Innocence Lost by T.A. Williams Page B

outside. “We still have a few hours of daylight light, give him a little more time. He may have found something.”
                  “Until we hear gunfire, he’s ok.” Zima said as he loaded bullets into a magazine.
                  Rook and Mason had been taking turns scouting the surrounding area. Typically they were only gone for a few hours but Rook had been gone considerably longer. Mason and Zima seemed calm and collected but they always seemed that way.
                  “If he’s not back in thirty then I’ll head out and look for him.” Zima said as he laid another full magazine on the dusty wooden floor.
                  Then they heard a gunshot.
                  It echoed down the streets and through the empty buildings. Both Zima and Mason paused what they were doing, waiting. A few seconds later the town was filled with the sound of gunfire. Mason, Zima, and Stevenson had their guns and were on their feet before Ben could register what was going on.
                  “Firefight a few blocks west.” Zima said as he looked through the window. “Got nothing over here, gonna have to hoof it.”
                  Mason turned to Ben. “You set up at this window. We’ll make our way back down this street. If you see us getting pinned down and have a shot then take it.” Ben’s face must have been filed with fear because Mason paused. “You’re good Ben. Remember, short bursts. Once you shoot get back into cover and if they find your position, then move to a different room and a different window, got it?”
                  “Yes, sir.” Ben’s voice shook as he spoke.
                  Mason hesitated for a second.
                  “Now or never.” Zima said as he waited by the door. Stevenson ran out the door.
                  Mason started to say something but stopped himself. He ran out the door and Zima followed behind him. And just like that Ben was by himself. The gunfire continued to echo down the streets but all Ben could hear was the thumping of his heart.
                  “Safety off.” he said to himself as he got the assault rifle ready. “Aim down the sights. Short bursts.”
                  They had been holed up in the hotel for what felt like forever waiting to make their move. Ben knew eventually it would come down to this, but he still wasn’t ready. He caught a glimpse of his people running from the hotel across the street into another alleyway.
    And then things got quiet. No gunfire, no shouting, nothing.
    Minutes passed. Ben couldn’t tell how many but soon the sun began to touch the horizon. That was when the gunfire returned. Ben thought the gunfire was loud before but this time it was all he could hear. Down the street he saw a truck full of men screeching down the street and out of sight. They were outnumbered.
    He didn’t think twice. Ben grabbed two extra clips and headed down the stairs towards the street. As soon as he hit the street, the sound doubled in intensity. The gun swung around wildly as he sprinted across the street into the same alley he had last seen Mason and the others in.
    The buildings surrounding the alley were tall enough to block out the last of the setting sun, leaving everything else in darkness. Ben paused momentarily, allowing his eyes to adjust. As soon he was able to make out knocked over trashcans and trash that had been strewn about, he took off in the direction of the gunfire. People shouting stopped him at the edge of a building and he peeked around. A truck had just driven out of view while another sat across the street facing away from the building he was hiding behind. Two men stood in the bed of the truck, their guns pointed towards a far building. From where Ben was, he could see the front of that building had been torn apart by gunfire.
    “They still in there?” one of the men in