War of Peace

Chapter Six

Simon

Everyone is in front of me running for their lives, but I'm frozen out of terror. I'm scared to move a muscle. I can't get myself to run. There's no longer anyone in sight and I realize if I don't run I'll get left behind. Anxiety rushes over me, forcing me to run. I try to catch up with the rest of the group, but they're too far ahead.

Someone bumps into me, propelling us both to the ground. I swiftly get back on my feet, and draw back, fearing for my life. Instead, I notice the person I bumped into is a woman with long and thick midnight hair that flows against the breeze. I focus on her vibrant blue eyes that remind me of blue raspberry-flavored candies. She puts her gun inside her thick black jacket. My eyes travel back to her beautiful blue eyes.

She grins scornfully, causing me to nervously smile. Before I have time to process more about this mysteriously beautiful woman, she progresses towards me. I can feel her cool, pale skin brushing up against mine. Her hands clasp around my neck. I'm surprised by her impulse, which causes my body to stiffen.

"What the hell," I choke out, trying to loosen her grip on my neck. My hands sweat furiously as they slip on her impenetrable grip. Her beauty trumps her strength.

I begin feeling light-headed as her grip tightens around my throat, making it hard to breathe. I hear several footsteps approaching. Are there others with her that I hadn't noticed before? Maybe she works with the government. Although, they are usually in uniforms which she doesn't seem to be wearing.

I recognize my brothers voice. calling out my name. The girl abruptly drops me. I land sternly on the leafy ground, sending a shooting pain through my side. Breathing feels painfully delightful. I struggle to get up with leaves and dirt sticking to my tuxedo. It's pathetic that I'm still wearing it. I thought Maddie had gotten clothes along with the supplies. Either way, there was no time for a change of clothes as we were on the run from another person with a gun. Maybe it was the same person as this goddess who choked me almost to my death.

My throat rasps as I struggle to keep breathing. It's loud and heavy so I can't hear what anyone is saying over my wheezing. I weakly stand up and notice that the woman who choked me is now hugging Silas. What did I miss? Or maybe I'm unconscious and I'm just imagining this. I must've hit my head pretty hard.

"Cooper, what are you doing here? Why were there gunshots? Did you kill someone?" Silas is asking frantically, running his hands through his damp hair. He looks a little worried but relieved. Like he's relieved to see her. Why would he be relieved to see her? Also, how does he know her name? 

Cooper. That's a hot name for a woman. 

"It was self defense, Silas. I had to. Check out my bag," she says with passionate eyes as she throws off her brown leather bag.

She looks antsy and exuberant as Silas kneels beside her to look in the bag. I can see from this angle that there's a silver metal briefcase inside. She opens it swiftly and I notice it's loaded with several different kinds of knives carefully placed inside. She has a whole collection of knives and Silas is trusting her. Not to mention, there's more than one gun behind the briefcase and she's got the one she tucked in her jacket just before almost choking me to my death. She's acting as if a briefcase full of weapons is a wonderful prize. She's a nut case! 

I'm finally breathing normally again, so I approach Silas, careful not to get close to the dangerous woman. I stare him down with dilated nostrils.

"You know this bitch?" I bark.

"What did you just call me?" Cooper cracks her knuckles and leans close to me, causing me to nervously back up. I swallow hard. Her daunting firgure closes in on me. Surely Silas won't let her choke me to death, again.

"Cooper, realx. He's a friend of mine. There's no need to hurt him," Silas shouts, pulling her away from me.

"Plus, Simon could never hurt a fly as scrawny as he is," Kyle adds. I appreciate the comment, but adding the part where I'm scrawny is highly unnecessary.

Copper turns to get a good look at the rest of the group–probably looking for anyone else who would be an easy kill. Then she stares at Maddie for a long, awkward minute. I notice Coopers face flares with emotion. Her eyes are even watering as she shares a gaze with Maddie.  

"Maddie?" She runs towards her and gently caresses her arm. I didn't know it was possible for her to be gentle with something after her violent rage towards me.

"Cheyenne Cooper Brown? That cannot be you," Maddie says shockingly, her mouth agape at the stunningly beautiful woman standing before her.

What else is shocking is the hug that sporadically happens between the two. What are the odds that another person here knows who this ravishing demon is? I would have said little to none, but before me lies yet another reunion. I want to think of this evil woman as ugly and unappetizing; but she is not short of exquisitely pleasing to the eye. 

"So you're Silas's cousin?" Maddie verifies.

"Yep!" Cooper replies energetically.

Cousins? I can't believe Cooper is Silas' cousin. I thought he was a nice guy. Well, he is, I guess I just can't picture him being related to her. I clench my teeth as I look at her. My jaw relaxes at the thought of running my hands through her long inky hair.

"How do you guys know each other?" Silas asks, interrupting their intimate reunion. 

"She was my next door neighbor," Maddie begins. "We used to be good friends before she moved away."

I can't believe this. What are the odds that some demonic woman comes and chokes me, then knows two people I've been running in the woods with?

Maddie looks so young next to Copper. She is shorter than her and Cooper looks more mature. My guess is that Maddie is around fifteen or sixteen, and Cooper could almost be twenty. It's a fair assumption, but I'm probably wrong.

Cooper returns to her bag after reuniting with Maddie and packs up her metal briefcase full of knives. She zips up the brown leather bag and tosses it over her head, letting it land on her shoulders as she says, "you guys will have to thank me when you're still alive."

I can't imagine myself thanking her anytime soon unless it's in a bed, that is. 

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