Survival: Removing Obstacles
Chapter Six
The morning comes slowly, the sun trying to break through a thick fog and the damages caused to our planet. It’s not a pretty sight, the weak light showing off all of the devastation brought by men and the ones that greed ruled over everything else. There were times where a forest would spread far before her eyes, so many rich shades of green to bring joy to the eyes and senses. And now, all there was left was barren land and lost hopes, showing only the naked remains of a city in the background. A place that had once been filled with the energy and voices of people that still had something to live for.
They sit by a small dying out fire, half hid by a tall wall, which was once a part of the impressive Natural History Museum. Amusing to be honest, because in a matter of a few decades, all of them would just be a part of the past.
She gazes at the man sitting opposite her on the ground. He seems to be rather uninterested in what was going around him, a numb expression coloring his face until she decides to speak in heavy tones. It wakes him up a bit.
“Do you think that was necessary, John? What your little goons did to her? I mean, sure. It was amusing, and we all had a laugh after, but I’m not sure how HE will react.”
A woman in her late thirties asks, with a dry smile. Her face is dirty, the dust from carrying all the rubble, taking a toll on her already shattered appearance and strained muscles. Not that she cared. She wasn’t here to deliver the pretty sights but to slow down this already crumbling mission. Well, even if those people had any chance of winning, their prospects would soon drop. No one wins with Banks or even gets to run away to talk about his defeat. Not a single soul will be safe while he was still around. Just a matter of time before the only few that will remain standing will be those left on the right side of this war. And Monique planned on taking a warm spot between the fools that were still breathing by Lionel’s side.
Honestly, she didn’t’ even care about much anymore. Her sole goal was survival, a bit of respect for her tribute, and a few extra rations of food to fill her empty stomach that fit so tightly to her back these days. Hey, we were all dying anyway, it might as well not be from hunger. There were so many more fun ways to die. Leila could testify to that—if she were still around.
“Now, now. Don’t call them like that. You know Bryan uses the term voluntaries, so let’s please amuse the poor guy for a little while. He’s going down under anyway, so let’s play along for a while.”
The man smiles for a moment, rubbing his face and moving fingers through his thick brown beard. Then he suddenly becomes agitated.
“Hey, it wasn’t my plan to go with that, but she started to get careless and a bit cocky, dropping her act too fast. Making it clear that she wasn’t the person everyone thought she was.” He stares at Monique and grows very serious.
She looks at him and nods slowly. The real and honored officer of police, Leila Espion was a professional and would not let her ego and temper get the best of her. She was trained to handle all circumstances. Beyond the moment when a sharp blade shifted deep into her flesh, ripping her guts, and leaving a surprised expression to her lovely face.
Mmm, I guess she did not foresee such action from her older sibling. But then again, we were only half-sisters, and she always was a sore thorn in the center of my existence. I enjoyed ripping her organs apart, even though I made it fast. A little kindness, and a farewell gift to my baby sister.
I gaze at John and smile slowly, remembering what I have heard about the delicious feast by the fire.
“I understand, John. They were a little hungry and bored. Maybe if she bit her tongue more often, no one would have bit into her... not as soon, anyway.
“Now, back to other things. Our dear, Mister Kirkland is a bit busy now, walking down the memory lane and collecting the few weapons that he still has. Still thinking he is invisible in his weary ways, but the shadows are always there, lurking and waiting.”
The man nods as well and pulls out a sharp knife and plays with it, lost in thought.
“Do we have a new one to fill in her spot?”
“That is yet to be approved, we have to make new choices now. What about that Brewster woman? She seems feisty enough?”
“I don’t know, Monique. Besides, I have to tell Banks what the hell happened. And he ain’t gonna be happy about this.”
“Why is that? You think he might be upset?”
She asked this with sarcasm dripping down her lips. Of course, she knew the answer to that question, they all did. Fear was the only thing they knew while walking in Lionel’s shadow. And with what happened now... their lives might become even shorter. There is a smile still lingering on her face while she looks at John’s knife. It was still worth it.
Twisting that blade felt like pure freedom.
“None of your business, but I have to report what’s happened. Then I’ll pitch him on Brewster.”
Monique was about to question him again but thought better of it.
“Okay, I need to get moving. See you in a day or two.”
“Be careful, John. Come back to me safe.”
“Don’t I always?”
She gazes at him but doesn’t answer, just nods with a confident nod.
We will see about it, this time. But then again, maybe John might stick around for a bit longer. In the end, she would miss him if something happened. Not that she would ever say that out loud, her thick exterior could not show cracks.
Written By:
anarosewood