Terminator: Hope Unleashed

Beginning of War

Life couldn't get boring for the young John Connor. He was lying on his bed, as usual, while his mother was out looking for a new temporary job. He wondered, what kind of a life he leads now? Sure they had stopped the world from burning, but it had cost him his happiness, a chance to lead a normal life like normal people.

He can't take admission in any school, for fear of being recognized. Sure, he is older now, still his face hasn't changed much. Anyone who saw the face of ten years old John, can easily recognize the sixteen year old John. His chance of creating a recognition for himself in the world, other than the future leader of mankind, was gone now, forever. He was getting both irritated and frustrated. It was getting almost impossible for him to continue this life day after day. He needed to think about an alternative.

But right now, he is going to go out and get some fresh air outside in the streets.

John locked the door, and stepped on the streets. He went straight to the pizza shop, to check on Morris. That guy was friendly and nice. But John was unlucky. He didn't find Morris in the shop, there was someone else, since it wasn't Morris' day to sit in the shop.

He sighed deeply. Then his eyes fell on the mall, and he suddenly got an idea. The money his mom gave him yesterday for the pizzas was not all spent. He still has some left in his pocket. Maybe he could get in the video game parlor and have some nice time, even if it is just for a day. Wasting no more time, John moved towards his destination.

Once John reached there, he found that the video game parlor wasn't too crowded. John would never admit to anyone, but his reason for visiting the mall was not only for the video games. He wanted to see that girl again, who was waving at him yesterday. He looked around for signs of her, but she was nowhere to be seen. He frowned a bit. He was being stupid yesterday. He could've easily talked with her yesterday, but no he just ran away like a fool.

Pushing the thought of the girl away from his mind, he approached one of the consoles and sat down. He has like two hours to use the console for the money he has spent. He began to check the games the console has, but at that moment his attention from the console got diverted by a voice from his left side.

"What's your name?" A female voice asked, John.

John turned towards his left and his eyes shone brightly. It was that very girl, from yesterday and the one he was looking for. She was sitting on the console to his left. John realized he was staring and he needed to answer her question.

"Ah...John." He said, with a small smile.

"Cameron." She replied, with a smile of her own.

John felt butterflies in his stomach seeing her smile like that towards him. John had no idea why. He had seen many beautiful girls before, sure he never had the chance to talk to them, but he never felt like this, what he feels whenever he looks at this girl.

"Nice name." She added, when John didn't reply.

"Yours too." John said, getting out of his thoughts.

"Never seen you here before, John. Did you just move in here?" She asked, sweetly.

"Yeah, I just moved in here yesterday with my mom."

"What about your dad?"

John tensed slightly at her question. It was a normal question, but talking about Kyle Reese was a sensitive subject for both him and his mom, especially his mom.

"He is dead." John replied and looked away.

Cameron's expression saddened slightly. "I am sorry."

John smiled slightly. "It's okay. I never knew my dad. He died before I was even born."