Got Smoke?

Only 18

My name is Amara Rollins and I'm 18, not that it has to do with anything. I recently joined the US-STRATCOM after they discovered me when I was working as a free agent and spy. They commended me for my skills, and I immediately went up the ranks after a few practice sessions and assessments. I had just received my first mission as a US-STATCOM agent, and I was working directly under President Graham. My mission brief was clear and to the point: Rescue the President's daughter, Ashley Graham.

I was told to wait at the rendezvous point, a quiet suburb in Spain. I was dressed in my usual outfit — a white tank top, black jeans, a maroon biker jacket, fingerless gloves, black shades and combat boots. I brought extra ammo for my Desert Eagle and took my survival knife along. I didn't know how dangerous this mission would be, but I hoped it wouldn't take too long. After all, Ashley had been kidnapped for more than 8 hours and any longer would make it harder for us to track her. That's right, us. I was also told that I would be having a partner for this mission. They didn't tell me who he or she was, but what I did know was that my partner had survived the Raccoon City Incident. I was 12 when that happened, and I wasn't anywhere near Raccoon City. Honestly, I had no memory of my childhood. All I remembered was going on for missions after missions. Even that seemed like a blur. 

I leaned against the lamppost and crossed my arms. I re-adjusted my shades as I scanned my surroundings. I reached into my pocket to grab a smoke, but I saw someone walking towards me from the corner of my eye. I stopped myself, casually looking at the blond man approaching me. I pulled my shades down a little. He looked like he was in his mid-twenties. He had an air of confidence around him as he grinned. 

"Couldn't help but notice you from far away," he said, coming to a stop beside me. "I'm guessing you're not local, right?"

"¿Por favor? ¿Quién eres tú?"

"I- Uhm, ah," he started but scratched his head.

Now I knew why he needed a partner. He didn't have a single clue how to talk in Spanish, much less understand it. "Why don't you start with a name?" I asked, taking off my shades completely and putting it inside my jacket.

"Leon. Leon S. Kennedy."

"Amara," I said, extending my hand for a handshake. I gave him a firm handshake before placing both of my hands into my jeans pocket. "Policía is running a little bit late, no?" 

He continued to look confused. I reached out to take out my cigarette packet, but a car honked at us. As if on cue, a police car rolled into view and stopped right in front of us. The driver rolled down his windows and scanned us. "Mr and Mrs Kennedy?"

"It's Miss Rollins," I corrected him, dropping the Spanish accent.

"You're my partner?" Leon asked, finally figuring out who I was.

"Ah, perdón. I thought 'partner' meant husband and wife," the driver interjected. "Please, come in."

I entered the car first followed by Leon. There was another cop sitting in shotgun who greeted us. Soon, the car began to move. The second cop began to ask questions, particularly about our identities. Leon dismissed them, saying that they already knew who we were and what our mission was.

"What, just the two of you?"

"I'm sure you boys didn't just tag along so we could sing Kumbaya together at some Boy Scout bonfire. Then again, maybe you did," Leon answered nonchalantly.

He scoffed, "You two crazy Americans. It's a direct order from the chief himself. I tell you it's no picnic."

"I'm counting on you," Leon mumbled, glancing back outside of the window.

The driver took a look at his rear-view mirror to talk to me, "You look a little young to be an agent. How old are you, fifteen?"

"Eighteen," I replied short. 

After that, everyone remained silent. The car rolled into a forest and after a few moments, it stopped. The second cop got out of the car to take a piss. I sighed, forcing myself to turn my direction to Leon instead. The driver offered a cigarette to Leon, but he turned it down. He turned to me next and I took it. I'd never say no to free things. He then helped me light it up. I took a deep exhale as I leaned back into the seat.

"What?" I asked, noticing that Leon was staring at me. 

"You're-"

"Eighteen, yeah. I got that part," I answered sarcastically. "Trust me, this thing won't kill me. What's out there will."

He gave a suppressed laugh as he shook his head. The second cop then came back into the car and we continued our journey. After a while, we reached the bridge. The driver told us that the village was right up ahead. Leon and I got out of the car, but the two cops didn't move a muscle, giving us the excuse of not wanting any 'parking tickets'. Leon mumbled a sarcastic comment under his breath, but the cops didn't hear what he said. Then, Leon got a call from his visual radio. A smart-dressed woman with glasses appeared on the screen.

"Leon, I hope you can hear me. I'm Ingrid Hunnigan. I'll be your support on this mission."

"Loud and clear. Somehow, I thought you'd be a little older," Leon flirted, but she ignored him. 

"Is Amara with you?"

"I'm right here," I said, standing next to Leon so that both of us would appear on the screen.

"Good, it's nice to see you both."

"So, the subject name's Ashley Graham right?" Leon asked. 

"That's right. She's the daughter of the President. So try and behave yourself, okay?" Hunnigan said worriedly, looking from Leon to me. 

"Whoever this group is, they sure picked the wrong girl to kidnap."

"I'll try to find more information on them from my end as well."

"Thanks, Hunnigan," I said.

"Good. Talk to you later. Leon out."

Leon kept his radio. He took out his gun and I did the same. He took point as we approached the first house. He entered cautiously, putting his gun back into his holster when he spotted someone at the fireplace. The man had his back turned to us, so he didn't seem to notice us. I lowered my gun as Leon approached the man with a photo of Ashley. The man turned around, and Leon asked if he had seen him. 

The man snarled, "¿Qué carajos estás haciendo aquí? ¡Lárgate, cabrón!" 

Wow, that was undoubtedly rude. I signalled to Leon to get out of the house when suddenly the man picked up an axe.

"Look out!" I yelled, and both Leon and I rolled out of the way.

"Freeze!" Leon yelled next, taking out his gun once more. The man didn't back down. "I said freeze!"

The man was about to take another swing, but I shot him first right in the head. Just then, we heard screeching truck tires from outside. Leon and I looked out of the window to see a truck ramming right into the cop car. I ran out first, hearing the sounds of gunshots before a huge splash. I immediately went towards the river, but it was too late. Both the cop car and truck were trashed.

"Oh no..." I heard Leon say as he came up beside me.

I looked up at him before looking back at the crash. I forced myself to turn away and reloaded my gun. "Let's just get inside the village."