Take Me Away

Along the way, the scenery outside the window was becoming more and more desolate. From high-rise buildings, it turned to country roads before transitioning into a forest that looked devoid of human trace.

Spencer groaned as he woke up from his sleep. With eyes still closed, he asked, "Johnson, what time is it?"

"It's four o'clock. We'll be there in an hour."

'An hour?' Fiona couldn't believe what she heard. Were they going to sell her in some remote village?

"Find me a bottle. I have to pee," Spencer casually said after a bit of stretching.

Fiona's face turned red. 'What did he just say? He wants to pee? Here?' The questions in her head were numerous. 'Hasn't he realized that I'm in the car with him? How could he say something like that?'

"Spencer," Johnson faltered. "I don't think that's a good idea. Your...date is sitting in the back."

"What?" Spencer exclaimed. He opened his eyes and turned around. He was already expecting the look on Fiona's face, but the coldness in her stare still caught him by surprise. "I almost forgot! Stop the car then. I can't hold it in anymore. Women are always troublesome!"

The car pulled over along a forest path and Spencer and his assistant stepped out.

"Would you also like to go?" Spencer turned to Fiona and asked.

"No, thank you," Fiona said coldly as she looked away.

Spencer could only shrug his shoulders as he walked into the forest, whistling.

At this point, the base was in an uproar because of Johnson's message.

"What? Did you say a woman is coming to the base?"

"It's true! It's what Johnson said!"

"Who's the woman? Is she beautiful?"

"She must be. But she's Spencer's date, so don't even think about it!"

"Date?" "That's right!" "Then I have to

tell the others!

This is big news!" "Right!

Everyone must know."

"Breaking news!"

"Major news!" Little did Spencer know the news was spreading like wildfire in the base.

The off-road vehicle drove straight to the base deep in the mountain just as the sun was setting.

Fiona looked around at the towering trees and the mountainous landscape, and thought that everything looked amazing. It was really a wonderful place to paint. It was a good thing she brought her sketchpad and pencils.

They drove until they reached the gate, where their arrival was met with a whistle. The base was guarded by armed men who immediately raised their hands and signaled for them to stop for inspection once they saw Spencer's car approaching.

his pocket

and opened the gate

the

this is our base. Spencer is respected here for

roared as he swatted the back of Johnson's

sir!" Johnson closed his

that Spencer worked in a special place, but she didn't know that it was

the base so everything looked fresh to her. She remembered asking her father to take her to the base when she was just a little girl. Her father always promised that

and basketball. After passing these, there was a large playground at the back and a trench. Fiona could hear the intense

finally stopped in front of a building for military families. Spencer got out of the car and told Fiona, "This is where you'll

long exactly?" Fiona stepped out

her and gave her a cold stare. "From Monday to Friday, everyone is forbidden to go

at least?" Fiona's gaze turned to the mountains in

ordering his assistant,

Johnson gave him a salute and watched as he

Spencer was out of sight, Fiona turned to Johnson and asked,

her soft voice. "You can select any room in this building. It's mostly vacant

nodded. Everything seemed settled until a thought occurred to

have everything here." Johnson

she saw when she turned around surprised her. More than one hundred people were swarming towards her. They were all

took a step back and asked,

and yelled at the men, "You bastards! What are

'On the tree?'

looked up and saw two people squatting on a branch of a lush tree. They were smiling as they

whether she should

get

matter." Fiona shook her head. She looked at the crowd around her and said politely, "Hello, everyone! My

speak, all the men started

nothing

will take care of

"Welcome to the base!"

have a

"You're so beautiful!"

and beamed, "Thank

are you?" someone

"I'm eighteen," Fiona replied.

you then.

should we call

should call her

"Ha-ha..."

me Fiona,"

"What's on your back?"

a sketchpad. I

"Can you draw me?"

"Draw me, too! Draw

"And me!"