Falling Down - A Falling Skies Fan Fiction

Connections - Chapter 3

"It's right there, relax!" Maggie shouted, throwing her arms up in the air. "Are you freakin' crazy? God damn!" It was clear that Maggie was angrier at the girl than she should have been but Ben presumed it was because of Hal's promiscuous implications from before.

"Do you see now?" She said gesturing over to the hospital building only a little ways ahead. 

Mik gulped, the adrenaline that was coursing through her veins only moments ago subsiding. She really shouldn't have been so quick assume the worst but where would she be if she hadn't?

Dead, was the answer.

The blonde exhaled slowly. "S-Sorry, I just... It's not like I knew that!" She shouted throwing her arms out, the chains clinking slightly, Tara stumbling slightly in response.

The red head's footing faltered as the chains connecting her to Mik violently jostled around. Her worn boot caught on a piece of rubble from the remnants of a building. "Oh come on Tar!" Mik griped, tugging on the chain. 

Ben frowned, watching Tara bumble her way around the bricks trying to find a safe way out. With her limited brain functionality, these types of obstacles were a weakness. It was hard to think that only a few weeks ago he was like this. An oblivious, unaware, human being...sort of. He wasn't really anything then, none of them were. All the harnessed kids just existed. They didn't feel much. Their sole purpose was to follow the commands of the aliens without question.

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts as he watched Tara. He felt a natural instinct to watch over her. Like he needed to protect her. Ben believed it had to do with the fact that she was harnessed and he could relate to her on some level. A unrelinquishing need to know her bit away at his core and he wished he could rip off her harness for her. 

"Mik, Stop!" Ben shouted, watching as Tara's footing yet again caused her to wobble. His enhanced abilities could detect her movements precisely almost as if he had time to watch her in slow motion. This provided him with enough time to lurch forward,  his hands reaching out to catch the red head before her body hit the ground below her.

"Umph," Tara grunts landing in Ben's arms. Her expression had scrunched up into one of anticipation but as soon as she was safe in Ben's arms it had returned to it's blank state. Ben's delicate Brown orbs met Tara's instantly, a shiver going up his spine. It was like the minute they made contact, something happened. The boy knew it wasn't some result of whip lash or something of the nature, but it was definitely something to do with her harness and his spikes. 

"We want you back Ben, come back...come back..." 

The voice that echoed through Ben's head was quiet and hushed, like the abrupt tone did not belong to the red head in his arms. He knew it was the aliens again. They had tried to reach him before through Rick but Ben wouldn't give in. His father would never forgive him if he ever did something like that...

Gritting his teeth, he lifted her over the rubble and onto flat ground. "Aghhh.." He moaned, reaching for his back, feeling the pain of the spikes in his back as they tried to get closer to Tara. The moment he felt connections with anyone with a harness it was like he was drawn to them. He had to get closer to them. 

"Ben? Ben what's wrong?" Hal exclaimed in an alarmed tone, rushing over. 

The boy rubbed his shoulder, trying to ease the effect somehow. Which was an impossible feat, but at least he was trying. "Nothing...I-I'm fine, just...get her away from me." He groaned, pacing backwards, away from Tara.

Tom nodded, turning to his oldest son as Mik rolled the chain over her arm. "I'm gonna bring Tara and Mik inside...You stay out here with Ben, make sure he's alright." His voice was stern and authoritative and Hal knew even if he wanted to go to Weaver with their find he simply could not. It would be no use to try and fight his father this way. Besides, someone had to keep an eye on his bratty brother.