Shadow's Within

33 : Our secret is still safe

"Where you going?" the Major asks.

"Away from here!"

"Why?"

"Why?!" my voice sounds tense. "Because you knew our secret!.. This place is not safe anymore"

The Major laughs. He careens away from the desk and walks to us. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to overthrow your trust.... what I was trying to imply was that I had a valuable intel... knowing the people hiding in my base a little better... I could use that information to keep them more at safe here.."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I'm do intend to harm your trust" his hand reaching us, gripping slowly. "You are my responsibility... I never turn back on my word.. I took the job of making you disappear.. and you shall"

His expression changes. No more fitting face that stretches tense. His face is now a gentle snug capable of comforting me with his genuine beam. His whole persona, captivates me to display a loving nurture father.

"Leave us" he barks his order to the guarding soldier. They snap close the door behind us.

"I'm here to help you" his tone comforting.

I arc my head sideways, looking past the windows preceding the ether. Soldiers scattering outside, hurrying for the work they're doing. "Why are you helping us?"

He withdrew to his chair. "Because you are my responsibility" he coughs. "Once I took the vow of looking over the shoulder the people... I plan on sticking to my word... don't worry" His left eyes wink at me. "I would protect you even if it cost my life"

His word reassures me. Why is he acting all gentleman-like. From past experience, people would have straight thrown us under the bus, saving their skin for their own selfish reason. But this man, in front of us is an entirely different case. He would risk his life to save ours. I've never met a man that would sacrifice his own stake to protect the people whom he had just known in a 48-hour basis.

He straightens, fixing his military suit. "Now.. let's go shall we" He escorts us outside and we left the office straight into our bed. As soon as we enter the hall, people swarm us like a pack of flies scavenging the left overs food.

"What did he want with you?"

"Are you okay?"

"Did you have anything to do with that criminal nutcase?"

"Eiya!" one man scowl, scurry past the crowd. "Leave them alone... don't cram into them.. here... come with me!"

We follow the man passing every people who has a curious mien painted on their face. Then it hits me, I recognize this man. He was the same bald dude who yell the British guy for bothering the Latina lady.

"I'm sorry they crowded you like that" he apologizes. "I think they just scared about the man that went missing"

"Probably" Chase agrees. "Hi.. I'm Ian and this is Lanelle" he introduces us.

"Victor... happy to meet you"

Another person joins us and it is the Latina lady, with her plump figure and wriggly hair. "They just scared... I hope the Major didn't do anything to scare you?"

We laugh. "No he didn't... actually he was just discussing our problem"

"I see" she note.

"Iannn!!" a screeching wailing grumble near. I turn my head to see the last person I'm hoping to congregate at this hour, Marie.

"What happen back there? Did you do something wrong? You didn't have anything to do with that dirtbag did you? I hope the Major wouldn't kick you out of here... oh please tell me he didn't do anything to cast you out.. plea—"

"Marie!" I shout, feeling accurately more annoyed than ever at this woman. "We're fine... Ian's fine.. nobody is kicking us out.."

"Oh thank god" she calms down. She creeps her arm into his shoulder. "Come on... I made you something" She holds in her arms a square Tupperware, with red covers on the top and a blue base. She opens the cap and inside the container consist of chocolate chips cookies. "Here.. take it.."

I took one of the cookies and grab a bite of heaven. Oh god... I haven't eaten a cookie in years. The velvety taste of the chocolate melts into my mouth and the fragrance of the brown delight sidle inside me.

"Where you get this?" I ask.

"From the cafeteria... had to barter something with the cooks in exchange for this cookie"

As we dwell our mouths in the heavenly savory snacks, we realize the whole place has retained its peacefulness. Nobody has bother us to inquire our whole debacle with the Major. Everybody went their separate ways and respecting our boundaries. I'm glad, I hate confrontation with people who wants answer at the precise moment. It ticks me off. I'm suppose what they were doing is just based on the act of petrified. If I'm in their shoes, I would probably have act in the same position.

The rest of the day went as quietly as possible. We talk for hours with our new friends. They are the friendliest bunch I have met in these past years. With my line of work, coming across people who are generally friendly has a double sided face into their story, but this people are genuinely friendly with no hidden agenda.

Soon after, night came just as quickly as the day set down. I lay on the bed for the third night and couldn't help but reminiscence Chase's courage act. His whole action had save me from a tragedy. The person whom at first annoyed me had grown himself for me. He's no longer the annoying person that gets on my nerve. He's now a person that I owe my life to. I turn my whole body into the rear and there he is, leering his eyes to me. I wouldn't ordinary cross eyes with a man, but tonight I made an exception, I allow myself to intersect in a one-way ticket of a stare contest. We both lock our eyes, meeting on the centerfold, glaring for the time one of us backs away and to be crown the loser of the contest. Two minutes into the game and he gives up, receding his eyes for the humiliation of defeat. He looks to me once again and I mouth the word loser to him. He smiles and went to sleep. I follow soon after.