Swarm by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti

uncertain. “When I crash things with my power . . . sometimes I don’t want to come back from that.”
    â€œMe too. With dancing.”
    Chizara hesitated. “So, you know how Nate says we should text everyone if we see Glitch and Coin?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œWe do that,” Chizara said. “Right after we beat them to death.”
    Kelsie almost laughed.
    â€œKidding.” Chizara shrugged. “Sort of.”
    â€œSo you don’t think Glitch and Coin are good people who just haven’t seen the light?” Kelsie said, mockingly.
    â€œNate’s light? Doubt it.” Chizara grinned. “I think they’re jerks who don’t give a damn about anyone, dolls or otherwise.”
    Kelsie nodded. None of the others had felt how good the crowd had been last night, how ready to pop. But then those two had turned it all into a nightmare.
    For a moment Kelsie let their anger spread out into the expectant crowd. And somewhere a few rows back, someone called out, “Hey, jerk! That’s my seat!”
    Kelsie dragged her rage back in, quashing it as the opening credits started to roll. She took deep breaths until she was back in control.
    Chizara looked at her.
    â€œJust letting off steam,” Kelsie said.
    â€œThat must be nice,” Chizara said. “When you’re angry, you can make the world angry.”
    â€œI don’t always let out what I feel.” Not since her dad had died. “I have to be careful.”
    â€œAs long as you don’t let Nate push you around.” Chizara’s voice sank to a whisper as the film began.
    â€œBut pushing people around is his superpower.” Kelsie stifled her laugh.
    Nate could be intimidating. It was good to have Chizara in the group. Someone strong enough to stand up to him.
    Of course, Chizara’s power had forced her to be strong. While they were building the Dish’s Faraday cage, she’d talked about how technology was pins and needles to her. Like having a thousand itches and she couldn’t scratch any of them.
    The movie was a little slow to begin, following some girl on what looked like a normal day—walking her dog, getting money out, shopping. The only scary part was that the camera was stalking the girl, watching from behind bushes, or pulling back out of sight when she turned around.
    â€œGreat. Shaky cam,” Kelsie whispered.
    Chizara’s grin shone in the light from the screen. “Thought you said the front row was awesome!”
    Kelsie didn’t answer. She didn’t mind shaky cam herself, but there were always people in a crowd who got nauseated. Plus, it was jarring seeing the familiar streets of Cambria through the stalker-cam lens.
    â€œDistract me?” she pleaded in a whisper.
    Chizara leaned closer, her words a breath against Kelsie’s ear. “Okay. What’s up between you and Scam?”
    Kelsie shrugged. “He’s a good guy.”
    â€œYeah, sure. If you like pathological liars.”
    Kelsie sighed. She knew most of the Zeroes disliked Ethan. Watching his voice work could be downright unnerving. Butshe could tell it and the real Ethan apart. They all could. So why freak out about it?
    â€œI wouldn’t have met any of you guys if it wasn’t for Ethan.”
    â€œI guess we owe him for that, at least,” Chizara said begrudgingly.
    â€œHe’s not my type, if that’s what you’re asking,” Kelsie said.
    Chizara looked kind of relieved, even as she said, “It’s okay if he is. I mean, I’m not judging. Seriously.”
    Kelsie was about to insist that he wasn’t , but a surge came from the crowd as the movie shifted gear. The stalking camera had gotten closer, moving up behind the girl.
    She felt the crowd’s excitement roll over her. In turn she opened up the feedback loop and gave back some of her own desire to be distracted and entertained. Maybe she and Chizara were