War Within Us

chapter 9 . safe and sound

When his eyes found its target within seconds, he let my arm go and turned his face slighty to the side.

I asked as I was still worried. "What was that?"

Brit answered before Haven could: " I didn't come alone, the other one is up there on a look out yet he still can't keep quiet."

I wouldn't be able to see what they were seeing so I didn't bother to look for him.

Once the conversation died out, I started to feel the fatigue creeping in. My eyes started to sting a little and I had to blink a few times to keep myself focused. I took a deep breath and started to talk:

"I guess it is my time to go now since I have delivered the asset to safety." I chuckled a little but they did not join me on that.

Haven looked a little troubled, almost scowling slightly. "I don't feel safe sending you off alone out there. You got into so much trouble for me."

"Thank you for your concern but I'll be fine. My only concern right is to not fall asleep while riding the bike. It has been a long day for sure."

He did not look convinced. "I'm happy you are okay now Haven. Just don't forget about the coffee you have promised." I joked at the end but he did not look any happier.

I turned to Brit. " Hope you have a safe drive back." He nodded once with confidence. I did not have the slightest bit of doubt about his small promise.

I suddenly remembered of the guy on the look out so I turned to that direction and waved my hand as a farewell. Seeing the red dot move with my hand made me a little too giddy inside.

Before getting on the bike, I looked at them for one last time and this time, I let my eyes linger for few more moments.

I noticed for the first time tonight how Haven's ash brown hair matched his sun kissed fair skin. He stood tall despite his hunched up figure but I knew even if in his normal stance, he was not as big as Brit. I remembered his eyes to be brown but my memory was hazy and in the darkness that surrounded us, it was impossible for me to see now. Brit on the other hand didn't give out much information as the black hat he had on hid all his hair but I figured his sheer size would be the only thing that I would remembered no matter what.

I gave them a small smile while saying one last thing. "Tell that captain of yours that I said hi. I hope he is not so harsh on you for this time." With that, I got on my bike and started to cycle away the distance that looked like it wouldn't end.

*-*

I was a little out of breath by the time I arrived home. I'd already put Hadi's bike back to its hiding spot.

Softly, I knocked on the door, hoping that someone would be awake to open it. I was about to give up when the door opened and I saw a very concerned Lee. He quickly pulled me inside and closed the door after us. "What the hell happened to you Nessa?"

For a moment, I was confused as to what he was talking about. It was not until I have felt my head pounding that I realized what he meant.

While I was on the road, I was so distracted by my aching body and I almost didn't notice the person in the distance. I tried to stop my bike to avoid getting caught but my movement on the pedals were too sudden and I was too fast. I should have been smarter about it because I fell hard off the bike, hitting my eyebrow on a rock.

I tried my best to not cry out in pain. After a few minutes, I looked around to see the person gone.

It was hard to find the will to get up but I managed myself after suffering in pain. I guess since then, I forgot that I had the injury because of all the adrenilan running through my veins.