Unwavering devotion [Complete, 18+]

CHAPTER 13: BLURRED LINES

THE MOOD WAS DOWN AFTER FINISHING THE SPITFIRE IN THE WORKSHOP and everyone had separated for a while working on individual metal work projects that were assigned to us. It took me no time at all to accomplish mine, so discreetly I had begun to work on something personal. The finishing touch came after many an hour spent making sure that each metal petal was perfect. I filed away till the last edge was smooth, before blowing away the metal scrap. Examining it, I used a cloth to polish the dull metal till it shone. As a guard passed by, I quickly hid the object and acted out finishing my task allocated to me. The guard hardly glanced at me and as he and all other eyes were once again off of me, I withdrew it once more. Turning it over, I brushed my thumb over the plain back and I smiled as an idea came into my mind. Picking out the finest tool, I carefully placed the tip to the back flat surface. Applying a fine amount of pressure, I etched a phrase into the metal that would remain there forever. It took so much concentration to not just piece the metal all the way through, control something that I had been lacking recently, that I didn't notice Derrick's stare. As I removed the utensil from the metal, I relaxed slightly before once more blowing the metal dust away and polishing the surface. I turned it over and over in my hands, trying to find any imperfections that might upset her.

The bell signalling the end of shift rang out loudly and my sensitive ears cringed from the sound which continued to ring in my ears long after the bell had stopped. Shaking my head, I quickly cleared away the utensils and washed up whilst carefully hiding the object out of sight. I knew it was risky trying to take it out of the workshop, I would be banned from coming back if it were discovered but as I imagined her response I discovered that anything would be worth that. 

"What are you doing with that thing? You know you can't take it out of here. Throw it away before they search and find it on you." Derrick hurriedly whispered as we made our way to the lined up men being searched near the exit. 

"I don't know what you-" I tried to throw him off by acting oblivious but it didn't work.

"Don't pull that shit. I saw it. Throw it away. You'll get in so much trouble. Don't you realise what this could do to you, when and it's when not if, you're caught?" Derrick's eyes were darting all over the pace, worry effectively pouring from him in streams. 

"I know alright but it's worth it. Just shut up about it okay and please don't tell on me." I said grasping his shoulders and searching in his eyes. His shoulders sagged and he relented. 

"Alright, alright. Good luck."

Derrick standing beside me was beyond tense but I tried and succeeded to appear relaxed so that they wouldn't think I had something to hide. My idea worked as I was given the go ahead after a rather cursive pat down but as I watched Derrick's much more thorough examination I winced several times at the handling that was anything but delicate. 

As we walked or limped out in the case of Derrick, of the building I breathed in the air, loving the heady, woody smell that perforated the air from the neighbouring forest. Nikki hadn't had any more run-ins but she was still on the move and a part of me needed to go to her to protect her. I knew that getting out legally would be much better in the long run as being on the run from both the human and shifter world could never end well for my sister and especially not for Belle. I couldn't expect her to go on the run with me so I just hoped that the reams of paperwork we filed produced a speedy result and my sister wasn't caught before then. 

I barely took in the bland tasting meal that was our dinner as I kept pressure on the hidden object to reassure myself that it was still there. 

"Whose it for anyway? Who's so important that you would risk getting caught and staying stuck in here for longer?" Derrick persisted with his rattle of questions that had never stopped since we were clear from anyone's hearing.