"someone...help!" But no help was coming. Even the birds that hovered around the tall coconut trees that beautified the ocean, seemed to be enjoying her predicament and twittered merrily in what sounded to Sarah like, 'why did you join the police force?' She laughed bitterly at her poor self.
After a long while, she silently said a prayer and decided it was time she relied on her strength else she dies away. She tried to lift her legs but almost fell immediately. Her legs were too weak to support her weight. She bit hard on her lips as if her survival depended on ho
The large hall was lusterless and sparsely decorated. The only ornament in the big hall that had several rooms inside was an art work that instilled horror to every visitor. The atmosphere was feastive as the men were busy celebrating what Sarah knew too well wouldn't be anything good. Jack was calmly sipping a glass of whiskey when he caught sight of Sarah and Richard making their ways into the large hall. Richard was steadily supporting her with his huge arm. "We awaited your return, man. But certainly not with that fellow. What really stopped the great and heartless Richard from sending that thing to the bottom of the hell," Jack asked as he staggered towards them. His glass of whiskey was shaking in his hand. Richard looked at Sarah briefly before saying, "She escaped," he took a few steps forward. &
"You can at least tell me where you're taking me to," Sarah's voice was cracky. Richard shut the car door, turned on the ignition and zoomed across the lonely and deserted old building.After what seemed like a century, he lazily replied, "The brotherhood suggested that you come with me. You'll need to make use of your acting skill once again. You're job here is to convince any suspicious eyes that we're a couple. They believe it'll help divert the attention of some zealous minds who may want to report me to the authority for the bounty and make them focus on their poor lives instead,"his face remained expressionless as he pulled on the gear. "This idea was never mine but you'll need to impress me, young lady. Hence, I suppose you know the actions every decent housewife take? You can put up some," he said.
"What happened to the smile every married woman who happens to be in a shopping mall with her husband manage to put on?" Richard whispered almost inaudibly. "Don't dream too much because you're not getting that from me," Sarah barked undertone as Richard chuckled. He was so handsome when he smiled. His thin lips parted, showing a set of white teeth. He touched his temple before replying evenly, "Sure. I found out long time ago that you're not in good terms with smiles," he led her to the whiskey department. Sarah paused and looked up at Richard. He was a giant compared to Sarah. She'll need to raise her head slightly if she wanted to see his face. She frowned and said, "This dosen't look like the items any couple would buy," she was mocking him. "You're the only
"Sarah!" To his utter surprise, it was her.By now, Richard was running short of bullets and was swiftly reloading. There were only two of the robbers left and they had hidden behind the deflated vehicle. He swiftly changed his position. The DPO caught sight of Richard. He stared at him for a while before muttering to himself, "Richard!"The sketch that Sarah had made earlier of the wanted men had hurriedly come to his mind. "Bastard!" He cursed under his breath. "You rendered this country unhabitable and think you can go scot-free? Think again!" Without wasting a second, he reached for the trigger but Sarah had noticed his move on time.She ran fleetly towards the DPO and pushed his hand to a different direction as the bullet hit a sports car parked under the shade. &nbs
"Have you no nonsense to say, young lady?" Richard asked as they had driven close to 30 minutes out of the town and to the lonely path where the bungalow was built.The building seemed seemed to belong to an ancient loner who had only trees, shrubs, rivers and birds as his neighbours.Richard stole a glance at the young lady who was rapt in thought. His intent gaze seemed to have drawn Sarah back to the present as she slowly replied, "None that will interest you," "I Never knew you would be this sensible and allow minutes pass without talking or rather cursing," he mocked. Sarah stared at him sternly. " From what I remember, you never acted like you heard me nor responded," she returned with a straight face. "That's to ensure my safety, w
"Who exactly are you?" Sarah wanted to know. "Apart from a monster?" He asked without looking up. "Yes," Sarah replied evenly. "Lucifer," Richard supplied. "I know you aren't as bad as you're making me believe, Richard. You have actually proven that to me on two different occasions. You spared my life even when you caught me attempting to...to...kill your men in their slumbers," she stammered, not knowing if reminding him of that incident would stir the beast in him and cost her, her life. "Few minutes ago, I saw the emotion and empathy in you when you dashed off from the car to fight those gangsters," she carefully observed his expression to know if she should continue but she didn't see anything. Richard was as expressionless as a statue. Sarah waited
"The detective has no use here, Rich. She's as useless as a dead wood if not for occasions like this. Even the young lady can attest to this. She can't be more useful than this, friend. Suicide bombing is just the best way to end her kind," Jack's face had turned red in anger. He scratched his hair angrily and his chain wrist watch dangled, following this action. "Need I remind you that your face and mine won't be fun to behold by the heavily armed security men there?" Jack was becoming more furious as he paced around. How could Richard object to using Sarah as a bait for such an important mission? Jack furrowed his brows. "Neither will entrusting the job to a detective whose loyalty lies with the State take us to the victory land, Jack. The detective's mind will read zero if a test is conducted on her ability to coopera
"Reformation?" Sarah muttered to herself. "Yes, reformation. People who truly Know us call us Reformists. To people like you, we remain the bad guys that disturb the quietness of the country. To those who extend their thinking, we're the reformists who fight to unveil and uproot the corruption in the society by nipping in the bud, the perpetrators," Richard said. He gave Sarah a serious look as he patiently explained this to her. Richard was a man of few words and was usually as cold as ice. Sarah listened in absolute shock and wondered if the man talking to her was the same Richard she knew hated long speeches. Her mouth opened in shock as Richard continued to reveal this shocking information. "The men you call monsters are patriotic citizens who had suffered great losses from the injustice that has prevailed in the country. Paul wouldn't have become the monster that the