THE LAST GAMES: PROJECT PANDORA

CHAPTER XII: F I R S T D A W N

Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered. Flattered and surprised. Maybe I didn't know Leo as well as I thought I did. To be honest, I always thought it would be Ethan who would be the one saying this. The way he hangs around me like a stray dog. No; more like a a cute puppy. I stare at Leo for a moment. I don't know what to say. Then a blue flash cuts across the night sky. I gasp. It's much too pale of a blue to be a shooting star. I know what it is. It's the dawn of a war. It's a new Wave. The Ninth Wave.

"We've got to warn the camp!" I say urgently

"Warn them that I like you?"

"No, that- look behind you." He turns in time to see the blazing light collide with the Earth. A wave of pale blue energy ripples outwards from the explosion. Leo's jaw drops.

"They're here."

We sprint to the centre of the cabins, all of them arranged in an oval shape. I'm about to yell out and wake everyone but I think better. I find Dawn gazing at the lights. More are falling through the sky. I look at her and she nods, as if to say she understands. Thalia looks our way and Dawn motions us to follow.

We arrive in HQ. Rachel stands at a table staring at a map of the camp, which reads Camp Nine in the top. Camp Nine? There it is again.

"Well, we've waited long enough anyway." I hear Kate say as she walks into view.

"Waited long enough? Last time fifty-three people died!" Dawn yells. I have many questions, but I decided now is not the time. I pull out a chair and sit. It feels a lot better. Leo sits down next to me.

"Yes, but it was a miracle anyone survived at all. The others didn't."Rachel replies. Others?

"Wait, what others?" I ask, trying to get up-to-date. They ignore my question. I hate being kept in the dark.

"Hey, what happened to you two? Midnight swim, together?" Thalia asks with a wink. I roll my eyes.

"Don't try to change the subject, what others?" I ask.

"The other camps. We are the ninth; Camp Nine. All others suffered the same fate: annihilation. You happy now?" Rachel answers without holding back.

"Yes. Thank you." I reply.

Jacob and Hector run in. "We saw the ships." I nod.

"Well, they're here. And we need to be ready. I have plotted the most strategic positions for the squadrons." Rachel starts. "Kate, you of course are going to lead Squadron Alpha. Dawn, you go with Squadron Bravo." She looks to Hector and Jacob. "Hector and Jacob, you two lead Squadron Charlie. Ezra will be with Delta and Chloe with Echo. Get your people ready for a battle."

"I'll go get Ez." I say.

I walk out of HQ – a smallish tent of red fabric – and into the Cabin Centre. Ez sleeps in Cabin One, so I walk to that one. The Cabin is not tall. Just a simple wooden structure, like all the others. I knock on the heavy door.

I hear a male's voice coming from inside say "I'll get it." The door creaks open and Henri stands there, waiting"

"Hi Henri, could you get Ez for me?" I ask.