Lack of Choices

HANS

The cut on my left arm from the ambush was stinging. From the torn hem of my shirt which I used as a bondage, my blood flowed and dried, making the piece of cloth stick to my skin. That will hurt like hell once I remove it later.

I'm back to the Aenelus Headquarters, right outside the office of Gunthor, the Aenelus King. I was called to report on the outcome of the ambush, as well as to record the death of Angith and Boarth, the two warriors I came to the area with. Apparently, they were killed. The refugees were stronger than we thought. They're kind of improving these days.

The door divided in half and slid on either side, giving me entry. I stood up with a grunt, every movement felt like a struggle which I know made my cut throb. I walked inside, letting the scanner at the side check my thumb print. After less than a minute, I was granted access.

The King's chamber was quiet as always. His broad and muscular body was facing me, leaning over to an unconscious human on a hospital bed. It was a man with ginger hair and a thin body. Looked like a high schooler. He was naked, and from this angle, I couldn't say what the king was doing. Unlike what humans expect of him, Gunthor pretty looked like a normal human being. Of course, it was because of the help of science that he managed to make himself look normal to easily hide in plain sight. The only unusual feature on him was his purple eyes: the only Aenelus trait that cannot be altered nor deceived.

"I hope you came with good news, Spiderwick." – He said without turning his head away from the human body he was examining

"I don't, my King. Except the fact that I'm now sure the refugees have a small group or community where they hide."

"hmmm…" – I heard a slight growl

"Where are your companions?"

This time, he turned. A large syringe with gooey blue liquid was on his right arm. What he was doing with the helpless human now got clear to me. He was setting up the implant on the man's body. Just like what he did with me.

"We lost them." – I said straightly looking into his eyes

"Too bad. Did you get any refugee?"

I almost did… right before they grabbed their guns and retaliated. I shook my head as an answer and Gunthor nodded. He turned around and refilled the syringe with the liquid, coming from a huge cylinder container on the table.

"Why are you still standing here, then? We need more allies. You may get out, Spiderwick. Find me a human army. And don't fail me this time. You know what's at stake."

I gave him a single nod and got out of the chamber. The doors automatically locked behind me. I walked straight, biting my tongue because of the pain on my left side of the body. I have one place to go in mind now. I have to be there if I need to treat this and save some more of my remaining blood. I also know my mother would be there at this time of day. I wanted to see her. To check on her.

I turned at the end of the hall and walked straight into one of the restricted areas. Heavy security guarded the door as 6 Aenelus soldiers stand there, immobile but alert to the slightest movement. I showed them the identification card I was given and the door was opened by two of the soldiers. Inside the door, people in white coats were doing their own tasks, not speaking to anyone. Tight numbered cubicles divide them, each with their own tasks to attend to for the day. Mom was in cubicle number 36 as I remember and I did my best not to talk to anyone while I passed their cubicles. Aside from the curses, spits and offensive names these captivated human doctors and scientists threw at me, no physical harm was done. I'm already used to all of that. It no longer harmed me.

"Hans! God, what happened to you?!" – Mom exclaimed when I reached Cubicle 36. She pulled me and gave me a chair, right outside the cubicle, blocking the way for others.

"I've led an ambush, mom."

She looked at me with eyes filled with worry. Her brown hair was tied up in a bun and secured with a hair net above her head. the little freckles on her face looked like constellations and her black eyes clouded with concern. With gloved hands, she carefully removed the bondage I placed. I let out groans as she did, as the cloth has indeed stuck with the blood and glued on my skin. When she successfully removed the dirty cloth, my abrased skin with a 3-inch cut stared right at her. She shook her head slowly.

"Arrows?" - Mom said, dabbing the corners of my skin with a cotton ball, infused with ethyl alcohol. It gave me a cooling, yet burning sensation.

"Arrow. Just one." – I joked, trying to ease her concern.

"Not funny, Hans. You're only lucky this did not pierce through. Imagine if they put poison on the end of their arrows. You could've been dead by now."

I managed to laugh. As if that was merely a joke, not a possible circumstance.

"Well, you know what they say about wars, mom. Death is a daily visitor."

She stopped what she was doing and placed down the cotton on her lap. She sniffed, I got alarmed. When she looked back up at me, her eyes were cloudy with tears. Every time I visit her here, the tears would always show.

"Don't say that. Your dad and I can't lose you, son. Whatever this is you're doing, I know you're doing this for us. Be careful out there." – she said, cupping my face with both of her hands

I only smiled and removed her hand from my face. What do I say to her? Everything she said was right. It was only the lack of other choices that brought me here. For them. For our safety. I have to give up myself to the Aenelus and serve them. That's the only option that was given to me when I was caught. That… or they will kill my parents. I had no choice.

But this is not the time for regrets. This is the time to own up to that choice and live with it. To live.

"Thank you, mother. I have to go."

I stood up and kissed her on the forehead. As for my sworn duty to the Aenelus, I shouldn't be caught spending so much time in here. I have a mission to fulfill. I have a duty to do.

"Where are you going?"

"Doing what's expected of me. To find the refugees and make sure none of them survives this time."

She gave me a sad look. I turned around before I changed my mind.