Chapter1: On Fire
Annie's POV
„Do you two have anything to say for yourself?" Michael's words shot in the air as bullets, freaking me out. We sat in the interrogation room together with Alex due to being caught on sneaking out again. To be clear: he went on his occasional tour out to the ruins of the old city of Las Vegas. I followed him as I tought he'd might get into fight against a horde of eightballs. I got injured during the process of saving Alex's life by jumping out of the window from the eights floor. What a stupid idea, I know. Somehow I could slow down the fall and the landing was survivable.
„Speak, Vice-captain" he might sensed my trembling lips as I formed my toughts while I listened to him. Those melting chocolate eyes messaged 'I trust in you', so I gathered my remaining courage to talk, as I was requested.
„Sure, Sir. Will you deal with me by yourself or you'll leave my case to Adryel?" The so called Adryel was the right hand of the Archangel. She was stone cold, blond hair, green eyes like moss and tall, almost as tall as Michael himself. As the Angel of War she barely knew any mercy. She was the famous slaugther of the Egyptian firstborns. Many feared her, among them was I too.
„It's way too personal to leave it for Adryel. You saved my son's life again." Altough in literacy Alex did not share any biological connection to the Archangel, he was thinking of him as such, so it mattered a lot to him wether he was alive or not. I guess he must feel guilt towards me, that's why he hestitated to speak up his mind directly in our conversations.
„I'd do it anytime in need, Archangel. Stop guilt trippping yourself."bold statement from my lips. He smiled at me, then turned to Alex.
„I hope you'll properely thank Vice-Captain for saving your live."
„Will worth nothing if you trash the sh…t out of me" I facepalmed. What an idiot. HE CAN KILL HIM ANYTIME HE WANTS IT! It's not a wise choice to mock the ticking bomb which can walk and fly, and slaughter everything that comes in his way.
„Language, Alex!"
„Can't we just get over with it?" I massaged my nosebridge. The whipping did not last long, usually the maximum storke number was twelve, deending on the crime's seriousness. Our offense was breaking the don't go beyond the walls rule, which was a serious case according to the laws.
It could eneed us in death penalty but due to the merciful nature of Michael we got only this much, eventhough it felt like hell. My back was covered in red whelts reminding me with its burn to think twice befroe getting into an other trouble. What safed me from being stripped from my rank is only the fact that the Archangel thought he ows me too much to do this.
„Anette Trynnes!" the captain, Sean Hale shouted my name, and by this I knew he'll exploid like a volcano would. He only mentioned my full name when he was angry at me. „Tell me you two weren't visited the Archangel… again."
„Sorry sir, but as you might recogn' I am not able to lie" that's true. I couldn't lie to him. i loved my boss in all possible human way. I couldn't wish for any better, Unit14 seemed more like a family instead of a workplace. Most of the strictest units envied us for this privilege we had.
Sean Hale counts as a rare treassure with his patience, emphatic personality. He also possessed a natural leaders' aura or something close to this feeling, as people naturally followed him. Charismatic, this was the word I was looking for, but some occasions near him I lose my ability to think consistently. Maybe I fancy him a bit more than it's appropiate? Maybe…
„I'm used to it. Why? Why can't you two sit on your backsides and do what you're requested? You could be a captain if it weren't for your offenses, Anette! Dale Carnaghan will retire this year, I wanted you to take his place in the army. You could be too in leading position if you weren't this stubborn." he threw a folder towards me. I eleganty caught it before it could hit me.
„I hate you, Anette, when you do this with me. Now sit down, and you, Alex, will go to House Riesen for guard rotation. Better to hurry, your comrade will kick you in the ass if he'll have to overwork because of your stupidity" I sent a tired smile towards Alex, as he waved goodbye at me.