Born Fighter (Falling Skies Fan-Fic)

Chapter 21

Offering Ben a sly smile, I pressed my back against the barricade and waited for my opening. The skitters where coming from all sides, especially from the line of trees just a few feet from camp. When Ben bent down to reload his gun, I jumped up taking his place and firing in every direction. I watched as some of the bullets hit the skitters while others missed by more than they should have.

As my eyes scanned the wave of skitters fast approaching us, I noticed something in the tree line. An overly tall figure stood just barely peeking around one of the trees behind the front line. It didn't look like a skitter but it didn't look human by any means. It was tall, almost taller than the trees it was hiding behind, and it's  body was thin enough to fit behind the tree. I wouldn't have even noticed him if it weren't for his light green skin sticking out against the darkness of the trees; I almost wondered how no one else had noticed him before.

Just as I was about to look away and continue my assult on the skitters making their way towards camp, I felt the spikes on the back of my neck light up and my eyes lock with that things.

You're even more enchanting up close...

The voice was unfamiliar, sending chills down my spine, but I couldn't help but to continue to stare and listen to whatever this thing had to say.

What do you want?

I want what's best for everyone Grace. Come with us... Help us end this war so no one else has to die.

I know your kind, you're monsters. This war ends when your all dead.  It was a weird feeling hearing that things voice inside my head but it felt even weirder knowing that what I was thinking was going straight back to that thing.

We don't want to hurt you Grace, we don't want to hurt any of you but you've given us no choice. We want to make you better not kill all of you.

What are you talking about? Make us better?

Oh Grace, so naieve... Come with us and we'll leave everyone alone.

You can burn in hell.

Then I suppose well take your brother instead.

Suddenly panic rose within me. I wanted- needed- to find my brother but I couldn't move. I just stood there, gun pointed at the skitters, as this thing continued to talk to me.

If you want your brother to stay safe, you will come with us.

Just as I was about to try and break the connection I saw my brother walk out from behind the tree and stand next to the thing. One of it's thin arms stretched out and wrapped boney fingers around my brothers shoulder causing my breathing to catch in my throat.

Let. Him. Go.

If you co m e with us nothing will happen to him. It's that simple Grace.

Not until I know he's safe. I need to know nothing will happen to him.

You have our word. We'll even take the spikes from his neck and save him from his pain and suffering.

I wanted to believe him, I wanted to believe that they could take the spikes out without killing him and that he would be able to live a long, full life. But it almost seemed too good to be true especially coming from the thing that put it on his back in the first place.

I know what your thinking Grace and I promise you your brother will be safe. I'll give you 24 hours to make up your mind or your brother suffers. I don't want to do this so don't make me.

Who the hell are you

You already know who I am.

With that the connection broke and I watched him fall back behind the trees, taking my brother with him, and disappearing. My body suddenly became heavy and I found myself dropping behind the barricade as Ben ducked down with me.