With every step you took, your connection with the reality around you vanished to such an extent that you no longer knew where you were; although they were open, your eyes saw nothing but Salim and Jason arguing, as if the war was never over...

Or that you were the one who started it again between them. Just like it had happened that day. At your house. Between you and your father.

And before he died.

You felt the same, bad feeling about it but you didn't want anything to happen to them...

《...》

But that didn't mean excluding you, of course.

《WATCH OUT!》

Suddenly, a voice made you wake up from your thoughts, as he grabbed your upper arm with a strong grip. There, you opened your eyes wide, gasping at the sight of a deep green chasm just below your feet.
Fortunately, your body moved to the opposite side of it, hitting Jason's with a small thud.

《Hey! You almost fell below, what the hell Y/n!》  He scowled at you with an almost frightened expression, trapping your eyes in his brown ones.

《I-I'm sorry I think I haven't seen it...》  You just replied, clearly unaware of the danger you were about to face.

The cap boy raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. After the three of you passed the cavern and ended up into another one, Jason's attention immediately went to the elevator cable in the center of it, just above the chasm, from which a bright green light was emitting.
Both him and Salim doubted they had ever seen anything like it before, definitely out of any cognitive reach...so, it was curious for Jason not to hear any of your reactions about that and just when he turned, he saw you inexplicably walking towards the precipice.

《Be careful next time, okay?》  You nodded when Jason said that, who was exchanging some glances with Salim, without being able to say nothing at all; anyway, he kept staring at you even after Jason let you go, maybe to make sure you didn't play some other joke...

《That winch still looks functional.》  There, Jason pointed to the wooden mechanism, no doubt built by the explorers. Except the way you came from, there was no other passage than the one offered by the chasm.

But for the umpteenth time, Salim didn't seem to agree with his idea at all.  《You're crazy?! If those vampires come from anywhere, it's down there! You really want to fight them in their own home?》

In that moment, Jason turned to look the Iraqi in the eye and you did the same, but not for the same reason...apparently, you thought you heard something other than their voices.

《It's what I've been doing since I set foot in this country...》  But suddenly, Jason was interrupted by a deafening growl, which rang throughout the cave until it reached your ears.

《W-we can't stay here, we have to get out of here now!》  You shouted running to the elevator  《This is our only chance to survive!》

Eventually, Salim followed you and as he helped you activate the generator, Jason covered your backs, making sure no one approached as those monstrous screams grew louder and closer.

You waited impatiently for the cabin to go up and once inside, the two soldiers took care to close the doors, before starting the descent; of course, you didn't feel comfortable, especially when the cabin began to rock and you instinctively clung to the railing.

《What happened to you earlier?》  Salim couldn't help but ask you with some concern  《You were lucky he caught you just in time...how do you feel now?》

In that moment, you looked down but felt the gaze of both men staring at you, waiting for your answer.

《Oh, I'm fine now. Sorry, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice where I was going...I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.》  You explained without going into it, not sure you wanted to talk about your private life, but something told you it wasn't going to be easy, not after you saw Jason's severe eyes. Definitely, he wasn't going to buy that and wished he knew more...

But the noise of the elevator stopping saved you from that awkward silence and you got out of there almost immediately. Really, talking about that incident was the last thing you wanted to do at the time and your attention went to that strange place with an acrid and pungent smell.

I don't like it.

《I've seen some fucked up shit in my life, but nothing comes close to this.》  There, Jason's voice echoed as he looked around with the rifle raised and so did Salim with the metal stake. Apparently, none of those monsters had followed you down there.

《Would you like to wait for them or...?》  Salim turned to the marine with the intention to move from there, but got a simple snort from the other.

《No need to be a smartass. Let's move.》

After that, Jason positioned himself to your right, and Salim to your left, as you proceeded ahead of them...

Although he was busy making sure no danger flew your way, Kolchek's thought came back to earlier; of course, there was something that haunted you lately and he didn't hesitate to ask you frankly, as soon as he saw you stop to observe a corpse and the numerous papers scattered everywhere around it.

《I feel like there's something you want to talk but you're afraid to do it. Why?》  Still on your knees, you heard Jason stop behind you.

《...really, you have nothing to worry about Jason. That's something I can take care of–》

But suddenly, he forced you to get up off the ground, turning you towards him. His furious snap made you gasp in pain.

《Jason, what the—》

《Then remember what mountain of crap we ended up on and stop this bullshit of yours.》  He said to you in a low, serious tone  《Shit Y/n, I don't know if you realized but you were about to die before you fuckin' knew it! How can you be so careless?》

Unexpectedly, Salim didn't intervene when he heard Jason scolding you; actually, he was right about that, despite his questionable ways of pointing out that he was worried about you.

But you were left speechless on the contrary, and visibly offended by that.

《Bullshit huh? First of all, it was the fault of you two that I felt that way because you don't stop fighting for a fucking second!》  You tapped a finger against his body armor before continuing  《And second, don't try to judge me when you don't know shit about me.》

When you said that, Jason lost his temper and stared at you menacingly in the eye, inches from your face.

《Oh didn't seem you'd bothered to tell me about your fuckin' problems before...although I did it.》  Right here, Kolchek looked away, muttering the last words as if he didn't really want to be heard by you.  《And watch how you talk sweetheart, I remind you that I'm still your senior.》

You clenched your fists, but without saying anything else and just turned away to follow the path...you clearly heard his sigh behind your back and there you pursed your lips to hold your own emotions inside.

I dit it again...why do I keep making the same mistake after all this time? Forgive me.

Salim watched you go without waiting for them and so started to walk too, but he noticed the other was still standing, with the peak of the cap covering his face up to his nose.

《I know it's not my problem but whatever it is, you'd better not wait any longer to set the things with her. It's best for all of us, believe me.》  The Iraqi said tilting his head to find the American's eyes, who didn't hesitate to look up at him.

《Since when did you become a therapist?》  Jason grimaced when realized he would have to put up with more from that easy-talking man, but to his surprise he got a faint smile from the older one.

《I'm not, but it seems clear to me that you like her. And the same goes for her towards you.》  He added placing a palm on Jason's tense shoulder.  《That's why you have to let go of everything that might get in the way of you two...well, leaving out "the mountain of crap" you poetically mentioned earlier, of course.》

This time, Jason didn't hold back from chuckling.

《Are you sure you're not on the list?》

Salim didn't understand immediately what Jason meant, until his eyes and mouth opened wide as he realized.

《God, Jason, no! I'm not in love with Y/n!》  He said with a bewildered expression as he put a hand in front of his face  《She's almost as young as my son! How do you think of such a thing...》

Hearing that, Jason gave a small pat on his back without stopping laughing.  《Is that so? That's better then, you know I don't like this kind of...competition.》

There Salim looked back at Jason, now with a smile on his lips.  《Just let me help you not fall any lower than we already are. And I mean for everything, not just with the girl, okay?》

When he finished, Salim reached out an open hand in front of the marine, who watched it for a moment before moving his right one from the rifle towards his. At this point, it was best to stick together.

《I hear ya.》

Jason simply answered as he finally squeezed the hand of his no longer enemy.

• • •

《...》

《What the fuck is this place?》

You didn't complain about the cap boy's bad language this time, because you were wondering the same damn thing when your eyes saw the terrifying sight stretched in front of you for miles. You were totally speechless.

Your breath echoed inside there, along with the noises of what sounded like the remnants of something that was hard to identify, but definitely not of this world...

...so is this. The House of Ashes.

In that moment, Salim knelt down and began to say words in his language that resembled a prayer, while Jason stared at the unknown in front of him, with the shotgun lowered along his right thigh.

For the first time, he looked so disoriented and it was awful to see him like this. Right here, you forgot what had happened just ago, because your fingers immediately searched for Jason's arm...but, as soon as he felt your touch, he suddenly grabbed your hand with his own.
Neither of you said words of comfort or anything, just enjoying the warmth that one was able to give the other, trying to live that peaceful moment as long as possible, before anything else could happen...

You didn't know how many minutes passed, but it was enough to be able to fix the mess you had in your mind. And in your heart.

《Six years ago, I lost my father in a car accident.》  You said suddenly by staring ahead of you  《From what I know, the other guy was drunk and closed his eyes while driving, moving into the opposite lane...the impact was almost immediate between the two cars and both drivers died instantly.》

Jason looked down at you to see your eyes wide and shiny as he listened to your story.

《He disagreed with my choice to become an army officer, just as I refused his offer to move somewhere else and when I told him I was going to his own military academy...but the truth is, it happened because of me, if we hadn't had that damn fight that night, he would never have walked out that damned door...》  There, you wiped your face quickly with your other hand  《I just wanted him to be proud of me, repaying him for everything he had done for me ever since my mother passed away. It's all my fault.》

A sob accidentally came out of your throat and you looked down, defeated by your own words. Of course, Jason didn't let go of your hand, keeping to hold it between his fingers. Definitely, he never imagined that, behind your perfect figure of "Miss Marshal", such a painful past was hiding, so much so that he didn't really know which words of comfort to use for you...

Except about one thing.

《This is where you're wrong Y/n. You can't blame yourself for your father's death instead of that drunk fucking asshole forever...》  Jason lifted your chin to allow himself to look you in the eye  《...just now, I was about to lose you in that fucking chasm because of all this, do you know it?》

You didn't know what to say and simply let yourself fall against his body armor, along with a silent cry. Jason wrapped you in one arm, without saying a word and there he saw Salim's smile.

《I-I'm so sorry, Jason...!》  You muttered against his chest, trying to wipe away the tears and snot that was about to come out of your nose, that was downright mortifying for you to show, but you were taken by surprise by those soft kisses on your forehead just then.

《Don't say it sweetheart, I wouldn't let anything happen to you in a hundred fucking years.》  The cap boy stared at you with deep eyes and you couldn't help but dive into them, as Salim was starting to feel a little out of place, but he absolutely didn't want to interrupt that beautiful and sweet moment between you two.

《Oh and we haven't forgotten about you.》  Jason said with a mischievous smile as you sunk in shame...you couldn't believe he said it seriously, just like you couldn't believe you liked this man with easy dimples!

Anyway, when you turned to Salim with your red and still swollen eyes, you saw him clearly embarrassed. Well done, Jason!

《You may not know it, but you're a very strong woman Y/n...》  There, he patted you on the back, genuinely touched by your sad story.

《And as a single parent, I can understand what your father felt...he had tried to take care of you until the end and that is exactly what I'm doing too. My boy is all I have left in this world and that is why I wanted him to have everything I didn't...and when he goes to study in London, I will be really proud of him...well, if only he would stop stealing, of course...》

He added in a weaker tone of earlier, not so happy with how things were going at his home now...however, you were still impressed by Salim's willpower and despite everything, you were convinced that his son wouldn't let him down, in the end.

《...I see. Zain is so lucky to have you as father, Salim.》  You answered trying to make a decent smile and the Iraqi just smiled back, appreciating the fact that you remembered his son's name in that moment.

Meanwhile, Jason scratched the back of his neck as he listened to those moving stories, but certainly better than his own...by then, he had also forgotten about his family and hadn't few good memories of that bad place, where he had grown up.

《What about you, Jason?》  Suddenly, Kolchek realized that Salim was referring to him just now, breaking his comfortable silence.  《Is your conscience clear too?》

You turned to him and there you felt that he had intertwined his fingers with yours a little tighter than before, but without hurting you. There was definitely something unpleasant he was remembering and that was the perfect time to get rid of it.

《...》

《Green Zone. Checkpoint.》

You watched him closely. In such a situation, you didn't expect him to talk so openly about what had happened; although you already knew it, it was hard for you to hold back your tears again, especially when, again, he was admitting that had chosen to shoot an innocent woman.

Jason... You couldn't help but notice the faint light in his eyes, as he talked with a slowness that didn't belong to him and just wanted to hold him close to you.

《I can hear ya thinking over there...》  Jason looked up at the Iraqi, who had been silent all that time, but the truth was, he wasn't blaming him at all for what had happened at the checkpoint.

《...we're waiting for something to happen and maybe, we should take the initiative and make something happen, no?》  When Salim said those words, you and Jason were clearly confused.

Until he spoke again.

《Right now, we go inside there and we find a way to hurt them.》

Of course, he was referring to vampires and for a moment you were dumbfounded. That feeling wasn't entirely new to you...

《So, is this your plan of atonement, go straight to their lair? You can't be really serious–》

《Yes, those fuckin' things tried to fuck with our heads, they tried to kill us!》  There, Jason interrupted you and took a step towards Salim to shake his shoulder  《But we're standing. Start believing, Salim, we're gonna get out of here and see the sun again.》

After that, the Iraqi soldier gaped at him, just like you...seriously, what was going on??

《Is that what you truly believe?》

Salim asked as if he wanted to confirm the marine's sudden euphoria, who replied to him with an "OORAH!" that made both of you jump and thankfully, he let go of your hand before he could try to raise his arms too...

《What. On earth. Is that sound...?》  Salim couldn't help but laugh at that, while you crossed your arms in front of your chest, wondering when they were been able to reach such a friendly understanding...and that was good, of course.

《It's a marine thing.》  Jason laughed too and his last glance fell on you  《And is this Miss Marshall here on board too, right?》

Salim raised an eyebrow at that nickname, sure he had never heard it before, while you snorted at his mockery.

《Sure, why not.》  You intruded by placing yourself between them and both hands on their shoulders, noting that, the marine was slightly taller than the Iraqi Lieutenant.  《Otherwise, who's gonna save your asses from those monsters again?》

You hid an amused grin in the corner of your mouth as Jason and Salim looked at each other in silence for a second, before lowering their eyes on your provocative figure.

《Oh I see we're too sure of ourselves here, huh?》  Kolchek was the first to answer  《If I were you, little girl, I'd think twice before risking this one here, surely prettier than ours...》

But then, you stayed baffled by the sudden spanking on your right buttock that you just turned to the culprit, now with uncovered dimples on his dirty cheeks and you turned purple as you felt his rough palm grope your ass so deliberately...

《You know, I have a weapon here and I'm not afraid to use it against a pervert superior...》

You threatened him before moving on, obviously referring to the gun, now resting inside its holster, but Jason just chuckled, definitely amused by all that and how you just called him, maybe not completely wrong...and Salim just took a step back, leaving you two lovebirds to deal with it alone.

How good it is to be young, huh... He thought to himself in the meantime, taking a long and deep breath before facing the cruel reality standing in front of him.

• • •

This place was a den of vampires! They were everywhere and were as if they were dead. Or just asleep, as Salim supposed when he saw them, forced to be trapped there for who knew how many thousands of years.

《Sure God didn't make these creatures.》  Jason said sternly, incredulous to see how huge the place was and Salim nodded to that.

But there was definitely something more and you noticed it by looking under your feet. Even if you weren't a scientist, it wasn't so difficult to understand that the rock had assumed a different conformation from that found on the surface and in some points, it emanated a green and intense light, as if it were alive. Also, there was this metallic echo that didn't convince you at all...

《...I don't want to sound crazy, but what if this stuff is extraterrestrial?》  You asked as you knelt to take a closer look at those strange circles on the black floor and those luminescences that you had seen, which seemed to come from some kind of root...

But you arched an eyebrow just later, noticing that no one had answered you, because no one was nearby and you saw Jason and Salim descend into a sub-leveled area shortly after.

You went down to join them, both focused on what looked like one of those creatures, but it was like fossilized and seated on...a throne?? It couldn't be that and you didn't know why, but it reminded you of those kind of space armchairs used in arcades.

...aliens? No, it's not possible.

You swallowed at your own thought. Well, you were definitely doing too many since that fucking morning and your mind had actually stopped working, of course!

Until you heard that.

《Touch it.》

You blinked when Jason said it, getting a dumb look from the other man.

《—You touch it!》  Salim suggested clutching the metal stake in his hands, but with no desire to touch that thing.

Apparently, you weren't the only one out of your mind. Great.

《Pussy.》  Jason offended him and confidently reached out for the fossilized creature.

He stood staring at the thing with his finger outstretched. Maybe a little too much for your taste and you thought he was hesitant.

《...and here's another one.》  You scoffed as you walked behind them, causing Salim to laugh shortly.

Kolchek turned to you after understanding that you had referred to him as a "pussy" too and because of this, he didn't hesitate to touch the fossilized paw with his hand...

Soon, the ground began to shake beneath you, along with something that had inevitably fallen and shattered into a thousand pieces.

What the heck—

There, you saw both Jason and Salim on the floor with an expression filled with surprise.

《Fuck! That was close.》  Jason cursed, watching a thick smoke drift into the air, away from them.

《Thanks.》

Salim nodded between his breaths, as he stood up by himself and noticed that you were running towards them with a pissed look.

《I really don't understand what's on your mind, are you suicidal or what?!》  Despite your yell, you bothered to check if that idiot of a marine had no injuries on his body, sure it was his fault.  《And don't tell me you took it out on me for what I said, because that's ridiculous.》

Jason brushed the dust off before staring into your eyes, annoyed.  《Hey! Nobody calls me pussy, okay? I was just making sure this motherfucker didn't wake up, definitely will never do it again now...》

You rolled your eyes to avoid his cocky glance and before he could say anything else, you made sure Salim was okay too before continuing to walk...at this point, it was best if you watched their backs from now on.

Anyway, you paid attention to where to put your feet and what you didn't have to touch to avoid the inconvenience of earlier; but later, your group was forced to climb a huge stone to go on and when it was your turn, Jason reached out to grab you, without big effort for him to lift you up.

《You're too quiet Y/n, what's up now?》  He asked holding your hands and forcing poor Salim to climb on his own.

You were sulking, of course, and it was obviously because of him.

《I don't understand why you always have to be tough as if you have to prove something! But the truth is, you just make me worry more about you Jason, what if you had been crushed under that thing or who knows what other evil!》

When you finished, Jason didn't know what to say, he certainly didn't expect such a cute reaction from you and this triggered a weird feeling inside him.
Sure, his every action and word had to show you what kind of man he was, particularly by doing everything to be the right one for you...and despite his stern and insensitive attitude most of the time, Jason Kolchek couldn't help but melt when he was in your presence.

《I'll be careful next time then, don't want to risk putting my little girl in danger to save me.》  After that, he tried to buy you with one of his unique smiles and you fell for it, of course...

Just like you had fell for him.

When he unfortunately let you go, you waited for Salim to go up, but to your surprise he was already there behind you two.

《What am I missing?》  He asked suddenly by tilting the head to one side  《Woah, you are very blushed, my friend, it was–》

《Yeah yeah, I fuckin' know it so what? She makes me like this cause I'm fuckin' crazy 'bout her. Are you happy now, you bastard?!》

There, Jason started babbling hysterically leaving both you and Salim speechless.

《Well, I just wanted to say he was blushed because of the climb...that's it.》  You slowly turned to him when he said that, unaware of making a mess.

《Oh yes, that's what you were talking about...》  You placed the fists on your hips without stopping to stare at the Iraqi.  《...or you've chosen your words wrong, or you've done on purpose. Please Salim, I'm not so stupid as you think!》

You left a smile and this time Salim giggled repeatedly.

《Mpf, of course you're not. But look at that Y/n, now you know how he feels about you.》  There, Salim came close enough to you with the intention of not to be heard by the jarhead, still busy letting go of his own nerves, maybe with some other fossilized vampire...

《And you? How do you feel about Jason?》

You didn't know why, but when you met his dark brown eyes again, you felt strangely relaxed, as if you could really talk about anything with him, just like he had previously advised you in the catacombs.

Therefore, you decided to tell him.

《I think he knows I'm interested in him, but the truth is much more than this...honestly, a guy like Jason was never been my type, but now that I met him, I can't think of anyone but him...and I don't think I will, if I ever get out of here alive. I really like him and that's all I know for now.》  You said looking up in front of you and right there, you saw the cap soldier turn towards you, wondering why you were smiling so foolishly...

At that point, the Iraqi Lieutenant shook his head in amazement before staring back at you, promising to keep it to himself.

《You will know when to tell him at the right time, don't worry.》  Salim just said beckoning you to follow him, before Jason could become suspicious.

And you sighed slightly.

《I hope so, Salim...I hope so.》

That's it. I fell in love with my superior, First Lieutenant of the Marine Corps on the same day I could die...

Ain't that funny?