Nile
Nile’s only a little surprised when she learns that Joe’s a highly competent sniper. Considering he’s been fighting in wars and rescuing people for near millennia, it only made sense. Nicky’s still the best of the group but Joe’s a close second despite all the restless, unbound energy she always senses in him. He’s perfectly still now as he eyes the building Andy and Nicky enter and Nile’s lying at his side with binoculars glued to her eyes.
Joe tracks them through the windows but there’s nothing to see and little commotion coming through the earpieces. As the seconds tick by, Nile’s unease increases. Joe’s quiet beside her but she can feel the nervousness radiating off him.
It’s a constant, like he’s simply off kilter after all these years when Nicky isn’t within his orbit.
A couple words come through the earpieces. Mostly just all clears from Nicky. Then the building explodes, roof collapsing inward with the force of the explosion. Andy’s name rips from her in a scream before she can help it. Joe’s already moving, pulling her along by the wrist, cursing under his breath in a slew of languages Nile can’t hope to decipher.
He shouts into the earpieces once, twice. There’s no response. The building they’re at is isolated enough that no crowds gather. In fact, there isn’t a soul in sight.
Nicky’s words echo through her head, filling her mind with panic.
“Joe this is a trap,” she starts.
He barely hears her over his own screaming. There’s only radio silence on the other side. The last part of the roof caves in and a full body flinch passes through Joe like he’d been under it.
“Joe we can’t get caught too,” Nile insists. She pulls him to a stop by his shirt sleeve and she’s more than a little surprised when he actually turns to listen to her. His eyes are wild, unhinged even.
“We need to get of here Joe,” she states.
Before he can say anything in return, words come through the earpieces. Loud voices. Andy’s, pained and angry, but very much alive.
Nicky’s voice comes through more quieter and the relief that runs through Joe is almost palpable as he rests a hand over his own heart like it’s just restarted.
But then there are other sounds, footsteps. Gunshots that have both of them flinching and reflexively jerking towards the building. One loud unmistakable voice rises above it all, instantly recognizable despite the little time she’s known it. A slew of curses leaves her own mouth as Joe’s grip on her wrist tightens almost to the point of pain. When she catches his eye, there is nothing of the man she’s come to know.
Only deep unending rage that fuels Nile’s own as surely as it could set fire to the world if Joe chose to unleash it.
Because the voice is Copley’s and despite the evident betrayal, Nile almost finds herself pitying the man for the hell that’s about to come his way.