The chief commander did not speak immediately.
The room was silent except for the slow ticking of the large clock hanging on the wall.
My friend and I stood at attention before his desk, our boots firmly planted on the polished floor. The atmosphere felt heavy -the kind of silence that makes a man's heartbeat sound louder than it should.
The commander leaned forward in his chair, the deep scar across his left cheek becoming more visible to me.
He slid a brown file across the desk.
"Five men."
His voice was calm, yet each word landed heavily in the room.
"Only five men have brought an entire community to its knees."
I exchanged a glance with my friend.
The commander opened the file and spread several photographs across the table. In the photographs were burnt houses, blood-stained compounds, weeping widows and children who had seen things too early to be seen at their stage of life.
I folded my hand across my chest.
"Every night they come," the commander continued. "They wear masks. Nobody knows where they come from or where they disappear to. They just rob, kill and leave before dawn."
His eyes fixed on us.
"You two are among the best men we have."
My friend straightened his shoulders proudly.
The commander nodded.
"Find them."
The room became silent again.
Then he continued. "And bring peace back to those people."
My friend and I saluted and walked out.
Hours later, we were seated inside a long-distance bus heading toward the troubled community.
The road stretched endlessly before us.
"We attack their pattern first," he said, his eyes fixed on the map spread across his lap.
I nodded.
"If they only strike at night, then night becomes our battlefield."
For the next several hours, we discussed strategies, possible hiding spots, escape routes and weaknesses.
We debated, argued, and laughed occasionally.
We are soldiers and soldiers are never sent to lose.
By evening, the bus rolled into the community.
The atmosphere alone was enough to tell us the reports were true.
The streets looked lifeless. People hurried indoors before sunset. Doors were shut and windows were only half-closed.
Fear lingered in the air like smoke after a fire.
When we arrived at the King's palace, the old king personally received us.
The sight nearly broke my heart.
His face was filled with sorrow, deep wrinkles stretched across his cheeks.
His eyes were swollen from countless nights without sleep.
As he welcomed us, tears gathered in his eyes.
"They killed my people, innocent people......"
His voice trembled, tears rolling uncontrollably down his cheeks.
The old man lowered his head.
"I have buried too many sons and daughters."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
My friend clenched his fist.
Whoever these terrorists were, they had caused enough pain.
And for the first time since leaving headquarters, the mission became personal.
That evening, we were shown to our apartment.
The room was modest but comfortable.
We immediately sat down around a wooden table and began planning.
Maps covered the surface. ideas filled the room and hours passed.
Eventually exhaustion defeated us.
"We'll scout the entire community tomorrow," I said.
My friend nodded.
"First thing in the morning."
Not long after, we went to bed.
The next morning, we were awakened by a gentle knock.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Soft and musical.
Before I could fully open my eyes, a voice followed.
"Good morning."
The voice was smooth and warm, sweet enough to make a person stop whatever they were doing just to listen.
The moment my friend jumped out of bed, he flashed me a quick hand signal, telling me to grab my rifle.
I heard the door open.
I remained where I was, staring at the ceiling.
Then the conversation began, but it seemed endless, flowing on and on with laughter and chuckles.
I was bothered.
I quietly tiptoed to the back door to see who it was. The moment I recognized the attire of one of the King's maidens, I eased up. Satisfied there was no threat, I returned and safely put my rifle away.
Eventually he returned.
A grin stretched across his face.
"What happened?" I asked.
He sat down.
"The king sent someone."
"For what?"
"Breakfast."
I laughed.
"Ten minutes to discuss breakfast?"
He laughed too.
Then he explained.
The young lady had come to ask what we would like to eat.
According to him, she admired soldiers.
Ever since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of serving in the army.
Something about that touched me.
My friend seemed especially pleased. He was amazed at the desires of the lady.
For a few minutes, we sat talking about how far we had come.
The sacrifices, the training and the long years of discipline.
We felt good knowing our service inspired others.
Later that evening, I went to meet the king.
Before leaving, I instructed my friend to stay back to update headquarters on our findings.
When I eventually returned, I was surprised to see him standing outside.
But he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood the same young lady.
I finally had the chance to see her clearly.
My goodness, she was breathtaking.
Her dark hair flowed down her shoulders like silk. Her eyes sparkled with a playful brightness that made them impossible to ignore.
Her skin? It carried a soft glow beneath the fading sunlight.
And her smile? And dangerous one.
The kind that could make a man lose track of time without realizing it.
She wore one of the palace maidens' garments, the fabric resting elegantly against her figure.
By the time I drew close to them, they moved apart a little bit from each other
"Good evening, soldier."she said, as the words softly parted her lips.
I smiled back.
"Good evening."
My friend immediately introduced us.
After exchanging greetings, the conversation naturally flowed.
She spoke about her dreams, ambitions and the place she hoped to be one day.
By the time she left, my friend could hardly stop smiling. When he could have no genuine reason for the smile he couldn't stop, I ignored him.
But the next few days showed the same pattern.
Every time we returned from patrol, she appeared, bringing food for us to eat.
"She must really be caring." I said to my friend, after a long patrol day.
"I thought you said I was doing too much." My friend teased, frowning back at me.
Most evenings, I was too exhausted to entertain conversation.
But somehow my friend always had energy reserved for her.
They would talk endlessly, laugh and share amazing stories.
Meanwhile, our investigation continued. We searched forests, examined abandoned buildings, questioned the villagers and studied every corner of the community.
Yet strangely, since our arrival, there have been no attacks
Still, neither of us lowered our guard either.
One afternoon, I left to brief several community leaders.
My friend remained behind.
This time, I didn't even ask him to stay.
"I'll do some independent findings," he said.
I simply nodded and left.
Hours later, I returned.
As I approached the apartment, I heard laughter.
The kind shared between two people completely enjoying each other's company.
The closer I got to the door, the less familiar the laughter sounded. My body tensed immediately.
My instincts were activated.
Someone else was inside. Possibly an intruder.
I slowed my steps.
My hand moved toward my rifle.
Carefully, I approached the door.
Then I heard movement inside.
Without hesitation, I threw my full weight against the door.
It gave way instantly.
The girl practically jumped from her chair, as her eyes widened in alarm.
My friend sprang to his feet immediately, his eyes scanning the room for anything he could use as a weapon. The moment he turned and realized it was me, his shoulders dropped slightly.
He relaxed, but his heavy breathing showed the scare hadn't completely left him.
For a second, all three of us simply stared.
"Guy......What was that now?" He sighed.
After a long stare at me, he burst into laughter.
I followed, and then the girl.
After she eventually left, I closed the door and sat opposite my friend.
"What exactly is going on?"
He kept smiling.
"You know exactly what's going on."
I folded my arms, waiting patiently for him to hit the nail on its head.
"We're on a mission."
He nodded.
"I know."
"You barely know her."
"I know."
"Then why are you acting like this?"
His smile widened.
For a moment he stared at the floor.
Then he looked up.
"What if she's the answer I've been praying for?"
I sighed. "What answer?"
He continued.
"You know I've been looking for a wife."
I did know.
For years.
"I've prayed about this."
He leaned back.
"Maybe God is finally answering."
I shook my head.
" A king maidservant? Or maybe you're distracted."
His expression grew serious.
"I can handle both."
I looked directly into his eyes.
"Be careful."
He smiled confidently.
"I'll be fine."
I wanted to believe him but something deep inside me remained unsettled.
Several days later, I was meeting community leaders when my phone rang.
It was the Chief Commander.
His tone was enough to pass the information that there's an imminent danger.
"The terrorists are moving."
My heart skipped.
"What?"
"Our intelligence unit just confirmed it."
His voice became sharper.
"They are heading toward the community."
"When?"
"Now."
My body was instantly tensed.
"Stay alert. Monitor everything."
The call ended.
I immediately began running.
Dust flew behind me as I sprinted
through the streets.
I picked up my phone and called my friend.
"This is not even the right time to pick your call." My eyebrows furrowed.
My heart pounded heavily in my chest and I kept running to my apartment.
We needed to plan strategy. Immediately.
As I turned the last corner toward our apartment, my legs seemed to lose their speed on their own.
I froze.
Something dark was creeping beneath the door.
At first, my mind refused to understand what I was seeing.
Then reality struck.
Blood.
Fresh, thick blood slowly spreading across the floor.
My breathing stopped.
"No..."
I rushed forward, my hands began shaking violently.
I shut off every thought coming to my mind.
"It can't be. My God..."
I slammed my fist against the door.
"Chris." I screamed at the top of my lungs.
No answer.
I was too impatient.
With every ounce of strength I possessed, I rammed my shoulder into it the door.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The wood splintered, causing the door to burst open.
What I saw shattered me.
I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to breathe.
My friend lay motionless on the floor.
Blood surrounded him, the T-shirt he was putting on soaked in it.
His eyes stared lifelessly into space.
A deep stab wound cut across his neck.
For a second, the entire world became silent.
"No!"
The scream tore from my throat.
I dropped beside him, my hands trembling violently.
Who did this?
Who?!
I was consumed by rage.
I stood up, panting and shaking like a leaf in the storm.
I scanned the room wildly, ready to tear apart whoever had done this.
I scanned around me.Ready to tear apart anyone responsible.
Then a voice drifted through the open window.
"Mission accomplished."