Noir
Chapter 19

The heavy darkness of the jungle closed in on me, trapping me in a world of terror as the trees suddenly came alive. Reaching out, they grabbed me with relentless and bony fingers, wrapping around my arms and legs, tripping me, causing me to fall on the moist and decaying vegetation that lay on the forest's floor.

I tried speaking with them, telling them I meant them no harm, but time after time, I was forced to climb to my feet after a new assault. I tried changing direction, only to replace another group just as intent and ferocious about entrapping me within their clutches. They poked and prodded, digging into my tender flesh, causing me to cry out, the dense thickness quickly absorbing the sound.

Eventually I stopped trying, and with my face and arms scratched and battered, I stilled, ceasing my struggles all together. Closing my eyes, I listened to the forest, but the trees were strangely silent. I didn't understand. I had never experienced treatment like this from them before. I felt moisture slip from behind my lids; I was in trouble. The trees, for some odd reason, were holding me hostage, not allowing me to go any further.

As I lay, thinking, trying to figure it out, I thought I heard my name. However, when I didn't hear it again, I decided I must be hearing things and curled into a ball. I was tired and thirsty, so very...very thirsty." Folding my hands beneath my head, I slid into sleep.

~~

Several hours later when I awoke, I was staring into the face of Brinkley.

Brinkley National had been part of the Steel Agency for as long as I could remember. I'd been on many hunts with him, and trusted him with my life. At 6 '5 and immensely built, Brinkley was a formidable foe. I'd seen early on he was someone you didn't want to get on the bad side of and right now, he was the best sight in the world. Jerking into a sitting position, I cried out his name, then clutching at him, I barely noticed the hesitancy of the arms that slid around me, as with a rather sharp tone to his voice, Brinkley muttered, "What the fuck are you doing out here, little one?"

Pushing out of his arms, I croaked in a dry throaty whisper, "Never mind that. Just please tell me you have something to drink and know the way to the brothers."

With an oath, Brinkley placed a bottle of water from his backpack into my hand and, as I downed the liquid nectar as if a baby starved for its bottle, he gathered me off the ground. Then, making certain I was comfortable, he gestured towards someone behind him. Leaning slightly to see who he was gesturing to, my eyes widened when I saw Angelo Yorkton, Cotton Manning, Sterling Jenkins and Jericha Brookes-all of whom worked for the agency-behind him. Shaking my head slightly, I asked, "If everyone is here, who the heck's watching the agency?" Afterward, I passed out.

~~

Fourteen hours later, my consciousness emerged in fragments and fits. The pungent, overpowering stench of antiseptic invaded my nostrils, assaulting my senses. I couldn't help but scrunch my face in disgust. *Good Lord, what a repulsive odor*.

Silently grumbling to myself about the offensive smell, I floated in a haze for several more minutes, inhaling and exhaling the noxious fumes. Jeeze, I thought sourly, it seemed like someone had doused themselves in an entire freaking bottle of the stuff.

Suddenly, I jolted into a sitting position, forgetting for a moment that I was no longer lost in the dense jungle; Brinkley had found me. As I pushed aside the sheet that draped over me, I was hit by an even stronger wave of antiseptic. It was suffocating, making me almost gag. My nose wrinkled in response to the overwhelming scent. Then, as my eyes fell upon the scratches adorning my arms, I pushed myself up from the sleeping bag and stood upright. Seconds later, I swiftly made my way over to where my hiking boots sat near the entrance. With a cautious grip, I turned them upside down and gave them a vigorous shake, ensuring no creepy crawlies had found refuge inside. Satisfied, I slid my feet into the sturdy boots and pushed back the flap of the tent, stepping out into a world of unfamiliarity. My eyes eagerly scanned the surroundings, taking in the lush greenery of the jungle that enveloped us, albeit in a different part. The absence of Noir, Eton, and Thorin didn't go unnoticed, leaving me curious about the sudden presence of all the other agency's agents.

But my search was quickly interrupted as the tantalizing scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted towards me, saturating the air with its rich aroma. A delighted yelp escaped my lips as I hurried towards the source, discovering a metal pot perched on a grate above a low flickering fire. Leaning forward, I inhaled deeply, savoring the essence of the coffee that danced tantalizingly in the air. With a quick motion, I grabbed one of the nearby Styrofoam cups and, using the bottom of my shirt as a makeshift hot pad, poured myself a cup of the heavenly nectar. Placing the pot back on the grate, I raised the cup to my lips, blowing gently to cool the steaming liquid before taking a sip.

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As the flavors danced on my tongue, my eyes closed in bliss, almost rolling into the back of my head. The burst of deliciousness brought a wave of contentment over me. Lost in the awakening of a new day, I was joined by Jericha, who silently approached, a stack of pastries in her hands.

Peering intently into my face, her piercing blue eyes scanned my features. "Well, you certainly look better than you did last night!" she remarked, her voice filled with a mix of relief and amusement. I couldn't help but blush, my cheeks turning a shade of pink.

Curiosity sparked within me, and I gestured towards the lush greenery that enveloped us. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

However, before Jericha could answer, I jerked forward, colliding with her and causing the cooled coffee in my cup to spill over both of us, as Noir hissed in my ear, "I need to speak with you... *now!*"