Marked [Creative Writing: ENG222]

I see you looking at me, out of the corner of your eye, when you think I’m not looking. You don’t know what to make of me, do you? I’m not what you are use to. You probably hadn’t even imagined that someone like me existed. Did you?

Up to now, all the women you’ve seen have all looked the same. Carefully coifed hair, flawless alabaster skin, just the right attire. Pillars of society. Perfect ladies. I’m no lady. I’m a warrior.

You’re having trouble with that concept, aren’t you? A woman warrior. I can see it in your face. The confusion in your eyes, your furrowed brow, the slight frown. You doubt it, yet seeing me here, in the flesh; it’s hard for you to continue to deny the possibility. Well it’s more than a possibility. It’s a fact.

The marks on my body are even more proof. Dark lines etched into my skin. Symbols of my clan, my rank, my dedication. The women you know would never dream of marking their bodies as such, would they? The littlest scratch is a worry to them. What if it were to become a scar? What if it were to ruin their perfect skin? I have scars, a lot of scars, and I wear them proudly. I’ve earned every single one of them.

Counting the minutes until you can leave? I seen you glace at your watch. Not use to someone so observant, when appearing not to be? I’ve been trained to notice things others would not. I catch even the subtlest of movements. It’s how I’ve stayed alive this long.

Yes, I’m here, that is quite obvious. I’m sure it’s assumed that I was caught. The group that brought me in was so proud. Five grown men, so proud that they could bring in one lone woman. Five to one, those are some odds, really.

Yes, I said assumed. Don’t you think it’s possible I’m here on purpose? Don’t you think it’s possible this is part of some elaborate plan? I’m here to gain intelligence. I’m a recon mission. It’s my job to gather information. You doubt me, I can tell.

Why would I tell you? Because I knew, you would doubt me. It wouldn’t make sense for me to tell you why I was really here. It would be foolish, wouldn’t it? Yet…

Oh, there’s the midnight bell. Changing of the guards. A mass of confusion. It’ll be what, another twenty, thirty minutes before someone comes to relieve you? I’m sure you would be relieved indeed to be away from me. I’ve unnerved you, I can tell. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Mosquito bite? Feeling dizzy? Suddenly, you don’t look so well. Perhaps you should sit down. Don’t worry, it’s not fatal. You’re only going to take a bit of a nap. Did you really think I was completely alone? That someone wasn’t waiting for me, waiting for the right time?

See this? Probably not very clearly, as I’m sure your vision is getting a bit blurry about now. Anyway, it’s my key out of here. All I have to do is slip it into the lock, give it a twist, and…The door is open. Perhaps we will meet again.