Hope (Based on Call of Duty Ghosts) (Final Book of the Faith Trilogy)

Chapter 17- Deadly Plans

Alec's POV:

Some part of me knew where Hailey was, but I was never able to pinpoint it. The Ghosts distracting me for more training truly held me back from discovering where Hailey was. Logan hadn't been found in the weeks he was gone and, for once, I truly felt doomed.

It left Kick, Hesh, Merrick, and myself to do all the work. I was slowly starting to feel all of us drift apart, each of us choosing one side or the other. The only person who wanted to stay a Ghost was Kick. At times I had to admit his determination to stick with the Ghosts was inspiring. It still didn't matter.

Hailey hadn't been known of for two months, Logan had been missing for at least a month and a half, and Illusion, Keegan's horse, had run off during one of the nights. We were all still slowly drifting apart. Part of me dreaded it, part of me loved it.

For years, I'd been trained to fight against the Ghosts with every wit inside me. After learning that Hailey was my sister, some part of me had broken into two. I felt obligated to protect her and care for her; she was my sister. So now that everything had broken up as it did, I felt like it was my responsibility to take care of the Ghosts for Hailey and Keegan both.

Keegan.

I shattered from the inside out hearing his name. Though I didn't tell anyone, I was haunted often by his death. Mostly in my sleep, sometimes in my awoken state, and especially when I was by Hailey. Keegan was always there, as if haunting me for what I'd done. He was my partial drive to continue fighting; I just didn't know for what.

"Alec," a low voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

From where I stood overlooking the mountains on the rooftop of a part of the base, I glanced back to see Hesh just entering the top of the building. I looked back to the mountains, my hands gripping the railing tightly. Hesh walked towards me, making me tense in a subtle way.

"We've been looking for you," Hesh spoke, still looking at me. "We thought you..."

"I what?" I challenged and looked to him. "Left?"

Hesh didn't say anything, but instead pulled out a piece of technology with a map glowing on it. I rolled my eyes and looked out to the scenery again. My attitude towards the Ghosts had gotten more snappy over the weeks- from the stress and worry.

"A possible location of Logan has been discovered," Hesh made my attention face him completely.

I thought of Logan as a brother. I'd helped him become stronger, but, once again, against Hailey's wishes. I still wanted to fix her anger for that too.

"Where?" I looked at the map.

"Here," Hesh zoomed up on the screen.

"That's where Hailey defeated part of my army," I stated flatly, examining the spot. "Makes sense."

"And there's a possibility for Hailey too," Hesh added and I froze, my gaze shifting to his with a small flicker of hope. "Illusion took off in that direction," Hesh zoomed out on the map and pointed with his finger towards the mountains. "Ivana and Logan are north of where Illusion went. We have a strong feeling Hailey is in this town."

I narrowed my gaze to the location. It looked familiar. "Jason."

"Who's Jason?" Hesh pulled away from the screen slightly.

"No one important to you," I stated flatly.

"Hesh?" Merrick came up the stairs to the roof.

I rolled my eyes to the Ghost and faced back out to the mountains. Even though he was so "wise," I avoided Merrick whenever I could. Mostly because I knew what was in store for him, which he seemed so blind to.

"Kick!" Merrick called back.

In no time, the soldier came bounding up the steps, Riley coming with him. The German Shepherd trotted over to me and nudged my leg, looking for attention. With reluctance, I rubbed his head.

"Did you show him?" Merrick asked.

"What does it matter if he sees anyways?" Kick snapped. "He doesn't care!"

"He does," Hesh argued back.

This was getting to be an everyday thing: their arguing. I was annoyed, but felt as if I could do nothing. The Ghosts were truly falling apart...day by day.

"All of you shut up!" I spun around and yelled, making Riley cower.

Hesh was glaring at Kick, who was glaring at him, while Merrick glanced between the two. His gaze slowly traveled to mine and narrowed. I released my clenched fists in an attempt to control my rising anger.

"You don't even know for sure if your calculations are correct," I stated coldly. "It will be a waste of time."

Hesh stepped towards me then and I snapped my gaze to him. His eyes were full of something I hadn't seen in a long time: fear and worry.

"Alec, I'm tired of having to worry about my little brother. I want to get him back so I can sleep for one night without being haunted by my father!"

I could relate to Hesh completely. The same was happening with me, but with Rorke and Keegan for Hailey. I raised an eyebrow.

"Give this one a chance," Kick agreed. "We need both of them back, Alec."

I eyed Kick for a moment. It wasn't hard to see that Kick missed Hailey. Though it seemed as they were friends, I knew Kick had a small liking for the troublesome woman. It was as if Hailey was the last thing of Keegan he had.

"There's only one way to stop Ivana from proceeding with Logan any further," I spoke dryly, hating what was going to come next. "I have to kill her."

"How? She'll see you coming," Kick pointed out.

"What of Hailey?" Merrick muttered at the same time.

"I've heard of the herb called Sephtis," I started slowly. "It has the power to kill any human and severely harm anyone with powers. If someone with powers gets stabbed in the heart by it, they will die."

"So you're saying that's what needs to happen with Ivana?" Hesh questioned. "Where are we going to get this Sep-tis?"

"Sephtis," I corrected. "That place where Hailey is has it. I can get her and the herb at the same time. After, I'll go kill Ivana."

"Alec," Merrick put a fatherly hand on my shoulder. "You haven't noticed something about yourself have you?"

"What are you talking about?" I hissed, pulling away.

"You're weaker than you ever have been," Merrick pointed out.

It was true, I had been having trouble generating and using powers. My power was weakening with each week. I thought no one had noticed, but clearly everyone had. A part of me knew it was because of Hailey.

"I'm going," Merrick stated.

"No, Logan is my brother," Hesh pointed out. "I'm going."

"None of you can handle Ivana and the new Logan she's created," I argued. "I will be going."

"She'll be expecting you," Kick spoke up and I glared at him. "I should go. Ivana won't be expecting me to show up. It'll also protect you from Hailey's rage."

"It's too dangerous Kick," I blinked.

"You can gather the Sephtis for us," Kick told me. "I'll leave to kill Ivana."

I thought for a moment. "It'll be dangerous Kick- the most dangerous mission you've ever faced. And there won't be weapons to help you."

Kick looked determined. "I know. I'm going to go."

I narrowed my gaze in a satisfied pleasure. My training had payed off on at least one person.

"Okay."