Tales of the Broken: Roses in the Wind

Chapter Nine: Grizzled Old Man

Stonewall heard footfall behind him. He assumed it was that girl Vika from the subway, but just to make sure he put his palm on his pistol. As the footsteps grew louder, Stonewall tightened his grip on his pistol.

"Good to finally meet you." Came a feminine voice.

Stonewall whipped around, unholstering his gun and pointing the barrel at the girl's nose.

"God damn, girl. Y'nearly gave me a heart attack. I'm too old for you too suddenly yell at me."

The girl shrugged, "There's no reason to be muted with our conversing. So why bother?"

Stonewall snarled, "Because if there was anyone nearby, they'd find us out."

The girl gave a quiet bark of laughter, the hood she was wearing bobbed up and down with her movements. "I guess you have right to be paranoid. I mean, you are Stonewall." She crooned.

Stonewall shook his head, "Alright. It's best we get to business. What's the plan, and what do I need to do?"

Vika raised her upturned palms to the sky, shaking her head, "All you've got to do is keep the little ones safe from me."

Stonewall cocked his head to the side, "Come again?"

Vika raised her arms again, this time to flip off her hood. When her hood was folded into its proper space, Vika took off her long cloak. Stonewall noticed purple markings on her neck. When he realized what it was, he understood her request.

"So... you're one of them?" He inquired, Vika nodded.

"I hate it, but yes. Cover for me when I'm on my way in. If my markings glow, shoot me if I get anywhere close to the children. I'm not taking that kind of risk again."

Stonewall shifted himself in his seat, tilting his head towards her, "'Again?'"

Vika just turned and started her descent, "I'll be making my way into the large storage room. I have a suspicion that my friend is being held in there."

Stonewall grunted in response. He picked up his long rifle from his tent, sliding a scope onto the rail, "Hey Vika." He called, the girl turned to him, with a questioning look about her. Stonewall threw a small device to her, when she caught it she glanced at him, unsure what to make of it.

Stonewall shook his head, "A comms unit. You'll need it so I can tell you how to navigate. I've been scouting out the place for awhile now."

Vika nodded once more, continuing on her way. Stonewall smiled to himself underneath his mask, "Go get 'em, kid." He said to her, even though she couldn't hear him.