fallen | ✓

Chapter 42: "What Hurts The Most"

(Tagged: MedBay)

"SandSharks are invading soon! What the Hell are you all standing around for?!" A man barked over the crowd of people. I sat in my usual spot, as my ears perked slightly and I peered at the squabbler. He continued yelling desperately, "The CDF can't save us now!"

He continued squawking over the crowd before three large-coated men walked in, and past me. I glanced at them as one of them smacked the stock of his gun into a woman's forehead. Panic flooded through me and I stood up, weaving past the shouting crowd. Brook was still with Sam. He wasn't in his apartment so he was probably showing her his garage. I ran up to my apartment, quickly picking up Jackson, who was still half asleep, his plushies tucked in his arms.

That crazy bastard was right.

"Mommy..?" He muttered, rubbing his eyes. I put him down, taking his jacket and inching it onto him. "Where are we going.." He whined slightly. I tucked the plushies inside, zipping it.

"Bad people are coming to the city. We're going underground just for safe measures." I explained calmly, and quietly. "Make sure you have a good hold on those," I said, poking one of the plushies in his jacket. He giggled a bit, grabbing his small backpack as I picked him up, taking the back way out of Crane Town, avoiding the gunshots and screaming. I kept Jackson quiet as I went to the Plaza, inside and down the stairs, creeping into the underground apartment. I put him down.

"Cool!" He exclaimed, looking around.

I stretched, glancing at a figure entering the room. Joao holstered his gun, frowning a bit. "What are you two doing down here?" He asked as I stretched my fingers out in front of me.

"Sand sharks in CT," I said plainly.

"What are sand sharks?" Jackson asked, tilting his head. Oh, right. He doesn't know any of the factions.

"A group of bandits. Bad people. Don't worry about it, Jackson." I replied, rubbing his hair. Joa shook his head.

"There aren't any SandSharks in Crane Town." He said. I glanced at him, flinching. "You were fooled." He sighed, slinging his gun.

"They walked through the entrance and started attacking." I protested with a frown. He shrugged, glancing around. Suddenly, Sam walked in with a girl to his right side.

"Hey guys," He said with a smile. "This is my sister." He explained. She glanced at me and gave me a warm form of a smirk and I waved, mimicking her expression. Joa simply nodded. Jackson ran up, giving her a hug.

"Hi!" He exclaimed. She laughed a bit, rubbing his head. I'll be damned. She looks a lot like Sam, I thought. No wonder they're related.

"Were there any SandSharks up there?" I asked Sam. He shook his head.

"No, why?" He frowned. "Something going on?"

"You didn't hear that fucking preacher that was screaming his lungs out about the 'planned attack'? The men in coats?" I asked hurriedly.

"Nope." He said, popping the 'p'. Jesus.. I grumbled in my head.

Jackson pulled from his sister and I picked him up, slinging him over my shoulder. "Alright big guy," I grunted. "You need some sleep," I said, carrying him towards the door. "It was nice meeting you," I said to Sam's sister. She nodded.

"You too." She smiled. Her voice was thick and rich. Same accent as Sam. I turned on my heel and started my way back to Crane Town, trusting that it was now safe.

~~

Sam's POV

I wasn't gone long. Not long at all. My heart rate sped up so fast I swear to God I could've passed out on the spot. I stared down at my sister's unconscious body, then to Joao, who was leaning on a pillar, smoking a cigarette. "What the Hell?" I growled.