The Fallen {Jason X Salim}

A Way Out

We were perched up on top of a ridge, over looking the mother load of cocoons... I felt anxious to set the charges and hightail it back to the surface. It was simple really! Do what we had to do, and get the hell out of here... but I was also fearful for more pressing matters at this very moment.

I had told Salim that I liked him, and he had confessed to having feelings for me too. It was all a little bit of a blur, but I felt giddy, and somewhat relieved to have gotten it off of my chest.

Ah, yes... The whole chest fiasco... The burning was worsening with every inhale I took, and the coughing fits were becoming more consistent, and more violent each time.

Was I infected? Would I turn into one of them? Would I change like Joey and Clarice had?!

I shook the thought from my head, as I pulled the binoculars away from my eyes, and turned to face my Team... or what was left of it.

"Okay, listen up. We've been hit hard tonight. We've lost brothers... But we ain't giving up!" I said, in the most confident, determined tone I could muster. "We're gonna go down there, and fuck their shit up! And we're gonna do it together! You hear me, men, and woman!? Oorah!" I said, and everyone copied in response, except for Salim and Rachel, who merely glanced at one another and shrugged.

"We plant charges on as many of those clusters as possible, then detonate them remotely. The second those charges go off, we haul ass to the exit. If luck is on our side, we'll do more than just fry a few vampires; we'll create a diversion." I explained the plan, and everyone nodded their heads, seeming to understand.

I turned my attention towards Salim, as a sense of worry setlled into my gut. Shit, what if this didn't work? What if something went horribly wrong? This man had a son waiting for him back at home.

"Salim, you ready?" I asked, handing him the binoculars, which he took without hesitation. "I'm ready!" he replied. Our eyes locked for a brief moment, and Salim offered a weak smile. A smile I did not return. Too many things could go wrong if this didn't work.

"Okay then. Let's get loose, kids."

Salim glanced around all of us, as if realising that someone needed to go down, and the odds weren't in his favour, being the only Iraqi Soldier, surrounded by armed Americans. "Who's setting the dynamite?"

Everyone remained silent. I swear to god, you could almost hear the crickets, even down in the depths of Hell.

"I'll go!"

"No you won't!" Salim cut in, looking at me like I had finally gone insane.

"Why not?" I asked, furrowing my brows at the Iraqi Soldier.

Salim snorted, "Jason, you're not well. What happens if you cough and alert those things to your position?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah, I'm with Salim on this one, dude. It's too risky, especially with those charges. You could get yourself killed." Nick added.

I rolled my eyes at the both of them, "That's exactly why I should go, dammit! I'm not well. I might not make it to topside, but you guys can still get to the surface! Salim can still go and see his, son. I'm dying anyway, so let me go!" I explained. I saw Salim visibly tense, as he opened his mouth to argue back, but then Rachel interrupted.

"Personally, I'm with Jason on this." she said, with a slight shrug.

"Eric?" Nick asked, as if wanting one last person to confirm their opinion.

"I'm torn. Kolchek's guidance is the only reason any of us are still here right now, which is why I'm hesitant to send him in there alone!" Eric explained, but then turned his attention towards Rachel and I. "But, I do see both Jason and Rachel's perspectives as well. Jason, you're not well, but we are! We can still make it to the surface!" Eric finished, looking just as unsure as before. "I'm 50/50." he admitted.