Special Defense Force

Episode 5: Birthday Bash

The crickets chirping in the night might as well have been a symphony. All that could be heard as the trees swayed gently in the breeze. The quiet town where nothing could be seen sat under the shimmering stars. But this town was not at rest. As a lone figure strolled the street. He looked around at the crumbling building s and nodded, "The perfect starting point." He turned to a small house and raised his hand. He charged at the building and with a shattering blow, destroyed it completely. He stared at its destruction and sighed, "What's the point of all my power..." He looked up at the moon and held a hand out to it, "Without a challenge."

I sat in the commissary reading a magazine when Emily walked over with a few of the others. I smiled at them, "Hey everybody." Bobby waved but didn't smile, "Daniel, we need your help." I closed my magazine as they all sat down. Emily sat next to me but couldn't look at me. My muscles tensed as Sharon started talking, "Daniel, we need your help. A most critical assignment has come up. One that I don't think we have a chance of completing without you." I nodded, "What's the situation?" Sam sighed, "I almost can't say it. It's like nothing we have faced before." Courtney gripped her tea cup, "I get chills just thinking about it." I put a hand on the table, "What is it guys? What's going on?" Sharon sighed, "We need your help to plan...." She held up her hands and smiled so brightly I swear I saw sparkles, "Anna's Birthday Party!"

I gasped and slumped in my chair, 'You guys have a knack for giving me heart attacks, you know that?" They all laughed and I joined them soon after. I smiled at Emily as she held her quiet giggle in with her hand, "I'm sorry honey. I couldn't resist." I chuckled, "No problem. Any suggestions?" Bobby shrugged, "Not sure. She will be ten, and I have never done anything Birthday related for someone that young." Sharon smiled, "I voted for us to have a pool party." Sam held up two fingers, "Two issues. 1. Anna can't swim. And 2 you just want to show off your new bathing suit." She sulked a little, "No fair Sam." I chuckled, "Can read you like a book Share." She pointed at me, "Come on Daniel. Don't tell me you haven't wanted to see me in a swim suit." I sighed and rubbed my head, 'Way to make me sound like a pervert." She then pointed to Emily, "Yeah I guess you would rather see her. Her suit is quite cute, a little skimpy too." I had to cup my nose as it started bleeding. I coughed, "Again, thanks for putting me on the spot." Emily was blushing hard and Sharon went in for the kill, "Emmy was just saying the other day hoe she wanted to show it off to you." I must have blushed harder then her, "Well I would be lying if..." I looked at her and only saw her leg, "You perv!"

The bandages Lilly was tying around my head stung a little as Courtney applied medicine on my cut cheek, "Wow bro. You must be strong. Not only to take a kick straight to the face but also to survive a 30 foot drop onto a concrete road." From behind me Emily sulked, "Um...I'm sorry." I looked back with sarcastic scowling, "I'm sorry. You say something?" She blushed and sulked in her chair, "No." I chuckled and winked at her. She smiled meekly and sat back up. I sighed, "If any one should be on the spot its Sharon." She whined next to me, "Awe, what did I do?" I pointed, "Putting weird thoughts in my head." She shrugged, "I thought you would handle it better." I sighed, "I give up. The soldier's retreating." Lilly chuckled, "So any ideas on the party?" Sam shrugged, "I'm making her gift right now." Bobby nudged Sharon, "We have to pick up her presents today don't we?" She nodded as Courtney thought, "I still have to decide what to get her." The little radio in the room started playing a song. Emily smiled, "It's one of her favorites." I listened to it and pictured her dancing along. A thought suddenly hit me, "Courtney." She looked over, "Yes bro?" I held up a hand, "I have an idea for your gift. But it will take both of us." She smiled, "What do you have in mind?"

Hours later I walked into my room and threw myself on the bed, "I never knew party planning would be this hard." I rolled onto my back stretched. I stared at the ceiling and thought about Anna. I still had to come up with a gift for her. But unlike the others, had no idea. I sighed and looked at my desk. I saw a picture that had been taken a while back. Of all of us. I stood and picked it up. Myself, Bobby, Courtney Sharon, Anna, Sam, the doctors and Emily. I stared at it, at my new family. Family. I gasped and set the picture down. I picked up the room phone and punched in Dr. Sarah's number. The phone rang a few times and she picked up, 'Yes Daniel?" I smiled, "Dr. Sarah, I need a small favor."