Hal was released from the hospital two days later, feeling very weak and very tired. He hadn't slept at all since he learned of the bug that had possessed his body, the bug that caused him to do things he could never forgive himself for.
Maggie had stayed with him the whole time he was in the hospital, only leaving his side for very short bathroom breaks or patrol duty. Hal felt guilty. He knew how terribly frightened and concerned she was for him, and despite his best efforts to convince her he was fine, he knew she didn't believe him.
It was difficult adjusting to the new location in Charleston, getting used to living in hospital bedrooms rather than pisspoor tents in the mud. Hal knew it was silly, but having the luxury of sleeping in an actual bed in an actual room made him feel almost spoiled.
Despite the overwhelming exhaustion that threatened to consume Hal, he decided to go and find his youngest brother.
During the entire time that Hal had spent cooped up in bed, Matt had failed to visit him even once. He had asked his father several times why Matt wouldn't come to see him, but Tom always gave him the same vague response while avoiding eye contact with Hal: "Matt's, uh… He's just tired, Hal. He's been helping Lourdes out a lot lately, keeping her company. He'll be by soon, I'm sure."
Hal didn't remember anything about the time he spent under the control of the aliens. But he knew Matt, and he knew that no matter how tired or busy he was, he was always eager to see his family. Which led Hal to the only conclusion he found to be logical: Hal had done something to Matt when the bug had been in control.
Just the thought that this was possible made Hal's stomach churn and his heart break. Hal cared for Matt almost as if he were his own son, and Hal had made a promise, to himself, his mother, his father, that he would always take care of his brothers, no matter what. And he had failed to do that. He had broken the single most important promise he could ever make, and that killed Hal.
Hal's tired, aching legs led him slowly towards the room Ben had said the Mason Men were sharing. He wasn't sure that Matt would be here, but he figured it was a good start.
Hal hesitated outside the dusty glass door for several moments before slowly turning the knob and entering quietly.
Hal's guess had proved to be a good one. In the far corner of the small room, Hal spotted Matt sitting on the floor next to a faded arm chair, his knees pulled up to his chest protectively. He wore an expression that looked as if it belonged to a man, not a young boy.
Matt's eyes lifted to meet Hal's as he heard the door close softly. Hal noted a flicker of fear in his bright eyes, and he felt a sharp pain sting his chest.
Matt's eyes quickly fell back to a spot on the floor, and he cradled his legs closer to him.
"Hey, buddy." Hal said quietly, taking a small step inside the room.
Matt said nothing, but instead rested his chin against his knees, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Hal took a few steps closer to Matt, but stopped when he noticed Matt scooting further into the corner. Hal's breath hitched silently, and he swallowed tightly.
"What's wrong, Matt?" He asked, his voice soft and warm, like the Hal Matt had always known.
But Matt believed with all of his heart that the person standing before him was not his big brother, the person Matt looked up to and aspired to be so desperately. Matt knew that Hal, and the person that he had seen strapped to that bed just days before was not his Hal, and Matt seriously doubted that this now was the Hal he knew.
"You're not my brother." Matt mumbled, his voice low and slightly angry.
Hal felt his heart throb in his chest painfully at his brother's words. His fears had now been officially confirmed.
"Matt, I'm Hal-" Hal began quietly, but Matt interrupted.
"No! I know my brother, and you aren't him! My brother would never do those mean things, he would never put a gun to our dad!" Matt's voice had risen significantly, it was almost a yell now. He pushed himself to his feet quickly, but he didn't move any closer to Hal.
Hal looked into his brother's eyes closely, and he saw a great amount of pain and fear in them. He bit his tongue to keep from crying. Hal exhaled heavily, his breath shaky.
"Matt, I promise it's me. I know… I know it wasn't before, and I'm so sorry, Matt. I'm so incredibly sorry. But you have to believe me, buddy. It's me now. Look at me. It's Hal." Hal's voice was pleading, his eyes filled with desperation and sorrow.
Matt reluctantly looked into his big brother's eyes. He didn't see the anger and betrayal he had before, he didn't see any reason to fear these eyes. Matt bit his lip uncertainly, his big eyes returning to their usually innocent form. He fiddled with a string hanging off his ripped cargo pants for a moment before speaking.
"What's my nickname…?" Matt asked, his voice so vulnerable and young. Hal was a little taken aback by this sudden question, but he felt a small smile tug at his lips.
"Come here, Casper." Hal mumbled gently, his face lit with a warm smile. When Matt was very young, he had been obsessed with ghost stories. He would drape white sheets and pillowcases over himself and hide in any nook or cranny he could manage to squeeze into, then wait until someone walked by and jump out at them, nearly scaring them to death. Hal had jokingly started calling him Casper, and the name had just stuck.
Matt slowly beamed at Hal before running quickly to him, jumping into his brother's tight embrace. Hal picked Matt up and held him for several moments, his eyes closed tightly, feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted from his chest.
Matt kept his arms wrapped tightly around Hal's neck, fearing he would lose his brother again if he let go.
"Hal…" Matt whispered into Hal's ear, sounding uncertain.
"Yeah, buddy?" Hal murmured soothingly.
"When I saw you strapped to that bed… There was something different about you… Your eyes were really dark, and you yelled at me… You didn't sound like you…" Matt's arms tightened around Hal's neck, and he felt his brother shiver slightly at the memory.
Hal held Matt tighter, pressing a kiss to the side of his head reassuringly. "I know, Matt. I'm so sorry. I promise I won't ever be like that again. I'm going to keep you safe. You trust me, don't you?"
Matt nodded and pressed his face into Hal's shoulder roughly, feeling hot tears streak down his small cheeks.
Hal kissed Matt's head again, squeezing him comfortingly. "I promise I won't ever let anything happen to you, Matt. I promise."
Hal checked the ammo in his gun for the nth time, making sure it was fully loaded. He patted down his legs and chest, double-checking to assure himself all his blades were securely in place.
Hal, Maggie, Ben, Dai, Tector, Anthony, Pope, Crazy Lee, Lyle, Weaver, Tom, and a few soldiers from the Charleston militia were all preparing to do a scouting mission to Boston. It was a long, dangerous trip, but one of great importance.
Tom and Weaver had been collaborating, planning a huge attack on the Espheni. They had been working out the details for months, according to Tom. The organized group of scouters only knew what was necessary, nothing more. Only Weaver, Tom, and the rebel Skitters knew everything. They were the ones providing the necessary weapons for this attack.
Ben had been in the room as all the details were discussed, but he hadn't really been there. He had just been a communicator, a translator for the rebel Skitters. He remembered nothing of the conversations that happened.
The Charleston soldiers were ordered to accompany the members of the 2nd Mass on their journey by one of their leaders, General Cole Bressler. Bressler was a very cautious person, especially of people he did not know very well, so he had concerns of the 2nd Mass leading the Espheni back to Charleston. He had ordered a few of his best soldiers to go with them, to "keep an eye out."
Hal sighed as he waited for the order to move out. He knew it was probably too soon for him to be up and doing so much, especially something this stressful. But there was no way he would miss this attack. Not after everything the aliens had done to him and his family. Hal felt it was something he had to do, no matter what his physical or emotional state was like.
Hal glanced to his side and spotted Maggie, tucking a knife safely into one of her combat boots. He smirked a little as she caught his glance. He could already see the fire in her eyes, the eagerness for a fight. She was a fighter, there was no doubt about that. Hal loved that about her.
Maggie mirrored his smirk and made her way to him, where he rested against his bike. She looked him up and down, a flicker of concern in her eyes, but she held up the small smile.
"You sure you're up for this, old man?" She asked, her voice taunting him playfully. "I mean, you're looking a little rusty there." She was smiling playfully, but Hal detected a concerned undertone.
He opened his mouth in mock awe. "Oh, I'm the old one? Big talk coming from Miss Margaret." Hal scoffed, reminding her of a conversation they had a lifetime ago.
She seemed to forget about the worry she was feeling for him for a moment, which was what he had aimed to do. She worried about him too much, and Hal knew it took a toll on her. He would do anything to relieve her of that worry, even if for only a brief moment.
They bantered about for a while, both equally relieved to feel some stress lifted from their shoulders. But, as always, the stress and worry crept its way back to them, once again resting back into its permanent residence in their hearts.
Maggie was the first to acknowledge it. Her playful laugh slowly faded, and her face took on a more serious expression. She looked up to find Hal watching her, mild concern in his eyes.
"Hal, I know you feel like this is what you have to do." Maggie started slowly, her voice slightly guarded. "But... You've been through a lot. And I know it's hitting you harder than you let on... I just... I want to make sure you're positive this is what you need to do. I need to know you're certain this is what's best for you. Because I can't... I need my partner by my side, not in a hole." She finished, her voice grave and dark, avoiding eye contact with Hal.
"Hey. Maggie, look at me." Hal whispered, putting his hand gently to Maggie's face and tugging her gaze back to his. He saw distinct fear in her beautiful brown eyes, guarded heavily by anger and determination. "Maggie, I'm positive. This is where I need to be. I'm going to be fine. We all will. Have a little faith in me, huh?" He gave her a small smile, hoping to reassure her.
Maggie clenched her jaw and opened her mouth to tell Hal she would always have faith in him, but she knew he was struggling with everything he had been through, and she was just worried this might affect his abilities in combat.
But Maggie was cut off by Captain Weaver, who stuck his dirty head out of a Humvee's window, and shouted, "All right, people! Let's move out!"
Maggie sighed heavily at her unspoken words and gave Hal a look telling him to be safe. She started to brush past him to get back to her bike, but was stopped when Hal put a gentle hand on her arm and pulled her back to him. He pressed his lips unexpectedly to hers, passion, reassurance, and love all melting from him to her.
They pulled back reluctantly, their foreheads leaning together for a long moment, Hal holding Maggie's hands in his, before she pulled away gently with a small sigh and strode quickly back to her bike.
Hal kicked the stand up and revved the engine loudly, then pulled out quickly, racing ahead of the Humvees with Maggie close behind.
As he sped down the broken, damp streets, Hal felt a new sense of hope and determination settle into his worn body. He was on his way to get the revenge he so desperately longed for, so desperately needed. It wouldn't be long now.
"All right! We're about halfway there, people! Good work! Now, let's pull over for the night and set up camp! We'll head out first thing in the morning!" Weaver's voice boomed through the calm night air.
The group had pulled over while Hal, Dai and Maggie scouted the area to make sure they were in the clear. When they reported no alien activity in the area, Weaver decided they were all due for a good rest before embarking out in the morning.
Pope and his Beserkers stood off, fairly close to Hal, chatting easily about nothing in particular, Pope's snide voice overtaking their conversation from time to time.
Tom and Weaver had wandered off to the side and were in what appeared to be a very serious conversation. Hal watched them from a distance, wondering what exactly this attack would do.
His thoughts were interrupted when a familiar voice slipped into his ears. Hal turned and met Ben's even stare. He gave a half grin and squeezed his brother's shoulder lightly.
"What's up?" Hal asked, holding in a yawn.
Ben eyed him cautiously, then shrugged a little. "Just thought I'd see how you were doing."
Hal smiled a little and gave a slight nod. "Good, I'm good. What about you?" Hal's voice was friendly and easy-going, as always, but there was something else there. Ben caught it.
Ben looked at his brother, noting the deep exhaustion in his eyes, the paleness of his skin, the tightness of his jaw. He could see the anger in his usually light and kind eyes. He could see pain in them, and this caused Ben to feel a terrible sadness.
Ben shrugged again, his features remaining casual. "Fine. What do you think they're talking about?" He gestured towards Tom and Captain Weaver, sensing that Hal didn't want to get into a deep conversation about his feelings right now.
Hal turned back to them and sighed. He ran his hand through his sweaty hair and then dropped it to his temple, rubbing at it angrily. His head was pounding.
"I guess the attack. Going over strategies. I can't imagine they'd be thinking of anything else right now." Hal stated, watching his father's face as he spoke quietly to Weaver. "I just hope they've really thought this through, you know? If this attack is as big as they're saying it is, then we all need to be as prepared as possible..." Hal's voice trailed off suddenly as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand straight up.
Hal glanced up at the seemingly clear sky, and Ben followed his gaze. "What is it?" Ben asked quietly, his eyes falling back to Hal's suddenly concerned face.
"I... I don't know. I just... Something feels off..." Hal's voice was faint, his mind clearly somewhere else.
"I'm sure it's jus..." Ben started, but he, too, quickly trailed off as he heard a distant sound in the sky. His head snapped up and his eyes frantically searched the black sky, but he saw nothing. He met Hal's worried eyes and just as Ben opened his mouth to ask if Hal had heard it, too, the sky lit up brightly above them, followed by a deafening explosion that ripped viciously through the air.
"Get down!" Hal roared, diving at Ben protectively. He knocked Ben to the ground, his body shielding him from the explosion.
Hal felt the overpowering heat wave first, then the splitting pain. Then, Hal felt nothing at all.
Hal felt himself slipping back into consciousness slowly, painfully. He made out a faint voice, and he tried to follow it, but he kept losing it.
"Hal." He heard it more clearly this time, and he forced himself to stay with it, to follow it back to the real world. His eyes creaked open after several long minutes.
He expected to be blinded by lights of some sort, as he had at the hospital, but he found himself in a very dark space.
Hal attempted to lift his head, but immediately regretted doing so. He groaned weakly as an unbearable pain ripped through his skull. He tasted blood in his mouth, and he coughed lightly to clear some of it. His entire body ached terribly, especially in his side and chest. He lifted his head one more time, trying to ignore the splitting pain in his skull.
He moaned loudly as he moved. He looked down at his body, and as his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, he found that he was strapped to a cold, long metal table.
"Hal!" His head snapped to his right, searching for her. The sudden movement caused him to nearly black out from the pain, and he bit his lip harshly to keep from crying out.
"Maggie?" Hal croaked, his voice weak and pained. He blinked in the direction of her hushed voice. He was barely able to make out her figure in the dark, but he managed.
Maggie lay on a table approximately five feet from Hal's, also strapped down tightly. She was weakly struggling against the restraints, her head cocked slightly in Hal's direction.
"Maggie, are you okay?" Hal managed to choke out, before a low moan of pain escaped his lips. His head fell back softly against the table and he closed his eyes tightly.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Just can't get out of these damn cords!" She mumbled, faintly. He heard her groan in frustration.
Hal suddenly remembered his father and brother, and his panic shot up. He opened his eyes, and as he was about to ask about them, Maggie spoke. "Tom and Ben are okay, too, but I think they passed back out." She sighed.
Hal felt relief flood through him and he let his head rest back once more.
"Yeah, yeah, we're all fine, Bug-Eye." Hal heard Pope's gruff voice come from his left. "But where the hell are we, exactly?" He asked, his voice boiling with anger.
"Well, maybe I can answer that, Pope."
Hal felt his blood run cold. His eyes shot open, all pain forgotten. Maggie had fallen silent next to Hal as well, and he knew her expression would be one of blood lust.
"Hello, Hal. I've missed you." Karen spoke, the snarly grin apparent through her voice.
Hal was frozen, and at that moment, he felt certain that he wouldn't be making it back to a warm surface.
