A/N: Aw look at me, updating so fast! Well, I just wanted to thank you guys for those Story Favorites, Reviews and Alerts! School is coming up and it sucks. But, I will try to update every weekend since I already know where this story is going to lead to

I just arrived from another day scouting. I was immediately called to Mr. Greene's office. When I arrived, he was speaking to two of his men. He sat on his oak desk as his eyes wandered on a bunch of paperwork strewn on his desk. I cleared my throat "You called for me?"

Mr. Greene's head shat up towards me. With a wave of a hand, his men scurried outside leaving us both alone. "I just wanted to ask for news about those Skitters. Are any of them close to our perimeter?"

"We spotted a group of them in town. They aren't that many, probably five? They're just an hour or two away from us."

Mr. Greene frowned "In town?"

I nodded. Mr. Greene sighed "I'm not ready to take any risks. They're just Skitters? No Mechs?"

I shook my head "We've only seen Skitters."

"Very well, I'll send out my men to eliminate those bastards." He looked over at me "I'm sure you and Margaret can come with us?"

I smirked "That's all we'll ever be good for."

Mr. Greene chuckled then he called for his men. In a matter of seconds, a dozen of his men already crowded the room. "We're going back to town tomorrow. We need to kill these Skitters before they even come near us. I'm not going to wait until they find us here."

His men all nodded in understanding, their eyes on Mr. Greene. He started sending out commands and then he ordered all of us to leave and since I have nothing else left to do, I decided to go back to the backyard. Matt and a few other kids were running around the yard. I sat down on the bench and massaged my temple. For some reason, the thought of my dad, Ben and the whole 2nd Mass crossed my mind. I wonder what they're doing right now. All I know is that they didn't successfully destroy the structure. From this bench, I can see the structure. It stood straight and well like it hasn't even been touched. I wonder if they managed to escape. I wanted so badly to go back to the school, to take the civilians with me. But, what if it really isn't safe there anymore? At least I know that in this place the civilians are actually doing well. I can sense that they feel safe here and I mean, why won't they think that? There are no attacks and we have a good supply of food. But, I know that I'll never feel that way again ever since the Sanctuary.

"Hal?" A voice spoke

I shook my head away from the thought and I looked up. Once I looked up, the rays of the sun stung through my eyes. I squinted and then I realized it was Lourdes. I smiled "Hey there."

She sat down on the vacant spot beside me "You feeling okay?"

"Never better" I nudged my chin towards her casted arm "you?"

"Yeah well, I'm just fine." She bit her lower lip "I heard about the Skitters."

I frowned "We just arrived. Where'd you heard that from?"

"Ash kind of told me." She pursed her lips "I'm not going to tell anyone. Believe me, I don't want to alarm-"

Right, of course. Ash told you "I know you won't tell anyone, Lourdes."

She sighed "Was it top secret?"

"Not really, the civilians would probably hear about if from Mr. Greene's men. They just never stop talking." I snorted

Lourdes giggled "I agree, Ash can be a little talkative sometimes."

Ash again "I can't help but notice but you and Ash are really getting close now, huh?" I looked down at my feet

She grinned "Yeah well, he's a good friend. He keeps me company most of the time and he's really interesting. You two would actually get along."

I really doubt that "He seems nice."

There was a brief silence before Lourdes spoke "Is something bothering you, Hal?"

I blinked a few times "What?"

"You just seem- really bothered." She scowled "You know you can tell me anything."

"No, nothing's wrong. I'm just tired that's all."

"Then, you should rest" Lourdes smiled then she stood up "I'll be up at the guard house if you need me."

With Ash "Sure, alright." I waved

She tilted her head to the side "Are you going to rest on that bench?"

I chuckled "Probably not."

Lourdes smiled "Get a good rest, Hal Mason. You have to get that soldier in you up and going."

"I'll make sure to do that, thank you." I said a little louder when she was already walking away from me

She made sure to look back to my direction and smile before jogging towards the tall wooden guard house. She waved at the figure standing in the tall wooden structure and then she climbed up the guardhouse and disappeared.

….

"Welcome to my fortress!" Ash beamed, his fingers running against the wooden walls of the guard house.

I laughed "Very neat"

He proceeded towards a cupboard above a wooden table which didn't really have anything on it. Once the cupboard opened, I can already see the wrappers and trash hidden inside of it. He waved his hand over it "You were saying?"

"Okay, probably not that neat." I glared grimly at the cupboard "Don't you ever clean up?"

He shrugged "I don't see the point in it. It'll be messy again anyways."

"Sure it will." I settled myself down on the stool nearest him "Am I even allowed here?"

"Uh, no." He raised his finger to my head-level before I could react "But, Greene told me you can stay here. Unfortunately, you're only allowed here just this once. He's afraid I might be distracted, you know, by you and all."

I narrowed my eyes at him "Flattering"

He winked "Anytime, dearie."

I leaned against the wall then sighed. I hadn't had any sleep at all for the past three days. Too many of Mr. Greene's men would end up wounded right after a scouting mission. I wasn't complaining since I don't really do the extreme parts because of my arm and Dr. Hunns. I was in charge of watch duty so that means I had to stay up until midnight to watch over the patients.

"You alright there, Lourdes?" Ash asked

I smiled "Just great"

"Hey Lourdes?" Ash spoke again

"Hmm?"

"Thanks" He nervously bit his lip

"For what?" I sat straight up "For all, I should be the one thanking you."

"Just for, you know, being there I guess." He sighed "I've never really had someone like you before. Uh, a friend"

"You've never had a friend?" I raised a brow

He shook his head "Nope"

"Not one?"

He shook his head again

"Oh" I decided to look down on the ground "Well, I'm glad to be of company."

His eyes glistened then he smiled brightly "Seriously, Lourdes. Thank you"

I smiled back "No thanks necessary. You're nice, Ash. You're not a pain"

He chuckled "I'm glad to hear that."

"Can I ask you a question?" I said too fast

"Yeah sure anything" He leaned against the small window

"Why did you save me?" I gulped "From them?"

He was silent for a moment before he spoke "It's not like I can just leave you there all alone, right?"

I frowned "Of course, you can't"

A/N: You've reached the end of chapter 9! Drop down those reviews people! I might just add another chapter this week ;)