Divergent

Surprise!

They both came in only to meet Jalila sobbing lightly despite her inflated jaw. Ameera sat by her head, carefully running her palm over Jalila's hair.

"You'll be okay" that was all Ameera managed to say.

Bintu who kept standing, carefully observed Jalila as if she was trying to read something off her mind. No one asked questions as to what transpired between Anita and Jalila in their absence. They weren't sure if it was something they'd like to hear.

_~*^*~_

It's been over a week since the murder of lieutenant Gana. Jalila has been responding well to treatment, Anita on the other hand invested much of her time on the range, trying her best to perfect her military skills. So much so it raised suspicion in Abu-Qaqa.

Anita arrived the range one sunny afternoon only to meet Abu-Qaqa peacefully servicing his rifle under a cool shade. Even without a time piece Anita knew it was past noon, she could tell from how high the sun stood. The range was unusually crowded and so unlike Abu-Qaqa to be out for training by this hour. Anita quickly put up her defenses, tightening her grip on her own rifle. She knew more than to be told something wasn't right.

Anita came up to Abu-Qaqa looking calm and relaxed all the while maintaining a firm grip on her firearm should in case something or someone decides to go buggers, then she wasn't going down alone.

And by someone she meant her darling husband Abu-Qaqa.

"Salam Alaikim  ya ameerul ummati, I hope I said it right this time" Anita greeted, throwing Abu-Qaqa her warmest smile.

"It's Salam Alaikum not Salam Alaikim, and wa'alaikumus salam my dearest fighter." Abu-Qaqa said also mirroring her smile. "I see you've decided to join us this early for training. I thought it might be too sunny for a woman to be out here learning how to kill."

"Those infidels have no calendar on when to strike ya Ameer. So i think it will be fair to always be prepared." Anita replied, also matching his smile crocked smile.

Abu-Qaqa silently glanced at Anita, she always had that aura of confidence. It is one of her trait that made her stand out, above all it is one of the reasons he likes her. But over confidence breeds disloyalty and should he sense as much as an iota of insubordination from her, he wouldn't hesitate to clip her wings faster than you can say dead.

Abu-Qaqa was surely in doubt, Anita's consistency at the range was unlike any. Even his best men weren't that constant at training but he was told Anita never missed a training session. He wasn't sure of what to make of her. But if Anita was truly committed to the cause then he'd truly struck a gold mine.

"Come" he said standing up from his position "let's go have some fun" he added, extending a friendly arm to Anita.

Although she wasn't sure of his rueful calmness, Anita accepted his hand and they walked side by side.

_~*^*~_

Just like any other day the sun was slowly peeping into the horizon but unlike other mornings, the day came filled with suspense, anxiousness and anticipation. The sect had been meticulously planning this attack for months and finally judgement has arrived. One could tell how restless the fighters were simply by looking at their faces.

Abu-Qaqa had been trying to get in contact with his mole in the military but somehow the cell towers weren't cooperating. Although Abu-Qaqa was always skeptical of information he receives from his source, but the intel had always turned out to be solid giving him the upper hand in his vicious attacks.