“Okay. So that's your theory, huh.” The slender and perfectly taken care of fingers of the manager danced vigorously on the keyboard. “Well, there is really not that many people that get this kind of information beside us.”

    The green flickering letters went up crazy on the screen of her computer. Both Bakarne and Elizabeth looked tired. It was clear the tension was high. That was a first time on the Division.

    “Well, I can't really reveal to you either who knows what. But...” Banan took her glasses for a moment and looked at them sharing the same exhaustion. “After consideration, I may give you some information once we get a few more clues. I want to avoid rumors and more violence on the team. If we are already breaking under pressure, we won't be able to survive for longer. Even if is just to escape, if we are changed positions again.”

    “Don't fuck with us. Why would the death of the leader mean we have to move to another base?” Bakarne looked at her, crossing arms.

    “Standard procedure.”

    “Bullshit.”

    Elizabeth was playing nonchalantly with a pen in her hands.

    “If we managed to catch the murderer, would we be able to stay?”

    “Maybe. But that depends on if any intel has been leaked. That is why we just burn all away usually, so we don't have to worry much.” Banan sighed. “But either way, you two. Keep a low profile for a little while as we try to know what happened. Check on the members, and make sure you keep their moral high. We cannot afford fucking it once more.”

    “Yes.” They both nodded.

    “Ah, last thing.” Banan clicked away something else. “Due this being a special circumstance, I will call back our third Elite. I know, I know...” Before any of them raised their voices, the hand went up and stopped them on their tracks. “I know, he is a fucking jerk, but in terms of intel wars, he is our best card. So I beg of you, to please have some patience with him. Now, go.”

    The girls left the manager's office, only to find Emil on one of the benches outside, near the railing of the second floor. Due to his arm being broken again, he was left out of it for safety. There was no one else on the halls. Not even the monster that was called after.

    “Hmrrgh.” Elizabeth had stolen the pen and was chewing on it. “I don't like this. That bitch is gatekeeping some information from us, I'm sure.” She looked at Bakarne, who was already far away. “Hey! I'm talking here!”

    But Bakarne did not stop. She was biting her own lips and growling to herself.

“Suit yourself, I guess. You, let's get you patched up.”

***

    Emil was just two steps from becoming a mummy at this rate. All of his body hurt. Yet, he was still smiling a bit. He was laying on bed, comfortable and thinking about having the best nap he could. Such a comfortable pair of yellowed pillows. And amazingly, Elizabeth was also nursing him while sitting.

    She looked completely interested in the books that were left on the infirmary. An array of simple manuals on injuries and medications for members to use, as there was no actual nurses or doctors there to do the job much more professionally. In the case someone got a severe infection or disease, it was more likely they would have their body abandoned on the wilderness.

    “Does it still hurt?”

    “Like being stabbed over and over.” Emil joked. "I've been kicked completely for the last two days by everyone..."

    "That's what happens to little twinks like you."

    "If you say so, babe."

    "Don't call me that. I am not something yours." She replied sharply.

    Emil frowned and looked at the ceiling. He knew Elizabeth's holes were already been explored by the male members of the division, however, he wanted to do some of the research himself. But she wouldn't let anyone believe they had anything going on - her ego was too much fragile and of course, her conflicting beliefs.

    "Hm. Well, I am all fine here, so you can leave already if you want."

    "Will do."

    She abruptly got up from the chair and marched towards the door. Emil looked at the door, sighing.

    One thing some would not expect from the base, is that it had its own bar. Food? Clean water? Luxuries. But a run of alcohol was constant and the main liquid they would hydrate on. Not only that was the odd thing. From disjointed appearance of an abandoned educational building, to the delicately decorated room with a set of fancy tables and shelves storing the bottles. Even the lights, albeit dim, added to the higher quality of life that place had.

    Elizabeth walked towards the shelves and got herself a bottle of champagne and orange juice. In a fine glass, served half of the juice, and then completed with the foamy goodness of champagne. The concoction known as Mimosa. She sat and took a sip. Perfection, or so she thought, albeit a cold glass would have been even better. She looked at an abandoned ice cube bucket, ice melted and one ice pick in the middle.

    "Haaa..."

    She looked up at the chandelier on the ceiling. What a good thing Banan sent everyone to their rooms. Is rare to find this place this calm at this hour of the day. She took another sip.

    "Oh, here is the bella señorita!"

    "Blegh." Elizabeth spilled the cocktail upon hearing the voice. "Oh, not this guy."

    Juan.

    Motherfucking Juan.

    The pest of the 17th Division. Cousin of Lázár. Fake tanned skin and bit long dyed blonde, poorly groomed mustache, and all yellow teeth. Wearing a white leather suit and pointy fancy shoes. Adorned with lots of junky golden jewelry and the smell of old-fashioned cologne. All of it made him look like a sex tourist. He also acted like a sex tourist. One of the few members that would not have any kind of intercourse with others, but rather than voluntarily, is that everyone ran away from him.

    "Such a pretty girl you are." Juan sat next to her. "Mind if I share a drink with you?"

    "I'd rather drink water from an unflushed toilet." Her whole body was getting ready to jump out of her seat.

    "Aw, vamos, I've just lost my uncle... I need someone to make me feel less miserable..."

    "You hated him."

    "Yeah, true..." He fixed himself a whiskey. "But is always sad to have to part with family, even when they are the worst to you..."

    His fingers were getting close. But he wasn't as fit as the rest of the members. Before he could see it coming, his hand was pinned to the counter with the ice pick. The shriek of pain surrounded the walls of the room as he tried to take it off. Elizabeth took the rest of her Mimosa.

    "Only thing I wanted is to enjoy my drink."

    She left the empty glass besides the now bloodied counter. The hand twitching and his face becoming pale.

    "You whore!!"

    "I am a whore, yes." She looked at him coldly. "But one with standards."

    "Ugh... take this thing off!"

    He kept shouting as she left the bar, When she was completely gone, he felt someone taking the pick and offering him some improvised bandages out of a napkin. The man looked at the person helping him and almost cried. "Joder. Where have you been, man? I've been waiting for you for ages!"

    "Yeah. Such a warm welcome." Shadil smiled. "I wish you could be more quiet next time, my friend."

***

    "Haa..." Banan was holding her nose with a gesture of pain. "So, there were two envelopes, but one was empty."

    "Yep."

    "And you didn't find the original copy at all?"

    "Nope. It could have been destroyed. Either by our guy, or someone that framed him." George sighed. "And also, the murdered must have been somehow splashed by blood. Because the shoot was from the side of the head of Lázár."

    "I highly doubt anyone has paid attention if anyone was bloodied much. Since accidents are common inside the building."

    Banan was trying to thread all the clues she already had, but felt none of the solutions yet. And her immaculate nature was glitching from it. The sound of the shoes clicking maniacally on the floor. George was the only one reporting, with Fanny being absent. Apparently she just wanted to go to sleep because she was bored. But thanks to that, he felt that he could be there without his mask. His platinum blonde hair was all chaffed from the constant wearing as well despite the cold, some sweat was running from the temples.

    "I can help with anything else?" George commented. "You want me to act as watchdog?"

    "No. You are only a watcher here." Banan was fast, probably used to the motion, to put a stop gesture with her hand. "And I don't want a bloodshed inside the building."

    "Such distrust to my persona." He scoffed, but trying to avoid any mean tone. "I was your fiancé."

    "Precisely because of that." She chuckled. "Besides, I know you are fast to kick and jump to violence. And if you end up hurting an innocent member in my watch, I will be completely eviscerated by the higher ups. So you better keep that ass of yours quiet and nice."

    "My ass is just fine." He retorted.

    "It was not like that last time I checked."

    "Getting dirty jokes now, I see. That is not very halal of you-"

    CLANK.

    One of her heels crossed above his shoulders and got on the wall behind him, making a hole. She was a head smaller than him, her frame way more slender and fragile looking. Yet - he felt cornered for a few moments as she stood on top of her desk, her leg crossing close his face.

    "Don't try me, Chamán." She looked at him as she got her glasses off. "You know I can destroy you in matter of seconds if you don't behave like the good dog you are."

    "Em--I mean, Banan?" He felt sweating becoming wilder. "I'm... I'm sorry, I won't mess up with your work...! R-really!!"

    He took his palms together and lowered his head. For a row of several long minutes, there was only silence. Then he moved his head up for a bit up. She still looked mad. It was probably best not to push further. And yet...

    "Actually... can we kiss and make up?"

    Banan frowned. And before long, he got his ass kicked out of her office.

    "Don't come back! Stupid!"

    The door closed loudly with a bang after she threw the walking stick out, while George was still on the floor in front of it, while Pujay was sitting on the railing. Somehow, the guy did her best to get up. His leg was recovering fast, thankfully. One of the very few strengths. He looked at Pujay, who was just resting his masked face against his own clawed fisted hand.

    Got a joke to say, huh? George pouted.

    Your whole existence is a joke, you don't leave me any job to do. The demon closed his eyes and shrug his shoulders.

***

    The night had passed. With still some stuff broken, Emil had marched toward the room he shared with the elites. Forcing himself a smile to not bother them and pretend nothing happened. But when he arrived, it was empty.

    "No way these girls are already awake at 6 of the morning by their own volition..." He sat on his own bed. Which was cleaner than the hospital ones. So it was easy for him just to change and get comfortable inside, knowing he still had one day to rest before his training. It was also warmer, and he wondered if it was because of the rooms being basically underground. "Haa... heaven in the middle of hell..."

    His feet squinted happily and got comfortable below all the thick blankets. They did barely have good things there and he was gonna make sure to make those few count. If only he didn't fall in love with the girl that hated him...

    His body yearned for her once more, and felt the mood dipping down. Suddenly, there was no way his mind would become light again. His throat felt sore. Cold.

    "Hey."

    His skull didn't like how fast he jumped out of his place and bonked against the top bed of the bunk.

    "Ah... ouw." He grabbed his head in pain and casually greeted Elizabeth. "You are back?"

    When his sight focused, he noticed she was undressing. He was already used to it, but something was a bit different from the usual. And before he could say anything, she was already gotten enveloped in the bed with him, fitting in the small mattress together.

    "Got a problem with this?"

    "But... I thought..." Emil felt unable to respond.

    "Just like this, nothing else."

    He smiled. Of course, she could be just manipulating him. But deep down, he kinda knew she was actually young and still looking for her place in the world. He opened his pajamas, and pressed his body against, just to keep her warm. For a brief moment, he doubted about going further. But soon his fingers were found tracing her black hair.

    "Hm."

    "Is this fine?" He asked. "I can stop..."

    "Keep going."

    He caressed the side of her face next - slowly directing the fingers towards the chin, as she looked to him. Surprisingly, she kissed his forehead and reciprocated the hug.

    And for the rest of the morning... it felt there was any hope from living in the Division.

***

    Oh, breakfast. The holy meal, being made fun of. The cafeteria was bustling with the news of Lázár's death. It was only two days and things shifted to a very strange dynamic. The members had started to look with bad eyes to the authority. Banan had put some order, and only the trust many had on her was keeping the weak tapes holding the whole team together from falling. But Karabanov had been demoted to avoid any problems, and put on an abandoned room, in one of the isolated halls of the underground until his story was proven real. The only defense being he was actually a member from another organization was saving him to not being completely taken away.

    That didn't stop from people to keep the talk about him being the murderer. Rumors about how he actually murdered and ate his previous comrades arose, and his sudden silence towards everyone didn't help him to keep a better reputation. Banan had to ask everyone to avoid any other murder before all was clear.

    But that was not the only big change in such a small frame of time, but the new figure on the place.

    "Guys." Banan announced with her megaphone. Which was not well-received due to how it echoed and hurt everyone's ears in the small cafeteria, where people tried to eat the disgusting meals. "We have again, a new trainer. This time, we have all on paper, don't worry." She gestured and a small, petite figure marched across the door with straight steps. "Say hi to miss Gyeong-Hui, previously from the 9th Division team of fire-force."

    "My pleasure."

    Small. With slanted eyes and a pale skin but pinky bright smiling lips. Short, laser focused cut dark hair and green uniform.

    "We will be friends for the greater good, shall we?"