A/N: As promised, here's the new chapter! I had fun writing this chapter since this is terribly exciting. Oh and yeah, Haggie? Totally bad idea. Karen and Ben kiss? WHAT. Sometimes I really don't understand Falling Skies but anyways, this fic is the only thing that helps me gain hope in Hourdes. THEY WILL BE TOGETHER. HOPE! Oh and also this will be divided into two parts. So, the second part may be added later on this week.

I stood as I heard the low growls of revving motorcycles. A small group of motorcycles entered the front yard. The group simultaneously stopped the engine and hopped off. Hal was in front, his face serious. He tugged on his gun's strap tightly against his shoulder as he hopped off. I was about to approach Hal when Karen appeared. She jogged towards Hal with a bright smile. I sat back down on the porch with a sigh. I haven't really spoken to Hal much these past few days. It was like that time when Karen was still unconscious and Hal did nothing but stay beside her. But, it didn't bother me much this time. I mean. Why would it?

For the past few days, I realized I didn't like this place. I don't like being around Mr. Greene or his men or this house. I missed the school. That school where we stayed in for the past few months. But what I really missed the most was Dr. Glass and Tom and the small infirmary; even Captain Weaver, Jimmy and Ben. It may be not the safest place around and it may be far from home but- it's home for me and right now I just feel homesick. I hugged my knees against my chest and gave a deep breath.

Suddenly, the sound of Hal's voice calling me filled the air. I glared at where he was standing not too long ago. Karen was leaning on him for support as she grunted in pain. I stood straight up and ran towards them. "What happened?" I spoke when I was already near them

"She told me her head was hurting then she lost her balance and she was screaming in pain." Hal spoke almost calmly but the mix of shock and panic was clear in his eyes.

"Follow me" I said before I jogged in the house, up the stairs and into the infirmary. Hal was cautious behind me, carrying Karen. He positioned her on top of a vacant bed. "Hal, can you call on Dr. Hunns?"

He nodded then he disappeared out of the room. I turned my attention back to Karen who was squirming and holding her head with her shaking hands. Her eyes tightly shut and her feet kicking against the sheets. "Karen, calm down. I'll help you, ok? Calm down."

Karen didn't seem to hear me because she was still frantic. "Make it stop!" She yelled repeatedly

Dr. Hunns was across from me before I knew it. "Lourdes, Hal hold her down."

I swiftly did as I was told. I pulled her shaking hands away from her head and into the bed. I held her wrists, giving as much power as I had. Her fingers clawing against the white sheets of the bed; Hal was holding her feet down on the bed, his breathing rigid and his eyes sharp, looking right at her. Karen became stiff and calm slowly until she was breathing rapidly and her screaming stopped.

"Karen?" Dr. Hunns whispered

Karen slowly opened her eyes. She sat up slowly on the bed, her breathing still rapid "My head- what's wrong with my head?"

Dr. Hunns smiled tightly "We don't know yet but I need to ask you a few things, are you okay with that?"

Karen gave a nod

"When did you feel the pain?" Dr. Hunns asked, his brows furrowed

"I was talking with Hal when I heard a loud noise. " She bit her lower lip

"Was it just a throb or did you feel anything else? Like, anything you've never felt before?"

Karen looked at Hal then me "It wasn't a throb. It was more painful, it was like something was clawing on my brain. Then, the loud screeching sound-"Karen sounded panic now "What's wrong with me?"

"Do you remember anything that happened to you when you were captured?" Dr. Hunns asked

"I was brought to this place and then they stuck a harness on my back and that's all I remembered." Karen spoke "Then, I woke up here. I don't remember anything that happened before that."

"I see" Dr. Hunns whispered "And you heard this screeching sound?"

Karen narrowed her eyes "Can anyone just tell me what's happening?"

Dr. Hunns sighed "I wish I can but I'm not sure about what it is yet."

"You don't know what's going on with me?" Karen gulped

"I'm afraid so" Dr. Hunns replied then he settled his gaze on me then on Hal "Can I talk to you two alone?"

Dr. Hunns walked out of the door and we followed behind him. He stopped just outside the infirmary "The Skitters had done something to Karen. I'm not sure what it is but it's serious."

"And how can you be so sure of this?" Hal asked

"We once had a case a lot like this. His name was Carter and he was captured by Skitters too. The men said they found him in a pavement somewhere so they brought him here. He was hurt but further on the weeks, he started to heal. Up until that one time where he had a seizure. He woke up after a few days and he kept on repeating the word 'run'. We just assumed he was in shock but when he finally regained back a part of him, he said his head was hurting bad and there was a sound." Dr. Hunns sighed "It wasn't screeching like Karen's but he said it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. He did say that sometimes he heard Skitter sounds. Like, they were communicating in his head. He ran away the day after I spoke to him."

"He ran away?" I asked

Dr. Hunns nodded "We haven't seen him ever since."

We were silent for a moment, up until Hal spoke "What do we have to do?"

"I don't know yet, Hal." Dr. Hunns looked at Hal "I promise I'm going to do my best to know what is happening."

Hal nodded

"Mr. Greene needs to know about this." Dr. Hunns said "Will you be okay with that?"

"If it's for her sake, fine." Hal frowned "Do everything you can please"

Dr. Hunns nodded "I will."

…..

"As I thought." Mr. Greene sighed "And Dr. Hunns?"

"He would be doing his best to figure out what's happening." I answered

"That's good then." Mr. Green took a deep breath "Samuel, Connor, rally up the men we're moving out in thirty minutes. Tell them we're going scouting again."

Two men disappeared out of the room. Lourdes stood beside me; her arms crossed "Is there something I can do?"

Mr. Greene smiled "You can help out Dr. Hunns for now. You'll be a great help."

Lourdes nodded. Mr. Greene looked at me this time "You go get ready. We need to check on those Skitters."

I nodded. Lourdes and I went out of the room and into the hall. Lourdes was about to go in the infirmary when I reached out and grabbed her wrist. She looked at me, confused "Hal? What's the matter?"

"She's going to be fine, right?" I asked

Lourdes smiled ever so brightly "Of course"

"Can I ask you something personal?"

Lourdes stared at me for a moment before she spoke "Sure."

"Have you ever felt so protective over someone? Like, you can't help but worry about them all the time and think about what they're doing or how they are right now? And you just don't understand what you're feeling towards that person so you simply just-"I stopped to search for words "push away those feelings and tell yourself that it's nothing and you just have to let it go?"

Lourdes was silent for a moment before she smiled sweetly and answered "I feel like that everytime."

With that, I let her wrist slip loose. She entered the infirmary and left me there staring at the door. I run a hand through my already rustled hair and I released the breath I didn't realize I was keeping in. I entered my room and found no one there. I walked over to the closet and I quickly changed into my usual grey tee and jeans. I picked up my jacket from the bed and I slipped it on. I exited the room and leaned against the wall just outside my room. I slumped down and sat on the floor. What did she mean she felt it everytime? For who? What's happening with Karen? How is the Second Mass? Had my dad gone home? Are they safe? The troubling thoughts kept on spiraling in my head.

The thoughts were pushed away when there was loud thumping outside. I stood up and immediately jogged downstairs. There was screaming coming just outside and gun shots. I glared at the nearest window overlooking the front yard.

And there amidst the trees, a group of Skitter and Mechs started to emerge

A/N: You reached the end of part 1! Dun-dun-dunnn! Okay so I hope you guys liked this one. I'll be uploading part 2 by this week so tune in. Oh and don't forget to drop down reviews, tell me what you guys think ;)