The fall

Chapter 2

Penelope

I wake up in my tent, back at the frontlines and I sigh as it's way too fucking hot. I crawl out of my bed and I notice Blake isn't there, I groan because mornings are such a pain. I stand up taking my uniform from my drawer and put them on. Blake must've gone to check on the other soldiers before breakfast, I'll look for him later.

I pick up my leather gloves and my belt from my nightstand before I put my belt around my waist and my gloves on my hands. I check my blade and gun on my weapon table. Attaching them to my belt before I walk out of my tent being greeted by Kaede and the others.

"Good morning everyone, do we have any missions today?"

They shake their heads and Kaede turns towards me.
"We don't have any main missions, we are just supporting the other districts if they need it."

I nod, and I clasp my hands together to get everyone's attention.
"Alright then, you guys go get breakfast. I'll be there in second."

They bow respectfully and all of them walk away towards the lunch tent. The bright sun hits my eyes and cover it to put shade on my face. I notice the visible red hair streak in my hair and I sigh in annoyance. The crimson moon is here soon. Even though I'm used to it by now and have control I just can't help but feel uneasy.

I feel someone's presence behind me and I grab the hilt of my sword before I turn swiftly around, holding the tip of my blade against the persons throat. Who's none other than Richard Hudson. Gabriellas annoying ex-boyfriend who left the without a second thought and who is the only one in Sylvans guards without an Evol, a supernatural ability.
I really hate this guy.

He puts his hands up in defense as he shows he's not armed, speaking calmly yet a twinge side of panic.
"Woah woah—Easy there, I come in peace."

I sigh in annoyance and I put my blade away immediately, as much as I'd want to kill him, I can't, because "that's against the rules" the words of Mr Laurens voice as in Blakes dad used to say. I cross my arms as I frown in suspicion.
"What do you want?"

He breathes out in relief as I put my blade away before he stares at me.
"I need a favor, for a mission."

I tilt my head in confusion.
"Depends what kind of mission, go on."

"I need you too come with me too a ball tomorrow at midnight, there's a man who's going too buy an illegal weapon. I got the order to get the weapon before he did and swap it with a fake."
He stops mid sentence. And looks down with a sigh.
But in order to come in, I need a plus one."

Before I can object, someone's hand wraps around my waist which causes my back to hit their chest, their grip on me is firm. I turn my head around to see Blake staring down Richard with a frown and then before he speaks in a firm tone.
"She's not going. She has another mission tonight."

Since when? I thought district 8 was free from any important missions.
Richard sighs and scratches the back of his head, and then straightens his composure.
"Alright, but she's the only woman I know in Sylvans Guard."

I light up at that, this is his chance to make up for what he did a year ago! I unwrap Blakes firm grip slightly and I watch him relax as I speak up.
"Go ask Gabby, she never declines missions."

He looks up at me and thinks for a moment.
"I don't think she'd want too—I don't even know her address."

I groan in annoyance before I take a pen out from my pocket, grabbing his hand before I write her address on his hand.
"Don't make me regret this, and don't fuck it up. Again." I say in a firm tone.

After a moment of silence he nods and whispers out a confident "okay". And as I watch him leave, I realize that Gabriella might actually hate me if he tells her, so I pick up my phone and I text her immediately:

'It seemed urgent, so I had to say where you are. Please don't hate me.'

Let's just pray that she reads it before he arrives.