they made her talk to a psychiatrist.

  So, now, she didn’t know what to do.

  Dinah was banned from anything that would allow her to learn more about capes. Her parents believed that her imagination was just going out of control. This left her frustrated, afraid, and angry – at her parents, the world, and even the heroes.

  It was their job to stop the bad guys and protect people. Why would she die if they were actually doing what they were supposed to do?

  Why did she have to go through this? What did she do wrong?

  Lying on her bed, with her bedroom light turned off and the door closed, Dinah Alcott felt the silent tears spill down her face once more. She thought that she would stop crying at some point, but here she was, still acting like a baby. At least she wasn’t making a sound. There’s no need to wake her mom and dad, who would only end up yelling at her again.

  The betrayal of her parents and the knowledge of her impending doom were only part of her current state. The constant use of her power also gave her a crippling headache.

  But she couldn’t just stop, since each day that passed, the chances of her dying just kept going up. On those rare occasions when she asked if her parents would suffer the same fate, the results were the same as hers or higher, depending on the day and the question.

  That was another thing that she found annoying about her powers. She knew that when it gave her a number, that number would be right. But those numbers often changed, going up and down for no apparent reason. Sometimes the difference would be big, but oftentimes, it would be small.

  Dinah actually got a 13% difference for the same question in the span of ten seconds one time. How could it fluctuate so much? Granted, there wasn’t a lot of difference once the likelihood went over 60%, but still.

  Then there was the greatest mystery of them all.

  Despite the best efforts of her parents, she still got snippets of news from different sources. Either from TV, radio, newspapers, or people chatting with each other. Among the most popular topics seems to be the new cape called Seraph.

  Opinions about him varied wildly, from those who were utterly convinced that he was a villain to fans who were obsessed with everything he did.

  When Dinah asked her power about the odds of Seraph killing her, she passed out from the piercing pain that spiked through her head. Her parents found her on the floor, lying in a pool of vomit. She never tried that again.

  She heard that some Parahumans had defenses against other Parahumans. Maybe that’s what happened?

  In any case, she hasn’t had too many opportunities to find out if her death would be at the hands of villains. The number of questions she could ask was simply too few, and she didn’t know the names of all the villains in Brockton Bay in the first place.

  So, here she was, doubled over in pain and praying for salvation. That’s when she heard a tapping on her window.

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  Dinah’s eyes flew wide open, and she scrambled out of bed in a panic. When she faced the window, the air left the girl’s lungs. Floating just outside her house was the cape that the whole city was talking about.

  His white armor gleamed against the dark backdrop of the night sky. It looked similar to what the knights would wear in children’s storybooks. But what really caught Dinah’s attention were his wings.

  They looked absolutely beautiful.

  It was like elongated pearlescent seashells were glued together to create two giant fans that were then attached to his back. Dinah felt a burning envy in her heart and desperately wanted to have his powers instead.

  Then, he raised a gauntleted hand, making the girl's breath hitch. She relaxed, though, as Seraph gave her a wave with a smile visible under his glowing visor.

  She nervously waved back, and his smile widened.

  “Hello,” he said, though his voice sounded muted thanks to the closed window. “Can we talk? I promise that I’m a friend.”

  Dinah debated whether or not she should scream for her parents. On the one hand, Seraph was a stranger. On the other hand, her parents haven’t really done right by her ever since she got her power.

  Besides, this could be a good opportunity to learn more about capes. Maybe he could even help her stay alive.

  Making up her mind, the girl decided to unlatch the window and let the cool night breeze into her room. Some part of her was afraid that Seraph might try to grab her or worse, but he only kept hovering in the air with a smile.

  “Sorry for the late visit,” he said with a warm voice that made Dinah’s face heat up. This close to the Parahuman, she could get a better appreciation of just how tall he was. “I just thought you’d appreciate some assistance.”

  “I, uh, it’s okay,” Dinah stammered. Why did his voice have to thrum like that? “But, uh, how did you know that I need help?”

  He chuckled, and to the precog’s horror, it made her even more flustered. “Powers can have all kinds of perks and rules,” he explained with humor. “I’m afraid an explanation will have to wait. For now, I do need to ask if you’re interested in making your headache go away.”

  Dinah froze in disbelief. “What?”

  “You get a headache when you overuse your power, right?” At her nod, Seraph continued. “That’s called a Thinker Migraine. All Thinkers experience it to some degree. The more powerful you are, the worse the headache, and the more restrictions you get.”

  So, her power was really good, after all? Her head felt like it would split open after just three or four questions.

  “But, with my help, you won’t have to deal with that anymore,” he went on, and Dinah was enthralled. “A Thinker friend of mine has been using her power pretty much whenever she wants, and she doesn’t get migraines anymore. I’d like to offer you the same opportunity.”

  Dinah was quiet for a moment, taking in everything that Seraph just told her. Getting rid of the headache alone was already incredibly tempting. Using her power as much as she wants, any time she wants, though? She had to stop herself from agreeing right then and there.

  Even as young as she is, Dinah Alcott is an unusually prescient girl.

  “What would you want from me?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

  Instead of getting angry, Seraph gave her a beaming smile, which made her stomach twist. “Very good, Dinah,” he praised. “Never accept any offer unless you know what you’re signing up for. Many people older than you could learn from your example.”

  At this point, the precog’s face felt so hot, she was surprised steam wasn’t coming out of her ears. Ducking her head in embarrassment, she could only mumble incoherently.

  “As for what I would ask for in return,” Seraph went on, “I’d like to tell the PRT about you.”

  Dinah’s head jerked up to stare at the flying cape in disbelief. Her expression of incredulity only seemed to amuse him even more.

  “Your power would be incredibly useful in helping people,” Seraph explained. “The PRT and the Protectorate might have their issues, but they are sincere in wanting to save lives and protect the innocent. You could be a fantastic hero, Dinah.”

  “Are you with the PRT?” she blurted out in confusion.

  “If you’re asking if I’m a member of the Protectorate and working with the PRT,” he corrected, to Dinah’s chagrin, “then the answer is no. Our relationship is complicated. Right now, though, we are working together.”

  “And that’s all you want?” she asked warily. “For me to join the PRT?”

  “No,” he answered, annoying Dinah momentarily until he continued. “I want to let the PRT know about you. Whether or not you join them, however, is your prerogative. Understand, Dinah, that this isn’t something typically done. There’s something called the Unwritten Rules, and included in them is the importance of a cape’s secret identity.”

  Oh! This was something that Dinah didn’t know about. Then again, he did call it unwritten.

  “But there is an upcoming crisis that I believe can be averted with your help,” Seraph said. “One that could lead to a lot of people getting hurt if we don’t stop it.”

  Dinah gasped in realization. It never even occurred to her that she might not specifically be the target that would cause her to die! Having such severe limitations was just too distracting, which is what sealed the deal for her.

  “Do it,” she said firmly.

  “Are you sure, Dinah?” Seraph asked solemnly, his smile disappearing after she gave her answer.

  “I am,” she assured him. “Getting headaches after asking only a few questions doesn’t help. My power only makes me more worried. I can’t stand it! If you can make the pain go away and make my power more useful, then yes, I’m sure.”

  Seraph nodded. “Then, close your eyes. This is going to be bright.”

  Dinah did as he said. Sure enough, she could see the brightness even through her closed eyelids. Warmth surrounded her body, and an indescribable feeling of relief swept through her. Never in her twelve years of existence has she felt this good.

  Not only did her head stop hurting, but even the aches and pains that she’s been feeling in her body due to stress were gone. Once the light died down, she opened her eyes to find Seraph smiling at her once more.

  “Thank you,” she breathed while trying to contain her tears.

  “You’re a strong girl, Dinah,” her savior said in a soft voice. “Far stronger than you know. Now, go ahead and sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day for you.”

  She could only nod, unwilling to speak out loud, or she might start bawling. Seraph seemed to understand, though.

  “Good night, little one,” he said before flying off.

  Dinah watched him go until his distant form was swallowed by the night. She then closed her windows and lay down in bed, feeling more at ease than she’d felt in a long time. Before allowing herself to fall asleep, though, she had to ask one question.

  “Chances of me dying in the next month?”

  0.001%

  With that, the previously troubled young girl succumbed to sleep’s embrace.