Mirrors and Shadows

Chapter Twenty-Two

We spend the next few days convincing the soldiers that we're the good guys. It goes pretty well. Most of them took a day or two but then we quickly gained their trust. Some others apologized for their actions immediately while others were convinced by their already-convinced comrades.

This battle was a large victory, even though I don't want to admit it due to Jake still being in the Emergent's hands. We successfully retook Austin and will probably retake the rest of Texas's cities as well soon. All of the Emergent's plans were in vain and they're back to square one. Although they have Jake...

One day, while we're training, Ally says, "I heard that we're storming San Antonio tomorrow."

"Finally some concrete action," Christoph says.

"Woah, woah," Ally exclaims. "Don't go all Mr. Grumpypants there! You're giving me Ramble vibes!"

Benjamin snickers.

"Shush," I say. "Don't let Mr. Ramble hear you!" I wink at Ally, telling him I don't really mean it.

"Ohhhhh," Ally says, playing along. "Yes. Shhhhh."

Christoph rolls his eyes dramatically at Ally. He notices.

"What?" Ally asks Christoph.

"What what?" he shoots back.

"What what what?"

"Gah!" he throws down his gun and proceeds to walk out the room.

"Hey hey!" Ally stops him midway. "Calm down, Christy boy. I was just teasing you, dude no need to get all mad. Jeez."

"Well," Christoph says. "Could you tone it down? Some people are trying to concentrate here."

Ally grins. "No problemo, Chris!"

I can see Christoph gritting his teeth. "I told you not to call me that."

"Oh," Ally says in mock surprise. "I forgot! Uh, sorry Mr. Definitely-Not-Chris."

I giggle.

Ally turns to me, an exaggerated panicky look in his eyes. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? HE TOLD US TO TONE IT DOWN!"

"You've killed us all!" Benjamin yells, terrified.

I see Christoph turning around, a look of pure black hatred in his eyes.

The next thing I know, a blur of black shoots out and the world fades away.

(A.N. My imagination perhaps goes a bit too wild some times)

I giggle.

Ally turns to me, an exaggerated panicky look in his eyes. "What have you done? He told us to tone it down!"

"Yeah!" Benjamin chimes in. "Shush, everyone."

A few seconds of silence pass as I try to beat down the laughter bubbling up inside me.

Then everybody bursts into laughter. It's just so funny. I can see even Christoph trying to suppress a smile and ultimately failing.

"There's the smile I've been looking for!" Ally says. "Keep it up, Mr. Not-So-Grumpypants!"

"I thought we were supposed to tone it down," Christoph says.

"Ah," Ally says, grinning. "But by smiling you've already rejected the tone-it-down campaign!"

"Admit it dude," Benjamin says, grinning ear to ear. "You got totally wrecked."

Christoph scowls. We all snigger. He trudges out of the room muttering things to himself. I swear I catch the words 'immature' and 'clown'.