Save Yourself

“We can’t wait any longer,” Arin told Gerard definitely. “We’ve been down here for longer than a month and we have scouts out every day. Sooner or later, the Rebellions will find their way down here and there is no way we can win if they did.”

Gerard frowned, deep in thought. Arin had a point. Of course he did. He had a great strategizing talent. He’s been a great help during all of this; giving ideas on how they should group the fighters and that they should have a medical squad and people who removed the injured from the scene. They still didn’t know whether there will be a full on war, but they needed to be prepared for anything.

“You’re right,” he agreed almost reluctantly. “The people going out never had anything to report back. Maybe it’s safe to go back up.”

“Or that’s what they want you to think,” Arin said. “They wouldn’t have launched their attacks in the first place if they didn’t have a bigger plan. You’re fortunate that you had this place otherwise this war never even would’ve begun. They would’ve wiped Una clean.”

Gerard snorted in disgust, “They would’ve had quite a hard time trying to kill me.”

The teen sat back with a smirk on his face, “Do you really think so?”

“I wasn’t going to give up without a fight. In the end I might not have won, but I would’ve killed as many of them as I possibly could,” he affirmed without having to think about it.

“Remember those words,” Arin said. “It’ll be your motivation once we get back out there.”

“You know, for a seventeen year old, you are just too wise. It’s very helpful, but also kind of disturbing, because you’re smarter than I am,” Gerard murmured.

The teen started laughing, “It’s just my Talent. I’m not really that smart. I just try and put myself in the shoes of others.”

“Either way, I wouldn’t have been able to do this alone.”

“You’re a great leader,” Arin told him with certainty. “You finally got everyone together. Before the attacks, it was every man for himself and that’s why the Rebellions could wreak as much havoc as they did. But now, you’ve created quite an army and everyone trusts you.”

“Let’s just hope I don’t lead them to doom.”

*

“Would you stop that?” Bob asked a little annoyed.

He sat in peace for a couple of seconds before another pebble hit him.

“Ashley!” he exclaimed.

He moved so suddenly and so fast that she didn’t even see it coming and then he had her crushed to his chest.

“I’m sorry,” she laughed, “I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” he stated, the dimples in his cheeks clear as he smiled at her.

“I am really, truly sorry,” she said, looking at him innocently.

His lips met hers in a deep kiss and the brunette melted into him.

“This is awesome,” a voice suddenly interrupted their little moment.

“Frank, what the hell?” Bob exclaimed. “How’d you get in here?”

The teen looked up at them embarrassed about walking in on them.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. Felix and I are just going around and showing everyone what she can do,” he hurriedly explained, his hazel eyes not leaving Bob’s stern face.

“And you couldn’t knock?” Ashley wanted to know.

“Well, we didn’t exactly use the door,” Frank shrugged.

The couple looked at the two kids confused.

“Show them, Felix,” Frank told her with a smile.

The little girl nodded and then ran straight through the wall.

“Holy… Whoa!” Bob exclaimed in both shock and surprise.

“She just ran through the wall!” Ashley noted too.

Felix reappeared behind them and clutched at her stomach in laughter.

“Everyone’s reactions are the same,” she said.

“Yeah, well, I can’t move through walls,” Bob stated. “I could punch through them, but not float through them like you do.”

“I think it’s awesome,” Frank gave his opinion. “Let’s go show Mikey. He’s going to freak.”

Felix grabbed the teen’s hand and pulled him through the wall.

“That was very unexpected,” the brunette murmured.

“Very,” Bob agreed.

There was a knock on the door and then Gerard entered.

“Hey, you two. I hope I’m not bothering,” he said.

“No, not at all. Frank and Felix just left,” Bob informed him.

“Oh yeah, they’ve been running around all over the place all day,” he nodded. “I just came by to inform you that we’re all going back out tomorrow.”

“That’s sudden,” Bob noted.

“Yes, well,” the dark haired male started, “We can’t exactly stay down here forever. Besides, we haven’t found anything yet either and I think we’re ready for whatever awaits us.”

“I think so too,” Ashley agreed. “We’ve all been training hard. We’re ready when things come down to it.”

“Yes, well, make sure you get some sleep. We need to be fully rested tomorrow in case something happens. They’re probably just waiting for us to resurface, but they’ll be getting one hell of a surprise. We’re ready for them,” he grinned, heading for the door.

“I guess it’s back to civilization,” Bob said, closing the door behind his friend. “Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We need to get some sleep.”

The brunette nodded in response and followed him to the bedroom.

*

“So we’re getting out tomorrow?” Bellz said quietly as she and Arin were on look out.

“That’s the plan,” he nodded in response.

The pair looked back in the direction of the cave where Una’s underground world was. It was quiet as everyone was sleeping or getting ready for the day to come. The excitement in the air had been tangible all day long. The big moment was right around the corner and everyone was anxious to know what was going to happen.

“Did you hear that?” Arin suddenly asked, his head whipping around to face the entrance.

Annabel slowly got up from her place on the ground as she bit her lower lip.

*

A loud piercing scream floated through the empty dirt streets, waking everyone from their sleep.

“What the hell is going on??” Gerard demanded, running outside.

“Just a second,” Rae told him, swiftly lifting up into the air and looking towards the cave entrance to see Arin and Annabel running down the path back to the underground city.

“They’re here,” Arin shouted, waving his arms. “They found us,” he announced completely out of breath. “We’re trapped.”

The words barely left his mouth when a strong wind blew into the cave. Their arms were up to try to cover their faces. Rae was blown straight into the cave wall and she crashed to the ground. Gerard sprinted to her side and helped her up.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, let’s get those fuckers.”

Everyone got ready to fight the Rebellions. All the fighters grouped together and started to approach their opponents. The medical squad gathered at a set point and started to get ready for the first injured people to come in. Rae levitated near the cave ceiling as another male flew above the oncoming battle. Everyone was moving at a swift speed, focusing on the task at hand. It was a situation of life or death. No one could risk losing their concentration for even a split second.

Notes