I tell her we have to try!

“We should try to help out,” you answer.

Clova grins to herself and shakes her head in response to what you say. “We could get killed ourselves. Is it worth it?”

“What if they hit the next caravan that goes through? Would RTE like to know what we allowed to happen? I thought WRP stomped out and reported any issues in the area of operation, didn't you?” Clova looked up, her eyes distant as she crossed her arms and stared at the equipment sprawled out on the carpet.

“I don’t think you give a shit about what RTE thinks or what WRP would do either. You’re just trigger happy right now,” Clova blinks and drags her eyes back to you. The red is more prominent after watching the caravan getting sacked. “It’s a dumb idea that I won’t support.”

“Bullshit,” you spit and jab your finger at her. “You know what we ought to do. Regardless of what I think. You’re just acting like a scared little girl because of what happened the last time you got into a gunfight!”

Clova jolts off her chair and shoves you. “Don’t act like you know me, Warren! You’re just trying to act tough because you’re just a damn contractor!” She shoves you again, but you hardly move an inch.

She raises a hand to punch you, but you catch her first with your palm and push her back. Like you, however, she doesn’t move that much. She’s more solid than you took her for. You glare at each other for a few seconds. “If you’re not going, then I’m going alone. I don’t need your help.”

“Fuck right, you don’t. Without me holding your fucking hand, you wouldn’t be able to make it back to this spot.”

“Fuck off,” you shoo her off and turn around, reaching for your rifle. “When I don’t come back, you can add my name of dead friends.”

Clova grunts and pushes you hard enough that you stumble. You exhale and turn to face her, that’s when she slaps you. “You…bitch.”

Clova’s face wrinkles with anger, and she goes to hit you again. This time you’re not as quick. Her knuckles bash your cheek, but you don’t try to punch her in reply. Instead, you turn to the table and continue to pick your gear.

“Don’t ignore me,” she tries to warn, but her voice is trembling. “Don’t you fucking ignore me!”

You continue to ignore her. “The last person who ignored my advice was raped and shot in front of me! I can’t let that happen again, damnit! Please! Alright!? I said it! Please don’t go back out there!”

Clova spins so face to look away from she almost trips over herself. “E-excuse me for being selfish for once. I’m not going to let someone else die because I refused to make a point.”

“I…saw what some of these guys do to girls. When I freed Kenji, I also freed Scarlet. They were using her like a sex doll, strapped to a bed.” You sighed. “I can’t let this go with a clear conscience because I know what’s going to happen to her.”

Clova looks down; her gaze doesn’t seem so harsh now. “They’re not all the same…” She tries to say.

“Clova. Please. We have to try to save that girl.”

She looks at you and bites the insides of her mouth. “There’s no changing your mind then?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not going to change my mind.”

She purses her lips together and sighs. She goes over to her gear and begins to load up again.