Hide (Niall Horan One Shot)

Niall's POV

The nights bitter air offered no comfort to my paranoid mind as the wind slipped through my uniform stinging my skin and causing my body to shiver on the odd occasion. I blinked rapidly ignoring my exhaustion, determined to remain focused on the tree line up a head but the wind was stinging my eyes and my vision was becoming increasingly blurry.

I lifted my partially muddy shaking hands up to my eyes giving them a small rub in order to regain some form of acceptable vision. Just as my hand was returning to my gun a figure darted across the tree-line, I couldn't be sure it was someone but our orders were clear. Anything remotely suspicious must be reported.

Taking a deep breath I let out a low whistle in order to alert my troops, black shadows began to emerge appearing randomly across the already dark canvas as they uniformly made their way to the tree line. Suddenly one let out a howling scream of pain, all the shadows froze. Shit. You don't stop, you never stop. You hide if close to an injured man you hide them as well but for fuck sake don't just stand there!

I began to crawl silently out of my hiding spot insuring I wasn't seen as I prepared to go and help but I was too late. The spine chilling sound of guns and pain echoed around the otherwise silent battle field carelessly cutting its way through the night.  I cursed under my breath frozen in place knowing that if we wanted any chance of winning this war I must stay hidden I took in shaking breaths forcing down every instinct my mother taught me and allowing my prehistoric survival instincts to envelope my senses. The only thing I could find comfort in was that there were far more rounds of gun shots being fired than there was noise coming from the targets. This means those who were firing were not as well trained as we were resulting in them holding a much weaker aim than us. 

I watched closely as silence once again enveloped my surroundings, my eyes darted along the tree line watching as figures retreated into their sanctuary and unfortunately our destination. Knowing fine well that those who are more inexperienced flee as quickly as possible from the scene of a stand off, those bastards will be out of hearing range within fifteen seconds. Giving them twenty in order to ensure anyone injured or just generally slower was definitely out of ear shot I let out another low whistle before placing my fingers into my mouth in order to vary the sound. 

Slowly but surely I was surrounded by my troops thanking the stars that they were all hear. All covered in mud, some fighting exhaustion and other sporting the unmistakable red stain on their clothes, but they were all here, and for that I was grateful. I didn't have time to point out there stupidity only enough to brief them on the plan. We had exactly one hour of darkness left. As soon as the rays of the sun were exposed we were to late as our nightfall camouflage would give us away sickeningly quickly.

The troop was split up with those sporting injuries to the legs staying behind as they were likely to slow us down endangering not only themselves but the whole troop. We needed people to guard the camp anyway, if we were raided we would be incapable of fighting with everything from extra ammunition, food water and most importantly what the enemy was after it was vital it remained guarded at all times. The troops that were capable of progressing will make it to the tree line together before splitting off into individual groups.

My stomach churned in anticipation as we left ourselves fully exposed as we made our way towards the tree line I was fully expecting the attack which never happened and I could tell the others felt the same way. I was to stay true whilst all the others spread out along the edge looking left making sure everyone was in position, satisfied I looked right coming to the same conclusion. All eyes were on me they were trusting me with their lives. I squinted my eyes scanning once more before raising three finger in the air. Two. One. Then with the one finger up I moved my wrist so that the finger was now pointing forward and in sync we moved.

All to soon the thick expanse of the forest had swallowed me whole I could see no one but continued on, having to be more cautious with each step as the darkness became more prominent. It is always darkest before the sun rises however the thick canvas of trees allowed for only minimal light to get through making it increasingly difficult to to see my surroundings. 

My eyes continuously sweeped ahead which was my first deadly mistake. I cursed incoherently under my breath as the sickening sound of a twig snapping under my foot boomed like a bomb throughout the otherwise silent forest. I paused, momentarily forgetting my training and allowing human nature to take over as I waited with baited breath. I victorious grin slithered itself onto my face when nobody pursued the sound.

Just as quickly as it slithered its way on it dropped off.

"Who are you? Turn around" The voice hissed harshly behind me however it made my ears ring as the sound echoed around my head. I was frozen, completely still. Never had I encountered an enemy at such close contact, they were always faceless and nameless to me making things easier but that was over now. I spun on my heel my gun raised pointing at the man's face.

"What's it to you?" I snarled attempting to make my voice as menacing as possible, praying it was terrifying enough for him to drop his gun. Unfortunately my luck had run out. The menacing laugh that escaped his lips was enough to make my heart plummet and my usual composure falter.

We stood pointing our guns at each other, daring the other to pull the trigger first. Before a reaction could even occur he accepted my dare. The sound rang through my ears before I could suddenly hear nothing only feel. All I could feel was the mind-numbingly agonizing pain that ran through my left arm resulting in my gun falling from my grasp and landing with a soft thud. I looked down as I watched red ooze it's way along my arm.

I looked up almost pleadingly to the nameless man who stood before me a victorious laugh slipping past his lips. It was too dark to make out distinct features, but I found comfort at the fact that he would not be permanently marked onto my brain. Clearly not finding satisfaction in one hit he fired again landing directly to my leg and causing me to crumple.

The first signs of dawn began to twinkle through the canvas but I refused to give him the satisfaction of my pained eyes focusing instead on discreetly attempting to get my gun but I was too late. He saw me.

Another round echoed through the forest my hands shook knowing exactly where he hit me. Just above the vest. The cowards feet retreated as he left me there.

I looked down smiling slightly as I saw the colour, at least I could find comfort in that. Purple. He was running out of ammo purple paint balls for this level of combat were regulation for the last pellet in your gun. A minuscule amount of paint had gotten into my mouth but I couldn't taste it all I could taste was the bitter one of defeat and I was determined to seek my vengeance.

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Thank you for reading I hope you liked it and it didn't confuse you. I've had this idea for a while and just decided to go for it so I apologize if it isn't that great. But anyway feel free to check out my other works :) Byeeeee