Time Bomb

Thane slowly looks up at Titus before asking "Did I just hear you correctly? They will blow up the bases?" Titus looks unhappy as he nods his head and sighs. He runs his hand down his face and says "They don't want our things falling into the hands of others."

Thanes grip on his gun tightens as he says "So what, they assume we die and they blow up the bases but then what? Will they send another team?" Titus finches as he shakes his head and says "Worse... they'll set off the Warpers."

Thane curses and raises his voice for the first time since knowing him, surprising me and the others as he stands up and says "This is a suicide mission! If they plan on setting off the Warpers, we'll die! All of us!" Troy stands up, bloody tissue hanging out both nostrils as he says "Whoa whoa, whoa! What the hell are Warpers and what the hell do you mean we'll die!?"

Titus grits his teeth but remains silent as Thane stares at him with barely constrained anger. If Titus wasn't hurt, I truly believe Thane would've kicked his ass. Thane speaks to Troy but never once takes his eyes off Titus as he says "Warpers are a secret weapon that is located around the entire city. Anything within a hundred-mile radius will die once turned on."

"Titus just said if we can't make it to the next base in time, they will blow all the bases up and turn on the Warpers. The only problem is... we aren't going to make it to the next base in time, are we?" Thane says practically growling in rage.

My heart races in fear as I struggle to understand the turn of events but Titus curses and says "What would you have me do boy!? They were sending us all to die! I'm trying my best to keep that from happening! I even made sure you were on this team in hopes of buying us time!"

Thane blows up and says "Don't you dare! This is on you old man! My father will turn on the Warpers, with or without knowing I'm safe. My life means nothing to him when it comes to his job and that city!"

Conner, Troy, Cruz, and I all realize that we're now listening to a private discussion. Something is clearing going on and... Thane knows about these things? I heard him say something about his father... he would switch them on, even if he knew Thane was out here!?

I awkwardly clear my throat and say "I think we should all take a moment and take a deep breath. Yelling at each other is just slowing us down, right?" Thane continues to glare at Titus before turning away and walking off.

Titus watches him leave with mixed emotions before saying "I'll be in the truck." and limping away. I look to Conner sitting next to me and lean over to ask "Who is Thane?" Conner gives me an awkward smile and asks "You really don't know? Aren't you roommates?"

I open my mouth to say something but then close it right back. He's right... Thane's my roommate but I don't know anything about him. Well, only the things he's allowed me to see and know but that isn't much. Guilt eats away at me a little before I say "Just tell me so I know how to fix this."

Conner gives me a lopsided smile before saying "Thane is what we call an Ace. He's older than most of us and even though he doesn't have to, he continues to serve and fight. He's the best shooter, the best fighter, the fastest runner... basically a killing machine but I hear it's because of his father."

He makes sure the others aren't listening before continuing "His father is one of the top generals of this City. He's wicked powerful and good at his job but... a horrible father. He personally trained Thane making him the perfect soldier but... well, you can imagine."

I kind of can... I nod and say "Thanks" before slowly standing up. The monkey jumps up and grabs a branch of one of the trees I pass before disappearing into the trees. I walk for a while before I see Thane's back.

He sits with his back to me and his gun in his hand but as I walk up behind him, he says "What is it, little bird?" I pause, slightly surprised. I didn't make a sound! And, he hasn't called me that in a while... I clear my throat and say "I just want to check on you... make sure you okay and all that."

He keeps his back to me and asks "And if I'm not?" I honestly wasn't expecting that answer... I awkwardly clear my throat and walk over to him as I say "Then I guess I'll stay with you until you are."

I sit down behind him and lean my back against his as I say "I know I'm small but I'm pretty strong. Whenever you need it, my back is always open for you. Just leave all the bs and lean on me for a while."

He doesn't say a word as we sit in silence but after a while, I feel him leaning into me. I slightly smile as I look up at the trees above us. Sometimes, no one has the right things to say so silence is the best medicine for difficult situations.

And truthfully, sometimes silence is the loudest.