The Survivors: Book One

Kenn began to calm his breathing. It had taken him two full days to search, the smart boy moving to empty buildings to avoid being taken, and he was still feeling the effects. The nightmare was a nasty reminder of the fear and hopelessness he'd felt when the chopper crashed into the officer's dorm in front of him.

The darkness around them was absolute, their thick, black tent blending in well with the wet, New Mexico landscape, and that unwelcome sense of danger flared. When Charlie started to speak, Kenn shook his head, senses switching to full alert as he listened. Light rain drummed on the tarps over the truck, wind howling through the junipers around them…had that been a twig snapping?

Kenn quietly drew his M9, straining to see anything from the spyhole he had left when they made camp in the thick grove of piñon trees. They were too well hidden. No way was someone out there watching them, no way. He slid his wrist under the blankets to block the light, and checked the alarm console on his watch. It was armed and unbroken.

Kenn slowly settled back down. An animal? He kept his gun in-hand just in case it was the two-legged kind. Light, freezing rain thumped on the bare branches, the tent, the shed they were behind, the tarp-covered vehicle, and sleep called, seducing…

Lightning flashed, bright enough to illuminate the tent, and then there was only darkness and the heavy patter of the rain again. Kenn started to drift off while waiting for the inevitable crack of thunder.

Crunch.

Kkaaaabbbbaaammm!

Kenn's eyes snapped open, moving to the scared teenager's face in the darkness. Someone was out there.

Snap!

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

There was an alarm for each breach, telling the Marine how many ambushers they had.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The two males moved instantly, following the plan worked out before leaving the base ten days ago. Kenn slit a long gash in the tent wall and then the thick, black tarp over the MRAP. The boy immediately began sliding their things inside, staying low in case gunfire broke out.

Footsteps came and the Marine inside took over, evaluating the threat and picking the proper action in seconds. Not rushing, but sneaking, if they were unaware of breaking a perimeter alarm, then they were not professionals….

Snap!

Moving fast instead of careful, the soft murmur of voices instead of the silence of hand signals….Kenn's lip curled. Boots (8) - they still had a chance.

Kenn waved the boy into the truck's floorboard and quickly got in behind him, adrenaline was flowing in thick waves. Charlie started the engine without being told, and Kenn brought his M16 out as bright red lightning flashed in the far distance.