So for my few readers, I'm super sorry it's been so long like two months since i have last updated this. I didn't mean too! I swear. I'm sure everyone always hears this on this site, but school work has been a pain, but good news is i'm done with finals and outta school now! in honor and for the upcoming season 3 premiere i wanted to update this! to show you guys im not dead. To be honest i've been having some writers block. As you can probably tell from the boring and less than original title. Hope this is okay. For new readers, thanks for giving this story a shot. Tell me what you think!
A Falling Skies Fanfiction: The Second Mass
"Kristen, Kristen." I felt someone shake my arm. "Kristen, you need to wake up now." I winced as the shaking became more persistent. Rolling over and swatting half heartedly at the arm, I mumbled. "5 more minutes mom, school doesn't even start this early."
"Kristen, get your lazy ass up now or I swear I will do something." I heard Ashley's voice. The pain that shot through my back and shoulder made me want to just sleep it off forever.
"I don't wanna." I murmured, moving my left arm gingerly to lay over my still closed eyes. "It still hurts." I usually have a high pain threshold, but I guess getting clawed open by a skitter doesn't really compare to anything else I've been through.
Knowing that Ashley would probably cause me bodily harm, I slowly opened my eyes and tried to sit up. A flash of pain traveled over me and I recoiled back onto the makeshift bed I was on.
"Do we have any painkillers?" Lourdes, who I just remembered meeting muttered to herself while rummaging through the cabinets.
"It's fine," my voice was hoarse as I spoke, "Do you have any water though." I ignored the pain and sat up, swinging my legs to the side so they could dangle over.
"Welcome back, " Ashley appeared before me, giving me a look of concern in her hazel eyes and pressing a glass of water into my hands. "Anne said that as long as you be careful and don't engage in a lot of physical activity, you can get outta here."
I looked around the room for Anne, but couldn't catch a glimpse of her. Noticing my stare Lourdes spoke up, "Anne's with Dr. Harris. He's a doctor who recently arrived here and he figured out a way to remove the harnesses off kids without killing them."
"You mean those gross and less than humane slug things on some people's back?" I shuddered a little at the thought. The harness' appearence didn't really bother me, I guess, I mean they were pretty disgusting, but it was the fact that these aliens were using them to control these kids. That was the sick part. The harnesses were pulsing and alive and they just latched onto kids essentially taking away their lives.
"I guess you know what we're talking about." Lourdes said, noticing my grimace.
I nodded slightly. "So what do we do now. Ashley and I can leave now that you guys have patched me up. I'm sure we can manage fine on our own now." These people were far different than the rest of the surviors Ashley and I had encountered and seen. More often than not, we see the thieves, scum, the lowest of the low who pick on anyone who doesn't have a fighting chance against them just because they can and need some supplies. We all have to scrounge around for food, but at least Ashley and I don't go ripping it out of poor defenseless people's hands or relying on threats.
Lourdes gave me a quizzical look. "Why are you leaving?" Lourdes' question caught me off guard. What does she mean by that. It was nice enough of them to save Ashley and I and they want us to stay. I guess a roof above our heads and a group, who knows how large, with enough supplies to care for everyone was like a miracle, but I didn't want to get my hopes up.
I looked at Ashley and noticed she wasn't looking at me. Finally she turned towards me. "We're at the second mass, Kristen." She walked towards me. "This is what we've been looking for!"
The second mass. Comprehension finally dawned on me. "The resistance?" I whispered, not thinking it could be true.
"We are the second Massachusetts, and we've been savaging supplies for the past week and have been on the move for more." Lourdes told me, her kind smile ever present on her face.
"So we can stay?" I questioned, still waiting for this dream come true to become sour.
"We still have to talk to the captain?" Ashley piped up, "Tom said his name was Dan, I think. He's in charge apparently."
"Oh yeah," Lourdes looked at us both, "I haven't really met him, but if Tom wants you to go to him you probably should. I think he's kind of intimidating, but he means well and is a good leader."
"Well, then, " I set my feet on the ground and stood up straighter, "When do we get to meet this Captain."
"Right now." A deep voice said calmly from behind me. I turned my body to face a maybe mid 40 year old man dressed in camoflauge with heavy military boots. His hair was pulled into a short ponytail and he had a rugged face with a shadow going on. His posture sent warning bells in my head that he had definitely had military training and his eyes had the same look in his eyes as my brother's friend who enlisted in the army. Eyes that have seen killings and probably committed quite a few too.
Ashley stood up and stopped to stand next to me. We waited for him to speak. I guess I could see where Lourdes saw him as intimidating. I knew I shouldn't let my mouth run off and I should watch what I say in front of this man, but I was never a stickler for the rules and I kind of liked to rebel against authority. Nothing bad, but I hated being talked down on and treated a child as most adults often did.
He cleared his throat and stepped closer, "Names Dan Weaver, commander of the second mass." He stuck out his hand and Ashley and I shook it, albeit a little awkwardly. "I'm known as Weaver by most though."
Ashley always left the talking to me for some reason. I don't know why, but it was easy for me to get along with most people. I make friends easily, but she's definitely a better speaker than I am, yet she refuses to handle these situations. And she's the older one.
"My friend Ashley and I were rescued by a couple of your men when we got into a little situation with a couple of skitters." I said, keeping my face as straight as I could. Another thing about me, I could never keep a straight face when talking to the authority or person in charge. I was that girl who would laugh in the face of danger. It wasn't really my fault though, it just can't be helped and I'll tell you this fact has gotten me into more trouble than I should be in.
Weaver stared at us for a moment before speaking again. "How are the injuries holding up?" he asked, eying our bandaged bodies. "Which one of you was clawed by a skitter."
'That would be me." I looked up. "yeah that nasty son of a bitch just jumped up and nailed me in the back. I'm sure if I looked, I would see large gashes just totally ruining my model worthy back."
Weaver stared at me a little more. "You have a model worthy back." He repeated skeptically.
"Had, Captain Weaver." I shook my head solemnly, "Had."
Weaver didn't know what to say and it took him a little while to compose himself. Ashley was probably rolling her eyes at me right now and at my antics. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I should not be the one talking.
Ashley decided to speak up, "so, we've been told that there might be some spots that we can fill here at the second mass. If you would, we would be grateful to join. I mean the second mass has already done so much for us."
I nodded my head in agreement. God knows why Ashley doesn't just do all the talking. She has way more tact and politeness.
"Can you fight?" Weaver asked, crossing his arms around his chest. "We're running low on supplies and we could use as much help as we can get in this god forsaken world. The civilians take priority and right now we have barely enough provisions to spread around camp. We need fighters." At this moment, I realized how tough it must be for Weaver. Commanding a force of civilians and fighters while having to maintain a face of calm and control for the people. Only when he mentioned running low on supplies did I see how weary and tired he looked.
"We've been surviving on our own since the invasion started, I'm sure we can handle some scavenging trips." I offered, remembering all the times Ashley and I had to get in and out quickly and quietly to get food. Our stealth was one of the only reasons we're still here today.
Ashley has and always will be my partner in crime and that goes for just being each other's wingman, backup, prank buddies, and post alien invasion survivor tag-team duo.
"Great, we'll be sending you out on our next supply run as soon as you two are fully capable. Ever had any gun experience."
Ashley and I looked at each other. We had never come across a gun yet and didn't even know how to load one let alone shoot one.
"yeah, no not really." I said bluntly, "We're good with knives." My eyes shifted around the room, only now realizing we were gearless. I wonder if they threw out our knives. I found a lovely collection of them while going through a house whose mother must have been a hardcore chef.
Weaver put on a contemplative look, shifting his weight to one leg. He started muttering to himself, while pacing back and forth slowly. Ashley and I chanced a look, he wouldn't deny us just because we couldn't shoot a gun would he.
He stopped pacing and stood before us again, "You've met Tom Mason, haven't you."
"Well she has, but I haven't." I answered, remembering hearing his name. "I did, however get to hear his lovely voice twice now, it would be really nice to finally connect the voice to the face. I assume it was him who rescued us, remind me to say thanks." I directed the ending towards Ashley. She nudged me back to looking at Weaver.
I have a feeling Weaver will be having a permanently bewildered face everytime he talks to us. "I'm sure when you meet Tom, you'll also meet his son Hal, who I think should be able to teach you two to shoot." Weaver trailed off, "and hopefully Ben will be back too."
My ears perked up at the name, Ben. That's who I heard Tom said he would be looking for.
I knew I probably shouldn't pry, but this Ben person was making me curious. "Ben?" I questioned.
"Tom has three sons. Two which are here and one, being Ben, who was captured and harnessed by the skitters. They went out to see if they could rescue him along with anyone else they could since now we know how to remove the harnesses." Weaver explained.
Ashley and I nodded our heads in understanding. "As soon as they're back and Hal says he's up for it, I'll send him to go find you two and you can start training. I'm sure when Anne gets back with working with Dr. Harris, she'll be able to make sure you two get a room to sleep in and some food to eat." Deciding the conversation was now over, Weaver started to turn and walk away.
I couldn't help myself so I called out to his retreating back, "Have you ever thought about going by the name of Lieutenant Dan?" I made sure to say this in my very best Forrest Gump impersonation. I'm sure Weaver knows what I'm referencing too, if he doesn't I will surely be disappointed. My respect for him will surely take a hit.
Ashley stifled a giggle and the corner of my lip tugged up. Weaver slowly turned on his heel, Lieutenant Dan?" He repeated.
"Sir yes sir." Ashley and I said at the same time. My smile was getting bigger in anticipation.
"You guys twins?" Weaver quoted and I'm happy to say that I like Weaver and I think we will get along fine.
"unfortunately we are of no relation, sir." Ashley spoke, a grin on her face as well.
"Well then, I guess I'll be seeing you two in the near future." Weaver started to walk out again, but stopped at the doorway.
"I have a feeling,-" he stopped, looking at me again. I realized I never gave him my name, only Ashley's. I feel a little stupid now.
"Kristen," I said, "Kristen Grace."
Weaver started again, "I have a feeling, Kristen Grace," he looked toward Ashley, "and Ashley, that this place has just gotten more interesting."
He exited out of the doorway, calling over his shoulder, " Welcome to the second mass."
So this is the end of this chapter. Till next time! IS anyone else super excited for the season premiere! I am! hit me up with some feedack so i know if people like this story or not. Thanks!
~music-is-lifexx