We run through the woods hurrying to catch there leader. Zack give a hold signal looking around. He points to the ground directing our attention to broken twigs. We nod our heads, as the enemy is real close and presumably slowed down there running. I point to Zack and Max to head northeast while Jack and I take northwest.

We separate. I knew they were close.very close. My ear catches the twirling of a knife coming instantaneously at Jack. I react, tackling Jack to the ground. The knife hit directly at the tree behind us. Two x-4s come out of the bushes, gun pointing but before they could get off a shot, I fire four shots from my gun and push Jack to one side to make his body roll behind a tree as mine to another for cover. Both boys beeper goes off, as they play dead. I hear another noise behind me as I instantly take out my knife and throw it into another x-4s leg. He grips his teeth and fall to the ground, hurting in pain. Jack picks up his gun and fires at the x-4. He beeps and plays dead.

We both give a brief sign of relief but rustling of leaves catches my ear as I turn towards the west direction. I give the signal to head in that direction.

In a few minutes, the last two x-4s were in our sites, jogging, but keep there guns tightly close to there bodies. I give the signal to ambush. Both boys spot us as they fire taking cover. Jack and I keep charging, trying to hit the last enemy protecting 727.

The protecting x-4 covers for 727 as he moves ahead. We used are super speed as Jack and I broke apart from one another going into different directions. The x-4s gun click, signaling he ran out of ammo. He look at his gun, but Jack hits him with his gun in the back of the head before he could reload. He tries to get up but Jack kicks him in the face. Blood gushes from his nose as he falls to the ground. The x-4 squirms on the ground to get up again but I delivered the final blow. A bullet straight in the back. He falls to the ground and plays dead. Jack look at me as if surprised, but it's war and dare not questioned my actions as C.O. A click noise catches both our ears. We immediately followed the noise. 727 was standing still in the middle of the woods, not moving, eye focused to his feet. Giving up is not in a soldiers code as I figured he most be up to something. Jack and I didn't take any chances.

"Freeze! Hands in the air!" Jack shouted. 727 doesn't listen as his eyes were still occupied on the ground. I sensed something was wrong. "I said hands in the air!"

727 look up slowly as if about to cry. I look at his face expression starring into his eyes intensely. 'It's a mine. It's a mine. Please don't shoot. Will all die.' I heard his thoughts as his left foot is standing on a mine. My eyes focused on the mine wondering if it's real or not. A breath escape my lips as his whole body and the ground shined in red, blinking for a quick second like a yellow stop light. In my gut I knew that mine was a real one.

Jack started walking closer to 727. "I said hands in the sir!"

"Stop!" I yell. Jack look at me as while as the boy. "He's on a mine--a real mine."

I walk closer to 727 understanding the situation clearly.

"Are you sure?" Jack ask but his eyes were focused on 727.

"I'm sure. That's why he's not moving."

"Bu--."

I put a finger up telling him to quiet. My eyes scan the area. A big rock, the size of my foot, catches my eyes. I pick it up walking over to 727. I look into his feared eyes, not wanting to die.

I take a big gulp. "I'm going to place my knife under your foot," saying it calmly. ".and lay this rock on top as your weight support on the mine."

He nods his head. I slowly kneel to one knee placing the knife under his foot. I put my full weight on the handle of the knife as he slowly moves his foot off of the mine. I slowly take the rock and place it on the blade. I take a second and remove my hand from the knife. My body moved backwards while my eyes were on the mine, but Jack diverts his eyes towards 727.

"Nice going." Jack said.

"I'll say."

"Down on the ground, hands in the air." Jack said buoyantly this time.

727 did what he said as Jack takes out a plastic string, restraining his hands behind his back. 727 inquisitive eyes were focused on me the whole time but all I did was stare back, confused as he.