Hush in The Bush

Mission in Two Sides

She didn’t let her off her radar. Seeing the woman in deep frustration had got her questioning her capability of ruling her territory. Thick, grey clouds have surrounded the Ethernal and her people have scattered all over the place, trying to escape the assault. It looks like how it started before. She needs not to lose interest on what’s in front after dealing with her sleepless nights. Seeing them flee out of panic had brought them chills, making them into the realization that the north is not a simple, lousy group.

They got the best defence for now. A shuddering sound had quickened around and pollens have exploded through the thin air, coming from those bombers who have wandered around. They’re fighting for their lives, but more to that they needed to secure the queen – Devian Brodan. She was sweating hard as she stared beside them over her ground getting infected. She suddenly felt hopeless and her expression couldn’t be painted. It was easily taken over. Her people have longed to see for her presence and they knew where to go when it’s in red code.

Ethernal is known for having a strong foundation. It might be an old auditorium but they have established it into better – thick walls and a basement to hold all of them. Most of their stocks are stored underground as well as their weapons. She got someone to handle when an emergency state happen. She saw most of her people have dived on the river and directed to the forest and some straight to the mole. After a while, several vehicles have arrived and they were the same as the first. Instantly, people who masked themselves with dried animals’ skin and their clothes were even from those dead bodies, enough for them to mix.

Devian’s people don’t know which of those are the bombers and they just randomly opened their mouths to make the flower burst their pollens. They have started to s***h them without thinking twice. The ground had turned into crimson red and they have taken most of the kids and women with them.

Catheryne and George continued to aim at the two and theirs to them. Their eyes were locked to each other. Devian’s foot continued to bleed as it was bitten by a padded leg-hold trap. She couldn’t help and tears have formed in her eyes. George have put it in the right place and it had definitely caught one, but they didn’t expect it to be the boss of the Ethernal. Her aid acted to pull his blade from his pocket, but George, with his reflexes, smacked the man’s wrist and the weapon was thrown to his side. Both look in that spot, but George’s eyes showed a bloodthirsty prospect. He had become reserved and serious. His fingers were moving as if he’s counting seconds.

“You don’t want to take that back, if I were you.” Catheryne suggested to the guy. He looked upon her leader and the woman had simply bent.

“It’s okay. We can’t do anything for now…” She uttered with disappointment on her face.

She eyed to the trap that was biting her like wolf’s teeth.

“Looks like we ended up meeting two groups in a day.” She smirked still and got her composure. She slowly knelt and forcedly pulled the trap off her foot and her flesh was torn off. Her man had aided her and let her take a rest under the tree. Catheryne glanced over and saw them start to search for the leader.

“W-We have to go now.” Her assistant had told her.

“Who said you’re leaving?” She grinned wide and aimed it more at the woman.

“You can’t pull the trigger. You don’t want us to be found out by them.” Devian specified, but it didn’t go with what she was anticipating. A shot had gone out from Catheryne and the birds have flown around as George yelped in shock. It’s a sign offered to the aggressors and it had surely gave them the hint to where they could find Devian.

“W-What the hell are you doing, Cath?” George started to panic, but his partner is as calm as a wandering sheep. Her breathing is not even heavy and she remained in her spot – locked her eyes to the woman in front of her. If bravery is all she wanted, then she’s acting like one already. She knows that it’s not part of their mission to fight, but things had twirled differently.

They heard those dashing coarse. She looked with her barnacles and she froze on her spot when she realized the person who was taking the lead to their location. Even if she’s covering her face and joined the others, Catheryne had known her well. Her vibe is different from the rest and her features are basically her. There’s only one person she knows to have that hostile actions. Now, she doesn’t wonder why the leader of the other team got the eye on her – Mildred Buckerstorm.

“It’s her…”

She noticed the small, cautious steps from the assistant and she minded it, reverting her focus.

“We can’t deal with them right now. We’re obviously outnumbered.” George mentioned.

A sigh of exhaustion was given to them as a feedback from Devian. Her worries can be seen in her eyes as she glimpsed at her people. They were easily taken as if their name didn’t describe them at all – strong and reliable.

“You seemed weary. What happened to the Devian we have met in that hospital before?” She taunted.

“Oh, she’s just sleeping.”

“Sleeping…Taking rest in this time of load of cr*p is the best this that you can do? I’m totally amazed by your guts. Where do you get your zeal for such pry?

“Here.” She pointed on her mind. “You literally don’t know anything, Runner. You might be skilled in pacing, but when it comes to slow to seeing everything that’s going on, you don’t. You just can’t.”

“I think the person who doesn’t let reality smack her well is you Devian.” She blunted. The steps are getting louder and they understood that they’re about to get caught. “Unfortunately, we’re just four here and they’re many. We don’t have much power to deal with them. It’s sad to think that you don’t have a choice right now.”

“What’s your call, lady? Give us your decision.” George pursued her by letting her see the situation.

Devian gnashed her lip. She doesn’t want to admit it, but she doesn’t have any other option for her to survive. She has to take her chair to rule them again. She stared at her, then so, she finally got the exact words to tell.

___

To the North

“Do you think the two could handle the situation there?” John asked her who was sitting across, tapping her shoe.

They are currently going back to where they have stopped at full speed. The vehicles that have been blocking the way were somehow moved to the sides, without knowing who made it. Isabela kept taking gulps as her hands were being wiped off on her pants. She’s sweating and John had observed her. He knows that Isabela isn’t comfortable much with him, but they needed to work together. She glanced to the same place where she had spotted the person, but it was empty.

Something is not right as what she’s feeling right now.

“They can do better than we think.” She timidly replied.

The vehicle had turned right. They suddenly changed their route and now they’re passing by G Mall. It is covered with moss and inside were being filled with decaying ones, those who died by the explosion, making a large opening on its right side. Screeching of wheels was distinguished when a deer had suddenly passed in front of them, making the reticent driver to cuss and hit the break straight. His heart pounded as well as those who are behind. The creature went to the left and was suddenly chased by a ravenous dog. Its mouth is dripping and its eyes were daunting red. It’s well ribbed and his ears were cut too small. Also, its tail was even divided into two.

John slowly raised himself from his seat and examined it closely on the window. Its white fur had turned grey and it had mixed with blood. It’s not a pet anymore but a mere wild. It had totally forgotten itself.

“It had lost the battle.”

Those words have saddened the vibe inside the vehicle. Their comrades glanced at each other and there’s only one thing that they’re wishing for just like those who’re travelling inside the other vehicles – to last and not lose themselves.

Their driver slowly stirred the wheel and continued. The trees have grown big and most of them have clasped together from both sides, shading completely the road as if it’s a natural tunnel. After thirty minutes of driving, they have arrived, the cold breeze had brushed on their faces as the ravens had rested on those posts and wires, becoming their own watchers.

“Tsh. Why do we always have some observant when we’re doing a mission?” Isabela pointed to the birds.

“They just loved to wander around.” Mark, one of her subordinates responded. He’s putting his gloves in order and the others have made sure that their faces are well covered. Isabela glanced over the barrier, which is the bush. The flowers have grown much and they’re about to disrupt.

“Man. That’s the largest one I have seen since I joined Magnify.” Tristan said, one of the closest warriors to John.

The man laid his hand on his shoulder and mesmerized the flower with him. “If it’s just a normal flower, then I would definitely give it to my loved ones, but I know it’s pointless.”

“Y-Yeah. It would just freak me out if you’ll offer one to me.” He hysterically laughed.

“W-Why? I won’t even give you one.” John smacked him by the shoulder, making most of them to chuckle.

Their captains have made them comfortable enough to let everyone tell their opinions. They are wide open for critics in which Mildred is the best example to it. John and the others still don’t know that Mildred had joined the group. Isabela had decided to let time be the one to spit out the truth to them. It’s a temporary secret that Isabela and the two are sharing right now.

Isabela is about to take forward when John had stopped her and told her to hush.

“Is there something wrong-”

“Shh. I hear something.” He spoke.

Everyone had silenced and there they waited for John. The man is listening intently to the surrounding. There were small, low bounds from the other side. Soft chatters can also be heard. When it comes to sound, John is the most reliable among them all.

“They’re marching…” He said.

“Where do you think they’re going?”

“They’re not coming here. I guessed they are leading to the other side.”

An engine was started and a horn had sounded and they have begun to run. “They are leaving…”

They have suddenly become apprehensive when they recognized to their right, a few meters away that the bush had slowly moved, making a way in between and in an instant, several cars, all tinted, have gone out in a convoy. Isabela and the teams have hidden themselves. They are heading straight at a fast speed as if they’re chasing time. When the road is empty, Isabela dashed to where the bush had split. She wanted to know how they did it. Just before it could close, she was able to stop on its side and had a view of what’s happening to them. It was almost empty and most of them are not even clothed with the same as what she had seen on that day.

They appeared regular to her, but even the normal ones can be fouler than those who lost their judgement. John had followed her and slowly pulled Isabela away. “Do you want to get us all killed?!” He fizzed, clenching her wrist hard.

Isabela glanced over their team and spoke coldly. “Are we even dead?” She snapped his grip and walked to instruct them. Noticeably, she doesn’t want to get in the man’s way, but John still continues to pursue her. His persistence is making her flinch.

“Well, the way you’re handling things right now might lead us to a trap. I hope you get that straight, since you got a brain to use properly.” He rebuked her which made her fumed.

“I know exactly what I’m doing, Captain. Obviously, they are up to something else today.” She shrugged him off and focused on the team. “We’re going to enter. We’re not going to use that gate.” She turned to stare at the bush. “Instead, we’ll make a hole, just like how we do usually.” A sneer was on her face and their warriors had pulled their cutters. Awing the barrier in front of them, they didn’t think much but to start the trim. Isabela crossed her arms and is having fun, but her smile had vanished when John stood beside her. “You seemed attentive today, Captain. Are you excited for such compliment that your father will give you when this operation succeed?” He nosily asked.

Teasing won’t do much to Isabela. “Of course, John. It’s what I seek right now – compliment than commitment.”

“You don’t have to lay it right now. I know you’ll answer me someday.” He smirked.

“So high, like how the eagles fly. You might pass the heavens if you’re going to keep that up.” She tapped him in which she referred to his behavior.

“I’m just kidding.” He smiled. “You know I’ll wait for you.”

“Your princess is still waiting for you.” She added and moved away from him. They were able to make a way to get inside, enough for each one of them to take. John peeked and realized that they’re facing some stacked boxes filled with dried fish.

He led the way and the rest had followed. When they broke inside, they hid themselves behind those boxes. Isabela had thought well about where they should search first. She looked everywhere and the only place that is different from the others was the concrete rectangular structure to their right. Few have stayed and they considered themselves favorable in such condition. A man in his twenties had been trolling around, serving as the watchdog for the enemy. His emerald eyes were He has been walking in the same direction for minutes. They could just take him down easily but it was a ploy. Eyes are everywhere and anything they would do might get them to ruin.

They waited patiently and when it was right, they scampered towards it and entered the nearest door. Locked and collapsed themselves on the ground. They’re making their beats to slow. The sunray had shined on the curtain and they caught that the spot they’re in currently is the office of the leader. Connie, under Isabela and is twenty-one years old is anxious of the red curtains in front of them, behind the swivel chair.

“Connie, be careful.” Julien said to her as she walked to it and pulled it swiftly.

They were flabbergasted by what they have seen, stuck to their bases. There were images of them and the other groups as if they were taken a long time ago. A stalker? That’s what Isabela thought. Lines were drawn to connect one another.

Isabela laughed on it and was amazed. “So, this is how they study us. Fantastic. Search everything and make sure that things will stay put like the first. We don’t want it to be a mess that much and they would certainly know that we got it the moment we discover the case. Let’s get moving.”