Heyho! It's me. So, I'm back with the latest chapter. Thank you again to those who added my story to their Favorites and their Story Alerts! I love your everything, guys. Okay, so I have nothing much to say anyway so here's the latest chappie! Hope you guys like it

"Do you really have to go Lourdes?" Matt asked from the bed

I looked away from the mirror then walked over to the bed. I sat beside Matt, who hugged his knees to his chest. I smiled at him "I need to, Matt. Don't worry; I'll make sure to come back, alright?"

Matt shuddered "You promise?"

I nodded "I promise."

Matt smiled then he ran outside. I stood up from the bed and went back to the mirror. I tied my black hair into a tight ponytail and looked at my reflection. I was about to go out into the city where we could probably end up fighting Skitters. I won't just be in a clinic anymore, aiding and taking care of people. I will actually be outside fighting those things. I felt my heart thump rapidly and I heard it slamming against my chest. I took a deep breath. I needed to stay calm, I won't be scared. I need to prove myself that I'm a more help to others, that I'm not just a medical student. A knock on the door woke me from my reverie. I turned around and I realized it was Hal. He wore his usual grey shirt and his thick jacket. He grinned "Well, don't you look like a real soldier."

I looked down at my attire. It wasn't anything special, just my old tanktop and my green jacket. I did borrow a pair of combat boots from Maggie who surprisingly keeps an extra. I laughed "I'll take that as a compliment."

He closed the door behind him and walked towards me "That's because it is a compliment."

"You don't look bad yourself" I glared at him from head-to-toe "Just like a real soldier"

Hal smiled. He was standing only a few feet away from me and all I wanted was to close all the distance between us but I knew better. All I can actually do was look at him. It was silent between us but then he spoke "It's not too late to back out, you know."

I bit my lip then frowned down at my hands "I'm not backing out, Hal."

Hal raised a brow "Of course you're not."

"I can do it, Hal." This time, I shifted my gaze away from my hands and back to Hal "You know I can."

Hal pursed his lips "I know you can. I also know that you're stronger than you look but you should know that when you're – out there- you are in terrible danger."

"I know that" I sighed

Hal frowned "I can't always be there to help you out, Lourdes. And if anything happens to you-"

I stared at him, not knowing what to expect.

He rubbed his chin with his fingers and stared down at his feet "We need you, Lourdes. We really do."

I nodded "Then, I'll take care of myself"

"There's really no talking you out of this, huh?" Hal asked, his gaze back to me

I shook my head "Nope"

Hal, Maggie and I were already in front of the house, preparing ourselves. Suddenly, Matt ran out and made his way next to me. Once he reached, he took my hand in his then smiled "You come back, ok?"

I smiled down at him "I already promised, didn't I?"

Matt extended his arms towards me for a hug and I made sure to give it to him. Once we parted, he made his way to Hal who was in the hood of the truck talking with Mr. Greene. A hand tapped my shoulder that made me jump

"Oops, didn't mean to startle you" Maggie grinned from behind me

I smiled in relief "Oh, it's just you"

"Yep, just me" Maggie placed her hands on both sides of her hips "First time being out there, eh?"

"Pretty much" I answered

Maggie reached out from something behind her belt. Before she even showed it to me, I already knew what it was. It was a gun. The idea of me holding such a dangerous and delicate thing in my hand made me flinch. I didn't really like the idea of guns. It was nothing to me but a little death machine but right now, that little death machine on Maggie's hand can actually save my life.

"It's a pistol" Maggie explained "Good for starters like you"

I stared at the gun, unable to reach out and take it

"Hey, don't be scared now. This thing is meant to protect you- well, unless you use it otherwise" Maggie shook of the joke as she saw the look on my face "I doubt it you'll actually need it when Mr. Lover boy over there will probably keep you safe."

I turned around and I saw Hal with Matt. They were talking and smiling just like that other night. I turned my attention back to Maggie who was now looking at me with that odd smile "But, you should still hold on it to it. You know, just in case"

I looked back at the gun on Maggie's hand. The sight of it made my stomach lurch but Maggie was right. I do need it, for my own safety. I took the gun slowly and gently, afraid that I might pull the trigger or something. The gun felt heavy on my hands, I quickly tucked it in my belt and frowned at the weight of it. "I didn't know it was heavy."

"It's always heavy when it's your first time. But, when you get used to it you'll barely notice a thing." Maggie winked and then she was off

I was left alone, near the truck with a gun in my belt. I know the feeling of holding a gun should make me feel safe but I couldn't help but be scared. I felt the gun press down on my thigh and I immediately flinched. It's like the gun might set off any minute.

"Lourdes" Hal called out behind me

I quickly turned around and I saw Hal in front of me. I stepped back a little leaving a few space between us, I didn't want to but the lack of space might make him feel uncomfortable. When I looked up at him, he was looking at something. Then, I followed his gaze which brought me to the sight of the –as Maggie calls it- pistol grip tucked in my belt.

"Maggie gave you that, huh?" Hal asked, his eyes on mine

I nodded "Who else would"

Hal pursed his lips "Ever held a gun before?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at him making it my response

Hal shook his head with a laugh "Right, of course not."

"How do you-use a gun?" I whispered. I wasn't sure if Hal even heard it

"Practically just 'Aim-and-shoot'" Hal answered then he grinned "But, I doubt it that you'll even use that gun. I'll be right beside you all through out."

I expected those words to come out of Hal's mouth, of course. He would always be there for others. He would try his best to help out – even it costs his life. "I don't want to be a burden."

Hal laughed "You're not a burden, Lourdes."

I sighed "Just- don't do anything reckless, okay? I am quite clumsy so I'm a danger magnet and I don't want you getting hurt because of me. Guilt is probably the only thing that I'm afraid of."

Hal nodded in understanding "Alright. Just stay close to me."

"I will"

With that, Mr. Greene called out for us to quickly climb in the trucks. A few minutes from now, I'll be back to the awful scene again; with those Skitters and the scent of danger and death in the air. Everytime I remember that time when Hal saved me from those Skitters, that time when I just lurked in the shadows instead of crawling to safety. That time when I couldn't move because of fear and how vulnerable and weak I felt then. I wanted to prove to myself that I am strong. I am not that weak girl before who Hal Mason just saved. I want to save people too, not just by aiding them. I heard a voice say something but I couldn't really understand. I felt a warm hand tug on mine and I broke away from my thoughts. I looked up and I saw Hal with that determination in his eyes. He gently pulled me towards the back of the truck and once I was seated, he sat beside me. His hand never leaving mine

A/N: Hello! Me again! Yep. Ok. Hope you guys liked it. Don't forget dem' reviews! Ok. Love you guise. Tune in for the next chapter.