Tomorrow is the day

The compound was unusually quiet today, a silence that carried an undercurrent of tension. It had been two days since my conversation with Raven, and the words she had shared with me still echoed in my mind. The upcoming mission loomed large over everything, casting a shadow that seemed to seep into every corner of the house. I found myself unable to shake off the feeling of dread that had taken root in my heart.

I had finished my chores for the day when I saw Raven outside, packing up some supplies. Something about the way she moved—calm, deliberate, but with a certain urgency—made me uneasy. I approached her, offering to help. At first, she declined, but I insisted, needing to keep my hands busy, to do anything that might distract me from the gnawing anxiety in my chest.

"It's okay, Ariella," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

But I couldn’t just stand by. "Please, let me help," I urged.

Raven sighed, conceding. As we worked together, I tried to ignore the growing activity around the compound. Everyone seemed to be in motion, preparing for something monumental. It was obvious that tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Raven finally broke the silence. "Tomorrow is the day," she said, her voice low but steady.

I nodded, already aware of the significance of the mission. But her words made it feel more real, more immediate. The security around the compound had tightened considerably over the last couple of days. Guards were stationed at every entrance, and no one was allowed to leave the house. All activities would be confined indoors; even simple chores like gardening or taking a walk outside were forbidden.

"How important is this mission?" I asked, unable to hide the worry in my voice.

Raven paused in her packing, turning to look at me. Her face, usually so calm and composed, suddenly became serious, almost grim. "I didn’t want to tell you this," she began, her voice tinged with reluctance, "but if we make any stupid mistakes, we might not all come back alive."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I had known the mission was dangerous, but hearing it so plainly, so bluntly, made the fear real in a way it hadn’t been before. "We’re not just going out there alone," Raven continued, her voice steady but weighted with the gravity of what she was saying. "Different gangs from the territories Sebastian has conquered will be joining us. Their leaders, the best fighters—they’re all coming. We’re going up against a big gang, and this isn’t just about territory. It’s personal."

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, my hands shaking slightly as I continued to help her pack. Raven must have noticed the change in my demeanor because she stopped what she was doing and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, it’s okay," she said, trying to comfort me. But I could see the worry in her eyes, the uncertainty that she was trying to hide. "We’ll be careful. We’ve planned this out, and we know what we’re up against."

I nodded, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. But the fear wouldn’t go away. I could tell Raven was trying to reassure me, but her words did little to ease the anxiety that had taken hold of me.

"See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you," she said with a small, rueful smile. "You’re too worried now."

I forced a smile, though I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. "I just... I just want everyone to come back safely."

Raven gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before turning back to the supplies. "We’ll do our best," she said. "That’s all we can do."

As we continued packing, the conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics, though the weight of what was coming still lingered in the air. I tried to focus on the task at hand, pushing the worry to the back of my mind.

It wasn’t long before Evander arrived, his presence bringing a slight relief. He greeted Raven with a nod, and they started talking in hushed tones. I could see from the corner of my eye how Raven’s expression shifted—surprise, followed by disappointment, then a mix of both. Curiosity gnawed at me, but I knew better than to interrupt their conversation.

After a few minutes, Evander approached me, a kind smile on his face. "How are you holding up, Ariella?" he asked, his voice warm and concerned.

"I’m okay," I lied, hoping he wouldn’t see through me.

Evander’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked me over, his smile fading. "You’re looking pale. You need to rest more," he said, his tone gentle but firm. He turned to Raven. "She’s been working a lot, hasn’t she?"

Raven nodded, casting a glance in my direction. "Yes, she has."

Evander shook his head, a hint of disapproval in his eyes. "No more work for you today," he said, turning back to me. "Go and rest. Lie down, sleep—whatever you need to do. If anyone questions it, tell them I said so."

I couldn’t help but smile at his concern. "Thank you, Evander," I said, genuinely touched by his kindness.

He gave a small laugh and reached into his car, pulling out a bag of snacks. "Here," he said, handing it to me. "I was going to share these with everyone, but I think you need them more. Eat up, and maybe put on a little weight before we come back, okay?"

I laughed, the tension easing a little as I accepted the snacks. "Thank you," I said again, grateful for his thoughtfulness.

Evander waved off my thanks with a smile before heading off to find Sebastian. As he walked away, I turned back to Raven, who was still packing. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"What’s happening?" I asked, my voice low. "I saw your expression when you were talking to Evander. What’s going on?"

Raven sighed, her hands stilling for a moment. "Let’s just say the mission is now a bit more complicated," she said, her tone measured. "We can’t go in the way we planned. It’s too risky."

"What do you mean?" I pressed, feeling the worry creep back in.

Raven met my eyes, her expression serious. "It’s not going to be a confrontation anymore. It’s going to be an ambush, a secret mission. We’re going in without anyone knowing and coming out victorious. It’s the only way we can avoid getting clipped before we even get close."

The gravity of her words sank in, and I realized just how dangerous this mission had become. "The gang we’re going up against... they’re bigger than we thought," Raven continued, her voice steady but grim. "And they’re ruthless. Sebastian needs to take them down, not just to reclaim what’s his, but because they’ve been stealing from him, challenging his authority. He met with their leader, and let’s just say it didn’t go well. Now, it’s all or nothing."

I nodded, the fear in my chest tightening its grip. This wasn’t just a mission; it was a battle for survival. And if things went wrong, the consequences would be deadly.

As the evening wore on, we finished packing, the air thick with unspoken tension. I couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at my insides, but I knew there was nothing more I could do. All I could hope for was that they would return safely.

That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about the mission, about the danger that lay ahead. Sleep eluded me, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, and I found myself praying silently, hoping against hope that they would all come back alive.

But deep down, I knew that nothing was certain. And that terrified me more.