Leap Year

Chapter Seventeen - Another Species?

"You're protective," I murmur, leaning against a tree with my arms crossed over my chest and a leg bent so that the soul of my foot is against the dark bark.

"She hurt you," Hunter growls. "If that was a real alien and I wasn't there, you would've been dead!"

I chuckle. "Yep. Protective."

He sighs. "At least I'm protective over you."

"Yeah, that's true. I don't think I'd like to have it any other way," I admit, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Good, 'cause I won't have it any other way," he claims, walking over to me.

"There you are!" a voice shouts, breaking the relaxing moment. A sigh escapes my lips and I look down, smile fading.

"We've been looking everywhere for you guys," another voice claims.

"Well, ya found us," I respond. I slip past Hunter and look at the two boys standing before me.

"Did we interrupt something?" Luke slowly asks, cautiously.

"Nope. Where are the girls?" I demand, placing a hand on my hip.

"Er, they're, um, uh," Luke stammers.

"They're trapped," Mordecai comes to the rescue with his usual monotone voice.

"Way to be blunt," Hunter mutters.

I smack Luke and Mordecai, leaving a red hand print on their cheeks. They yelp and jump, rubbing their cheeks, vigorously.

"Where are they!?" I growl, flames flickering in my eyes.

"Th-they're stuck behind a few logs!" Luke spills.

"They're hiding from aliens!" Mordecai cries.

"They're alone!" the boys whine in unison.

I face palm, leaving a red mark on my forehead.

"You imbeciles," I murmur. "Lead the way," I command, throwing my arm as a signal for them to move. The two run off with Hunter and I at their heels.

"They're stupid sometimes," Hunter exclaims.

"Ya think?" I grumble. He simply chuckles until he notices the five aliens stalking a small den that has a log rolled in front of the entrance.

Ideas stroll through my mind. Mordecai can't do close range, Luke can only do close range, Hunter can do both, and I can do close. I notice a small hill a with a tree planted upon it. Hunter and Mordecai need to get there. Luke has more muscle than so he can move the log while I defend him.

"H-how will we get them out?" Luke questions.

"Well-"

"Mordecai, Hunter," I call, cutting Mordecai off. The three look at me. "Get to that hill," I demand, pointing at the small hill. I turn to Luke. "Luke, move that log out of the way. I'll make sure nothing gets you."

"Are you-"

"Just go," I snap, cutting Hunter off.

He nods and runs off with Mordecai towards the hill. I look at Luke and he nods, pounding his fists to create robotic ones. A sly grin forms on my lips as I unsheath my stick.

I bring my forefinger and my pinkie finger to my mouth then place them at either corner of my lips. I glance at Luke as he looks at me devilishly, then goes back to staring at the aliens. I blow onto my fingers, whistling to get their attention.

All five turn and stare at me then snarl and charge at us. Luke punches the closest one in the face, causing its body to flip into the air and topple over him. I run up to the next one, a blade misting into existence on one end of my scythe. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a small flame flicker as it grows bigger. I smile and skid short, having the beast pounce onto me just before a flaming arrow rips through its slimy skin, making it limp and lifeless.

"S-Serenity!" a high pitched voice shrieks. I look over at the den the girls are hiding in. Sapphire is reaching out through a small gap under the log with one arm.

"Ren, behind you!" Luke calls. I look over my shoulder a second too late. A large, slobbering mouth clamps it's jaws onto my shoulder. I cringe, holding in a scream.

After only seconds that feel like minutes, the creature collapses on top of me and the other dead beast.

"R-Ren?" Lillian stutters.

"What?" I groan, pushing the monsters off of me.

"W-why aren't they pixelating?" Carter continues, wide eyed.

What? I look at the two aliens, both of them just laying there, unmoving. They're supposed to be vanishing into thin air. Not laying here.

Suddenly, the trees and green scenery drops, revealing the gray simulation room. Beasts are everywhere. Alive and dead.

What's going on?

Abruptly, an alarm goes off. I push myself to my feet, ignoring my aching shoulder. The other three aliens jump me, trying to destroy me.

Carter's whip of a weapon snakes around the neck of the beast closest to me and forces it to stare at her. It snarls, about to pounce at her trembling body with Sapph and Lilli behind her.

A gun shot rings out and the creature drops as another one gets hit with a flaming arrow. Lilli pulls her rapier out of its cover and chants something unknown as she point it at the beast closest to her.

Chaos is breaking again. The school is crumbling. This is bad. Extremely bad.

"Everyone get to the jets!" a voice echoes on the loud speaker. "This is not a drill! Evacu-" the voice was cut off with a shrill shriek and a crash.

"Not so fast," a voice mocks with a low menacing chuckle.

My friends and I make eye contact then instantly nod, splitting off to get somewhere safe.