The End.

11

I rolled over in my bed, suddenly awakened by my blaring alarm clock. The small red letters read that it's five AM in the morning. Typically I dread waking up at such an early hour, but this morning is different. I've been anxious since they first announced we are going on our first raid. At first, they wanted us to go as soon as possible, but then there was a minor setback. We heard gunshots from the outside.

We trained every day for two weeks, then it was up to us. We knew the basics of our guns, and we were even issued guns that would be ours for when we go outside and for if there was ever a security breach.

Mine was a basic combat gun that had a nice scope on it and a long strap that I could hang it on my back with. It wasn't a small gun, but when it was hung on my back it didn't even come down to my knees. It was extremely accurate and after so much practice with it I feel comfortable enough to use it if I have to. We used a lot of ammo in the training we completed, but in the long run it will definitely be worth it.

I stood up, wiping my eyes with my hands and looked up in Alison's bunk. She was still sound asleep, wrapped up in blankets and her pillow was on top of her head. I have no clue how this girl does it.

"Ali?" I gently whispered, trying not to rudely awake her incase it's her time of the month and she's extra irritable.

"Alison!!" I said loudly.

"What??? Can I sleep five more minutes?"

"No!"

She sat up, nearly slamming her head into the ceiling, and gave me the grumpiest, pissed off look she could muster. I just laughed at her effort.

After she pulled her comforter and sheet back into place, she climbed down from her ladder-less top bunk, using mine as a step, and plopped down onto the floor.

We got dressed, grabbed our guns from the storage room, and headed to our meeting place in the cafeteria.

When we got there, everyone who wanted to help on the raid were sitting at a table, feasting on eggs and sausage (which were getting a little old now but I guess that's better than nothing) and conversing about today's plans.

Including me, there were a lot of people. Alison, Kyle, Calum, Mali-Koa, Marcus, Spencer and Toby, Alyssa and her dad Wes, and of course, David.

"Now. Who is definitely going?"

My siblings and I raised our hands, as did everyone else. Just as our father walked in with a stern look on his face.

"You want to go Alison?" He questioned, furrowing his eyebrows as he always did.

"Well yeah dad. I'm going. Mom said I can."

"I don't think you should go. You didn't even show up to all of the training, while your sister and brother went every day they had it."

"I'm going, and there is absolutely, positively, nothing you can do about it!" She said, raising her voice at him. My dad always taught us to not raise our voices, but to improve our argument. She obviously was thinking irrationally.

"No! Alison, I don't want you risking these people's lives because you're too selfish to not think about them."

"Dad. I can handle it!"

"Fine. Be careful. Stay with your sister. Carter, you stay with Kyle. Don't let me down on this one. Stay together!"

I sighed, silently accepting the responsibility of taking care of my bratty little sister who always seems to get what she wants.

We went back to the storage room and they gave us bulletproof vests. They said that they would be helpful, but if somebody gets a headshot on you you're out of luck.

Then, they gave us the rest of our gear. We wore camouflage army pants with at least ten pockets and black, long sleeved shirts. The pants I was issued were extremely ill-fitting. They were at least three sizes too big, but when I asked David for another pair, he explained we were all out; and my dad added that we needed to learn to live with obstacles. I rolled my eyes at his generic argument, but quickly realized that Calum had begun an actual argument, his pants were actually too small on him. The bottoms of them didn't even touch the end of his ankle and the beginning of his foot.

"Nice pants Calum!" I joked. I know it's not the best time for fooling around, but honestly who knows what could happen, and I might as well crack a joke or two if I can.

"Touché, Nelson." He said, calling me by my last name as if we were in the army.

"Wait, why don't you two idiots just switch pants? Carter, yours are too big, and Calum, yours are too small." Alison stated with her usual, sarcastic self. Then, she nonchalantly rolled her eyes and walked away, like she's above everyone.

I laughed, realizing that Ali was right. Then I guess Calum realized too, so he gestured me to follow him into the hallway and literally stripped his pants off not even looking too see if anyone was watching. Heck, I was even watching, not that I'd admit.

"Like what you see?" He said, his usual self floating back into place.

I rolled my eyes, taking the pants from his extended arm and walking away to change in the cafeteria where no one was currently at.

After Calum and I switched our pants, we were given boots and backpacks with boxes of ammo, a small first aid kit, and some ready to eat meals. My adrenaline was already pulsing through my veins.

"Well, is everyone set to go? We should get this show on the road before the outside world starts waking up." Said said as he slung his gun over his shoulder and patted Calum on the back.

My dad began locking up the safes, and I walked over to him to say goodbye for now.

"Please be careful sweetie. It's dangerous out there." He said, using his hand to brush my hair out of my face and behind my ear.

"I will dad. But I'll be back!" I said with a smile, and absolutely no doubt that I would be back. There was a small tinge in the back of my mind that I put off as my nerves.

I hugged him, as did Alison, and followed David and Calum out the door.

I felt a small tug on my arm on the way out. It was Calum. I looked him up and down, and seeing his smirk I decided to diffuse his sarcastic remark that I know was coming.

"You look good in camo, Cal." I teased.

"As do you, my lady." He said, taking a bow. A playful smile spread across his face.

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{an}

Teaser; okay, okay. It's finally time to get things on the road for the raid!