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They had only given 3 days warning. 3 days to somehow pack up your whole life and make it across the country to Jacinto or Ephyra. There was no way most people would make it, but no one could change the Chairman's mind. Everyone was lucky they got any notice at all. You had decided to join COG when the war first began, fighting for the very survival of humanity seemed like the best way to live the rest of your life. And this way you could keep an eye on your brother, Dom.
But you had to leave now. You couldn’t abide wasting thousands of peoples lives just to try and stop the locust’s assault. You had helped as many people as you could make it to Jacinto, but now you were all out of time. All that’s left is to wait for the fireworks and hope you get lucky.
Just then a golden beam of light falls from the sky and lands in the building next to you, destroying everything it touches and throwing debris everywhere. You don’t even see what hits you before you feel pain all over and blood covers your vision.
*Gasp*
You jolt awake from your nightmare, breathing heavily, trying to figure out where you were.
Oh, it was just your cot, in your tent, at the Stranded camp. You’re alive. Breathe.
It’s almost always the same nightmare, the same memory you should say. It’s been 13 years since the Hammer of Dawn Strikes. 13 years since you barely survived the beam that came from the heavens. Most would think you’re lucky to be alive, you just think you’re just meant to die a different way. Maybe by the Locust, maybe by another Lightmass Bomb, maybe by starvation. You would just have to keep on living and see.
You get up from your cot, wipe the cold sweat from your brow, and get ready for the day. It should be a busy one, there was talk of moving again, the third time this month. You could only hope Stu knew what he was doing. It felt like moving around often did more harm than good, but with the Locust making more raids on the surface, it was hard to find somewhere safe to hunker down.
Leaving the tent, you make your way next door to see your sister-in-law, Maria. She had gone missing some time after the Hammer Strikes, lost in her depression after losing her parents and children. You knew Dom would never stop looking for her. You were surprised to find her after you recovered from your injuries. The least you could do for him was keep her safe. You really did miss your brother dearly, but you just could not stay with the Coalition.
At least Maria was finally doing a bit better, finally accepting her children's deaths instead of continuing to search for them. Hopefully one day she and Dom would be reunited and they could be happy together again. You could always dream…
“It’s just not safe here anymore, and what better place to hide than right under their noses?”
“But we won’t be able to see, and what will we eat? There’s whole swarms of them suckers down there. Ain’t nowhere near the few they send up ‘ere.”
“As long as we stay away from major roads and Nexus, what danger is there? They’re looking for humans up here, who would think to look in the Hollow for us? It’ll be much safer!”
“I suppose you might have a point…”
You could hear Stu and Chaps arguing about the move. Sounds like you might actually have to go down to the Hollow to camp now… Hopefully Maria won’t get worse from the darkness and damp conditions. Environment can play a huge role in mental health, and there was only so much you could do for her otherwise. You couldn’t bring her parents back, couldn’t bring her 2 beautiful babies back, couldn’t even get her to see her husband; your big idiot of a brother. How hadn’t he found you both yet?
You pick up breakfast on the way to Maria’s tent. 2 bowls of gray mush. Yum. Better than dirt though. Now that was something you didn’t want to try again. Next time you almost starve, go for the trees and leaves at least.
Maria was just exiting when you arrived. She softly smiled at you before taking her bowl. You sat on the log nearest you and dug into your breakfast, neither of you saying much. It was still too early for brain function.
Right when you finished, Stu started to gather everyone to make an announcement. Looks like you’re going to get to visit Hell before you die after all!
~~~
It was too dark to see anything without torches or fire or anything that could produce the slightest glow. Luckily there were lights in the columns holding the whole place up. Whether it was natural lighting or something left from previous occupants, it was hard to tell.
Stu had found what looked to be Locust ruins to settle down in. Wouldn’t be your first choice, but there wasn’t much to choose from down here. Not after the Lightmass Bomb had destroyed most of the Outer Hollow a few months ago. You insisted that Maria bunk with you, not trusting it to be safe and knowing you could protect her. Stu didn’t argue; he was just as protective of Maria as you were. Turns out you were right to be worried…
~~~
You jolted awake from the usual nightmare to shouting. Today was supposed to be the day Chaps met up with you guys, but this sounded like something else. Could they have found you??
Maria was curled up shaking in her bed. You motioned to be quiet, then grabbed your knife from your boot and stood behind the door. When a Locust barged in, attention focused on Maria, you didn’t hesitate to drive the knife into its brain, killing it instantly. You put your knife back and grabbed the gun.
“Maria, we need to move! Let’s go.”
“What about Stu and the others?” Maria was an angel, you swear. Always worried about others rather than herself. You glance outside, see a group of Locust rounding up your group of Stranded. You vaguely make out Stu among them.
“It's too late to save them, we need to leave. Now.” You both snuck out, back into the tunnels you came from. You thought you could see Chaps' group in the distance, hiding in the shadows. But first you had to find your own place to hide. Needed to make sure all the Locust were gone before trying to regroup with Chaps.
The Locust you killed must have not been too important, because they all left with your group not long after. You waited for a while after to see if they had left anyone else behind, but when there was still nothing, you slowly made your way over to Chaps.
“You both are lucky to be alive.” Chaps called out when he noticed your approach. You could only bow your head in sorrow at the loss of more of your comrades. Hopefully you’ll fare better with this group, or you could always go back to the surface. No matter where you go, it’ll always be dangerous. At least you could keep Maria safe this time.
~~~
It’s been a few months since Stu got captured and taken away. Locust activity was skyrocketing lately, nowhere was safe. Chaps had been moving everyone every day lately, we were always running. Today it sounded like war had broken out. You wondered if the COG had finally grown a pair and took the fighting to the Locust. There was a lot more gunfire than usual today…
You had just sat down with Maria for a break when what looked like a COG Centaur came charging at your group, stopping just in front of Chaps. Four soldiers dismounted and approached Chaps. Looks like they knew each other; Chaps certainly didn’t look happy to see them.
It looked like they reached some sort of arrangement, because two of the soldiers went back to the Centaur and Chaps started gathering everyone up. Looks like you were finally getting out of here. One of the soldiers stopped Chaps before he could go, pulled out something to show him, and Chaps pointed in your direction. You wondered what you did to get into trouble this time…
You stand to intercept the man before he can reach where Maria is sitting, staring him down so he stops in his tracks.
“And where do you think you’re going, old man?” You taunt.
“None of your business, pipsqueak.”
You stare each other down, neither giving an inch, until his lips twitch up into a smile and you both burst into laughter and give each other a bear hug.
“What took you so long, idiot!? We’ve been waiting for you.” You cried into his shoulder, emotions overwhelming you as you were finally reunited with your brother.
“You hid yourself pretty well. It took the best of the best to track you down.” He held you tight, not wanting to let go. But you knew there was someone he wanted to see even more than you.
“She’s doing so much better now, Dom. I did the best I could, but she really needs you now. Take care of her.” You pull away from him, give him a long look in the eyes, before reaching up to ruffle his hair and push him towards her. You know they’ve both waited way too long for this.
“Maria, oh Maria!” Dom cried, reaching out to his long lost wife. She looked up at him, tears in her eyes, before grabbing him and kissing him. Both of them were crying as they embraced, finally able to hold each other once more. They pulled away but stayed close, Dom whispering sweet nothings to her as they reunited.
Not wanting to intrude any longer, you walked over to the other soldiers, recognizing your brother's childhood friend, Marcus.
“It’s been forever sour puss.” You called out to him, fondly using your old nickname for him.
“Since you went rogue after the Hammer Strikes, you little punk.” He replied affectionately. Or well, as affectionately as a cold hearted man with stunted emotions could sound. You bumped fists together, and that’s when the other 2 soldiers finally interrupted.
“So who the hell is this mini spitfire? Sounds like nothing but trouble to me.” The blonde sneered. Seems like someone has an attitude problem, and it isn’t you for once!
“You know you love trouble Baird! WOO!” The other guy shouts loudly. He definitely had a big personality too.
“Not that it’s any of your business, Mr. Pouty, but I happen to be protecting priceless goods here. And what’re you doing? From what I heard, you’re supposed to be getting that hunk-of-junk ready to transport us all back to the surface, right? So maybe you should stop using your limited brain space to start fights, and instead use it to do your job.” You flashed a sickly sweet smile at Baird. You weren’t actually mad at him, but you’d seen his type before. He was just another sarcastic, anti-social brute who communicated through arguments.
“WOOHOO! I think I like this girl! Can we keep her?” The big guy exclaims, reaching over to slap you on the back, which hurt like hell, but it felt good to get along with, what you assumed, were Dom’s friends.
“Like you could get rid of me if you even tried. The name’s (Y/N) Santiago, I’m Dom’s younger sister. I already know Marcus, heard your name’s Baird, how about you, big guy?” You stare up at the man in front of you. He almost seems like a giant, what are they feeding COG soldiers nowadays? It had to be better than the crap you used to get for him to turn out like this!
“It’s Cole, the Cole Train baby!”
“Don’t introduce yourself, you’re acting like she’ll be with us again.”
“Maybe I will, maybe Dom will convince me to rejoin him on our Locust-killing quest.”
“Like we’d need someone like you, sweetcheeks.”
“Last I checked you needed anyone you could get. Locust don’t just keel over by themselves you know.”
“Yeah, it typically takes a bullet through the brain for that. Not that you’d be qualified to shoot.”
“Well you made it in, didn’t you?”
“Yes, just lowly me, certified genius, mechanic, engineer, doer-of-everything. No problem at all.”
“Yes, because you need all those things to be able to shoot a gun? I think not. Otherwise Dom and Marcus would be the first people they’d get rid of.”
“Ha! You’re totally right! They would’ve been long dead by now if it weren’t for Cole and me always saving their asses. Come on shrimp, let’s get you and your Stranded band back to the surface.”
“Oh thank you so much for saving us, Mr. Tall, blonde and sarcastic. What a dream.” You laugh as you follow him with the others to the Centaur.
One thing’s for sure, Dom certainly had some fun friends.
Especially the cute blonde firecracker.