Chapter 1
The ride was beautiful. The Spain country side was as mysterious as they came. When I first heard it was a villiage somewhere in Spain, I thought gloomy, but it only got gloomy when we reached the checkpoint.
The driver goes and starts chuckling, he says, "Why am I the one who always gets the short end of the stick?"
The other cop shrugs off the drivers attempt at a joke. He asks Leon, a bit suspicious, "Yo, who are you really? Come on and tell us. You are a long way from home, cowboy. You have my sympathies." He looks back at him. I'm surprised he doesn't see me sitting right next to Leon.
"Guess that's a locals way of breaking the ice." Leon whispers to himself under his breath, then answers the passenger cop, "Anyway, you know what this is all about. My assignment is to search for the President's missing daughter."
The driver starts laughing, "What, all by yourself?"
That's it, I'm tired of being ignored. "Hey! You all know I'm also sitting here being sent on the same mission! Stop ignoring that fact!" I say frustrated, and slump back in my seat. I may be 25, but I don't like being ignored and underestimated because I'm some 'girl.' Especially after what I've been through.
Leon looks towards me, eyebrow raised. He says looking back at the cops, "Well, as you can tell, im not entirely alone. And I'm sure you boys didn't just tag along so we could sing Kumbiyah together at some Boy Scout bonfire. Then again, maybe you did."
The passenger cop scoffs a little bit at Leon's remark. "Oh, you crazy American. It's a direct order from the chief himself. I tell you it's no picnic."
"I'm counting on you guys." Leon says to the cops. I roll my eyes and look out the window. Noticing the road lined with a forest of dead trees, again more gloominess.
The driver of the car pulls over. The passenger cop jumps out and runs behind a tree. He must have needed to pee. I could help but notice behind a tree off to the side, it looked to be a man watching us in the distance. Reason why I hate the gloom.
The driver pulls out a pack of cigerrettes and offers one to Leon. He politely refused and the driver shrugged.
The passenger cop finishes up and runs back into the car. "Sorry it took so long. Odd, felt like someone was watching, but no one there. Guess it was my imagination."
The driver knods then starts driving again. The rest of the ride seemed quiet and uncomfortable.
We come up to a bridge and drive across. After reaching the other side, the car stops.
The driver points down a bit, "Just up ahead is the village."
Leon shrugs and starts opening the door, "We'll go and have a look around."
"Thanks for including me," I say under my breath in annoyance.
"We'll stay and watch the car. Don't want to get any parking tickets." the passenger cop decides to joke, chuckling at his own failed attempt.
Leon didn't seem amused. "Right... parking tickets."
The driver turns to us and quickly says, "Good luck."
I groaned at the thought of having to get out in this gloominess. Ever since Racoon City, I never trusted the gloom. It always seemed to lead to zombies in some way.
We climbed out of the vehical and shut the doors behind us. I start walking a little down the small path. Searching the area ahead. I turn to look back at the car. The driver and passenger look at each other, knod, and quickly turn the car around and sped off. I look to Leon. We both raise an eyebrow and turn back to the path.
As we head down it, some crows flew off as we got close. I make my hand in the shape of a gun, point at one and pretend to shoot it. Saying 'bang' as I do so.
Leon shakes his head at my fake shot. Guess I missed. He always thought of me as a bad shot.
We hear a ring and it turns out to be the intercom. Leon pulls it out and answers it.
A young women appeared on the screen. She has glasses on and her hair braided back. She spoke into a mic next to her mouth, "Leon, I hope you can hear me. I'm Ingrid Hunningan. I'll be your support on this mission."
Leon nodded and spoke back into the intercom, "Loud and clear. Somehow I thought you'd be a little older. So the subject's name's Ashley Graham, right?"
Hunningan smirks and knods a little. "That's right. She's the daughter of the President. So try and behave yourself, okay?"
I lean over so I am in the camera, I grin and say, "Oh don't worry, Hunningan, I'll make sure he is good." I wink a little.
Leon glares at us while Hunningan giggles at my remark. Then adds, "Whoever this group is, they sure picked the wrong girl to kidnap."
Hunningan nods in response. "I'll try to find more information on them from my end as well," she adds then ends the tranmission.
He puts the intercom away and turns to me. "Lets head out." I nod and turn towards the path.
