Eric looked at the sky. He felt the grass in his hand and he looked at the peaceful scenery that was in front of him.
"BOO!"
Jason came from behind.
"You shouldn't scare people like that, you can give someone a heart attack!"
Eric wasn't angry because he had gotten scared, it was because Jason had ruined a peaceful moment.
"Relax, it's just a little scare! What are you doing out here alone? Alison is looking for you and she's going to be mad if you don't come for supper"
Jason seemed concerned
"I'll stay here for a little while more, you go on ahead and tell Alison I'll be coming along soon"
Jason turned away and then looked at Eric on the grass floor again
"Haha, your funeral anyways. See you at home!"
Jason ran away and Eric took in breath of relief. Home. He started thinking on what 'Home' actually meant. A bastion for family? A gathering for close friends? A shelter from danger? No. None of those things. It's just a word that gives you false hope. Eric learned that a long time ago.
"Where the hell have you been! I was worried sick thinking you got hurt or fell somewhere!"
Eric closed the door behind him and looked at the concerned blonde woman.
"Relax will you? I went to look at the scenery on Claffin's Hill"
"Relax he says! If I were to relax every time you boys went and ran away I would be in cloud nine all the time!"
Alison calmed down and regained control
"Sit and eat and no more running around without telling me got it?"
Eric sat down opposite of Jason who was gobbling down the chicken in front of him. The food that Alison cooks was always delicious and they were blessed to have a chef like her living with them. Alison put a bowl of soup in front of Eric.
"Mushroom soup, I haven't done it in a while so I hope it's still good"
"It is!" Jason shouted with a full mouth of soup and chicken
"Mm I'm glad" Alison looked relieved and turned to the oven once more to ready her plate
Eric started eating, the mushroom soup was exquisitely good. A sweet taste of mushrooms with some spices from the north. He starting wondering how Alison got hold of them. Ingredients from the north region were scarce and were not delivered to the south that often. He knew he that this particular dinner was special, so he cherished every taste and he savored the moment that they were all together, eating as a family... Whatever family means these days.
Eric's leg was injured and he was losing blood fast. He was feeling dizzy and he knew that If he didn't get help soon, he would lose consciousness. He looked around the barley field, Alison and Jason were nowhere seen. He feared for their lives and he hoped that they got out of the shelter in time, before the bombs fell. A light was shining in the distance.
Synergists were looking for survivors. They were mechanicals piloted by augmented guardians that fought for capitalism and tyranny. Eric laid down and tried to camouflage himself in the weeds. The titan came closer, it's light blinded Eric as he hoped that he wouldn't get seen in the weed. The search party moved along and started making their way for the crashed drop ship upwards in the field. Eric knew that if he didn't move soon, they'd find him and kill him.
"I hope you know how to use that" Jeffrey looked at Eric's decombobulizer. It was a prototype that the doctor had gave him to test on the Synergist attack party that was approaching to attack the Rebellion base.
"It's simple to use actually, just aim and shoot" Eric explained. The decombobulizer was a destructive force within itself. It could disintegrate a whole wave of troops if charged and fired at the right time. It was a dangerous weapon in the right hands. In the distance, troops were seen moving towards the Base. The Syngergists had found out the location for the Rebellion Army and were ready to attack them. The Rebellion had retreated back to the main forward base. Only a few men, including Eric decided to stay behind to buy the others some time and help them escape.
"Let's make these Synergist bastards wish they'd never had come here" Jeffrey exclaimed, he looked at the men behind him and raised his rifle to raise the troops morale. He was a war hero, a captain in the Rebellion Army and a long time survivor who knew a lot about the Synergists' tactics. He volunteered to stay behind and help the others escape. The Synergist attack party had arrived and started bombarding the gate, it wouldn't hold much longer.
"Whatever happens men, It was truly a pleasure fighting with you lads!" Jeffrey shouted along the battle lines. Everyone knew that there was a chance they wouldn't get out of this alive. Eric looked up at the sky, It was sunny and cloudy but it still gave that effect of a radiant sun that he liked so much. He looked at the shattered gate, it wouldn't hold much longer. They'll be through soon, Eric thought. He charged the decombobulizer and put his finger on the trigger. "Whatever happens, This is for you" Eric whispered to himself.