Shadow

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

The loudness of the world leaves my ears ringing. I become faint and lightheaded as the soldier kicks the elderly lady. My teeth clench together, pure anger that rushes through my veins.

I recall the time that my mother told me, "Mi hija. The world will fall at your feet some day. You are a leader. Always, my daughter, be kind and humble."

Being kind and humble is challenging in this wicked world.

A single tear runs down my eye, looking at the expression on the old lady's face. The grimace on her face as the man kicks her in the abdomen. There's a stinging sensation that lingers on my palms. I look down at my hands, to see dark red shaped crescents embedded in my skin.

I yell at the soldier, kicking the lady for fun, "¡Aléjate de la señora!" The man looks back at me, with a stupid grin plastered on his face. Before he can react,I take my elbow, and jam it at his nose. Causing blood to splatter all over me, I could care less. It was rather sloppy form, but I am angry after all. The old woman stares into my eyes through my mask, as if she knows me. I give the woman a hand up to her feet and tell her, "Señora, perdóneme. Dios te bendiga."

She just stares at me and comes closer, kissing my cheek. Smelling of many fruits, sweat and leather. Then leaves, not saying a word.

I look behind me to see Tomas standing a few feet behind me with his mask on and rifle in hand.

"Hey!, we need to go. You're brothers are going to be here soon!" In the distance I see familiar black SUV's coming up the road. I start to run faster, Roman turns on the van, and starts driving fast in our direction. If we didn't move he would run us over. Tomas takes a huge leap in the vehicle. He reaches a hand out for me, I grab on.

Roman scolds me, "Nat, why weren't you responding when we were yelling for you?"

Tomas scoffs as he lays down on the cold metal floor of the vehicle, he rolls his eyes.

Roman, the mama bird speaks again, "You could've gotten hurt. And you could've gotten us all hurt."

I ignored him, and lay down on the floor beside Tomas. I lift my hands up, staring at the marks I made. Tomas looks at them, and takes my hands into his.

"I'm sorry." He whispers.

Aya asks, "Natalia, are you ok?"

A sigh escapes my lips. Aya looks back at me beside Tomas and smirks at our proximity. She'll call anything 'sexual tension.'

I find some rope nearby and throw it at her. Everyone starts laughing except Roman. After 30 minutes of the bumpy gravel road. We arrive back at base. I step out of the van as the others talk. I walk inside taking my muddy combat boots off at the door. The compound smells of outside, winter, and mask. My eye catches a picture on the wooden table of my father and me. Armando Perez, papa, wears a small smile. Like most men do. He has his long hand around my shoulder. What have those hands really done? Roman opens the glass sliding door, and stands beside me.

"Are you ok, love?" He asks, concerned.

I look at the man, his chocolate brown eyes and pearl white skin.

I lie straight through my teeth, "Yeah, I'm good."

"I thought I told you to stop calling me love, Rom'" I yelled at him annoyed.

He smirks and says, "Alright... Darling."

Roman struts out the door with an apple in his hand.

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Hey! I'm so glad that you have decided to read this book. I've worked really hard re-editing this, please enjoy. Stay safe and hydrate loves. <3

Note: Please point out any plot holes, grammar mistakes, or give any constructive criticism.