Num8ers

by Rachel Ward

     Num8ers was a rather interesting book. It takes place in London in the beginning of the book. The story revolves around Jem, who is considered a "problem child" by the adults around. She has the ability to see numbers, but she didn't know what they stood for. That is, until her mother died of an overdose. She learned that by looking into another person's eyes, she can see their death date.

    

     After Jem's mother died, she refused to get close to anyone since she knew when they would die. She was moved around to different foster homes, until the family couldn't handle her anymore. Haunted by the numbers, she usually avoided eye contact, and just walked through life. She didn't see much good in life. Until she met Spider, a young man who also lost his parents.

     Spider is a friendly young man, who lives with his nan, Valerie, who can see a person's aura. Jem and Spider slowly grow closer. He sticks up for Jem, going as far to punch another student for laughing at Jem's paper. After he is suspended, Jem is constantly teased about being Spider's girlfriend. One day, she pulls out a knife and threatens another student, which leads to an expulsion. To cheer her up, Spider takes her out to the town. They have fun, until Jem sees people with matching death dates, and drags Spider out of the way, only to see the London Eye blow up.

     Due to cameras catching them running away before the explosion, Jem and Spider are forced to go on the run for fear that they will be arrested and blamed for the bombing. They set their destination to Weston. Later, they are separated, as Spider is arrested. Jem attempts to make it to Weston, but is soon found by the police. She takes refuge in a church, and refuses to talk to the police until they bring Spider to her. Her ability to see death dates is revealed, and she is constantly bothered by people wishing to learn their dates. She makes a statement saying that she made it up, and is soon greeted by Spider. Hoping that if she dies Spider will live, she gets ready to jump off the church roof. Spider stops her, before falling off the roof himself.

     Soon after, Spider has a funeral and is cremated. Valerie lets his ashes out over the water, before they are blown back to her and Jem. The story ends after skipping 5 years. Jem had her and Spider's child, named Adam. He, like his mother, can see the numbers. It ends when he is at school. He draws a picture with his mother holding hands with him. Under her is her special number.