Sam spent most of the flight fidgeting or playing with her phone, trying to rid her mind of the violent thoughts that had suddenly engulfed her consciousness as she boarded the plane. She couldn't stop thinking about that woman, her cold voice informing Sam that her journey was wasted at she was not the one who killed her brother, and wondering what she would have done if she wasn't tied up.

She imagined hacking and slashing at her flesh with a knife, or shooting her at point blank range with a shotgun, the bang echoing around the empty desert. The anger that these images were invoking was filling her up and controlling her thoughts, creating more violent images to feed itself and grow ever stronger, until the taste of revenge was so strong that every pore in her body screamed for this woman and her brother's killer to die.

Tom sat soundlessly beside her, looking at their destination on his laptop with some concern.

"Sam…" Tom began.

"Yeah?" She asked, Tom's voice acting like an anchor and dragging her back to the present.

"Where are we going to get the kinds of supplies needed for surviving in a desert? And how are we going to get to this place? It's in the middle of nowhere."

"We're going to get everything we need, including our destination, from that army base." Sam replied simply, turning to face him with a determined expression that unnerved him slightly.

"Why would they help us? We're civilians." Tom said pointedly.

"They'll help." Sam stated.

"How do you know that?" He asked.

"Because they know me." She replied.

"What? How?" Tom asked, facing her with surprise, "You said you brother was posted out there, not you!"

"I don't remember the details but there's a sergeant out there who knows me. I remember speaking to him; I just don't know what exactly was said…" Sam trailed off, becoming immersed in her thoughts once more.

The distraction from her thoughts was more than welcome, but now that she had returned to them she was left wondering if this was such a good idea. The questions Tom was asking were making her realize how ridiculous her entire plan was, and reminding her of the fact it was based entirely on a few fragmented memories. Where would the go once they got off of the plane? Tom was right, they were about as likely to help them as they were to give weapons to the enemy.

By the time they touched down however Sam's mindset and aims had completely changed. She had been formulating a plan on her way over that was near enough perfect once they had retrieved their belongings and headed towards the exit of one of the shabbiest airports they had ever had the misfortune to set foot in.

A clueless Tom looked less than thrilled as Sam attempted to attract the attention of every car that drove by in sight.

"Sam stop!" He exclaimed, "You have no idea who the hell you're asking for a ride!"

"You're right." Sam said as she turned to him and holding out her hand before saying, "Give me your phone."

"Why?" He asked as she handed it over.

"I want to find out where the nearest hotel is." She replied.

"You think they're going to have a hotel open in a war?"

"There's a reason I chose that flight. This area is one of the least affected by the war, so there is still accommodation for travellers."

"Oh. Right."

"Well it looks like there's one a couple of miles that way." Sam replied, pointing straight across the road and down a hill.

"Better get walking then." Tom replied, hoisting the large backpack of clothing further up his shoulder as they made their way down the road.

As silence once again fell between them the physical effort to maintain focus on walking instead of the violent images that were forcing their way to the forefront of Sam's mind was proving exhausting. The sooner this was all over the better.

The 'hotel' Sam had found was almost as shabby as the airport, with a sandy residue covering the entire building, which appeared to be made of bricks. The windows were tiny and barred, with several of them smashed and the door was a lime green colour.

They both walked cautiously up the building, and poked their heads around the door which revealed a man sitting at what they assumed to be a makeshift reception desk made out a box for a seat and what could have been described as a child's table.

Upon noticing them the man stood up and smiled.

"I'm presuming you're English. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He said slowly.

"Yes. We're looking for a room." Sam said as she and Tom stepped forwards cautiously.

"Fine, fine. Well take your pick. You're the only guests we have at the moment."

Sam nodded and paid the man with the meagre amount of money they had converted at the dodgy looking cash exchange in the airport and upon peeking through several doorways to ensure they didn't choose one of the rooms with a broken window they finally settled upon a small get quaint room with double bed.

"Right… so I'll out a call out to the unit and… Tom?" Sam called upon noticing her was staring out of the window with his backpack still on his shoulders.

"Huh?"

"It's fine. I've got it." Sam said gently eased the pack off of his shoulders before asking, "Are you alright?"

"I think so." He said before turning to face her.

Before Sam could press Tom for answers she found herself being pressed up against the wall, locked in a furious kiss with him.

"What was that?" Sam asked when they finally broke apart for air.

"I have no idea. So you're going to call the unit?" Tom said in a business-as-usual tone.

"Er… Yeah…"

…

I was planning on updating last weekend but it turns out my teachers like homework even more this year… I can't say for certain when I'll be updating again as being in year 13 means I have lot more stuff on than just homework to do but I promise I'll do my best to keep up with this story as much as I can.