Prophesied

Twelve

Acacia peered around the hanger. The walls were painted a dull grey, the same shade as the metal on the outside. Tears threatened to spill over but she blinked furiously- she didn't want to look weak. Ryder noticed this and came over to her, apologising to a man in a bloody, speckled suit for stopping their conversation. "Hey, are you alright, Acacia?" he asked.

Acacia sniffed and shook her head, yes. "I'm fine, it's just, what will people do when they find out I'm gone? Won't the Seniors do anything?"

Ryder suddenly felt sorry for the young woman, she had her life ripped away from her and was given a prophecy that told her she had to save the world and whatnot. Ryder placed a hand on Acacia's shoulder and she leaned into it, craving a comforting touch. "Well," he began, "that is a good point. We'll have to find a way to get you off their radar, at least for the time being."

"What about faking my death?" Acacia offered, "I would be stripped completely of any records and they would lose all data concerning me. It's what the Seniors do when someone dies, they think by taking away their identity and pretending they never existed by removing them from the records that they will 'rest in peace."

Ryder nodded his head, "that is incredibly useful information, I'll run it by the boss when we land."

"Wait, Donovan, isn't your leader?"

Ryder scoffed, "no! He was the leader of the compound. How he did it, no one really knows. One rumour is he murdered his way to the top."

Acacia giggled slightly then stopped. What that a giggle? She thought but Ryder started talking again and brought her out of her thoughts. "Pardon?"

Ryder sighed, "I said, you would have to change your name if we went through with it. Acacia is just, too obvious."

Acacia thought for a moment before an idea popped into her head. The ruling stated that you changed to your middle name when you needed it the most and you wanted to start again. Willow.

"That's it! My name will be Willow! Um, Willow Daneroux."

Ryder nodded his approval, "good, now the boss wants to meet you."

"Alright, but no more underground bunkers or tunnels! I think I'm claustrophobic."

Ryder laughed again, he seemed to be doing that more often but the deaths of his friends still haunted his heart. He motioned for Acacia to follow him and started walking towards a metal door with a sign pinned to it.

Captains Quarters
No Entry Unless You're the Chef

Ryder sniggered and knocked three times, a grunt came from behind the door and the handle twisted downwards. A fat man with white, ageing hair popped into view. His expression was comical and the irritation was almost tangible. "Are you the chef?" the fat man asked. He cocked his head and raised one eyebrow. Acacia stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with a hand and pretending to cough.

Ryder looked at Acacia with a 'crazy alert' expression before turning back to the man. "Um, no-"

"Then good day, I have food to eat- I mean to throw out!" he sniffed awkwardly and glanced once more at Acacia before slamming the door- almost hitting Ryder's nose. Now, Acacia let loose a hearty laugh.

"Was that the 'big boss' because the only big thing around here was his stomach!" Ryder smirked and motioned 'no' with his head.

"I needed to check that he was... Preocupied. He won't be checking the security footage anytime soon," Ryder explained. He watched Acacia steady herself although she couldn't stop herself from grinning and he found himself smiling too.