I got up from the bed as I staggered to the wash room to splash some water on my face as my head ached and burnt.
As I stared into the bucket of water, the reflection that I saw wasn't of me but of something more terrifying and inhuman.
Yes,it had my face but it's features weren't mine for its eyes were as dark as coal, hair of silver, dark veins lined the face as tattoos marked my skin.
I stood horrified by what I saw before I could even react it's hands grabbed mine and pulled me ........
I sprang up from bed as sweat had soaked my pillow and sheets as I looked around to be sure of where I was .
Turns out I was still in my room a luxury I was grateful for because I enjoyed my personal quietspace away from others gaze and contact.
I hadn't been myself since after the mission day as nightmares plagued me, showing me ancient symbols, pandemonium and terrifying creatures all at once as a high fever still overtook me.
I bent my head in contemplation and disappointment,there must be an explanation to all this,were they visions or were they just dreams to be ignored but I couldn't tell as I felt helpless and hopeless at the same time.
Why was all this happening to me?Why me?,I asked myself as I stared at my hands and remembered the blood stains that had covered them,was I monster.
I was still in this position of thought when the door sprang open and ushered in Lucas with a tray containing.
It had been three days since the fever came and she had been bedridden,Lucas had ever since taken it upon himself to take care of her.
Always bringing her meals at appropriate times and damping her hot fever ridden body with cool water whenever she burnt up, making sure he was by her side.
" How are you feeling today?". He asked her as he dropped the tray on the bed and sat down facing her.
He had been worried about her these days as he felt she was pushing him away and locking herself up which was hurtful because they had survived a long way together,she always gave him the excuse of being okay.
"How's your head? has the headaches reduced?. He further asked as he peered into her eyes.
"Worse but I'm okay". She picked up the plate and began devouring the contents,this was the most she had eaten in a while and she ate in silence as he sat watching her.
She had devoured the contents of the plate to the last as she dropped the plate back in the tray and murmured a thank you to him as she walked towards towards the table and picked up her leather worn jacket from the dirt stained wooden table.
"Where are you going?". He asked her as she put it on.
"I'm going on a walk to train a little I have been couped up here too long". She said as she tried walking past him.
" You need rest,you aren't strong enough". He grabbed her arm.
"I'm fine,now let go". Jackie wiggled her arm free and walked out on him shutting the door.
He felt pained,why was she treating him this way, knowing fully well how much he cared about her and the feeling hurt more than a knife cut.
He was about to go outside when he overhead a conversation between two officials as they discussed about Jackie being used as a weapon for some sort of plan and it struck him that Jackie was only a pawn to them they never really cared, maybe the whole mission in the first place was a setup or trap.
Jackie strolled through the corridors as her her darted back and forth she had decided she needed help.
But her help was no where to be found as she looked round for him but no one seemed to have seen him this only made her frustrated.
She decided to sit down on a slab in a quiet area which she had come to like as it helped her recollect her thoughts.
She sat down and covered her face with her palms as she breathed in and out to calm herself and think of what to do next as she contemplated on drawing the symbols out and see if anyone knew anything about it.
A hand reached out and grabbed her shoulders while she was still thinking, snapping her Into attention as she quickly sprang up to her feet and turned around.
Behold it was no other the he which she had sought staring at her like a statue.
Diego studied her intently unsure of what to say to her .
"Heard you were looking for me". He said to her.
"Yes I did"
"So how can I be of help?". He asked with one eyebrow raised.
"Not anymore,you can leave". Jackie said turning her back towards him .
"Something about your abilities isn't it or maybe you've seen something I presume?
She spun around to face him immediately as she was surprised because she hadn't said a word about her nightmares.
"How did you know? because I never said anything". She asked astonished.
"You don't know do you now?". Diego asked quizzically.
"Know about what?"
"Your ability to read minds"
" I can do that?how did you know?"
" Like I said I know a few things,you will be shocked to discover"
"How can I do it?"
He looked at her hesitantly contemplating if he should tell her or not.
"You are not ready". He concluded as he turned his back on her to leave.
"What do you mean I am not ready, I need any ability locked within me to win this war"
"That I know but your mind is too clouded up for you to concentrate talk more of reading". He said walking away.
"Teach me please". She made up her mind to plead as it was crucial.
He stopped on his tracks and turned to her sizing her up as she repeated the same request.
"I can see you are anxious to learn if not you and I know you won't be begging me,but in other for you to concentrate and learn you need to unburden your mind and tell me everything"
She looked at him unsure of what to say or where to start from.
She gave out a sigh and started telling everything from the beginning,how confused she was about everything,her nightmares,her fear and why was the world against her.
As she unburdened herself tears rolled down her cheeks as she had never told anyone up to this extent and it was breaking her down.
Diego stared at her as he was moved a little at what he saw,a little creature saddled with such responsibility and weight and unknowingly and out of his own free will her brushed off the tears with his thumb and stared into her eyes.
Her eyes were a weapon on its own for even without being wet with tears one could get lost by just staring into them as it mesmerised and pulled you deeper even the strongest Man should be moved.
Her soft cheeks complemented her pretty face as if conditions were proper her cheeks were to be pink,her jet black hair although packed neatly behind her was tempting to touch as he could only tuck strands at the back of her ear as they both stared at each other.
They maintained this position until a sound snapped them back into reality,he couldn't lie he was felt something.
Lucas was staring at them and it was like putting one's hands into hot coal because it hurt and burnt, How could she?
He had wanted to walk away without a sound but his anger and the twigs betrayed him.
Jackie ran after him to clear the air but it only sparked an argument between them as he accused her of choosing their side and forgetting him .
She defended herself stubbornly but it only led to more exchange of words.
That was the longest they had fought in all their years of friendship and it hurt her that her closest friend was telling her such things.
He walked away and turned his back on her with anger and jealousy mixed together clouding his senses .
He just wanted to stay away from her at the moment and come up with a plan to make them both leave there at once.
He was disappointed because deep down he knew what he felt for her deep down was more than friendship,he loved her .
But how could he confess such to her when all this things were happening around them .
One thing he was sure of was he wouldn't let him have her never.
He swore and cursed to himself