There were twenty-three of us in the truck, ten people that were soon to be turned into angels, ten people that were about to lose their loved ones, two guards, and the driver.

I scanned the people sitting in the back of the truck that was taking us to the field where the two angels would eventually pick up the ten people that had gone through the Change. My hand gripped my little brother's arm. I knew I was hurting him, but ever since he woke up with white eyes instead of brown I just couldn't let go of him. I was about to lose Tommy, the last person in this messed up world of ours that I could call my family.

Tommy looked up at me with those alien eyes. I could still see my brother in them. I forced a smile and then averted my gaze. It was hard looking at him, his face not exactly the same anymore, knowing that in a few hours or maybe days he would be gone forever. My other hand found its way toward the hilt of my golden sword and gripped it hard.

How did everything get so messed up?

I remember when the news of the Cursed first reached us. We were in our small New York apartment, my father, my mother, little Tommy and I. I was only nine when people started speaking about the angels descending to earth, recruiting us, unwillingly, for their war.

It was during the First year when the people in our neighborhood starting acting like the end of the world was nearing, which I couldn't really blame them for, since it actually was. It was becoming dangerous to even walk out of the apartment. With more and more people going through the Change daily, the city became a war zone. No one cared about rules when they knew they wouldn't matter in a few years.

Our parents were growing more worried than I'd ever seen them. Tommy being a one year old baby didn't help either. It was hard for us to find even the essentials to survive.

Before the end of the First year, my parents decided to leave the city behind and search for a better life for their family, at least for as long as we were still a family. One day we picked everything up and left. We drove for days until there was no more gas in the car and no place for a refill, but we had managed to reach Kansas. That was when our lives changed for the best.

In Kansas we met with a group of people that called themselves Nomads. People who didn't have one home, they would travel from town to town, from state to state, finding what they needed to survive. Always the optimists, my parents agreed to become Nomads. For once, it was really good to see people working together, caring for the rest of the Nomads, helping each other to get through those hard times.

For the first few years, we worked and lived as Nomads. Tommy had grew up and it was even easier for us to travel around. We either follow the big crew or from time to time travel on our own, but still we knew we always had a big family scattered around the world. It felt nice knowing we weren't the only ones out there that still had our humanity intact.

On the Eighth year things changed. One morning, I was carrying back woods for our breakfast fire, Tommy was walking with me talking nonstop about our next destination: Las Vegas. We had finally reached Nevada and along with some other Nomad kids and teenagers, we decided it'd be fun to see for ourselves the remains of Las Vegas. I'd never been out of New York and I was so excited to get a chance to see a huge city like Las Vegas. So far we had kept away from big cities and towns. There was more criminal activity there, making any attempt to walk through them extremely dangerous. But it was the Eight year. Most of the cities were now vacant.

Tommy and I were walking back to our camp when I saw a crowd gathered outside our tent. I heard the whispers before I could see for myself what was going on. "White and black," they said. I immediately knew what they were talking about. I didn't even know I was running until I reached out tent, the logs no longer in my arms. I pushed my way through the people, their sorry looks all the confirmation I needed to know that what I thought was true.

The scene unfolding in front of me was surreal. Both my parents' eyes had changed overnight. My mother's had turned white, while my father's had become black. Tommy stumbled to my side. I couldn't let him walk closer to them. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him in a hug, keeping his eyes away from our parents.

It took me only an hour to decide what my next move would be. I picked up our few belongings, took my little brother by the hand and walked away from our parents and the Nomads forever. I didn't want Tommy to have to go through the pain of losing them, but letting him wait for the inevitable end to come was even worst. So, I decided to keep on moving, like the true Nomad I had become through the years. I kept on going, never stopping in the Nomad camps, even though they welcomed us with open arms. In the end, I realized that it didn't matter with how many people we surrounded ourselves. When our time came, it was all about each of us, alone. I knew that if I was the first to change, for Tommy to survive, it meant that he needed to count on no one else but himself. He needed to learn to survive. We didn't need anyone else. People would always leave you in the end.

It was when I thought I had finally made up my mind, that I met a girl with bright green eyes, who rekindled my hope for humanity's future.

The air was hot and dry. My lips felt as dehydrated as the desert ground beneath my feet. It had been three weeks since we said goodbye to our parents and our Nomad family. Tommy never spoke about our past, never asked me about our parents. Deep down I was sure he had figured it all out by himself. Still, he never complained, he just followed me blindly to wherever I was leading us. Truth was, I didn't really have a destination in mind, I just needed to keep on walking.

After spending a few days in Las Vegas, digging around the ghost city that it had become, we decided to keep on going. There was nothing left but death in the city. Soon after, we found ourselves navigating through the Nevada desert. It was the worst conditions we ever had to travel through. The days were really hot, making it very hard to stay in the sun for a long time. This summer was one of the hottest I'd gone through, and having no cover while walking in the middle of a desert could be exhausting.

We finally decided to start moving after the sun was down. So our night trips began. Days could be exhausting while walking through the desert, but nights... Nights were dangerous. There was no light to guide us. We tried to navigate our way with the stars but neither of us had any luck doing so. We ended up losing our way countless of times before we finally saw the first signs of civilization.

The light was fade but I was sure it was a fire. "Look, Tommy, we are finally out of the desert," I said pointing at the light. It wasn't entirely true, the fire only meant people. People who could be dangerous. But I was so glad for any sing of humanity in this endless desert that I didn't give it much of thought before I run closer.

I reached the rocks that were separating us from the light, already feeling the heat of the flames on my face. I reached closer, making my way between the tall rocks. "Hello, can we join-" My sentence was cut in half when my mind registered the scene in front of me. Angels. Three angels with black wings were gathered around the fire eating some kind of animal, or at least I hoped it was animal.

My brain went blank, but my body moved on its own. I reached back for my brother to block him from them. Two of the angels were already on their feet, watching my every move, their eyes standing me carefully. There was something in those unearthly black eyes I never expected to see directed to me. Hunger.

"Gil," I heard Tommy's voice. He wasn't certain what was going on. I could feel him shake behind me.

"Tommy, when I tell you, run," I whispered to him, hoping he heard me. There was no time for an elaborate escape plan. The angels were only a hand's reach away. I looked up at their dark eyes, silently begging them to let us go.

The one closest to us lifted his arm. It was mere inches away from my face when my brain started fully working again. "Run!" I yelled at my brother and he did. Without a moment's hesitation he turned on his heels and run away. Pride filled my heart. He would make it after all. I, on the other hand, was pretty much doomed.

All three of the angles were surprised by my brother's attempt to flee and for a brief moment froze in place. That gave me all the time I needed to start running at the opposite direction from Tommy. If he was about to survive this, he needed a diversion. And I was the perfect candidate.

"Hey! Assholes! Right over here!" I screamed at them over my shoulder. I kept on running with all my strength, every few heartbeats turning to see what the angels did. They didn't seem in hurry. All three of them were still standing next to the fire. Watching me. I almost thought I'd make it out alive when one of them spread his wings and with one swift move took flight.

The angel moved faster than anything I'd ever witnessed. One moment he was hovering over the fire and the next he was gone. I almost chocked when I flipped my head to the front and found him towering over me. I felt like a mouse being trapped. I had nowhere to go. I just wished my brother was far away by now.

"Gil!" His screamed tore down my hopes. My feet froze as I turned to watch another angel flying with my little brother in his arms. Tommy fought to get free but it was pointless. The angel held him captive. Defeat washed over me. I couldn't help Tommy, I couldn't even help myself. I turned to the angel flying right above my head, ready to surrender when I saw something in the sky behind him. I first thought it was just their other friend, the third angel, but soon I managed to make out the pure white of this angel's wings reflecting the moonlight.

I smiled. I didn't know why, but for a minute I felt safe. I thought that this angel was her to protect us, like the guardian he was supposed to be. I wasn't alarmed, even when he unsheathed his sword my smile was intact. The black angel still wasn't aware of the angel flying behind him. He just stared at me, obviously confused by my smiling face.

The white angel picked up his pace, heading extremely fast for the back of the black angel. He hit him with full force propelling him forward. I had only a second to jump away from the Fallen's body. He landed next to me, face on the dirt, wings crippled by the heavy hit, and a bright golden sword sticking out from the back of his black armor. I was still lying on the ground when the white angel grabbed the hilt of his sword and pulled it out from the dead body, spattering a glowing cyan liquid all over the ground, and me. Angel blood.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Thanks," I managed to mutter.

The angel flipped his head toward me. His eyes filled with surprised. I wondered if he had just noticed me. I tried to get back on my feet but my I was still shaken from the fall. I heard an inhuman cry coming from the angel camp behind me. Terrified I glanced back and saw the two black angels flying toward us, my brother nowhere to be seen. Both angels had their sword drawn and collided full force with the white angel still standing over the dead body. He somehow managed to block both of their attacks.

I tried to ignore their fight as I made my way toward the camp fire. My brother had to be there. I was finally on my feet, making the first couple of steps when something hit the ground behind me making the earth shake. I fell on my knees and looked back to find one of the black angels on his back. That white angel sure was strong. I dared one last glance at him. He wasn't alone. Sometime after I started walking away from him, two more white angels made their appearance at his side.

The black angel next to me spat at the ground that same glowing liquid I saw coming out from the dead angel's wound. I grimaced and gathered all my strength to keep on moving. I started dragging my body through the hard desert ground, the sounds of the battle still loud behind me. I managed to reach the fire a few seconds later. I looked around but there was no sign of my brother. "Tommy!" I yelled his name but there was no response. What had that angel done to my little brother?

I stood on my feet, my eyes still darting from side to side, even though it was apparent Tommy was long gone. "Tommy!" I kept on searching the place but there was no sign of him. I dropped to my knees. I could already feel the tears stinging my eyes.

Suddenly the ground started shaking again and a wave of dirt hit me. I could barely breathe let alone see, but I managed to make out the shape resting on the ground right next to me. It was the white angel that saved me, even though I knew he didn't mean to. Bright blue angel blood was coming out of his mouth and his white eyes stared lifeless at the night sky. He was still holding his sword.

I didn't know what came over me, but I grabbed his sword. It took all my strength to keep it from dragging on the ground. "Bastards!" I screamed at the remaining angels that were now staring at me in disgust. I started walking and then running toward them, the sword raised above my head.

They killed my brother, I thought, and I was ready to go down fighting.

Only a few feet separated me from them, and probably my very painful death when a military truck came to a stop between us. A girl with blond hair and bright green eyes popped her head from the back. "Are you Gil?" she asked while the driver opened his door aiming his gun, not at the angels but the sky.

I was shocked but managed to node. My arms screamed from exhaustion of still keeping the angel sword above my head. The girl smiled at me as another head popped out from the back of the truck. This one I recognized. "Tommy!"

"Close your eyes, kid," the driver said and it me only a second to comply. Even with my eyes closed the bright light coming out from his gun made my vision blurry. When I opened them I could barely see the truck in front of me. There was a big burning spot in the middle of everywhere I pointed my gaze.

"What are you waiting for? Get in!" the guy yelled at me and I started running to the back of the truck where Tommy was. I jumped in as the truck started moving.

"This will keep them occupied for a while. Good job Stefan," the girl said with the smile at the driver and then turned at me. "So, you are Tommy's brother."

It wasn't a question but I answered it anyway. "Yes, thank you for saving him," I said and hugged my brother like I hadn't seen him in years. I could feel my tears making small tracks through the dirt on my face.

"Wow!" the girl exclaimed and that was when I noticed I was still holding the angel sword. Just by realizing that the muscles on my arm started burning again and my fingers let go of the golden hilt. The sword dropped on the ground making my ears pound from the sound.

"I've never seen one of those," she said with genuine curiosity and excitement. "Can I touch it?"

"Go ahead. It's not like it's mine," I said and then turned my attention to my brother. "Are you okay?"

He nodded with a smile. "These people saved me. I saw them when I started running away, but that angel grabbed me before I could reach them. But they followed me back and picked me up when the angel throw me to the side to join fight." He seemed okay, better than okay actually, for the first time ever since we left the Nomads, he seemed excited.

"You're welcome, by the way," commented the girl while she still examined the sword. "Tommy told us his big brother was still with the angels so we had to help."

"Thank you," I said once again and then paused.

"Reegan, my name is Reegan," she said taking her bright green eyes from the sword and staring right at me. At that moment I felt like a teenage boy again. No drama, no angel apocalypse, just a boy in the back of a truck with a pretty girl. I was sure she noticed my cheeks getting read when her smile grew. She flipped her head toward the driver. "That's Stefan," she added. "And your name is Gil, right?"

It was time to salvage my embarrassing moment. I smiled at her with all the charm I could manage, considering I was literally covered in dirt. "Call me Grayson," I said and extended my hand.

I had the feeling she was about to burst out laughing as she reached to shake my hand. My felt flashed once more.

"So, Grayson, where are you heading to?" she asked.

"Nowhere in specific."

"We are Nomads!" Tommy jumped in the conversation.

She didn't seem surprised by his answer but she got weary. "Are you two alone?"

I nodded. I could have told her about my parents, about not wanting to be around people but sitting at the back of this truck, driving away from a bunch of angels ready to kill me, I didn't mind the human company at all.

She flipped her head at the driver for a second. Neither of them spoke but I could tell that his blue eyes agreed with what she was thinking. "You can join us if you want," she told us when she turned her attention to the back of the truck.

"No, thank you." The answer was out of my lips before I could even contemplate the idea of living with humans again.

"Wait a minute. You need to hear me out," she said bringing her hands in front of her to stop any complains. "I know what it is like, walking around with only a couple of people for company, it is hard and lonely. People need people to survive. And in our times, the more the merrier."

I wasn't really buying it but Tommy had this wishful look on his face that I didn't say anything.

She turned and glanced at him for a second before turning her attention back to me. "I know how it feels to have someone that only you can protect. Someone who you think would be lost without you. But the truth is you'd be lost without them, too. That's where other people come in handy. Creating a bond with them makes it easier to go forth in life. Trust me."

And I did. I didn't even know her but I could tell she really believed her words and at that moment I believed them too. It was true that Tommy was the most important person in my life. I'd be devastated if I lost him and I knew he would be too. But having people that I cared about around while that happened seemed like a good idea. "Okay," I muttered.

I felt my hand going numb from my tight grip on my sword hilt. I was back in the truck with the twenty-two other people ready to lose someone we called our family. I let go of the angel sword I was always caring with me outside the headquarters and my eyes locked with Reegan, she gave me a smile but there was no hiding the pain behind her eyes. She had been holding Zoe's hand ever since we got in the truck, never letting go.

Zoe. Just another person I couldn't imagine my life without. The first time I met her I was had just reached the headquarters after being saved from an angel fight gone wrong. She was there waiting for Reegan to come back. Once Reegan told her our story, she walked up at me and buried me in her arms. The warmth and emotion radiating from her was something I terribly missed, it reminded me of better times, when I was just a kid living in NewYork. She then pulled away and looked my with teary eyes. "Welcome," was all she said and all I needed to start crying too. Reegan was studying us from her place, never taking her eyes off Zoe's back and that was when I realized that the person she was referring to in the truck was Zoe.

Zoe and I hugged once more, letting each other go only when Reegan called her inside. As I watched the short girl with crazy hair skip away from me, I felt my heart in total peace, a feeling I thought was long gone. I was sure that not long after our first encounter my heart would be hers, because the things she made feel at that moment I never thought I'd experience again. Reegan may have brought my hope for human kind back, but Zoe brought back my humanity.

Zoe caught me staring and smiled. I felt my cheeks blush and lowered my gaze. It was almost a year since I first saw her but still I hadn't gotten the courage to tell her how I truly felt. "Are you okay?" Tommy asked from his seat beside me.

I looked at him in confusion. "Yes, I am fine," I said raising my eyebrows at him.

"Then why is your face red?" he asked, louder than I wished he did.

A lot of people in the truck turned to stare at me. Some of them confused and others with knowing looks in their faces, Reegan being one of the latter. I saw she was struggling to keep from laughing but in the end she couldn't hold it in. She burst out, driving the rest of the people in the truck to join her. Most of them didn't know why they were laughing, but it sure felt good doing so. For a brief moment in our dark lives, we could feel alive again. So, I opened my mouth and met their laughs with mine.