Somewhat the Beginning (A Falling Skies Fanfiction)

No More Hope

I stared at the papers in my hand. "These are pretty good. I can tell you started getting comfortable writing the farther you got along. And you did all of them today?" "Yea." He nodded, "So you like them?" "For your first time it's not so bad." "Really?" He said giddily. "Yea." His face lit up like fireworks at the Fourth of July. Wow that's so adorable. Hal and Tom will be glad to hear that he's smiling again. I handed him back the papers, "Oh and I did notice what your poem's main concept was about, especially that one. " I pointed to the second piece of paper in his hands, "I think we should talk about that later in my office. OK?" His shoulders slumped and his smile faded slightly, "Yea that's fine. I'll see you later." He got up, looked down at me, and waved. I waved then looked back at the street.

What am I doing mopping around? Who knows how long we're going to be here on Earth? I've got to keep myself busy, live my life, and get happy! I got up and walked to Maggie. "Hey! Yo Maggie!" She turned around and smiled, "Hey, Ashley, what's up?" "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out or something." She shook her head, "Sorry Ashley but I'm teaching a gun class today." "A gun class?" I asked. "Yea I teach newbie fighters the basics of guns and even Anne's learning too." "Can I come?" I asked. I have never shot a gun before, only held one, so learning could do me some good for the future (especially since there are aliens with no remorse trying to kill us). "Of course you can join! The more the merrier." She said. We walked out into the field together and I stood by Anne and the other "students".

Maggie handed us pistols, heavier than I thought it would be but manageable, and worked with us individually on our stances. I held up the gun, aimed for a tree in front of me, looked down the sight, then...BAM! I shot the left side of the trunk. "Good job for your first time Ashley. This is your first time right?" "Yea it is. I never shot a gun before." "Well you may be running the fighters one day if you practice," she walked to the center of the field, raising her voice so everyone could here, "But remember you can't go out alone and shoot all willy-nilly. Wouldn't want to attract any unwanted attention." Everyone nodded and some people giggled at the little joke. Maggie ended the lesson and everyone started to head back to the school. Maggie, Anne, and I walked together in silence, observing the serene scenery.

As we got closer to the barrier in front of the school Maggie gave a single, low, whistle. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Letting the guards know we're coming." She answered, "It's like saying 'Please don't shoot'. Plus, as far as we know, skitters can't whistle." I nodded, that makes sense. I heard another low whistle, but this wasn't from Maggie, this one was from the barrier. I guess it was their was of saying "We won't shoot." We crossed the barrier, Maggie went to get ready for a scavenging mission, and I followed Anne into the infirmary. When we entered Lourdes closed her book, put it on the table beside her, and smiled, "Hey guys! Anne, I'm going for a walk, I'll be back later." She got up and walked out the door. I waved, and she waved back. Anne went to the medicine cabinet to check that all it's continents where still there and accounted for.

After today's gun lesson I was wondering "Anne, did you start gun lessons because of what happened with that guy and his family who tried to steal all the medicine?" She paused, looked wearily at me, then nodded, "Yes. That was a wake-up call that everything isn't the same as it was, and it will never will be. I was scared, Ashley, for the first time since..." She couldn't finish the sentence. Her voice sounded weak and her eyes watered. I pulled her into a hug, "It's ok, Anne. You don't have to talk about it, you don't have to say anything at all. Go get some rest and I'll take over until Lourdes comes back from her walk." I walked her out the door then sat in the chair previously occupied by Lourdes. I looked over at her book. Lois Lowery's The Giver. Good choice. I opened it and started reading.

...

"Ashley? Ashley wake up!" I jolted awake and saw Lourdes standing over me, "Woah, how long was I asleep?" She shrugged, "I don't think very long, but you were in a deep sleep, I thought you were dead! Didn't you hear all the commotion?" She looked worried. I sat up in the chair and stretched. Ow my back hurts. I should've layed on the counter instead, probably would've been more comfy. I smiled slightly at my sarcasm. Lourdes was staring at me as I yawned, stood up, then tried to smooth out my shirt. "What commotion where you talking about?" I asked Lourdes. "A skitter and a mech crossed the border. The mech ran away after Weaver killed the skitter. Looks like Clayton was right." "Right about what?" "He warned us that a couple days before his group got wiped out they sent one mech and one skitter before the full attack." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. We haven't had an attack in a while, I guess it was only a matter of time before they sent out their forces to kill us. I guess I should check on the progress with Clayton. I started off towards the door, "Um, I'll see you later." I couldn't even look a her, I was too busy looking at the floor wondering what this attack would mean for the 2nd Mass.

I walk down the hall towards the meeting room and just as I'm about to walk through the door I run into Hal. "Oh, hey." I said stumbling back. Hal couldn't meet his eyes with mine, "Hey. I've, um, got to go." He brushed past me and I just kept staring in disbelieve. Hal's never ignored me like that before. I turned around and walked into the room to see Tom sitting on a chair running his hands through his hair. "Tom?" I whispered slowly stepping slowly towards him. He lifted his head and I looked at the sullen expression on his face and I knew.

"They're going to send the kids with Clayton, aren't they?" I'm blunt, there is no reason to beat around the bush. Tom sighs and looks at the floor again, "Yes." He looked up at me, "And you're going with them." My jaw fell. There was a lump in my throat the size of a baseball, but I finally uttered out the words, "I can't...I can't leave Hal. I love him." I never told Tom this, or Hal even, but there was no surprise in Tom's expression. There was no change at all. "I know you do, Ashley, I've always known. But you need to do this. The kids need you and love you..." "Not all of them" I mumble. Tom continues, "And I need you to watch after Ben and Matt, especially if Hal and I don't make t back to you guys." I had to try with al my might to hold back my tears. Tom stood up and walked over to me. He wiped away a tear falling down my face them hugged me. "We're telling everyone tomorrow and leaving the day after. You should start collecting your things," he looked my in the eyes, "And please don't tell anyone until we get the chance to. We want order, not chaos. Your face is flushed, you should get some sleep."

I nodded, but my face wasn't flushed with exhaustion, it was flushed with the lost of hope for the 2nd Mass. or anyone I love.