"Oh, shit! Carla—"
She coughed once and she stood back up quickly, eyeing me with anger. "Thank you very much for the welcome! I had forgotten that you are fast and unpredictable."
"I'm sorry, what were you doing in my bath?" I said, embarrassed by this situation.
"I thought— Forget it—" She walked away mad and slammed the door.
Shit! I was not expecting that!
I dressed in a bathrobe and went out like an arrow. On the bed waiting for me was a suit as new as the rest of the accessories right down to the shoes. I dressed quickly and went back to the room grumbling, not knowing how I could explain my actions to her.
Carla was half lying in a lounger on the terrace. She did not look at me when I sat down before her and continued to sip her drink.
"Carla—"
"Drink," she said, pointing to the glass before me. "It's still fresh! Your eyes have not changed. They are always beautiful. But your dark circles show tiredness and hardship. What have you been doing during all this time? Have you forsaken taking the elixir of life? Who could deserve such punishment? You can never be like them. You need yield to your desires. You're a vampire and you will remain so for all your long life! Accept the benefits of this situation. You know I think your only blunder was to enter the army."
"If I had not—" I muttered as I sank into the seat beside the window and gently lifted the heavy velvet curtain, I looked out.
"Yes, yes! I owe you my life," she cut me off, shaking her head and setting her glass on the table. "That's why I'm here! They think it is too hot for people like us. They are very readable, sometimes!"
"For what happened a while ago—" I dropped the curtain, turned away from the landscape, and looked at her fixedly.
"Forget it, Estrange! It was only a dream that I wanted to make true," she sighed and her voice seemed embarrassed. "I thought I'd never see you again, but you're here. So— I continue to dream!" She smiled, raising her face to me. "What can I do for you? You're on a mission? Will you tell me a little more?" Her face was curious and my instinct told me that I could trust her.
But I could not tell her. Not all of it, at least. If I had chosen to hide in her home it was because I needed her help. I wanted to finish this task quickly and without complications. The fever of returning would not fail to make me scramble the tracks. And after all— I was there a little bit against my will.
Carla looked at me with her hazel almond shaped eyes. She smoothed the long strands of her detached hair and images of my past, crossing hers, came into my mind. Her smell was the same, but did not attract me anymore.
"I have to recover a bird," I said without a smile and I erased from my mind all remembrance of her.
"Only one? It must be important, your bird. And he is alone? In a cage, I mean."
"Apparently, no!"
"How will you do it then? You have a plan?" she said quickly, curiosity obvious in her voice.
"I do not know yet," I said, getting up and approaching the bay window, "I have not yet decided. I have several possibilities. I could follow the established plan, or make a new one myself." I smile. "Mine would include saving everyone, not just one."
"And after that? What will you do? You're going to leave? Where? Are you going to leave the army?"
"I think this mission is a trap. I feel that the stakes are higher and it extends to the whole army. Sometimes I feel that all humanity is very concerned."
"Who is it? Do you know him?" she said, worried.
"No! But not to know a face is normal in a war."
"A war? What war? Between the power wars, the oil wars, or human misery—, which one are you talking about?"
"A war that has just started and that is still unknown." I admitted softly.
"Hmm! Like the Hundred Years War?" she blurted out feverishly and then rose abruptly.
"No! At that time, they did not have the means. Science had not yet begun to have its say. But enough! I must go! I'll be back at night. Can you find me a car? I must reach the return point after the mission."
"Of course! I'll make sure one is ready for you!" she whispered, but she looked at me, frightened.
"And, Carla—"
"Do not talk about it, Estrange! I recognize a NO! Do not worry about me! Our relationship will never change! I know what I owe you!" She turned and walked away.
"Stop talking like you're ready to sacrifice yourself for me one day! I do not want a sacrifice! I do not deserve it!" I screamed and started to follow after her.
"You! Stop with your stupidities!" she warned me, turning abruptly and staring severely at me. "Of course you deserve it! And — it's my life and I'll do what I want! Go!" She finished her sentence and waved her hand to make me go away. I returned her strong gaze which told me that she was pushing me out the door. It was not worth the trouble to continue! I realized that a discussion with her would delay my mission preparation and so I left, slamming the door.
I stopped in front of the house, breathing deep and grimacing. I walked to the end of the street to find a taxi to get close enough to the desired location.
Women! Its better not to justify or explain something obvious to them! Regardless of age, they still endorse this role of mother and sacrifice!
Shit!
"Sir?" A woman addressed me by motioning to the traffic light, which was red.
"Thank you," I said smiling painfully at her and without much success.
"You are worried and upset! That's no good! You should try to calm down! You'll get yourself killed! You have a long way to go. Painful, but," she gave me a wink, pulling her shopping cart while crossing the street "when you think you are near the goal it will not be true and we will always need you."
"But—"
The woman went quickly. She crossed the street and disappeared around the corner. I saw her no more and it seemed strange that an old woman could walk so fast. What should I understand from this message? It was an omen! I shrugged my shoulders and I continued on my way.