On the way back to the temple, Jason and Nick hadn't talked to each other all the time, except for some nods; you separated them, so you avoided them arguing again, but you still couldn't get them to talk about anything else that could distract their minds...

Anyway, you tried it when you found a piece of stone on the ground, curiously decorated with a black frame; on its surface, there was a clear picture of two men, probably priests, watching a third figure stirring in the flames, almost as if it were a death sentence...

《Oh that's a nice picture to hang on the house wall!》  You said jokingly, stopping them to show the picture  《It gives me a feeling of warmth, don't you think so too?》

You turned your gaze on one and then on the other, waiting for them to start a conversation...

Well, Nick looked at it absently while Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly perplexed.

《Seriously Y/n, why you keep picking up trash like that?》

Of course, Jason didn't understand your intentions and you sighed before leaving the stone picture somewhere; of all the illustrations you had seen, this was the first one you had seen depicting a violent scene and, suddenly, something started to rumble in your head.

In any case, you ignored that strange feeling also to avoid alarming others.

Maybe, it's just my imagination.

At the temple, the situation seemed to be the same as before, or so it seemed...as Nick went to check how Merwin was doing, you and Jason headed for the tent, where you should have found Eric grappling with the creature's corpse. And Salim, still held as a prisoner.

But you two were almost shocked by what you saw in there.

《What happened here, Colonel?》

Jason asked at Eric, who in the meantime had his eyes wide open, as if he hadn't immediately noticed your presence.

《I don't know...I was using the UV lamp for further inspection...when the body caught fire...》  Eric was still looking at the charred remains of the creature, just like you now, who had approached for a better look.

《Of course sir, these creatures fear the sunlight.》  You added by getting a look from both Eric and Jason, discovering that you already knew such an important detail.

《What? Why didn't you say that earlier, I could have avoided that–》  Suddenly, Eric remembered the Iraqi soldier's warning not to use the UV lamp and said nothing more.

But you cast a displeased look.

《Well, I'd have done it, if you'd told me about the UV lamp when we were still at the base. Was or wasn't my work to check any equipment to carry for the mission, sir?》

Colonel King had decided to bring it because it would have been useful for looking for chemical weapons, but it was a valuable object and he had no intention of sharing it with a group of soldiers, but he had definitely forgotten to tell you...

Well, nothing serious no? Not for him, at least.

《Yes but, as the leader of the expedition, do I really need to do that?》  Then, Eric took a step towards you, trapping you between him and the workbench  《And tell me, how can I trust someone who has tried to help our enemy, Miss Hale?》

You parted your lips, you were tired of hearing the same story over and over, but nothing came out of there. You were afraid of making another error that would cost you dearly...but it seemed so difficult to accept such an offense.

But what you didn't expect at the time was Jason's tall figure positioned between the two of you.

《With all due respect Colonel, Y/n is a smart woman and could never get her team in trouble...I know this because she supervised the rest of my squad and at the same time was a great support for Rachel. I'm sure she would think so too, if she were here now.》

The First Lieutenant's perfect words and the firm tone in which he spoke annoyed Eric, who returned with displeased eyes, while you were stunned.

Really? I'm a woman and not a little girl anymore? You finally made it, man!

You couldn't hold back a satisfied smile, the blond finally got what he deserved, you thought, as you let Jason's back cover you from Eric's gaze...well, if you two had been alone now, you would certainly have hugged him tightly from behind.

But suddenly, you saw the blond next to the brown one to say something in his ear, so that you couldn't hear.

...are you really doing it after everything you've told me so far? Shit, this man is even worse than the bastard one with the beret!

Jason narrowed his eyes as he watched him leave the tent without adding anything else to you; in the meantime, you moved to get close to Jason.

《What did he tell you now?》  You asked, noticing that he had a tense look, as his dimples had come out without smiling, as if he were gritting his teeth.

《Just said to keep with the search. Nothing else.》  However, Jason tried to behave normally...and you pretended to believe him, but you thought Eric said something that bothered him.

Soon, your attention returned to the burned creature, but while you were doing that, you saw Salim was still there, sitting and tied up in that remote corner of the small camp.
Anyway, there was something about his expression that didn't convince you and so was his silence.

I'd like to talk to him to find out how he's doing, but I doubt Jason will let me do that...and I don't want that to happen again.

About that, he stared down at you, but without understanding what you were thinking, until he noticed Salim was looking at you...his grip on the rifle increased, but he did nothing reckless. For now.

Why the fuck he had decided to take him with them anyway, he thought grimly...

《Let's go outside the temple Y/n. Time to check there now.》  Jason ordered suddenly heading for the exit, he had had enough of staying there and you did the same, just nodding.

Yes, you preferred a thousand times to fight bloodthirsty creatures than to hear another word from the colonel...

• • •

That temple must certainly have been a fascinating and glorious place in its days, but now there was only a cold and dark air that enveloped it...or at least that was what you sensed, when you looked up at the imposing building in front of you.

Meanwhile, behind you the echo of the cave was spreading menacingly, but you had the impression that came from the deep chasm below the ruins, as if there was something under there...

Just looking at that dark abyss made you feel dizzy and so you sat down on a stone, not very far from the stairway.

《Tired already?》  Right there, Jason came out to your right after checking there was nothing suspicious.

But you let out a sigh.
《Hey, it's not that easy to take Nick's place. You know, I don't have the skills of a marine...》

That was true, you weren't as trained as he was and now that Nick was no longer with you two, you had decided to help Jason with the research, but after all you had been through, you definitely needed a break.

There, you realized that Jason was looking at you with an amused expression and so you tried to correct yourself.

《B-but that doesn't mean I can't handle it, of course! I'm stronger than it seems...》  You raised your chin proudly but without returning the young man's gaze a few steps from you.

《Yeah, but doesn't mean you've to let someone talk to you that way like earlier. You're still a woman, after all.》  When Jason said the last sentence, he noticed you were looking at him with sparkling eyes. This was the second time he had said that, you thought exultantly...

Until he broke that moment of joy by correcting his words.

《Still a little woman, though.》

There, you gave Jason a push on his arm with your hand, unable to move him, letting out a short laugh in him; apparently, he seemed better than you at making fun of you and so your cheeks puffed up, clearly offended.

《Uff, I told you to stop with that Jason...》  You said as you closed your eyes and softly crossed the arms  《Can't you see I'm not a child anymore??》

But when you opened your eyes again, you felt a strong arm wrap around your waist, making you slide off the rock you were sitting on to find yourself trapped against his thigh, now between yours.
You saw his chocolate brown eyes staring at you madly and there, you thought you said something wrong.

《J-Jason, what–》

《Hell Y/n I know very well you're not.》

There, his body armor wasn't thick enough to ignore your soft chest pressed against his with some insistence. Seriously, he had to thank God for having his other hand busy with the rifle now...

You instinctively put your hands in the middle to find some space, until you found Kolchek's face next to your ear; though his skin was smooth and shaved, you felt a kind of tickle as his cheekbone brushed yours.

《Besides, you're very sexy.》  He whispered closely in your ear, causing a sudden thrill all over your body.

What the hell you'd done to him to make him react so suddenly??

《Jason you know this is not the right time– Uh!》

You jumped when you felt his thin lips kiss behind your ear and slowly suck the side of your neck; your face flushed from the heat it caused, as you tried to hold back any weird sounds that could have spread throughout the cave.

It was more than evident that Jason saw you as a woman and not only...the fact that he acted that way made you understand he wanted to take your relationship to another level...

Despite the cold of that awful place and the danger that lurked in every corner, you didn't want to abandon that comforting and pleasant feeling that Jason was able to transmit to you, in that brief instant of peace. You had never let a guy do that to you before, but now, with that confident, sassy marine, you felt like you could finally open your heart to someone.

Suddenly, Jason stopped kissing you to look at your bright eyes again, though your plump, rosy lips were a constant distraction to him.

《Y/n.》  His low voice called your name so deeply, catching your attention.

《...yes, Lieutenant?》  You tried to cool yourself so as not to make it too obvious that you were aroused by Jason's sudden attack.

《I want to tell you something.》  He started, while you were fixing the cap on his head, letting the visor not hide that nervous but intense expression. You didn't know why, but you were thrilled to hear what he had to say to you.

Maybe, it was the colonel's words or was just your presence that made him lose control, but he was going to say what he was thinking right now, before anything else.

Before it was too late.

《Want you know that—》

But he was stopped so suddenly. And not from you. It all happened in a split of second and just when you blinked again, you realized Jason was on the ground, after he was thrown away from you.

You ran straight to him, now in a panic.

《JASON!!!》

Luckily, he hadn't hit any nearby rocks, but he was definitely stunned; something had pushed him heavily in the opposite direction to yours, where the chasm was.

It was there that you saw him. A familiar but hideous-looking figure was approaching you two with slow steps, while growling menacingly.

T-that's not possible...

But it was all true, unfortunately, and the closer he got, the more that monster resembled your friend Joey.

• • •

There was no doubt about it. Joey, or whatever he was, had done that to Jason...but now, it seemed like his attention had fallen on you. You stood up instinctively but before you could take out the gun, the other had already sprinted towards you.

When he grabbed you with his clawed hands, you did the same with his uniform to reject him, but both of you rolled onto a strange wooden structure, built right above the black hole of the chasm.
It didn't seem to waver under your weights; anyhow, you found yourself with your back pressed against a beam, while Joey stood on top of you, trying to make you succumb with his non-human strength.

His skin was as pale as a corpse's and his teeth were frighteningly pointed and exposed outside his mouth, which he intended to bite you with.

H-he became one of them. He's a vampire!

Faced with that new reality of things, you resisted at all costs to not let him get close to your body, although that monster was necessarily interested in biting your neck and feed on your blood from there.

《S-stop Joey! I'm Y/n!》  You hoped he had recognized you, but that didn't seem to work either.

You were completely alone, face to face with the same person you had laughed and joked with for a long time but who was now trying to kill you...

Your gun was missing from the holster, so the only way to fight back was with the metal stake.

When you managed to retrieve it from the belt, you gave the first stab in the right arm...and the second one in the shoulder.
When the vampire Joey released his grip from you, you stuck the stake in his chest using both hands, screaming at the top of your lungs for the strength you needed.

There, you were able to get back on your feet, being careful not to fall below; of course, it wasn't over yet, as you could still hear the growl behind you and despite having a sharp object in his chest, Joey managed to chase you anyway.

But before he could reach you even after the bridge, a barrage of bullets hit Joey repeatedly, until he lost his balance and fell into the void.

When you caught your breath and your heart started beating normally, you saw Jason standing by your side.

《Please tell me you're not hurt.》  He asked you in a worried tone, but without losing sight of the chasm, with the rifle pointed at it and the smoke still escaping from the barrel.

《I...I think so.》  You revealed in a thin voice, still shocked after what had happened; right there, Jason could see your hands still shaking.

Thankfully, the wound on your right calf didn't open again, but you had pains all over your body and the adrenaline still rushed through your veins. As for Jason, he had no particular scratches other than the dust on him...he hadn't hit his head, but the flight of earlier had taken him by surprise for sure and when he had seen you running on those wooden planks, he had had no trouble aiming at what appeared to be his teammate.

Anyway, his suspicions were confirmed when you said it.

《T-that was Joey– I mean, it wasn't him anymore...how could such a thing happen?》  There, Jason saw the discomfort in your eyes and wrapped an arm around your shoulder《A-and when I saw you there on the ground...》

《Hey. It's all over Y/n, you don't have to–》

《Fuck Jason! Don't you understand you could have been killed in front of my eyes!?》  You moved a few steps away from him, now angry at his carelessness...well, it wasn't appropriate to say that, as the only one who was seriously about to lose her life was you.

However, when he tried to calm you down, Colonel King and Sergeant Kay showed up.

《What happened here? We heard a scream and some shots just now...》  Eric spoke first, clearly worried when he saw you two dirtier than before, and you in a state of shock.

《It's hard to believe sir, but we've seen Joey...》  Jason began to explain the facts  《He attacked me first and then Y/n...but he's down there now, we believe he's died for real this time.》

Once finished, Eric asked Jason to show him where the fight had happened and so the two of them walked away, towards the chasm; meanwhile, Nick had stayed by your side.

《You're trembling Y/n, why don't you go back inside?》  He asked all of a sudden and you looked up at him, but in front of you, you could still see Joey's horrifying face.

You had planted a stake in his heart, or close to it, better to say, because he didn't die instantly; in any case, you forced a smile to try to convince him that you were really okay, until all of you heard a terrible echo, coming right from the depths of the chasm and that gave you goosebumps.

They are here. God help us...

• • •

From here on, [...] stands for direct speech in Arabic.

• • •

After Eric had burned the creature's body, despite having warned him, Salim never spoke again to the American soldier, not even when he saw you come back with the cap marine.

The more he ignored you, the better it was for you and for himself, but during the heated debate between Colonel King and Lieutenant Kolchek, he managed to notice how you were close to him when he took up your defense.

There was definitely something between you two, Salim had thought in his head; however, he smiled when realized that there was someone else who cared about you, among them...

But his silent thoughts were interrupted when he heard what sounded like your screams and the firing of a rifle; he tried to free himself from the knots around his wrists but it was useless and his anxiety only made it worse. What if something bad happened to you??

Suddenly, another noise caught his attention, but this time it came from his shoulders.

[...Salim?]

There, he recognized Dar's voice.

[Captain? It's you?] Just then, his hands were finally freed from that uncomfortable position [We have to leave before they get back here–]

But Salim realized the other wasn't listening to him, as he was focused on following the movements of the American group, now outside the temple.
In any case, the Iraqi Lieutenant couldn't refuse the order of his superior and, once he regained his trusty metal stake, followed Dar towards the main door...

Right there, Salim noticed that you were sitting on the stairway of the temple and motioned to the other not to make noise. Anyway, he didn't seem to see you in a very good shape...well, he even saw you running quickly to the back of a large rock to throw up.

[Ah! I can't believe that little bitch is still alive!] Dar whispered with an almost amused expression, obviously referring to you and Salim looked at him contemptuously. Something traumatizing must have happened to get you down to that state.

[You don't know what she's been through. Just like me...] Dar turned to him, clearly confused [There are demons down here Captain, they're our real enemy!]

But the Iraqi Captain seemed far from wanting to understand, as if he had already forgotten what had happened to his other soldier, when they attacked you.

[Salim, you're crazy.] Dar tried to get past him, not interested in that nonsense speech, but the other stopped him.

[Please sir, you have to listen to me–]

[No, you listen to me! You follow me or you stay here and rot. The choice is yours!] It was the umpteenth time that Captain Basri had scolded his subordinate, precisely since he had gone to call him that morning, and he was definitely tired of listening to his any other word.

At that point, Salim couldn't help but follow him, at least to see what he wanted to do and to prevent him from doing something mad...

But he just didn't know that was going to happen so soon.

• • •

Just later, when Nick and Eric discovered the existence of a radio stationed in that area, they tried their best to make it work...you had to find a way out of there right away, before a swarm of creatures came out and pounced on all of you.

《I'm gonna need a hand to get this up and running.》  Nick said trying to get his hands on the radio, which began to emit sparks.

《That thing looks like it was sabotaged...why would they do that?》  Eric asked as he observed the sergeant's work, noting that he was doing well; for his part, Nick must have had enough of finding stuff broken by others and fixing...

《...maybe because they wanted to keep this place hidden from the rest of the world.》  You answered as you walked in their direction with Jason; luckily, he joined you after you had finished your performance behind the rock...

Eric spied on you to figure out what you meant, until you explained what had happened to the group of archaeologists, over fifty years earlier.
However, what you knew so far was insufficient to shed light on the events of the past, in order to understand the current situation...

《...apparently, someone was plotting behind their backs, until those monsters thought about silencing them once and for all...I think they got infected and that explains why Joey...》  But you stopped talking, just thinking about it made you feel bad again.

There, Jason take his water bottle from the pouche and hand it to you.

《Don't worry, drink how much you want.》  He told you when he saw you hesitate, but in the end you accepted it, you needed to get that disgusting taste out of your mouth.

《Uhm, thank you.》  You started drinking and just then you realized this was his personal bottle...you wondered if he had already used it and when you peeked at him out of the corner, you immediately saw his smug dimples.

You almost choked at that, of course.

While you were busy closing the bottle, Jason returned with a tense expression as he thought about what had happened just now; sure, you had been able to defend yourself, thank goodness, but if something happened to you, he would never forgive himself for that. He had to admit it, but he had acted like an idiot by letting his guard down...

Anyway, he realized that had grabbed your wrist, instead of the bottle.

《Jason–》

《Stay by my side Y/n, always. No matter what, I don't want to lose you for any reason.》  He interrupted you raising his voice, not caring if the others heard him.

You heard it perfectly, on the contrary, and couldn't help but smiled sweetly, you just couldn't get enough of his constant desire to protect you...

After that, all of you were caught by surprise by an unusual noise coming from the radio. There seemed to be someone listening, but then Nick stated that it was just a ghost signal.

《So fix that transmitter. If we can establish a signal and contact CENTCOM, then we're one step closer to home.》  Jason pointed out, but if that could be the only way to try and ask for help on the topside, well, a technical expert was needed for that...

So, you came up with an idea.

《I know it sounds foolish, but we can't do this without Corporal Merwin.》  You announced catching the attention of the three men.

But it was Eric who answered you with a simple order.

《Good idea Miss Hale. Go and bring the corporal safe and sound here.》

Unexpectedly for you too, you didn't object when he said that, because you believed you could be able to do anything now, also carrying a dead weight like poor Merwin was.

But Jason looked at him incredulously.

《Wait sir, let me take care of it–》

《She was the one who proposed it, right? We'll stay to guard this place in the meantime.》  With his hands behind the back, Colonel King turned to his First Lieutenant with an expression that Jason would have liked to punch.

《Trust me, I'll go and come back in no time.》  You winked before you turned your back on the group, especially Jason, who had been watching you restlessly...why you were always so stubborn??

You crossed the entrance to the temple without any problem, reaching the hall and immediately headed for the tent; for being a person with a wound on the leg, you ran like a fucking hare, you thought defiantly and with a cheeky smile on your face.

But the truth was, you wanted to keep faith with the words Jason had told you earlier, going back to him immediately after.

And never leave his side.

Anyway, you walked in circles around the small camp, but there was no one there.

《...are you here, Corporal? No time to sleep, we need you out there!》  You yelled, but you received no response.

Where the hell did he go...

You picked up your gun and took another turn inside the temple, obviously without leaving the artificial lights that served as the perimeter.

But there was no sign of Corporal Merwin.

You no longer had an earpiece to communicate so you couldn't help but go back, sure that the colonel would scold you again, this time for your incompetence, but you don't care so much of that...

Until you stopped abruptly in the middle of the corridor, just like before the giant doors of the temple...there was definitely something missing and just later you realized that.

Not only Merwin, but Salim was gone too.

You couldn't understand what was going on and before you could move again, something stopped you on the spot.

Suddenly, a human arm circled your body to keep you from running away, while a hand covered your mouth to keep you from screaming...

《...》

Confused words came out from the man behind you, because everything turned frighteningly black.