(Reverence 2, 59 / 5:59PM)

  Outside of the huge driveway of the Pacithiests adobe.

  A brown van was parked right next to the main entrance, with a group of five people all standing outside right next to it. With the sun beaming its deadly heat onto them, the clothes that the group wore were by no means comfortable.

  For one, bck clothing can absorb heat and light much greater than light clothing. Second, they took shelter in a region where not even the rain could pour down.

  Wearing the worst clothing in one of the driest regions in the world, only caused them to…

  (Luke) I’m … hot …

  (Luna) No … shit …

  (Jack) Shouldn’t … we take off … our bck leather jackets …

  (Luke) Unfortunately … Boris said that … we’re supposed to keep them on … no matter where.

  (Luna) Boris … could suck … my left tit …

  To be drenched by their sweat.

  A ginger-haired elf walked out of the front entrance, having his hands calmly pced inside of his leather jacket. The deadly sun not even bothering him, he let out a grin that reached the height of the tip of his ears, with his forehead not even sparkling under the evening light.

  Seeing Luke, Jack, Luna, Hope, and Benn all being battered down by the Haxouburg sun, a small dry chuckle came out of the elf’s mouth.

  (Sean) You guys look like you’re going to pass out.

  (Luke) We’re not … used to this weather …

  (Sean) Believe me, I wasn’t used to it but look at me.

  (Luna) Let’s go … now …

  The six of them headed toward the brown van, with Luke walking over toward the back metal doors of their automobile. Standing in front of the lock, he pressed the buttons to—

  One of the doors was already unlocked.

  (Luke’s thoughts) Hmm … I don’t sense danger. I guess someone forgot to lock the doors.

  Wiping his forehead with his right sleeve, some of his sweat started to steam from the leather that it was tched onto. Looking like he was poking his head out from the van door, Luke had his gaze on the group in front of the hood of the van, his voice raspy while speaking through the oven-like air.

  (Luke) The doors are open.

  (Sean) Got it.

  Sean led the others toward the back of the van door, opening the door wide to see the rge wooden cabinet that was right in the middle.

  Letting out a long shiver, Sean stayed clear of it while sitting toward the back seat that was right alongside the metal hole in the middle of the passenger and driver. With Benn sitting next to him, the two girls sat on the opposite side with Luna being the one near the back van door.

  Jack being the driver, Luke being the passenger, it seemed all and good until…

  A dark-complected man with broad shoulders walked out of the adobe.

  (Jack) Hey, that’s Miles.

  (Luke) Pull down the window.

  Rolling the window down from the driver's side, Miles walked right next to Jack, while having his eyes toward Luke. His face was pushed down, and both of his hands were to his sides as both of them were balled into fists.

  (Miles) David wanted me to go. Said that I should look after Hope and everyone else.

  (Luke) I mean … you don’t have to go.

  (Miles) sighs … but I also don’t want to feel like I chickened out. Are the back doors still unlocked?

  (Luke) They’re locked, but the code is 2-2-6-3.

  Acquiring a seventh member, Sean thumped his elbow while making a yes sound, as his right hand was curled into a fist, pointing it up toward the ceiling. Seeing that the two metal doors were swayed open to let Miles in, Sean took the liberty to pce both of his hands onto the back of his head.

  All the while crossing his right leg over his left knee.

  Keeping his eyes on the man, Miles curled his lips into a frown, as he pced himself right next to Benn while looking at Sean.

  (Miles) You better not let this be a screw-up.

  (Sean) Calm down sugar tits, you’ll be fine.

  (Miles) … never ever call me sugar tits.

  Starting up the van, the coyote-like engine soon began to roar with life as a crackling thunder poured forth from the automobile. The wheel and seats trembling under the thundering roar, the smell of old gas soon molested everyone’s nostrils, with Sean taking a major inhale by expanding his nostrils.

  Jack, who took a single sniff again, let out a small cough as he fanned the air around him with his right hand. As Luke covered his nostrils over his jacket, he turned toward Jack with widened eyes.

  Since both windows from both the driver and passenger were open.

  (Luke) What did you put in the fuel tank?

  (Jack) My dude, I just put normal gasoline. Keep in mind, it's 20 cents down here.

  (Luke) But there’s a reason why it’s cheap. I think the gas down here isn’t settling well with the engine, so it’s creating a lot of failed carbon emissions.

  Both men went silent.

  Already having his nose covering his nostrils, Luke started to puff up his cheeks, not letting air in.

  (Jack) Wait … is the van creating a shit ton of carbon monoxide?!

  (Luke) Yeah! We got to put the van into motion before we breathed in too much of it.

  (Jack) What about closing the windows!?

  (Luke) The monoxide is already here! If we don’t get this thing moving, then the gas will be trapped in here!

  Clutching the shift stick that was behind the wheel, Jack pulled it down while having his right foot on the brake. Shifting it to reverse, Jack immediately moved his foot toward the gas pedal, his boot denting the metal as the motion of the van shifted forward.

  As everyone jolted forward, the wooden cabinet also joined in as well. Landing face first near the wooden hole, the cabinet didn’t let out a wooden creak or squeal.

  But rather a low groan.

  Luna and Miles immediately hovered over their weapons that were located on their hips. Looking toward the wooden cabinet that soon began to rustle back and forth erratically, loud thumps were heard from inside the rge enclosed space.

  (Inaudible) Hello? What happened?

  (Luna) What the?

  (Sean) No way!

  As the van continued to sway in motion from the drive, Sean had his feet glued to the van as he stumbled back and forth from the sudden turns. Barely pcing both of his hands onto the cabinet, Sean ripped it clean open to allow an old teen to poke his head out.

  His face stained with sweat, his lips wrinkled and dried, it looked as if he was on the verge of heat-stroke.

  (Sean) When did you get here Chris?

  (Chris) Water…

  (Luna) That damn idiot…

  Having a water bottle right next to her, Luna threw it straight toward the old teen who locked eyes with the pstic bottle.

  Instantly cmping on the bottle, he opened it and chugged it down in one gulp, crushing it with the use of his forehead. Throwing it down on the floor, he pced both of his palms on the van floor, his breathing back to normal as he pulled back his tongue.

  (Chris) Thanks a bunch. So are we heading there now?

  (Sean) We’re barely starting.

  (Miles) Hold on. Isn’t he supposed to be with his brother and sister back at the adobe?

  Chris fully got out of the cabinet, rubbing the back of his head as a small bump was noticed. Both of them walking toward their seats to avoid the turning motion, Chris turned his head to Miles, smiling wryly from the gre that he received from him.

  Not just Miles, but Luna also scoffed at the boy’s presence, putting her right leg over her left knee. Feeling unwelcome, Chris pced both of his hands in prayer, having his head down to make himself vulnerable.

  (Chris) Just please let me be a part of this. I promise that I won’t be in the way.

  (Sean) Don’t worry man. You’re in good hands here. Just…

  Sean looked toward the evening sun from out the window, his eyes burning from the orange glow that may be their st.

  (Sean) Try not to worry your brother and sister, both aren’t the types to only bme you.

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  (Reverence 2, 59 / 7:25PM)

  The fruit of all life began to caress the endless horizon of sand.

  As the deadly rays and heat began to subside, so did the roaring engine of an automobile. The driver and passenger doors came out at the same time, and both doors were closed shut, letting the van shake for a split second.

  Reaching the back door, the bald of fingers that did its ritual began, ceasing as the joyful sound of a clicking mechanism came present to their ears. Upon seeing their strike force, which is nothing but Luna, Hope, Benn, Miles, Sean and now Chris, both Jack and Luke looked at one another with a simple nod.

  (Luke) Alright, so how should we go with this?

  (Jack) Well, you’re the pnner.

  (Sean) We’re behind a hill, so we should be able to see just how many guards they got while I was gone.

  (Luke) Got it.

  Leaving the rest of the group near the van, the trio that consisted of Luke, Jack, and Sean all holstered their weapons either on their hips, their back, or inside of their jacket. With the tall dead grass trying to pry open their pants, bits of pollen soon snuck inside both Luke's and Jack’s shoes.

  Feeling as if someone was touching their feet, they soon began to kick in geometric intervals, leading Sean to let out a soft chuckle.

  But that soon ceased as they reached the top of the hill, with a rge Joshua tree having them cover their presence.

  (Luke) So there it is.

  Jack, who wielded a heavy backpack on his left shoulder, soon brought out a pair of bck-tinted binocurs. Wielding them with his left hand, he brought it close toward his eyes all the while taking position behind the tree, seeing the ranch in front of him.

  From north to sound and east to west, the outer perimeter of the ranch had pure fields of garlic growing among the crops. The smell already starting to molest their nostrils, Jack scrunched up his face as he continued to take in the sight.

  (Jack’s thoughts) Luke was right. That thing would come in handy.

  Standing on the southern hill, Jack took note of the three-story ranch house that resembled that of a typical mansion found in the hills of Lagefor. Lights still present inside the rge ranch house, his eyes peered onto a rge barn that was on the southern end of the property. Along with the east side having a rge patio of stables, there was also the accommodation of guards.

  Four watchtowers were spotted near the rge ranch house, all of them in charge of their respective direction.

  (Jack) Those guards have sniper rifles on those watch towers. And it looks like the best way to enter into the ranch itself is through the barn and stables.

  (Luke) What about the north and west side?

  (Jack) Let me check.

  Jack looked toward the western side to see a rge gravel road that just led to the main ranch house. Noticing a rge number of guards on the gravel road, he pinned his eyes onto the barely visible north side, with bits of vineyards and fancy bushes aligning with the lens.

  Now looking at the very tip of the southern part of the property, a rge wooden gate that seemed to be barely operable stood in their path. With a couple of guards armed with Bern Carbines and Thompson Rifles, many of them wore white colred shirts with a green vest attached to them.

  All of them wore a simple bck ft cap.

  (Jack) Your best bet is to go through the gate down below. Going through the main entrance on the west side would be suicide. The north side would be stupid because it’s farther, but the east side is unknown on how many guards.

  (Luke) Do the guards look attentive or rexed?

  (Jack) I don’t know, but all I could say is that they look mean.

  Having his eyes downward, he turned to see Luke with a forced smile. Pushing back his well-combed hair, not even a trace of dandrum or dust came out, as Jack held the binocurs with a tight grip.

  (Jack) Are you sure you want to do this, you guys? I don’t think these dudes aren’t just your typical run-off-the-mill guards.

  (Sean) Yeah, and we’re not the typical run-off-the-mill soldiers either.

  Sean led the two of them down the hill, walking along the dead grass that began to assault their feet once again. Making their way down the bottom, the three of them saw the group’s nervous faces that were all drawn to the men’s mouths.

  Luke, who pced himself in front of Sean, rubbed his hands nervously while looking toward every single one of them.

  (Luke) We’re going to split up into two groups. Jack would be staying behind and using his sniper to give us some support.

  Everyone except Luke gred at the smug grinning man, who put his hands inside his jacket while lifting his shoulders up and downward. Taking a few steps back, he pced himself right onto the hood of the van.

  (Jack) Hey, I’m the driver.

  (Luke) Anyway … me, Sean, Hope, and Miles would go through the stables. I don’t know how many guards are there, so we’ll go through the unknown.

  Both Hope and Miles nervously looked at one another, with Miles using his fingers to slightly fan his neck that started to dwell with sweat. As his white shirt created a sweat stain, Hope’s breathing soon began to fasten under the pressure and intensity, her chest wanting to burst forth from its shell.

  Luke pced both of his hands on Hope’s shoulders, causing her to look up at him with maiden eyes.

  (Luke) Don’t worry. I promise to not let any of you get shot.

  (Hope) … I know.

  Turning his attention onto Luna, Benn, and Chris, he pinned his eyes mostly on the tanned woman, who already wielded her metal batons. Gncing at Chris who wielded a simple wooden trench gun, both of the boy’s hands were smooth as caramel, his fingers already twitching erratically.

  (Luke) And you three are going to go through the south side of the property. Do you know what you’re doing, yes?

  (Luna) Yeah yeah. I’ll make sure the idiot doesn’t do anything stupid.

  Turning his body around, Luke eyed the rge Joshua tree, it's already peeling bark still contained despite the brutal heat and ck of water.

  Staring into the tree, the already setting sun had 1/8th of its sphere below the event horizon, making the tree's leaves glow a bright orange. Along with the horizon creating a photo-perfect picture, the rest of the group took in the sun that they wouldn't need for the mission.

  (Luke) Let’s wait till midnight before everyone goes to sleep.

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  (Reverence 3, 59 / 12:01)

  (Luna’s group)

  The creeks of the wooden fence came into py.

  Like an arm that no one listens to, bits of the antique wooden fence came off from just a certain member alone. With all three of them bent down, they blended in with the waist-deep garlic crops that were painted in a dark shade of green along their stems.

  Crouching down, their boots mingled with the fertilized soil and dirt, their noses molested from the abhorrent smell from all around. Luna, being the leader of the two of them, squinted her eyes in the bckness of the night as the two new moons from above failed to glow their heavenly soft light.

  (Luke in Luna’s thoughts) I think we could rehearse the old tale of the boy who cried wolf.

  Not even halfway toward a good vantage point, the sounds of barely awake guards who kept watch on the fields started to louden more and more. The more they crouched-walk through the crops, the slower their heels traced the fertilized dirt.

  Barely gncing up, the only other thing that they could hear was their heartbeats thundering out from their chests, as not even their boots scraping the garlic couldn’t overturn in sound.

  (Luke in Luna’s thoughts) When you do it, that’ll be our cure to initiate it. Remember to just run straight toward the hill where Jack is located.

  Benn and Chris gnced up at the forming cloudy sky, their frowns ever present as heavy breathing stroked down Luna’s back.

  Luna came to a halt, causing the heavy breathing to be ever louder. Both of her hands started to creak the metal that she wielded, she turned her head to look upon the barely visible face of a boy on the verge of fainting.

  And upon seeing that face, Luna let go of her usual gre and frown, letting out an excess of air from her lungs. Turning his head away, he looked down at a garlic stem that wielded a shade of red.

  (Luna) You chose to go along with us.

  (Chris) But … I just … thought that it’ll be—

  (Luna) Look at me.

  In a stern voice, Chris immediately sucked in whatever air that waited outside his lips.

  Seeing that Luna just calmly stared at him, she pushed down her eyes as she scratched a bit of her left cheek, using her pointer finger. Her hand already covered in fertilizer and soil, she let the crevices of her lips tilt upward, despite the line not even shifting.

  (Luna) You’re going to be fine. If Luke says you’re fine, then you’re fine.

  (Chris) I-I guess…

  (Luna) Just please don’t be an idiot. The ones who get killed the most are the ones who charge headfirst.

  (Chris) I-I know that—

  (Luna) Take it from me kid. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for some other idiot…

  Patting both of his cheeks softly to not make extra noise, his fingertips grazed onto his barely facial skin, as not even a simple hair was felt along his face. Nodding his head as well as a low grunt coming from his throat, Chris snted his eyebrows to try to put on a mean and determined face.

  But for Luna, it only caused her to furrow her eyebrow upward.

  (Luna) Now—

  (Guard#1) About that crazy kid…

  (Guard#2) Do you mean the boss’s son? The kid with the cat-human girlfriend?

  Not knowing their distance, the three of them overheard the audible hearing of two guards who walked along the gravel path near them.

  Immediately, Luna snatched up the metal baton that she had dropped from earlier, having both of her fingers hovering over the metal buttons tched on the center. Looking to the right of her, she noticed the two guards walking from North to South, their boots bristling the main road.

  While one of the guards wielded a rectangur shaped ntern, the emitting light was simir to that of a lightbulb.

  (Luna whispering) We need to avoid the area of light at all costs.

  (Benn whispering) We can go left, but not too fast.

  In agreement, all three of them slowly walked through the crop field while having their backs on the same level as the stems of the crops. Trying not to kick or sway that much of the field, their heartbeats soon started to thump more frequently to the sound of each footstep they took.

  Taking a look back, the two guards soon stopped, with one of the guards having his hand on his comrade’s shoulder.

  And at that moment, all three of them soon ceased their crouch walking, perking their ears up as not even their voices could be heard from that distance. Seeing that one of the guards looked around his area, both of them started to analyze the crops as if something was amiss.

  (Luna’s thoughts) I thought those losers would be drunk or half-awake!?

  Like a stroke of bad luck, the guard that held the ntern in his hand soon began to walk on the same crop field that the three of them were at.

  Chris, the only one who failed to keep his breath in control, started to pant heavily as the overall pressure soon began to anvil him. Being near him, Benn pced his left hand onto the boy’s mouth, not allowing a single breath or pant to be drawn from him.

  But even then, that won’t stop the guard who continued to walk through the crop field, as his footsteps grew louder and louder with each step.

  (Luna’s thoughts) Shit, what can I do?! What would Luke do?!

  Gritting her teeth, Luna couldn’t even look back at her as her breath got caught inside of her throat. Widening her eyes, stiffening her chest and stomach, and losing all blood flow from her legs, she remained locked in a frozen state as if she were in cryosleep—

  The guard’s boots finally stopped.

  (Luna’s thoughts) What would I do…?