Chapter 2: Rooftop

Kym's POV

It's almost 9. Dinner was served almost two hours ago and here I am in the kitchen, cleaning up with Julie and some other women. Melissa, a woman in her 30s with a young child started singing a song that I have heard over the radio before the invasion which I have forgotten the name. It was a popular song back then. Those of us, who have heard it before or was familiar with it, started joining in. Those who do not know the wordings or the song just smiled and enjoyed the rare moment of normalcy. We just want to forget our current state momentarily. Just as I was putting away the last bowl on the counter for drying, Ben Mason walked in through the door. He stopped in his track when he saw us ladies swaying and singing and then a shy smile spread across his face. It was such a sweet sight. I hardly see him smile and it warmth my heart. We ladies continued our singing and swaying, and not the least embarrassed. He walked towards to where I was standing and whispered loudly so that I could hear amidst of all the singing.

'Hey. Are you done here? Let's meet at our usual place in 10. Ok?'

'Ok. See you then', I smiled as he walked back to where he came from. He turned his head towards us ladies and gave us a smile before disappearing behind the door.

'He has been smiling a lot lately. That's a good thing', Julie said.

'Yeah. It's so good to see him not so burdened,' I said, my voice trailing off. I really hope it's the truth.

Ben's POV

I sat at the rooftop of the building, looking out into the dark and quiet night. I love it here when I am not on night duty or patrol. It gives me some 'me' time and time to think. Just then I heard footsteps from behind. I knew without turning that it was Kym. We meet here every night when I am not on duty. In fact whichever places that the 2nd Mass went to in the past, Kym and I found serenity by just sitting on the rooftop. I discovered that's where she gets her 'me' time too. One night, a month after she was rescued from the skitters' attack I found her on a rooftop of our previous camp. She was in so much hurt and pain, and although she tried to conceal them, I could see it right through her eyes. In some ways, she was hurting as much as I am, in a different way. I somehow knew what and how she was feeling. When she saw me, she stood up quickly and wiped her tears.

'I am sorry. I didn't know there would be anyone here', she said and started walking away. I do not know what or why, I grabbed her right arm.

'Stay. You don't have to go. It's ok,' I said and released her arm. She turned and looked at me. A small smile was visible even though it was dark. I felt the urge to wipe away those tears at the corner of her eyes but I retrained myself. I do not want to frighten her.

We sat down and none of us spoke. We just enjoyed the night. We did that for a few nights. And by the 4th night, Kym started relating about her family to me. She really adored her sister, Amelia who was only two years younger than her. I got to know her dad used to be a lawyer and that her mom was a housewife. Amelia loved soccer unlike her who is obsessed with basketball. They were very close. I felt a sense of loss for her. I could just imagine losing Matt. I would be devastated too. It was in those moments that I began telling her about my family too. About mom, about being kidnapped by the aliens, and the spike behind my back. I knew she has been curious but she never asked. I was glad that didn't frighten her. In fact she was very understanding. I also told her about my feelings when dad went missing, when dad got shot by me, and Jimmy's death. In those difficult moments, I was very thankful to have her by my side.

The rooftops were where our friendship begins.

Kym's POV

When I approached the rooftop, I could see Ben's back with his rifle by his side. I went up to him and took my place next to him. He turned and grinned. If there is one reason I should be happy about this invasion it would be him. When I lost my parents and Amelia, I don't think I was capable of living. I don't think I would ever smile again. I can't imagine I would go on with life. It was until that very night when he found me crying alone that I finally realized he was also hurting. In fact, many of us are in the 2nd Mass. I decided then that I shouldn't think only about my pain. Our friendship grows from here, at the rooftop. This is our sanctuary where we tell our deepest secrets, wound, hurt and pain. This is the place where I first found out about his spikes. I noticed them a few days after I was rescued. I saw some people making fun of him and calling him names such as 'razorback' or 'spiky boy' especially Pope but I dared not ask. I knew it has something to do with the Aliens. He detested those spikes at first. He was scared, frightened and angry. He was aggressive too, but this he did not tell me. It was Hal who told me.

[Flashback – 1 month after Jimmy's death]

Not long after I was rescued, there was a commotion. It turned out that Tom Mason, their dad who was missing for the past 3 months was found. He was shot in the abdomen. News travelled that it was Ben who shot his own dad. That time, Ben and I had just started to become closer and I knew it was definitely an accident. He was in distressed. Many did not believe it was an accident. He didn't talk to me about it until much later. I didn't probe. All I did was to be his friend during those days. We were all very worried about him. Even after his dad had recovered, he still blamed himself. He got worst after Jimmy died. He blamed himself for his death. We all knew it was an accident although there might be some who think otherwise because of his spikes. His brothers and dad tried to assure him but he didn't believe them. We almost had an argument because of this too. From then I realized his wound, hurt and pain have gone deeper than before. Jimmy was his best friend too. Hal cared so much more for him than we all thought because he came to me one day. I was just trying to have a moment to myself after a long day in the kitchen when I saw Hal approached me. A few weeks after I was rescued and as I was recovering, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself. Mom, dad and Amelia were no longer around. There is no place for me to go and I made up my mind to stay with the 2nd Mass. I volunteered to help in the kitchen or whatever that needs assistance because the 2nd Mass needs whatever help that they could. Moreover, having something to do will take my mind off my family. It didn't but I am glad I could help out.

'Hi Kym! How's your wound?' he asked casually.

'The scratches on the side of my forehead, hands and leg are healing. It's still painful but bearable. I have been going to Dr. Glass regularly for check-up,' I joked, as if we have the luxury to do that in our situation. Hal is a very nice gentleman. He may look tough on the outside but he is a very kind-hearted person. He broke into a smile, registering my joke. He started to fidget and I could sense he wanted to ask me something but he was hesitating so I decided to help him.

'Hal, is there something you want to ask me?' I asked. Over the past few months I have also gotten close to the Mason's brothers as well as Maggie.

'Well, I am very worried about Ben. After the accident with my dad and Jimmy's death, Ben has…. He…changed,' he sounded worried.

'Yeah, I noticed that too. Ben is being very hard on himself and kept mostly to himself,' I said.

'Exactly! He refused to talk about it. He has also become more aggressive in the past three months since our dad disappeared.' There was concerned in his voice.

'Aggressive?' I asked, astonished. I didn't realize that because I have not seen that side of him… yet!

'Yes. It seems he has this deep hatred towards the skitters and he wanted every one of them dead. That day of the accident, he looked so possessed while he was firing at those skitters. And you know about the hunting for skitters with Jimmy previously. I am getting worried.' Hal mentioned. 'But at least he still talks to you,' Hal said and I turned to face him. 'He feels comfortable talking to you. Could you help him, Kym?' Hal asked. Well Ben and I being best friends in the 2nd Mass is no secret. Everyone knows because we spend a lot of time together.

'I'll try. I am not sure if he will open up to me but I'll try,' I said and gave Hal a small pat on the shoulder.

After my talk with Hal, I took up the courage to approach Ben. I found him at our usual place.

[Still in the flashback]

Ben's POV

I heard Kym's footstep behind me but I didn't turn around. My thoughts were filled with sorrow. It was just two weeks after Jimmy's death. I tried avoiding everyone, including Kym, who has now become my best friend.

'Hey,' she said as she sat next to me. I just nodded but didn't turn to look at her.

'I bet you feel like shit,' she said as a matter-of-fact without any hint of sympathy in her voice. She caught me by surprise. The Kym whom I have gotten to know in the past six months since we rescued her from the Skitters' attack would never have said those words.

When I kept quiet, she continued.

'I bet you wished you were dead instead of Jimmy,' that made me turned to face her. She was looking far ahead into the night. After a moment she too turned to face me.

'Ben…. Your brothers, dad and I have been very concern about you lately,' there was a hint of hesitation in her voice. I know she is afraid to talk about this with me and yet she knows she has too. We almost had an argument because of this talk in the past. This very moment make me realize she cares a lot about me.

I just kept quiet and turned away from her. I really don't feel like talking about it. Dad's accident and Jimmy's death were just too much. The past few weeks and months I have been trying to go on and it has been difficult. Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw Jimmy's face. I know deep down it was not my fault but I felt responsible for his death. If it wasn't my idea to hunt those skitters, Jimmy would not have died. Just then I felt Kym's arm on my shoulder. Immediately whatever resolves in me were broken down. I started choking and shaking. Tears streamed down my face and I didn't even try to hide it from her. She pulled my head towards her shoulder and allowed me to cry out all my frustrations. A moment after I regained my composure I told her all that was in my heart.

'When dad was missing for 3 months, I thought the worst. I assumed that he was dead. Whenever I look at Matt, I felt guilty that my little brother has to grow up in this cruel world without his parents. We are all force to grow up so fast. And then when dad returned, I shot him…'my voice was trembling.

'It was an accident, Ben. You knew it!' Kym's voice was firm.

'But not the rest!' I almost screamed. 'They all looked at me differently because of my spikes. And with Jimmy….Jimmy's death, everyone blamed me,' my voice was barely audible. Kym squeezed my shoulder.

'No, Ben. That was also an accident. Who cares what they think about you. Your brothers, dad, me, Lourdes, Anne, Weaver and many knew it was an accident. You don't have to be so hard on yourself,' Kym's voice was filled with concern and hurt. I looked over at her and saw tears were streaming down her face too.

'Why are you crying?' I was surprised.

'Seeing you in so much pain, it hurts me too. I could feel your frustrations, hatred and rage. I felt that too…here in my heart,' she moved her arms to her heart. 'Ben, let's move on. We shouldn't be defeated by 'them. We are way stronger. We are not giving up. We have to keep fighting,' Kym said with a far-away look in her. She got a point but there is something that she doesn't know. The skitters' rebellion. I don't intend to tell her yet. I will but not tonight. There are just too many risks.

'Kym, I know what you mean. You got a point. I just feel so burdened with so much worries. I feel much better now,' I assured her. She smiled and wiped away her tears. This was the first time I have cried in front of a girl. She is just as confused and broken as me. And all these were because of the invasion. It was during this conversation that out friendship deepened and she became an important person in my life.

[End of Flashback]

[Back at the rooftop in the present time]

Ben's POV

'It's a beautiful night, isn't it,' Kym said next to me. I turned to look at her but she fixed her gaze at the dark skies. This was the first time in the past Two years that I have known her that I realized how beautiful she was. Her eyes are gorgeous too!

I gave a small nod and returned my gaze towards the skies. Three years have passed and we are still fighting. The last few months things have look promising with the alliance with the Volm and Skitters Rebels but still everything was in ruins. There are still so many uncertainties. Everyone has lost at least one of their love ones. All of our lives have been changed. In times like this I think a lot about mom. What would it be if she was still alive? What would our lives be if the invasion never happened? Well, then I wouldn't have met Kym. I am so glad to have Kym as my best friend in this cruel dark world yet I still hope things would have been different.

'Have you ever wonder what life would have been if the invasion didn't happened,' I asked. Kym turned to me.

'All the time but it doesn't change anything now,' she said with a sad look. She looked more mature than 18 years old. I guessed living in such a world right now makes one grow up faster. I am sure I looked older than 19 years old. 'I missed my family so much, especially Amelia. It still hurts even after three years', she whispered. I reached out my hand and gave her a tight squeeze on her shoulder to let her know I understand. I miss my mom too.

'We can't go back to the past but we can definitely change the future,' I said encouragingly. That seemed to put a smile on her face.

'Thank you, Ben', she said softly.

'For what?' I asked, sounding curious.

'For your encouragement. I think it's true. We can make changes. And as long as we are still alive we will keep fighting, even if we have to die fighting. This. Is. For. Our. Humanity.' she said, emphasizing every single word. I was so glad she was looking at the bright side. I was surprise that I was looking at the bright side too for just a year or two ago I was so hard and cold and aggressive. I almost shut out from my family and there were tension between Hal and I. But I was always able to talk freely with Kym. She understood. She gives me no pressure. It's something in her that allows me to just pour my heart out to her.