Friendly Fire

Lieutenant Willow - (38) Prisoner of War

My eyes shuttered open, everything was dark at first but a figure gently pat my face lightly to bring my senses back. It was then that I shot up off the cold concrete floor only to find my wrists bound to either side of my body, my ankles are also chained but I can still take tiny steps and walk. I questioned why a kidnapper would do such a thing.

If I can move, I can easily fin a way out of this.

"Cmon... wake up... there we go... Leo! I think she's conscious!" The figure called out before a much larger figure entered the room.

"Good..." They sat me upright but my senses were still a little hazy, the back of my head is still pounding like mad.

"Fuck..." I breathed out. I know I'm done for, here and now.

Or so I thought.

"You're alright, princess, don't get your panties twisted."

"Huh?" I breathed out again. "Who... where..."

"You don't need to know who we are right now. Where you are is a very safe place. I just have a few questions I need to ask you."

What kind of kidnapper is he?

He's being gentle, sweet, kind.

Nothing like what we've seen or even done back at The Elite Strike Force base.

"M'not... gonna talk."

The male figure sighed. "You don't have a choice on the matter. If you want to avoid all this conflict. I suggest you start talking. Let's start off with your name." He dangled the dog tag that was once around my neck infront of my face. "Lieutenant Lily Willow."

I only looked away from the shining metal plate. The last person that called me Lily was Lieutenant Davis. My heart still ached from all that he said. "Yes..."

"Good... very good, we didn't hit you too hard then. You had me worried, kid."

I frowned at the nickname. "Ex-excuse you- I am not a child..."

"Then stop acting like one and keep answering my questions. The Elite Strike force. What are they planning?"

I shook my head and did answer truthfully. "Nothing... The Elite Strike Force is disbanding itself... you win... even if they did attack, it would be a waste of blood and lives on our end... you don't have to worry about them anymore..."

Silence.

"What... What is The Elite Strike Force's primal objective?"

I only looked up at him confused. "You... you don't know?"

"I do know. I just want to hear you say it."

That was another question I could easily answer. The public already know what we are doing. I expected the rebel scum would too, otherwise, what's the point on fighting back.

"To end the plague that started here. Make sure it doesn't spread across the boarders..."

He shook his head. "Wrong answer. Is that what you really think? Or is that something Colonel Hitchen told you so that you'd feel better about yourselves."

"Y-yes- I- that- that is our objective- to end the plague- it would destroy cities- villages- fuck even the whole fucking country. Is that what you want? For all of us to die?"

He only growled and yanked at my hair the same way I did to Rin. Now he's being all tough.

"I am trying to avoid bloodshed. The Elite Strike Force aren't stopping a plague. They're driving civillians away from their homes with the intention of killing them off for the sake of it. Innocent men, women, and children will die for nothing. I am only going to ask you this once and only once. You can either be killed here and now. Or you can live, become an ally. The Resistance won't lay a finger on you under my orders if you choose to help us. We could use you."

I released a hiss as the hair pulling only grew more taught.

"Well?"

It was a lot to process.

The Elite Strike force was wrong.

I was wrong.

This whole time I thought Rin was a traitor, I know she doesn't act without reason. Without purpose.

That day back at Nha Trang where she was left behind, she had all this time to see the truth. Even at our first meeting she knew something was off.

"F-fine..." I stuttered. "But I have my terms..."

The figure released the hold on my head and gestured with his hand to speak.

"Remove the bindings... let me live freely, I don't want to be apart of this conflict anymore... but... I will give you any information that I have to help you take down Colonel Hitchen... he isn't a leader... and I won't let myself be used anymore... Rin saw that... but unlike her, I don't want to fight."

The male figure sighed. "I'll bring it up with the other members... but your terms may not be fully met... I'm not dumb enough to fall for your tricks, the minute you're free, you're just going to run."

"Run where? I don't know where I am and even if I could- you'd shoot me on sight. I can't out run a bullet. Please..."

I didn't get an answer, but he did quietly unbind me and left the little room that he was holding me in along with his partner.

I heard the lock of the door slip into place and I knew I was trapped here.

"Please!" I cried out while banging on the door repeatedly before pressing my back against the cold metal and slid to the floor. Arms wrapped around my legs tucking them in under my chin while I let my emotions flow.

They're going to kill you.

If they do... at least all this suffering will be over.

No more war.

No more conflict.

I can rest in peace knowing my soul will be free from being used as a pawn ever again.