Hunter-Hunted

Chapter 4: The Maze

"With all due respect, Freen, how are we supposed to help if we don't know anything?" Nop was somewhat annoyed as he took a swig from his metal cup before placing it down hard on the wooden table. Freen and her three head officers were gathered in the reserved corner of the beer tent for a small impromptu meeting while the ladies were off having fun.

"You know exactly what I need you guys to know, Nop. But it is vital to the success of this plan to keep certain things to myself." Freen's tone was stern, but not hostile, as she kept eye contact with Nop. A small sympathetic smile appeared and she touched his forearm before continuing, "I know that you're concerned, but this plan is solid and I'll keep all three of you in the know as much as possible."

"I understand Nop's uneasiness as I feel it myself. But we trust you, and we trust each other, and that will be the difference." Tee added her voice of reason into the mix and glanced over to Kirk, who nodded in agreement before he spoke, "Just promise that if we have questions that you will be forthcoming. As much as possible, at least."

Freen nodded at her officers. "The agent has been secured and placed. Right now we continue all operations as normal, while all the necessary information is streamed our way. We're off to a good start. The one reason I know we can enjoy this day of celebration is because the informant has determined that the Tigereyes are biding their time and will thus not be a threat right now. It's a good day, guys. Let's relax and have some fun." With that final word of reassurance she lifted her cup to her officers for a toast.

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After her encounter with Engfa, Sam had needed to think. Finding the crowd suddenly rather stifling, she now found herself in the garden where it was more peaceful, though she was not entirely alone. Her perch was the low bow of one of the great twisting trees from where she could observe those around her, but still hide away enough to avoid any forced interaction. Perhaps Kirk was right – she was a bit of a hermit. People were the problem, in her mind. They were untrustworthy, selfish and often cruel. The only person she had found herself mildly fond of for the past few years was Kirk, though she was more than simply mildly fond of him. He was like a brother to her as they had grown up together and she had no other family that she could rely on.

And then there was Mon. This time, however, the woman wasn't merely in her thoughts. She was standing a few feet away and looking like a gypsy goddess. Her dress was a flowing midnight blue and was accented with ribbons and lace of deep maroon, her bodice the same colour and snug enough to allow a taunting view of the softest milky cleavage at the bottom of a plunging neckline. Her beown-copper hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders, framing her beautiful features and matching her dark chocolate eyes perfectly. Even though they were as dark as they were, they seemed to shine in that moment as she laughed with her friends, the sound music to Sam's ears. The lonely figure felt her mouth run dry as she became entranced by the sight before her.

Sam's eyes followed Mon closely as the group of girls made their way through the garden off to the end where the maze had been set up with large frames covered in lush growth. Once they disappeared inside, Sam dropped down from the tree and followed at a safe distance, unable to resist temptation.

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Mon slowly made her way around one corner after the other, the maze engulfing her like some sort of magical forest. It was getting increasingly dark outside, though the maze seemed to be illuminated gently from within by little twinkling lights hidden between the foliage. It was utterly enchanting, though perhaps just a little unnerving. She had gotten separated from her friends and though she could hear their muffled voices elsewhere between the tall walls, she couldn't seem to find them. There was no rush and no panic. They felt like children on a charmed adventure.