Nothing had changed since the kids headed out with Terry the day before. Patrols were doubled and stationed at everyone point of the school. Packing was in high gear inside. Ammunition was being dispersed to everyone with a gun. Jaden was sitting on the floor with Maggie and Sarah, a heavily pregnant young woman whom Maggie had grown close with. Her rifle was set on the floor as she drank from her canteen. Maggie stood beside Sarah, talking. Sarah leaned back on the bench she was sitting on, holding her protruding stomach.

"Keep that ammo out back with the 50 cal." Weaver ordered. "3rd Mass comes in hot, skitters and mechs can't be far behind, we're gonna have to be able to move fast."

"Yeah that's going to be easier for some than others." Maggie called.

Weaver turned toward them. "Sarah. Right?"

Sarah nodded and stood up slowly.

"Did Doctor Glass give you any kind of ETA?" Weaver asked.

Sarah nodded." Yeah, two days ago. He's stubborn."

"It's a boy?"

"Dunno, just didn't like calling him 'it'." Sarah explained.

"Right, well let's hope that you can hang on until after we moved, excuse me." Weaver said.

"Captain, do you have any children?" Sarah asked.

Weaver turned back toward them. "Two daughters."

Jaden's brows rose slightly. She hadn't heard anything about Weaver having a family. Judging by his voice it was a tough subject for him as well.

"You better get in line before the pot runs dry, mama." Maggie said.

Sarah walked from the group to the food line.

"If this attack happens, she gonna have to keep up." Weaver answered.

"Don't worry bout her. We all do what we have to do." Maggie replied.

"We? What are you, her keeper?"

"No, just pragmatic, get in the chow line with the pregnant lady, nobody even minds if you ask for seconds." Maggie said walking away.

Jaden sighed and rose to her fee.t

"Jaden, aren't you supposed to be on watch?" Weaver asked.

"Five minutes before my second shifts starts sir, just wanted a bit of food before I got." Jaden answered.

"Second shift?" Weaver asked.

"Yes sir. Figured standing on guards better than running around packing." Jaden explained.

"I need soldiers to be alert."

"I am sir." Jaden answered as she walked away. She walked up beside Maggie and Sarah. "Butting heads with Weaver right before a rumored attack is not a good idea Maggs."

"Oh, the mute speaks." Maggie joked. "I haven't a peep outta you since the kids left yesterday."

"Don't change the subject." Jaden warned.

Maggie shrugged. "What? I'm just sticking up for the forgotten people of the 2nd Mass."

Sarah smiled. "I appreciate that."

Jaden patted Sarah's shoulder. "Hang in there mama. I'll see you ladies later."

"What about chow?" Maggie asked.

"Not hungry." Jaden called walking out of the gym. She headed for the front doors, where her third shirt was stationed.

Weaver was already hesitant about her second shift, she hated to think what he would do if she'd told him it was her third? Truth be told, Jaden was the slightest bit exhausted from the lack of sleep. She felt as energetic as she had when she woke up the day before. And staying on patrol was better than working inside and let her mind drift to the kids.

That still bugged her. Now, she hadn't met Clayton before she was cut from the harnessed, so she may sound biased, but she did not trust him one bit. It was far too convenient about his arrival. Maybe she was just paranoid.

Tom walked into the hall in front of her. Guess it was time to find out.

"Tom!" she called.

Tom turned. "Jaden. You on patrol again?"

"On my way, I just…I need to talk to you about this." Jaden said.

"About what?" Tom asked.

"This supposed attack." Jaden answered.

Tom jerked his head toward the door. He opened the door and stepped back into his quarters. Jaden followed him. Tom shut the door behind him and folded his arms. "What do you need to talk about."

"Honestly, something isn't right about this. Claytons timing, the mech and skitter, the kids leaving, nothing sound right." Jaden said.

"How so?"

"Claytons timing was just too perfect. He shows up right before an attack, but only takes the kids to leave us to defend ourselves. Why not just pull us all out at once?" Jaden asked.

"Porters orders." Tom answered.

Jaden nodded." Fair enough, but would Porter order the kids out or everyone if there was an attack coming?"

Tom thought about what Jaden was saying. In truth, Porter would pull everyone out and tell them to find a new station, not split them up unless he had a good reason. "Have you told anyone else?"

Jaden shook her head.

"Any sing of the escort?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, if the escort isn't back by tonight, tell me." Tom said.

Jaden frowned. "Sir?"

"If the escort isn't back by nightfall, I'm going out." Tom answered.

Jaden nodded.

Much to Jaden's apprehension, the escort had not returned by nightfall. If there hadn't been mutters of uncertainty or doubt, there were dozens now. And not just from Jaden, but from other parents who wanted word that their children were safe. Jaden sat on the overhang of the school, waiting for Tom to exit the school. True to his word, once Jaden had told him the scouts hadn't returned, Tom wasted no time preparing to head out. She watched Tom step out from beneath the overhang and pass Weaver.

"Captain."

"The conditions of theses bikes is a disgrace." Weaver said.

"That right? I'll have to look into that." Tom said. He checked over the bikes." Which ones of these are gassed up?"

Dai looked up from the bike he was working on and pointed to the two bikes in front of him. "Those two are good to go."

Tom looked up to the overhang. "Jaden!"

Jaden grabbed the pole below her and slid down to the ground. She jogged to the bikes and mounted the second one. She zipped her coat up to her chin and grabbed are braids. She twisted them up to keep the wind from flinging her braids back into her face.

"I don't remember you being assigned to patrol. And I know for damn sure that Jaden wasn't assign to four patrols in one day." Weaver said.

"That's right, you're assigning us now." Tom said.

"We have fighters for that. And Jaden, we are going to have a long discussion about your patrol schedule." Weaver said.

"Jaden's coming with me." Tom said. "It's been forty-eight hours, no sign of the skitters, no sign of the third, at the very least the escort should've been back by now."

"So they were delayed, it happens in war" Weaver stated.

"That's not good enough." Tom said pulling out the map. "Clayton says he's taking the kids to Westminster. That's half a day's walk, we could do that in a couple hours . We'll go ,we'll check it out, it's all fine we'll come back."

"What happens if the skitters attack while you're gone?" Weaver asked. "Jaden's our best spotter on the roof, and our only sniper. What if they come after you? Neither one are just another civi."

Tom walked to the bike.

"Better us than the 2nd." Jaden said. "I'll hear them coming before we see them."

"I could order you to stay!" Weaver threatened.

"You could!"

"Tom, Whatever happens I want you and Jaden back." Weaver ordered.

Tom revved the bike, Jaden did the same. The engines roared to life. Jaden released the break and shot forward. Tom followed right behind her. They drove down the street in the direction of the sanctuary.

"What are you hoping we find?" Jaden asked.

"That I'm nothing more than a paranoid father." Tom answered.

Jaden smirked. "No offence professor, but I hope we're both wrong about this."

"So do I." Tom replied.

They drove in silence for the remainder of the trip. They followed the road marked on the map through the outskirts of the city. When the road vanished, they kept riding at Clayton's directions. Jaden kept her attention to their surroundings, listening for anything she could hear over the loud motors.

Tom came to a stop in an empty field.

Jaden pulled up alongside him. "Where are we?"

Tom looked up from the map. "Where Clayton's Sanctuary should be."

"Son of a bitch." Jaden snapped. She revved her engine, holding the front break. She swung her bike in a one eighty turn, spraying dirt and grass behind her. She released the break and shot forward with Tom following close behind her.

They pulled up into the front of the school several hours later. Tom stopped his bike and climbed off quickly. Jaden remained on her bike checking over her rifle. Tom marched up to the stairs as Weaver walked out to meet him.

"About time." He said. "What'd you find?"

"Nothing." Tom answered. "This map is wrong."

"What're you talking about?"

"Oh it rural alright, but we didn't see anything even close to Clayton's sanctuary." Tom explained. "Still no sign of the 3rd?"

Weaver shook his head. "No."

"Escorts aren't back yet?"

"No, still not back." Weaver said. "Damnit, Clayton has no reason to lie to us."

"Then why is it, not one thing is holding up. We need to organize search teams. Kids on foot couldn't have gone far." Tom said.

"No way, our orders are clear, we're to-"

"Orders relayed to us by a guy we barely know!" Tom replied. He turned around and headed back to the bike.

"This is a dicey situation where we don't have clue one about what might've really happened." Weaver explained, following Tom.

"You know something's not right." Tom replied, mounting the bike.

"All I know is what I've been told. We wait."

"You wait, I' going back out. It'll be daylight soon." Tom said. He revved the bike and took off.

Jaden followed after him. "You know, one of these days, the way you disobey Weaver's orders is going to bite you on the ass."

"If my boys are safe at the time, I won't give a damn." Tom replied.

The kids were exhausted. Most of them had fallen asleep upstairs the moment they laid down on the beds, Matt included. Lourdes, Hal, Ben, Rick, and Jimmy were still awake downstairs. It was quiet outside, too quite considering Clayton and his men were tracking them down. Still, Lourdes found it enough to take to the piano and play the piece that was laid out on top.

Ben rose from the couch and walked over to Hal. "You think they'll find us?"

Hal looked over his shoulder. "They'll try. You should get some sleep."

"I'm not tired." Ben answered. "I should go ahead, try and get some help."

"No. We're staying together. Get a couple hours sleep and then head out." Hal explained.

"They're exhausted. You're exhausted." Ben pointed out. "I can move faster on my. Let me do this."

Jimmy, who was sitting by the back door behind them, looked up. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Ben asked.

"What if you get lost? Or you just keep going?" Jimmy asked.

"Keep going where?"

"Some place safer." Jimmy answered.

Ben shrugged. "Jaden trusted me enough to keep up with her. I know you used to trust her decision."

"That's right and Jaden's saved my ass a number of times." Hal said. "Besides, the only place he's going is the school. And he's right. We need the help."

Hal walked to the isle in the kitchen and grabbed Ben's coat. He turned back to Ben, who was following a few steps behind him, and tossed him his jacket. "You go to that highway and you follow it. You stay off road as much as you can; you see or hear anybody you run. Run all the way back to the school."

"Alright." Ben nodded. He suddenly felt more nervous than he had running supplies with Jaden just a few days ago. "Hal, I um…I never said thanks for um…for getting me from the skitters."

"You're welcome." Hal said. "Math geek."

Ben snorted. "Dumb jock." He turned to the front door and walked outside. He pulled his coat on and took off down the street.

Ben ran as hard as he could, remembering Jaden's training. He followed the highway as Hal instructed, but stayed off the road. The air was quiet around him, almost hinting that something was coming after him. The road formed into a bridge for the stream.

Ben hopped off the bridge and hung to side for a drink. He knelt down beside the creek and dipped his hands into the cold water.

"You saw somebody?" came a voice.

Ben dropped the water.

"No not yet."

Ben moved from the creek into the brush. He peeked through and saw Clayton's men walking down the road. He reached into his pocket for Jaden's knife. If they fund him, the knife wouldn't make much difference against their guns, but it would be worth a try.

"They must've gone on the road here." Clayton said.

"Alright, they can't be traveling too fast with the little ones tagging alone, so let's keep our eyes open."

They walked down the street, unaware of Ben's presence. Ben watched as they headed for the neighborhood the others were in. Ben waited until they were out of sight and rose from the bushes. He turned and ran as fast as he could.

He'd only run a few steps when someone shot in his direction. Ben stopped and looked around. A large man Ben recognized from the sanctuary was aimed for him. Ben looked behind him, his partners had to have hard that shot and would come investigate.

"Don't move boy." He ordered.

Ben had two choices, move and risk being shot at again. Or stay where he was and get caught. He opted for number once. He ducked beneath the bushed and opened the knife. He heard the large man coming for him through the brush. Ben gripped the knife tightly and shot up. He stabbed the knife into the man's leg. The man cried out in pain and aimed his rifle toward Ben. Ben grabbed the barrel of the gun and pushed it from his head. He grabbed the lower barrel and jerked the gun free from the man. The man staggered to the ground in front of ben. Ben swung the gun ,slamming the butt into the man's head. The man slumped onto the round unconscious, but alive. Ben tossed the rifle into the creek and pulled the knife from his leg.

Ben wiped the blood off on the man's pants. "I owe you JJ." He turned and sprinted back down the road, staying inside the tree line.

Tom and Jaden drove through streets. After taking numerous alternate routes to searching, they headed down a rural area. Tom led the way with Jaden not far behind. Tom slowed to a stop with Jaden pulling up alongside him. Jaden looked up at the trees. It was so quiet around them, it made her nervous. Like a horror movie setting almost.

"How far out are we?" Jaden asked.

"Far." Tom answered. "If this wars coming, it's taking its sweet. Time-"

"Something's coming." Jaden said.

Tom turned to her." What?"

"I hear something-or someone- running towards us." Jaden explained. She slung her rile in front of her and cleared the sight. She watched the tree line for her target. She spotted something moving toward them, coming to the edge of the line.

"Is that Ben?" Tom asked. "Ben!"

Jaden looked up from her scope. "Hot damn." She climbed off her bike and jogged to Ben.

"Dad!" Ben called.

Tom climbed off his bike and ran to Ben. "Where's Hal and Matt?"

"They're with the other, but they don't know Clayton's coming." Ben explained.

"They're not at the sanctuary?" Tom asked.

"No, no, no, Mike said it wasn't safe so we left. And they started shooting at us." Ben explained.

"Who was shooting at you? Clayton?"

Ben nodded.

"What the hells he doing shooting at kids?" Jaden asked.

"Dad, I think Mike's dead." Ben said.

"Is anybody else hurt?" Tom asked.

"I don't know." Ben answered.

"Alright, you're okay. Jaden's going to take you back, but first I need you to tell me everything." Tom said.

Ben nodded. "Um…last night, Hal and Mike woke us up and told us to leave. Mike said that they made a deal with the skitters. They trade kids to the skitters in return for their safety. We ran into Tessa, one of the sanctuary kids and Hal asked her if she knew about the deal with the skitters and she said she was trying to make it so Hal could stay with them. She called her dad and we bolted, then they started shooting as us. And Mike stayed behind to buy us some time and…we heard a shot and that was it."

Tom nodded. "Okay, where are the others?"

"They're safe, in a house just down the road from here, but Clayton and his men are on their way." Ben explained.

Tom turned to Jaden. "Jaden, you get Ben back to the school, tell Weaver everything that's going on."

"Where're you going?"

"To buy you some time." Tom said.

"Dad-"

"No arguments, Ben, you go back with Jaden." Tom said.

Jaden ran to her bike and mounted. She kick started her bike and revved the engine. "Don't do anything stupid until the cavalry gets there."

"Then you better haul ass back there." Tom replied.

Ben climbed onto the bike behind Jaden.

"Better hold on Ben, we're hauling ass." Jaden said. She revved the engine again and released the back break. The bike spun in a one eighty, kicking up dirt behind her. She released the front break and the bike shot off. Ben's grasp around her middle tightened as they sped off toward the school.

Jaden pushed the bike to its max. She took corners too fast and barely slowed her speed once. Ben held onto her waist tightly as she drove. But they couldn't waste any time. Not with Clayton's deal with the skitters still echoing in their minds. The dirt road began paved concrete as they entered the city. Jaden steered them to the front of the school, where patrols were still doubled and nothing had happened since they last checked in. She killed the engine and was off her bike the by the time someone had ran for Weaver. She was running to the steps to meet Weaver.

"Where's Tom?" he asked.

"In e hell of a lot of trouble." Jaden answered. "Everything Clayton told us was a lie. There were no orders from Porter, no attack; it was all a trap to get the kids."

Weaver frowned. "Why?"

"He's trading the kids to skitters for their safety." Ben explained, joining them on the steps.

"Ben thinks that Mike could be dead and Tom stayed to buy us time. Sir, if we don't leave we could lose all of them." Jaden said.

Weaver turned to Ben. "Can you lead us back to the sanctuary?"

Ben nodded. "Yes sir."

"Okay. I need ten fighters with me now!" Weaver ordered. "Get the vehicles, we're getting the kids back! We move out in one minute!"

Jaden turned and ran back to her bike. She kicked started the bike and turned it around. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned. Ben was standing behind her. He climbed on the back of the bike and put his arms around her.

"I'm riding with you." Ben said.

"It's safer with Weaver." Jaden replied.

"You're faster."

"You know your dad's gonna kill us both for letting you go back."

"He can only kill is if he's alive." Ben said.

"Then you better hold on, cause we're hauling ass back." Jaden said.

"Jaden, Ben, Dai, you're on point! Haul ass there and wait for us!" Weaver ordered.

Jaden waved over her shoulder and revved the engine. Dai mounted up beside her. Jaden nodded and released her break. She took off down the street again with Dai coming up fast behind her.

With Ben giving directions from behind her, Jaden and Dai led the way for the convoy through the countryside. They took the path Tom and Jaden had ridden just hours ago, following the path that Ben ran. They drove through a secluded neighborhood that Hal and the others had been in. But with no sign of them, the convoy kept moving.

Ben tapped Jaden's shoulder. Jaden hit the brakes and killed her engine. They were coming up on the sanctuary. Dai pulled up beside them and killed the engine. Ben and Jaden dismounted. Jaden slung her rifle in front and moved through the tree line. Ben and Dai stayed behind to wait for the convoy. She moved through the tree line toward the house.

Jaden came out just at the back of the house. She dropped to her stomach and took her sight. She spotted a young girl waiting outside, but no one else. She slipped back into the tree line down to the convoy.

Weaver and his men were waiting. "Report."

"No guards posted. At all. One girl's outside, but she's not armed. Looks like all their manpower's out looking for the kids." Jaden said.

"But you can't be sure."

"No sir."

"Alright, go in solo, take the girl and get the information. We'll follow." Weaver ordered.

Jaden nodded and turned back to the tree line. She slung her rifle back around her back and pulled out her pistol. She moved back through the tree line to the house. She slipped into the open and move quietly. The girl was still standing out alone. Big mistake for her. Jaden snuck up behind her nad put her have over her mouth, pressing the gun to her head. The girl stiffed against Jaden's grasp.

"Not one word." She warned.

The girl nodded.

Jaden pulled the girl out of sight. She lowered her hand. "How many armed men are still here?"

The girl swallowed nervously. "Th-thr-three."

"Where?"

"On…on the…the balcony." She answered.

"Anyone else armed? Any of the kids?"

The girl shook her head. "They're all downstairs."

"Good." Jaden said. She signaled to Weaver.

Weaver and his men moved along the house to the back door. "How many?"

"Three armed, kids are downstairs, guards are on the balcony." Jaden explained.

Weaver nodded. "Take the roof and watch for Clayton behind the chimney. One knock for our attention. Three knocks for incoming."

Jaden motioned her gun to the girl. "And her?"

"We'll move her downstairs." Weaver said. He grabbed the girls arm and pushed her back inside.

The men slipped into the house after Weaver. Jaden kept watch in case the girl was lying. Several stayed out, ready to move in front. Jaden holstered her pistol and turned to the roof.

"Need a hand?" Ben asked.

Jaden shrugged. "It could help."

Ben laced his fingers together and crouched down. Jaden put her foot inside Ben's hands and jumped. Ben lifted her up, giving her enough lift for her to grab the roof. Jaden heaved herself up onto the roof and set up her rifle. She looked into her scope and waited.

Below, she could hear Weaver and his men move through the house. No gunshots, which was a god thing for everybody. It looked like the girl was right and there weren't any other armed men inside. Jaden cleared her scope and listened.

In the distance, she could hear footsteps coming up. She stomped her foot on the roof, silencing everyone inside. She watched the forest line in front of the house. She spotted Tom walking toward the house at gunpoint. Jaden stomped three times on the roof and released the safety. She watched as the kids and Claytons men came into her line of vision. The men had the kids surrounded at gunpoint. Hal was in the rear, carrying Matt in his arms.

The group walked up the dirt road to the house. They crossed through the front yard, into Weaver's line of fire. Jaden set her finger on the trigger and waited.

"Alright, get all the kids in the stables, now!" Clayton ordered.

One of Clayton's men pulled Matt from Hal's arms and separated him from the other kids. Lourdes took Matt's hand and led him with the other kids. Tom stood where he was, still under guard. Matt looked back to his dad.

"No! I'm not going! Dad!" Matt yelled.

One of Clayton's men raised his gun to Tom.

Jaden took her shot. The bullet slammed into the man's back ,sending him to the ground seconds later. Clayton's men came to attention, but it was too late. Weaver and his men emerged from the house, all weapons pointed at Clayton. The men came around the house, completely covering every point of access. Jaden rose from the roof, taking sight on Clayton.

"DROP 'EM!" Weaver ordered.

One of Clayton's men turned to Weaver. Weaver turned and shot him instantly. "Okay who's next?"

Everyone lowered their weapons and put their hands on their heads.

"What about me, Dan? You gonna shoot me too?" Terry asked.

"Only if I have to." Weaver answered.

Terry turned to Tom. "Hey Tom, so what's the next step in this plan of yours?" He lowered his hands, holding a gun. "Cause I was thinking maybe-"

Tom fired before Terry or Jaden got a shot. Terry fell to the ground instantly.

Jaden exhaled with relief. "Nice shot professor."

Tom turned to Hal. "You okay?"

Hal nodded." Yeah. Did you know they were waiting for us?"

"I hoped." Tom looked to Weaver. "I wasn't sure you were gonna show up."

"Almost didn't." Weaver answered.

"Dad!" Ben called. He ran down the spiral stairs onto the ground.

"Told you to send the cavalry, not come with them." Tom replied.

Ben smiled and gave his dad a hug. Matt ran over to his dad and wrapped his arms around him. Tom looked to Weaver. "What do you wanna do about them?"

"We'll take their weapons, but I don't see bringing these people back to the 2nd Mass." Weaver answered. He was infuriated. "You people, you can go or you can stay I don't really give a damn, but if I find that you've been dealing with the skitters again I'll kill every last one of you."

Jaden eased her way down the roof. She slung her rifle around her back and dropped onto the balcony. As she walked down to the ground, she noticed the kids had congregated around Ben, congratulating him for bringing the cavalry. She hesitantly walked up to the group.

Jimmy looked over his shoulder. "Hey Jaden."

Jaden nodded. "Jimmy."

"Look…about…how I've been act-"

Jaden raised her hand to cut him off. "Hey, I'll forget if you forget. Deal?"

Jimmy nodded. "Deal. And thanks for coming."

"Hey, I'm always gonna look out for you Jimmy. Promise." Jaden replied.

"Alright, let's move out!" Weaver ordered.

The kids dispersed with the adults and headed back toward the tree line. Jaden walked behind everyone, letting the kids enjoy the moment of returning to the school, to their parents. Ben slowed his pace and met up with her.

Jaden smirked. "You keep doing this and people are going to talk."

"They already do." Ben answered. "I noticed Jimmy's talking to you again."

"Jealous?" Jaden asked.

Ben chuckled. "Of what?

"Competition." Jaden answered. "So, now that you've run. I mean, really run, are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Ben nodded. "You're not getting rid of me."

"Well I tried."

Mikes service was held that evening, in front of the school He as buried beside other fallen members of the second. Dai and Anthony used one of the flags inside the school and folded it beside Mike's grave. A wooden cross had been made and placed at the head of the grave. Everyone that had known Mike had gathered outside for the service.

Hal stepped in front of the group. "Mike was a good man, good father. You could tell from being around him, how much he loved Rick. Like all of us here today, he was faced with the decision; he could've run and saved himself, but instead he stood his ground and fought for us. I'm gonna miss him. We're gonna miss him."

"Captain?" Tom asked.

"You go ahead." Weaver said.

Tom walked out into the front of the crowd. "If this was a proper military funeral, we'd have someone playing 'Taps'. It's a beguiler's song from the civil war. It used to signify the end of a day's work, and in a way it's a lullaby. It tells soldiers that all is well and it was safe to rest. So rest easy Mike, we'll take it from here."

Dai and Anthony began folding the flag. Lourdes stepped from the crowd, carrying the sheet music from the house. She opened the booklet and began singing. Maggie stepped up behind Hal and slipped her hand in his for support. Dai walked over to Rick and presented the flag to him. Rick slowly took the flag from Dai, unsure of what he should do with it. Anne walked forward and placed the ferns on Mike's grave.

One by one the crowd began to disperse. Rick was first to walk away, holding the flag halfheartedly. Weaver was next to leave with several other soldiers. After everything that had happened, word had to be sent to Porter before dark. Maggie left next, followed soon after by Hal. Tom and Anne left together, with Matt holding onto his dad's arm. By sunset, Jaden was the only one who remained.

She walked to the cross of Mike's grave. Her hair had been pulled down from the bun. Her hands were stuffed in her coat pockets, and her rifle was strapped to her back. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see."

"I'm sure Mike appreciates that."

Jaden sighed. She didn't need to look back, but she did. Ben was standing just a few feet from her. His hands were inside his coat pockets. He shifted in his place, unsure if he should approach her. "You know, when I first joined the 2nd Mass, I was about as useless as a newborn. I couldn't shoot, I couldn't scout, I was nothing. One night, I got tired of it and I ran. I ran past a few shops and checked 'em out for supplies. Got a good load too. When I got back, I ran into Mike on patrol. He was impressed that I hauled all the supplies back on my own in just a few hours. Then he grilled my ass for leaving the base unprotected."

Ben walked up beside Jaden and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Mike's the one who convinced Weaver to make me the supply runner. He taught me to load, clean, fire my rifle, took watch while I ran. He looked after me, like he was my father. And when Rick came back, it was like watching a kid at Christmas." Jaden explained. She leaned her head against Ben's shoulder. Her eyes were blurring, but she wouldn't let the tears fall. If they fell, so would what was left of her resistance. "I never thanked him."

Ben wrapped his arm around her shoulder and leaned his head against hers. "I think you just did."

sanctuary part 2. yay! next chapter to come in a few days.