RO
I haven't seen him before, but judging on the way he wills his weapons and how everyone was following his orders, I knew he's their leader.
"That's him! Hans Spiderwick!" – shouted Tyrone. He didn't need to. I kind of figured that out on my own. Knew it by observing his move. By seeing his body count. He was killing more of my people than vice versa.
"Take the wounded men, Ty. Let me handle this." – I said, cocking the gun.
"What? No. You're outnumbered." – He said
"We have the best fighters. Trust us."
I spared him a look. He shook his head, but I know Tyrone. He also knows that once I decide on something, there's nothing that could make me reconsider.
"GO! I GOT THIS." – I snapped at him and he nodded, quite hesitantly but it did the trick.
Tyrone instructed some of the men to help transport the wounded to the cave. I didn't count but the numbers were saddening. Of course, what can our rusted weapons have against their advanced technology means of wounding? It's not fair. But then, when did instruments of war become fair? There will always be casualties. On this one, it is our people who carries the burden.
When the last wounded man was gotten out, I got up to find a higher ground to have a better perspective of what was happening. Thankfully, the torches we fixed on trees give enough light and illumination. Looking at the horizon, the sun was also peaking. Any moment now, the sunlight would come and aid us with its brightness. They all followed and as I did, I dove on the ground, with only the mount of the sniper gun in plain sight. Looking down, bodies paraded on the forest soil, ours and theirs. I didn't need to make a tally on who's side took more casualty. It's obvious.
"There are more of them coming, Ro." – Sebastian said as he crashed on my left.
"What? "
"Yes. Ramona saw them coming. Another platoon."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Tyrone's statement that we were outnumbered now looked like an understatement. Aside from that, we were surrounded, with the number of deaths on our end increasing every minute.
You got this, Ro. You got this.
It is in moments of doubt that I imagine my mom saying these words to me. Words I grew up hearing. Words that kept me alive until now.
"Warn the men. Tell them to divide in 4 groups and focus on the four areas. Tell them we got the East"
Sebastian nodded and was out of my sight the next moment. As what he said, a new platoon appeared on the horizon, running towards us riding open-roofed cars. Crap. Here we go again.
"Keep your aim steady. Let them come closer first before you fire the trigger." – I said, loud enough for my team to hear.
As we wait, my heart was pounding too loud in my chest. I didn't tell the man but when I scanned the surroundings, I didn't see the Hans Spiderwick they were talking about. I'd like to believe he's dead but I knew that would be unrealistic. Also, everyone's still pursuing with the attack. Which meant they were still being led. No one has called the attack off yet. He's very much alive then… somewhere.
The new platoon came closer… and closer… and closer until they're in range. I held up my index finger, signaling hold. It's safe to fire now any second.
One…
Two…
Three…
Four…
"Fire!!!"
And off the bullets. Bodies fell. Cries of pain echoed in the trees. After the first round of bullets, I told them to dock and hide. Before I did, I saw one of the Aenelus soldiers point at our direction. Damn it. I knew then we have to move before it's too late. Or else. Who knows what would happen.
"Let's get out of here." – I said, and they followed.
We went to the back, out of everyone's sight. All we could hear was the sounds of knives clashing. The eerie sound of flesh cutting and throaty screams. If someone's not used to hearing it, it may come off as too much. It made me think of the young children but I knew they'll be safe with Benz. They will be safe at the cave, together with the wounded men.
We found a different spot. This time, we were on the right side of the battle grounds. It's easy to spot the enemy, really. The silver armors they wear makes it easy to do so. Now with sunrays reflecting on them, it made the Aenelus an easy target… if only we have more men. Which we don't.
"I'm running out of ammo, Ro! Do you have some spare?" – someone from my right asked.
I shook my head.
"No. I only got enough to load my guns. Ask someone else."
A series of the same question came after, and none gave a yes. Damn it. I'm also running out of bullets now. I guess everyone of us is.
"What do we do now?" – asked Golda
… right then, I ran out.
I tossed the gun on the ground and got the other. This time, I used a hand rifle. It's harder but lighter. I stood up to get a better view of the moving targets.
Bang! One down.
Two.
Three.
I keep looking at the area but there's still no sign of their leader. It gave me reasons to be worried, Wherever he is now, that place is never safe. Who knows what he's doing? Who knows who he's fighting at this exact moment?
… but then my worries manifested. I heard a scream behind me and I turned. Just in time to see Golda being shot in her belly. He's here.
Everyone panicked and got up, firing at the huge man. He however, was wearing a different armor than the others and by the looks of it, bullets don't have any chance of piercing him. He was invincible. Or at least his armor was.
"That's all you got? My turn then,"
He said and raised his bazooka. My eyes dilated. I know by this close contact, it would kill us all. I took a quick look behind me. The cliff was high, but I'm certain we could survive the fall. By now, there's only one choice to do.
Jump.