Trackers

They’ve been found. The choppers circled around in the sky. However, they weren’t the only problem on hand. Anna Jane heard it too.

“Everyone!” she yelled. “Get up!” She ran around, shaking the crew. Logan’s eyes fluttered open.

“What?” he asked.

“Look up!” Anna Jane shouted, pointing at the sky. The cowboy looked up.

“What’s with all of these lights?” he asked. He turned to Anna Jane. She looked worried.

Boom!

“What was that?!” Vivian shouted.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Crack!

By now, everyone was awake.

“Are we under attack?” Sgt. Ripley asked. Anna Jane shook her head.

“No…” she said. The cracking grew louder.

“Hang on right, everyone!” Sgt. Patel shouted. Everyone got into position. George whimpered. Anna Jane rubbed the walls.

“Shhh. Stay calm. Stay calm. Shhh. Shhh,” she said. The creature whimpered under her touch.

Suddenly, everything grew still. Anna Jane paused.

“Do you hear that?” Sgt. Ripley asked.

“Huh?” Anna Jane asked.

“Shhh, listen,” the sergeant said. Everyone took a listen. Birds. They sounded muffled above.

“We’re closer to land?” Sgt. Patel asked. Anna Jane walked up to a wall and started climbing.

“Anna Jane?” Logan asked.

“Come down from there, darling,” Sgt. Ripley said. The little girl didn’t listen. She climbed higher and higher. Her foot slipped at one point.

“Gah!” Anna Jane said. She clung tighter to the wall. George whimpered at her grip.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” she said. “It’s okay.” She took her time to climb up. Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.

Anna Jane poked her head up from George’s stomach. Seagulls flew overhead. The little girl had to shield her eyes.

“Too bright!” she shouted. Anna Jane looked to her right. An island sat waiting to be explored. Her heart leapt in her chest.

“Guys!” she shouted. “We’re near an island!” The others climbed to the surface. Anna Jane took in the sea breeze on her face.

“Land!” Vivian shouted. Anna Jane turned to the sergeants.

“Shall we go aboard?” she asked. The sergeants looked at each other.

“Yes,” Ripley said. Sgt. Patel nodded.

“Okay,” Anna Jane said. She pumped her fist in the air.

“Forward, float!” she yelled. George whimpered at first.

“Come on!” Anna Jane said. “It’s not that far.” The creature whimpered again. The little girl frowned. Sgt. Ripley rested her hand on her shoulder. Anna Jane turned her head. The sergeant gave her a patient look.

“He’s tired,” she said. “Just let him rest.” Anna Jane started to speak.

“No, no,” Ripley said. “He’s not a machine. Just let him rest.” The little girl closed her mouth. How could she tell her the truth? Would she understand? Would she believe her? But the sergeant had a point. Anna Jane dropped her shoulders.

“Fine,” she said. She turned back to George.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“Meep!” George said. No one said a thing. Anna Jane looked up at the sky. She noticed the little cracks running across it. Her stomach turned as she reached up for them.

“Something wrong?” someone asked. Anna Jane turned her head. Logan stared at him. The little girl looked nervous. Would he believe her? Could he take her seriously?

“Well…” Anna Jane began. This wasn’t going to be easy. But they had to know the truth. They had to know everything.

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Meanwhile, they hung around in the sky. They can see her and her friends. They don’t move until she moves. But what do they want with her? Why Anna Jane? What’s so important that they are tracking her now?

All that is known is that time is running out.