Somewhat the Beginning (A Falling Skies Fanfiction)

A Risk Worth Taking

*Ashley's POV*

I stood outside the psych ward aside Ben. The fish-head was still in the cell, on the floor. Anne had patched him up to the best of her abilities, but she didn't think it would live long. Honesty, I wanted it to die. He caused us so much pain. If it wasn't for him I would be with my family, my friends, everything that I loved. But...I wouldn't have Ben. He meant so much to me and I never would've found that out if this invasion never happened. God why is this world so confusing!
Karen walked to Ben and smiled.

"I never meant to hurt you Ben. I just had a job that had to be done, you understand that right?"
She put her hand up to his cheek but he pushed it away angrily. She chuckled and looked at me.

"Hey Ashley."

"Hey Bitch."

The smile left her face. "It doesn't matter what you say to me, I won. I knew the right gestures and words to say to get the required responses out of you, Ben, Hal, and everyone else in the 2nd Mass. and now your handing my master over to me."

I chuckled, "Why don't you go see him then." I smirked. I couldn't wait to see her face when she laid her eyes on her dying master.

She looked into the room. "What did you do to him?!" I heard Karen yell. She ran in and we followed quickly.

"Anne said he doesn't have much time left." Hal said.

"What do you want?" She asked reluctantly.

"We want you to let us go, we give you your master, and you take him back to whatever dung heap he came from."

"And what if I don't?"

He moved the door and showed two large squares of C4 taped to the wall. "There's C4 all over this building, and Pope has the detonator. I'm sure you remember him. If you say no, he will have no problem blowing you and your master straight to Hell."

Karen stared straight at Hal then lunged for him. Ben put her in a head lock and I grabbed my pistol and put it to her head and she froze.

"One more move and I blow your fucking head off." I threatened. She relaxed. I put my gun away and Ben let her go.

"Fine." She agreed.

Hal went into the hallway. "Everyone pack up we're heading out in 10 minutes!" He yelled. We left and locked her into the room. There's no way we're trusting her. Everyone was ready and we went to get her. Five guards struggled to get the fish-head on a gurney that was way to small for if. It's legs hung down and it held its hands up by its throat. Two skitters came and took their master and Karen left along with them. We saw a Beemer come and leave and we left as well.

...

Matt was sitting on the truck we had been riding in. It was morning and we were waiting for a head count and an OK from Weaver to keep driving.

"Are you excited for Charleston?" I asked.

"Yea." Matt answered. "The way everyone's been talking about it it seems like it's gonna be great." I knew what he was talking about. Anthony said he heard they have lobster, and Pope said something about strip clubs made out of gingerbread houses.

"I hope you have fun. But I need you to do something for me." I said, he leaned in closer. "I need you to look after Hal for me."

"Why would he need to do that?" Hal asked from behind me. I turned around and he was crossed armed and looked like he was sad and angry at the same time. I walked up to him so Matt wouldn't hear.

"Are you leaving?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Why?"

"Ben needs me, Red-eye needs me..."

"I need you! Goddammit Ashley why do you keep running away from your problems?"

"I don't know what your talking about." I looked down at my feet.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Remember the first time you left?"

"Please don't bring this up."

"You left Danny, your own brother, all alone with your abusive parents because you couldn't handle it."

"No!" I was starting to cry, but I was holding them back. "I didn't want to leave but I had no choice! But I came back and took him away from them."

"But you left! You always leave! You left me and Danny worrying about you." Then he whispered, "I can't handle you leaving anymore. Please just stay." He put his forehead on mine.

I closed my eyes and shook my head "If I don't go I'm leaving Ben alone." Hal gave up and went into the truck. And I looked over to Ben, who was hugging his dad. I grabbed my backpack and walked towards them. Tom walked back to the group and Ben looked at me and smiled.

"Are you coming with me?"

"Yea." I said and he hugged me.

"I'm so glad, I don't know if I could do this without you." He let me go and held onto my hand. We started walking the path and I looked over my shoulder to the 2nd Mass. getting ready to leave. Was this a good idea? Everyone I know and love is back there. Then I looked at Ben and out of nowhere I felt love so strong I smiled big. He looked at me.

"What?" He chuckled nervously.

"I love you so much." I said. He smiled big too and put his arm around my shoulder.

"I love you more than you will ever know." He said. Then he kissed my head and we walked into the woods. I didn't know what was ahead, or where we're headed, but as long as I've got Ben, I know I'll be safe and happy.