Serpents of Death {on hold + editing}

{one} Decisions

Chapter One

Decisions

Scarlett's eyes darted around the airport, every movement caught her attention. Her stomach was clenched in a tight knot and she kept the panama hat pulled down over her face to shield herself from the cameras that scanned the ground. People ran towards their gates in front of her as she made her way towards the waiting area, the thumping of the plane engines vibrating the floor under her feet echoed around her already throbbing temple. The rough rim of the hat felt itchy on her forehead and a light covering of sweet was beginning to form on her hairline, she hadn't felt this nervous since her first mission. The music was interrupted and a women's voice filled the air making Scarlett clench her jaw, her ears picking at the announcement for any hidden warnings. The newly built terminal smelt of sweat, human bodies and fuel, the mix of announcements and bad music made Scarlett's head throb as a headache began to manifest into a migraine. When the women's voice dulled back into the undertone of music she sat deeper into her chair and found her team's faces among the crowd.

Jonathan stood staring blankly at the iPods lined up in front of him. His large glasses, added cheek implants and padded clothing made him look like a dull, fat tourist, his brown hair falling over his grey contacts that hid his distinctive heterochromia irises. Scarlett knew his fingers would be twitching in his pockets, craving the touch of technology as he clicked his tongue in anticipation; an annoying habit he had picked up after years of stopping her jaw from locking.

Scarlett smiled to herself, knowing that they would perhaps acquire a new apple item to their already extensive collection. She tapped her feet on the ground, her large timberland boats leaving dried mud on the clear white floor. She moved her eyes around the airport, settling on a waitress whose cleavage was directed to Nick's eye-line. He was at the airport's Starbucks, chatting up the pretty Nigerian girl who leaded across the counter. The girl giggled at something he said, clearly entranced by Nick's easy charm. Scarlett couldn't help the small smile that caught the corner of her mouth and wrinkled her nose both in mockery at Nick's style of blending in and from the scent of his musky aftershave, that she could smell from where she was sitting.

Nick stole a glance in her direction missing her gaze by a second, her tiny figure seemed dwarfed by the giant windows that rose up next to her. He had never thought of her as weak, she was the strongest person he knew both physically and mentally, but something had happened that had broken down her titanium walls. Everything about her movements were irregular; her feet tapping on the floor - in an uneven cadence - her blonde hair tucked under the new hat and the sheen of sweat that covered her forehead. Though he knew that would've blown his cover and he'd never hear the end of it from Scarlett, it was hard not to go over to her.

The rain slowly began to thunder against the window as Scarlett gazed out at the sky as the sun was swallowed by the black clouds. The cold English day signalled the end of summer. She watched as a little girl ran past, she held her mother's hand and her hair came loose from her tiny blonde ponytail...

"Mummy!" Scarlett yelled, her arms waving as the man in black hoisted her over his shoulder.

"Mummy!" Her voice pierced the air again, but her mother did nothing but stand and watch, her face blank, an uncaring mask. However she clutched a battered wolf toy that was drenched from the rain and covered in mud. Tears were streaming down her daughter's face, as the man dug his claws deep into her side, silencing the young girl.

A tall, angular man with a slick suit that seemed impervious to the torrential rain strolled towards Scarlett's mother his body tense like a spring ready to attack. He concealed the child's view of her mother as he positioned himself to tower over the women.