Chapter 5: It was a Choice

(Flashback)

'Miss Raven? Are you here?'

Walking close to the edge of the roof of an old building with the moon as the only provider of light. Red spider-lilies were in the small fountain that was in the center.While the rest of the roof was covered in rose brushes with pots of moon laces that glimmered under the moon's skirt. There's a crunch of a few twigs in the near left of the roof then to the only enternece that shifted to the fountain and stopped.

'Who's there?!'

There's a shadow that crawled from behind the fountain. It started to giggle.

'Forgive me. I couldn't help myself,' the shadow admitted shyly.

It moves closer to me and her features begin to take form.

She had large round eyes and dark brown irises with long dark loose hair strands that reached her hips. The moon light made her skin look pale despite the fact she has a natural-tan.

'Miss Raven? Are we feeling fine tonight,' I question.

'I'm just fine,' Miss Raven nodded.

'You're such a terrible liar,' I reply as I walk closer to her and lean in.

She avoids eye contact with me and looks around the roof top.

'Miss Raven? You do know that you may drink from me if that's what you need. She bit her bottom lip and nodded, 'Yes I know that but. . .I don't know if I should.'

'Why not?'

'Because you enjoy it too much,' she complaint and struck my shoulder playfully. Miss Raven had such a beautiful smile.

'Please don't forget that it doesn't matter,' I state.

'Yeah, yeah, you aren't neither a woman or a man but you may have their appearance. So it shouldn't be a problem if we get found out.'

I smile softly at her and nodd gently.

'Besides you should know by now that you may stop calling me "Miss Raven". It's just a simple code name here. When it's just you and I. . .please call me by my name.

'And what would that be?'

'Carmen. My name is Carmen. What about you Wolf? What's your real name?

There was curiosity reflected in her eyes. Could I really bring myself to tell her my name. . .or. . .or. . .

'Wolf? Your thinking about it too much. How about you tell me your name once we're out?'

I nodd,'That would be perfect.'

***

Back at headquarters, we were call to the Commander's office for a special mission.

'The details are in the report . . .' he trailed off.

'Sir is something the matter,' I asked worryingly.

The Commander sigh helplessly, 'I wouldn't say it trouble but I'd be lying to you if I didn't say that it isn't serious.'

Miss Raven and I eye each other then look back at the Commander.

'Ah. . .Sir,' Miss Raven queried.

The Commander looks up to us with a thoughtful expression.

'The report reads that they want the Target alive. But there are doubts that they will keep the Target alive.'

'But Sir. . .if they might kill the Target. Doesn't that mean that they're planning--,' I began but was interrupted by the Commander.

'--yes. That is why I'm giving the choice.'

There was an awkward moment of silence before he began once more. Whispering, 'You either bring the Target alive . . .or. . .you bring it dead. In the end it won't matter. What they need is what is inside the Target. Not the Target itself.'

'So kill the Target before they get to play with it, is the order, correct?'

'Yes, Miss Raven, that is correct. But I give you the order not to kill the Target yet,' the Commander had a frown plastered on face.

'Sir? I hope you aren't think what I think it is,' I ask carefully. 'Sir? What if it's a young boy?'

It seemed as though it did not matter. He continued to frown even more.

We left his office with the following instructions, "Bring the Target to me. I own a small cabin in the northernmost part of the mountain near the river that reaches the slope off to the east side. Take the Target there. Let me know when you have the target and when you are on your way. I'll be waiting."

***

In the small city that was close to our headquarters. The Target was in it's home just like the report had stated. We knock the her unconscious and take her to the car we had used to get there. Driving off to the cabin just like we were instructed to do so.

'Ow. My head. Where am I? Who are you? Where are you taking me,' the Target asked relaxed in cold steady tone.

'Wow, you're not even freaking out like most people do. I wonder why,' Miss Raven questioned.

'Miss Raven, please refferan from speaking with the target, I reminded her.

'Tsk. You're no fun Wolf,' she pouted.

'There is no need to pout Miss Raven. Besides, we are almost there.'

'Are we really just going to give him the Target.'

'He is our supirior. We are only following orders.'

Miss Raven doesn't look too happy about it, 'Alright then,' was her only response.

We arrive at the small cabin, but something was off. . .rather uncomfortable. The front door was a fraction opened inward and the lights were off.

We bring out the Target from the car and take her to the cabin's front door. We all enter the cabin, there was a chair creeking to our left.

There was the Commander waiting for the target.

'You may leave now,' he dismissed us with the wave of his right hand. All the while he had a knife in his other.

'You and I are going to have a little fun together,' he stated while waving the knife in front of the her.

The Target didn't seem in the least bit afraid. The Commander just sighed and looked up and waved at Miss Raven to go over with him as we were about to leave.

Miss Raven obediently walked over to him. In a flash, the Commander grabbed Miss Raven by the neck and brought the knife to her face near her right eye.

The Target widen her eyes in surprise. I move forward to the left then dash right when--

'STOP RIGHT THERE! IF YOU MOVE ANY CLOSER TO ME I WILL KILL HER! YOU HEAR ME!

Miss Raven was mouthing, "Save the her. I will be fine." I shook my head, 'Commander? Please listen to me. I have a request.'

'And what that be,' he asked with raised brow.

'Please, allow me to exchange Miss Raven's and the target's life for mine.'

Miss Raven's and the Target's eyes went wide, 'No! I won't allow it,' she yelled.

'You may do with me as you please just let Miss Raven and the Target go.'

The Commander chukled, 'Do you even hear yourself? Do you even know what you're saying?'

'Yes Sir. I do know.'

'Here let me put it this way for you. You can save the target and leave or save Miss Raven and leave the Target me. But no you're giving your life to me for both,' he said disappointed, 'That's quite a choice you're making. Fine I agree.'

He let's go of Miss Raven and the Target runs to my arms, 'Thank you,' it whispers. It shimmers and fades then desolves in thin air.

The Commander sighed while looking at the knife, 'I'm waiting,' he says coldly. I look at Miss Raven and nodd her to leave,'No,' she says and grabs my hand. She sprints to the exit but is blocked by the Commander.

'Where do you think you're going with him. We just made a deal,' he states plainly and grips the knife tightly before directing it to Miss Raven. I move in between.

Blood.

One word that describes my suroundings. Hot thick blood drips to the ground. My eyes are wide with astonishment.

And so is the Commander.

'Miss Raven? Please leave.'

'No, Wolf I can't. . .'

'You must. I'll join you later. I promise, ' I smile softly at her. There's pain in her eyes. She doesn't want to leave but there's nothing left to be done.

She's tough but not that strong. At least not strong enough to carry a full grown man.

She nodds and leaves. I turn and look at the Commander, 'Sir, you may have your way with me but please leave Miss Raven out of this. That is the only condition.'

The Commander chuckles, he leans in to me and grabs his knife, 'This is going to hurt you but I have a lesson to teach you.