MARIA

NIKALEOEN

***

“Fine. You can come along. But don’t interfere.” I said to her and the look she gave me said she would definitely interfere.

“Don’t interfere too much.” I acquiesced with a sigh and she smiled.

“And you better not cry.” I said to her and she huffed.

“I’m not a baby.”

As much as I wanted her by my side, I knew the path that lay ahead would test the limits of her resolve.

"I never said you were a baby, Aina, this won't be easy. I may have to resort to violent means, and I may do things you may not approve. I don’t want you to resent me for it and begin to see me as some kind of monster. I really don't want you to witness what might transpire in that interrogation room. It could get ugly." I admitted.

“I’ve always known there is a dark side of you, Nik. And I’ve made my peace with it. I know you don’t just go about torturing or hurting people on a whim or for fun, and when you do anything, it’s for a reason. I won’t blame you for anything you do today, you’re trying to pro