Shifters

Arrangements

Josh sat motionlessly in the same position from half an hour ago. In that time, he'd peeked at the closed door in hopes that the meeting would soon be at an end. As his patience frayed ever so slightly, he waited in suspense as he wondered what exactly would happen to him. At one point, he'd surprised himself as he preferred to be on the run from the Order rather than sitting still in a desolate, dark corridor. 

Lost in internal thoughts, Josh raised his head fully as he heard a lock click out of place. Out stepped Joana, who wore a morbid look spliced with a bit of annoyance on her face as she slammed the door shut behind her.

"Are you ok?" Josh asked getting to his feet.

"It's fine," Joana replied forcing a smile, "I tried taking your advice. Didn't go smoothly as I expected."

"It's not easy to ignore someone that constantly taunts you," Josh agreed, "so what now?"

"I'm going to take you to meet someone, and hopefully they'll give you a place to stay," she said, motioning to the exit.

"I thought-," he stopped suddenly.

Joana had already done so much for him even though she wasn't obligated to help in the slightest. Him expecting anything more would only burden her more than he already had. Regardless of those thoughts, he felt reluctant to part with her after all they'd been through. 

"It's only temporary," Joana explained, staring at him as if reading his mind, "I've got another assignment so I won't be here to look after you."

"Assignment?" Josh asked, hoping his relief didn't show on his face, "didn't you just get back?"

"That's what happens when you're in high demand," she responded casually as they exited the corridor, "It's all work and no play."

As they made their way out the exit, Josh noticed the guards from earlier appeared calmer, some even daring to relax their grip on their weapons. 

'It seems Shaw wasn't the only one hoping for a peaceful ending,' he thought.

 Joana walked past them confidently, ignoring their reactions as she'd done previously. Josh followed behind in silence as Joana led them to the outskirts of the city through less crowded streets. 

"That assignment," he asked breaking the silence, "is it dangerous?"

Joana glanced at him then looked away as if thinking on how she should answer his question. 

After a brief pause she replied, "All missions come with some level of danger. Although this one may not be as adventurous as our previous encounters, I suspect it'll be a bit troublesome to complete."

"I see," he said continuing, "If it's not dangerous, can't I come with you?"

"I know you mean well, however, what's troublesome for me, will definitely be dangerous, if not impossible for you," Joana smiled, "that aside, I do appreciate the offer."

"I understand," he said hiding his disappointment. 

"Listen, I know you're eager to gain merit to exchange for a way to reverse your amnesia, but you can't just rush blindly into dangerous situations. Your memories are useless if you're not alive to regain them," she cautioned. 

Josh nodded, lapsing into another silent spell as they travelled at a swift pace until they arrived at the large City Gate. 

"Looks like they let you off the hook again," a familiar jovial voice said atop the wall, "I thought for sure you'd topple the city into chaos, even found myself the perfect seat to watch the show."