ClineTower

FADING LIGHT

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The week went like a blur. Everything was almost in place.

'Passports?'

'Check'

'Flight tickets?'

'Check'

'Hotel booking?'

'Check'

Ana and I had gone through this list almost ten times now and I was satisfied that everything was in place, at least until Stacy walked in.

'Wellis, we have a problem'.

My mind was reeling and happy from the fact that she had called my name without "Mr." added to it, however I forced my mind to return the situation at hand.

'What problem?'

'Marshal's fashion designer just turned in her resignation, hence the bottom line is we need someone who is good with clothes and who can act as a substitute on this trip'.

'Why can't we just hire a new person?' Stacy turned to look at Wellis, she was developing a habit of looking at him straight in the eyes recently. She had her red hair braided into two long ropes. She looked like she could take on any force in this world and come out victorious.

'Because we travel in 2 days, we cannot just call an interview and hire anyone.'

'Uhmmm, why? Ana asked while holding a doughnut.

'because Marshal is a big personality, he needs to protected, so before someone can be hired, he had to go through security checks, background checks and stuffs like that'

'Hmmm, am still trying to wrap my head around how that stinking Marshal can be a big personality'

'Stinking Marshal? 'I asked, my eyes narrowed in slits. Ana blushed.

'Believe you don't want to know' the door slammed and Ana rolled her eyes, 'speaking of the devil'

Marshal walked in with a cool sky-blue shirt and ripped jeans. He looked up and when he saw all of them staring back at him, he smiled back.

'Hey guys, seems you missed me a lot' he said trying to avoid their stares.

'Where did you go?'

'Oh believe me, you don't want to know 'he said lifting his face and his neck revealed a very large hickey

'Say no more' Stacy said looking unimpressed, 'I have no intention to be corrupted by your love or should I say sexual life'

'I think polluted is the right word, isn't that right Marshal? Ana said, her glare fixed on Marshal. I looked at both of them confused.

Marshal smirked at Ana but didn't respond and started walking towards the door again.

'Where are you going now? we need you for the final preparation concerning the trip'

'Relax Stacy, am just going down to our favorite restaurant, besides am taking a hoodie. I'll be back in 20 minutes'

Stacy frowned, 'take Ana with you, and am sure she'll drive you mad eventually hereby bringing you home in 20 minutes'

Marshal smile disappeared, 'fine, she can come, I can't believe you don't trust me, your best friend', he said trying to give her the puppy eye look

Stacy just smiled and raised an eye brow at Ana. Ana's eyes widened.

'You can't be serious now, you want me to go with that guy, I can't stand him. I'll murder him before 20 minutes'. I chuckled.

'Am counting on that' Stacy said smiling. I didn't know she could smile. She was exactly like Mr. Stones in every way. I guess he taught her well.

'Fine, but there better be more doughnuts when I get back'

Stacy smiled again and I thought maybe I was starting to see things because Stacy never smiles.

'I didn't know you smile this much'

Still smiling, Stacy said without looking at me.

'I never knew you were this dumb Mr. Wellis, would have put it down to that island you came from but alas, Anastasia is a smart girl, so your dumbness is probably unique or shared on an individual basis.'

'You don't always have to be rude', I said rolling my eyes.

'Trust me, this isn't me being rude, this is me being really polite with a pinch of salt, see you around Wellis'. And with that she left standing in an empty room all by myself.

********************

Marshal whistled as he walked down the street with Ana. She was walking besides him so he had the opportunity to steal glances at her. She had her hair tied in a messy bun which allowed to fall on her eyes and she wasn't looking back at him or rolling her eyes. She had a serious look on her face like she was lost in some faraway thoughts.

For some unspeakable reasons, this worried Marshal. Slowly, Marshal became desperate to break the ice.

'Uhmmm, am sorry for what happened earlier this week', marshal said scratching his head.

'Uh?' Ana's eyes widened.

'Did Marshal Collins just apologize?'

Marshal looked the other way as his face turned red, to Ana's amusement.

'I can't believe am alive to witness Marshal Collins apologizing without any threats to murder him or decapitate him or...'

'It's alright' he said rolling his eyes.

'Don't just tell anyone, okay?'

Ana smiled.

Maybe Marshal Collins wasn't as bad as she thought.

Still smiling, she noticed something sparkle in the reflection of the sun. It came from the sidewalk facing Marshal. She looked more intently and realized it was metal sparkling.

Her eyes widened. A gun! someone was about to shoot Marshal!

Before she stopped to think, she flung herself in front of Marshal just as she heard the sound of the gun.

*****************

Marshal heard the sound just as Ana flung herself in front of him and saw and felt blood splash on him. He heard the sounds of racing feet as people took cover but all he could do was stare at Ana as she fell to the ground. He removed the cover of his hoodie, people held their breaths as they realized it was the Marshal Collins holding a girl who was bleeding to death.

'Somebody freaking call an ambulance! 'Marshal screamed as the tears rolled down his cheeks.

He held her as she looked at him with her eyes closing and closing fast.

'I knew I should have eaten that doughnut 'she said smiling and her eyes closed.

'No, no, you cannot do this to me' Marshal checked for a pulse, there was no pulse.

He checked for a heartbeat praying for a faint one, praying to any deity, false or true who could hear his prayer. There was no heartbeat.

Anastasia Caulkins was dead.

UMESI_JNR