As she had imagined, when she arrived at the old hothouse its lock was forced and the door was wide-open. She got inside, leaving behind her the whispers of a war that didn't give truce even in the presence of the stars.
Lately, she got closer to the glass cabinet, now destroyed. By its side, she discovered a lever and a hat, and inmediately she understood what had happened. She bent down in order to pick up the hat when a noise behind frightened her. She examined the darkness that covered her with her rifle, ready to shoot just in case it was necessary.
-I'm glad to see you too, Alice.-a grave voice rumbled all over the place.
A few steps and a light moving through the shadows let see a tall man with brown, short and untidy hair. On his left cheek, the permanent mark of a scar was distinguishable. In spite of poor visibility, she could see his golden boots and his beige jacket. The characteristic colours of the Golden Wings' squadron, the enemy side. Without lowering the rifle, she pointed to him, making him understand what her response would be if he got too close. The other seemed to laugh in the face of her silents menaces, the scar marking in a horrendous way his face.
-Is this the way you welcome your friends, Alice? Come on, I know you can be kinder.-his little and deep green eyes stared at her.
-You are not my friend, Nathan.-she interrupted him without lowering the weapon-Anymore!
-You still have bitter resentment, haven't you?-he said getting closer slowly-You know, it's interesting. If someone would have told me ten years ago that I would become one of the most influential figures during the course of the war, I wouldn't have believed it. I wouldn't believed that you'd have join the rebels, either.-now, only a few centimetres separated them-I see that you still have that old hat, Alice.-he added smiling, making reference to the old black hat that she was wearing. It standed out even in the darkness with her copper-coloured hair.
-Don't make me shoot you, Nathan.-she threatened him.
-Come on, do it.-he challenged her-But if you don't mind, make it fast. I have better things to do. For example, locating that run angel that will make us win.-he said looking at the glass cabinet distractedly-You know where they have gone, right?
She dind't answer, but he noticed that her hands that were holding the rifle started to shake.
-Let's try it again, Alice. Where are they? Don't make me lose my patience. Tell me where they are!
With a fast movement, Alice jumped on him with the intention of hitting him, but Nathan was faster and he could immobilize her before she could at least touch him. The weapon fell onto the floor and Alice let escape a scream of pain and rage.
-The Freedom Wings will rise up over your injustices!-shouted her.
-Have you had the energy to shout yet?-he laughed squeezing her arm firmly and grunting-You are stupid. I know that you were the person who provided her the information about this place. Tell me where they are, and I'll pretend I didn't see you and I'll allow you to leave.
-Did you really think that I would dupe my comrades to save myself?-she mocked.
-They are not your comrades, Alice. And much less your friends. Answer. Where are they?
-It doesn't matter how much you insist on. I won't tell you, and much less to you, Nathan.-she claimed, challenging.
-Okay.-he set her free, abruptly and Alice fell onto the floor full of glasses. Before she had time to grab her rifle, Nathan moved it away with a kick-We have to use another methods, I guess. Dan, take charge of her.
Then another man rather short appeared. As Nathan, he was wearing golden boots and a beige jacket. In his blue eyes, she could see a sparkle of evil. His footsteps resonated with force as he was getting closer. Alice tried in vain to stand up, thinking at the speed of light. But it was practically impossible. The glass cabinet's crystals caused to her several cuts and wounds that reduced most of her strength. There was no escape.
-Make her talk.-ordered Nathan looking at her with fury.
-It will be my pleasure.-laughed the other one. He approached her and the first thing he did when he realized she was trying to stand up was to kick her into her ribs. Alice fell onto the floor again and, once more, her screams of pain resounded in the old hothouse.
-You're still so stubborn. Aren't you, Alice?-Dan mocked, charging against her again every time she tried to stand up. When he was about to hit her for the third time, she laughed, and that startled him.
-You're stupid!-claimed her laughing, standing up again-It doesn't matter how hard you hit me, you'll never find them!
-Shut up!-Dan shouted furiously, hitting her again. He was ready to hit her once again when Nathan's sign stopped him.
-So is there where they go. They come back home, aren't they?-her terror expression confirmed him his suspicions. He smiled.
-You will not get it, Nathan! It's been hours since they passed the border!-she exclaimed hopelessly, trying to stop him.
But it wass too late. Nathan took her rifle and he got out from there. Before definitely left the hothouse, he said to Dan:
-Take charge of her. Kill her if it's necessary. Anyway, she ins't useful anymore.
-That is done. Without regrets.-laughed Dan again, taking a gun from his belt.
Her brown eyes looking at him furiously... and also dissapointed. She started to shake and to cry with rage, feeling that she had failed to them, that she had talked too much and too early. Feeling that she had ruined the most important mission in her life.
Then, the silence was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a shot.
Nobody would claim that ten years ago, those three people who now were trying to kill each other in cold blood had been the best childhood friends.
