Chapter 2: For a second by your side, my beloved (part 6)

—That was all, my Razar.— She adds..

If I could define Henrietta in one way, I'd say she's like a deadly sin, so sublime, so devastating.

***

—Thank you, we're done.— I tell the librarian as we pass by the entrance.

—Did you find what you needed?.— She asks, smiling, ready to help, I suppose.

—Yes, it was very helpful.— I reply.

Henrietta says nothing.

—I'm glad, come back anytime.—

We leave the library back into the city, not very large, of course.

—Razar, you look tired.— Henrietta says uneasily.

—Mmmh, due to the situation, thinking, not thinking, and I didn't sleep much yesterday, practically.— I say.

—You're right, you only slept a few hours.—

—But you didn't sleep at all.—

Henrietta looks very worried.

—But I can go without sleep... let's hurry back.—

Seeing the intensity of the shadows on the ground, looking up at the sky for the sun, it's like yesterday, sunset is near.

Henrietta walks quickly, will it be about 30 minutes to that place?.

It surprises me how something so small can affect her so much.

—We'll get there fast, don't worry.— I say, tired of hurting a lady, wishing my life away.

Henrietta smiles faintly without saying anything and kisses my cheek.

—To be honest, I don't remember the route.— I say, I assumed she would.

—I know, I thought you'd leave it to me.—

—Are we a good team?.— I ask.

—A good couple.— She replies.

We walk side by side, there aren't many people, not significantly. Stores, departments, animals.

I don't know why, but everything feels strange, as if something doesn't fit, but I don't know what it is.

—Henrietta, is everything okay?.—

She would be by far the first to notice something out of place.

Henrietta looks into my eyes, and then seriously at her surroundings, examining every corner, every movement.

—Yes, everything's the same. Do you feel something strange?.— She asks, walking beside me.

—I think it's just a feeling, paranoia maybe.— I reply.

—Mmmh, don't worry, I'll protect you.— She says, closing her eyes, resting her head on me, and caressing my chest.

Shouldn't I be the one to say that?.

—I have a vague memory...I was a child and you lifted me up with your arms. You told me something like "The reason why you are so strong is so that no one, never, ever, can hurt you."— Henrietta says.

—I don't know where you said that to me... but I know it was you.. Metal giants everywhere, dull and sunk into the ground, my mother was there too, she had short hair and looked like you.— She adds.

I stay silent for a moment.

—I think I've gotten used to understanding half of what you tell me, Henrietta.—

—Hahah, your intelligence contributes the other half, I know.— She says, smiling.

We walk on, further and further away from everything. The lonely and abandoned look of the place begins to show, as well as the sun on the clear horizon, the warm colors, and the pleasant temperature.

I turn to look at Henrietta, it's almost a romantic scene... almost.

—Razar... if you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to kiss you... I've told you before.— Her expression is more serious.

—Sorry if I've hurt you in any way, sorry.— I say, stopping.

As our hands are intertwined, she stops too.

—It's okay, you're not perfect, that's why I'm here... But, we both know you shouldn't apologize if you don't know why..— Henrietta smiles gently, although her expression hides more than it shows.

She slowly approaches me and gently kisses the tip of my nose.

—What kind of heart do you have to feel sad about something you don't even remember doing?.— Henrietta asks rhetorically.

—Hurry, we're almost there.— She adds, closing her eyes and smiling again.

We continue walking through this empty place, now a little more orange.

—I'll turn on the lights.— Henrietta says, smiling as she opens the door to the room inside the large warehouse.

I leave my backpack on the desk and sit on the couch.

—I'm a bit tired.— I say.

—Haha, I'll take care of the food.— Henrietta says, opening my backpack and taking out the canned food we bought earlier in the day.

—Even though I don't have a can opener. And to be honest, I prefer your spaghetti with meatballs..—

—Hahah.—She laughs lightly.

Henrietta takes a dagger from the pocket of her skirt and unsheathes it, moving it swiftly through her fingers, unusual that it's not a knife.

The blade is silver, and the black handle has an eagle with a swastika engraved on it, and on top there are two identical runes.

—Do you always carry a dagger with you?.— I ask.

—No, I borrowed it..—

—Borrowed?.—

—Well... I stole it..— Henrietta replies, blushing a little.

—Haha... did you really steal it?.—

—Yes... why is that funny?..— Henrietta continues subtly blushing, like a little girl.

—It's unusual.— I say.

—Am I unusual?.— Henrietta turns her eyes to me, opening the large can of meat.

—You're a lady.—

—A lady?.—

—Refined, delicate, feminine, educated, a true lady.— I respond seriously.

—Your type?.—

—...my type.— I lower my voice a bit, looking at her necklace.

Henrietta dips a finger into the can of meat and brings it to me to eat... we don't have spoons.

—I don't know if..—

I hesitate to do it, but before saying anything, Henrietta softly touches my lips with her finger... slowly putting it in my mouth...

She doesn't say anything and sits next to me, bringing her face close to mine, just a few centimeters away...

—You know..for a second by your side, I would give my life.— Henrietta says..

I can feel her breath, like candy…

—Your gray eyes, so beautiful... The last time I hugged you... the last time I saw you... I couldn't do it in time... I couldn't say it.—

—I love you..Razar.—

—.....—

She kissed me.

I didn't know what to say, what to do... Her words shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. The touch of her lips, so soft, so harmful, said that she forgave me, that she would pick up each fragment and put it back together... How much damage have I done?.. how much have I destroyed?.. I hated myself.

Our breaths intertwined under a blanket, we hugged, we kissed. Henrietta curled up against me and closed her eyes.

In a place without time and space, I found her again.

That couch felt like the most beautiful and heartbreaking place in my life.

It's not that I couldn't, it's that I didn't want to forget her.

I love you Henrietta, whoever you are.

***

—This is control to bigfoot, the satellites are working again.—

—Roger, control.—

—We have the subject's signal, they're north of your location, in an abandoned industrial zone, sending coordinates.—

—Coordinates received.—

—Remember, the subject is hostile and can withstand a high number of projectiles, control out.—

—Listen up, we have the target's location, she is in an old abandoned warehouse north of the city, surrounded by taller buildings. We'll send a vehicle from each side to bring down snipers in case of windows, or if we have contact in open space.— Says the squad leader to the other soldiers in their transport, and over the radio to the other team.

Both vehicles, black vans, separate taking different routes but heading to the same place.

—She looks like a little girl, but our orders and information are clear, if you hesitate, she'll kill you with her bare hands. Check your equipment, we arrive in 5 minutes.—

***

My body feels warm... I'm in Razar's arms…

I open my eyes instantly, I can see the faint light of dawn coming in through the windows…

….I fell asleep!..

Last night I couldn't help it and fell asleep beside him…

Razar is still resting under the blanket, I get up immediately... I can't hear anything, but if I emitted any kind of radiation they could have detected me... If they reached an agreement, they could be in the country freely..

I step out of the room, looking around trying to perceive the slightest sound.

...Everything is quiet.

Really quiet... that's the first thing I think upon waking up... but... Henrietta?.

I look beside me and she's not here..

..Henrietta..

As I stand up, I see the key to the outer door on the desk... she must still be inside.

I walk out of the room, but she's not there...

—Henrietta.— I raise my voice..

I don't see her... she doesn't respond.

I walk quickly, turning and looking behind the large columns... I don't see her...

—Henrietta!.—

I run to the entrance door, but it's closed. The whole place looks intact... there's no other way out..

—Henrietta!, can you hear me?.— My voice echoes throughout the building.

She should be here..

I return to the room, and as if it were senseless, I look in every corner... she's not there.

I walk to the center of the warehouse..

...Did she leave?..

—!!!!!—

—Razar!.—

Even though there was nothing, even though the place was empty, when I turn around she jumps towards me. Her body collides with mine and she hugs me tightly...

—Razar!..Razar!.—

She repeats my name pushing me closer to her body, stroking my back desperately..

—Calm down... it's okay... we're okay.— I try to calm her down by hugging her and caressing her head..

I don't know what happened or how she appeared out of nowhere in a closed place..

Henrietta releases me from her embrace, her eyes shining as if she's about to cry at any moment.

—Don't scare me like that, when I woke up I didn't see you anywhere.—

—Sorry, I fell asleep... they detected me.— Henrietta looks distressed.

—They're on their way..—

—Military?.— I ask worriedly..

—Yes, they're the same ones we saw when I fell into that town.—

—Follow me.— She adds.

—What will we do?.— The only thing I'm worried about is what might happen to her.

—Wait here.— Henrietta says, when we reach the end of the large warehouse, she stops me and walks a few meters ahead of me.

—!!!!!!.!!!!!.!!!!!—

Henrietta bends down and hits the ground 3 times repeatedly... as if she were a machine...

Her blows break the floor and it starts to collapse...it's the drain she spoke of earlier.

—You can escape through here.— Henrietta says, walking towards me to take my hand..

—Snipers one and two scaling buildings.—

—...You're not coming?.—

When she takes my hand, I don't move...

—I will stop them here.—

—Henrietta, I don't want to leave without you, I don't want to leave you.— I look at her with concern, getting closer to her.

—Razar, listen to me, you're smart, there's no way you can help me, they're trained for this, they're soldiers.— Henrietta takes my cheeks in her hands, staring into my eyes.

—We can go together, we still have time.— I say, trying to convince her, feeling desperate about what's happening.

—Razar, when they realize where we've gone, they'll surround us, and the smaller the space, the harder it will be for me to move.—

—There's no choice, I have already tried, I will stop them here.—

—I don't want to leave you.—

I know Henrietta is trying to keep composed, but her eyes betray her vulnerability, her doubts, and that she would rather come with me.

—Razar, if you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for me. If you stay, I won't stand a chance, if you leave, I can defend myself. If any part of you truly loves me, please, go.—

—Alright let's move out!.—

Both vehicles stop in front of the outer gate, and the soldiers quickly disembark.

—We'll see each other again, I promise, I'll see you again.— She says.

—Just trust me... please go..—

Henrietta cries, making me cry, and with her hands on my cheeks, she directs me towards the entrance to the drain.

One of the soldiers has bolt cutters and breaks the padlock, opening the gate. Finally, a last soldier descends, carrying a black ram.

—Don't blame yourself, it's how it must be, my beloved.— Henrietta says, releasing my cheeks, taking my hand and kissing it devoutly, letting me fall into the drain.

—Please... run... please.— Henrietta cries when she sees I'm not moving.

I bite my lips, making them bleed. Why like this?, why?.. I feel miserable with every step I take.. why can't I do anything?..

Seeing Razar move away.. I smile through tears..

—Sniper one in position.—

I turn towards the room and close the door, staying inside. They're in front of the warehouse..

—Sniper two in position, there are windows, the place looks empty, we can shoot the target when we see it, keep the distance.—

The soldier knocks down the door with the battering ram, his comrades throw stun grenades and then quickly enter the warehouse.

—Clear.—

The soldiers split to each end of the place, walking slowly.

The leader gestures towards the back room, no one speaks.

I can hear their footsteps, 22 people, there are also snipers..

They approach the room where I am..

—!!!!!!!!!!!—

When I hear them close enough I hit the door with force causing it to fly out and hit one of the soldiers who is thrown a few meters away.

—Fire!!.—

They press their triggers without stopping, I move to the right, leaning, deflecting a soldier's weapon with my hand and breaking his sternum, and his internal organs.

Most bullets hit my body, and I use the beams to cover myself, moving as fast as I can, approaching one by one. One blow can kill them, but there are several.

Snipers shoot from adjacent buildings, I can see the large caliber bullets graze my body as if I were moving slowly, I dodge them and they pass very close to my face.

—She doesn't die!.—

—Keep shooting!.—

—Keep the distance!.—

—Grenade!!.—

They throw grenades, but I can reach from one point to another of the building with a single jump, the explosion occurs far from me..

—!!!!!!!!!—

A high caliber shot from the snipers hits my head, pushing my body and making me collide against the wall.

Only the assault rifles firing incessantly against my skin and the loud sound of the sniper rifles can be heard in the place.

They release the trigger only to reload, moving from one place to another to minimize casualties and give space to the snipers.

I run towards them as fast as I can, breaking their bones and moving on to the next one.

—Her movements are slower, keep shooting!.—

I hit their bodies, killing them with ease..

—...…..—

..Why?…

..Why did you come back..?..

I can see the bullets heading towards me, at my sides… As if everything freezes I can see a large caliber bullet near me..and in between... there's Razar.

..Why did you come back..?..

..His body falls to the ground pushed by the shot..I stay frozen..

—..shoot..shoot.—

..My ears barely hear..

..His body falls slowly...I can't move...

..More bullets hit my skin..I slowly fall with him…

..My mind fades..

.Why...did you come back?..

..He doesn't move..there's a lot of blood..

..I try to get on my knees and reach him..

..They shoot in my back and head without stopping…

..I try to get closer to him…

..I reach out my hand..

...My body completely collapses on the ground..

..I can't reach him..

...My eyes close…

"...I...prefer to die for your love..than to live without having loved you.."

—Control, we have the subject..11 casualties, no wounded.—

—There's a civilian….but he's dead.—