The Centauran Wars.

The cost of love.

"Alexis. Alexis cmonnn. We have to go."
Alice pleads as she grabs my arm and pulls me up.

I stumble up and smile at her. "Yea, I guess it's time to go.

I look around the area the dark woods, the small droplets of rain, and the houling winds refreshing.

I grab my rifle and look at Alice as she fumbles a revolver in her hand.

"Hey.. even if I get caught, don't use that thing, okay?" I say.

She glares at me, annoyed.

"If we die, we die together." She says in a stern tone.

I smile and look at her as I nod my head.

"Sure."

We start walking down the woods. Alice grabs my arm, her nails digging into my skin. I look at her, annoyed and say.

"Do you really have to dig into my skin like that?"

"Yes." She says in a harsh tone.

The moon casts a beautiful light unto the forest lighting the way my hand grasps hers, and we walk through the forest. Scared but confident.

The rain comes heavier. I listen to Alice as she sniffles and whispers silently. Trying to hold back tears.

This situation hasn't been easy on her, but she's still pushed forward.

The sound of bullets occasionally firing makes her jump. I hold her hand and pull her close to me as I comfort her in my arms.

stars are faintly flickering ... the rain is so calming yet dreadful. The wind hails through our hair. Her beautiful brown hair fluttered up in the wind and came back down with grace.

In such dark nights, I know my darling cannot rest. She's all too paranoid to lose me once more.

I look back at her, and she looks up at me. With a small whisper, she tells me.

"I love you."

I look into the depths of her beautiful gentle eyes and smile. Finding my happiness in such a hopeless place as I tell her.

"I love you too."

We walk through grass, bushes. And mud looking for our way out of this hell hole.

I wonder of our future. I only wish to have my son with her and live far from here on a ranch as we care for our cattle.

I know she's scared. She secretly wipes her tears as we walk through these woods.

She lets go of my hand. And I look back at her, grasping her hand and saying,

"I have faith in you, my sweetheart. Once we make it out of here, we'll be together.. forever."

She looks up at me. Her hair ran down her cheeks along with tears mixed with rain.

She drops on her knees, and I go down with her. She slowly breaks down in fear.

"I'm scared to lose you.. don't die on me... please." She says, putting her head on my chest.

I hold her in my embrace, kissing her head as rain drops all over us.

" I won't." I say hesitantly.

"I know you'll always love me. No matter what happens, I know you'll wait for me, my Alice." I say softly into her ear.

Her grip on me tightens as I help her stand up. Our clothes are covered in mud and rain.

She holds my hand once more as we walk through the dark night with only the moon as our guide.

The walk turns into a small sprint as we try to navigate these woods. And then I stop.

I pull Alice down and listen to footsteps around us.

"Footprints lead here. Keep a good eye out. Jacob traitors always play dirty." Someone says.

"Yes, of course.." Another responds.

I look at Alice. She looks at me and pulls me as we crawl slowly away.

Mud.. rain. Blood as well. The leaves of the trees and the thrones of bushes all scratch us, but as we keep crawling, the footsteps grow quieter.

I crouch up, and so does Alice. A look of desperation on her face as she grabs my cheeks and looks into my eyes.

Her hands are shaking, and i can hear her heart pounding. Her face is full of mud and cuts. Her hands move their way to my chin as she puts her forehead on mine and says.

"Don't let them take you.. and if they do. Let them take us together.."

Before I can respond, she pulls me into her embrace, kissing me gently yet passionately.

And that kiss made me forget about it all. Such a small gesture made this the most special night of my life, even if it only lasted seconds. To me, it was eternal. It's a flame that will never die.

She pulls back and smiles gently. So do I, and she whispers.

"I love you."

I move my hand to her cheek and say.

"I love you too."

My hands drop down to hers slowly as our fingers slowly entangle each other, and she smiles once more, standing up with me.

We walk once more into the dark woods. And then the sound of death calls out.

"Jacob! I told you they were here!"

Someone yells from behind me.

I get ready to run into the woods but the sound of a gun cocking stops me.

"You run. I shoot the girl." He says.

Another one comes running. He stands next to the one aiming his gun at me. This one who I presume to be Jacob... he's young.. but his face is scarred and hardened. His eyes are souless and yet even in those deep abyss he still shows guilt.

I raise my hands and look at Alice.

Alice looks at them with rage. Tears running down her face as she reaches for her revolver.

"Don't do it, Alice!"