I open the case and observe the perfection of the blades.
When I started mastering the launch, it became so easy to use them that I often prefer them to guns. I prepare all the equipment and go out. Marcus rushes in our direction and Reyes, who is my communications technician, gives us the earphones.
“There is no need to scream. A whisper is enough we must also hear what surrounds us. Ready? Come on!”I can feel the adrenaline rush. I can't wait to catch up with Max.
During the trip, I review the map and display the blind spots.
We were close enough to the place when I order to continue on foot. Nobody replies and I'm happy, as I sensed there was a little movement in the surroundings.
I saw a convoy of two cars approaching, four soldiers for each vehicle. My beats increase and I take some deep breaths waiting for them to separate.
“Roberts and Marcus north side, I need your view. Reyes, I need your magic fingers. Hewitt and Reed, with me!”
“We’re dancing, baby!”I hear a singsong from Roberts.
Not long after, two soldiers enter in building number one where I believe and hope Max isn’t in. If I am wrong, we are really short of time.
“I'm in position, wind from the west. But Kate, we have two hours, maybe three. There will be a sandstorm apparently. Whenever you want, I’m ready!”
“Thanks, guys, let's kick off and dance.”And we are walking towards building number one.
Hewitt and Reed cover my back as my guardian angels, Roberts and Marcus scan the horizon. Reyes will be my eyes and I trust him blindly.
“Ready to do some magic?”Reyes asks me
“Always. Wait till we get rid of the crows, we'll think about butterflies in a moment.”
I see Reed looking at Hewitt asking silently what that means and he mimics“you will see.”
“How's it going up there guys, are you having fun? My hands are itchy,”I ask my snipers.“You have to get rid of the crows.”
“Yes Kate, we know.”A long silence, which only makes me nervous and then finally,“Caged Crows.”
“Fire!”I order.
“Crows on the ground, calm up here.”
I sigh in relief.“Thanks, guys! Reyes, ready to dance?”
“Yes, baby, let's open it!”I shake my head smiling. We are crazy.
I turn my back to the building and breathe in to relax my muscles.“Butterfly at 5 o'clock,”Reyes says. I close my eyes, turn and throw. I plant my knife exactly where it needed to be. I pull out two kunai getting closer to the building.“12 and 2 o'clock.”I throw both pulling out two more and, before receiving the position, I throw one because one of them had seen me when he turned around.
“Reyes, focus, dammit! Where's the other one?”But he doesn't have time to answer before I hear a click on my right. Hewitt and Reed turn abruptly. They had already understood what was about to happen. Fortunately, the sun is on my right and I can see the shadow. I grip the kunai properly by throwing myself on the ground and throw it, hitting the soldier in the chest while Reed also shoots him. I hear two shots, I feel one touching me but I don't have time to check. And we run to the building.
“I'm fine, thanks Reed, let's go, and let’s go!”I say to the boys. We have no time to waste. “Roberts, shoot on sight if necessary. Max is not in there.”
“How do you know?”I hear Reed asking.
“Instinct,”I answer while Marcus and Roberts update us on the last butterflies.
Inside the building, I feel a powerful blood smell. My brain starts working at double speed.“First floor, east side immediately, move!”They follow me without replying and when we get there, the smell is even more intense.
“Don't shoot, it's me”I say and raise my hands going inside the dark room. When I was close to him, I notice his leg, despite having tied the shirt around it, was still bleeding. I pull out of the water and a lighter.
“Drink and breathe, let me see. Are you alone? Where's your team?”I try to untie the shirt but I can't.
“I am alone.”He replies in a low voice.
