Hush in The Bush

Strolling to Pass

AT THE NEW LEAGUE’S BASE

“You surely got those standards for yourself. You hate quitting and the thing you despise the most is a failure.” Tristan remarked as he observed those who they have efficaciously taken from Ethernal. Soon enough they would build their extension in that area after they can weep it all clean. They’re conclusive that there are still those who are running back to that base to get the others.

They weren’t able to breach the underground and they have calculated that there are still half a hundred inside. That nun had sealed it correctly and it would be hard for them. It might be a trap for a trap set by the Ethernals. Also, Tristan is much concerned about the fact that the leader had been gone for a while. It might be a cowardly thing, but Tristan knew that it was something more about it. He’s thinking that Devian didn’t run off but it was her intention to do that in her time of crisis – to ask for help from the other organization; to be the victim, but still act cool in order not to look down on her.

Even if she’s a forthright person, she’s just like the others – trying to deal with how complicated their situation is. Tristan perceived Mildred at the side of the line. She’s checking those children who are walking in small spaces. She’s witted, but something is not matching her actions. And Tristan is the only one who thinks like that about her as far as he knew.

Mildred felt his cold stare around her and she presented him a raised eyebrow. The kids are separated from the elders in another building made of bamboo. They have worked it for a month and now it is already been used and the number of people getting inside is more to what they presume. Most of the kids were aged from six to eleven. A woman with a blond hair from the other line and is wearing her dilapidated boots and shredded clothes approached Mildred. Her smell was sharp, but Mildred had managed it.

“Why did you take us here?” Her innocent voice had touched Mildred’s conscience but the way she looked at her is menacing as if she’s just testing her and that her life depends on how she would answer it.

“For such an age like that, you surely do know why. Don’t give me such crap, child. You know the answer to that question of yours. Now, if you think your mother would know whether you live or die, so you better use your brain and mouth properly.” She bluntly said and rubbed her head.

“Tsh. I heard you were just recruited a few days ago, and now you’re acting so superior. Where do you get your boldness? You never have captured our leader.” She laughed and her allies have heard her and now joined the tease.

“Oh. Yes.” She leaned on her with bloodthirst in her eyes. “Why don’t you ask the leader here for her to tell the reason why she put me? Just like what the man had done.” She eyed to Tristan.

After hearing this, he joined them and gave the woman a good whack on her face. “Seemed like you really like to have attention. Did your own mother before doesn't give you the attention even when you piss in your pants?”

Her confidence had instantly shrunk, making Tristan to grin more. “Ssh. You don’t need to answer that either. Your expression had told me already.” He tapped her cheek and pushed her back to her line. She didn’t talk again and moved inside.

“Is that a save from you?” She inquired.

“Think what you want.” He shortly said and moved to a different spot. They have started to bring those slender ones to the facility where they would inject the fluid to make bombers.

When everything is secured, Mildred reported to Roxan who was slacking in her chair. After they have attacked the Ethernal, they were also battled by the Trinity which got them to lose the case again. Roxan is apprehensive now that the case is with them. She surely knows that the man would use it soon enough and it will be worse. The beast will wake up soon.

She played with her fingers as she hummed that same song before. When she saw Mildred in her office, her expression turned into a lovely sneer. She knows how to properly deal with someone in front of her. Plucking the toothpick she held in her mouth for an hour. She crossed her legs and signalled her to settle down.

“How are they?”

“They’re good. Flourished and steadfast. As to those men, they could start their training tomorrow. There’s no need for them to rest. Our supply is quite even that we’re able to secure those they have stored. The children are inside Fumin. What do you plan to do with them? The nursery is full too.”

“Hmm. Let the kids rest and teach them. They’re the most vulnerable and easily influenced. Show them what we’re made of.” Her sight was keen.

Tristan blunted as it was just a day when everything took place. “I wonder how it was so perfect that they breached inside her. I wonder if someone had given them the information.”

“Oh, if you’re sensing that it is me, try to consider that I’ve been with you in Ethernal that time.”

“Who knows? My eyes are on you. If there’s a traitor in here, then it should be you since you come from them in the first place. What’s your plan, Rox?”

“Even if we strike Trinity now, it would be useless and we’re late. That thing should probably be in those hands already. All we need to do is to observe and get ourselves ready. They might attack us anytime soon. Make many of our weapons as fast as you can.”

“How about the Howard Organization? Do you have any plans for them?”

“Using their name as the bait is the best thing that we have done, but I still don’t have any ideas in regards to them. Let's just watch from a distance for now."

As Mildred scrutinized her, she didn’t think that it was a joke and there was something more horrific from what she said. Something bigger and is different.

“If you’re still concerned about them, then you should consider them lucky for escaping here. I bet they’re enjoying now for their small victory.” Roxan uttered to her.

___

“You’re going to get yourself killed, Mildred.” She shook and sipped the tea on her cup as she slumped her heavy head on her hand. They just finished their conversation and currently she's in her room. She took several sighs, but she was not contented with it. Something is off after the case was taken from the New League, making her to question who is their real enemy. But then, Mildred cannot deny that the only ally she could put her trust in is herself. She doesn’t need to lie to her own. That’s the decent thing that she could offer. The cup was empty and she decided to go to her bed and are arranged those packed clothes at the edge. Her back didn’t rest well as it was made of rough wood.

There’s no turning back and she would do it no matter what. She doesn’t want to think more but to secure her life once again. She perceived that her use in New League is not that stable anymore now that they’re able to get one foundation. The Howard is not that cooperative when it comes to clashes but they have the information as if they got all the eyes and ears everywhere. They’re like spies who are just observing the other groups and waiting for the right time to move themselves. And, thats their new target.

Roxan shared that she’s planning to go and talk to their leader but also it would be hard since they postponed the supposed pact with Ethernal and Howard. They have set the bars on high and the New League is the new attention among them all. The night is coming and she needs to prepare.

She deliberately sealed the window and put her stuff inside her bag. When the light is fading, it would be a go for her. She was occupied with her preparation when her hand accidentally slipped a piece of paper on the floor. She stared and realized that it was the message she got from the nun.

When they were busy in gathering stocks from Ethernal, it was luck that Mildred had encountered the person whom the leader had trusted her fellow men. It was the nun. Her cross was the first thing that she had noticed when they met. It was made of gold. But when she raised her head to meet her eyes, Mildred took her steps away. Half of her body was infected and a flower had wilted on her left eye. Her arm was also intertwined by those veins and her hair had grown with leaves. Yet, she could speak well. They have talked for a bit and she wasn’t harmed by the old lady. Instead, she gave the paper to her and asked a favor to offer it to Devian. Somehow, she knows that Mildred got to do something in the near future and surely she would meet Devian the second time around. When she’s certain that no one is watching over them, she let the nun get away and her going back to end the mission. Mildred in return should keep it up until she could find Devian herself.

It didn’t take long when she had got everything. The night had been set. Twinkling stars have become her audience as well as the moon brightly shined.

“Wish me luck, self. This damn consequence had surely paid me well. I wouldn’t let my own get killed by those filthy hands.” She said and grabbed her bag. It was just a small, improvised one that she had made from using the dried skin. Somehow, her nose had adjusted to that smell and now she’s making use of it. She wrapped the strap around her waist and made sure that it would look like her belly had grown big. Then, she carefully pulled her shirt down and got her high-heeled shoes to move. Holding the knob, she waited for the march to end and immediately paced around.

She needed to reach the exit, near the storage area. It was the only way out, even if she would deal with those flowers. Being safe is her top priority. She let the clock’s hand set on seven-thirty minutes. It is the time that they would gather in that circular facility to have some company while eating dinner. The founder had set the rules before that every evening they would be together to share those foods they have prepared. It is a way for them to talk things out and get to know each other more.

“Dred. Are you still there? Roxan is waiting for you at their table.” The old man from the shredding room had knocked on her door.

“A-Ah, yes. I’m going. Just, don’t wait for me. I’m still putting my things in my box.” She said and leaned herself on the door.

The sound had stopped. “Okay. We’re just going to eat first. Come around okay?”

“Yes.”

She heard those footsteps going to a different course. When it had dwelt with silence, she anxiously opened it and joined the others for a walk. Changing her clothes was the best that she could do. She had worn the regular mask with the white string from the nose to the mouth parts. It is to tell that they’re part of the civilians under New League, while the warriors and the higher tiers got those red threads in the middle.

“I don’t know why Roxan got that woman here. I could sense that she would only bring chaos.” A woman commented as she tugged her hair into a bun. Her brunette friend who is much younger than her is the conscious one, keeping her glances in all places. “Shh. She might hear you. You don’t want to step upon the current leader.”

“Who cares? She’s not even a part of this cause.”

“Just keep that mouth of yours shut for a while. I heard Tristan will do a thing about that. Let’s just trust him.”

When she heard it, her feet had been glued to the surface. She let the two go as she clenched her hands.

“They’re right. I don’t belong here…” She whispered to herself and at that moment, she went to the opposite way, away from the New League. As she passed them, they didn’t recognize her anymore.

Mildred computed her time and it would take half an hour for them to notice that she didn’t come around. With that interval, she should make sure that she is already near her destination. Tristan is also a hindrance to her as she hasn’t found him getting inside the place. Now, the man that she’s thinking currently suddenly bumped himself into a child. It caught the attention of the others as the kid had started to cry. Tristan is probably searching for her.

“Sh*t. That man is really a barrier to me.” She carefully moved to a corner and waited for them to gather around the two for them to make a block of the view. When it succeeded, she dashed into the darkness and waited for the second call which is through a bell.

“D*mn. I should pray a thousand times to get me out of here.”