Chapter 8: Ben is injured

Kym's POV

I make used of my official off day to catch up on some reading. I was beyond glad when we reached our new camp site found a roomful of books. There weren't many but I have no complaint. Much later Tom Mason has turned the small room into a library, much to my joy and Ben's. I was almost finishing on a chapter when Julie rushed in. She was panting and I saw fear in her eyes.

'Kym. It's Ben. He's been hurt,' Julie said. I threw the book aside, didn't even ask Julie anything and sped off to the hospital. My mind was rushing. My mind was in a blur. My mind was blank.

As I was rounding the corner, I could see Anne, Lourdes, some other nurses surrounding a bed. Tom, Hal and Maggie were standing at the side, looking ghastly. Anne was shouting orders to Lourdes and the nurses. My limb felt weak as I inched my way towards the bed. As I got nearer, I saw Ben lying on the bed. There were blood on his face and shirt. Anne started to cut open his shirt and revealed a gun-like wound on his abdomen. Blood was gushing out and Ben was barely moving. He was seen moaning in pain.

'Dad, what happened?' Matt burst in and was held back by Tom.

'Ben got hurt,' Tom said as a matter-of-fact to his youngest son while trying to shield him from the sight of a bloodied Ben.

'Hal, take your brother out,' Tom said and Hal led Matt away. As they turned they saw me. Hal motioned for Maggie to take care of Matt while he took me by the arm and led me away from Ben.

I must have looked terrible because Hal gripped both my shoulders, bent down and looked directly into my eyes.

'Kym? Kym? It's ok,' he said while shaking me a little. I jolted out from my shock and my eyes searched his.

'Wh-at hap-pened, Hal?' I stuttered. I thought Ben is different from the rest. I thought his spikes will protect him from getting any injuries. I was wrong….

'We were scouting the new area when we got attacked by the mechs and skitters. There were a bunch of them. There were only a few of us and the attack got us by surprised,' Hal explained.

'He got shot by a mech', Hal continued. Shit!

That day was the longest day of my life. I remembered there was once last year when I felt exactly how I am feeling now. It was when Karen came back and tricked Ben into following her.

[Flashback]

There was news that Hal and Maggie found Karen among the rest of some de-harnessed kids in the woods when they were on patrol. Karen was the only one alive and they brought her back to the 2nd Mass camp. Ben has stopped them saying we can't trust her. Tom agreed and put Karen in a lock-up room, the room where I stayed for the past 2 weeks. Because of this, Hal and Ben had a misunderstanding and their relationship turned sour. I can't blame Hal because Karen used to be Hal's girlfriend and they lost her while she was trying to rescue Ben, who was then kidnapped and harnessed by the aliens.

I only saw Karen from afar. Prior to that, I have never met her, only heard about her. She has been captured by the aliens and now she works for the Overlord. She has been controlled by them. During her lock-up, Ben has been the one sending her meals and guarding outside of her room. I didn't see much of Ben then. When I did, He was mostly quiet and hard. I knew a lot was on his mind but I have no idea what. I tried talking to him but he kept insisting that he's fine. Then I tried talking to Hal but he became furious at the mention of Ben. So that was how I knew there was a strain in their relationship. Although Maggie agreed with Ben she too wasn't too happy how the brothers' relationship turned out.

One night there was a commotion. I overheard some of the fighters in the 2nd Mass mentioned that Ben had took off with Karen. They were preparing to track them down. Just then Tom, Hal, Anthony, Dai and a bunch of the fighters took off towards the direction of the forest. I have no idea what happened. I ran back inside and searched for Anne or Lourdes. They might have heard something. But no one knows for sure what exactly happened.

I can't believe that Ben had gone with Karen. Although I do not know Karen personally, I felt doubtful about her. I don't understand why Ben would take off with her when he was the one who told us not to trust her. I was confused! I was worried! I was furious!

I waited and waited and finally they came back. Ben came back with them too. I was relieved. But it was only short-lived because Karen brought the mech and skitters to attack our camp. Tom took the Overlord as captive and Karen demanded her master's release. We lost so many people and fighters that night. The 2nd Mass was supposed to move out that night thus we strike a deal with Karen. We will release the Overlord only if the 2nd Mass leaves our present camp site without any fighting. The deal was sealed and we moved out without any shedding of blood.

We were on the road for the entire night. We did stop to take some rest. I still haven't seen Ben yet. A part of me doesn't want to because I was still mad at him for taking off with Karen without telling me. Another part of me wanted so much to make sure he was ok. I got down from the med-bus and there stood Ben with his bag and rifle flung over his back. Our eyes met. There was guilt in them. I wanted to turn away from him but before I could do that, he approached me.

'You got a moment?' he asked. There was so much pain in his eyes. I felt so sorry for my best friend. I just nodded and follow him to a more quiet space. We stood facing each other.

'I knew what happened last night was unforgiveable. Please let me explain,' He sounded guilty. I just nodded.

'I got tricked by Karen and I thought she would be on our side about the skitters rebels. Besides her, there wasn't anyone in the 2nd Mass who had spikes like me. She understood many of the things that none of you do. So, I thought…., I screwed up, big time. I put the entire 2nd Mass at risk,' he said exasperatedly. My heart softens at the sight of his guilty look. I slowly understood why he decided to trust Karen.

'I'm so sorry for not telling you all this before I left with Karen. I was just so confused. I was scared,' This was the first time Ben revealed that he was scared. I reached out my arm gave him arm a tight squeeze.

'It's ok Ben. Everything is ok now. Don't blame yourself,' I tried to assure him.

'No, nothing is ok. That's why I need to leave,' he said and looked into my eyes. I was shocked.

'What are you talking about? Why do you need to leave?' I don't understand. I know this is not a sudden decision but he has never talked to me about leaving the 2nd Mass before.

'I have to. Karen knows about the skitters' rebellion. They are bound to come after me. I will put all of you in danger. Moreover, there will be other kids like me out there. I need to find them,' his voice was firm. I just kept quiet. I can't stop him from leaving and even if I want to, which I wanted desperately, what would I say?

'So, this is a goodbye?' I finally found my voice.

'I'll come back,' he said softly. He closed the gap between us and grabbed me in a tight hug. 'I promised, I'll come back,' he said, this time sounding more certain.

'Take care,' I said, trying very hard not to cry. Tears were threatening to fall. He released me from the hug and glanced down at me.

'You too.' With that he turned and walked away.

Those days and weeks that Ben was gone, I missed him terribly. I was very worried too. Could the rebel skitters be trusted? Will be come back like he promised?

[End of flashback]

[Back to the present where Ben got hit by a mech]

Hours have passed and Anne and Lourdes were still not out yet. I paced impatiently outside of the room. Tom was supposed to be in a meeting with Colonel Weaver, Miss Peralta and the rest of the officials but he chose to stay. Hal and Matt were with him too. None of us spoke. Each one of us was anxious and worried.

Finally the door was opened and Anne walked out. We went to her immediately.

'Because of his spikes, he is still holding on. They are helping him to regenerate. He is now out from danger but he is still unconscious. It will take a while before he wakes up,' Anne explained. Reliefs could be seen from our faces.

'Can we go and see him?' Matt asked.

'Yes, you may,' Anne replied and gave him a smile.

'Thank you Anne. You must have been tired. You should rest,' Tom said softly.

'I will once Ben has woken up. I just wanted to be sure,' she replied. 'In the meantime, I'll just go grab a bite,' she continued.

'I'll join you once I check on Ben,' Tom replied.

We all went into the room and saw Ben lying on the bed with his eyes close. Immediately I felt my heart tightened. We nearly lost him. He is all I have right now. I can't lose him too.

We gathered around Ben's bed and suddenly I felt that I was intruding with the Mason's family thus I make some excuses and left the room. I wanted so much to stay longer but I know they need some moment to be with Ben.

I went up to the rooftop where I used to hang out with Ben. This was the first time I came up after two weeks being lock-in. I thought I will be coming here tonight with Ben after our first lesson on self-defense! I sigh and sat at the edge of the building. I took out the pocket knife which he has given me earlier. I stared at it for a long time until a voice jolted me out from my daze.

'Worried?' the voice behind startled me. I turned and saw Denni approaching.

'Yeah. I am.'

'He's going to be ok. Don't worry,' Denny assured me.

'Let's hope so. Anne said he is holding on because of his spikes. I am just so thankful for that. Although Ben kept saying those spikes make him a freak I rather he is a freak than lose his life,' I said. Denni just nod.