The grand hall was breathtakingly beautiful.
Giant golden glass chandeliers hung from the tall ceiling, beautiful lights with golden flashes surrounded the area. Several rich-looking people and business passed by Aquilas as she walked briskly towards the elevator, her hand holding Misaki's.
As she reached the golden elevators, she pressed the call button, waiting as the numbers decreased slowly. 4...3...2...Ding. The elevator's bell sounded as the golden elevator doors slid open, revealing a mirror-filled room and a man wearing a sleek brown tailored uniform with golden trims, probably the hotel's uniform.
"Please come in, ma'am," he said, gesturing his hands into the elevator.
Aquilas stepped inside and the man pressed the button for the floor with the grand suites.
Waiting patiently as the elevator rose, she looked sideways, and found herself staring into a pale-skinned girl with intense grey eyes. Beside her was the girl named Misaki, the person she was asked to bring.
Aquilas turned around and gazed at Misaki.
Misaki's face was bloodstained and filled with bruises. It was obvious she had suffered much before Aquilas took her.
Aquilas stared intently. Misaki's face....it resembles.....something. In Aquilas's mind full of mysteries, everything was unclear and vague, but she was sure Misaki's face was familiar.
Did I know her before? Aquilas asked herself. I don't understand...
Her thoughts were interrupted as a hard headache came, her mind again being unable to process anything.
Maybe...just maybe....this girl...she may help me find out who I am... The thought struck Aquilas's mind.
"Wh-what are you staring at?" Misaki muttered, shifting backward. She was nervous as she took a step back. Who wouldn't be after being under the gaze of striking steel grey eyes?
"It's...nothing," Aquilas replied, turning away. There was a moment of awkward silence.
"Hey...Misaki..." Aquilas said before being interrupted by the sudden opening of the elevator doors. They arrived.
"What?" Misaki whispered quietly as they stepped out. They walked straight forward, reaching a wide room with a long black couch. "Please wait here," a woman dressed in all-black appeared out of nowhere.
Walking away, she went into a corridor that ran down to the right.
"What was it you were asking earlier?" Misaki asked, sitting beside Aquilas.
"Ahh....it's...nothing," Aquilas once again replied. Misaki eyed her suspiciously.
Misaki's face was really familiar, but her mind failed to comprehend further than that basic familiarity feeling.
The woman appeared again. "This way, please." She led them down the corridor.
The corridor's side was made of glass--they could see the beautiful skyline view of the city. Looking down, Aquilas spotted four trucks parked below.
She knew things were becoming troublesome.
At the end of the corridor stood a door. "Go on," the woman said, and walked back, away from them, leaving Aquilas and Misaki alone.
Aquilas turned the door's knob. She slowly opened the door. Stepping inside, she saw a large teakwood desk and a black couch, same as the one in the waiting room, only this was shorter just a bit.
Behind the desk was a person. The person's face was unseen--darkness enshrouded the area behind the desk.
"Sit." The person ordered, straight and stern.
Aquilas and Misaki sat beside each other, equally terrified by this person who was directly in front of them, yet impossible to fathom.
"Now....trouble is brewing downstairs and I don't want you ladies to get involved with that," The person said. Aquilas heard the tink of wine glass as the person sipped lightly.
"And we also have company.....we'll just have to wait for them to arrive. Don't worry, they'll be here shortly."
Aquilas stared straight. Who might this person be? Glancing sideways she saw Misaki containing the same expression as hers--confused and nervous.
"Oh, and Aquilas..." The person handed a new body bag to Aquilas.
"Huh?" Aquilas muttered, taking the bag. "Hand me your first bag, I'll return it later," the person said.
This person seemed so carefree---as if they were just talking normally with two girls who had just escaped from a dangerous car-chasing event.
"And take this, too." Handing a glossy black rifle with silver patterns to Aquilas, the person smiled.
"You'll need it."
Aquilas heard gunshots below them. I'll surely need it.
"And please head outside, Aquilas, now." The person said.
"Wouldn't it be rude not to welcome our guests?"
Aquilas opened the door, walking slowly outside.