This Is War

eleven

Two skitters scuttled around the door, guarding it. Piles of scrap metal were surrounding the place, like pipes and car doors, microwaves and pans. Weaver gave some kind of signal to Tom, and he raised his Springfield M1A, aiming for a skitter. After the first alien fell, dead, the second stood alert, swiveling its ugly head searching for the shooter. But soon that one was dead as well. All ten of us ran to the dirty glass doors as quickly and quietly as possible.

Tom pointed at Ben, "We need a scout."

Ben raised his eyebrows, "Why me?"

"Makes the most sense. We need James and Adam's shooting skills," Tom jabbed a thumb at the two men I hadn't recognized. "Weaver and I have the plan, we're going in for Dion's family so obviously she's coming, Hal and Maggie have the wit and bravery, Pope has the recklessness that could possibly save us if we're in trouble, and Anthony has experience."

"But, I have all those things! Except for the captured family." Ben protested, eyebrows venturing slightly higher.

Tom hesitated, "Please, Ben. I can't lose you again, just stay and watch for us."

Ben's eyebrows had gone MIA. Then they came back, "Fine."

He went to hide behind a particularly thick patch of trees, waiting for us to invade the cement death trap. I was glad he didn't pull the 'but Dion needs protection' card, the last thing I need is to look weak.

My heart had shut down, due to nervousness overload. After almost a year of thinking my brothers and friends were dead, I find them alive and well. All of a sudden, my heart shot up to 90 beats per minute, Kendrick's smile crossed my mind. I had to control myself from doing a little spastic jig in excitement. If we got Conrad, Leven, Kendrick, AND Shona back today, it would be the happiest day of my life. If we didn't. . . I don't know how I would go on. If it comes down to it, I will sacrifice myself to make sure four of my most loved people make it. I checked Weaver's watch on his wrist. Five minutes to go before we went in. We had to make sure no other aliens heard the gunshots that killed their fellow 'soldiers'.

I thought of the bucket list that I had before the attack. Have An Adventure was definitely on there, and I guess I could check that one off, I'm pretty sure rescuing your loved ones from aliens could qualify as that.

Go to College was also on there. One thing I'll never get to do from the looks of things.

Three minutes left.

First Kiss! Haha, that was one. If I die today, I won't be checking that one off.

Suddenly Ben popped into my mind's eye.

Oh, what the heck! Worth a shot, right?

I hastily pulled my gun from around my shoulders, and tossed it on the ground behind me. Weaver hissed at me, "What the HELL are you doing?!" I ignored him. Running up to Ben, I wrapped my hands behind his neck, kissing him full on the lips. Five seconds later I pulled back. Ben's eyes were as big as golf balls. I grinned mischievously, spun and began to run back to battle position. His hand grabbed my wrist quickly and pulled me back. Hesitating for only a second, he kissed me back. Just a short one. Then he let go, smiled at me, and pushed me back to the group.

Tom watched me very carefully as I snatched my gun back up. He obviously didn't approve of me acting out like that. I felt like sticking out my tongue at him. Instead, I haughtily flipped my hair and snickered a bit. Talk about teen rebellion.

My intestines were learning gymnastics and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the grin on my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hal smirk at Ben. The grin grew bigger.

One minute. I checked the ammo in my gun. Perfect.

Fifty seconds. Good thing I went to the bathroom before we left.

Forty seconds. No aliens.

Thirty. Kendrick flashback. The way his eyes looked into mine while laughing about some YouTube video.

Twenty-five. I can NOT believe I just kissed Ben Mason.

Twenty. Me and Ben on the leaf pile.

Fifteen. What the heck was I thinking.

Ten. Kendrick? Or Ben?

Five. Later decision.

Four. Almost...

Three. Please tell me that noise was my imagination.

Two. Yep, it was. Good.

One. Oh my gods.