Every Shot Cuts The Deepest Skin

Chapter Seven

I studied myself in the mirror.

There before me was a woman ready to fight.

Several guns were placed on my back, thighs and legs.

My hair was tied up in a very tight ponytail.

Then I noticed Kable's reflection creeping behind me.

His breath tickles the fine hairs of my neck, sending rapture shivers down my spine.

"Be careful out there, Crystal." He says, calmly.

I nodded my head instanly.

Before he leaves, something drops on the floor.

Twirling around, it was too late for me to call out his name.

My eyes lower down, it was a note.

Bending down, I gather it in my hands and unfolded it.

I let my fingertips touch the writing, it was masterful.

The note says:

"Crystal,

Today is the day where your many battles begins.

It will be tough and dangerous but I know you can win.

I've watched you throughout your training and it has taken my breath away.

You may have not seen me but I was there, staring... adimring... wondering...

Anyway, good luck and be careful.

Kable."

I slide down to my knees, rereading it over and over again.

He was there all along!

A small smile came across my lips, something I haven't done for such a very long time.

In the truck, we go.

Silence.

Fear and nerves wrecking my confidence.

Kable's note placed againt my heart, it will my protection during this.

I thought back of those words: Staring, adimring, wondering.

What did they mean?

Was he starting to feel something for me?

A bout of hope is rising but I keep it calm.

I could be overacting, falling in a pit of lies.

So why would he say them then?

The truck suddenly stops, my thoughts of what ifs were frozen for now.

It was time to fight and surrive.

So many dead bodies, so much blood.

I had five guns left filled with bullets.

Some of the newcomers were killed, I closed my eyes and hoped that their soul went to a peaceful place.

But there was no time to mourn.

Only thirty seconds left.

I counted them down in my head.

"29

28

27

26

25

24

23

22

21

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

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10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1"

A loud buzzer echoed, the battle was over.

Me and a few others walked out of the building, tired but glad to be alive.

I sit on the same seat with a heavy sigh escaping from my lips.

The truck takes us back to prison, the journey was more faster than eariler.

Once it arrives, we enter inside to find everyone else was celebrating our victory.

Ben came towards me, holding a beer bottle in his hands.

"Well done, Crystal. I knew you could do it!" He said, patting my back.

"Thank you, sir." I reply, nodding my head.

"Kable is very proud of you."

Just mentioning his name gave me a rush of shivers all over my body.

I stare at him more carefully, trying my hardest to not give away my secret.

"Where is he?" I ask.

"Outside. He said to me he was waiting for you to return and once you did, I had to lead you to him." He replied.

"Take me to him." I demand without a second thought.

Ben nods his head, then I follow his every step.

"Why was he waiting for me?" I ask.

"I'm not sure, Crystal. He's been acting funny ever since you came here." He replied, sipping his beer.

"Mmm, what was he like before I arrived?"

"Well, he was a quiet guy ever since his wife and child died by the hands of Ken Castle. He really thought they would be safe, then one day the bastard gave him a video of their murders that made him mute for a year or so. It really broke his heart, Crystal."

I turn away from Ben, in pain of Kable's loss.

I knew how he felt but to lose the woman he loved and their child was unbelieveable.

"But once you arrived, he suddenly changed. I won't say no more because it's between me and him but let's just say, you have made a effect on him."

I swallowed this in, remaining silent until we went outside.

"I'll leave you two alone but make sure you have a shower and some rest." Ben said.

"Thanks." I said, with a small smile.

Watching him go back inside, I turned around to go and find Kable.

It wasn't long until I spotted him with my eyes.

He stood there, head up high to look at the cloudly sky.

My footsteps were light and quiet but somehow he turned to let his gaze hit me.

I stopped a few meters from him, frozen by his burning stare.

With every second that passed, I wondered who would be the first one to make a move.

It was he that broke the silence.

"Come Crystal, we have much to talk about." He said, offering his hand.

Without waiting or thinking, I went towards him and laid mine into his.

Then I felt it, that fizz of electric between us.

I rose my head to him, he looked at me like he felt it too.

Instead of saying a word, Kable started walking and I followed.

TBC