SHORTIES : 720 | ?21

8. Secret Service

I flashed my light in the dark woods and saw the captain not far in front of me. Turning slightly with my light shone towards behind, I observed two of my fellow soldiers fooling around with each other. I trudged on forward, slightly adjusting the heavy load on my back. That night, we were on our way to a large clearing for one of those very late night training sessions and I could feel the rising churn in my stomach even though I'd been doing this for nearly 23 months. Horror stories told by our platoon echoed in my mind, one of them is of a missing soldier, his insides eaten by a hungry, vengeful ghoul. Or animal. No one knew of it. I shuddered and moved closer to the captain. One more month, then I would officially become a proud soldier for my country.

***

My footsteps were light as I entered the air-conditioned room. The captain was facing the large windows of his office, taking a long drag of cigar.

"Sit down, Fir"

I dragged the chair smoothly from under the table, my back straight – ready for whatever news he was about to convey. I was prepared to be summoned ever since being commissioned.

"We are recruiting you as a man of the nation's secret service," the captain turned, his voice barely audible.

My eyes wide and I immediately stood up. This sounded just like the blockbuster movies I often watched on Netflix. Clearing my throat, "At your service, sir"

We'd been long due laced in a tight situation with a neighbouring country, thanks to the tense political and economic situation. It seemed matters had further become out of control and our government couldn't grasp the rein any longer. Word even got out that there would be war soon. And the government certainly didn't want our citizens to get in a frenzy.

"Your first mission is", the captain took a long drag of his cigar and blew, the smoke came out of his mouth and nose. I stifled a cough. "Find, investigate, scour that bloody country's weaknesses. By all means,"

I opened my mouth but he went passed me and opened the door. He beckoned me as a signal to follow him. Outside, there were two other officers who looked very grim. They brought me through the corridor and led me into a dark room. The captain sat me on a chair and passed a VR glasses to me.

"Wear it" he instructed.

No explanation, no nothing. I was immediately thrown into a first mission that I barely knew how to conduct. Once the glasses slipped over my head and adjusted over my eyes, I found myself inside a bedroom lying on a bed. I blinked at the ceiling and felt warmth on my right and turned my head slightly. There besides me was a young lady possibly around my age. Her dark hair sprawled on the pillow and her eyes were closed. I shifted uncomfortably at such closeness and her eyes fluttered open. They were startlingly bright and filled with child-like innocence I couldn't comprehend.

She placed a hand on my left cheek, "I miss you".

I opened my mouth and closed them again. Her finger traced my cheek, "Be patient, we'll be together soon" I whispered.

Suddenly, the situation changed. I was no longer inside that bedroom. Instead, I was walking on a dusty road with a huge backpack on my back. I looked down at my shorts and my simple white tee. Okay, now I'm a backpacker? The thought ran through my mind. I wasn't alone for a long time before someone was skipping towards me happily. It was that girl. Her hair was in a high ponytail and she had the brightest smile I'd ever seen that her eyes became all squinty. We talked and talked but I couldn't remember what we talked about..... when the VR glasses was suddenly yanked from my eyes. And I was back inside the inky room.

"What you've experienced just now, sonny" holding the VR glasses in his hand, "is what we here call 'dream mapping'," he pointed with his head towards officer 1 who was standing by a futuristic-looking machine. The touchscreen showed the bedroom I was in. The lady sleeping peacefully.

"We map your individual to a suitable, vulnerable target to get secrets out. Now, she's a key person here cos she's the daughter of a diplomat. So, she knows stuff, alright? Get her to talk about it. Make her fall for you or something," and he guffawed.

"Captain, do I conduct these sessions", I waved my arm towards the glasses and machine, "to appear in her dreams?"

The captain stared at me, " 'course not! You gotta find her. Go on Facebook, Instagram, more like it cos all these birds usually flock there, right? She won't spill her secrets if she thinks you ain't real,"

Silence blanketed the dingy room. "And if you fail..."

The captain didn't continue his sentence. He stood up, followed with the rest of the officers and left me alone.

***

I found her. We'd been sending messages back and forth over a month now and she was brimming with energy, vibrance and curiosity that it puzzled me. I'd never met anyone like that. She reminded me of a cat. Her impulsiveness and the way she cared for me... A very clingy cat, I thought.

I don't know what it is but every time I received a message from her, my heart seemed to leap with joy. She showered me with her daily shenanigans which I found silly but entertaining and strangely adorable. I'd always replied with something practical and serious. I'd no idea with my ways.

Is my steely heart starting to waver? Like the flowers in the wind. Does she feel the same way...?

But alas, there would come the day where I would have to cut her off. I must focus on my mission.

A tear fell down the side of my right cheek. My first tear since forever. A sharp pain seared through my heart. What has she done to me?

***

I struggled and kicked as two burly men dragged me and threw me into a cell. There, they forced me onto an electrocution chair and tied me up. They crashed a helmet onto my head.

I love her.

(Oblivion).