by Gwen Cole
My chest heaved as I stood there, surrounded by the men I just killed. I felt like a killer and it put a bad taste in my mouth. I was glad my stomach was empty, for if it wasn’t I would have hurled. I clipped my pistol back into its holster, rubbing my finger over the black handle, thinking of my dad again. It wasn’t right that he wasn’t here, that Ethan and I had to go through this without him. That we had to go through any of this.
There was movement across the street, behind the barriers. The US soldiers taking cover, were now standing and stared at me with wide eyes. Out of all of them, my eyes picked out Cruz near the middle. One side of his face was bloody but that didn’t hinder him from smiling.
He suddenly through up his arms and yelled, “What the heck, smalls?” He dropped them and shrugged. “You’re making me look bad.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his craziness. Cruz hopped over the barrier and made his way across the street and I met him halfway. He give me a quick hug, not wanting to be to sentimental in front of the other men; it was such a guy thing to do. But I wasn’t going to tease him about it, I was just glad he was all right.
“I’ve been worried about you.” He nudged me in the shoulder. “When I woke up, it was already too late to go back for you.”
“I figured, it’s okay. Um—” I looked into his eyes but I couldn’t hold them for long. I was practically shaking with anticipation, but not the good kind.
“What’s wrong?”
I just wanted this horrible night to be over, and the worse part was that it felt like it was only beginning.
“They have Ethan.”
His cheerful face turned into something that would’ve usually made me shrink away.
“Is it the same man that gave you trouble before?”
I could only nod, and Cruz seemed to sense my hatred for him. He fingered his rifle. “Why would he keep him and let you walk away?” he asked.
“He wants West. But you know I can’t let him go. We just . . . have to think of something.” I was at a loss of what to do. I looked around and my hope was dwindling. How was I ever going to pull this off? Get Ethan back without giving up West? It seemed impossible. “Have you heard anything about Seth?”
“No, nothing. Look, let’s head south and maybe we’ll find one of them on the way. We’ll get him back, I promise.”
“Yeah, all right.” I nodded, thankful he had at least some sort of idea of what to do.
The five remaining US soldiers came into step behind us as we left the intersection and immersed ourselves into the dark streets again. We dropped back about a block from the main line and started south. It was still slow going with people rushing past us from all directions, and every now and then we would have to take cover from an incoming mortar. I just kept my eyes on Cruz’s back as we ran from street to street. An hour past like it was five minutes, and we still hadn’t come across either of them, but we were also getting closer to the center of the battle.
Before we were about to cross another street, everything then became quiet. Guns ceased to fire on both sides and Cruz glanced back to us with a bewildered expression.
“Why has it stopped?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I don’t know. The only reason I can think of is that the they’re trying to regroup before they try to overrun us.”
“Then why did we stop firing too?”
“Probably because we also need to regroup.” He gave me a sly smile before heading off again. I looked across the lines and feebly wished they would just leave us be.
But of course, that would be letting us off too easy.
And one thing I learned from the last few months . . . you have to fight for what you want.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
A little past four o’clock in the morning, with the moon inching its way over the horizon, we came to a stop in a large square. We were somewhere near downtown, surrounded by tall buildings and a large fountain placed in the center. It was as big as two cars stacked on top of each other with intricate designs carved throughout each tier. Though, the sad thing was, half of it was blown away, lying crumpled in the street, like a broken toy.
Wounded soldiers and people seemed to be laying everywhere, some still ready to fight when the time came, and others being treated by medics. The people who were unharmed were standing with the rest of their squads, waiting out the small period of rest they had. The whole place smell of smoke and blood, intermixing and causing my nose to burn.
Cruz dismissed his small squad and led me onward through the crowd. People were just waiting for their next orders, helping others bring the wounded back from the line, and some were quickly eating power bars and drinking anything with caffeine written on the label.
“I think I see him over there,” Cruz said, trying to glance over the mass of people. I, on the other hand, wasn’t even close to being tall enough to be able to see over anyone But I was relieved to find out that West was here, and not lost somewhere with a fatal wound. It made my heart unwind just a bit more with the news. Cruz gazed back down at me and opened his mouth to say something but stopped, then said something unrelated. “What happened to your hand?” He made a grab for my wrist but I pulled it away.
“It’s fine,” I said quickly.
He straightened his back. “It’s fine, huh?”
“Yup.”
“Would it be fine if you get blood poisoning, spend the next few couple of days in agony . . . and then die?” He raised an eyebrow.
I tightened my mouth and held out my hand towards him. He had a twinge of a smile as he took it. My hand felt small in his big hands, but he handled it gently. He turned it over and unwrapped the reddened cloth and just threw it aside as a piece a trash.
“Um—”
“I’ll get you a new one,” he interrupted. I didn’t watch as he examined my wound, but that didn’t take away the pain I felt as he barely touched it. My whole hand felt on fire, like the air seeping into my skin was molten lava. I looked back as Cruz started wrapping a clean cloth around it. I clenched my teeth together when he tightened the knot.
“It’s relatively clean right now, but as soon as this is all over you’re going to get that sewn up.”
“Yes, sir.”
He playfully glared at me then pushed through the crowd again in search for West. As soon as he caught sight of us, he quickly closed the distance and inclosed me into a hug. I felt him kiss my hair as I inhaled his smell again. We relished our short time together, somehow knowing it wouldn’t last long. Never long enough.
West pulled back, taking in my face and condition, a frown spreading across his face when he saw my wrapped hand.
“You always seem to get into trouble when I’m not around,” he said.
When I didn’t smile at his teasing, he knew something was bothering me. What was strange, was that my eyes were still as dry as ever; the situation I was in right now would normally have tears coming from them, but I supposed I was just to angry for that. Tears were for sadness, and this wasn’t something to be sad about, it was something to be furious about. And I was. I stood before him and couldn’t hide that I was tense and ready to shoot someone again. Even though I hated it every time I did, I was eager for it.
“Tell me,” West urged softly.
I was about to open my mouth—ready to spill the truth—when I realized I couldn’t. Because West wouldn’t hesitate in turning himself over for Ethan. He wouldn’t think twice about it, and it wasn’t something I would let him do.
“It’s nothing,” I said. “Really.”
“You sure?”
He knew I was lying.
“Yeah,” I said. “Have heard anything about the hospital?”
He shook his head. “They said most everyone got out in time, but I went to check on Seth, but he wasn’t there. Neither was Ethan.” But he added, “I’m sure they’re fine.”
But before I could act surprised about Ethan not being there, we were interrupted.
“West!” S
omeone called from behind him and he half turned, acknowledging them.
I told him, “Just go, they need you.”
“Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
I only nodded, not ready to lie to him. As soon as he left, I quickly turned to Cruz but my face must have given me away because he suddenly took my arm and led me back through the crowd.
“Cruz, we need to get out of here. It was a mistake coming here and he cannot know about Dersa. He’ll turn himself over without thought, and you know we can’t let him do that.”
“I agree. What do you have in mind?”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure, but we have to get out of here before he realizes something is wrong.”
“Over here.” He switched direction, heading towards the parked Hummers that were still in working condition, and motioned me to climb in. Before I shut the door, I heard my name being called from over the crowd of people. It hurt me to leave him and not answer his call, but I had to do this. I shut my door and tried not to make it obvious as I wiped a tear away from my eye. I hadn’t cried in so long and I wasn’t surprised when that single tear escaped. The hardest thing I had to do tonight was turn my back on West. The last thing I wanted to do was leave him, without even a warning. I hoped he would forgive me for it. I wasn’t sure what I would do if he didn’t.
We were driving away within seconds, but it was slow going until we were out of the massive square. There were just too many people to be speeding among them.
“Could you pull over somewhere up here? I need to see if anyone has seen Seth.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Cruz pulled up beside another Hummer and cut the engine. We both climbed out and this time he let me lead the way. I asked every person we came across but nobody knew anything. They were clueless of who I was trying to describe. After another person had stepped around me, not knowing anything about Seth, a man leaning against a building spoke up.
“Does this guy you’re looking for have a ponytail?” His voice was weak, but I was still able to hear him over everyone around us. I came closer and he tried to sit up a bit more, pressing his hand to his stomach where blood was flowing freely.
“Do you want me to find you a doctor?” I asked carefully.
“Already saw one,” he said. “There’s nothing they can do at the moment, so I either die or I don’t, but either way, I’m staying here until those people out there leave us alone. Now, are you going to answer my question or not?”
I was taken back by his acceptance of what might happen to him, but I also respected his want to keep fighting until the end.
“Yes, he does.”
“Well, then, I saw him but he was in awfully bad shape when I did.”
“He was shot in the chest about a day ago.”
He nodded his head. “That would explain it, then.”
“Did you see where he was headed by any chance?”
“North, across the line. And he seemed to be very determined to get where he was going.”
I turned to Cruz. “He’s going to try to find Ethan.”
“He won’t get too far with that wound of his.”
“No, he won’t.” I faced the man again. “How long ago was this?”
“Probably about an hour.”
An hour was a long time for him to cover ground, but he probably didn’t have a vehicle to help him. “All right. Thank you, you’ve been a great help,” I answered.
“It’s been my pleasure.” He just smiled and gave me a single nod.
We walked back to the Hummer and climbed in, heading north before West had a chance to find us. After about five minutes the streets were empty and our headlights were alone on the road
Just as we had done, our enemy had also assembled their forces.
“So . . . do you have a plan?” Cruz asked, glancing over towards me quickly.
“To be honest, no.”
“Eh, we don’t need one,” he answered, waving his hand. “I never have one and I’m doing just fine.”
“Just fine, huh?”
“Well,” he shrugged, “of a sort.”
I smiled and turned my attention back onto the road. We were getting closer to where they would be waiting and we would have to pull over soon. Cruz cut the lights finally and pulled into an alley, hiding our vehicle within the shadows.
“The sun will be up soon,” he murmured, coming up beside me. I looked to the sky and it was just beginning to lighten in the east. “Don’t worry.” He slapped me on the back so hard I almost fell forward. “It’ll be fine.” He smiled wide, bringing out his dimples.
I tried to gave him a slap on his back in return, but it didn’t even seem to shake him. “Let’s get going then!” I said, putting on an enthusiastic smile.
We walked silently down the alley with our footsteps softly echoing off the walls. Butterflies were fluttering around in my stomach as we walked closer towards the unknown. But not long had past when the sounds of battle came rushing back through the empty streets. We exchanged glances but never said a word, already knowing everything had started up again.
Cruz held up his hand, motioning me to stop, and we stood there rock-still in the middle of the dim street. The sky to the east was slowing turning grey, and stretching its light farther across the open space by each passing minute. I strained my ears to pick up on what Cruz was listening for, but over the sounds of muffled gun shots and mortars, it was difficult.
I stared at my feet and concentrated on the wind and small sounds it was carrying. A small tinkering of a rolling can down the street, a rustling of loose paper in the slight breeze, and then there was something else. There was someone just around the corner, their heavy breathing giving their position away.
I had almost no doubt about who it was.
Cruz gave me a nod and we stepped around the corner, our guns ready just in case.
“Hi, Reese.” Seth gave a halfhearted smile as he leaned against the stone building, his chest wheezing every time it fell. His face was bruised and cut, not to mention his chest bleeding again, looking beyond terrible. His legs were practically trembling as he tried to keep himself upright.
“Seth, what are you doing here?”
“You already know the answer that,” he answered, staring at the ground.
“You don’t need to do this, you’ll kill yourself if you go on any farther.”
He turned around suddenly and I almost wanted to take a step back. I’ve never seen Seth remotely angry before.
“Do not tell me what I can and cannot do, Reese,” he said tightly. “You know how I feel right now, it’s the same feeling thats going inside of you. I know it is.” He leaned away from the wall and forced himself to stand. “Ethan is as much of a little brother to me as he is to you.” He shook his head, his voice becoming weaker. “I need to do this.”
I knew it was true—Seth had always been so protective of him, and I couldn’t stop him. I wouldn’t stop him. How could I? If someone else would try to stop me from going after Ethan, they would probably be laying in the street right now.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to tell you what you’re capable of. It just hurts me to see you like this.” And it did. I hated it.
He put on a weak smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Cruz walked up beside me. “It’ll be light soon, so we should probably do this.”
“Yeah.” I let out a deep sigh. “I think I have an idea, I’m not sure it will work, but it’s all I got.”
Cruz cocked his gun and put on a grin. “Let’s get to it then.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I kept thinking to myself that this was a horrible idea, but it was the only idea. Walking down that alleyway toward the man I hated most was nerve racking. Every instinct I had told me to run away as fast as I could but I had to pull it together, put on a confident face, and make sure my hands didn’t shake.
This was going to work . . . or it wasn’t.
But it was going to happen either way, so I jus
t had to deal with it.
He was waiting for me at the mouth of the street—waiting for me to bring him what he wanted. I came to a stop before him and saw the his soldiers over his shoulder, waiting for his orders. They were watchful.
I made my eyes skip over Ethan, knowing that if I saw him my act would be shattered immediately. The same two men were holding him with everyone else between, but they were spread out from the others, exactly how I had hoped they would be.
The sun was going to peek over the horizon any minute now, and the sounds of war were almost gone. I didn’t know which side had won, but we were in our own battle now, and a winner had yet to be crowned.
“Where is he?” Dersa finally asked impatiently.
“Down there,” I said, jerking my head behind me. “I didn’t want him to come until I saw that Ethan was all right.”
He frowned. “Your trust in me is disheartening, Reese, even though I trusted in you. I knew you would pull through, and I was right.” Dersa smiled wickedly, greed pouring from his presence.
“Well, old habits die hard I guess.”
He crossed his arms. “How’s the hand?”
“I’ll survive,” I gritted tightly.
Dersa laughed, having a hard time holding in his excitement of finally having West again. It made my stomach sick.
“Let’s get on with it then, shall we?”
I turned my head and whistled down the alleyway. As soon as I turned back around, two men came forward and grabbed my arms, taking me to the side and holding my hands tightly behind my back. I didn’t struggle though, knowing he would do this. He was becoming oddly predictable for me.
“Just until I know it’s him, then I’ll let you go,” Dersa assured me. “You know it didn’t have to be this way, Reese. If you only would’ve cooperated from the beginning.” He just shrugged and looked away, not waiting—or caring—to hear an answer. He was getting what he wanted, and that was all the mattered to him.
A lone figure came into view down the alley, the light behind him silhouetting his face, making it nearly impossible to recognize him. I relaxed my arms, readying myself for the moment I knew was going to come. My heart was already pounding, just waiting to let my adrenaline out like a caged lion. I horribly wished West was here. I hated being away from him; away from his smiling eyes and sweet smell—everything that made him.