Hide For Me

Sixteen

I wake up and rub my eyes, "Good morning George, I was just about to wake you up!" George yawns and stretches. "It's so early,"
"Yeah, that's because we have a battle to prepare for." I froze at the words battle. The dream from last night came flooding back. "Clay," I hesitated, "I don't think we should do this. Can't we just give them some land? We have enough surely?" Clay sighed and finished tying on his mask. "If we just gave them land then they would see us as weak. And if they saw us as weak they would take more until we have nothing left," he turned around and crouched down to my level, "Thats why," he kissed me gently on the cheek. "Now get up," he spoke playfully.

I walked into the kitchen and got myself a glass of water, as I sip it, I see Karl walk in and lean against the door frame. "Hello, George,"
"Hi Karl," I gulp down the last few drops and place my glass in the sink, "What's up?"
"Oh nothing much, just taking in the fact we are going into "war"," I put air quotes around the war and Karl chuckles, "Yeah, Clay never really trusted Ethan." I nodded and left the room. I could hear people scrambling around quickly as I walked back to my room to get changed.

I grab myself a sweatshirt and some jeans from the dresser and put them on. Just as I finish adjusting my sweatshirt so that it feels comfortable, the door slams open revealing Clay. I can't tell whether he is excited or angry because of that stupid mask. "George! Hurry up and get your weapon from the weapons safe, we'll be leaving in 30min!" I sigh and rolled my eyes, he walks up to me and ruffles my hair with a chuckle, "You'll be fine."

I'll be fine? Those words rush around my head as my mind starts to wonder. He doesn't know that, he's not physic, is he? No, that's stupid. Stop being stupid. But still. How can he know if I'll be fine? This war could end terribly with Clay dying and Ethan taking over. I begin to shudder. The words and phrases becoming louder by the second, "What if everything isn't alright?" The words unintentionally escape from my lips. "What?" I turn to see Dave, wearing his usual pig mask, red cape and armour. "Oh, uh. I didn't see you there..." Unlike Clay's mask, Dave's only covers half his face, so I can see what his mouth is doing. He chuckles, "Don't worry about a thing George, everything will be alright," he smiles and walks off. Just like Clay did.

I grab my crossbow and follow everyone out of the base. Phil and Ranboo helped to set up a trap, in case anyone tried to enter it. I tugged at the collar of my sweatshirt as I began to feel hot and sweaty. It wasn't a hot day, it was quite cool. I just felt nervous and constricted. Images of blood and war flashed in my head, pulling me in all different directions. My breathing became fast and uneven as I walked at the back of the group, trying not to get noticed. I rub my temples, I lost my childhood friends. I don't want to lose anymore.

"Are you alright, George? You look scared," I look to see Clay walking next to me. I open my mouth but fail to form any words, "Will told me you looked worried so I had to come check up on you." A lump formed in my throat as I heard how genuine his words sounded. It made me feel warm inside. I finally pieced together my words and sighed, "What if something goes wrong? What if we are making a huge mistake? What if something happens to you?" Clay gently grasped my head, "Nothings gonna happen to me. And don't worry, I've got your back,"
"But... who will have you back?"
"I-," Clay hesitated. "Don't worry, the others will," I can tell that he is trying his hardest to sound convincing but I can hear the worry in his voice. I nod and sigh.

I watch my feet as they take steps, taking me closer to our destination. My legs begin to ache, I should not have worn jeans for this. I stop abruptly by bumping into Niki, "Oh, sorry!"
"It's fine," she smiled and I smiled in reply. "Our destination is in 15min," Dave's voice boomed, "Darryl, Ant remember to take your spot. George, Zak, Caroline and Karl, remember to get into formation." We nodded and then we continued forward, making sure to watch our backs.