Issues and Kindness

**Aileen POV**



I'm not sure how long I stayed holding the girl and caressing her back. The only sounds in the quiet forest were of her sobbing.

I rubbed her gently silently praying she would be alright. Trauma affects everyone differently. At least this girl showed she has a courageous soul and a fighting spirit.

Internally I cursed myself for losing control in front of her. I knew I should have waited until she was safe. I don't regret stabbing him though. He deserved that and more.

I did regret get his filthy blood on her.

"What's going on here?" A deep rich male voice questioned.

I glanced up to see Squad Leader Tom, some heavy set member, and my brother. All three of them looked from the dead body back to us. Tom took a quick look around and spotted Jacob as well. At some point Jacob had walked over to a nearby tree stump.

The traitor sat with his palms resting on his face. He didn't stir even with the arrival of Tom. I hope he felt ashamed of himself. How dare he call himself a member of the DSS, being so ready to let an innocent girl and I get raped.

Out of the three of us, topless me was the most calm. I showed no more signs of distress by the time Tom arrived.

The good squad leader let out a long sigh. His assessment of the situation was finished processing in his head. He had an idea of what took place here.

"Who killed this man?" He asked.

My heart rate was steady as I answered him. I felt no remorse for my actions. "Me. As far as I'm concerned that man was an evil demon. We are to kill them correct?"

He narrowed his eyes, "the DSS has special privileges, but we aren't to go around killing humans unless we they have some connection to our cause. Or it is necessary to protecting the innocent. From what I'm gathering, this is something the police should have been involved in."

I could feel that fire in me burning, "so I should have let this sweet girl be forced? Probably killed after? Or should I have called the police with the horrible woods reception and hope they found this off limits area?"

Tom made to speak but I cut him off. "I guess that is why Jacob didn't do a damn thing right?! He just stood there watching in guilt. He didn't even try to help when I had to start stripping! That monster was going to force us and I'm in the wrong!!!"

Trevor at some point had retrieved my shirt. When I spoke of Jacob's lack of action, my brother got pissed.

I put my shirt back on as Jacob marched over to the tree stump. Trevor grabbed Jacob by the throat lifting him into the air. My brother was demanding an answer.

"You should have intervened yes. But not kill him. Certainly not as brutally as this" he waved a hand over the many stab wounds. " I almost didn't notice you were missing a shirt with all that blood caked on your body. You look like something out of a horror flick."

Tom made no remarks towards Trevor who was now throttling Jacob.

The heavy set man had the sense to check over to my brother and ally. At this point Trevor may have been liable to add another dead body to the count. Smart man.

Tom bent down to the girl. I thought he would scold me more. Thankfully his full attention was on her. "What's your name sweetheart?"

His voice was kind and warm. The tone was soothing to make her feel safe. I knew that face he was making. All my anger towards him vanished instantly. He allowed himself to show the girl his weakness to help her.

Father had made that same face on that horrid day all those years ago. That was the first day Father let me see his vulnerability. My Father had cried for the first time ever in front of me. He showed me even the strongest of men have their breaking points. We all love something.

We all have a bit of caring in us. Even the darkest person loves something.. Making sure I felt safe that day was more important than acting tough.

Tom was doing the same for that girl. "Taylor." She spoke softly.

"Are you alright Taylor" Tom asked carefully.

She nodded. "Yes, that girl saved me."

Tom bent down to her level. "Do you mind if I ask how you got here? Did that monster chase you here?"

"H...he was. Chase...chasing me and I I I saw a car near where he..he was trying to lure me to... I saw the woods a and..."

Tom put a hand to wipe her tears, "to avoid getting kidnapped you hopped the fence and ran like mad."

He exhaled before continuing, "I don't think either of you knew this area is off limits because it hides the DSS along with several dangerous creatures. It's a good thing you didn't go any deeper."

Taylor was surprised,"so you are all DSS members! Th...thank you for saving me." She gave a small bow.

The squad leader helped Taylor to her feet. "Can I take you to the police station? I'd like to call your parents as well."

The girl nodded. Tom turned back to his subordinates. The three men had all stopped fighting now, though Jacob sported two black eyes now.

He pointed to the heavier man, "Take this body back outside the area. Wait for the police. I'm taking this girl to the station. I'll file the report later."

Heavy guy took away that monster's body. Jacob and Trevor walked over to me, both offering me a hand. I stood up myself. I didn't need help.

"We should get on with our mission Aileen." Jacob would only look at the ground kicking a stone.

I spat back, "I'm not going anywhere with you. I'd rather investigate alone!"

"If a demon attacks..."

"You'll do what? Leave me for dead?"

Jacob swallowed hard, " I want to protect you. I swear there was a reason I couldn't help."

Some birds above us were chirping a sweet song. They had no idea what a dark moment they were happily singing to.

"I don't care about your damn reason! Stay away!" My fists tightened ready to break his nose like those demons liked to.

I felt childish letting my anger show so easily. But he had no explanation good enough to back his choice. He should be removed from the DSS.

Tom interjected, "an order from your squad leader must be followed. You both should know this. As understandably mad as you may be, you have to follow Squad Leader Lena's order."

"What about a switch up?" Trevor suggested. "If you would sir, you could tell your wife that something happened providing a need to switch up the duo. Jacob can start with the report since he was a standing witness to all the events that took place."

Tom thought for a moment. He must have been weighing his odds with how his wife may react. She would not like him overriding her command.

Still, Lena was a thoughtful and compassionate person. I'm sure she wouldn't get that upset with her dear husband.

Not only that, but Tom could always sweet talk her. Those two were the perfect couple. They never could stay mad at each other longer than a day. Amd were always so excited to see each other after a long mission.

"I guess that could work. With the emotional distress Aileen has gone through, I want you to lead Trevor."

"Yes sir" both my brother and I said in sync.

"Alright, I guess I'll buy some flowers on my way back for Lena. Calm the storm." Tom muttered.

He rubbed at his forehead before reaching for Taylor's hand. She waved to me and went off with Tom. To my right Jacob had already left back towards the DSS headquarters. My brother and I were alone staring at the blood stained grass below us.

"Are YOU alright? I'm sure that brought back some... unwanted memories "

"Jacob just stood there. He found the girl first. Even with a knife to the girl's throat, even with me stripping for that nasty man; he did absolutely nothing I only bested him because the girl got brave and bit him."

I talked plainly. My emotions were all drowned out for the day, so I thought.

"I'm sure there's more to his story." He said. I punched Trevor in the side. "Not that I'm defending the man jeez."

I laughed bitterly, "I guess anyone can dress up and disguise the actions of something horrible and make them seem reasonable."

Trevor shook his head. "So what exactly is this mission? Any cute girls involved? You got miss tattoo, it's my turn."

I laughed, "the only cute girl you'll be seeing on this mission is currently drenched in blood." I gave him a playful wink.

Pain shot through me as I tried to open my hands. There were small cuts from squeezing the wrong part of the ground in anger. Oops.

I spun on the heel of my shoe, "you should tell me. You're the boss remember."

"Like you'll actually listen to me." He raised a brown eyebrow. " You suck at taking orders. I'm honestly surprised Squad Leader Lena puts up with you."

I snorted, "yeah, but you'll still try to take charge. Maybe we can flip a coin later."

He said something under his breath and we set off back on track. Bickering between ourselves wouldn't get this assignment done any quicker!

Before I could say anything else, my eyes started to feel heavy. Almost as if drugged, my legs started to give out.

Trevor ran over to me. "Aileen? What's wrong?"

The last words I said before I blacked out in my brother's arms were, "damn Shiuku".