I move towards the wreckage, finding the added support does help.
“Thank you.” I nod at Hank, feeling gratitude for this human. For all the wrongness on this planet, there are also a lot of things that are right.
“Did we get much saved?” Hank asks Mattie, looking through her bag. He smiles widely when he sees the other grenade.
We all take a bottle of water each, draining it quickly, then eat what little food there is. Mostly canned along with two bars of chocolate and a small packet of chips.
The food tastes rather disgusting. The tastes that overwhelm me, which is mostly salt and sugar, aren’t actually what sticks out compared to the others. It’s energy, though, and I’m hungry enough to look past the foreign taste to finish what I have.
“We need to find a town, a bigger one, and get more supplies. And another vehicle would be good. Then, I think we should stick to the forest for a while, let things settle down,” Hank suggests.
I watch as the girls think that over. Lisa is quick to agree, but Mattie thinks on it for a while longer before she agrees.
“We’ll need to get camping supplies if we can, not just food and water,” Mattie states.
“I know. If we have a car, then we can take more stuff with us. We can find a place to set up and then worry about the rest later. Hopefully, those things won’t look for us in there.”
The girls nod again in agreement, and I wonder if that is a safe assessment. If I’m with them, will they actually be hidden and safe?
***
We walk for what feels like days. I know it’s not, however, since the sun has only risen to just over our heads. There were no working cars that we were able to use, so I’m being tortured instead. At first, the aide of the stick has made a difference, now I can’t tell.
The others move along at my slower pace as Hank keeps up a conversation with Lisa. I think he’s trying to keep her from going back to the state she was in when Mattie was hurt. Even Mattie appears to be making an effort to keep the conversation flowing.
It shows me that these three are good friends, and since I haven’t shared the memories they talk about, I’m lucky to get out of the conversation. It means that I don’t have to lie as often.
My eyes stray frequently to Mattie, who is a little in front of me. Her hair is up in a loose ponytail, her face slightly grimy and dirty from sleeping on the ground, and no doubt, from her fall when the grenade went off yesterday. Her pants are dirty also, and there is a small hole by her knee, but she also looks so beautiful to me. It’s not just her appearance, but her aura. There is something about her. I’m beginning to wonder if I have any hope of getting over whatever it is that is making me so attracted to her.
“I think the girls want to have some girl talk.” Hank holds my arm to stop me from moving forward. We watch as the girls move into the distance, creating space between us.
“Girl talk?”
“Yeah, you know, whatever the hell it is that women talk about. It’s either enough to freak us men out, or bore us to death.” He smiles at me and shrugs his shoulders.
I nod, trying to relay that I understand, but really feeling a little unsure.
“That was fucking insane yesterday,” he states.
“Yes, it was.” I tense up as I think about that scene yet again.
“Do you really think shooting them in the back of the neck will help? I mean, why is there a weak spot at all if the rest is bulletproof?”
I open my mouth, ready to tell him that the technology is imbedded in the neck and it needs to be able to receive information from signals sent from Oden and our spaceships. The material it is built from will interrupt that. It’s the same no matter what hinema skin they wear. However, a human wouldn’t know this, so I stop myself just in time.
“I don’t know, I just saw it happen and it stopped the hi—the machine dead.”
“Interesting. I wonder if it was just a one off or if that will happen to all of them. It’d be useful information to get out to the public if communications weren’t down. We might have a way to stop those alien fuckers, but we can’t give anyone the heads up.”
Hank rants, but I tune him out. How much trouble would I get in for relaying such information to the humans? This will be seen as the highest form of treason. I have just given an important piece of information which could have seriously damaged our defence if communication was running. Just Hank, Mattie and Lisa knowing isn’t enough to stop us, yet I’ve given it up without any form of torture or persuading. I want Mattie to be safe, and that has overridden any other thought. How is it that I’m willing to sell out my people, my family, for this girl? What is she doing to me?
“Marduke?” Hank knocks my arm, and I realise I’m staring at Mattie’s back.
“Sorry, what were you saying?” I look down at the road, watching myself limping forward until I realise Hank still hasn’t answered me. When I look up at him, he has a smirk across his face.
“So, I noticed Mattie and you appear to be a little closer; care to elaborate on that?”
“Closer?” Does he mean physically? Because right now, there is a lot of distance between us as her and Lisa quicken their pace.
“Yeah, I woke up just as the sun began to rise because I needed to take a piss. I noticed you guys holding hands. You must have been doing that all night. So what’s the deal?”
“We don’t have a deal. I don’t think.”
“What I mean is, do you like her?”
“Yes, I do.” I wonder why he thinks I wouldn’t.
“Well, Mattie is hot, I’ll give her that. And like I said before, she does seem interested in you, which I find interesting in-of-itself. But she’s one of my best friends and like a sister to me, so I feel the need to warn you that, if you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
My mouth drops open in shock. He’s threatening me?
“Don’t look so scared, dude!” Hank laughs. “I’m sure you’ve heard the overprotective thing before, but I am serious. Treat Mattie right, and we won’t have a problem.”
“I’d never hurt her.” I say the words and mean them, though I know if she ever found out who I was, she’d be deeply hurt. She’s already risked her life once to save me, but what if the hinema keep coming for me and she is put in more danger because of me? What if I cost Hank or Lisa their life? I doubt she’ll be willing to forgive me then.
“I can see that. I was scared yesterday when she wouldn’t wake up, but I saw that you were, too. You haven’t known her as long, but you already have feelings for her. Just don’t screw it up.”
“I won’t.” I desperately want to change the subject because I think I’m going to drown in fear if we stay talking about Mattie. Luckily, Hank changes it for me, sort of.
“I’m scared shitless I’m going to screw this up with Lisa. I’ve been completely in love with her since last year, and I’ve been too chicken-shit to admit it to her. Now that this is all going down,” he waves around us at nothing, but I understand he means the invasion, “I don’t have the luxury of being a wimp. This situation is dangerous, and I can’t lose her. Not because I mess up, and definitely not because I lose her to those fucking machines. We need to make a pact, man, to protect those women over there with our lives. Deal?”
“Yes.” I already owe Mattie and Hank my life. I would be dead without them, so this is an easy commitment to make. Besides, I don’t think I could force myself to not protect Mattie if she were in trouble.
“Good, now tell me, what sport do you follow?”
I tell Hank I don’t follow any sport, and I’m then lectured about how great basketball is and how it compares to football. I swear he doesn’t stop talking until we reach the outskirts of a new town. I only listen because he mentions Mattie playing basketball and that she is really skilled. I want to know why she loves it so much.
Mattie and Lisa slow down once the town comes into view, and we hurry to catch up. The first few houses look untouched, but ahead, there is a smoky haz
e. The fight might be over here, yet there definitely was one recently.
“What should we do?” Lisa asks, her nerves getting the better of her again.
“Let’s take a look in this first house, get cleaned up, and then see if we can find out what’s happened around here,” Mattie suggests.
No one else has a better idea, so we move to the house just off the edge of town. This also looks rundown, much like the places of business from the small town we’ve just come from. The front door is rotten and faded. It’s unlocked and we all let ourselves in.
Hank calls out hello in case anyone is home, but there is no one.
We make use of the toilet and the running water, bathing our faces in the sink. Lisa mentions being desperate for a shower, but Hank says we don’t have time for the luxury. There is some unspoiled food in the fridge and a lot of food in the pantry.
“Mattie and I are going to go check out this town; you guys find some bags and put away whatever supplies you can get,” Hank orders us.
“I can come with you guys,” I protest, feeling useless to not be going with them and a little panicked of not being able to stay with Mattie.
“Not on that leg, you can’t. Just stay hidden and watch out for Lisa.” Hank looks pointedly at me, subtly asking me to keep her safe. From the way he’s spoken about his feelings for her, I know his trust in me should not be taken lightly.
“Fine, you both be careful.” I nod, watching Mattie when Hank moves in to kiss Lisa passionately.
Mattie rolls her eyes at them, but doesn’t glance my way. I wish she would. I’m craving her attention just like I’m starving for her touch. I desperately want to kiss her, however I stay where I am.
When they finally separate, Mattie and Hank leave, causing me to immediately feel on edge.
Lisa and I move about the house, finding two backpacks and one satchel bag that we fill until they’re almost overflowing. We put food and bottled beverages in the backpacks, and warm linen and clothing in the satchel. We also find some thick jackets which we place to the side. Then the waiting game begins.
The sun is moving down the other side of the house by the time we hear anything. I feel like I’ve been driven mad waiting. Even with my injured knee, I pace just beside the front window, waiting. When I finally do see them, I’m surprised to find they’ve brought others, which is followed quickly by being horrified they have hinemas moving in on them.
Chapter 10
Mattie
We walk away from Marduke and Lisa reluctantly. I know Hank is keen to get back to Lisa; I have to say I feel the same way. It’s pressing in on me now that we might be the only four people left alive for miles, if not the only people on this continent, or maybe even Earth by now.
That loneliness weighs heavily on my shoulders. How are any of us meant to deal with that?
This small town is quiet, eerily quiet. There are toys and balls scattered out along front gardens, almost as if children just suddenly stopped playing with them and disappeared. I spot a basketball that I’m itching to take. I stare at it as we walk towards the house, and when we pass it, I can’t resist. I run up the driveway and grab hold of it. As I do, I see curtains moving in the window, realising we’re not alone. People are hiding in these houses. It’s strange that they’re still hidden away. I begin to fear that perhaps the threat isn’t as far gone as we’d first thought.
I stare down at the ball in my hands, wondering if I should put it back. I don’t remember the last time I’ve gone a day without holding a basketball, without bouncing or throwing one. Even when I’ve been bedridden with illness, I’d still hold one. I got into the habit of sitting in bed and throwing it between my hands. I would get quicker and faster until the ball was almost just a blur between my hands. Once, I lost control of it and ended up putting a hole in my wall. Dad had not been happy that day.
I decide I will put it back later and notice Hank looks longingly at the ball as I bounce it along the road. Not able to resist his puppy dog eyes, I eventually pass it to him, and he quickly begins bouncing it between his legs, smiling wistfully. Soon, he passes it back to me. We do this for a little while, letting something familiar lull us into a happier place in our minds. The ball sounds loud bouncing against the road, but I love that sound. I’ve missed that sound.
“We should be searching these houses,” Hank says, stealing the ball off me and running a few steps ahead of me.
“For food?”
“For weapons. Now that we might know a way to hurt them with a bullet, we should try to find more ammo and weapons.”
“Even if what Marduke said was right, how do we get behind them to shoot? That one that came after us yesterday wasn’t exactly doing a twirl for us.”
“We’ll have to trap them. One sets out a distraction and the other waits for it to pass. How’s your aim?”
“I can shoot,” I assure him. I might not come from a family of cops like Hank, but I do have a dad who likes to hunt.
“Did you bring that grenade? We need to get us some more of those, maybe even a rocket launcher,” Hank says, sounding dead serious.
“Oh, sure, I bet they’ll have a spare one of those lying around in one of these residential houses somewhere.” I roll my eyes, annoyed that I feel a little wishful that we might find that, too. “I left the grenade with Marduke and Lisa. I figured they’d be in more trouble if those things came than us. At least we can run.”
Hank nods that he agrees, slowing down. He bounces the ball in my direction, and I take over.
“Speaking of Marduke, what is going on there?”
I groan. “Not you, too. I just had to suffer through this conversation with Lisa. Nothing is going on.”
“Well, why not? I’ve never seen you with any guys. We’re under attack from freaking alien machines and that guy seems nice enough. What’s wrong with him?”
“You want to talk to me about guys?” I call his bluff.
“I just want you to be happy. You’re like a sister to me. Besides, if you can’t find happiness with a decent guy when the world around you is crumbling down, then when can you?”
“Look, I think Marduke is a nice guy, too, but I’ve only known him a few days. Give me a break.” I throw him the ball, not holding back. It hits his chest hard before he catches it.
“Well, if we manage to set up something in the forest and stay hidden and safe, then you’re going to have a long time to get to know him.”
“Then hassle me once we’re there.” I give in.
“I will.” He smiles at me, throwing the ball back to me just as hard.
Before I can retaliate or bring up his and Lisa’s relationship just so I can put him on the spot, we hear that familiar noise. The crunching of metal and cries of people scared and hurt.
“Oh, shit.”
I keep hold of the ball, not wanting the noise to attract any attention while we sneak around the block, hiding behind a house situated on the corner of the street. We watch the smoke moving closer to us. There are more dead bodies along here, at least thirty bloodied, and in some cases, several which are piled along the street. Four machines are destroying a building that I’d guess have people in it from the screams coming from that direction. It is no wonder people are still hiding. They’re still under attack!
“Please, help me…” A small moan comes from down by our feet.
Dragging my eyes away from the terrifying scene, I look down to see a deathly pale man bleeding heavily from his stomach. I know there will be no saving him. Even if we had a hospital next door to us, ready and waiting for him, from all the blood pooling around and underneath him, I know we’d still be too late.
“Hey, man, it’s okay. We’re here.” Hank crouches by him, careful to keep facing the destruction going on in front of us. From the looks of it, this man has crawled from the horror scene and ended up here. He has a police uniform on, and I know that must be cutting Hank up inside.
“Please… my boy. He needs… help,” he begs
.
I crouch down, too, finding him too quiet to hear easily.
“Your son? Where is he?” I ask, my eyes finding the crumbling building in the distance. I hope he wasn’t in there.
“Left him home… with two neighbours… girls. Promised him… be back. Please… protect him.” He is struggling to catch his breath; I imagine his lungs are filling up with blood.
“Where is home?” Hank asks, his hand resting over the man’s shoulder where I watch him squeeze it, giving him support.
“Two blocks down… Henderson Drive… number ten. They’re… hiding in… bathroom… protect them. Only five… old” He coughs, blood dribbling down his mouth, and my heart squeezes painfully for this man.
“What are their names?”
“Logan, my… boy. Girls, Marie… Hope. Their dad… shot… dead. Mum, too.” He winces, most likely from both the pain he’s in and his words.
“We’ll protect them. I give you my word,” Hank promises. I know he isn’t making that promise lightly, either. If we get away from this alive, our group just got bigger.
“Pocket… keys… gun cab… net.” He wheezes now, and his eyes close. I know we’re only seconds away from losing him. “Tell… love… proud,” he mumbles, and then he’s out. His shoulders droop and he slumps even lower against the wall.
“Shit!” Hank yells, slamming his fist into the brick wall next to the guy.
“Hank, careful!” I try to admonish, but I sound weak to my own ears. A man has just put us in charge of his kid, just made us responsible for him and two others.
“We need to move,” Hank says, looking for a moment longer at the fallen man. “He deserves a proper funeral, but he won’t ever get one. None of these people will.” Hank growls, warning me he’s angry, angrier than I’ve ever seen him before.
He turns away from the machines as well as from the man we’ve just watched die and races away. I leave the ball behind as I chase after him. We’re on a time limit now. We have to save three kids, plus we now know the machines are here. We need to get away from this place before they sense us or track us, or whatever it is they do.
Earth (The Invasion Trilogy Book 1) Page 11
