If Only..(Part 1 And Part 2 Included)(Under Edit)

Chapter 36 - Camouflage

It was early in the morning when the window seal was covered by a layer of mist. Everyone gathered over the canteen to have a sip of hot beverages for the relatively colder morning, assembling in small groups.

Jackson exhaled and walked over and pulled himself a chair beside Madeline who chose to get herself a room at the corner of the hall, away from any kind of interaction. She kept her stare towards the floor as she slowly sipped through the coffee mug she held by both her hands.

Jackson turned towards her and took a brief moment to study her and turned his eyes back towards the small assemblies.

Jackson: It seems fall has already kicked in.

He waited for a reply but Madeline did not respond.

Jackson turned his face towards her: Are you alright?

Madeline: Mhm! I am. Even after the fact that I have yet another judgemental eye over me.

Jackson creased his eyebrows: I am not judging you.

Madeline scoffs.

Jackson(placing his palm over hers): I swear!

Madeline(looking up towards him and smiling): Take a chill pill. It never bothered me.

Jackson(Smiling): Well, good to know.

Madeline: See, Um... I am sorry for pulling you into my mess.

Jackson: It's fine. You just gave me a new perspective.

Madeline: About me?

Jackson: Yeah! Look, I have no intention of pitying you, you are stronger than this, but you have placed an even more stronger picture in front of my eyes.

Madeline(laughing): I don't have a reply to this.

Jackson: If you want me to tell the truth, I expected a different story out of your past.

Madeline(sipping her coffee and lifting her eyebrows): How?

Jackson: You are tougher?

Madeline: Well, everything has a point zero.

Jackson: True that.

A brief silence followed, as both of them silently sipped through their coffee.

After a while,
Jackson: So, you were 19 when you killed someone.

Madeline carefully placed the coffee mug on the table and smiling: Seems so!

Jackson took a look into her face and asked: I...would, um, would you mind if I ask you...

Suddenly, Madeline receives a call and that interrupts Jackson as he twitches his lower lips concealing his frustration and looked away. Madeline finishes the call and looks up towards Jackson.

Madeline: There's a meeting with Jake. Let's go.

Jackson nodded his head and both left.

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After a while, every gathered inside Jacob's cabin maintaining a attention position.

Jacob: I hope the task which I flagged off is worked out with due sincerity

Police: It is, Sir.

Jacob: What is the progress?

Police nodded his head and slipped forward a file on Jacob's desk.

Police: Sir, 96 locations has been raided. All throughout we found artifacts.

Jacob: Artifacts?