Lets begin the game

Chapter 20

Cora's pov.:

4 am. Everyone is probably sleeping while I'm sitting here alone on a dune. The dark blue sky is already showing signs of light that makes the stars at the horizon disappear. A soft desert breeze caresses my cheeks and makes me almost be completely calm. As I want to lay down, I feel someone sitting down next to me. Ryder. We sit there for a couple of minutes in utter silence and just enjoy each other's silent company. "Well, today's the day." He says, breaking the silence. I shrug "Yeah..." I sigh "I'm kind of worried, you know? I don't know if I'm making the right decision in taking those boys with me. With me into this massacre..." He carefully takes my hand and softly squeezes it. "C'mon, they knew what they were getting into when they joined a gang." I sigh deeply and get up. "Let's go back and get ready for breakfast" We silently walk back and go different ways.

Keith's pov.:

"Ugh, Phoenix stop eating like a pig!" Gael groans while shaking his head slightly at him. I chuckle softly and remember the days I was so carefree like them. The sun just came up some time ago and that's why it's luckily still fresh out here. We'll have to be ready in 2 hours or we'll lose the perfect slot to attack because Mr Maalouf will probably be gone. Even though we have planned everything thoroughly I still have this uneasy feeling in my gut. The feeling like I had the day we attacked the Orisha Clan and I lost Josh. My face turns into a broken expression and I stop eating. I push my chair out loudly and the attention of everyone sitting at the table turns to me. "We have to get ready, so finish eating and move your asses," I say harshly and in a slightly demanding tone.

Ryder's pov.:

So, I suppose that Keith didn't sleep too well because he normally is the nicest one of us. Okay, everyone seems kind of nice compared to Cora when she's in business mode. I get up and walk to my tent to change into my combat clothes. They consist of black, long sports pants, a tight black long-sleeved shirt, some military boots and at last a weaponry belt where I can put my guns if something goes wrong and I have to use them. I walk out to gather all the people in my group, so we can talk about our plan. I don't want that our plan turns to shit just because some dumbass doesn't remember the procedure. Positioning myself next to the arsenal and call everyone to come here. "Everyone listen and just be quiet because this is serious. We're going to go through the operation one more time and if someone does not listen and makes an error on the field. I swear you will be a dead man or woman because a fucking error could...no.... will cost someone's life. So, does everyone still know his position on the field?" Looking strictly around I'm relieved to see everyone nodding. "Good. We are positioned on the east side in this whole area" I point at the strategical map. "We will snipe them down as unnoticeable as possible and one last important point. Do not initiate close contact combat under any circumstances before we get the Okay from Cora or we will lose the whole surprise effect. Understood?" Getting the approval from everyone I dismiss them and walk off.

Cora's pov.:

"We're leaving in 15 minutes. SO, HURRY UP! NOW!" I shout around and my nerves are on the edge of bursting. "GOD! HOW CAN YOU BE SO DUMB AND PUT THA- UGHH! WHERE ARE THE FUCKING CARS? OH GOOD... YOU ALMOST MOTHERFUCKING BROKE IT MARK! JESUS CHRI- ". "Boss. Boss c'mon, stop being so hard on them. That won't make them do it better." Charly pulls me away, while I sigh and just roll my eyes. "Yeah, that's true. So, I guess we should slowly get into the cars."

Ten minutes later I'm driving a car with my group inside to our meeting point. It's completely silent and the environment is highly tense. After we arrive and get out of the car, I start putting all my gear on.

Throwing knives in my boots, check, two Glock 19 Gen 5 Handguns, check, three daggers, check and two grenades in case of an emergency, check.

"Group 5, please come here! The mission is starting soon", I yell in an authoritarian voice. In less than 5 minutes the four boys are gathered around me waiting for me to say something. "So, is everyone ready? Are you all geared up?" I look around and see their nervous expressions, but no one dares to speak up. "Good. I assume everything is ready for us to leave. In 20 minutes, we have to be stationed at our post. That means, we will leave in 10 minutes, so everything proceeds as we want it. Our meeting point is at the little abandoned hut, like 500 meters away from their headquarters. I would advise you to say goodbye to your friends because no one knows what exactly will happen today since emergencies can always happen. I don't mean to discourage you with this, but we have to be realistic boys. There is a chance you won't be back alive"

I know that this was a little harsh, but why should I lie to them? To protect them? No, they are grown men, who exactly knew what they were doing when they joined my gang and it's not my duty to protect them the 100% of the time. That's why we train them and strengthen them, so they can protect themselves. This world is ruthless, and everyone is advised to look after themselves because no one is going to save you when it counts.

I leave them standing there and look for Ryder, Keith and Hunter since I would like to properly say goodbye to them. Finally, I find Keith, sipping on a water bottle near a pickup truck. "Hey, Keith! Just wanted to say good luck and please be careful, I don't want to lose you in this mission, or any mission." He embraces me in a big hug and sighs softly "Cora, don't worry about me. I will be fine, but you have to be careful. We can't lose you" I grin and counter cockily "C'mon Keith, do I look like I want to leave you idiots in charge of my gang. The day I die in a mission, will be the day that pigs will fly."

I leave Keith standing there and not long after that I find Ryder. Okay... More like Ryder found me. "Cora! I'm over here." I jog to him and engulf him in a hug "I swear Ryder if you die today, I will bring you back to life just to kill you myself again for leaving me alone in this fucking mess." He chuckles and presses me against his chest "Aww Cora. Do- ", "Please don't say that I shouldn't worry about you because I will" I spat quietly. "Aww, I knew you loved me!" I softly punch his chest "No I don't, stupid!" We both laugh slightly before becoming completely serious and distance each other "Well, uhm good luck I guess and don't deviate from the plan. Take care." He pats my head and grins "And you take care, Cora!"

Hesitantly I leave him standing there when I see a glimpse of Hunter's black hair rushing around the arsenal. "Hey Hunter, wait!" I shout, while speed walking over. "Hi, Cora," He says smiling softly while looking upon me. The tension between us is visibly there and I feel how my heart speeds up. Slowly he takes my hands in his and makes me look into his eyes. "Please don't die", is the only sentence that comes out of my lips. He chuckles and shakes his head "Pfff, me dying. Never. Not before I can conquer your heart and make you mine." I laugh loudly and slap his chest "Ahhh, stop it with your cheesiness and concentrate because we will be leaving shortly." Before I can pull my hands away, he presses his lips against my cheek. "I know I said that I would get that kiss you owe me for catching you, but that will have to wait till after the mission, so we can celebrate" And with that words, he leaves me standing there in utter shock. 

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hii guys, i'm back

i'm so sorry you had to wait for such a long time, but the writing process has been so difficult big Oof...

well pls leave a comment and vote! So I can improve my writing *fingerguns*

byeeee xoxo

-Arianna