Ruins of The Past

"You reckon we should stop at the other bunker first?" Tom asked.

"I think so, yeah." Hunter agreed.

"It will be hard to explain why we are there, but it is a necessity." Kross approved.

"It is only a minute's drive away from here, so let's stock up from there." Tom suggested as Kross and Hunter nodded.

The bunker was close to Oxford, on the way to Birmingham, they had to stop to get ammunition and food for the road ahead of them.

Worry filled their expressions, they were stepping into their old bunker, the one which they left for good.

Tom continued driving down a little hill, and suddenly stopped.

"we're here." He said.

The sensors from the buggy triggered the bunker doors and they opened from underneath as the vehicle started being lowered.

All three men took deep breaths, this wouldn't be easy.

The vehicle was fully lowered and the three were surprised to see no one there, it was just them and an empty bunker. Lights flashing, tables turned over, chairs broken, bullet holes in the walls, papers scattered and blood stained walls.

"Where the hell is everybody? And what the heck happened here?" Hunter thought out loud.

"We can ask the same." Kross said as he got out of the buggy.

It was never empty, none of the bunkers spread throughout the country were ever empty, they were always forced and armed with the best technology and soldiers to keep them safe at all times, the scenes were horrifying to the three and new, they had never seen a bunker like this and they were certain it was functioning when they left it.

"I didn't like these lot to be honest, but I didn't want them dead." Tom said quietly.

Hunter and Tom got off after Kross, all three pulling out their rifles for any danger that may be lurking in the bunker.

There were two corridors, one to the left and one straight ahead.

Tom and Kross went to the left and Hunter went forward to cover as much ground as possible.

________________

(Tom and Kross)

Kross walked holding his trusted Glock and Tom accompanied him with his trusted M16.

They checked every corridor and every room, they were looking for any survivors or any clues as to what had happened in the bunker.

Kross tapped Tom on the shoulder, and pointed to a door at the end as Tom turned to look at it.

They cautiously walked towards it, Kross was scared but reassured to have Tom with him.

"On my mark." Tom whispered to Kross as he pointed at the door once they were close.

"Alright." Kross nodded.

"3, 2, 1." Tom said before kicking the door open and running inside.

"Learn to knock dumbass." Said a man on the far end of the room.

He was on the ground and in a terrible state, torn shirt, blood all over his arm and belly. Tom jogged closer to him.

"George?" Tom questioned.

"Who is asking?" The man responded as he coughed loudly.

"Thomas Andrews, remember me?" Tom pointed at himself and raised his eyebrows.

"Holy shit, now this is one way to die." George coughed out some blood.

"Doc, let's get him some help." Tom said to Kross.

"Thomas, it is too late for me, I'm just glad to see you one last time." He said with a smile.

"We can patch you up, you will be alright." Tom said as he tried to get George to stand.

"Tom." George said as Tom stopped and looked at him. "I already lost too much blood, I'm barely breathing." He said as he showed the two bullet wounds, one on his arm and one in his belly.

"But, surely there must be something we can do." Tom said as he got emotional.

"There is nothing to do." Kross said as he walked back and sat on a chair next to the door.

"We can grab some alcohol and bandages from the buggy, we can patch him up Kross." Tom pleaded desperately.

"I'm sorry Tom, but I will not risk what little resources we have on someone who is half dead." Kross said coldly.

"Tom..." George whispered.

"What the hell is the matter with you Kross, he is my friend, I won't let him die here while I know I can help him." Tom snapped at Kross.

"Your mission is plain and simple, gain resources to help Daniel. It doesn't mention help everyone on the way." Kross snapped back.

"Tom..."

"KROSS." Tom snapped as anger and rage filled his body. "HE IS MY FRIEND."

"So what? He isn't the first nor will he be the last." Kross said as he brought his hands together.

Hunter came in running after he heard Tom shout at Kross.

"What's wrong?" Hunter questioned as he tried to understand the situation.

"Thomas." George raised his voice as much as he could.

Tom turned back to him as a few tears escaped his eyes.

"It will be alright, just promise me one thing." George smiled.

"Anything." Tom smiled back.

"Kill every last elder there is on this planet, they did this and they won't stop." George said as his breathing decreased.

"I promise you George, I will kill every last one of them, and enjoy it."

"Take care of yourself Thomas, I love you brother." George said as his body went still.

"Don't leave me George. I BEG YOU DON'T." Tom cried out to his brother.

"He is your brother?" Hunter asked.

"Yes, he is, and that is something you two don't know and will never understand." Tom snapped at Hunter and Kross. "Screw Daniel Hughes, to hell with him and the mission." He said as he started sobbing.

Hunter went in and hugged Tom to calm him down, Tom grabbed Hunter in a very tight hug as he sobbed over his shoulder.

"Why did you not tell us before?" Hunter questioned after letting go of the hug.

"The rules clearly state, no two people who are related in any way can work for the syndicate, so he changed his last name to McGregor, which was our mother's last name." Tom said as he stepped back.

"I'm so sorry for that Thomas." Hunter was genuinely sad too.

"Let's get going, no point in staying anymore." Tom said after closing George's eyes.

"You sure you good?" Hunter asked as he turned to Tom from the door.

Kross left before hunter, without saying a word.

"I will never forget this Kross, never." Tom said as anger ran through him. "I will be alright." Tom said to Hunter as he turned and looked at George one last time before going out.