Got Smoke?

Smoke & Confessions

"Easy!" I screamed when Luis accidentally pressed too hard on my wound.

"So sorry, Amara. Bear with me just a little more," he said, finishing up with his bandages. "There. Not too tight, is it?"

"It's fine, thanks," I said. "You know, maybe you've been lying about being a researcher. Maybe you're a doctor."

He chuckled softly as he continued to check the bandage.

"A handsome doctor," I mumbled, but he heard it anyway. I didn't know why I blurted it out.

He grinned before standing up, shaking his head slightly. He wanted to grab my biker jacket, but I stopped him. "Leave it. As much as I love it, it's beyond repair." 

"You'll get a new favourite jacket when you return to America," he said, now smiling apologetically at me.

"I can't wait to leave this place," I said, pushing myself to get up. He immediately went to wrap his arm around my waist.

"I know what you mean, mi amor," he sighed. "I shouldn't be too surprised, but you're stronger than anyone I've ever known. With your wound as serious as this, most people wouldn't even be able to lift their arm."

"Well, I'm not most people."

He smiled, leading me out of the boiler room. "I know. You're the most amazing woman I've ever met."

Several combatants came our way, and I hurriedly took out my gun. Luis stopped me and got out his gun instead. He shot at all of them, his arm never leaving my side. He quickly guided us to the underground tunnel which led directly to the lab. Once we reached the lab, Luis laid me down on his work chair. He checked the doors, making sure that we weren't followed. He locked the door to the underground tunnel just in case.

"Is that the machine?" I asked, looking at the machinery surrounding the centre chair.

"Yes, I built it when I became wary of Saddler. Thankfully I built it just in case," he replied. I watched him as he walked towards me and searched for something on his desk. He found a lighter then cursed under his breath, "I must've finished it."

I reached into my pocket, taking out the cigarette pack that had been left untouched since the beginning of this mission. I held it out to him, and he grinned as he took out a stick. He popped one into his mouth and lit it. I took out one as well, and he helped me light it up.

"Finally," he said happily, exhaling out the smoke as he leaned against the wall. "This, this is paradise right here."

"You're welcome," I laughed.

We smoked in silence. I was about half a stick left when he asked, "What are you going to do after this whole mission is done? After you've arrived safely back in America?"

"Take a few days off then go back to work," I replied. "What about you?"

He chuckled quietly to himself. "Keep running."

"Wait, what?"

"I'm a wanted man now, Amara. After all the crimes I did, no one will want me to be alive. They'll capture me for information and then kill me."

"Come back to America with me. We can-"

He shook his head, giving me a sad smile. "I know you want to help me, Amara but you also know that's not what the government in America will do. I'll... just have to keep on running. Try and get a new identity. Maybe I'll even go to Madrid and actually become a cop. I've never been there and after all this whole fiasco, I'm sure I already have the basic training."

I didn't know how to respond. "Luis..."

He got his back off of the wall and strode towards me. He lifted my chin, making me look right into his eyes again. His usual brown eyes were now filled with sadness and regret. He slowly leaned towards me, his body language a little hesitant. I could feel his warm, cigarette breath right above me. I closed my eyes, waiting for him but he didn't do anything. When I reopened them, he gave the same apologetic smile. He stepped back from me and leaned against the wall. All of a sudden, the front door opened. Luis and I drew out our guns, only to face Leon and a frightened Ashley.

"You're alright!" I exclaimed, putting away my gun.

"And I thought I would get a heart attack," Leon said, closing the door shut.

"Is this... cigarette smell?" Ashley asked, covering her nose. Luis and I quietly stomped on our own unfinished sticks.

"We need to get the Plagas out of your bodies now. Ashley, sit here first," Luis hurried, moving towards the panels on the machinery and tapping away on a few buttons.

Ashley gingerly sat on the chair and leaned back. I gave her an encouraging smile, and she took a big gulp. It's gonna be fine, I mouthed to her and she nodded nervously. Luis warned Ashley that it would sting before pressing the final button. The laser above shot a low-level radiation to erase the Plagas from inside Ashley. She squirmed in pain. After a few seconds, it was over. 

"Is... is it gone?" she asked, getting out of the chair.

The screen showed the words 'Clear'. Leon then sat in the chair and Luis repeated the process. Once Leon was good to go, he got up and stretched. "I feel like a million bucks," he said, heaving a sigh of relief. "We owe you, Luis."

Luis immediately shook his head. "You don't owe me anything, Leon."

"I don't know about any of you guys, but I really want to get back home right now," Ashley said and all of us agreed.

"Okay, so how do we get out of here?" Leon asked.

"There's a construction site, just a few miles away from here. You two can get out there."

"Wait, just us?" Leon asked next, pointing to himself and Ashley.

Luis nodded. "Saddler's most likely to be waiting for you there. That's the extraction point. There's a helipad near here. Amara and I will get to it and we'll come over to pick you up."

"What if I came with you two? Is it safer?" Ashley suggested.

"The helipad is heavily guarded. And even if Saddler's waiting for you, you're much safer with Leon," Luis answered then turned to face Leon. "I need you to help me take back the sample from Saddler. You must stop him at all costs."

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of letting him live and take that sample away."

"Once you kill him, we'll be flying in to get you guys out," I said.

"...We may be delayed so we won't be able to provide you with aerial support to take down Saddler," Luis said regrettably. "Also, it may be hard to get a pilot."

I looked at Luis, a grin on my face. "You're looking at Top Gun right here. I'll fly the chopper in no time."

"Great, let's get to it," Leon said.

All of us got out of the lab and started to part ways again. I turned back, exclaiming, "No one's allowed to die or I'll be pissed! Not when we're this close!"

"Likewise!" Leon shouted.