The Unbeatable Teammates

Chapter 25 - The Mine

A land mine is an explosive device concealed under or on the ground and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets, ranging from combatants to vehicles and tanks, as they pass over or near it. Such a device is typically detonated automatically by way of pressure when a target steps on it or drives over it... It has been lots of talk whether a land mine should be allowed to use in Verdansk or not. The creators feared that the land mines would only cause a mess, cause if you step on a land mine, there is no turning back. Your body will get torn into pieces and what remains of you will forever be a mystery. 

Carlos' eyes shifted towards the male, who was now kissing him. He quickly pulled away from the kiss, wiping his lips with his sleeves. "What the fuck, dude?" Bucky started barking at Carlos, marking him as a danger to Ali. "What the actual fuck?" He exclaimed. 

Ali stared down at his feet, now feeling like an absolute fool. "I... I was just trying to do the right thing..." He said, quietly. Bucky rubbed his cheek against Ali's leg, now trying to comfort him. "You just..." He sighed deeply, "Just forget it..." He called for the dog to take the lead as they move forward towards Storage Town.

"I saw something, Ali..." Carlos mumbled from the back, walking beside his own dog, Gus. His white paws had gotten dirty due to the dirt, "There was a thick mist... And a plane crash, with a girl inside..." Ali glared over his shoulder, rolling his eyes.

"I don't care, Carlos." 

Ali obviously developed some kinds of feelings for Carlos, but feared that the feeling wasn't mutual. It's just... When they looked up at the stars last night, it felt real. What was going on between them felt real... He thought they shared a bond, but it was all in his imagination. 

The dogs stopped, now glancing over the environment. These dogs were trained to sense danger from miles away. However, the danger would soon turn out to be right in front of them.

"Why did they stop?" Carlos asked, looking over at Gus, who were now growling towards a certain spot. The dogs, however, did not walk over to this particular spot. "Something isn't right, Ali..." 

Gus placed his paw down, and soon the sound of clicking could be heard, followed by an explosion. The two boys threw themself down to the ground, covering their ears.

"No!" Both of the boys yelled as they witnessed the dog getting torn apart by the massive explosion. Gus stepped on a mine, but... Land mines weren't allowed to be placed down in Verdansk? Bucky stood by his friend, or what was left of him, howling for help. There was unfortunately nothing they could do. Gus had become food for the bloodthirsty crows. His organs were scattered everywhere.

"Oh my God..." Carlos crawled over to what was left of Gus, nothing but burnt pelt. He had not known the dog for too long, but it was always heartbreaking losing someone or something you've grown so attached to. "Ali..." He looked over at his friend with teary eyes. 

Ali crawled over to his friend now, pulling Carlos into his arms. He tried the best he could to calm him down, however it was almost impossible in this situation. "Carlos, we'll be fine, I promise. Look!" He glanced over at Bucky, "We'll treat him like it's OUR dog, okay? You and me!" Ali brushed through Carlos' hair gently so he could see his face.

"It's really cold, Ali..." Carlos spoke softly, turning his head to look at Carlos. They were now facing each other, and Ali couldn't help himself from forcing a friendly smile. "What you did earlier..." Carlos found it difficult to speak, but Ali knew exactly what he was going to ask. 

"Yes, I did mean it..." But before Ali had the chance to apologize, Carlos planted his lips against Ali's. Ali couldn't help but smile into the kiss. The whole world was crashing down around them, yet they stuck together, acting like nothing was going on. It was just the two of them... Against the whole world...

The land mines that were used by the Warzone army always had a tag on them. The tag was ingraved on the casing... "Warzone."