My War Story

Chapter 3

"Come on everyone, get up," Paxton says.

"What time is it?" I ask pulling my blanket over my face.

"I don't know, but it's daylight," he replies.

I throw my blanket off of me and sit up. Everyone is making their way out of sleepy hazes as well. I look around and I feel so rested. It has been a long time since I have rested. I didn't have my nightmares last night and that's the first time that has happened.

As I look around my eyes meet Paxton's. He holds his hand out and I grab it. He pulls me up and hands me a gun without breaking eye contact. I take it from him and he snaps out of the trance.

"Uh, okay guys, we should get a move on it," Paxton says. "Prayer circle."

I am already next to him, so everyone stands up and walks over to us. We all join hands and Paxton prays. "Lord, thank you for another day. It's so rough right now for all of us. Please help us through another day and watch over us as we try to save this world. We want to help as many people as we can. Please help us accomplish this. We are very thankful that you have watched over us this far, in your name we pray, Amen."

"Amen," all of us repeat.

We all grab our guns and head outside. When we get outside we decide to walk and try to find other people. Maybe we can get some of them to trust us. We could have a huge army and we could save the world from all of this. At least, that's my way of thinking.

We all follow Paxton into the other woods. As we walk I feel this weird connection. It's like butterflies in my stomach. I haven't felt it in a long time. I look over at Paxton and he looks back at me. When his eyes met mine it felt like the millions butterflies fluttered to get out. I just smile at him. He smiles back and hits my shoulder playfully.

"You know, I think you are the toughest girl I have ever met," he says.

"I'm not that tough," I reply stepping over a tree root.

"I think you are. You fight hard and I know I shouldn't bring it up, but your parents should be on your mind right now and instead of letting that distract you, you use it as motivation to fight harder. I think that's pretty tough," he says smiling.

"Thanks for saying that," I reply and smile back.

I continue to walk next to him. I don't know where we are going, but I trust Paxton with our lives. He knows what he's doing. All of a sudden I see something. It looks like buildings, but I don't know where we are.

As we get closer, I see a bunch of people who look like the ones who tried to kill us before. Paxton keeps walking and we all follow. I get nervous, but I don't let it show.

"Okay, Chase, Marshall, Sydney, and Trish, go behind that building over there, but don't let anyone see you. The building is vacant, so no one should come out of the back door looking for you," Paxton explains.

"Jake, Mary, and I will go behind the tree right beside the main building. We are going to try to get all the weapons we can. We have to watch our backs and that goes for everyone. Just because we think no one is around doesn't mean we are right, so watch your back and each other's backs at all times," Paxton explains. "Okay, let's go. Everyone meet at the creek we passed just down the hill over there."

We wait for the others to get over to the empty building, then with guns in hand we run from behind one tree to another until we are right next to the building. They are all getting ready to leave. They are lined up and have all their gear. We wait a few minutes and they all run into the woods.

Paxton jumps out from behind the tree and I follow. Jake comes running behind me. We look in the windows and it's empty. I go around the back to motion the others that everyone is gone. We invade all five buildings.

I run to the creek and everyone else gets there a few seconds later.

"Okay, we are going to start back home," Paxton says.

"Dude, we just started a couple of hours ago. We can't just stop. This world needs help right now," Marshall retorts.

"Excuse me, but last time I checked you weren't in charge and I have a reason for the things I do, Marshall," Paxton says in a raised voice.

Marshall shuts up and starts walking. He has a scowl on his face and looks like he is ready to kill Paxton.

I walk next to Paxton and everyone is silent. We walk until we get to the den.

Once we were in Paxton turned to all of us.

"Okay, so the reason I wanted to come back here is because we shouldn't be carrying around all of these weapons. We need to keep them here so that no one can find them," Paxton explains.

"So, we won't have enough time to do anything after this?" Chase asks.

"No, by the time we get everything situated and hidden it will be close to dark," he replies.

We hide all of the guns, knives, bombs, and mace in the walls. That's the great thing about dirt walls. You can hide anything in dirt walls and still get to them easily.

It's dark, so everyone decides to get ready for bed. We all set out blankets and keep our guns next to us. We all have a knife, three cans of mace, and five bombs. Paxton told us that they were for emergencies only. We don't want to waste it all. We all have a backpack that has all of this stuff in it except for the gun. The guns stay beside us for easy access.

I lay down next to Paxton again and realize that the reason I didn't have nightmares last night is because I feel so safe when I'm around him. I feel like nothing will hurt me. It's like he fought off the nightmares.

I am almost asleep when Paxton gets up and grabs a gun. He goes outside, so I grab mine and follow behind him. He walks and walks. I just follow quietly. He comes to a bridge with nothing around. It's quite awhile from the den, but very secluded. No one would ever find it.

He sits down with his feet hanging over the side of the bridge. Leaves crunch under my feet as I walk closer to him. He points his gun at me.

"Woah, hold on. It's just me Pax," I say.

"What are you doing Mary? Go back to the den," he says.

"No, I can't sleep when your not there," I say sitting down beside him and then realize I totally just gave a huge hint that I like him.

"What? Of course you can," he replies.

"Look, I want to be honest with you. I like you, a lot actually. I have had nightmares every night since my parents died and last night when I was sleeping next to you, I didn't have those nightmares," I say not making eye contact with him.

"I'm glad I can keep those nightmares away. I think I should be honest too. I like you a lot too. You are the toughest girl ever and I feel like I should just protect you no matter how tough you are. Every time I think about you my mind doesn't constantly wonder about if I'm going to live. I think about just you," he says looking at me.

I just look at him. The moonlight is just enough to see his beautiful green eyes, his brown hair, his amazing jaw structure, and his muscular body. I feel like I have known him my entire life. I feel as if he were gone, my life wouldn't matter anymore.

"Well, I guess we should get some sleep, huh?" he asks.

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea," I agree.

We get back to the den and everyone is still and quiet. I lay down beside Paxton. He brings his blanket closer to me. He wraps his arms around me and in the sweetest whiper says, "Go to sleep, I'll fight off all of the nightmares. They don't know who they are dealing with."

I fall asleep in his protective, warm arms.

Note: I know it has been a long time since any updates. Sorry about that!! I update whenever I get a chance, but school is taking up all of my time right now, so bare with me!! I hope you are enjoying the story! Let me know what you think! Thanks everyone!! Bye!