JACK
The mission continued as planned, with Rose and I blending into the shadows and observing the submarine and its team. We swiftly took down two individuals like a well oiled machine and secured them in an abandoned building. I patted one of them on the head. “Nighty night.”
“You did not. Jack, you should be one to talk,” Rose giggled and I shrugged my shoulders before giving her a wink. She loved that kind of stuff.
We were surprised by a couple more and I knocked them both out, tied them up, shoved a few socks in their mouths and moved them into the abandoned building with the others. “I’ll be back,” I whispered.
"You are always so cheesy," she said while changing into their black jumpsuit and hat.
I paused for a moment. "So, um, what do you want to do when the mission is over? Is there somewhere you want to go?"
Rose rolled her eyes and sighed loudly. From what I knew about my girlfriend, this was a sign—she was visibly upset.
“Is everything alright?” I attempted to ask, unsure if this would blow up in my face. But there wasn’t any other way of knowing. I couldn’t read her mind no matter how hard I tried.
“You want to know why I'm mad at you, Jack?”
Wasn’t that why I asked her? Note to self, do not say anything. This was a trap.
“It's Valentine's Day and I expected you to have at least planned something special!” she pouted.
I was utterly confused by her sudden burst of anger. All I did was ask what she wanted to do after the mission.
That was when it hit me like a stack of bricks. I inwardly winced and looked down at my feet. I was wearing gym shoes. "Oh no!"
After comprehending my mistake, I panicked and realized I had forgotten to put on my black boots which could potentially give away my presence. I quickly approached one of the captives. "Does either one of you wear a size 9 shoe?"
Unable to speak due to the socks in their mouths, I shrugged at their muffling and removed one of their shoes. More mumbling ensued and one of them tried to kick me away.
"Hey, never mind, this fits!” I said in triumph. “Oh, and thank you for being so helpful."
I swiftly took off his next shoe and threw him mine. No sense in letting it go to waste and all that.
I hurriedly put on my jumpsuit, hopping on one foot as I rushed to catch up with Rose, who was standing by the submarine with her arms crossed. I tried to lighten the mood by playfully lifting her up. "Look, Rose, you're flying—you're on top of the world!"
“Why are you touching me?” she spouted like venom from a poisonous cobra. A swift elbow to the side of my head made it clear that she did not want to be held in the air.
Maybe it wasn't just my boots. Something was really bothering buttercup. Maybe she just wanted me to act normal and not draw attention to ourselves.
I tried with all of the understanding within me to calm her frustration. I straightened up and stood with my hands at my side like a soldier, ready to continue the mission in a more serious manner… Only to see Rose shaking her head in disgust.
The old building stood tall in the background, its weathered walls telling stories of the past. The grass beneath our feet was adorned with a delicate layer of snow, glistening in the soft light. With each step we took, the wind whispered through the trees, causing the branches to sway and dance. It carried a chill that nipped at our cheeks, reminding us of the remnants of winter's embrace.
As we approached the shore, the ocean stretched out before us, its surface rippling and churning. The wind seemed to provoke the water, stirring it into a frenzy. Waves crashed against the rocks, spraying salty mist into the air. The sea appeared alive, its anger palpable in the tumultuous currents and the thunderous roar.
Despite the fierce display of nature's power, we remained undeterred. With determination in our hearts, we continued toward our destination, ready to embark on our mission.
We quietly entered the submarine, making sure to maintain a low profile and avoiding drawing any attention to ourselves. The air inside was filled with the scent of old cement and stale air.
“So, this is how a submarine smelt,” I nodded. “Someone should open a window."
"Jack, submarines spend their lives under... ya know what, never mind." Rose gave the look she always did before she patted my head, but she didn’t this time, leaving me confused once again. I followed her as she walked down the hallway of the sub. “This submarine had been used for quite some time, at least fifty plus years.”
We took a moment to observe our surroundings, carefully analyzing the layout and assessing the potential risks and opportunities. It was crucial to be well-prepared before making our move.
The control room was dimly lit with various buttons, switches, and monitors scattered across the control panels. The surfaces reiterated the submarine's long period of usage. We approached the control panel cautiously, aware of the need to avoid triggering any alarms or alerts that could compromise our mission.
A narrow corridor led from the control room to the living quarters. The corridor was cramped and claustrophobic, with rusted metal walls and flickering lights casting eerie shadows. We proceeded down the corridor, our footsteps echoing in the silence.
In the living quarters we found small, cramped rooms with bunk beds and storage lockers. The beds were unmade, and personal belongings were scattered haphazardly. It was clear that the crew had left in a hurry, leaving behind a sense of abandonment.
Our objective was to eliminate the captain without raising suspicion. We knew that making it look like an accident or an incident unrelated to our presence was crucial. We carefully studied the captain's quarters, searching for any clues or opportunities that could aid us in our plan.
“Okay Rose, our first task is to find the Captain, the next is to kill him. Afterward, we must leave no evidence,” Rose smiled and patted her bag. “And that's what these are for.”
That was when we felt the weight of the mission on our shoulders. The fate of our mission and the lives of countless others depended on our ability to execute this task flawlessly. With determination in our hearts and a plan forming in our minds, we prepared to make our move, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
I could sense Rose's annoyance, but I couldn't let that distract me. I needed to figure out the solution to this problem, even if it meant facing my own shortcomings in deductive reasoning. I didn’t think I would ever understand the enigma that was women, but I sure was going to try because I cared for her deeply. I had been struggling in class, and this situation was a clear reminder of my limitations. But Rose meant everything to me and I would never let her go... even if I was on the back of a penguin floating in water, I would totally let her have it. That was how much I loved her.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing thoughts as we continued further into the unknown.