"We will need to head over the Parvo Monte peak at the Petrosa passing. From there we will move over into Aquilae territory." Odette was leaning over a large wooden table that was covered in a land map of Heraldia. "From there we can settle into the base there and plan our actions from there. We will have to do this quickly and quietly, moving in separate groups of about five as not to draw attention to ourselves. There is news that the rebel group will be moving in the same direction and we might have an encounter with them." She looked everyone in the face before continuing. "Kill everyone on sight."
Suddenly everyone's attention was drawn to the heavy door creaking open, waiting to see who was disturbing them.
"Welcome Laila, so nice of you to join us." She laced her voice with so much sarcasm and hatred. She looked around to everyone again, completely ignoring my existence again. "That concludes the briefing. You're all dismissed." She stormed out of the room, making sure she shouldered me on the way out, she never flinched.
"Well done Laila." A stocky man approached me, sneaking a smirk on his face. "You've finally found a new level of disrespect to offend Odette with."
"Not now Melvin." I really couldn't stand being in this guy's presence. He also had a pungent smell around him and he had an arrogance like he thought he was God's gift to women.
"Aw come on now Laila," He threw and arm around me and I did everyone in my power not to punch him in the face. "No need to get so upset. I was only joking with you."
"Get," I stared him straight in the eyes, a dead straight expression on my face, "Your arm off of me."
He guffawed, bringing a few annoyed glances in our direction. "You're far too serious dear Laila." He smiled sickly at me as if he thought his charm was working on me. "You should come by my room sometime and I will show you how to have some fun." He now plastered his face with what he thought was an alluring smile.
"I'd rather chew my limbs off one by one." I took hold of his arm, throwing it off my shoulders.
"Laila please, you're such a pretty girl and you should be treated right." He tried making a move again to put his arm around my shoulders.
"Touch me again and I won't hesitate to cut off your man bits." I stalked off, weaving my way around the last few people in the room to get as much distance between myself and Melvin as quickly as possible.
I was barely a few steps out the door when someone grabbed my shoulders and yanked me to the side, out of the stream of people. My hands were ready to defend myself without hesitation.
"Relax Laila." A strong built man stood in front of me, a handsome face adorning it all. "It's just me."
"Why Elliot," I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and dusted myself off, feeling the tension that had built up fade slightly. "Would you want to catch me, of all people, off guard?"
"Why isn't it obvious?" He smiled at me. "To keep you on your toes." He winked at me, being his friendly self.
"Yeah just be glad I didn't pull a knife or something on you. I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your peers." I punched his shoulder playfully, feeling a lot more relaxed now being around better company.
"You forget sometimes that they're your peers too." He lowered his head as not to be heard. "Whether you like it or not, you're pretty much stuck with these people for life."
I scoffed in response. "Please." I rolled my eyes in mock sarcasm. "I don't need anyone holding me back."
"Someone seems so sure of themselves. You're teeming with arrogance and self confidence, I wonder where you picked that up from?" He looked down his nose at me, arms crossed in front of him.
"That's something you should know Elliot." I smirked at him, not buying his attitude. "You are my mentor after all."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPKJeOD2PO
"Very true." He smiled turning towards the infirmary. "Let's go somewhere quieter so I can fill you in on what you missed in the briefing." I nodded and followed him.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyLgSWqLCp
The infirmary was a wide open room scattered with a few beds with wall dividers to ensure some sort of privacy for the patient. There were a few wash buckets lying around for washing and keeping the place as clean as possible. It was a pretty plain room but definitely the cleanest and quietest out of all the rooms available in the base. Lucky for us no one had decided to injure themselves today so we were left alone.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ta7iyRgOg
"So," Elliot began, finding the comfiest bed to sit on before proceeding. "There is the plan to get over to the base in Aquilae in two days time." I eyed him wearily, but let him continue. "We will be crossing over the West base crossing of the mountain." Now it was his turn to eye me wearily. "And I know you know how close that crossing is to Lupus territory."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq57mnhP0IV
I shrugged my shoulders, trying my very best not to show my excitement for it. "I know, but that doesn't mean I will disobey orders." I looked him straight in the eye. "You know that."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiOJQl2bnn
"I just want to know if you're okay with that." His face was a look of concern. "I know how much you've missed home, you've told me that much, and with an opportunity like this I'm just a little worried you're going to make silly mistakes. I would hate to know what Odette would do to you were you to ignore her direct instructions."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwkY4WN36o
I scoffed regardless. "It would've been direct instructions had she not sent me on a little delivery mission and conveniently forgot to mention the briefing that would be happening soon after I left."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB9WvNq5j7
Elliot smiled reassuringly. "It doesn't help getting angry at her Laila, you should know that by now. She does things deliberately to show her dominance here, even towards the men, and her lack of enthusiasm towards you is one that is not unknown. So like I always tell you, just let her be." 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsWVKf6O4z
I sat down beside him and slumped my shoulders, feeling a little emotionally drained. "Things have been a little crazy these past few days." I looked at my hands resting on my lap to avoid eye contact. "I just don't know what I should be doing with myself anymore."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyuoXla6eY
Elliot put his arm around my shoulders and drawing me into a sideways embrace. "Is this your rare moment of opening up to me, or am I just here to comfort you in your silence?" He looked down at me waiting for a response.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g8d2PVaRN
"It's things I need to figure out on my own." I looked up at him and smiled a small sad smile. "But thanks for the offer of listening to me whine."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSNkIkS2Tb
He chuckled, enjoying the fact that I could still be funny even though I wasn't really in the mood to smile much. "Anytime Laila." He gave my shoulders one last squeeze before he stood up. "Well I have to get back to work, and you have to get back to what ever it is you do." He bowed his slightly and walked out, leaving me alone with my own thoughts.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1UZYP9Df1
I sat still for a while, eventually laying down and staring at the dark ceiling. My mind lulled over all the decisions it was wanting to make for the upcoming events that would be happening in the next two days. Knowing now that my chances of meeting up with Braden had evaporated into nothing, and even if I could sneak away undetected I wouldn't know a way to get back without being caught. Assuming I already knew how Odette's mind worked we would be going in small parties to avoid detection. The difficulty came in where I couldn't assume whether or not I'd be in her party so she could keep an eye on me or push me off into another party to avoid as much time with me as possible. Either way there will be eager eyes keeping watch over my behaviour. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmCGayMdv6
Before I could continue with my thoughts the infirmary nurse walked in humming quietly to herself. I sat up quickly as she noticed me. "Laila? Is everything alright?"667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaAYY5GNxy
"Everything is fine Agatha." I smiled reassuringly towards her, jumping to my feet and walking out. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv8VIqmD4A
"Let me know if there is anything I could do to help if you need it!" She called after me, continuing with her humming.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJhvqeJFKg
I wish there was some way you could help me, I thought to myself as I skulked off towards my room.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfbxejF2rf
