A/N: Took me less than I expected. Well, here we are. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The Loud House belongs to Nickelodeon and I do not make any money writing this fic.
Summary: It all began with an innocent look that soared the sporty girl and the man with the plan down a path not meant for them to take together, searing their hearts under siege. LynnColn
A Siege of Hearts
Chapter 6
Lost and Found.
The ride to the school was unpaired to the mental exhaustion she felt after yesterday's dilemma and all the thoughts that followed. Lynn kept turning on her sleep, thinking about her brother and the kiss they almost shared. Sighed as she chained her bicycle to the school stand she made her way to the shower rooms, gym bag slung over her shoulder and backpack filled with other sport equipment, including her favorite bat. She enjoyed the opportunity that the couch gave her and finally, she could bleed out all of that frustration from her body, feeling the grass and the breeze and nothing else, with the sweet sound of the bad losers of the team moping at the couch that a girl was kicking their asses and she shouldn't be 'allowed' to even play. As soon as she entered the shower rooms that were separated by the two genders, all eyes went on her, some boys groaning, some with hateful eyes watching her. With a shit eating grin, Lynn went to the women's restroom to get changed quickly.
Putting on her protective padding, she put on the black jersey with two reflective lines to differentiate her from the other players. The coach had insisted on it as a rule. Personally, she didn't like it. Black was a color for her pessimistic goth sister and her deadpan ways; nor only that but it tended for the boys to go against her—nor that it really mattered—after all, she was the best player in the entire team and the best player in every team she participated at. Some came close but nobody could be as good as she was and today, it wouldn't be any different, she thought to herself placing her gym in her locker and taking her white helmet with the R from the Royal Woods Roosters stenciled with a sharpie marker.
Exiting the changing rooms she smirked putting on her United States flag gloves cracking her neck as she went. The coach looked at her slowly nodding his head.
"Alright ladies and lady" He nodded in her direction making her smirk. "I don't any of you moping or crying, the season begins on September…that LEAVES PWLEEEEEEEENTYYYY of time to get you on shape and kick ass. I saw some new names on the rooster and now that I see you let me put it clearly, this is a no slacker's team. Let's start with the basics. Thirty laps!"
There were consecutive groans from the team who hated cardio and just wanted to start pumping iron or do more demanding exercises.
"You heard the coach! MOVE IT!" Lynn howled slamming her feet on the grass, ready to give the whole nine yards.
The coach turned to her shaking his head pleasingly.
"You heard her! MOVE IT"!"
With a smirk, she was the first to go, running like the wind ahead of the group. What she didn't notice were two burly guys who stayed at the back of the line staring at her angrily, their fists shaking from rage. The ugly visage of a brawny teen pulled in an angry clench of missing teeth, angrily glaring menacingly at the brunette.
The coach looked at the teens with an even angrier expression, planting his feet firmly on ground.
"You deaf Zaldivar? If you think because your cousin is on The Hazeltucky Hockers, should I treat ya harsher as a despised enemy? Hell YEAH I SHOULD. Get in line, you too Ward"
"Yes coach!" Both teens said running to catch up, throwing a last heated look against Lynn, who was by now finishing half a lap, going steadily with a wide smile on her face.
Victor Zaldivar was the cousin of Hawk, member of one of the school rivals. Due financial situation, his mother could not move from Huntington Oaks, where his cousin was and he couldn't go to that school and team, where he felt that he would be like home and instead he was stuck in this retarded team of losers. But most of all, he was already sick at the gloating bitch with shit stained hair mocking everyone. The fuck face of the coach was allowing her to play, calling it a 'practice' but he and his friend, Terry—consequently also the cousin of Hank in the same situation—thought otherwise. They were tired at the glorified brunette who rubbed on everyone's faces that she was the best and they weren't the only ones, the whole team was annoyed at the fact that she was making them look bad. Victor didn't know how the hell she got so lucky to really move the way she did. She was probably sucking off the coach and that's why she was allowed to play with them.
Football was a no girl's game and today they were going to show her exactly why. His grin was mirrored by his friend who licked his chomps at the pleasure they will feel today after practice and maybe, they wouldn't have to hear from her ever again.
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"Keep it steady, shhhhhhh. Relax Lincoln"
He was too excited, too sporadic to relax. The protective goggles he was using kept fogging up for some reason, his hands couldn't stop shaking. Not only that, but to add to his nervousness a man next to him was firing a loud semi-automatic rifle repeatedly, casings flying and hitting the protective net that separated each shooting line adding to his nervousness, flinching at every echoed of the report that resounded in the firing range. He jerked the rifle to the right and fired missing the 25 yards target entirely, hitting the dirt incline. He could almost cry in embarrassment as other kids laughing at him from their benches, their fathers behind them hitting them at the back of their head in a reproving manner.
There was no embarrassment to be had at your first time and his dad encouraged him to dry his goggles and try once more. With his dad putting a hand on his shoulder and another on the stock to calm his shaking, as he was taught, he slowly squeezed the trigger and was amazed to see a hole on paper; sure, outside of target, but on paper at least. It took time to get used to firing, he was expecting the recoil to blow him away and jerked the firearm forward to compensate for it but his dad corrected him immediately to avoid a flinch, a bad habit when it came to shooting. In an effort to impress his dad, he tried to reload the steel magazine of the rifle and ended up cutting his index finger in the sharp edges of the old magazine to his horror and pain, he didn't tell him anything and when he inserted the magazine and racked the charging handle, the bullets kept getting jamming in the chamber. With a sigh, Lynn Sr. checked the magazine and observed the blood stained cartridges, forcing Lincoln's hand to his face with an irritated frown. He couldn't be bullshitted with.
It wasn't that he was angry at his inexpert ways to shooting; there was a time for everything, mistakes were for learning, but it was that he was too excited and too nervous to shoot that he couldn't even trust himself to be straightforward about screwing up. Quickly patching up his finger with a band aid, he didn't let him reload a magazine again. After fifteen rounds, he packed up and they left the shooting range, with Lincoln huffing kicking rocks on his path. His dad chuckled and patted his shoulder.
"I was the same as you" He said as they walked, ignoring the loud gun shots behind them. When Lincoln arrived he was plainly scared, jumping with every gunshot that echoed in the open range, even in the office, he could hear it and it was insanely scary and video games couldn't prepare him for the real thing.
Lincoln looked at him questionably.
"Excited, I wanted to proof myself and I ended up shooting a guy's target by mistake. Your grandpa was furious at shooting at another target rather than mine and had to apologize to the man on the next booth for my mistake. Now that I remember, it's funny" He chuckled as he opened the rear door and deposited the packaged 22LR rifle securely. Father and son mounted Vanzilla in silence, securing their seatbelts, he backed up and on their way they went.
Lincoln sighed. "I'm sorry dad" He said abstinently looking at the window as the world around him rolled around him.
The older man chuckled patting his back. "Nothing to apologize for, it'll get better next time. Now, your mom told me you went hiking with Lynn yesterday. How was it?" He briefly looked at his son, eyes glued on the road in front of him.
All the memories rushed at him at once, especially the last one that made him uncomfortable on his seat, fidgeting with the arm rest of his seat.
"It was amazing" He smiled as his head surged over the memories. The way her warm body felt against his, how her brown hair blew in the mind at the top of the world, her eyes glowing with mischief and something else that made him boil with exhilaration deep inside, he loved when she unashamedly exposed herself to him wondering what could have been if he had stared longer at her. His eyes glazed, a silly smile drawing itself on his face.
His dad was looking at his oddly, lifting an eyebrow and patting his shoulder to gain his attention.
"Everything ok there Lincoln?"
His words woke up from his stupor, his eyes slamming to the concerned gaze of his father.
"I'm ok" He placated his worriedness with an easy going smile. "Just recalling everything. We went to Wadhams Avoca Trail"
His father started laughing immediately. "Ooooh, I can just imagine Lynn's dragging you through the mud that goes beneath the bridge and exits around the museum" He chuckled and interpreted the expression that his son gave him as discomfort. "It's alright son. I know that…physical exertion is not your type of fun with a drill sergeant screaming at you to move it. "He chuckled again. "But at least you had fun right?"
Lincoln's strained lips slowly curved upwards in a bright smile.
"Yeah. I guess I did"
They arrived at a second restaurant that Lincoln favored above others, exactly where his dad worked, Aloha Comrade. The insanity of such combination could turn off a person immediately, but the food was actually quite good. Their mixes were not that all that crazy and some were beyond delicious; today the restaurant was full, activity was buzzing and its often quiet atmosphere was far busier than usual. Up front, there was a man that usually took reservations perked at the sight of their sous chef.
"Good afternoon Mister Loud. Good to see you in your day off, ah, and you brought mini you" The man said with a thick Russian accent, making Lincoln chuckled at it. This man was the cousin of the owner, Sergei. At the counter, was the twin brother of the owner, Paul, a Russian born American.
With a curtsy smile Lynn Sr. greeted him.
"Likewise Mr. Faustin. I was around the neighborhood and we're starving. I know it's short of closing time, but I thought of stopping by and have something with my boy" The restaurant had odd opening and closing hours as a custom in Russia, they opened half an hour before noon and closed at ten. The only thing that was Americanized was that they opened on Sundays, though just shy of four hours, mid-day to four.
The man nodded. "Certainly, Sergei never had any problems. Especially for his family" Both Loud's smiled as they were directed to a table close to the kitchen. They didn't mind, with the difficulty of running such traffic of customers, it was the least they could. He always ate free whenever he wanted, and today wasn't any different. He loved his job to the point where he quitted his job as an I.T for his love of kitchen and Sergei wasn't not only his boss, he was a dear friend. As usual, Lincoln ordered four steak and Pineapple Shoyu Chicken filled Pirozhki. There were like fried buns that were common in Slav cuisine, together with Hawaiian style fries consisting on curly fries topped with BBQ Pork, BBQ sauce, kewpie mayo, pineapple salsa, bacon, and scallions with a large glass of peach tea.
Lynn Sr. ordered a dish that always disgusted him, Aspic. It was like some sort of gelatin made out of meat stock and it was filled with fish, sliced beef and surprisingly scrambled eggs, with a side of a dish called loco moco, consisting on white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy. Lincoln called it, the puddle and for a good reason. His dad ordered fresh squeezed lemonade with the meal.
As the server retired with a smile at his direction, father and son were left alone in the table.
"You're growing into a fine young man Lincoln. I know I don't say it much, what with the insanity of the house and all the things that are going on. Glad you're keeping it together" He placed his hand on his and squeezed, both smiling at each other.
After eating, Lynn Sr. spoke with Paul and they went on their way, back home. Lincoln suddenly remembered what his sister said about the game, cursing himself he hoped he wasn't too late to miss whatever she planned on doing, mesmerized, he remembered she wanted to tell him something, but what? With these doubts, the young white haired boy pondered, staring to the outside world in Vanzilla.
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The orange sled was pushed by the screaming brunette, tearing chunks off grass from the field, far beyond the line that the coach had set up bringing a smile out of his face.
"Good job Loud. I want to see all of you ladies do exactly as THAT! SOLID DEFENSE! Like a castle tower! Go, go, go!"
Hours had passed since the demanding training began but still Lynn was giving her 110%, passing every obstacle with the grace of a professional. From the agility conditioning using bag drills, rope drills, kettlebell walking, resistance training, weight lifting, sledding weights and other exercises. A thick glace of sweat dripped down her body, perspiring with exhaustion and joy at bleeding her almost infinite energy. She was so busy doing her own thing that she didn't notice the two burly boys snickering to each other, occasionally looking from her at each other doing their own set of exercises.
As always, the training session after weight training involved long throwing and running, playing in the sand pit and a mock game in which she tackled more players than everyone else. She was fast and hit like a mule, with an almost untold source of energy but she wasn't the fastest and they already had a running back, a thin but tall African American kid, which they called ostrich for how fast he ran.
Three hours later the coach finally called it quits and they went to refresh themselves with cold and delicious Gatorade, feeling as the drink went down her throat, Lynn felt better than ever after burning so much energy and making everyone else look like fools. She didn't really felt bad or ashamed for kicking their asses; it was her pride and joy to bask in the glory of their known dislike towards her. She made peace with it and she didn't care whatsoever that they cried to the coach behind her back but he refused to stop including her in practices for a goddamn well good reason.
She was Lynn Fucking Loud and she was that good. Privately, the coach told her that if it wasn't for the stupid league rules, she would be player and leading the team to victory as a quarterback, but rules were rules. As much as he loved her performance, he was still somewhat mad over last year fiasco, but with her performance discovered, he couldn't say no to participate. The only bad thing she had to deal with was the crying.
They should feel ashamed at being beaten so badly, it really showed in their character what a lousy team they were and she felt bad for the coach for having so many sore losers under his care, being disappointed again and again with their performance. There was some talent there and she recognized it as a team player, but personally? They couldn't compare to her. Feeling once more the heated glares, she retired to the shower rooms, squeezing an empty Gatorade cup in the trash can. Having the entire female changing and shower room, she took off her clothes and showered, feeling her body's knots untangled, sighing in relaxation and wishing that a certain someone would give her a delicious massage. She felt her entrails pulsing with heat with enough force to make her tilt to the shower wall, holding for support. Shaking her head, she forced her body to calm down; this was neither the time nor the place for such things and she wanted to be presentable when Lincoln came around and without smelling like she rolled in trash for three hours straight.
Outside the shower rooms, the boys came in hollering in excitement for the good practice, making fun of each other but never mentioning Lynn in any sort of way; they rather not talk about it and be ushered for embarrassment and the rage that came with it since she wasn't officially part of the team, it didn't count. For them girls could not play football and rules were rules.
Two boys stayed in the hallway licking their chops in anticipation for what was coming. They looked at each other and grinned savagely before entering after.
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Lynn Sr. and Lincoln arrived at home feeling it a little less louder with nobody jumping around railings or practicing other extreme sports, even with the older sibling out of the house. Though the ruckus was still running strong.
Guitars were shredded in rock solos, the twins fought heavily over a stuffed animal and how it should be decorated, the family comedian was recording her jokes and playing them back for her own amusement in the radio cassette, speakers echoing. The bubbling of scientific experiments and the sudden flashes of electricity came under the family scientist and genius with the sporadic explosion echoing through the hallway. The youngest of the siblings, Lily played with a stand walker making sound effects with her mouth and giggling. It was another day in the Loud house, making honor of their last name. Mr. Grouse saw them arrive as he tended to his garden. Observing that the ball trouble maker was not home let him breath in relief. He was already so sick of gathering balls that the sportsgirl send his way, though being bribed by Mrs. Loud with a delicious meal wasn't so bad.
With a cordial tilt of his head he fixed his glasses over his nose. Their relation had changed since last Christmas, and he had warmed up to them, the family's next door kindness not forgotten. But he was still stern as ever and that he'll ever be until the end of his days.
"Fine evening isn't it?" Buddy Grouse smiled more at Lincoln than his father, but the sentiment was about the same.
"Yup!" Lincoln answered as relaxed on the garage driveaway.
"Lincoln, I'm going to store your 'gift' and start making lunch. We're eating Mexican Tacos today." He smiled at the face that his son made. "Mr. Grouse, have a good day"
"You too Mr. Loud!" The old man exclaimed before setting his eyes back on the white haired boy. "You look refreshed there Lincoln. Having a good summer for once?" He chuckled remembering all the family's misadventures.
The white haired boy groaned. "Somewhat like that. I've been hiking with my sister"
"Oh, so she finally managed to knock some sense into you and stop…what youngster's use these days? Bugger out your summer. Clearly the only thing that I like about your sister, besides adding to my ball collection is that she at least can show you the city around through a hike. Can't imagine how grueling she was."
The smile that drew on the boy's face was unexpected.
"It wasn't really that bad…I even had fun. We went to that train trail that is said to have ghosts scaring off newcomers."
The old man chuckled. "Heard about that one."
"Then we walked up the mountain. I could see the Canadian border from where we were. We had a light meal, visited the museum and then we went home. I wish you could have come visit for my birthday Mr. Grouse"
The old man grumbled something intelligible. "Unfortunately, my coneflowers are currently sprouting and I must tend to them. But happy past birthday boy" He smiled placing his hands on his white fence.
Lincoln smiled. "Thank you. I even haven't had the time to enjoy my presents! It's been hasty as heck!"
The old man groaned. "You don't say" He alleged sarcastically. "Off you go Loud, bother me next week. Scram!"
Lincoln laughed at the good jest. "I'll see you later; enjoy the rest of your day. Bye!"
The old man made a rude dismissive gesture but smiled widely once Lincoln entered his house, amused at the cheerful youngster.
As soon as Lincoln opened the door, he was exposed to the crescendo of sound. Already used to it, he chuckled to himself.
"Home sweet home. ALRIGHT, SUMMER ME TIME!" He screamed to nobody in particular, passing the kitchen where his father was currently cooking a delicious meal. He made his way upstairs, avoiding toys scattered around. The young twins immediately marched up to him.
"LINCOLN! Tell this mud sack that Bethany shouldn't have coveralls and should play to be an something important….a derby warrior, not a prissy princess" Lola threw a hateful gaze at her twin, pulling a doll towards her, tightening her teeth in an ugly visage. Her twin pulled towards her side growling like a savage dog.
"No way. Bethany McQueen is the top racer and the princess of derby and top dog in the track. She needs a good monster truck and gets some blood pumping adrenaline! Not silly cartoony, pink tea parties" The 7 years mocking grin rose up making her twin to shake in rage. Sensing the massive altercation that was about to come, Lincoln was quick to snatch the toy.
"HEY!" Both twins screamed in unison.
"Sisters of mine, I got a solution!" Toy in hand, the boy walked to his room and opened the door. Sighing he directed his sight to one of his most treasured possessions. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake with what he was about to do. "Why not Bethany is a princess…who also is a monster truck derby warrior? Bun-Bun could be the royal servant and to make sure that Princess Bethany has proper etiquette when destroying her opponents?"
The twins smiled widely agreeing with the idea.
"She's gonna be the most proper destructiprincess in the WHOLE WORLD!" Lola laughed accepting Bun-Bun from Lincoln who only showed an ounce of resistance at giving Bun-Bun away to somebody else and while he loved him, his sister's happiness was far more important than his own…he just hoped not to find him in pieces. Sighing as the twins closed the door of his room, he dug the box of the Play Station from his hiding place. Silently thanking his dad once more, he looked at his covered finger once more, feeling the disappointment he felt at failing to show his dad that he could load that magazine, but his dad was right. He would get better next time
The sudden radio static interrupted his reverie, his Ace Savvy walkie talkie cracking to life.
"Silent Adventurer, Silent Avenger do you copy?" The voice of Clyde echoed through his room. Lincoln was sure to make a highly exaggerated radio effect with his mouth before picking up the radio and pressing the receiver button.
"This is Silent Adventurer, copy loud and clear Sergeant Valor. I got the package secured good to go!"
"Copy that Silent Adventurer. Let's rendezvous in the designated area"
"Render…what?" Lincoln asked confusedly.
"It means a reunion point. You wanna come to my house and try out that bad boy? My parents are currently busy with something else and I could use the company…to pass the pain of losing Lori" There were sniffles coming from the other end of the radio. Lincoln sighed at his dramatism.
"Sure, lunch isn't ready for another couple of hours. Though I promised Lynn to come to her football practice today"
There was pause from the other end of the radio before it cracked to life again.
"Dude, are you ok? You've been hanging out with Lynn more than the usual. I thought you hated any sort of physical activity with your sister, and she's crazy to pump you to mush and grind your bones with her irrational sports fixation"
Lincoln had to stop himself to say something rude back at his friend and held his tongue. It was the truth and it was showing, being painfully obvious. Why would he suddenly had a change of heart?
"Is she black mailing you? Shall I ask my parents to borrow our spy equipment…that I am no longer able to use due a certain incident with Lori, just so we can have something to counter black mail her?"
Lincoln almost laughed aloud. "No…no" He chuckled. "Nothing like that. 'Sides, if I wanted something like that, I could just ask Luan to give me some of her tapes. It's just a family thing Clyde, that's it" He lied.
"Are you sure?" Clyde asked again, a suspicious tone to his words.
"Positive, everything is just peachy"
"Alright man. Just watching out for you. I'll see you here Lincoln. Sergeant Valor out!" The transmission cut off. Lincoln sighed dejectedly noticing for the first time that he had to be more careful. If somebody like him caught on that he was behaving off the norm, his family could also notice it too, and worse, Lynn herself would also notice. Yesterday had been one of the best days of his short life and it was with Lynn; he felt his heart accelerating at the thought of the almost kiss, thinking that maybe he should have wing it before backing up on the idea. It was just wishful thinking from his part, any other sibling would hurl their lunch and tell their parents to drag them to the loony bin. He would be a pariah for the rest of his life and his family would be black listed from any conceivable place on existence. He cringed in horror imagining an scenario where his education would burn and no job would accept him for having the hots for his own sister. Shaking with fear, he took the Play Station box, telling his father where he would be before heading to Clyde's house who smiled, opening the door for him.
Both boys shook in excitement at discovering the hidden jewels that his dad put in the box…Resident Evil: Director's Cut, Armored Core, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Ace Combat 2 and this version of the Play Station had come with Cool Boarders 2 with a special skin on the console and a couple of copies from Play Station Pro and PSM magazines. They salivated and were quickly to plug it into Clyde's Sony Trinitron TV. Disappointingly, the survival horror game could not be played due Clyde's paranoia, and for good reason. His parents hated anything gore related and did not allow their son to own anything that was highly violent, or worse, show nudity; ever since DOOM and Duke Nukem 3D came out, they were very aware that violence shouldn't be an entertaining value for growing children, at least in their eyes. So it would be a next opportunity where Clyde would visit Lincoln's instead.
They played Ace Combat 2 taking turns in the highly addicting jet action and before Lincoln could even picture, two hours had passed. Packing he said his goodbyes and went to his house, getting ready for Lynn's after practice. He sighed, hoping that whatever she had to tell him didn't hurt their relationship. It was sort of odd, Lynn had always been extremely blunt and to the point; her rebellious nature and crisp attitude had never allowed her to have many secrets of her own. As he was ready to mount his bike, his mom arrived, pulling her car into the garage. Smiling, the woman exited her car and saw her son, arching an eyebrow; she placed her hands on her hips.
"And where are you going young man? Didn't you have enough outside time with dad already? Plus, he called me to tell me you also went to Clyde's, and now you're going out…again? Do you have a cold honey?" She playfully ruffled his hair, feeling his forehead.
"No!" He moved her hand away. "Lynn just told me to meet her after her practice, it's almost time."
The matriarch smiled widely. "Well, whatever she did to you, I better increase her allowance"
The snow colored boy rolled his eyes. "Very funny…I know you just arrived from work bu-"
"Consider it done" She smiled heading to her car and starting it once more. "Hop in"
"You're the best mom"
The matriarch smiled. "Oh stop it you, you're making me blush"
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Any second now…
Lynn was sitting in one of the lower steel bleachers that faced the field, to be exact, the one just behind the forest of Royal Woods, what gave the city its original name. She sighed, bouncing her backpack on her legs, elbows propped on it, palms holding her face staring at the fence that separated the football field from the school, waiting. She had to be patient; after all, it had only been close to ten minutes since practice was over. The Royal Woods Roosters were slowly going off the field; she saw them go hating on the game rules for not allowing females officially in the team but she couldn't do anything but watch. The feeling of kicking all their asses and to beat any record that they held seemed to banish, since it did not really count. They were the players, she was not.
Two stayed behind, without her noticing; they went behind the row of steps looking at Lynn's feet dangling from underneath.
Victor and Terry grinned, making sure that the coast was clear; they waited until the last of the team exited the field. In an instance, they held Lynn's feet from under the rows and pulled. A surprised scream tore off from the surprised brunette, her feet tangling with the gym bag falling down the steps on the field as she fell down under, smacking her head painfully on the ground below and brushing her forehead with the steel row. She grunted lightheaded from the hit, looking around in pain in an instance being met by a quick jab at her stomach taking the air from her lungs, body quivering at the lack of oxygen and the shock of pain.
Terry punched her brutally on her face bloodying her nose. Lynn grunted at the pain by now getting off the surprise and instinctively kicking Terry on the face as he tried to hold on her legs. Grunting at the pain, Lynn rolled her torso on her side to avoid another punch by Victor, head-butting him on the face.
"Yaghhh! You fucking bitch!" He held his now broken nose now on his bloodied fingers, looking through his flexed fingers at the incoming fist that knocked him on his ass with a violent humpgh!
"What the hell are you doing, you assholes?!" Lynn didn't hesitate to roll of her backpack, pulling the protruding bat from within, prepared to bash his face in if he ever approach her breathing as the adrenaline surged through her body, but unfortunately for her, she committed a mistake, giving her back to her opponent. Terry tackled her violently with the force of a freight train . She hit the ground painfully, her bat launched from her hands. She groaned, body quivering in agony and crying in pain, busted nose dripping on the grass below. The two boys approached her cautiously, holding their jerseys in their hands. In an instant, Victor kicked her on the side, making her roll on the dirt facing the steel rows with a scream of pain. The boys were on her in a second, Victor was quick to jam the shirt between her teeth, as Lynn struggled harshly against his hold; Terry intervened smashing her head hard on the grass as red and black danced on Lynn's vision using the momentary daze to roll it around her neck cutting her air circulation, choking painfully on spit, eyes flying open, barely muted NO mouthed by her lips. The second shirt was used to tie her hands painfully behind her back and then joined both of her wrists together which were slammed on grass and held down. Both boys finally broke into a smile, checking out their handiwork.
Victor brushed his bloody nose aside, smiling sadistically. His partner grunted, cupping at the bulge that could be seen on his practice football pants, smiling hazily at Lynn.
"We're going to teach ya a lesson you whore" The Latino grinned cruelly starting to pull his pants down and that's when true horror set in into Lynn, struggling with every ounce of her strength to not veil, both boys relishing in the suffering they were about to administer, fingers clenching her pants.
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It wasn't long before the school field was visible from the adjacent street.
"I won't be long mom" Lincoln exited the car waving to his mom, entering the sport field scanning for Lynn. He groaned to himself, as always his sister was late for everything! Rolling his eyes, he walked over the running track and into the grass continuing to scan the field for Lynn. He eyed the forest behind the steel bleachers and decided to sit down and wait for her walking towards it. It was a shame that he missed the practice; he didn't like the sport…especially after the stunt they both pulled and his complete failure that led his team to complete annihilation from the season. To this day, Coach Pacowski scowled every time they met, to the point where his first name didn't exist anymore. While he didn't like the sport, or any sport whatsoever, he did enjoyed looking at his sister go and kick ass. Due the dumb laws she couldn't be part of the team but the coach allowed her to play and practice, to the complete shame of the Royal Woods Roosters as they sucked in comparison to her.
His shoes crunched on grass, observing the empty field by now resigned to wait for Lynn, heading for the steel steps. Though the moment he thought he heard something, ignoring it, he approached them before stopping in confusion. Lynn's gym bag was plopped on the ground but she was nowhere to be seen. Tilting his head, he approached it.
Under the steel steps Lynn struggled with every ounce of her strength, her eyes scrunching into slits, the will to survive stronger more important than anything else in her world. The two friends froze up at the noise of footsteps approaching the steel steps, not moving an inch, Terry holding his half-done pants. But Lynn heard it too, and she had other ideas.
"LLLLLLMGHHHHH!" She moaned as loud as she could forcing Victor to slam another meaty fist on her shoulder making her choke on her own spit, convulsing on the ground from the agony.
She wasn't going to give up so easily, forcing her legs up, she bicycled kicked Victor in the face busting his lips with a kick that left him watching stars, falling to his side. As she felt the pressure on her hands relieved she immediately froze up her mouth from the stinky shirt.
"HEEEEEEELP!"
Terry snarled in rage, his hands flying to her neck and squeezing the life out of her, Lynn's eyes peeled open as she chocked flailing her limbs on the air. The sudden cry of fury stopped the teenager, enough to hear the fast approach of footsteps before a blur of brown smashed against his head, dropping him like a sack of potatoes. With a vicious scream Lincoln smashed the bat against the torso of Victor who was just coming about tearing a pained scream from his throat, clutching at his side as a nasty sound echoed through the field. Terry stood up, a massive clogged yellow bump on his forehead bleeding down his face, Lincoln turning around to deal some more punishment, seeing red but Terry was faster than he anticipated, taking the bat on his meaty hands and pulled, propelling him forward suddenly where a waiting geared fist was waiting for him. Lincoln went down with a pained scream clutching at his new purplish shiner, but he couldn't give up no matter what, using every ounce of strength he stood up with a snarl.
The Latino spit some blood that had seeped into his lips smashing his hands together, taking Lynn's bat into his own.
"I'm gonna fuck you up white haired freak"
As he advanced angrily for Lincoln's blood, Lynn undid the shirt that had loosened in the fight, standing up on wobbly feet and shaking the dizziness from her head. Death was coming for Lincoln, this guy wasn't going to stop. Instantly she broke into a mad dash towards Terry as he lifted the bat over his head, Lincoln lifting his hands to protect himself. She ran faster than any time in her life snarling with fury but she didn't saw Victor lifting his forearm at the last second making her tumble and knock Terry to the ground as she collided with him, the boy rolling several times on the grass and smashing his head with the rock support of the steel steps shattering his jaw on impact, Lynn skidding on the dirt with a grunt.
Victor stood up clutching at his side, looking at the violent descent of his friend and at the asshole who had robbed them of their vengeance. Spitting blood from his lips, he didn't say anything, walking towards Lincoln who had now found enough strength to stand up, murdering him with a look. The burly boy was older, easily towered over him, with an advantage of a muscles that he didn't have and over 90 pounds of weight but he wasn't going to give up. Growling in pain as he tried to open his right eye, Lincoln advanced towards him fearless and ready to poke his eyes out if it came to it. They both met screaming and lunging at each other. Victor easily sent a massive punch that impacted against his forehead making his right eyebrow explode with blood, snarling in agony the white haired boy punched at his unprotected side, exactly where he smashed the bat. Victor growled in agony almost collapsing to his knees from the pain, but at the last second he threw a jab that caught Lincoln's on the jaw, smashing his head backwards.
He saw stars, vision blurring with red and black, knocked to his butt, he blinked, trying to ease his brain into functioning. This wasn't good, not good at all as he saw Victor slowly approaching his victim, his bloody teeth clenched in a triumphant grin, limping towards him.
Lynn grunted and came about, shaking her head, observing the world around her. The Latino was down clutching at his broken jaw and destroyed teeth, bleeding from it. She used his leg as leverage to stand up at the same time that Victor met with Lincoln, using his body weight to trap him under him, hands slowly crawling to his neck. Forcing her body to function, she ignored the pain and broke into a mad dash, reaching Victor as he started to squeeze, rolling two hands over his left forearm and pulled, tumbling him off balance and enough for Lincoln to punch between his eyes, not once, but twice, dropping him to his side. Lynn growled, pulling the heavier weight from Lincoln to his feet as her brother stood up, Victor rolling around so fast that threw her to the grass. Using his smaller body, Lincoln sprinted against Victor's legs, knocking the bully on his ass, instantly locking his legs around his massive shoulders, a hand was lifted with firm intentions to knock Lincoln's off his shoulders, but it was clutched in midair before he pulled his arm and punched him on the jaw, knocking Victor's head painfully on the grass, stunned he couldn't do anything as Lincoln punched him again and again, nose exploding on impact, the snow white haired boy yearning for his blood as it splattered against his clothes, snarling with every hit before he felt two arms wrapping around his torso, trying to pull him away from Victor.
"Lincoln! It's over! Stop! You're going to kill him!" Lynn hugged him horrified at the display of violence that her brother had just pulled, never seeing him on this light. Lincoln breathed hard looking around, observing his crying mother with cellphone on hand calling and screamed at the phone. Two school workers were there, pulling the other bully to his feet, screaming something at each other. Coming from whatever possessed him, he sat down next to the would-be-rapist, his shaking hands slowly rotating towards his still blurred vision.
Blood.
They were tinted red. Stealing a look at the beaten boy he stared at him horrified; his face was bubbled red and purple, eyes puffed out and breathing laboriously through his throat, body flailing on the grass.
"I…I" He couldn't finish breaking down, Lincoln's eyes exploded with tears as the sound of approaching sirens echoed in the distance.
Both siblings hugged each other, crying into their arms, their mother wrapping them in a warm hug, crying with them.
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"Yauuuugh!" Lincoln howled with pain as peroxide drenched gauze was applied to the cut on his eyebrow followed by a needle loaded with local anesthetic to numb the skin around the cut skin, a nurse tending to his lip, while another prepared a needle with thread, his bruised knuckles were heavily wrapped in bandages.
Lynn was next to him, sighing as a doctor examined the nasty yellow bruising around her neck, bloody gauze in her nostrils, her arms crawled on her stomach, occasionally shaking every time the abused skin was touched. Their parent's warm gaze washed on them, supporting their children, muttering words of how proud they were, feeling happiness that they were okay, bringing comfort to them to pass the pain as the anesthesia took effect. The Matriarch finally after two hours managed to sit down in a chair, Lily sleeping peacefully in her arms but their father decided to stay at the feet of the bed.
The Loud siblings siblings were outside the room, worried but elated that two of their own were just bruised and bloodied but ok. Lori had been told and tried to force her way into coming, but the Matriarch convinced her to stay in college, after all tomorrow, Monday, she had summer classes. Lincoln and Lynn were going to be ok, requiring some stitches, patching up and rest, pacifying the older sister but not dulling her overprotective nature, promising with fervor that she'll be there next week. Rita had promised to call Lori back in her Nokia 5190 to talk to her siblings. So far, over forty minutes had passed in the emergency room. The matriarch almost crying again with the passage of time, Lynn Sr. holding her and throwing a proud gaze at his son who by now was receiving the first stitches to his right eyebrow, keeping his eyes open holding back a grunt; the needle passing through his skin left an uncomfortable feeling every time it entered and went through the other side.
Lynn Sr. recalled when he received the call; Rita was so frantic and hysterical, screaming at the top of her lungs what just happened as sirens sounded in the background. He almost burned the house down in the rush of going to the hospital and taking the kids, Lana was the one that screamed that something smelled burning before they could take off. He would never forget the sight of Lincoln
At first neither believed that a crime so horrid and putrid almost happened to one of their own; a crime so unheard of in Royal Woods, or any crime whatsoever which was always limited to petty theft.
Rape.
The young ones didn't knew anything as Rita refused to tell the truth, that Lynn was attacked and Lincoln saved her at the cost at getting hurt, but the others knew exactly what had transpired. Luna had her right hand wrapped around Luan and the other held Lucy, their heads pressed against her shoulder, dried tears could be seen on their cheeks. Leni's tear stained cheeks looked between the twins holding each other on the left chair, hands intertwined around their older sister arm and on the other Lisa, who held Leni for dear life, occasionally cleaning a lonely tear that managed to escape her eyes without shame.
Never had their children been so badly injured by someone else, topping even Lola's incident last year when she broke one arm and one leg; the cherry in the top came when the ambulance that those ruffians came and was followed by two Police cars.
"You think we can go and see them soon?" Luan asked her older sister who tightened the hold on her siblings.
"I hope so. I am sick of sitting here. I want to see my brother. We've been sitting on this chair forever". The musician sighed, not bothering to fake her accent.
The Goth swallowed of lump in her throat.
"Hopefully soon, but, how long is forever?" She sighed, stomach in turmoil.
"Indeed dearesh shister, hopefully, forever, becomes soon. Thissh hoshpital isn'th profligate. Our siblings will be here soon enough" The short brunette said.
The emergency room doors opened, two gurneys rolled through the hallway flanked by two policemen each, two teenage boys lying on them, arms attached to the railings with handcuffs. They were terribly injured, faces purple, covered in bandages, with the dark skinned one face wrapped around to support his broken jaw.
Luna growled, shaking with rage.
"Get those filthy animals away from here. They shouldn't even be sharing the same air as us"
Everyone was surprised at the tenacity in which the musician displayed and the sentiment was shared by all. Lola and Lana stood up ready to finish what Lincoln started, Leni barely holding them back though a faint 'dirty bastards' was heard from the blonde shaking the sisters to stare at her in surprise at the curse, though the older sisters didn't reprimand her. The blonde looked away, shaken at her own words but they all understood the sentiment.
Tensions were running high
A policeman dressed differently than the others came through the hallway. He was wearing in simple jeans, black dress shirt, brown belts with matching shoes with a large badge attached to his belt, service pistol on his left side. He tilted his head at the family as a greeting before knocking on the door. A doctor opened it for him and he entered with the siblings trying to peek inside the room, the doctor smiling warmly at them before closing the door.
The policeman smiled at the young teenagers being currently patched up in the hospital bed, smiling warmly at them.
"Loud siblings, I presume?" He questioned, pulling a notepad and a pen from his pockets.
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Three hours later they were home, between family, holding as close as they could to not open their newly patched up wounds, eating Lynn Sr. tacos and despise the stitches and injuries, the siblings were more than happy to be back, surrounded by their loved ones. Lincoln and Lynn managed to talk without difficulty, though Lynn was bruised, there was no way in hell she was going to reject her dad's famous tacos and what didn't kill you, just made you stronger, she thought to herself sending a warm look at her brother who returned it with a warm smile, hands brushing under the table, with a blush, they recoiled like if being burned. Lynn sighed inwardly, remembering their pending conversation; it filled her with rage that those two mother fuckers interrupted her revelation in the worse way possible.
The policeman asked them to explain the facts to the best of their ability and the siblings weren't that bruised to avoid talking, though Lynn spoke slowly due her bruised throat. When they were finished, the policeman had politely taking his leave, needing the necessary evidence that would be used against the teens, where they would stay behind, for a long time.
Rita ran frantic into the kitchen with Nokia in hand, passing it to Lincoln.
"It's Lori!"
He nodded, taking it. "Hello?"
"Lincolnareyouok, whatthehellhappened, how'sLynnohmygodshouldhavebeenthereilov-"
"Woah simmer down Lori." He chuckled. "Lynn and I are fine. Bruised and hurt, but fine"
She sighed from the other side of the line.
"Thank God" Lori swallowed a sob. "I am so happy. When I heard about it I wanted to be there immediately but mom convinced me to stay. I could never imagine that someone so lowly could even try that. I can hardly believe it myself".
Lincoln's eyes shocked everyone on the table, immediately taking an icy cold blue, his bandaged hands shaking with rage.
"Nobody…will…ever…hurt her. I swear it. Nobody will put their filthy hands on my sister ever again." He was held down by his mother, a sob threatening to escape from his lips, sighing in her embrace. Secretly, Lynn's heart started to swell with love at the display, she owned him her life, it would be almost impossible to back up, heart filling with nothing but Lincoln.
Leni hummed with a pensive look on her face, as if she tried to remember something important, but it was perhaps something silly like her own interest in fashion, or perhaps gathering her thoughts into words without sounding like a complete…well…like Leni like. But once the brunette gazed upon her, she changed her expression once more into a warm smile. Puzzled, she shook her head waiting for her turn at the cellphone.
"Are you alright Lincoln? Do you think you can put us on speaker?" Lori turned serious, wanting to know about her hurt siblings and everyone else.
"I'm fine" He forced a smile pressing the button on the cellphone. "Just a little bit tired."
"Tired enough to not talk to me Lame-O?"
He almost dropped the phone in shock.
"Ronnie Ann!" He smiled. "I thought you would be home studying."
"Bah, that can wait. I had to say something, geez. I heard you kicked two bastards who tried to…grrrrrrr, I can't even finish. I am so mad. I wish I was there so I could crap their skulls open and..." Someone else cleared their throat besides her.
He smiled at her enthusiasm. "The feeling is mutual, but we're fine. I got a nasty shiner and a new scar on my eyebrow and almost all of my knuckles are busted. I took the brunt of the beating."
There was a laugh from the other line.
"Look at you, Lincoln Loud, street fighter. If I was over there I'll give you a kiss for being the hero." He almost heard her smile from the other side of the line.
"We are not here for flirting Ronnie Ann."
Lincoln chuckled. "How are you Bobby?."
"Lincoln, little dude. You did the right thing, I would've done the same thing in your case. Putting yourself in harm's way for your sibling. You rock dude."
He smiled putting the phone on speaker.
"Lynn, I hope it doesn't hurt that badly." Ronnie Ann added in a neutral tone.
The brunette smirked with a cringe. "It's gonna take more than two chickens like those to take down Lynn Loud Jr! The executioner of sports." She smirked with exaggerated bravado, from the other side of the line the Latina shook her head, amused and putting their differences aside for these bad times they were going through.
"Glad to hear it. If I had heard that those dumbasses took you down before I did, it would have been very disappointing."
"Ronnie Ann" Bobby reprimanded her.
"Seriously though, we're so happy that you guys are ok." She added.
"Yes, we are" Lori added her part. "We're going to be there next week, all of us to visit you guys."
There was a joined cheer from the table, the sisters screaming the appreciation for her visit, elating Lori's heart to the skies.
"I love you guys" She said almost tearing up.
"We love you two honey" Rita's said from the table.
"Bye guys!"
"Byeeee Lori!" They all said in unison as the line went dead.
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Lincoln was in the restroom, checking himself out in the mirror. The stitches were fresh with the skin pulled and bruised around them, the nasty cut had a price of taking an inch from his forehead, and seven sutured lines running through his skin in zigzag; his tongue guided itself to the bruised corner of his mouth, touching the bruised skin of his jaw and the purplish bruises on his torso. Slowly, he lifted his arms up and managed to put a new shirt through the pain. A knock on the door distracted him long enough to knock a few items on the sink. With a sigh, he opened the door, lowering his gaze to one of his favorite sisters, Lana.
The white haired boy smiled and the young one smiled in return.
"You are officially known as the meanie butt kicker, if someone has a problem with that, they'll deal with me! I love you big brother" She exclaimed hugging him around his hips, being careful not to touch his torso. Lincoln sighed, hugging her back, close to tearing up himself at the adorable display.
"And I love you Lana, even if you have an odd fascination with mud"
"Hey, leave mud out of this; it didn't do anything to you"
They both laughed, hugging one more time before they went their separate ways. There had been plenty of hugging and kisses when they came home, but Lana was very attached to him and even tiny Lily knew that something was very wrong when they got to the hospital. His musings were interrupted as someone called his name.
It was Lynn.
His heart immediately accelerated.
Both of them stopped dead on the hallway, concentrating in their quivering gaze, a certain pull between each other that was accentuated by a posture Lincoln had never noticed in her sister before.
Embarrassed.
"Hey…you got a minute?"
Feeling where this was going he nodded.
"Yeah"
"Let's talk Lincoln…not here…let's get on the roof. Too any prying ears around here."
He lifted an eyebrow but shrugged.
"Sure" He let on simply, going downstairs with Lynn in tow.
It was certainly a dangerous place to be with Lisa's experiments exploding the roof over their heads more times than they could count but when Lynn wanted some peace and quiet, she sat at the roof ridge, overlooking the peaceful town where they lived. They were more than careful with their wounds, climbing the ladder behind the house that guided them to the roof. The hectic day was almost coming to a close, the sun peeking over the horizon tinting the skies and buildings on bright orange and yellow hues, mixing in a beautiful sundown that both siblings enjoyed, sitting, gazing around the city and avoiding to look at each other.
At the beginning of last year, Lynn couldn't know what these strange feelings were trying to tell her, but now, she knew to what depth they went. These feelings didn't grew suddenly, Lincoln slowly fed her heart and mind until all she could think about was her brother and after today, she had finally accepted those feelings as a part of her. She itched for him, craved his touch and after that hike, his love. She loved Lincoln more than anything else in life and his rejection terrified her and hurt her in a way that made broken bones seem like a paper cut and it hurt so badly, having nobody to talk about this, after all, she was about to be shunned by her own brother, the consequences of her confession might as well tear their relationship apart right here and if he spilled the beans…the family would break apart.
What if he hated her? What if they never spoke again? These questions slowly repeated in her head, one worse than the other.
Lynn felt a hand slowly creeping around hers and squeezing. Lincoln was looking at her worryingly with good reason; her face cowered, showing a terror that moved her brother to action.
It was time.
"I..." He looked away, her gaze lingering on the roof tiles, not showing how surprised she was at him speaking first.
Lincoln's heart pounded heavily in his chest. His hands began to shake violently as he tried to figure a way to go on, the silence thickening the tension in the air. So many feelings went through his heart, so many thoughts in disarray, asking himself how to put his feelings into words without stop feeling like a monster, blue eyes meeting brown
"What are you trying to tell me, Linc?" She asked coldly, hiding behind a wall of confidence.
The question was like a stab through the heart but finally he gathered his courage and steeled his heart, mentally preparing for what about to come, the disgust, the sorrow and the inexcusable craving to be with her in a way that two siblings shouldn't.
"I've been thinking about you a lot, Lynn." He started. "In a way that a sibling shouldn't feel, but...I cannot help myself, not any longer, I had denied it to myself for too long." His gaze maintained over the roof tiles, never looking at the shocked expression that drew on her face.
Lynn's facade splintered in a million pieces as her own heart swelled, shaking violently.
"You've...been thinking about me? H-H…how?" she asked, unexpectedly nervous and timid.
Lincoln looked back at her finally, observing an expression that he only remembered her showing it yesterday for the first time in her life, one that still didn't have a clear definition. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Lincoln gathered his courage, hands steeling and wrapping fully against his sister's, making her eyes to widen in surprise, but she didn't made a motion to slap his hand away feeling as they shook through their hold, squeezing it to calm him. Though never in a million years she would imagine the horizon was tilting once more towards her, another hand sneaking around her hips drawing her closer, his gaze falling towards her soft pink lips, parted in surprise, breathing hard.
"L-Lincoln? What…what are yo-"
The question died in her lips as the white haired boy cut the short distance between them and kissed her on the lips. It was so sudden that her heart skipped a beat, brain dazed in paralysis. Their lips separated with an audible smack, her own mouth bobbling up and down like a fish out of water and Lincoln's heart felt as it started to crack around the edges, eyes watering as he felt her process what just happened to her. He separated from her lifting his hands frantically to scream an apology but was interrupted by her fists clenching his shirt and pulling him violently back to her grunting at the sudden contact of his bruises but what came after made it worth it.
She was kissing him, hard, giving in into the temptation she had secretly harbored by over a year, feeling as electricity ran down her skin tearing a moan from her throat and heating her skin deliciously as his hands wrapped fully around her voluptuous hips in the heat of the moment, feeling as his heart tried to off his chest far away as the sporty girl surrendered to him locking her lips fully against his, tingling and burning. He didn't dare to open his eyes far too gone in the moment, feeling her hands slowly explore his shoulders.
Her lips were the edge of the galaxy, pulling him into something that he had never felt ever in his life, tasting what could be felt as a sign of adulthood, surrendering the older girl advances, powerless to resist.
The high ended with them separating their lips, faintly hearing a smacking noise that sent a wave of heat down his pants. The boy mechanically licked his lips, tasting the remnants of the kiss, wanting to stay in her warm embrace forever. A sudden smirk grew in her face, joining their foreheads together, boldly caressing his torso tenderly.
"Not bad for my first kiss, eh?" She giggled at the surprised expression on her brother's face, without an ounce on regret.
The boy was still trying to come to terms with what just happened, the discovery shocking him to the core. A gentle peck woke him back to the world, warm hands grasping his freckled cheeks, blue meeting brown once more. The boy grasped her hands on his cheeks, looking at Lynn with a feeling that conveyed everything that she felt and then she knew exactly what it was, because she had the same expression on her face.
"Does this mean…what I think it means?" He answered a question with a question.
She smirked, pulling him closer.
"What do you think, stupid?" Her brash smirk and a challenge shining in her eyes was answer enough.
Lincoln laughed then, joining her forehead with his sister, both closing their eyes sighing blissfully, joining hands as the sun finally made its descent beyond the horizon.
"LYNN, LINCOLN! DINNER'S READY!" They both almost jumped from the roof at Lola's screams echoed through the street. "MOM AND DAD WONT START WITHOUT YOU, DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE! OR THERE'LL BE PAIN!"
Both laughed, still holding hands, wide smiles in their faces.
"Race ya?" Lynn quirked an eyebrow in challenge.
"You're on" He smirked.
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November 2003.
Second Battle of Fallujah.
Corporal Lincoln Loud eyes bulged out of their sockets, shaking inside his sleeping bag, breathing hard as the memories stabbed into him. With a snarl, he stood up, rolling in the dirt, shaking his head and crawling his face in his hands, trembling. His eyes perked at the sound of a whistle in the wind, coming closer and closer. He screamed recognizing the sound immediately taking his M4 and body armor with him as the air whizzed into deep rumble before exploding so close that his teeth rattled together.
"INCOMING!" A scream tore from his throat as he made a mad dash across the field barefoot, screams echoing around him.
The war raged on.
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A/N: Finally it happened! It took a looooooooooong time for a sweet burn, and the ride will only get better in the next chapter. BTW, that shooting scene was exactly what happened to me the first time I shot a rifle. Though I hope this month is treating everyone well. As always I would love some reviews to see what you guys think or PM me if you need something to say. I'll gladly answer all of your questions! Until the next chapter.
D4rK.