Hey guys I'm finally back with the next chapter of this story. Thanks for the nice reviews on the last one. This will be the last chapter of this fic (sorry D=) but good news for you all! I'm currently working on a new COD Ghosts fic, so stay tuned to that.
As always enjoy!
A loud bang resonated away above their heads. Elias dropped to his side in awe. The only vision his eyes captured were the red droplets, which flew all around him. To his surprise their was no pain. How could he not feel anything, even though he was just shot. What the hell was going on? Elias snapped back, checking his body for an entrance wound, but there was none. Disturbed as he was, he checked his forehead if Rorke shot him in the head. Nothing.
Did Rorke miss him? He slowly got up, turning around to see where Rorke remained.
"What the…" Elias couldn't believe his eyes, when he saw the blood stained arm of Rorke. Something pinned the man's arm to the ground beneath. Rorke himself looked rather puzzled, as far as this was possible for that mad man. Elias moved closer to Rorke again, his eyes fixed on the thing in Rorke's arm.
"God dammit!" Rorke yelled in anger. He tried to pull out the thing, which appeared to be a thin black rod. Elias stopped in his tracks, eyeing Rorke closely. Rorke struggled to get it out and eventually wasn't able to move it one inch.
Due to Rorke's signs of paralysis, Elias closed the space them completely. Rorke's eyes, which were still able to move, followed every single on of Elias's steppes on the dirty ground.
"Are you going to finish me now?" Rorke smirked, while Elias now had the chance to end it all; avenge his wife's death and let Rorke pay for all the heartache he had caused. This man didn't deserve to live on, he had to die, now. Ready to give him the death-blow, Elias grabbed the rod and pulled out. Rorke on the other hand didn't flinch; not at all; he just kept on grinning at Elias. The Ghost somehow felt like Rorke was up to something but something about the rod was strange. By closer examining the rod the Ghost realised this wasn't a rod at all, it was an arrow. The question is who shot it? Elias wasn't aware of one person, who would wheel a bow in the 21st century.
"Wait what is this?" Elias stated as he took note of the small paper attached to the end of the arrow, where also the it' s feathers were located. He stripped the paper off. In red ink, somebody had written a message on it:
I'm sorry I can't show myself, but you have to trust me. You have to get out of there as fast as you can, more feds are headed your way. I'll try to distract them as long as I can. Take Merrick with you and get out of there.
One the bottom the messenger signed it with "A fellow Ghost". Elias was confused as hell, Now the Ghost was caught up in a dilemma; should he do what this someone says and spare Rorke to save Merrick. Or stay and end Rorke and risk Merrick and himself to die? What if this was all a set up by Rorke himself ? Elias again took a closer look at the hand writing. The way the characters were shaped; how the ink was slightly smudged in the reading direction; he had seen this type of writing somewhere before. Elias decided to do as the message said and retreat. Better for him and Merrick to get out of there.
"Come on, Merrick; Let's get outta here." Elias announced to his barely aware friend, picking him up. Wrapping Merrick's arm around his neck Elias, made his way out of the alley. He threw a last glance at Rorke's in the black fading figure.
"Elias! You are coward like always!" Rorke yelled, but Elias didn't listen to those words. His only focus was to get Merrick and himself to safety.
"What about Rorke?" Merrick wanted to know.
"We'll get him, but not today." Elias answered, the anger in his voice clearly hearable. Elias didn't even intent to hide his disappointment and Merrick knew that. He also knew Rorke would come for Elias, his family and the other Ghosts sooner or later. The important thing now was to get Merrick patched up. Elias hoped Logan was fine; of course he was with Keegan.
"Elias?" Merrick managed to choke. Elias turned his attention to him. Merrick took a pain filled breath; "Is that true; is Mary gone?" That question struck Elias like a plain slap in the face. He stopped in his tracks, causing Merrick to lose his balance and stumble forward. Elias helped Merrick to straighten up again. Merrick did feel something was wrong; Rorke must have said the truth, the bastard. Even if he tried to emphasise with Elias he wouldn't be able to. Firstly because he was so in pain he couldn't even see clearly; secondly everyone tries to get over the death of someone differently.
Elias' features darkened; the corners of his mouth moved down, while the silenced crunching of teeth was hearable. He didn't respond, he just grabbed Merrick tighter and started to drag him forward again. Now everything was just settling in his mind; the wonderful woman, who was the mother of his two sons, the one she loved to death; was gone. He just once more wanted to tell her how much he loved he her, Elias' body went on moving, while his mind drifted away further and further
Elias escorted Merrick back to the hospital, where a huge crowd of people, had already gathered around the entrance. Elias eyes scanned through the crowd of disturbed, mourning and curious faces. Some people threw glances at them, but rather at Merrick, because the clothing around the wound, appeared in a crimson red. All just stared, but none intended to do anything to help. They were all horrified by the picture in front of them. Elias turned around, searching for a nearby spot to settle Merrick.
Soon Elias found a fitting spot under a tree. Merrick sat against the tree, his hand still pressed against the wound with all his strength.
"I'm gonna find a medic." Elias assured, patting his friend on the shoulder. Merrick watched Elias blend into the crowd, as his vision faded into black;
"Uncle Merrick!" The little boy jumped into the arms of the grown man. Merrick caught the boy and hugged him tightly, while the boy hugged back.
"How are you doing, champ?" Merrick asked, as they let go of each other.
"I'm fine!" The boy announced, jumping out of his arms. He moved around the corner and Merrick followed him wordless. "But mommy, is getting fat!" The child continued, pointing at his mother. Merrick's gaze wandered up to the rather not amused face of the woman, standing behind the child. The woman seized the boy and set him onto the kitchen counter. Green eyes stared at each other. She took the hand of her son and laid it on her belly. They boy clearly was confused about the whole situation;
"Mommy why is my baby brother, kicking me? Is he angry?" The female grinned and smiled. Merrick leaned against the corner, clearing his throat. The female threw a brief look at him, while he nodded. Than the she felt the kicking in her stomach had stopped. The boy raised his gaze. A bright smile decorated his face, but still with the flare of distant confusion.
"David, none's angry. Your baby sister or brother is happy to see you." His mother told him.
"It's not a girl, mommy; It's a boy!" he crossed his arms over his chest. " A girl can't kick that hard! Uncle Merrick thought me that!" He added pointing at Merrick.
"Is that so?" the mother again said, looking at Merrick, who put his arms in the air in insouciance.
"Why don't you go out and play, David?" She said putting him back down on the floor. They boy stormed out of the kitchen into the backyard. He paced around a few times, searching for all his plastic soldiers. The little figures, were well hidden in the grass with their camouflage. This how David always explained that he didn't clean up his toys. He couldn't because they were hidden somewhere in the grass. The two adults enjoyed the way the child played. He had this easiness to him only a child can have. The child was so oblivious to the things soldiers really have to do…
"Merrick?" A voice called out for him, while someone nudged his shoulder. As he didn't react, the person began to shake him stronger, calling out his name several times. Merrick could hear the voice clear as day, though he didn't know whose voice it was. He though the voice to be annoying; he was too tired to move. The Ghost wanted to stay where he was; it was comfortable and warm. Yes, it was a place, where he wanted to be. Without pain, without fear.
"Oh shite !" Merrick felt hands sweeping all over his torso. Those hands were cold and harsh; they were everything he didn't want to feel. "We're losing 'im" The voice hissed. A cold breeze danced over his chest, while the suddenly warm hands pushed against his chest and they let go again. This cycle continued a few times. The black all around him faded into a white. It felt like he was struck by lightning, when soft lips pressed down on his own. That sensation made him able to move again, fuelled him with the strength acquired to rip open his eyes.
He searched for a point to fix his eyes on. Than he saw it; her face. It was painted in black, while white strokes dashed all across it. Grey eyes sparkled back in relief. Tear drops rolled down her face, blending the black with the white to creating a new hue. Soon the face paint under her eyes turned into grey clouds.
"Am so glad !" She pulled him up into a tight hug. Merrick noticed Elias, as he looked over her shoulders. Than he remembered, who she was. His mind seemed to turn back into its normal state. The pain was gone. Merrick felt himself calm down in her arms. This feeling wasn't new to him;
"Mila…" He gasped, burying his face in her chest, tears streaming down his face.
"Everythin' gonna be fin' ." The female calmed him. She glanced back at Elias, who let out a sign of relief.
"I should have known it was you." Elias admitted. Mila's smile under the mixture of face paint, tears and blood was barely visible. The rest of her clothing didn't quite look better; trousers torn and ripped; red cuts covered her limbs and parts of her stomach. No wonder, she was the only soldier Elias knew, who wears a cropped tank top in a combat situation. Under all the cuts and brushes, her stomach muscles stood out. It's always been unusual to Elias, that Mila has a six-pack. Still this didn't take away the feminism of her body. On the contrary it made appear even more dangerous, than she already looked when she wore combat gear and face paint.
"Somebody' had to com' and sav' yar ass." She answered She fell silent, because she knew what was going on in Elias' head. He wanted to get his revenge from Rorke. They bastard indeed had to pay, but Elias couldn't have done anything in his condition. He would have only also been killed by Rorke, like Mary.
"Why are you really here ?" Elias snapped. That caught Mila off guard and she looked at him ashamed, clenching her left arm with her right hand.
"I wanted's to visit ya and Mary." She declared in a straight manner. Mila was used to talk to Elias like this, since he has been her commanding officer for a long time. " But than everythin' went to hell."
She put her bow from her back, examining it closely. She used it as an excuse to not look Elias in the eye.
"Right…" Elias simply said. This was supposed be one of the best days in his life. It was the birthday of his seconds son. How could he possibly have known that this would also be the day his wife dies?
"I'm sur'e Mary gav' Rorke one hell of a fight'." Mila stated. She studied Elias for a short second, who wore the most broken expression on his face Mila had ever seen. She put her hand on his shoulder; " She was a strong woman."
"Strong…but not strong enough as it seems." Elias bursted out in tears. "I should've been there for her When she needed me the most. I've failed her!"
Mila had heard enough, she brought her fist up and punched Elias hard in the face. The man tumbled backwards, falling to the ground. He glanced at her puzzled, while rubbing his cheek. The woman threw a glance at him that said more than any words could. It told Elias to pull himself together and be strong. He needed to be strong for the rest of his family. For his two sons, David and Logan. They needed a father that could shoulder the responsibility of two.
"Don't ya understand' ya son's need ya!" Mila yelled at him, bursting out in tears. " That's tha' least ya can do. Since Mary already sacrificed' everythin' to sav Logan!" Elias lay there on the ground beneath her shocked. Mary and Mila had been friend for a long time, even before he started to date with Mary. It seemed legit to him that she would also be struck by the death of her best friend.
"How do know all this?" Elias wanted to know. He stud again, now he was looking down at Mila sceptical, who returned a frown. Mila was about to punch Elias again because of this stupid interrogation scene his was trying to pull off. She flexed her muscles when out of the sudden something blocked her arm. She turned around to see Keegan standing behind her.
"I think Elias had enough punishment for today, don't you think?" Her hand swung back to her side, her mind still caught up in the moment. She realised what she did and lowered her head in excuse. "I told Mila everything shortly after you chased after Rorke."
"Keegan, where is Logan?" Elias interrupted, his tune of his voice worried. His face turned pale, while his brown eyes searched for any evidence for the location of his son on Keegan's face.
"He's fine. I took him to your parents' home. To his brother David." Keegan explained himself, swallowing the pain of telling Elias' parents about Mary passing away. The two tolerated the message but instead of tearing up they tried to stay strong for the two boys. Luckily David had already been asleep when Keegan arrived so he stayed oblivious to the fact that his mother died, only hours ago.
Elias nodded slowly, staying calm and collected; he needed to think.
"How I am I'm gonna explain all this to David?" Elias threw into the room, randomly, pacing around. Pinching the bridge of his nose.
"It's not goin' to be easy but h'll understand with time' ." Mila replied, stepping closer. Her's and Elias gaze meet in the middle. She put both her hands on Elias shoulders. "As w'll ya." She forced a smile on her face on order to send some positive energy to Elias. What he needed now, where people who where there for him. People who he could talk with, to get over the pain.
"Where is Merrick ?" Keegan now noticed one part of their group is missing.
"He–" Elias was cut off by Mila.
"Merrick got injured' bei Rorke. Cunt shot im'. " Keegan looked at them in disbelief. Mila looked like the pure embodiment of regret. "Don't ya worry h'll be just fine." Keegan stared at her like his mind was trying to suppress his feelings, what wasn't always that easy for Keegan. Today was the worst day of his life. First Mary died, than Merrick got shot by Rorke. It couldn't get any worse. He just felt so unbelievably sorry for Elias, David and Logan. The two boys lost their mother, while Logan didn't even have the chance to know her. David wouldn't be able to live without his 'mummy', since she was the person the boy loved the most, besides his father. Last part not least Merrick nearly died also and Elias is mentally dead.
"Rorke will pay for this; I swear it !" Keegan barked. All of them had they same expression on their faces. It was this expression 'we know what we need to do'. They where Ghosts and if someone tries to mess with them, that one will have a bad time.
"Ya right!" Mila added. Both of them payed their attention to Elias, because he was their commanding officer. One word from him was enough and they where on the next plane to where ever Rorke was hiding. Like wolfs they waited in cage for Elias to throw the first piece of meat.
"No." Elias stated coldly. Keegan and Mila puzzled of his statement, waited for him to continue. "You would just get yourself killed. We're all not in the mental condition to hunt Rorke. It's just what he's waiting for. That we step into his trap."
"What now then?" Keegan asked, scratching his neck. As Elias was still searching for the right words Mila turned on her tracks. She faced the two men with her back, where her bow was strapped. The weapon was very small and handy, when holstered. She smudged over her face with her hand. Than she walked to the next wall and painted something on it. It looked was a skull with twelve stars circling it.
"Ya not alon' in ya fight. W'll be ther' to help ya." She said confident. "Don't ya forget about ya friends. Farewell until' we meet again" Mila finished and disappeared in the night again. That's how Mila was she appeared and disappeared when she wanted. Elias was sure he wouldn't hear from her for a long time. The skull she painted on the wall looked like the pattern of Elias mask, though none of them knew what the stars meant. The bigger question was who was 'we'.
"There she goes." Keegan interrupted his thoughts. "What are we gonna do know?"
"We're gonna keep a low profile until the situation calms down. I think we have to deal with huger issues than Rorke right now. " Elias replied pained.
That's the end I hope you liked it. As for Mila; she will reappear in my next fic. Because this story is 100% canon to the new fic; so yeah =)) Okay I'm gonna give you one more teaser; The new fic won't take place in america (mostly) and it will be set a few years after "Ghost killer"…
pixeltrix141 out...