Return of the boogeymen (2)

50Km from the city of Aleppo

An underground shelter

-So, you guys are mercenaries?!

Asked the red-haired beauty with a little doubt and confusion.

-Yes, that would be the correct way to describe our current occupation, Victoria.

Answered the man wearing a metallic mask which was revealed after he took off his white cloak and hood upon reaching the shelter. After carefully exiting the city, they took a prearranged car and drove with a speed of over 100 Kmph to reach their destination as fast as possible. Even though they had a few pursuers, they shook them off in no time. While escaping, they didn't converse much, as the women were too shocked to say anything and one of their rescuers had a very formal attitude as if he is carrying out a mission.

After reaching the shelter, however, they found that there were about 2000 people in the shelter. The occupants' age, gender, ethnicity ranges from children to old, men to women, Caucasian to Negroid, though half of them are Syrian. They incidentally found an American family who helped them settle down.

After passing the period of shock, they were severely exhausted and slept the whole day. After they woke up, one of their rescuers came to meet them. From him, they learned that this place was prepared by their employer to rescue civilians caught in the ongoing conflict. As the airport was blasted to rubbles, they were to protect the shelter until a rescue party came from NATO. So, the two rescuers had been rescuing civilians last two weeks. They had already contacted with NATO command and the first rescue operation was scheduled in one week.

-I don't remember she given you the permission to call her by her first name. And, you two are the only one protecting this shelter!!!

The black-haired beauty with a bob cut asked with disbelief and anxiety.

-No need to be anxious, mam. Our employer is confident in our capabilities. So, don't worry.

The man with the mask answered with a jovial tone.

-Hearing that from a masked mercenary makes me more anxious. Why don't you take off that mask of yours?

She asked back. The red-haired beauty beside her added with squinted eyes,

-I am more concerned about the validity of the whole project. Aren't you suppose to save only foreign civilian personals? Why is half of the rescuee Syrian then? Is their any shady business going on underneath this whole facade?

In response to such questions, the masked man only chuckled a little. Then he answered,

-This mask is not for me, but your protection mam. And, our employer values not only American lives but also the lives of all human beings. We are tasked to rescue any civilian caught in the crossfire warring parties. Saving local civilian life is just as important as letting foreign personals return to their home. If you doubt that there is any illegal activity going on, feel free to explore and investigate the shelter, Victoria. Though, I am really astonished how astute you are even though you are the editor of a fashion magazine, not that I undermining you in the slightest. I expected such questions from miss Brandt though. Anyway, let me ask some questions in return. How is editor of the Beauty Magazine and the secretary of the publisher and journalist of daily Bugle together in the middle of the active battlefield?

-Are we obliged to answer your question?

Asked Elizabeth Brandt, secretary of J. Jonah Jameson, asked frowning.

-No, I am just curious. Don't answer if you don't want to.

-We would like to pass the question then.

-Meh. It was worth a shot. Anyway, make yourself comfortable with what limited supply is available. I will be seeing you around. This base is well hidden so there is not much to do besides occasionally going out and rescuing people in need of help. I hope we can get along.

-Says the person who doesn't even show his face or gives his name.

Said Victoria Nutley Starr, the editor of the famous Beauty magazine.

-Heh, you can call me "Small one" if you like. Though mine is bigger than my grumpy bro. It refers to I am younger than my bro.

-...(Victoria)

-...(Elizabeth)

-What's with that look? You don't believe me? Let me take it out.

The women hurriedly protested,

-No need, no need. We believe you...

Ignoring the women, he brought his big... gun out of nowhere.

-Wait, you were talking about guns?!

Asked Victoria.

-What else I would be talking about?

-No, nothing. That's not the main point. Where did you take it out from?

-That's a secret, Victoria. And secrets should be kept secret, after all, I am not Batman. I would be going then. See ya.

Saying that he put away the gun in nowhere and proceeded to leave the room. When he was about to leave the room, Elizabeth said,

-Thanks for saving us.

He stopped for a moment, then said,

-Well, you can pay back anytime by going on a date. I would be honoured to have such a lovely lady accompany me for dinner. I might even show you my face. Consider it okay.

After the man left the room.

-Well, you are not seriously thinking about going on date with him. Right?

Asked Elizabeth.

-Why not? He even said that he would show his face. I would like to see his face hidden underneath that mask.

Answered Victoria.

-It is pretty obvious that he wants to get into your pant.

Elizabeth retorted.

-And what is wrong with that? At least he asked out on a date, he is strong and capable. As long as he has a pretty face, I don't mind spending a night with him. We got better things to worry about. Let's check out the shelter. You are not going to miss out such a juicy story, are you?

Victoria answered casually.

-Let's go.

Elizabeth answered letting out a sigh.

.

.

.

Author Note:

Hey you all, I hope all of you are alive. May mercy and blessing of Almighty be upon you all. We all going through tough times together and remaining cautious is the only effective defence we have right now against this curse called Corona Virus.

Please, don't go out if it is not absolutely necessary. Wash your hands, then face very carefully after coming back. Avoid public gathering, stay home as much as possible. Be very very mindful of personal and interpersonal hygiene. COVID-19 has already become a pandemic. Thousands of people have died and hundreds of thousands are infected. So, let us not make the situation worse than it already is.

By the way, I have started using Grammarly from this chapter. I hope my writing quality improves.

Pray for yourself and pray for all of mankind. Peace be upon all.