Season Two: Episode Three (Compass)

Ericka walked into the tent and tossed herself onto the cot with a groan. She covered her eyes with her arm. "Long night?" Hal questioned. She moved her arm and turned on her stomach. "You have no idea. We spent six hours scavenging for food and we barely have enough to fill up a trunk. I would much rather be on patrol than out looking for nonexistent food." Ericka explained. Six long hours with a group of people who didn't know how to shut up. She was actually afraid that the 2nd Mass would starve. "You can have my shift." He joked. She scoffed, muttering "I wish" under her breath. She noticed Matt sleeping with a gun and raised an eyebrow. "It's unloaded." Hal answered her unasked question. She chuckled lightly, and then turned back on her back. "Ben out on patrol?" she asked. "Yeah, he's with Jimmy." he replied. She nodded, her eyes growing heavy. It only took her a few minutes to fall to sleep. Hal smiled, getting up and pulling a blanket over her. She seemed so innocent, lying there asleep. He had to remind himself that this was the same girl who was a damn good shot and quite persistent.

...

Ericka followed Tom, Hal, and Captain Weaver out of the med-bus. Her eyes never left Jimmy. Hal's hand rested on her back, guiding her out. She didn't know if she should be shocked or afraid that Jimmy was bleeding out. "What the hell were you two doing out there, Ben?" questioned Captain Weaver. He treated Jimmy like a son, so she knew that he was taking this hard. Ben looked as if he were in shock. It took him a few seconds to catch up. "Hunting Skitters." He answered. Ericka ran a hand through her hair harshly. Hunting Skitters?! Was he insane, she thought wildly. She should've known he was doing something like this. "Hunting, is that what you and Jimmy were doing when you found dad last night?" Hal asked with surprise. Tom placed a hand on Hal's chest, trying to calm him. He looked into his younger son's eyes. "What were you and Jimmy doing hunting Skitters, Ben?" his dad prodded. He took a few deep breaths. "I…I…they put spikes on my back! They killed mom, they killed everyone! I need a reason!?" he said, voice rising. Ben had gotten himself into a mess, he was a mess. How could she not have seen this coming? Ericka folded her arms, but started biting her thumb.

"Like we don't have enough combat, you have to go looking for it?" Captain Weaver added. There was still blood on his hands, Jimmy's blood. "Tell every last one of those is dead, yes." Ben replied. Just then, she saw Hanna running up to the med-bus. She was screaming and crying out Jimmy's name. Anthony held her back, away from the bus. "Hal, take your brother back to the tent, get him cleaned up." Tom told his eldest. Hal nodded, placing a hand on Ben's shoulder. "No, I'm going back to the med-bus." He stated, but his dad cut him off. "You can't go around camp looking like that. Go change first. He was stern and didn't allow his son to argue. Tom watched as Hal pulled Ben away. Then he looked at Ericka.

She was biting her nail and her eyes were darting back and forth. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You ok?" he questioned. Her arms dropped to her sides as she looked up at him. Ericka gave a quick nod, before going to Hanna. The girl was now sitting on the ground, sobbing her eyes out. She helped her friend up, but Hanna pushed her back. Ericka went to help her again, but the same thing happened. This time, she pulled her up before she could push her. "Let me go! I'm not leaving, I need to help!" she screamed in a fit of rage.

Ericka roughly yanked her arm. Her eyes were suddenly calm. She needed to be strong for Hanna right now. Hanna had no one, she was all alone; no family and a few friends. "There's nothing you can do, Hanna, let's go." She replied. "How can you be so calm? Jimmy is your friend and he's dying in there!" Hanna yelled in her ear. Ericka's eyes brimmed with tears. It seemed like only a minute ago she was talking to Jimmy. He was ok and laughing and not dying on a table. "Let's go. Anne and Lourdes need to concentrate." she whispered.

…

Ericka slowly headed into the tent as Ben pulled on a shirt. She had been consoling Hanna until she cried herself to sleep. When Hal saw her come in, he left silently. Tears started falling down her cheeks. She made her way over to Ben and hugged him. He wrapped his arm around her as she cried. After a few minutes, she sniffled. Her face was red from crying so hard. Jimmy was her friend, one of her best friends. She couldn't help wondering what would've happened if she had gone. "I should've gone. I should've been there with you two." She mumbled against his shirt. One of his hands held the back of her head. Silent tears cascaded down his face. "It's all my fault, it's all my fault…" he repeated. Shaking her head, she pulled away from him. His hand dropped down to her waist. "No, this wasn't your fault. This wasn't anyone's fault, but theirs. Those bastards are going to pay for this, I promise you." Ericka replied darkly.

Those creatures deserved to die, each and every one of them. She closed her eyes, leaned forward, and kissed him. His eyes closed as he eagerly kissed her back, willing all of the pain of his best friend possibly dying to go away.

…

Ericka thought it had been a good idea to wake Hanna. She would want to be awake when Jimmy got out of surgery. Just as Anne walked out, the girls arrived. They listened to what the doctor had to say. It was all up to Jimmy now. He was a fighter, he would make it. Ben walked away. Tom nodded to Hal, "Go after him, make sure he's ok." Hal left silently, obeying his dad.

Ericka looked at Hanna, her blue eyes pleading to let her go too. She gave a weak smile and nodded. She turned, taking in a jog to catch up with Hal.

...

Ericka found Ben in the med-bus, watching over Jimmy. He was still unconscious. Hanna was in another chair across from Ben, holding Jimmy's hand. She figured that after searching everywhere that he would be here. She had gone back to the tent and grabbed a picture. It was one she took on her Polaroid camera. She handed it to Hanna, who giggled. They pic was of Hanna and Jimmy sitting on the tailgate of the truck, both of them had their hands up in the air and mouths wide open like they were screaming in joy. It was one of the happier moments they shared. Ericka pulled up another seat and sat beside Ben. Hanna handed her back the picture. "It's cute, but can you keep it for me?" she asked. Ericka nodded softly. She leaned her head on Ben's shoulder.

…

"Why are you stopping?! No, no, keep going, keep doing it!" Ben shouted, inching closer. Tom grabbed Ben's shoulder, holding him back. Anne stopped the compressions. She looked up sadly at Ben. "I'm sorry, he's gone." she whispered. As tears came down, Ericka backed away. She turned and ran. She heard Hanna's wails, screaming for Jimmy. But he wasn't there, Jimmy was gone; he was dead and he wasn't coming back. People gave her strange looks as she sped past them. She didn't stop until she was outside where few people could see her. She bent over, gasping to catch her breath. Then she stood up straight and yanked off her jacket. Ericka balled it up and held it tightly over her mouth. She muffled her screams out. Jimmy was her friend and he didn't deserve to die; not here, not like this.

…

"Hey Pope!" Ericka said cheerily. She had heard about him getting into a fight with Tom and about him taking Jimmy's compass. She also heard that he was now leaving the 2nd Mass. "And what can I do for little Miss Mason wannabe." He said turning around. Her fist suddenly connected with his face. She wasn't a total badass or anything, but this was something she needed to do. Pope stumbled back in shock. "First Mason, now you…nice hit, by the way." Pope muttered, gritting his teeth. He wasn't going to hit a kid, especially a girl; no matter how much he wanted too, he wouldn't. "You're a self-absorbed asshole. Jimmy did nothing to you, you had no right." she shouted. She used to feel bad for him, but no she was glad he was leaving. Ericka didn't hate him, but she definitely didn't like him. "So that's what that was for." he remarked, wiping the blood coming from the corner of his mouth. "Just wanted to give you a goodbye present." She added with a glare. Then she turned and left him there. He had gone way too far this time.

…

Ericka reached out for Ben's hand, holding it in hers. Her ears attentively listened to every word Weaver said. She went up with Hanna. Each of the girls grabbed a hand full of dirt and tossed it into Jimmy's grave. Hanna eyes began to water as they walked away.

"I loved him, Ericka." Hanna whispered. "I know…" replied Ericka.

…

Her bag was packed with all of the items she had owned, it wasn't much, but it was hers. She walked to the medical bus, deciding it was best to ride with Matt and Tom. Hanna wanted to ride in one of the cars by herself. Ben was riding on the motorcycle with Hal. She climbed in the bus. Anne offered a weak smile. "You riding with us?" she asked. "Yeah." She said, heading to the back and taking a seat. Taking off her backpack, she fished through it for her journal and the overstuffed envelope. She grabbed a pen she kept in her bag and opened up the journal. Ericka tried to write in it every day, even if it was just a paragraph. Scribbling down the date, she continued writing.

We buried Jimmy today. It was a beautiful funeral for an alien invasion. I wished there was something I could've done, but there wasn't. He was like family to me. We keep losing and it isn't fair. Everyone is still so upset, especially me. I can remember every word Captain Weaver said as they buried him.

Captain Weaver: How do you measure somebody? How do you define their worth? A year ago, Jimmy was just a boy; just a little boy. And then that all changed. The world fell apart. He had to step up, he had to leave that little boy behind, he had to become a soldier, he had to fight. And he did. And he is now defined by those of us who owe him our lives. He's measured by his bravery. His day came too soon, he died too young; but he died a hero, to me. And I am proud to have served with him. Jimmy, we'll remember. May the next world be kinder to Jimmy than this one ever was.

I will never forget Jimmy Boland as long as I live. We're moving out again, I don't mind the moving much anymore. We're heading to Charleston, a fairytale. The things they're saying about Charleston sounds like a dream. I hope we make it there alright. Goodbye Jimmy.

She closed the journal and put it aside. Inside the envelope were dozens of pictures, ones she had taken herself with the camera and others she took from her house before they left. She picked up one of Jimmy, Ben, Hanna, and her. They were all holding guns except Hanna; she didn't really fight unless it was absolutely needed. All of them were smiling happily. In that picture, they looked like innocent children dressing up as soldiers; but they weren't innocent, not anymore.