World War III

It started off peaceful.

When thinking of an alien invasion, you would think of bloodshed and extraterrestrial creatures. Lysons were not that, they were human-like and most surprisingly very peaceful. They asked for permission to inhabit our planet, as theirs were completely destroyed to unexplained environmental issues.

We needed them as well, as in all alien stories they were better than us. Lysons were physically stronger, the smallest height recorded of the beings was six feet. They had better technology and had a higher intelligence. I still don't understand why they just didn't kill us off and take the planet, at least then we wouldn't have the time to fight back.

Sooner or later there were gonna be murders. Lysons killing humans and humans killing Lysons. The world shifted its racism from people of color to alien beings. Hatred for these beings spread like wildfire. There was nothing the governments could do but separate them into their own territories. The Lysons did not agree to this and began fighting back. This is how World War III started, well this is the story my grandfather told me.

I was born after the war. The pictures my grandfather showed me of civilization and the stories he told me are nothing like how the world is today. Now we live in underground shelters, every day is a day of constant survival. We have to fight against the Lysons, radioactive animals and bugs and the greatest of all ; hunger. However, I'm the breadwinner of my family.

"Lucy, Sergeant Heffer requested backup at Harold's Bakery. There was a greater number of scum than expected".

My grandfather hated the Lysons, ever since they killed my parents. I didn't know my parents as they were killed when I was a baby. But I love my grandfather so I reciprocate that hate towards the Lysons as well.

"And take Hayley, they may need medical attention as well".

Hayley was my best friend. We grew up together since we were babies. We found her in the slums, most likely abandoned. That happened a lot, there was not a lot of medical care for abortions and humans could barely feed themselves. My grandfather always told me when he looked into her eyes he saw a gentle soul. He was right. You get so much money for being an assassin, a job I trained my whole life to achieve. However, Hayley could never bring herself to kill a radioactive cockroach let alone a Lyson.

"Please popop, don't make me go. Why can't they just come here if they need medical attention?''.

I could see her nose scrunch up and the look of disdain travel over her face.

"Because the casualties are gonna be high today. They're going to need emergency medical attention. Lucy, are you geared up?".

I nodded my head as I grabbed my sword and swung it over my shoulders. Close combat was the smartest option to fight them. Their thick leather like skin made it hard for our bullets to hit vital organs. It was better to get up close and personal and to hit their vital spots. It was also another advantage that they had tiny slits for eyes, their vision was horrendous.

The walk to Harolds was a 20 minute walk, for us we could make it in 12. Lucy and I were always very athletic, only I decided to put it to use. Her deciding a different path did disappoint me a bit but that was her decision.

"I know you don't wanna go because you want to see your boyfriendd".

I stretched out ‘boyfriend’ in a teasing manner while nudging her in her side. Her face scrunched up and she started glaring at the ground. Maybe they broke up?

"I dont have one".

Her tone was harsh and short. I always teased her like this but she never reacted this way. I always assumed she had a boyfriend because she would sneak out at night and not come back for hours, she always had a goofy smile on her face, and she always brought back little trinkets and food.

"Oh ok.... well... you excited for the mission?".

She scoffed and looked at me like I was some disgusting bug on the street.

"You are the only one who gets excited to kill innocent people".

"They are not people and they are not inno-"

"So the families you murdered were not innocent? The elders werent innocent? The DEFENSELESS babies werent innocent?!".

"It's a job, there's nothing I ca-"

And with that she sped off from me.

With her being mad at me and me trying to catch up to her it felt like the walk actually took 5 minutes. When we got there, it was a horrible sight. Humans and Lysons lay dead in the bakery. Hayley was horrified but to me it was another work day. I crouched behind an old oak desk that looked like its days were numbered. Everything around here was old and outdated, we spent our time fighting, we didn't have time to rebuild everything. I signaled for Hayley to crouch near me.

"I can't see our team, so you stay here as I scope the place out. If you hear anything I want you to hide".

I left my position and began to lank around the corners of the establishment. They had poor vision but made up for it in hearing. They had the hearing of a dog or better yet a bat. I always made sure to put padding on the bottom of my shoes to lessen the noise.

My sneaking around was successful as I saw two Lysons speaking to each other in their native language over someone who looked like.... SERGEANT?! He was lifeless, pale and had blood seeping from his neck. I always acted accordingly, there was always a plan to kill those creatures. But right now I was filled with anger, an emotion I never really experienced. This was my trainer, my team member, and my comrade.

I rushed over to the Lyson on the left, not caring about the noise I made and aimed my sword to his throat. A place that had the thinnest layer of skin, and where their major arteries laid, much like ours. I killed him in one swift movement, but that left me vulnerable to the other Lysons attack. And he did that expeditiously. His razor-like fingers dug into my arm.

If I wasn't used to this pain I probably would have fainted from all the blood that was spilling down my arm. I yanked my body down and rolled over to a different part of the room. He cut so deeply I couldn't use my left arm anymore. I regrouped and stood back on my feet, swinging my sword to intimidate him. He wasn't intimidated though, more so infuriated.

The Lyson came charging at me and I dodged the attack but managed to graze his side. He hissed but he was just as fast as ever and charged at me again. I continued to dodge his attacks, slowing him down each time. I managed to cut him one good time on his leg.

He stumbled onto the ground and I took the chance to try to stab him for the final time. I raised my sword and looked down at him with my lips outstretching. I was finally going to get my prey. However, I shouldn't have taken so long to strike as he took that chance to gash my other arm. Out of pain I flung my sword and tumbled to the floor. I was done for.

And like a guardian angel, came in Hayley. She picked up my sword and aimed it towards the Lyson.

"Thank God. Hurry up and kill that thing".

She looked down towards me with distaste and back towards the being. It seemed like they were staring at each other for ages. Was she scared or something? No. I knew Hayley, and she wasn't scared. She looked comfortable. No, she looked joyous, as if she knew this creature. And instead of going over and cutting the head off of that alien she walked over to me and sat on top of me, hovering dangerously over me.

"What are you do-"

She plunged the same cold stainless sword I used to kill thousands of beasts with, into my chest. How does it feel to get stabbed? I don't know, I couldn't feel the pain. The physical pain or the emotions that go with being stabbed by your best friend. All I could fix upon was the silver heart shaped locket that fell from under her shirt. Did she always wear a locket? There was a picture inside of a man. Not a man but a Lyson.

Her tears felt warm as they fell upon my face and mixed in with my own. She was shivering but it was in the middle of June.

"He was kind. He h-helped you.... NO. He saved you! And you killed him! Like he was nothing!.... He was Mine!! I finally had something I could call my own and you took it from me. Tell me why?...….. Why?!"

I smiled. I smiled so hard my lips were hurting. That smile soon turned into a blood filled giggle.

"Is this funny to you? Do you think this is a joke? Y-you're gonna die"

"Tell popop he was right about you"