War of Peace

Chapter Seventeen

Randy

"General, there's others in the house," I administer into my walkie-talkie, hearing nothing but static after my message goes out. The huge screen in front of me showcases almost every square inch of the house.

I sigh and lean back in my chair, looking at my coworker Dylan's house. There's four sleeping teenagers in his beds. What would he need with them?

General Daniel Brown throws open the metal door behind me, causing me to jump two feet out of my chair. General Brown walks fast with his shoes clacking on the ground. His posture is straight and he has a serious stricken face. He plops down next to me in a swivel chair and slams a thick wad of papers that leave dust particles flying all around my face.

He looks at the surveillance cameras on the big screen. With a still, emotionless look, he turns to me. His seriousness is so dramatic and intimidating. I wait for him to give me orders in his deep, irascible tone.

"Read these documents from Russia. Make sure your translations are more accurate this time. We need to know how much time we have until their attack," he growls, scooting out of his chair.

He stands up behind his chair and looks back down at the surveillance cameras. "One more thing, gather a small group of soldiers to raid Dylan's house in the coming days," he orders.

I nod, and he turns to leave the room, and without saying a word, he slams the door shut.

I flinch at the forceful shut and look down at the thick pile of papers. He wasn't satisfied with my translation last time I went through Russia's files, but I'm the only one here who can understand some Russian. I've been to Russia once and I took Russian classes in college, but it's been years and I barely remember the language.

My lack of excitement worsens when I check the time. It's past midnight and I've been working late shifts for the last few weeks. Half asleep, half awake, I take the papers and force my eyes open as I begin to read the Russian documents.

~

Maddie

I can't sleep because I keep thinking of Emma and Ali. I softly rub the gashes on my cheek and groan as I roll over in the sheets. No position seems to be comfortable. It's dark and silent, but the silence screams at me as I watch Ali and my sister die all over again. I need to do something to keep my mind occupied. Anything other than shifting in my sheets and reliving their deaths.

I throw the sheets off and stand up. There's an alarm clock on the dresser and I walk over to check the time. It's two in the morning. No one else would be awake. I remember the surveillance cameras. I could work on finding and destroying them! It's probably not going to be easy, but at least it'll occupy me for the rest of the night. I start by looking for the one in this room.

I look around the perimeter of the room and see a little black chip in the corner above the bed. I step onto the bed and reach for it. It's connected through the wall so I pull at it and it takes out a small chunk of the wall with it. I go over to the desk and look in all the drawers for scissors. I find some in the bottom drawer and smash the camera to bits.

I go to the kitchen next, but this time it's not so easy. Even after turning the lights on, I don't see any black chips on the wall or ceiling. It must be hidden well.

I wish this were easier. I'm tired and I still can't get the creature out of my head. Emma's mutated body is running at me again and I back away and try to run, but it's too late. I'm already on the ground and I scream. I'm crying on the ground with my eyes squeezed shut. I curl up my body and keep shouting at the creature to get away from me.