Page 7 of Salute, To Bravery
We sit in silence for a few moments, the sound of the rain a comforting backdrop. Harper then shifts slightly, her gaze still fixed on me.
“Do you have any other interests, apart from history?” she asks with a tilt to her head.
I consider her question. I’m aware she is trying to break down the barriers between us and gain my trust so I’ll give her more intelligence, but she sounds genuinely curious, so I decide to share something personal.
“I used to play the oud. It’s a wooden musical instrument,” I tell her, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth at the memory of my fingers plucking over the thirteen strings. “Before I got caught up in this war, music was my escape. It allowed me to express my feelings in a way that words often couldn’t.”
Harper’s face lights up with interest. “I’d love to hear you play,” she says sincerely.
“I hope to find my way back to music when all this is over.” The thought causes a bittersweet pang in my chest. “Tell me something about you.”
“I used to compete in archery before I joined the military. My grandfather taught me when I was just a kid. He always said the real skill wasn’t about aiming the arrow but learning how to adjust with the wind. It’s a tip that’s come in surprisingly handy in unexpected ways throughout my career.”
Our conversation drifts then to other topics—books we’ve read, places we’d like to visit, and our dreams of a peaceful future. With each word exchanged, the walls between crumble, revealing common ground that goes far beyond our current situation. My attraction to her is growing, and every day I am becoming more fascinated by the person she is. I can’t allow myself to be distracted, though. I have a mission I must complete.
When it’s time for her to leave, Harper reluctantly heads for the door. “I must go,” she says, keeping her voice low. “But I’ll come again. I’ve spoken to my senior commander. He isn’t convinced by your story, but he has contacted Headquarters regarding your demands. I know you are refusing to tell me more about your mission until we have a response, but while we’re waiting, I thought we could discuss other topics. As you advised, I haven’t told anyone else on the base about your role, and the CO thinks it’s better to keep it that way for the time being.”
I nod back at her, relieved that her chain of command is taking me seriously. Hopefully, I can persuade them to release me and allow me to get back to my work. It’s vital for achieving peace.
As she slips out of the cell, leaving me with the remnants of the bread and the warmth of our shared conversation, I feel a profound shift within me. It’s a dangerous path we’re both treading, but for the first time in a long while, I feel a deep connection to another human.
I long to know more about this woman who intrigues me, and for whom I’m developing feelings I definitely shouldn’t.
Chapter Six.
Harper
My unofficial visits to Rehan continue over the next few days, but even though I’ve been discreet, they haven’t gone unnoticed. Whispers of my divided loyalties are circulating, and I am receiving increasingly suspicious looks from my team.
I know I’m under orders to gain Rehan’s trust, but I’m also finding myself drawn to him. He’s a handsome man, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s the way he carries himself and his knowledge that captivate me. I want to deny it, but the truth is, the feelings I’m starting to develop for him are not just related to my duty. I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with him.
As I make my way to the mess tent for an early breakfast, I can feel the wary glances of my colleagues. Sergeant Miles, who is my trusted second-in-command, approaches me with a furrowed brow, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a taut expression.
“Ma’am, can we talk?” he asks, his voice low, as he nods toward the exit.
I follow him outside. “What’s going on, Miles?” I ask, bracing myself for the confrontation.
“It’s about your visits to Haddad,” he responds before pausing and looking around to ensure we’re out of earshot. “People on the base are starting to talk. They’re saying you’re getting too close to the prisoner, and it’s compromising your objectivity… or worse.”
I sigh, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. “I’m just doing my job, Miles. Interrogating him and building up a rapport with him to get information. I took an oath when I joined up, I will never do anything to compromise the safety of this base or the soldiers on it.”
Miles looks at me, skepticism etched across his face. “It seems to be more than that. Why are you spending so much time with him?”
I meet his gaze, realizing that any deflection will only fuel further debate. “He offers an alternative perspective… a new insight,” I admit. “He makes me see things differently, but everything I do has been agreed by the CO. And I repeat, I won’t do anything to compromise safety. You need to trust me.”
Miles shakes his head, his expression a mix of concern and acceptance.
“I do trust you, but you need to be careful. You’re walking a very fine line, and I’m not the only one noticing that Haddad is getting special treatment.”
I nod, the gravity of the situation settling in. “I understand. Thanks for the heads-up.”
As he walks away, I feel a chill that has nothing to do with the early morning breeze. The conversation has solidified the precariousness of my position, but as I turn toward my accommodation, my resolve hardens. I need to speak to Rehan.
Later that day, under the guise of a routine check, I make my way to the holding area where Rehan is being kept. I enterhis cell, closing the door softly behind me. Rehan stands up, his expression tense. He must notice the worry on my own face.
“Harper?” he greets with caution.
Over the last few days, our relationship has become more relaxed and familiar, and we have started addressing each other by our first names whenever we’re alone together.
