Within: Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO: ANDERSON, THE DEVIL INCARNATE?

A lot of officers and workers within the Organization tended to expect Reaper to act psychotic. That fact was evident enough by the looks he received when Officer Martin came to escort him from his isolation cell to the upper levels of the Main Building.

To his utter dismay, Officer Martin unwisely chose to take the elevator. To say that the two young women occupying it -who from what he guessed were working to the Organization; had reacted strongly upon seeing him would have been an understatement. They gawked at him, and fearfully avoided his steady amber gaze with hidden hostility. He might appear unconcerned, but still felt irritated by the way they act.

However, Reaper understands that it was inevitable. With the vast majority of the Organization's staff believing that he was a psychotic murderer, it wasn't particularly shocking that many of them would be scared at the mere sight of him. And becoming reinstated as a field agent, it won't be a surprise that some of them would secretly hate him too.

The elevator dinged, and as the double doors opened, the two women quickly get off. Or probably they were simply trying to get away from him as soon as possible. Not that it matter, for Reaper.

The elevator lapsed into silence when Reaper and Martin were the only people left, that's until it dinged and stop to their final destination.

Martin waited for Reaper to exit, as the door slides open and followed closely behind. They were still silent as they walked past offices and hallways, ultimately arriving in the lobby area of Gen. Anderson's space.

The lobby wasn't deserted by any means. Two field agents, a Research and Development agent - to what Reaper concluded from the different color of their uniforms, and of course Jenny, Gen. Anderson's receptionist were huddled, and chatting with one another. Once again, every one of them stopped what they were doing when they came in view and stare openly at him.

This time he didn't bother to antagonize anybody and waited impatiently for Martin to knock on the door and for the General to admit them.

When the door opened, Reaper stepped inside gratefully, glad to be out of the watchful gaze of every single person he came across even if it meant dealing with Anderson.

"You can go, Officer Martin," Anderson said to the guard although his icy blue eyes focused on Reaper and laugh lightly when Reaper openly glare at him..

"But, Sir--"

Anderson smile fades replaced by a frown, and turn his eyes on the guard. "I said, you can go," he said flatly in a tone that allowed no argument.

Martin nodded uncertainly and salute respectfully, while avoiding gazing at Reaper. "Sir, Yes, Sir!"

The guard still look worried leaving the third-in-command of the Agency alone with a psychopath, but still he obediently left the office and shut the door behind him.

Reaper took a deep breath and watch Anderson enquiringly before he finally drop his act. Tired and entirely defeated, he sat in the armchair opposite Anderson's desk and shifted, making himself comfortable on the soft plush cushion. He leaned his head back and let his eyes drift closed.

Anderson sat back in his own chair and shook his head, the corners of his mouth rising slightly as he watched him. "Have I bored you already?"

"Mm." Kris opened one golden eye, lazily and looked at the General with a cold smile. "No. But after sleeping while chained for the past months, I may just doze off from the sheer softness of your chair. Or maybe it's the fucking horse tranquilizers you pumped me full of for those months that are still slowing me down?"

The amusement faded from Anderson's expression and he looked down at his computer, expression hardening. "You should know that the Higher Up's do not know anything happened to you while you're in there?"

"Bull! Stop lying in my face, Anderson. We all knew that you're a goddamn liar. Like everybody else. So how about you say what you truly wanted from me, so we can go on our own merry way." Reaper said tonelessly, closing his eyes again. He heard a low sigh and the squeak of the General shifting in his chair.

"Are you hungry?"

"No. After six months on a liquid diet, I'm watching my figure."

This time the sigh was one of exasperation. "Kris, I know that we have wrong you. But still, this shouldn't have happened if not for your goddamn mistakes. So stop pretending to be some tragic hero, and listen to me?"

Reaper considered the question and open his eyes. He turn his head to Anderson and arched one well groomed eyebrow. "You have a point, so what now?" he asked back..

Anderson shook his head, willing the tension to leave his body but the frustration is still evident by the slight quaver of his broad shoulders. "You know by now that you're back as a field agent, right?"

"Uh, huh," Sin murmur, his eyes narrowing when he caught something hidden beneath Anderson's voice. He sat up in the chair and leaned forward. His medium long black hair curtained his face, temporarily shading his eyes and shadowing his exotic features.

Anderson stared at him silently and all of a sudden, a smirk grace his lips. "But you have to take a partner,'" he said the word with obvious amusement, the corner of his eyes crinkling, "who would have thought, huh? That the great Reaper would need a partner.."

"Charming.." Reaper spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Anderson just chuckle. "Now, the organization also thinks that I need a Goddamn babysitter.."

"Although, you have to fill out. Damn, you're skin and bones," Anderson said pointedly after a minute of comfortable silence, indicating Reaper's lanky body that looked lost in the loose threadbare clothing that he wore. "If you're going to be reinstated you have to get your weight up and start rebuilding muscle. We have a specific timetable that we're working just for you."

"Fuck. When did the Organization become my own dietary advisors too? Just great huh.. Just fucking great!"

Anderson just laugh more louder, to Reaper's own horror. Damn! It seems the General also want him as his own fucking entertainment..

********

Reaper's battered combat boots left dark smudges against the plain white wall of the small, darkened conference room but he didn't shift his position. Still Reaper didn't look like he care, while he remained leaning against the drywall overlooking everyone else.

Strands of jet black hair fell across his forehead. His face was the picture of boredom, almond shaped amber eyes half closed and long black lashes practically resting against his cheeks as he stared with disinterest at everyone sitting around the rectangular table.

They were all talking about their next mission. And of course his stupid looking partner was also there sitting like a dumb kid. He is practically hanging at every words Anderson says, completely fascinated, but he knows best. The guy do not have any idea on what's to come.

Anderson sat on the edge of the table and touched the computer panel, bringing up a holographic image of the blue print of the whole compound. "Like I said, the mission is simple. Infiltrate the compound, find Suarez Room, and then take the info."

Six pair of eyes flashed with agreement. Even the lame kid bob his head, to Reaper's dismay. Its clear that the kid wanted to be a part of their group but he clearly didn't met the memo. He's naive. And probably would be killed faster than anyone.

When everybody starts piling out the room, Reaper watch them with narrowed eyes until the very last one scampered away and slam the door shut behind him.

Blowing an irritated breath he turn his eyes to Anderson just to feel annoyed when he saw the older man watching him with amusement. "I can't believe that you missed me this much, and can't wait to be alone with me.

Reaper gaped at him. Disgusted within his wits. "Fuck you!"

"I'm all yours baby," Anderson winked.

"You're disgusting.."

"Ouch, that hurts." He faked a hurt face, but let it slip away when he saw how serious Reaper eyeing him. "Something's wrong?"

"He's gonna die you know.."

Anderson perk from his words. His face became a mask of blankness while he settle on his seat and watch him, waiting for Reaper to continue.

"The guy is still young. He doesn't know what's outside there. He doesn't have any idea about Wielders. Our kind were rare, and some were working with the enemies. Did you have any idea, how dangerous it would be for him? For everyone? Damn, Anderson! Everything is a mess. I can't possibly save anyone, every time I work on field. That's why I hate working with someone. They were just a liability. A burden.." Reaper is already breathing hard after talking. Its been a long time since he raise his voice. But damn he's angry. And he has every right to be.

"Do you think I don't know that?" Reaper's blood boil. He already knew, but he still agreed with it. He wanted to yell again, but the look on Anderson's face stop him from completely lashing again. The mask of indifference were gone. The carefree and laughing face were completely wipe off from his face. His eyes, damn, his eyes... Reaper shudders.

The darkness and menacing aura swirling on the depths of his eyes, scared him through his bones. Reaper were tongue tied. He's speechless. He can't even move from where he was. His eyes locked to Anderson's, while fear slowly creeps within him.

"He would probably die. No, actually I'm certain that he would. But I won't do anything to stop it from happening. Do you know why? Of course you don't. And I don't plan on telling you, Kris. But I want to assure you that everything happens for a reason."

Fuck him! It seems I met the real devil! Reaper thought, and shudders, as he watched the man before him smirk with so much evilness, he wanted to bolt out the room and never go back.

Because he's aware that even he used his powers, with the state he is now, he's 100% sure that there's no way he can win against him. So he quietly reman in his feet, silently praying to the God's for a miracle he knew damn well, won't come.

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