Disclaimer- blah bla bla.... Don't own them, never have, never will.....
Notes: Sorry this is so late guys, I was writing exams, but I am nearly done, so that's good. Anyway since I never sent a chapter in a while, I wrote an extra long one. And here's a HUGE thank you to everyone that reviewed:
TeacherTam- Glad you like this story so far, and be prepared for more dangerous situations.
Imsorad- I hope I did Ben and Lucas's friendship justice, I really tried my best to get that friendship like on the show, but I hope you like it.
KatKnits00- while, your one question is answered in this chapter, I hope you like it.
Crimson Amber - thanks for the compliment. I am sorry that I haven't updated in a while, so I hope this long chapter will make it up.
Dolphinology- Thanks for the review, I hope that you like this chapter.
Kery Andrew-My pleasure, but it must be me that must thank you for reading my stories. I hope that you will enjoy this chapter.
Vampy- Thanks for your long review, I really love receiving long reviews. And thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I am very pleased that you like my story, and my writing style. I always wanted to write a story that could keep everyone guessing, so that no one will know how it will end. But as for everything turning out right?.....You are just going to have to read on and see. Thanks again for the review.
On with the story:
Chapter Seven
o o o o o o
Ben ran as fast as he could, moving from side to side, praying that he would not be seen, or worse, stand on a mine...
He heard a moan coming from his arms as Lucas began to toss.
Ben quickly did a scan, and found a little ditch where he could stop. He walked slowly, making sure that he protected his precious parcel.
He lowered Lucas softly on the hard, cold ground, before doing another scan.
"Ben?" Lucas asked.
Ben smiled as he sat down next to the kid.
"That's my name," Ben joked.
Lucas frowned, not remember too much on what was happening.
"Cap? Kirsten?" Lucas called out.
Ben shook his head slowly with a grin on his face.
"Sorry kid, they are not here," Ben answered.
Lucas gasped out in pain as he tried to sit up.
Ben immediately lowered Lucas back onto the ground.
"Whoa, kid, hold your horses will ya," Ben said.
"Where...where is everyone?" Lucas asked.
"They are still standing guard, but they will be coming soon," Ben answered.
"Then, why are we here?" Lucas asked with a frown.
"Because you need medical help!" Ben said.
Ben watched as Lucas's blue eyes became clouded with anger.
"NO! They need us!"Lucas replied angrily.
"Whoa! I got orders here, and anyway, they will be right behind us," Ben reinsured.
Lucas was boiling with anger.
"How COULD HE! HE might NEED us! It's just a stupid wound!" Lucas snapped.
Ben bit his lip trying to hold the laugh that was trying to escape.
"Lucas, your little wound nearly killed you," Ben said seriously.
"It's still unfair!" Lucas moaned.
Ben shock his head.
"Come on, you ready? We need to get back to Headquarters," Ben asked.
"Yeah, I'm ok," Lucas said.
Ben nodded and got up and dusted away the dirt from his pants, not that it helped, but it was just a habit that he couldn't get rid of.
He took his gun in his one hand as he offered the other to Lucas.
"I can do it myself," Lucas snapped.
Ben lowered his hand, and watched Lucas with interest.
Lucas saw the smirk on Ben's face. He hated being useless, weak, in pain. He bit his lip hard as he tried to get up.
Ben watched as Lucas raised about an inch before falling back to the ground. His eyes were tightly closed, and he could see the pain.
Lucas bit back the cry as the pain washed over his body. He tried to control his breathing, as with each breath seemed to make the pain ten times worse.
"You ok?" Ben asked worryingly.
Lucas didn't answer; he was just to focused on the pain that he didn't hear the words.
"Luke, you ok buddy?" Ben asked.
After a few seconds, Lucas opened his eyes and glared at Ben.
"I'm fine, and my name is LUCAS!" Lucas snapped.
Ben laughed; he just couldn't help it. Lucas was just one in a million, not even war could tame Lucas, and he was happy about that.
Lucas watched as Ben laugh so hard that tears were running down his face.
"What's so funny?" Lucas asked.
"Nothing, kid, nothing at all," Ben said with a smile.
Lucas frowned but didn't say anything.
"So, do you need a little help up?" Ben asked once he caught his breath.
Lucas did a quickly nod, as he raised his heavy arm.
"Bud, I think I am going to have to carry you," Ben suggested.
Lucas's mouth dropped, as blood rushed to his face, bringing a nice shade of red to his checks.
"NO!" Lucas said horrified.
Ben chuckled as he watched the reaction.
"Can you walk?" Ben asked.
Lucas bit his lip, as he quickly calculated his options.
"I just need a little help up," Lucas said.
Ben nodded, and knelt down, getting a better grip as he carefully helped Lucas's to his feet. Lucas bit his lip, as the pain became worse.
"Listen; just let me carry you. It will go fast and the faster we get there, the faster we can get help," Ben said.
Lucas looked at Ben, and nodded his head.
"Ok, but if you tell anyone I'll have to kill you," Lucas promised.
Ben laughed and nodded his head.
Ben quickly looked around, making sure that he had everything, and that he could use his gun at the first sign of danger. Then climbed a bit higher than he was, so he could see the surrounding areas, he quickly scanned the area, making sure that there was no one in sight, before returning to Lucas.
"Ok, now stand still," Ben said as he tried to pick Lucas up.
Ben was actually concerned that Lucas hardy weighed a thing, but he knew it was because of the blood loss, and because none of them had that much food.
Ben felt Lucas's bones through the thin clothing, and wondered how much the kid could take.
"You ok?" Ben asked as he heard Lucas's gasp.
"I'm Fine," Lucas said through breaths.
"Ok, it's time to go," Ben said as he started to walk.
Lucas hated being touched, but right then, he felt safer in Ben's arms. He looked at the dark and gloomy trees around them before he lost fight with sleep.
Ben had been walking for a minute before he left Lucas's head roll on his shoulder; he looked down to see that Lucas was a sleep.
"Night, Luke," Ben said softly.
He looked around at the night's sky, there was little light from the stars, but it was just enough for him to see the branches. He moved slowly, afraid of falling or running into a tree, or stepping on a twig.
He wished he knew how everyone else was, he just hoped that they all made it through the night, alive.
With a big sign, he made his way through the path.
o o o o o o o
Nathan heard footsteps coming closer, he used his hand to motion to the others to be still as he heard the bush next to him move as he saw a boot right in front of his face...
o o o o o o o
Ben breathed a sign of relief as he started to recognise the area they were heading to.
"Yes!" Ben said softly.
"We there yet?" Lucas asked in-between yawns.
"Nearly, sleepyhead," Ben answered which earned him a glare.
Ben smiled as he made his way to the area where they had camped a few days ago. It was hidden in-between bushes, which made it easy to hide, but hard to get in and out.
"Luke, we are just going to make a quick pit stop," Ben said as he made his way through the spiky bushes.
"Ou!" Lucas moaned as a branch caught his face.
"Sorry bud, we are nearly there," Ben apologised.
After two minutes of fighting with the bush, they made it into their little camp.
Ben lowered Lucas on the ground near the one bush, which was softer than the others were. As soon as Lucas was safely on the ground, he stretched his aching body.
Sure Lucas was light, but he also had to carry his backpack, and he had walked a few kilometres, combined with the lack of food and sleep, made him tire easy.
"You ok?" Lucas asked as he heard Ben's bones creak as he stood up straight.
"Yeah, just getting old," Ben joked.
Lucas nodded, as he looked at the stars.
"Doesn't that look like a dolphin?" Lucas asked as he traced the outline with his figure.
Ben looked up, and saw the outline.
"Sure looks like one," Ben said as he lay down next to Lucas.
"I always wanted a dolphin," Lucas said softly.
"What would you do with a dolphin?"
"Teach it how to speak," Lucas said seriously.
Ben cracked up laughing, which caused Lucas to look at Ben.
"A talking dolphin, ha ha, that would be the day," Ben joked.
Lucas looked back at the sky.
Ben got up, as he still giggled about the idea of a talking dolphin.
"Why is that so funny?" Lucas asked.
Ben looked at Lucas, and suddenly saw the hurt in Lucas's blue eyes.
"Nothing's wrong with that, just never thought that it could happen," Ben said seriously.
"It could, with the right technology," Lucas answered.
Ben looked at Lucas; he could see the determination in Lucas's eyes.
"Hey kid, when you do make your dream come true, and you become a billionaire, remember me," Ben joked.
Lucas smiled as he looked back at the sky that held a million dreams.
Ben opened his back bag and drew out a water bottle.
"Drink up kid, we better start moving," Ben said as he handed the bottle to Lucas.
Lucas took a little sip, but stopped as it caused a sharp pain in his side.
Ben helped Lucas sit up a bit more to help Lucas breathe.
"Want some more?" Ben asked.
Lucas couldn't speak so he just shock his head.
"Ok, maybe later," Ben said as he lowered Lucas back down.
He took a swig from the bottle, making sure that there would still be some left for the rest of the journey.
"How much longer till we reach Headquarters?" Lucas asked.
"Not that long, It will probably take us till morning," Ben said.
"Can't we rest here?" Lucas asked.
"No, we can't risk it. They are getting closer, and the longer we wait, the worse it is going to get," Ben replied.
Lucas nodded, totally understanding/
Ben stretched one last time before packing the bottle back into his back, as he dropped it back onto the ground.
"Just going to do a quick scan, stay here," Ben said.
"Like I can move," Lucas replied sarcastically.
Ben just smiled as he grabbed his gun as he made his way through the bushes.
He walked slowly, careful of not getting caught by the braches.
Once out the hole, he slowly made his way out, scanning everywhere for anything out the ordinary.
Once he made sure it was safe, he made his way back into the thick bushes.
Lucas heard the bushes moving as something came closer, he silently took a breath, hoping that it was Ben.
O o O o O o O o O o O o O
"Wat is dit?" The one solider asked.
"Niks," the other replied.
Nathan and the others didn't breath, too afraid that they would be heard. Only Tim knew what they were talking about, so everyone remained in the darkness, wondering if this would be their last.
Nathan could see a boot moved away as the soldiers turned to leave.
They waited till they no longer could hear voices before everyone released their breaths.
"Wow, that was close," Katie said as she took another deep breath of air.
"What did they say Tim?" Nathan asked.
"The one was just suspicious about a sound," Tim informed everyone.
"Ok, I want everyone to lay low; we are going to head back. They should have had evacuated already. It's time for us," Nathan said.
Everyone nodded in agreement. No one wanted to remain on this hell; they wanted to be on friendly lands, they wanted to be at home.
o o o o o o
Lucas signed in relief as he saw Ben reappear.
"Did you miss me?" Lucas joked.
Ben just snorted as he placed the bag on his shoulders. Before helping Lucas to a standing position, before using his arms to lift Lucas up. He knew that it wasn't good to move Lucas, but they were nearly there, just a few more hours of walking.
Ben took a deep breath before he started to make his way through the bushes. Before he made his way onto the path, heading to safety.
0 0 0 0 0
Nathan and the others walked a bit further, when they heard gunshots from a distance.
Nathan moved them off path, into a trench, making it easy to hide, but hard to escape.
"Everyone in, we are spending the night here," Nathan ordered.
Ford nodded and jumped in; helping the others in well Nathan kept watch.
"I want everyone to be on alert, tomorrow we are going home, but we still need to be alert," Nathan said as everyone lay heavily against the ground, catching their breaths, and giving their tired bodies a break.
"I wonder how Ben is?" Katie asked.
"I'm sure they would be half way by now," Nathan said confidently.
No one replied. No one really knew what to expect.
Nathan closed his eyes, praying to the heavens above that he made the right choice. That Lucas and Ben were still alive, and that they were safe. Because if he was wrong, he would have sent them to their deaths. Something that he could never forgive himself with.
O o O o O o O o O
Ben tried to keep his mind on his surroundings, but his body was aching. He wished he could just lay down, just to sleep for a few minutes. But he knew that if he did, it could mean their deaths.
He looked down to see that Lucas was once again, fast a sleep. He could hear Lucas's laboured breath and knew that it was not a good sign. This motivated him to walk faster; hoping that he could reach Headquarters in time, to rescue both Lucas and the others.
He was a man on a mission.
O o O o O o O o O
After five hours, Ben reached the hill that he remembered. They made it.
"Lucas, wake up buddy, we made it," Ben said happily.
Lucas woke up and looked at the hill in front of them.
"Where are we?"
"We made it, just over the hill and we can get help," Ben answered.
Lucas felt to weak to say anything, but he did the next best thing, he smiled.
Ben forgot the pain in his legs, the burning sensation in his feet as he made his way up the sharp climb.
"We made it," Ben said again, trying to believe that they actually made it.
Ben stopped for a second, looking at the best route through the bushes, so that they wouldn't get scratched.
He noticed the path that they had taken when they first landed in the area. He smiled.
He was nearly home.
He made his way through the thick bush, as they made their way up. Up ahead, Ben saw that it was starting to clear up, just a few more branches and they would be seeing their friends, the tent, and the helicopter. Not to mention the amazing taste of the ice-cold beer that was calling Ben's name.
They pushed a branch aside, giving them a bird-eye view of the Field... but what they saw was something not expected, something so frightening that it sent shivers down their spines. With one second, their dreams, and hopes had turned into dust....
O o O o O o O o O
Ha ha ha ha.... And you thought I was going to finish, didn't you. You should have known it was going to be a cliffhanger, and I bet you are all wondering what could have happened? I just have to say that there are still going to be a few chapters, I have a good idea on what is going to happen, so I know where this is heading. And I just have to say that no one will be able to guess what happens...
I'll try to post the next chapter soon, Unfortunately I am writing a four-hour exam on Friday, so there won't be anything this week. Sorry guys.
Till the next chapter....
K