After a week of operations and rigorous healing. The reptile sat in his room alone, his entire torso bandaged. He watched outside as some Agent’s and Operators returned from the field; all of their injuries were equally grave. Some were lucky to have a flesh wound, others weren’t as they were missing limbs, eyes, or became paralysed from their missions. But they all socialised in the communal garden, some knew they would never fight again. Yet they talked and laughed while they shared their pain like they thought they would continue fighting.
Jackson was offered to be with them, but he preferred to sit in isolation. He had done that before; he had no problems doing it again. 19 of his ribs broke, his snout was shattered, and his skull was cracked open. Yet what frustrated him was the sample of the green viscous was destroyed during his battle with the monster. He gave the Order relevant information on what the monster was, but not enough that could help them figure out how to kill it.
When a recovery team was sent to that cave in Mexico, they couldn’t find the monster’s body, nor could they find the green liquid. Three days since Jackson fought it, reports of women going missing had spiked. It was clear the monster was out there, and it would torment humanity for a while longer.
A knock came on the door. ‘Enter,’ Jackson ordered.
‘Ahe, you looked fucked up.’ Mark walked into the room with a bouquet and postcard. He had short black hair, he was tall and lean but fit, yet his most distinctive feature was his large square nose.
Mark gently placed the flowers on Jackson’s bedside table before he gave the reptile the postcard, which only had “get well” written in Kiswahili on it. ‘Thanks,’ Jackson blankly said.
‘Don’t be, you’re alive and that means I can still get a job here.’ He joked in a thick Kenyan accent. ‘Besides, I believe that bounty is still on your head. If anyone is going to take it, it will be me.’
The reptile put his postcard down, he only cared about what was important. ‘We have a unit, mission accomplished.’
‘You call that a success? Friend, you got beaten half to death, and you didn’t kill the monster. I can’t understand why they even call you the “best hunter”. Not when you look like that.’
‘I’ll heal.’
‘About that!’ Mark wagged his finger with a grin. ‘I don’t understand how someone like you can heal from that. If that happened to me, I’d be forced to retire or die.’
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‘Your point?’
‘My point is you’re stupid. I don’t know why you thought running in was a good idea, perhaps you should be the one going through training and I’ll be the one going on missions.’ Jackson looked at Mark, though even with a deadpan face Mark could feel the reptile’s side-eye. ‘Don’t be mad at me! I’m not the idiot who is out of commission for two weeks.’
‘Focus on your training.’ Jackson responded, wanting to change the subject. ‘You passed the exam?’
Mark reached for his report which was neatly folded from his pocket before he passed it to the reptile. ‘Of course I did. I wasn’t just recruited for my good looks or charming personality.’
‘You failed; you are only considered moderately competent.’ The reptile pointed out after reading the report.
‘I failed the theory and history section. It is very hard to explain how to kill Necy when you just figured out Santa is both a real person and might kill me. Not only that but I wasn’t taught history that only the Secret Cool Kids’ Club knows. So, you have to cut me some slack.’
‘Already do, it means I have to teach you myself.’
Mark smirked, ‘so I am correct, you just don’t want to admit my brilliance.’
‘You done?’
Mark raised his hands in defeat, ‘all right, I’ll stop teasing my favourite reptile. But still, get well soon. I don’t want to see a hard-to-kill scalie such as you get taken out so soon. Get some rest buddy, you bloody need it.’ He said as he left the room, Jackson didn’t look back or wave him off.
Yet, despite Mark’s unserious and unprofessional behaviour. Jackson appreciated him turning up to check on him. Out of anyone, he was the second person who turned up to check on him. Frank was by the reptile the moment he heard of Jackson’s return. While Jackson healed from his wounds in the comfort of the Order’s hospital, Mark made sure to turn up every second day to keep the reptile updated and some company. It was not necessary, nor did it help that he would joke at Jackson’s expense. But deep down he cared, and Jackson noticed his act of kindness.
At that time, I always wondered when we would meet again. He won’t expect my aid or usefulness, not when he had the tools to fulfil his duties. Don’t worry, our reunion would be seen.