The End.

31

We arrive at the smoke-ridden place we once called home.  We could hear gunshots, but no talking or yelling could  be heard from inside the truck.  To get out or stay inside the vehicle was the million dollar question, even though we all knew we weren't even supposed to be here.  We had to help though, they should have known that we wouldn't just run away if something happened.  They should have included us in their entire plan to avoid confusion if this did happen, which it did.  All those weeks we learned and practiced couldn't help us at this point.  We were screwed either way.

The smoke had begun to dispel, and the only thing propelling me was the adrenaline pumping through my system.  We decided to leave the truck and help our parents.

"Alyssa, you aren't okay to leave so why don't you just stay here, keep watch, and honk if you need us.  If something happens we can sprint back here and just leave without having to take unnecessary time."  Calum orders.

"Will do.  I would just slow you guys down anyways right now.  Stay safe."

We nod heads in agreement and crouch into position, guns in tow and backpacks strapped to our backs.  The butt of my gun sweeps my abdomen as I crawl across the muddy ground.

Behind me is my brother, who is keeping watch on the backside of us and we are led by Calum, who gave us the idea to stay together and try to find any sign of our parents.

Across the valley, the echoes of gunfire rattle my eardrums but we continue on.  The small breakfast I had today wouldn't have done me anything on a typical day, but the adrenaline running through my veins seems to fill my stomach.

Continuing in our formation, we crawl in our crouch position for what seemed like miles, when in reality we probably weren't even a quarter of a mile away from where we started.

I couldn't stop thinking about Alyssa, my parents, Calum's parents, even Alison.  The fact that they were all in danger this second and there was little to nothing I could do to save everyone frightened me.  It also frightened me that right when I realize I have feelings for Calum, we're in possibly the most horrific situation of our lives.  We should still be in school, at our own homes.  Instead we are being forced to grow up the rest of our teenage years in basically a warzone.

Scanning the distance in front of me, I recognize a flash of familiar hair.

"I swear I just saw..." I begin.

"Who? Who did you see Carter?" My brother asks, irritated as usual.

"I-I."  I continue stuttering.

"If you think you saw her, I thought I saw her to a minute or two ago.. I don't know what's going on. We're crazy." I shake my head.  I wasn't the only one who saw her?

I stand up from my tiring position. My knees had begun to ache.

"Where do you think you're going to go?" Kyle asks.  I didn't know myself, but following the person who looked so alike to my sister seemed like the best plan. I shrug my shoulders, taking off into the thick bushes and trees.  Soon after, Calum and Kyle follow close behind me.

Quickly and quietly, we make our way past many scratchy plants with lots of thorns that jab their way into my jeans and poke my thighs.  I don't even wince.

A flash of a black jacket crosses my eyes.  I sprint as if I am about to cross the finish line of the 10k race that I've been training for weeks; only this isn't a 10k and I'm not winning anything.

I follow close behind the figure until I can almost see her.

"Ali?" I call out.

She turns around, a wave of relief flashes across her eyes.

"I thought you were someone else.  I thought it was them."

"Who? Are they the same ones who took you? I thought you were dead! I thought you were.. dead."  I finish sprinting to right in front of her.  Not a second is wasted in crashing my arms around her warm, familiar body.  She's crying, I'm crying.  We're all piled into this ginormous hug and I wish that I could freeze this amazing moment. 

You know the feeling?  The first bite of pizza.  When the waiter finally brings your food and you can see him coming from across the restaurant.  Waking up early and finding out you can still sleep for another three hours.  Those feelings could not even begin to describe the emotions pouring out of me in this moment that I've been reunited with the person I've called my best friend since toddler days.

She pulls away after minutes of all of us suffocating each other in a bear hug.  Tugging on the bracelet I wear on my wrist, she smiles.

"I knew you could figure it out."

I smile back, and barely hear the click of a gun being loaded behind me.

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{an}

WOWOWOW ok who even knew that'd happen???

Vote/Comment please! <3

-Chloe