The Story of Blood and Roses

I didn't think that he'd managed to hit anyone, but it was distraction enough for me to crawl to the other direction and then peer around the car. I was rather surprised to see that the boy had managed to hit someone in the shoulder. Pleased, I took aim at the injured man and put a bullet between his eyes. Knowing that they would now figure out where I was, I sucked in a deep breath and then ran for another car. I heard shots being fired again, but it came from both sides. The boy had taken my warning seriously and shot at our attackers as best as he could. I was proud. I sighed in relief as I placed myself behind the hood of a car and looked at the men. They were trying to find a spot to hide but didn't know if they would encounter one of us. They had set themselves at a disadvantage. Taking my time, I let the boy have his share of fun. They came closer than I was comfortable with, but the boy seemed to be a source of worry for them. I waited for a bit, then bit down as I saw another bullet fly at the boy, this time hitting the daring boy's arm.

The boy had moved out of safety and tried to take them out and he had been hit. I didn't know if I wanted to call him brave or stupid. He clutched his arm, thrown off and vulnerable. Quickly, I aimed and shot the first one down. The second one gave a puzzled look at his comrade and then snapped his head to my direction. I didn't lose much time as I aimed again and shot him before he could pull the trigger. He froze on the spot and then fell forward, his head hitting the ground with a gruesome thud. I stood up from my hiding spot and then went over to inspect the attackers.

They were all dead, much to my relief, but so were two of our boys. The poor brats had not heard my call and died.

If only I had not been so pissed off and stayed with them...

It's not your bloody fault.

I put my gun back in the holster and then moved towards the injured boys. The boy that had helped me was still sitting there in shock, his eyes wide and mouth open. I shook him awake and then slapped him right across the face.

"Lesson number one: Hold the gun with one hand." With that, I stood up and went over to the other guys checking them over. Some were seriously hit, while others were just shaken up by what had transpired in the last five minutes.

I gathered them together and then rushed to get the first aid box. I used the alcohol and the fire that they had been using and boiled the alcohol. I disinfected the knife I always kept on me and then heated it to my needs. I tended to them one by one, scolding them about how stupid they are and how they put everyone at risk. They seemed to stay awake and not go into shock. My irritation was good for their health, I was relieved.

I would have cursed Michael for leaving me behind before, but I couldn't imagine these boys being slaughtered in their own base. It was a horrifying thought, and I couldn't imagine the shame and agony it would bring Michael when he came to see this bloodbath. He had lost two men who didn't know what was going to happen to them, it was better that he hadn't lost all of them.

I didn't know what to do with the bodies, so I left them lying right where they had died. I don't think the living people in the camp appreciated it, but I didn't have the strength to lift them and dispose of the bodies. Michael would simply have to do it himself.

I sat with them as they processed the happenings of the day and grew more scared with every passing moment. I tried to soothe them but knew that it wouldn't help one single bit. So, I let them twist and turn in their nightmares as I sat watching over them, waiting for another attacking party to start their reign of terror.

It took forever, but the footsteps came. There were too many footsteps. I realized that I had nowhere to hide. I had to protect these boys the best that I could. There were two possibilities: one was that Michael and the team had returned from the mission and had succeeded, or it had been Darcy, who had overthrown the raid and sent reinforcements to clean up the whole party. We were part of the party.

I heard the sound of shuffling and then full blown running. I knew then that it was the first. The raiding team had returned. I gasped as I put the gun down and plopped back down in front of the fire. I could hear the panic in their voices as they saw the carnage that had taken place.

They had seen the shattered glass and the blood on the ground. I could only imagine what had run through their minds. I heard more shouting and then gasping as they saw us at the centre, wounded and sleeping.

"What happened here?" I heard one of them whisper.

"Ambush." I breathed out, standing up from my place and wiping my hands on my pants. I heard people scatter and start cleaning up as Michael barked at them to get to work. I walked over to the car and opened the door. I heard footsteps approaching me and sighed in resignation.

"How many?" I heard him choke out.

"Five," I whispered back.

"Ours?"

"Two." I heard him take in a shaky breath. "What are you going to tell their families?" I wondered. He didn't reply. "How many?" I asked him back.

"Six."

"And the other group?"

"All." I heard a strangled laugh coming from him. I felt his arms wrap around me and then squeeze me.

"I survived an ambush. Don't kill me by squeezing my life out of me." He breathed into my neck and just held me.

"Alone?"

"No. One boy helped."

"Did he survive?"

"Surprisingly, yes." He pulled me in closer and then mumbled apologies.

"I'm glad I was here. They'd have all been butchered," I admitted. It was true. They wouldn't have lasted a minute without someone covering for them.

"Thank god for that."

"Did you get all the replacements?" He nodded into my hair. "Good. We kicked their ass."

"I'm proud of you," he whispered into my ear.

"I'd hope so, Boss." I sighed. "Can we please go home? I don't think I've had this much excitement in a long time," I groaned.

"I concur," he groaned as well. "Let's go home."

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