It's a dangerous mission.

You could die over there.

You could live forever.

{Tess gallagher}

___________

"Hey Laila, can you do me a favour and give the kid's reports at the reception" Marissa exclaimed, rushing into the staff room. I had just finished eating my lunch and nodded at her.

"Of course. You eat in peace. Is there anything else you need to give?" She shook her head.

"No. Thank you hermosa. I didn't have anything this morning as I had to drop off my sister to school and on top of that, my parents aren't in Madrid right now. So the duty lies on me" she explained. Poor girl must be starving.

"Okay Marissa. Don't worry about

It"

I walked over to the reception and gave the reports to the receptionist. I looked around for Antoinette, who would usually be here at lunch time, but she wasn't. I looked next to the pillars and still she want there.

Turning towards the entrance, I could distinctly see someone who looked like Antoinette. That chubby petite figure and those salt and pepper rolls of hers couldn't be mistaken for anyone else.

I still had plenty of time before my shift started again, so I walked over to her, wondering why she was stood at the entrance. I tapped her on her shoulder, causing her to instantly jolt and turn around. Her eyes were wide and her hands were placed on her heart.

I couldn't help but giggle at her reaction.

"Oh Antoinette. ¿Que estas haciendo aquí?" I used what little spanish I learned from here and there on her. I hoped I pronounced the words properly.

She looked surprised before nodding her head.

"Bien bien, tu español es muy bueno" she said, which I'm guessing was praising me on my Spanish. I hope so.

"y también se suponía que iba a encontrarme con alguien, pero él no vino" her rapid spanish left my ears and mind in a confused state. I'm pretty sure it was clear on my face too.

Seeing this, she pointed to herself, and then tapped her wrist.

"Que" I replied, not knowing what she was initiating.

She again tapped her wrist with her index. Seeing the hopeless look in my eyes, her eyes wondered around the hospital before she began pointing at a clock. A clock? Why's she pointing at a clock.

Ahh. Maybe she was saying something about time! Was she waiting for someone?

I quickly took out my phone and translated are you waiting for someone. I showed her the screen and she immediately nodded. Her hands in a thumbs up symbol.

"Quien?" I asked.

At that exact moment, before Antoinette could reply, I heard a clear of throat from behind Antoinette. Oh no.

Antoinette turned hugging the figure. The demon looked down at me, smirking.

They began conversing in rapid spanish before the demons eyes landed on me. I stood there awkwardly under his stare. He said something to Antoinette before she nodded, giving me a pat on the shoulder alongside a smile and walking away.

I should have walked away the moment I had the bloody chance. Oh Laila.

"How great to see you Miss Bakhash" he said with a blank face, completely contradicting his words.

I wish I could say the same. I so desperately wanted to say, but due to the fear of his presence alone, I looked down. For gods sake Laila. Grow a pair and look him straight in the eye.

But I'm a woman, how can I grow a pair. My inner voice argued. Oh shut up you!

And so I attempted to. To the best of my ability, I tried looking into his cold, darkened eyes which left my vision blurry.

He looked around us for any onlookers before dragging me behind the pillars. He didn't give a flying damn about the receptionists looking at us or the remaining doctors lingering around the reception. Me however, I was embarrassed. I kept my head low.

"I will not repeat myself so listen closely to me" he explained, his voice low and formidable. His spanish accent was much more pronounced.

He walked forward until he was right in front of me. I tried moving back but ended up bumping into the pillar. His shoes were just about touching my own trainers. His cologne wafted into my nose, playing with my senses.

I wonder what perfume he uses.

My thoughts were cut short with his next words.

"Remember what Juan told you yesterday. I want this to be carried out no later than 8 pm" he exclaimed with his distant attitude.

"Okay"

"Make sure to lock the doors behind you once you're done. All of this will happen in ten minutes. Am I understood?" He questioned in such a frigid tone, my body did nothing but nod.

His face immediately transferred into a sneer. I'm not sure he liked me nodding.

"Y-yes. I u-understand"

He muttered something in Spanish, most likely curses before walking away calmly. I followed his path with my eyes as he stopped just by the exit and turned my way. His left hand in the air mock saluting me.

The last thing I saw was his devious smirk.

******

It was 6:50 pm. I made an excuse to the professional doctor who was supervising ne that I needed to go to the bathroom. I did not want to stall this stupid task any longer. I had about an hour and ten minutes to continue this.

Plenty of time Laila you can do this.

I thanked the doctor before rushing away from the child's ward. Making it outside the hospital, I was happy I didn't see Antoinette there otherwise she would ask me questions. Questions I didn't have answers to.

I looked down throughout my journey towards the other side of the hospital.

I was on the right side of the hospital, most likely like everyone else. The forbidden area, which I recently discovered who it was for, was in the left side.

Walking down the corridor, the plain walls were all white. There was nothing special about the hallway except for the eerie atmosphere. I looked at the corners, thankful that there were no cameras.

Juan had mentioned that there would be no cameras in this hallway. I still had to make sure myself. I stopped at the large doors, taking out the keys from my pocket. Hopefully the demons asociates received a signal I was here and would block the cameras.

Sweat instantly clammed my hands and my hijab was feeling uncomfortable. Despite the cold weather, I was melting. My clothes attached to my body like second skin and I'm sure I smelt of guilt and sweat from a mile away.

Bismillah.

I opened the door, having a hard time opening them due to their humongous size. Before entering the vicinity, I read a little prayer before blowing it all over me. I checked the time on my phone.

Nine minutes to go.

What I wasn't expecting whilst entering the room was many many cabinets. The entire room was full of cabinets.

Looking behind me, the coast was clear. I slowly shut the door. Where is that stupid file. Ya Allah help me.

I thought this would be a pretty simple task, but with each passing second the scale increasingly tilted towards the difficult side.

My eyes wandered over the cabinets, and the huge long desk. I quickly glanced at the time and alerted to finding that darned red file.

Five minutes left.

I was becoming increasingly jittery in every cabinet I look through. There was nothing but paper work and some government files. Files files files. But none that I needed.

It wasn't until I was looking through the very last cabinet did my eyes catch something. It was a red file. Ya Allah. I hope this is it. And it was. The file was thin. Very thin. These flimsy pieces of paper is what they needed? God help them.

Just the symbol engraved onto the file was caution enough to not look inside the file. Whispering a quick Alhamdulillah under my breath, I made sure everything was back to normal. I didn't make too much of a mess.

Two minutes left.

Everything was spotless and exactly how it was left before I came in. Or I hoped so.

I made sure to lock the humongous doors behind me, the demons words ringing in my mind.

With clammy hands, I took my hijab and wiped the spotless silver handles. You know, incase they suspected my presence or saw finger marks. I now had one minute left and without a second thought, I hid the file within my hijab running away from the scene. I looked around me and the coast was clear.

Oh God. I hope the cameras weren't turned on.

The familiar reception came into view and I couldn't be more happy. There were a few patients littered around the area, but thank God they were too busy in their business to notice me walk from the left side of the building. Antoinette was now sat at the reception alone.

I think her fellow receptionist went for a break.

She looked up from the computer, smiling at me. Her brows furrowed at my most likely sweaty and disheveled state, but didn't make it known verbally.

"¿Estas bien?" She asked.

I nodded, but I'm sure I looked like an abandoned puppy.

"Si" I replied, making extra sure she knew I was fine and didn't see through my white lie. That demon was also making me lie. And that to a sweet women like Antoinette.

She didn't have time to respond as an elderly man made his way to the reception, informing Antoinette about his problems. Thankful for the diversion, I speed walked to the staff room, which was empty and stored away the file in my bag. I made sure it was well covered.

Sorting out my hijab, I made sure I looked presentable and fresh.

On my way to the ward, I truly did hope that after this task, it would be the last of my contact with the demon and his many allies. I could only pray now.

Reaching the door, I took a moment to myself and attempted to clear my head, like many other times I found myself doing. I took a deep breath and left my worries at the door.

In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

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