Chapter 2
Television rules the nation
A/n thank you very much for your reviews for my last chapter. I can certainly say that it has encouraged me to continue this story and thank you for lovely comments.
The bulky elite clumsily ran across the first bridge and headed towards the second where the rocket launcher lay. Lonewolf crouched and waited for his moment to kill. It would be too easy for an amateur sniper to take the target out with two body shots, a bullet to the head would be the most efficient and effective death. The target continued along the second bridge and cautiously looked around before reaching down to grab the rocket launcher. Lonewolf's crosshair glowed red and he responded with a sharp tug of the trigger. A beautiful yet ultimately devastating beam of light projected itself from the end of the sniper rifle and across the valley towards the elite. As cleanly as it had cut through the air, the line of purple light penetrated the armour of the elite and ripped through the scull and out the other side. The wound left by the energy beam was too clean to leave blood but it was powerful enough to force the elite's lifeless body in to a cartwheel off the bridge. The rocket launcher lost from his limp claw-like hands found its home back on the bridge and rested as if it had never been touched.
Lonewolf pulled his visor away from the scope as the spinning body fell from view. He relaxed a little as he felt the adrenaline buzz through him. His hand shook with the thrill of rushing blood and his ears thudded to the beat of excitement. But something else was thudding, something that did not carry the same steady although fast pacing beat. He exchanged his sniper rifle for the SMG and crept in to the shadows. He cursed himself. The sniper rifle fire had given away his position and he had become too engrossed with the thrill of an impressive kill. He heard the stuttered noise of someone approaching across the sand. Lonewolf tugged at the pin to a grenade and with little effort he applied the appropriate force to his arm so that it would land at the intruder's feet, hopefully. The grenade exploded as a rush of sand flew in to the rubble area where Lonewolf hid. Taking his chances that the grenade had met its target, Lonewolf stood up and searched for the enemy. He was closer the he'd anticipated and had evidently escaped most of the explosion. However, it was equally obvious that shrapnel and rubble displaced from the explosion had found a target, and his mechanical body sparked highlighting vulnerability.
Despite not having killed the intruder, Lonewolf still had an easy kill on his hands. Grabbing the SMG with both hands, he snapped back the trigger and watched as bullets flew in to the armour of the wounded soldier. Half a round was adequate as the heavy body crashed in the sand, blood seeping though the bullet holes of the amour. Lonewolf ignored the body, grabbed his newly acquired SMG in his other hand and ran off in search of more enemies.
Lonewolf panted as he knelt in the sloped tunnel. He has suffered a few unavoidable deaths and had managed to get to the stage of only needing one more kill. His shields were done and didn't look as if they were going to repair themselves for a while. His only gun was empty and he was trapped. Voices were hounding around him. The lone soldier's heart quickened, he didn't want to go without a fight. Using the walls he pulled his bulky body upright. He winced under the effort as sweat bled down his face and clouded his visor. Between the clouds of mist, two Spartans ran up the tunnel towards him. He couldn't see their faces but he knew that they were grinning at him, the same grin he would give sometimes give when he fell upon easy prey.
'One more kill,' he breathed out to the oncoming soldiers.
They were close enough now. They're foolishness to underestimate a crippled warrior like himself would cost them dearly. With a grace uncharacteristic for his wounded condition he pulled the pin out of a grenade and dropped at his feet. The oncoming Spartans stumbled over themselves and tried to turn but it was too late. The confined space of the tunnel propelled the bodies of the two soldiers out of the entrance and in to the sun. Lonewolf was smashed against a wall as the force of the blast pushed his armour into his chest and killed him instantly. But it was a worthwhile sacrifice.
Matt put down the controller and ripped his headset away from his head. He could feel the sweat on his palms as he fumbled at the switches of the Xbox and the TV. It was over. It was getting tougher to battle alone. The opponents were more battle hardened an experienced than before. It didn't help that some had teamed up on him rather than killing each other. Matt summoned his body to relax and his heart beat raced blood through his body. Matt looked up at the clock above his TV. Eight thirty!
Why hadn't mum called me?
He was going to be late. The blond haired boy scrambled upright and leapt down the stairs. Forcing his feet in to his shoes, he picked up his bag and grabbed the door handle. Matt looked back over his shoulder back down the hallway.
Where is she? She isn't even going to say goodbye?
He sighed and left the house, clicking the door shut.
The needle-like finger of the clock hesitated momentarily and then snapped forward twinned with the screaming of the school bell. Matt leant forward from his slouching position, half on the chair, half on the floor. Before the bell had even died away, students had scooped their books up in their arms and were racing out of the door.
'Are you planning on getting up anytime soon?' he heard the smiling voice of Emily say.
'One sec,' he lazily replied not looking up from his desk but laboriously lifting himself out of his chair.
'Anyone would have thought that you love your lessons, you're always the last out,' she mocked. 'One day you'll talk at other time. You know, even when it's unnecessary to,' she continued, making eye contact.
'And what? End up like you and talk all the time even about trivial rubbish that needn't be said,' he replied sharply.
Before he could continue however, Emily's bag had conveniently shifted from her shoulder and in to her hand and was swung in to his side. Matt shielded himself with his arms, a grin cracked across his face.
'I suppose I deserved that,' he responded. She didn't answer and walked out the room.
'Emily-' He called panicked by her sudden departure. He paused. She had smiled as she had left the room.
She's just teasing me.
He joined in her infectious smile and chased her out of the room, her fast walk changing pace in to a strangled run down the congested corridor. Matt weaved in out the students, one hand out in front parting the waves and the second clutching on to his bag strap. Now and again his head would rise above the rest to see where the taunting schoolgirl was and each time his smile was refreshed as he met her grinning eyes, always mockingly looking back to see where he was. She was just a few metres ahead and Matt was convinced he had her but a paralysing pain shot through his shoulder as if he had hit a wall. His leading arm immediately snapped back to his body as the shock of the impact dropped his body to the floor. His vision went black and the switched to blurry as the floor collided with the back of his head. His body bounced once and then rested on the floor as he tried to regain a sense of reality.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?' A snappy feminine voice mentally slapped him.
'No, what do you think you're doing? I saw you move in front of him to knock him over you twisted bitch!' Emily equally snapped back, leaning over Matt. 'You ok?'
'Yeah, a bit of headache but I'm ok,' he replied, gladly accepting Emily's offer to help him up.
'I never. I didn't even see him. Maybe you and your little geek friend should stop playing kiss chase in the corridor,' the venomous voice interrupted.
Matt looked at the person who could store such a vicious voice. His heart sank; his eyes fell upon Helena's beautiful face despite the annoyance written across her face.
'He's not a geek,' she shouted back, by now the corridor empty apart from the quarrying girls and Matt.
'Of course he is. Everyone knows he'd rather sit indoors and play video games rather than go out with his friends, like you,' she added.
Emily's face twisted and reflected her rage, knowing the last comment was a personal attack. But before she could reply Helena continued her assault.
'Look, next time make sure that he stays out of my way. Maybe you should send him to the new gaming club for geeks. He'd feel right at home and that will keep him out of my way,' she finished with an overly false smile and walked away.
Emily watched the witch turn away, adding further insult to Emily's loss of words. If only she had a knife, she would make sure that it was placed firmly between Helena's shoulder blades. Emily knew she had to keep calm but it was unbearable. The rage inside of her was threatening to boil and spill over. She snapped.
'Bitch!'
The insult echoed down the corridor, chasing after Helena but she simply ignored it and continued walking. Emily cursed herself. It was immature of her to let her anger control her like that. She felt lower that Helena as her anger turned in on herself. A hand rested on her shoulder and her body relaxed under the warm weight.
'I'm sorry Emily I got you involved again. It's not fair that you should fight my battles.' You always do. 'I'm sorry,' Matt said, his voice soothing her explosive anger.
'It's ok Matt,' she replied looking at the floor. 'I just don't understand what you see in her. She hates you,' she replied, her voice tainted with guilt.
Matt joined her stare at the floor.
I don't know either.
'Come on, it's getting late,' Emily commented, her voice awake again. 'Despite Helena being a bitch, she does sometimes say something useful things.'
'Like what?'
'The gaming club of course!' she replied with excitement.
Matt frowned at her. What is she dragging me in to now?
'It will be fun. I mean, I don't want to play of course because I can't but I'm sure you'll find it interesting. You could make new friends,' she pleaded. 'You know geeks like you,' she laughed.
'Well, if you put it that way, why not?' he added, playing along.
'Alright! Let's go then,' she finished, as she grabbed his arm and dragged down the corridor to the computer rooms where it was no doubt being held.
Edging around the frame of the door to the computer room, Emily and Matt peered in. they were immediately bathed in the warm glow of computer and TV screens and Matt felt at home. The room was filled with boys in front of screens, seemingly hypnotised by the invisible flicker of the moving images. Matt recognised it straight away, they were playing Halo 2 on a system link up. That was no great surprise, it is the most popular game out at the moment.
'Why don't you go in?' Emily asked.
I want to Emily but I don't think I can. There's so many of them, I can see who I'm playing against. What if I'm not good enough? They'll laugh at me, I know they will.
'Well?' she asked again, still waiting for a reply.
'You can come in if you want,' a voice called from inside the room. 'We're playing team slayer and we need another player.'
Teams. Matt had never played teams before; he wanted to play alone, always alone.
'Erm, no, forget it,' Matt's words strangled. 'I'm sorry Emily, I've gotta go.' And with that he half ran down the corridor and out the front school doors.
Emily stared after him, her mouth ajar.
What was that about?
Maybe I should run after him?
No, I think he'd rather be just left alone.
You'll see him tomorrow, talk to him about it then.
Well, if he's not going to play, I might as well try.
'I'll be your other player then,' Emily said excitedly, slightly nervous, 'as long as you show me how to play.'
A/n yes, I know it could have been better but my influences to write come to me rarely so I have to grab any opportunity I can. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, I don't think this story will really get going till next chapter. Well, thank you again and don't forget to add me your friend list if you fancy playing any custom games,
KujaWolf
