Ms Shadows

Chapter 9

PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT <3

Costello's fake chuckle was deep and full of sarcasm.

"Okay, okay." he said much to my surprise. He waved his hand showing to Drake his palm, signalling him to stop. " But you can't harm her. No stealing and sneaky moves anymore. The battle will end here. No shooting and killing. And no more trouble in my kingdom. Do we have an agreement?" He finally asked.

"We do. " the other man laughed in satisfaction. "I don't have any reasons to harm her. Unless she disobeys orders. Poor Costello! You've lost your passion and nerve! I almost feel sorry for you."

"You don't have to." Was what Costello said.

After that he looked at me. Like he was waiting for me to say something. "Is this the only way? Is this the only way to save Rose?" Was all I asked him. I was worried, terrified. My hands were shaking because of the cold and fear.

In answer, he just nodded. No compassion, no regrets, nothing that showed emotion, was on his face. His features mathematically structured, to mirror a cold, emotionless look. That was what he should do anyway. And what was I thinking? That he'd care? For what? A soldier? Why would I be that important? He could get as many soldiers like me, as he wanted.

"I'll do it then." I decided. I wanted to keep my promise.

"Promise me you'll stay safe." Jack told me in a hushed tone, while holding Rosie's shoulders, who was standing in front of him.

I was taken aback from the sudden interest, but I nodded in response. Then I sat on my calves to talk to Rosalie. "Good bye Rosie. Please listen to this man. He'll take care of you. Yes?" I felt my eyes watering. I didn't knew much about what was going to happen to me. Or what did the R.E.B.E.L.S need me. But I was sure that I wouldn't see any of them again. And that was terrifying.

The little girl in front of me, outstretched her small arms and she touched my cheeks with her cold palms. "Why are you crying? I don't want to say goodbye yet."

"Sweetie, listen to me, now you have Jack okay? Costello will take care of you too. You'll be fine." I repeated and softly took her hands away.

"How about you?" She asked me in her childish voice.

"Bye Rosie." I said and I kissed the top of her head, unable to answer that question. I stood up and I looked at Jack. "I guess, It's one of the moments when you're being good to me." I tried to laugh between my tears.

He smiled too, in a pained expression. "You're very brave." He said and swept a tear on my cheek, with his thumb. He wrapped his arm around my neck, pulling in a clumsy way, some wet strands of my hair. "We'll come to get you back. Just be patient." He whispered, while he pretended to hug me, so that the enemies wouldn't understand.

When he took his hand off my neck, I looked at him longer than I should, wondering how would he be able to do this, and why...

I turned around and started walking to the R.E.B.E.L.S' side. Then, I looked back at them, smiled weakly and waved, wiggling my fingers. I didn't knew if they'd come to save me, as Jack had told me, but Rose was safe, and that was all that mattered at the moment.

I followed the men into the woods...

...

"What's wrong with you! You risk your life- even worse my kingdom, for her?! This is unprofessional! You are too sensitive! How many times should I tell you to stop doing that? What the f*** where you thinking?!" Costello was walking up and down in the carpeted ground of his tent. He was mad, yelling and shouting at Oscar, throwing his hands in the air occasionally.

"But it didn't turn out that bad... We still have the situation in our hands..." Jack said.

"I know we do! Because I knew you'd do something like that and I had the time to prepare a plan b. I can't believe that you're both so stupid! You fell right inside Drakes trap!" A vein popped on Costello's neck. When he realized that he almost lost control of himself, he cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Demitri, you're right. I just- I couldn't wait and see her trapped. I tried to warn her, but she wouldn't li-"

"You know how our plan would have come out? By now, I'd had him in a stinky cell!The one I've been preparing all these years... You know how much I despise Drake. " Costello took a disgusted expression. Something rare to see in his usual, poker face. "That's exactly why I let you sleep in the same tent with her! So that you could keep her from sneaking out. We both knew what was Drake's plan, we knew about his trap. And you led her right in it! I won't be able to trust you as much as I did before, from now on. You had been an excellent adviser, but it seems that I'll have to find another one. Or to separate you from her."

Oscar swallowed.

Costello rubbed his forehead in a disappointed way, then he turned to face Oscar. "What's your excuse for letting her out?" He asked him in a calmer voice.

"I was watching her, she was talking to Clement. She was safe. I didn't want to scare her, I just wanted to see why she got out...-"

"- To make sure she wasn't cheating on you?" Costello asked sarcastically.

"No, to see how she thinks... How she behaves, how she talks, how she laughs... I remember her laughter was beautiful. So bright so... Even her eyes. They've got their own vocabulary-" he covered his lips with his fist as a smile threatened to form.

"-And a woman's eyes is a beautiful language to learn." Costello added, "until they destroy you."

"I can't fight it. I only can think of her... You know Demitri, this kind of memories are the worst form of torture"

"Oscar, my friend..." Demitri massaged his temples with his long fingers, "I know you're in love, for gods sake, but I can't do something for it!... You have to get over her. She no longer remembers you. You should forget about her too. You're a soldier now, an adviser, one of the best in the world... It doesn't matter to risk your career for her... She won't remember who you are, it's pointless. Please fight your feelings. I told you it would be better if you had taken the therapy. You would have forgotten all about her now... But, as the emotional man you are, you chose the hard way..." He sighed, "Please don't make me hire another adviser, I prefer you, you're more than a simple adviser, you're a brother to me and even if I'm not showing it, it saddens me to see you like this..."

"Thank you Demitri. I promise I'll try to hide my feelings for her, to vanish them. I hope that you are still willing to save her though..." Said Oscar.

"Well, I do want to destroy that little rat, so... I'll do something for your damsel too." He joked.

"Thank you and I won't disappoint you." His voices tone mirrored a perfectly straight line, just like a soldiers voice should have.

"We'll see about that..." He laughed. "Now go check on the little girl." Was Costello's last words that night and Jack left that tent, to visit the one where he was keeping Rosie.

***

AND I'M HERE WONDERING... WHY IS ELINOR SO IMPORTANT?

Any impressions on this chapter?

Okay, okay... I know, that in your vows says that you can't kill any of the characters... But if you could, who would that be? And why?

Costello?

Jack/Oscar?

His twin brother Ian?

OR...

Drake?