A door opened, somewhere in the distance and light spilled out into the night. Before I knew what was happening, nut job grabbed me and pulled me into the shadows around the side of the motel. In a flash, I was pressed against him, with his arm wrapped around me. I was too startled to respond. A moment later, I heard the door shut.

Looking down at me, he said in a quiet voice, “No one must know that you are receiving help from me, not your friends or your associates. If any were to learn that I had been assisting you, it would put you in even greater danger.” His breath was warm against my face and he smelled of lilies.

I pushed him away from me, extending my arm slowly until he was backed up against the wall. “Don’t do that. Don’t grab me like that.”

He let go, lifting his empty hands.

“Give me something,” I demanded. “A name, an idea of who or what you are, something, anything. Then it will be easier to listen to you.”

“I do not understand why,” he said, his jaw tightening, “but if I must. You may call me Evan.”

“Evan?” I repeated. That was surprisingly plain.

Nodding, he said, “Yes, Evan.”

“Ok, Evan, can you tell me at least why you are helping me?”

Cocking his head, he said, “Because the world is burning and you are one of the few people that might make a difference. Too many people are trying to see you are bent towards their goals or destroyed, and I would see you walk your path.”

“But I’m not walking my path, I’m walking yours.”

Evan shook his head. “I give you the opportunity to act; I do not make your choice for you.” Right, no manipulation there. But if that’s what made him feel happy, thinking he was being all hands-off, then fine. “So if I have this straight, I have to avoid a trap and avoid violence to not fall into this trap that has been set for me, is that right?”

“Unless you wish to assist one or the other of those who are trying to use you, none must die. Neither your companions nor those you hunt. Any other outcome would serve your enemy’s interests. Violence of any kind should be avoided, for the risk is great that it will spill out of control.”

“Well, hell, why didn’t you say that? I never intended to kill anyone or be killed. That seems easy enough.”

“You travel with soldiers and men armed for war. Those you meet along the road will respond accordingly.”

“Ok, fine, got it. Subtle is best. I’ll tell everyone.”

“No, you must tell no one. Remember, any action you take must appear to be entirely of your own volition.”

Right, right. “Sorry,” I said, “I forgot the crazy clause riding on the end of it. I’ll see if I can fix things so we don’t run around shooting everybody.”

He watched me with those sad eyes like he was staring inside my head. “For what it is worth, I am sorry, Peri Delaney.”

“What? Why?” I asked.

“For the pain you have suffered and the pain you have yet to suffer.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, confused.

He brushed my cheek with his long-fingered hand. “There is much still yet to come, and much you must bear, and for that, I am sorry.”

Knocking his hand away, I said, “Well save it. If you’re sorry, then take a stand and do something. ‘Sorry’ doesn’t mean shit. If you can do something to stop all this, then do it and don’t whine about it.”

Bowing his head, he said, “I do what I can. When the time comes we will all be forced to act whether we wish it or not. I have suffered for a very long time for the aid I have given you and people like you. I will not escape this without sharing your suffering, believe me.” He looked up, his eyes blazed with an intensity so strong I stepped back. “But you must go, now. Time is almost up and your companions head into the darkness alone. Stop them, Peri. Save them.”

The door to the office around the corner opened, the sound startling me so that I spun to see if someone was coming. When I turned back, Evan was not standing there anymore. Or anywhere for that matter. I looked around and he was gone.

Ok, I was seriously over this. Creepy advice, scary stalkers, and paranoid ramblings: I’d had enough. Next time, I was just going to punch him, that’s all there was to it.

I waited till whoever it was walked away from the office and then slunk around to the drink machines. I saw someone go back into their room, unaware of me. Heading back, I remembered the damn drinks halfway there and went back to get them.

When I returned to the room, Rebecca was drying her hair at the table. “It’s about time you came back,” she said. “I thought you’d deserted me for one of the boys.”

I set the diet soda on the table in front of her and mumbled an excuse about needing to find change.

Concern passed across her face. “Are you okay honey? You seem a bit… off. If there is anything you want to talk about, you know I’m here for you.”

“No,” I said, feigning a smile, “I’m fine hon. Just, you know, a bit worried about the mission is all.”

Rebecca made a dismissive noise. “What’s to worry about? I think someone upstairs is seriously overreacting.”

“Really?” I asked, pulling a chair next to her.

“Sure. I mean, what’s the big deal? We meet some newbies and convince them how wonderful it will be to join the good fight. August sells them on the deal and boom, we are on a plane home.” She shrugged, picking up a brush and running it through her long red hair. “What’s the problem?”

“Yeah,” I said, wrestling with my desire to tell her what just happened, “I guess you’re right. Nothing to get worried over, right?” Looking at the time, I realized there was not much left before we had to leave for the mission. “I’m going to grab a quick shower.”

While the hot water pounded my skin, I debated what to do. Standard operating procedure dictated I immediately brought this to the attention of my superiors. However, as strange as it was, we had not been sent with any ‘superiors’ on this mission. We, a newly elevated group of Specialists, were in charge of the mission, though as escorts and guards to a primarily civilian endeavor. That struck me as funny when we were told about it, now I began to view it under a more sinister light. If something bad happened, you’d have a bunch of people unused to leadership trying to resolve a potentially hot conflict. On top of that, all three of us; Kemi, Marcus, and myself, were of equal rank. There was no superior on this mission. That was a sure sign of looming disaster, as it was something our chain of command usually avoided. Why would General Castle set something like that up, unless he wanted us to be paralyzed if something bad happened?

I was glad that Stone came; he had some experience with leadership and was probably in line to be a Sergeant someday. If the shit hit the fan I’d want him to be ready to cover things. But what could I tell him? What if Nut-job… Evan was right and all of this was some set-up? I couldn’t tell Stone as that would endanger all of us. Hell, he could be involved in this conspiracy, right?

Aw, great Peri. Now you’re becoming paranoid.

Shit, shit, shit. Why me?