A suspicion in the Air

She entered his office with great hesitation. Their earlier encounter was still fresh in her mind, making her feel uncomfortable just thinking about it. She opened the door slowly, peeking inside. He's not here. Weird. Well... He'll not get angry at her if she enters, won't he?

She entertained herself by walking around his office, browsing the large collection of books in his library. Though this was not her first time being here, still it never ceases to amaze how large and clean his office is. The masculine touch enhances the simple yet minimal design of the room. Its large windows overlook lush greenery and clear blue sea. The sturdy oak table in the centre accentuated by gold on its edges was reflected by the setting sun, making the room shines in faints glow. The only odd décor was the lamp on its side surrounded by small plant vines. As far as she knows, he is not fond of plant or any plants at all. She made a face. Okay. He's really...….an odd, though a handsome one. She turned to the glass window. Salty air greeted her, cold and damp but it calms her tense body to the point that she failed to sense his presence inside the room.

'Do you like it?' a deep rich voice asked behind her. She jumped in response, turning her head. He's too close. She took a step backwards, distancing herself from him.….. When did he enter the room? I did not even felt him at all.

'When….? .....What?' trailing her words... Athy! What the hell? Are you even awake?

But he simply stands there, waiting for her.

'Did you…. say something?' her voice trembled slightly. She cleared her throat, regaining her composure.

'I simply asked if you like it?' repeating his earlier question, gesturing the room. She did not notice until now but the room seems too dark now that the sun's completely set. She wetted her lips, contemplating whether to answer him or not. He walked to his table, turning on one lamp on his left. Soft yellowish light flooded the room, lessening her nervousness. He sat down, pointing to the chair for her to do the same. Swallowing hard, she sat down on the chair facing him.

Minutes passed and neither of them talks. Each lost in their own thoughts. He suddenly cleared his throat...' I'll go straight to the point, Phi,' he started, tone serious contrary to his earlier one. He paused as if to gather his thoughts. She waited. Whatever it is, for him to personally see her, which he never does, spokes volume to her. His grim face deepen when he pulled a manila folder beneath his table, pushing it to her. He looked at her, waiting for her to pick it up. She hesitated for a minute but proceeded to pick it up.

She reached and opened it. Pulling the papers out, it was a report. Her eyes read the words written on it...…. She was reading the paper over and over again just to make sure that she was perceiving each word correctly but only one thought stood out-------FAILURE-----. This only means one thing----dead---killed---or ---- captured------.

'How did it happened? It was a simple retrieval operation, wasn't it? How the two of your agent –failed --? She asked him slowly, shaking the folder in her hand.

Astonishment and disbelief evident in her eyes after rereading it a couple of times. She can't process what she just read at all. It was a retrieval mission. How come it became like this? She seeks his eyes trying to look for an answer even a small hint but it was devoid of any emotions. She frowned in mute silence. She looked down at the papers on hand...

'How?'

'Classified.' She looked askance at his dismissive answer to her inquiry.

'Classified?' she parroted, dark chocolate eyes boring to his stormy blue-grey eyes. There was really nothing in there to decipher.

She walked to his table and slammed the folder down, hard. Ouch...The… table was hard. She can feel the stinging pain radiating up to her whole arm… Endure…

'...…I do not want to cause a scene----'

'You're already are....' he interjected. She gave him a stare.

'....for Pete's sake stop pretending to be the epitome of emotionless perfection. Those are irreplaceable individuals you sent and you are dismissing them just like that?'

She cannot comprehend him at all. How far is he willing to go to further his cause? Throwing away lives like that. Like a disposable object without value as long as it fulfils its duty.

'...Please understand me on this matter, but are they not your subordinates? Your comrades for a long time? Aren't they the ones you trusted the most?'

'I think you misunderstand me, Ms Phi,' he started------- the condescending way he said it pricked something on her-----' and I am going to warn you this time. Stop poking your nose on things that don't concern you. I called you here for your next mission.' then proceeded to retrieve a different folder from his cabinet.

'Why give me this, then?' pointing at the folder on the table.

'I heard that you were close to them. Am I wrong?' She was taken aback hearing his absurd reasoning.....Huh?Just like that? For that reason?

'...…Close, no... but we were acquaintance at best. They were my block mate's years ago.' She did not know why she's telling him this but..... What's got to do with me? Is he mocking me?

'Right…. You can open it when you reach your room. It is a highly classified mission. Be careful with that.'

She nodded, securing the folder in one hand, and walked out of his office when he called her back. She turned, the blacken hallway hid whatever expression he wore, his voice unexpectedly warm with a touch of concern she barely heard it unless she wasn't attuned to him. She waited not long.

'Your next assignment.....' he paused for a moment....' you are expected to report to the Central 56.' He lingers for a moment on the door, staring at her. She tilted her head, confused by his behaviour. He shook his head and dismissingly wave at her to leave. She nods and walks out of his office.

'Roger that.' She whispered.

The sea breeze gently caresses her unbound hair, swinging it around. She tasted the salty air with a sniff. The calmness of the night does not reflect the turmoil inside of her. After hearing the devastating news about her former mates, what happened, left a huge question mark on her. Her dream...… it was really an omen...not for her…but the things that will happen... but is there really a connection between them or she's only reading too much into it? There's no way she will know of it...unless they'll tell her all the details. It wasn't even on the report earlier.

Then why? Why did they not follow up on the mission? Or they but only in secrecy? She scratches the side of her head from so many questions bombarding her right now but no one wants to provide her answers at all.

What a letdown.

*************

'Are you sure about that?' a familiar voice echoed inside his head. He was busy analyzing the situation of the recent event that he managed to sneak upon him. He's tired. He pinched the bridge of his nose then close his eyes, and leaned on the headboard. Tch. Another annoyance enter. Give him a break.

'I rather that you enter my office as a most normal person would.' He boorishly replied, ignoring his inquiry. Swivelling his chair, he spotted him on the window, smiling down at him.

'That would be boring. And just like what you said 'most people' but I am not most people.'

'Unfortunately.'

'You never change.'

'I could say the same about you.'

'Hahaha.' He smiled, eyes crinkling.

'...…..'

'Right...'

'And why are you here? If I remember correctly, you're supposed to go directly to the elders...' he trailed, lifting one eyebrow when he merely gives him a charming smile.

'Hahaha... Why? Is it wrong for me to visit you at all? That kind of hurts me unlike your punches…..it reaches the deepest, darkest corner of my absent heart.' The sarcastic remarks

He narrowed his eyes on him.

'So....' Clearing his throat....' did you find anything there?'

'No… And that was bizarre. No traces were left there. It was an odd crime scene. There was nobody on site.' He explained, all his earlier mirth was drained from his face, replaced by his professional, business-like demeanour.

'Hmmmmm.' Contemplating. 'Who gave the information?'

'Dunno.' Tousling his brownish short hair. 'Two days ago, an anonymous letter reached somebody's door… then everything basically was a blur even now.'

'Don't you find it suspicious?'

'About what? The letter? Well.....it was suspicious based on the timing of its arrival but it was highly improbable to jump to a conclusion right now. They haven't made any movement for the past years. Even if they did, sure enough, we will be notified by now. For the most part, that letter was just part of an elaborate plan to scare us. Nothing new on that.'

He remained silent. He was right but it is still is suspicious.

'Do you think there's a rat inside?'

'That's possible.' The manic gleam in his eyes did not go unnoticed by him. He sighs heavily.

They fell into complete silence. Each consumes in their own thoughts.

'Well...'

'Yeah….'

'Let's talk about this over some beer.'

'Yeah.'

And jump down the window. That guy never knows how to use the door. He slumps on his chair…

The continuous ticking of the clock accompanied his wandering thoughts, yet no clear answers came to his mind.

He tightly closed his eyes, scenarios of what-ifs besiege his chaotic mind. He clenched his fists, hindering the flow of blood when a nagging and rather elusive thought drifts and disperse when he felt a disturbing presence. He cursed loudly when he realises he managed to sneak past his defence.

A disembodied voice floated around him. The heavy, stifling existence he once thought he'll never see again, invade his consciousness.

I can help you.

You only need to call upon my name.

And power will be yours.

'Shut up.'

Surrender yourself to me.

I will take care of everything.

'Shut up.'

You need me.

'Shut up.'

You are powerless without me.

'I said shut the hell up.' He roared inside his head. The rattle of imaginary metal door banged as it roared. Guttural and unnatural. He was heaving, breath shallow exhausted from the ordeal.

You can never ignore me forever, cursed child.

'The bloody hell I will.'