… I know what you're thinking. I know how mad you probably are. So I'm going to be completely frank with my next statement.
I've lost a lot of my interest in the stories I've currently got posted on fanfiction. I have been trying to rekindle my interests, but until the interests are completely back, I won't be posting very often.
On that happy note (sarcasm button) onto the next chapter!
"Well, that was close," Rex said. I sat down in one of the seats and panted. When I thought about it later, it seemed like one of those scenes you always see in the movies.
"So, what's the deal with this mission? Normally Holiday doesn't come with. No offense," I said. Holiday nodded to me.
"There's been suspicious EVO activity in Texas for a few days. We are to find out why and how, and stop it," Holiday said, checking some random piece of equipment.
Reece crept out of the corner of the room.
And why are you here?I asked her mentally.
I'm helping and you can't stop me,Reece told me, lying at my feet. Nobody's hurting you while I'm here.I shook my head. She was more protective of me than usual.
Fine, but please be careful.
"How long do we expect to stay there?" I directed my question at Holiday. She shrugged her shoulders.
"We don't know. Could be a few hours, might end up being a couple days. It depends on how fast we find the threat and get rid of it," Six commented. Everybody fell silent for a while. Even Bobo was quiet, not saying anything.
Feeling very awkward, I tried to start up a conversation. "So, where in Texas? That's the state where I… used to live."
For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to say that's where I lived. It's like the words wouldn't come out of my mouth.
"Somewhere near the border. The name of the city is… Parkerville." My heart skipped a beat.
"Parkerville? That's my hometown! My parents…" I sank back into my chair. My mind automatically gave me the worst possible outcome.
"My parents won't know what hit them, my brother will try to fight them, and the other people in town will blame it all on me, even though I haven't been there for six months at least!" I banged my head against my hands. I should have known things would end up like this.
"Hey, we won't let anybody get hurt, okay?" Rex said, placing a hand between my hands and my head. I nodded, feeling slightly relieved from his promise.
We flew for a long time, eventually stopping after a long flight. I was the first person off of the ship. It reminded me too much of a twelve hour drive in a cramped car two years ago. The others followed me off, spare Bobo, who flew off with the ship.
When I got out, my eyes opened to chaos. Streets once smoothly paved were broken and destroyed. Buildings that once held businesses were in shambles, there foundations completely gone. Homes that had families with laughing children were beaten to an inch of their lives. Nobody was out. The city was literally a ghost town.
Reece came up to my side. There are no familiar smells. It's like the city has been completely destroyed.
"No communications working. I can't contact Providence." Six pulled the communicator out of his ear. "We're all alone out here."
All of a sudden, I heard the sound of feet. My head whipped around to see a small child run across the street, avoiding the destruction effortlessly.
Six jumped up and ran towards the child, drawing out a katana. I took a closer look at the child.
"Noooo!" I yelled at him, running that way myself. I drew out my sword, but I knew I wouldn't be able to catch up with him without him stopping.
Six slowed down, enough for me to run in front of him. "Don't hurt her!"
I turned to the child behind me. She stared at me with those familiar brown eyes. I sheathed my sword, as not to scare her.
"Rosa? Do you remember me? It's Courtney," I said in a soothing tone while getting on my knees. I was hoping to calm her down. Being chased by a green man with a sword is enough to give any four-year-old nightmares.
Rosa looked at me, like she couldn't tell who I was. Suddenly, she broke down crying, running into me. I caught her easily and hugged her, just letting her cry.
"It's okay, it's okay, it's alright," I said, stroking her hair gently. I picked her up and carried her over to Six. I motioned for him to put his katana away and he did so, with great reluctance.
"You've already scared her enough, no need for any more." I brought her over to Dr. Holiday and Rex. "This is Rosa. She's my best friend's little sister." Rosa clung to me much like the monkeys used to.
"Rosa? I'm Dr. Holiday. Are you okay?" Holiday asked. Rosa shook her head into my chest. "Are you hurt?" Rosa shook her head again.
"Hey, Rosa? Where is everybody? Where are your parents?" I asked her, gently.
"Mi mama y mi papa necesitan ir," she replied.
"My mom and dad needed to go," I muttered to myself, turning to Rosa. "Go where?" Again she shook her head, not willing to give any more information.
I sighed. "Rosa? This is Rex. He's my friend. Can you tell him?" She shook her head again and blurted out a string of Spanish words I couldn't catch. I turned to Rex. "Translation for the Level 1 Spanish student?"
"She said if she tells, then the monsters will catch her." He bent down to her eye level. She shrank back a little. "Hi, Rosa. I'm Rex. I promise you, nothing will happen to you. Can you tell me?" Again, a shake no.
"What should we do? I need to find her parents, but she might slow us down," I asked, looking at Six.
"She'll stay with us until we find her parents, or some people she knows. Until then, you are to take care of her. See if you can get her to talk. She might be useful." Six turned, not
saying another word.
I nodded and patted Rosa on the back, who was still clung to me. "Rosa? Could you possibly walk? It's hard to walk like this." She shook her head no. I sighed. "Then, can you get down for a little bit, so you can ride on my back?"
She slipped off of me, instead of clinging to my middle she clung to my leg. I shook my head. Not much of an improvement. I un-strapped my sword from my back and strapped it to my waist instead, like the samurai. I bent down and Rosa jumped onto my back.
"Now, Rosa, if we find any monsters, you're going to have to get off so I can help my friends. Okay?" I didn't hear or feel a response, but trudged on anyways.
We walked for a little bit, surveying the place, or what was left of it. Dr. Holiday scanned the city for life forms, but the only ones she detected were us. She also scanned for anything unnatural to this part of the U.S., but that also came up negative.
I was lost in memories as we walked through that place. I saw the public swimming pool where I first learned to swim, the museum that had a space shuttle flight simulation, Reece's favorite park; it was all gone.
We eventually came to my house. Out of all the places I'd seen so far, this one was the worst. The place was literally pulled apart. Nothing was left standing. My entire home was destroyed, with my family nowhere to be found.
I stopped, staring at the place. Rex came up behind me, staring at it as well.
"Let me guess, your old house." I just nodded back, still in shock. Reece walked into the wreckage, sniffing around. I smell creatures. Familiar, but different.
"How? Why? Why now? Why would they do this?" I could hear my voice crack. My mind flashed to my parents, my brother, all the people I had known.
"Listen. We'll find your family," he whispered into my ear. I nodded, subconsciously wiping the tears from my eyes.
We continued walking around for a while. Six and Rex went into the wreckage of a few buildings, to see if anything or anyone was hiding there, but no dice.
We eventually stopped because it was getting too dark out. I found a spot that didn't have as much rubble on it, and with Rex's help, I cleared away any that was there. Dr. Holiday set up some equipment with Six's help. Rosa got off of my back finally, only to sit on my lap, peering into the dark.
Reece walked up to her, sniffing her gently. Reece turned to me. Who is this small human and why does she smell like earth?
I laughed gently, patting Reece on the head. Her name's Rosa and she smells like earth because she's been living here. You should remember her.
I turned to Rex. "So, do you normally have overnight missions?" I asked.
"Not normally, no. But today seems like a good day to start. We can't go back to the ship because Bobo took it," Rex said. I laughed, gently stroking Rosa's hair.
"Rosa? Do you think you can tell us where everybody is now?" She turned and looked back at me.
"The grown ups had everybody leave, but a bunch of us stayed behind. Jimmy, Chris, Janna, Chase, Emily, Rebecca, Nicole, and everybody else. Jason and Karagen are in charge. The grown ups thought you did this, but we didn't." She buried her head into my chest again.
"Oh, no. This is not good." I shook my head. How could they do something so crazy?
"Rex looked at me strangely. "Why would that be a bad thing? So some people snuck away from the group."
"You don't understand. Those are the names of the most stubborn teenagers in
Parkerville. Rosa, where are they staying?" I looked at her.
"Everybody's at the school. You know, the big kid one near the library. The monsters didn't destroy it." She said into my chest. I looked at Rex.
"Parkerville High School. That's not very far from here! We could get over there and back pretty fast. Should we tell Six and Holiday?" I looked over at them. They seemed pretty intent on studying some sample Holiday found recently.
"Let them study their thing. We can get there and back faster by ourselves fast anyways." He got up and picked up Rosa, who had decided she liked Rex. I got up and took her back.
I turned to Reece. Stay here until we get back. We'll be back soon.She reluctantly agreed and lay back down.
I've told you guys how much I love my editor, right? Well let me say it again, because no matter how sporadic my chapters are, she's always been willing to edit them for me. QueenyLeAcH, you're awesome!
Reviews!
elysenjazz- First of all, let me congratulate you on being the first thing I've ever had that's closest to a flamer. Now, to answer your 'concerns.' First of all, as I explained on top, I've lost a lot of interest and postings are going to be sporadic. Second of all, you need to remember that most of this was written when I was 14. When I was younger, action scenes were more difficult. I'm 16 now, and I have much more experience in writing. So, there will be more action.
Tayashia- I'm sorry I couldn't hold to my previous promise, but I love that you love my story! I've got another chapter for you, and I'm trying to get my butt back in gear, so I should have more chapters for you soon :-)
Guest- Just look at the top and you'll see my explanation. I'm sorry about being late.
LLIMCO- I did write another chapter! It's right here! You just finished reading it!
575- Seriously? Sweet. I don't know how ferocious Courtney is, but at this point she's gained some serious skills, so I guess you could consider her battle ready.
I'm not going to bother in creating a deadline for myself of when to post, cause I probably won't be able to keep to it, but I will try to remember to post a new chapter. Just please remember, I love you guys, and never stop being awesome.
Annyeoung!