War Within Us

chapter 20 . lunch break

Briefing was done faster than I expected. Half an hour after I sat on my seat, everyone was off to have and early lunch with their assigned guides.

I stretched my arms a little under the table, being careful not to attract too much attention but I couldn't help sulking in my own thoughts. This meeting was hardly half an hour and my body ached from sitting in the same position, I couldn't imagine how it was gonna be like for the actual meeting.

I turned my head around a little to look if anyone was waiting for me.

I should have known better because the very man that I carried on the back of a bicycle was slowly approaching me with a knowing small on his face.

As a result, I couldn't stop my tone from being sarcastic;

"What a coincidence, am I right?" I got up from my seat.

Behind him, Brit shook his head as he glanced at Haven with a look of disbelief on his face. "Indeed it is." He walked pass me while Maroon followed him with a small nod thrown my way.

Hunter stayed behind everyone else, talking to someone.

I turned to Haven as he stopped next to me and showed me the way with his hand.

"Let's go before all the good seats are taken."

His statement confused me.

"Does the seats even matter ? We are in an army base, not a high school."

We were already walking few steps behind Brit and Maroon as he answered.

"You see Vanessa," he scooted closer to me so that our shoulders were side by side as he spoke with a quiet tone. "Almost every table sees each other in the dining hall which means all the high-ranked soldiers can watch over us like literal hawks. However, there are few tables that are hidden behind columns and those are the tables we want."

Someone who saw us from a far would think he was sharing something very important which made our position even funnier to me.

"You are unbelievable." I shook my head but I still supported a smile. I couldn't help it.

Haven had that energy that was easy-going and relaxed, anyone around would be affected by this.

He was like Esther in that sense, they were both like a breath of fresh air when they wanted to.

However, the way they could switch between being serious and being easy going was scary at times but impressive in most.

As we moved through the concrete building, I slowed myself a little to allow Haven to match with Brit and Maroon. I let them have their short privacy as I kept looking around but all I saw was grey walls and brown doors. People kept moving in harmony, having their own pace but never disturbing others.

I felt someone's presence behind me but I didn't want to turn around and come face to face with someone I didn't know. So I ignored the person and followed Haven and the rest.

As the person spoke from behind me, I tensed involuntarily and immediately tried to relax at the same time. It annoying how on edge I felt around him and made a mental note to resist it.

"Haven told us about the events that occured but I have a feeling that he might have forgotten about important details maybe. I was hoping you could help me with those detail Ms Lown." He said with a hushed tone. (Lamest excuse I have ever heard or wrote of btw)

If it was anyone else, I would have told them to call me Vanessa but I didn't feel like doing that to him just yet, not after him refusing to give me his.