The Dark Side

Chapter 29 - Awaiting Their Arrival

The moon is already almost completely revealed above. The small rays of light from the moon seem to dance their way down.

Every second we wait, I know is pointless. Everyone just stands around the first explosive we're supposed to set up, some of us begin pacing back and forth. We are ready, but I guess we aren't emotionally ready. Everyone seems so nervous.

I sit down against a tree- carefully as to not snap the stitches again- and I just stare at the ashes from the previous fire.

I notice Drew walk over and sit beside me. He gives me a reassuring smile, but I can tell he's insanely nervous about the battle about to begin. I return the favour, but in a small smile. He wraps an arm around me and I move closer to him to sit right beside him and lean against his side. "I swear, if you die, I am going to kill you." I mumble. He chuckles quietly.

"I'll do the same for you." He says.

"Yeah right. You wouldn't hurt a fly." I laugh.

"I've killed many zombies, just as many as you." He objects.

"How would you know that?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Because you never leave me." He replies, looking down at me.

"I'm pretty sure it's the other way around. You never leave my side." I say, smirking.

"And, I don't plan on doing so." He says quietly.

"Good, because then I can annoy you forever." I giggle.

"I can annoy you forever too." He chuckles.

"How about we make a truce?" I suggest.

"Sounds good." He says, glancing up around at everyone walking around the burnt out fire as if making sure no one's looking. "Although, the thing that seems to annoy me most is the fact that I can't do specific things more often." He says quietly, as if hoping nobody is listening in.

"And, what could those specific things be?" I ask quietly, smiling.

"Oh, they're very specific. I would have to show you for you to understand." He says quietly.

"Then show me already." I mutter. In one quick movement, he pulls me closer, grabs my chin, and kisses me softly. I kiss him back, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach.

We kiss for a minute or two, before, of course, Conner has to be annoying, "Hey, Lovebirds," Me and Drew quickly pull away from each other. My cheeks redden as I look down, trying to hide it, also avoiding eye contact with everyone around. "You do know we're about to try and kill an IX and a bunch of Stranglers." I hear Conner say.

"Seriously? You're still calling us that?" I hear Drew reply.

"Well, I think that is the most appropriate name for you two right now. What happened to 'best friends and nothing more'?" Conner continues, side-smiling.

Drew seems like he's about to object at that, but Vincent stops him, "I think it's time to do this." He suddenly says.

We all nod and Drew and I stand up quickly, ready to take the next order. "Get to your positions." Zachary says, finally ceasing to pace. Which is followed by 'Okay's mixed with 'Got it's.

Conner quickly gets to position near Jamie further away, grabbing his bow, ready to fire. There are plenty of average arrows they can use to help take down the Stranglers, but they only have one explosive arrow each to take down the IX. Conner disappears into the forest in the direction he took Jamie.

Vincent gestures for Drew to follow him to their position. Drew gives him a quick nod, but first he turns back to me and gives me a quick, last minute hug. We hug each other tight and I bury my head in his chest, while he buries his head in my neck. "Be careful." Drew says quietly.

I nod slowly, "You too." I mumble.

Although, only one thing hangs on my mind at this moment; Why does this feel like the last time I'll be able to hug him?

~-*-~

I stand alone in the middle of the camp beside the first explosive, awaiting a signal from my father.

As soon as I see him make the signal I pull out my dagger, and in one quick movement I slice a single wire in the explosive. With that, I quickly run far enough from it and shield my face as it immediately explodes. The explosion rumbles the ground beneath me and smoke gathers above it.

All the while, I make my way over to Zachary. After vaulting over many fallen tree logs and even dropping to my knees and sliding under some almost-collapsed trees, I make it to Zachary. I drop down beside him behind a large fallen tree trunk.

"Now we wait for their arrival." Zachary murmurs, half to me, half to himself. He already holds his machete and shotgun in each hand.

I take out my dagger and silver pistol. I hold my pistol in my right hand for better aim, and my dagger in my left.

Any moment. The Stranglers should be here at any moment.

~-*-~