GUARDIAN OF HER HEART

Cadet Athena Patton!” “present sir!” “Cadet Brittany Jacobs!” “present sir!” “Cadet Clementine Russell!" “present sir!” “Cadet Felicity Moore!" “present sir!” “Cadet Jessica Jenkins!” “present sir!” “Cadet Alexandra Greyman!”, there was grave silence, Felicity took a side glance at her right, but didn't find who she was looking for, ‘where is she??’ she wondered in perplexity, but tried so hard to hide her bewilderment. The commander called out again, a little more emphatically this time, “Cadet Alexandra Greymannn! ”, but again, there was no response. Felicity bit her the corner of her lower lip, as she saw the commander mark her name absent. She last saw Lexi last night during dinner in the mess hall and afterwards they had all retired to bed, ‘what happened next??’ she wondered, she scanned her eyes all around the assembly ground, just as far her eyes could see without having to move her head, yet there was no sign of her. “Cadet Robert Miller!...” the commander just carried on with the roll call. This meant serious punishment, being a final level cadet didn't mean immunity to the law, even if she shows up now, she still won't escape the punishment coming her way, it is bad enough failing to respond to your name at the first call, worst still the second time, how much more never. This is unlike Lexi though, Lexi was never late for anything, Felicity could feel it in her guts that something was definitely up, ‘but what exactly was it??’ By now the roll call was over, and another commander had taken to the podium to prep and brief them on the activities of the day, Felicity wasn't even paying attention to half of what was being said, only absentmindedly echoing “yes sir!” or “aye sir!” when the rest did so. Her eyes were still moving like a carousel looking for her, and just then she saw whom she has been looking for. Lexi could be seen sprinting wildly towards the muster point, she caught everyone's attention, it was evident when the commander stopped talking. “Stand back!” came a bellow from the commander and that brought Lexi to an abrupt stop. Lexi's weary eyes met Felicity's, and in them she saw a desperate question of ‘what happened??’ She just shrugged slightly, giving an it's–a–long–story gesture. The commander continued his briefings like nothing happened, but he was definitely going to handle her much later. After what seemed like an eternity for Lexi, the morning muster came to an end and every other cadet was dismissed except for Lexi. Of course there was no avoiding the reprimand that lies ahead, she was ready to face it head on. Commander Thompson came and stood in front of her and immediately she straight up and gave him the traditional salute, “sir!” He took one long look at her and then said, “this is unlike you cadet Greyman, still I'm not going to ask what happened, but whatever it was, ensure it never repeats itself again. However, you're well aware of the consequences of your action, “I apologize for my lateness and laxity sir, I promise it wouldn't repeat itself in the future,” Lexi pleaded, not to avert the punishment but to fulfill all righteousness. “It sure won't. Now cover the circumference, 6 times” he instructed, turned away and left. Lexi gave out a painful chuckle, running round a field of 280.42m long was no small feet. A circle would take you about 3 minutes to complete while jogging, but 6?? You're looking at about an 18 minutes jog round the field nonstop! So she started, slowly but steadily. Oh gosh! Her head was still pounding from the hangover. She had never had a hangover, not once because she had always known her alcohol tolerance level, and she made sure to keep to it last night, but what changed?? She couldn't place her hand on it, but one thing was certain, her drink was spiked. Oh it had to be! and she knew just who would perpetuate such despicable act; Clementine and Athena! Those girls has been a pain in the neck since their first year, sometimes she ignores them, but other times she gave them a taste of their own medicine, but they never learn. By now Lexi was almost out of breath, and her body glistening with sweat, her legs were beginning to teeter, but she can't stop now, stopping would mean starting all over again! A few more minutes and she was done, she collapsed on the bare grassy ground, panting and breathing heavily, then a shadow fell over her and she opened her eyes to see Felicity staring down pitifully at her. “Are you ok?” she asked, squatting to her level, Lexi took in one long breath and exhaled sharply. “Well, what do you think?” she asked rhetorically grabbing the bottle of water Felicity was holding and drained half of the content in one go. “What happened?? Did you over sleep or something??” Felicity asked worriedly, she knew the above reason was unlikely, but she needed to cross out that possibility. “Those two insufferable pests drugged me” Lexi said casually, Felicity ignored the casualty in her voice and took the information she provided. “Athena and Clementine?? What's with them?? Don't they ever stop?? Where did they even get drugs from?? Look Lexi, we can't let this one slide, we need to teach them some superior lessons!” “Help me up” Lexi said as she stretched out her right hand to Felicity, she took it and pulled her up. “I'm famished Fel, let's get to the mess hall and grab some breakfast” Lexi said as she began to head towards the direction of the hall. “How can you be thinking of your stomach at a time like this! We should be kicking their asses right now!” “Well if we're going to do that, then I would need some energy. You're not the one that just ran an 18 minutes marathon.” “Oh yeah?” Fel frained as she tailed behind Lexi trying to keep up. “Well if you hadn't gone for that party you wouldn't be singing this tune right now, I told you not to go for that party Lexi! But no, you wouldn't listen, you just wanted to please some annoying simp! Why don't ju... Ouch!” Fel suddenly exclaimed as she bumped into a figure and before she could say jack, she was given a strong push which almost had her crashing down. “Watch where you're going moron!” A hoarse female voice barked. Felicity regained her stamina almost immediately and when she saw who her attacker was, her face immediately crumpled into an ugly frown, “Clementine! You bi...” she made to throw a punch at Clementine but missed because Lexi pulled her back. “Let go of me Lexi! Let me fix that ugly face of hers for her!” Felicity yelled trying to writhe free from Lexi's grip, “don't get your hands dirty because of them Fel, they're not worth it” Lexi said, still holding her back. “What?? Look who's talking! Didn't you just humiliate yourself at the muster point?? You drunken b***h!” Athena fired back. Something inside Lexi began to let loose, her both fists tightened, she momentarily shut her eyes and when she opened them she said, “look, I know very well what you both did to me last night, you spiked my drink and made me late for the muster. I'm not here trying to make you admit it, but you would do yourselves great good if you stay off my path henceforth, else I wouldn't be this polite next time." “I have no idea what you're talking abou...” “heyyy!” Lexi yelled, she took two steps forward and she came standing face to face with Clementine, and with a low but strong voice she said, “I've had quite a clean record since my day one in this academy and not once has my name entered the black book, but one more word from you Clementine and I swear, that would change right now.” The two friends immediately looked flustered, something about Lexi's aura made them go numb like vegetables, although they tried to look unshaken by Lexi's words, but right in the inside of them, they were dead meats. “Come Clemmie, let's get out of here” Athena urged her as she pulled her by the elbow. “Yeah listen to your brethren scaredy cat! Unless you wanna die!” Felicity mocked, as the two friends hurried away. Felicity was laughing like crazy, “girl! You gave those girls some serious fright, damn! You know what? I think you've earned that meal, let's go get some food!” But Lexi stood. “No” she said, there was a look of confusion on Felicity's face, “why?? What happened??” she asked looking puzzled. “Come Fel, I need you to escort me to somewhere” she said pulling Fel with her. “Whoa! Ok easy! Where are we going though??” Fel asked, but got no response. “Can you slow down at least??” Fel whined. They've walked for about a minute now, Lexi was no longer pulling her, then Lexi stopped in front of an L-shaped building. “Okay, what are we doing in front of the B-block?? This isn't our dorm Lexi” Fel pointed out. “Yes it isn't” Lexi said with a sly smile, as she scanned the entire block like she was searching for something, “there you are!” she said as she stared at a particular unit, smiling wickedly. “Let's go” she whispered, “can you at least let me in on the plan??” Fel whispered desperately. “You wanted us to kick some ass, right?” Lexi whispered back, “y.. yeah? and why are we even whispering?? Wait a minute... isn't this Clemmie and Athena's dormitory??” Fel asked in sudden realization. “You get the picture now??” Lexi said still wearing her wicked smile. “Now let's get in before someone finds us here!” she said. They got into the block and climbed unto the second floor and then stood in front of a particular unit, they turned down the door knob and tried to get in but it was locked. “Oh s**t!” Lexi cursed, “what now??” asked Fel, “it's locked!” Lexi said. “Your locket!” Fel said, “nice! Atta girl!” Lexi complimented and Fel smiled mischievously. Lexi quickly opened the locket of her necklace and look out a long tiny iron metal, put it into the keyhole and began to twist, after a few try, it made a clicking sound and they both giggled. They opened the door and entered. “So what exactly is the plan?” Fel asked, “put your voice down fel!” “sorry! So what exactly is the plan?” she repeated, but in a whisper this time. “We need to get their IDs” Lexi said as she began to open some chest of drawers. “You know, sometimes I forget how ruthless you can be! Girl you are evil!” Fel teased playfully. “This is a brilliant idea, because if they don't have their IDs, they can't have access to a lot of facilities and amenities, they would even be able to get into the mess hall and that would mean starvation for them!” Fel analyzed. “Yeah, and that would also mean that they would be here any minute to get them, can I get a help here??!” Lexi beckoned. “Yeah sure”, Fel said as she squat beside Lexi and together they were rummaging through some drawers. “So, how did you know they didn't have their IDs on them when we had that face-off? I mean, everything happened so fast, a..and the...” “Felicity focus!” “ok! Ok! Stop yelling!” After about a couple of seconds, they found them, Lexi found Athena's, while Felicity found Clementine's. “Sweet!” Felicity exclaimed excitedly, “now let's get out of here” Lexi said and they both hurried out of the building. They had left the block and completely out of the ‘danger zone’, while Felicity wore a triumphant expression, Lexi kept a straight face as they headed for the mess hall. Just as they were about to enter the hall, a commander called out, “Cadet Greyman!” they both froze. “I think we've been caught!” Felicity murmured under her breath with a fearful look. “Composure Fel! I think not!” Lexi whispered to her. They turned in harmony and saluted in unison, “sir!” “I've been looking for you cadet Greyman, where have you been? You have a call” the commander informed and then went away. “Holy molly! That was close! I thought we've been bursted!” Felicity cried as she exhaled sharply. “No way Fel, there's no way in the world we could have been caught, we were too smooth!” she bragged, “right!” Fel concurred and they both did their stylish handshake, grinning from ear to ear. “Alright, hurry and go take that call, I'm sure it's from home, someone's missing your scary ass!” Felicity teased, “go away!” Lexi said playfully, “alright you you in a bit” “see ya!” With that she left for the administrative block, as soon as she got into it, she headed for the telephone desk. “Good morning sir, I was informed I have a call” Lexi said. “Name?” the middle-aged female officer probed, “oh sorry sir, it's Alexandra... Alexandra Greyman” she replied. “Hold on... here” the office said, handing out the telephone to her. “Thanks sir” she said, and waited for the receiver to answer. “Hello ma'am” the receiver said, it was a male voice, not the voice she was expecting but she knew just who owns the voice. “Mr Gabriel??” “Yes ma'am, how do you do ma'am?” he inquired. “How do you do too, okay this is very unusual Gabriel”, “that I know ma'am.” “Alright let's cut it a chase Gabriel. Why did you call?” Lexi asked, trying so hard not to sound worried, but she was. “Alright ma'am, there's no better way to put this, but you need to come home ASAP!” Gabriel said soundly. Lexi's heart skipped a beat, but then she managed to utter the words, “how much time do I have?” “The dawn of tomorrow.”