Kai reached into the outside pocket of his coat, retrieving his phone and placing it on the passenger seat beside Hannah. She was sleeping peacefully, her breathing slow and steady, her delicate features bathed in the faint glow of moonlight. She looked so innocent, so untouched by the harsh realities of the world—a quiet moment of purity that made Kai pause.
He allowed himself a small smile, barely a curve of his lips, before he drew in a deep breath and stepped out of the car. The cold winter air greeted him immediately, nipping at his face and hands as he locked the car behind him, ensuring Hannah was safe.
Leaning back against the car, he surveyed the quiet surroundings. The faint rustle of trees echoed from the woods in front of him, a subtle whisper carried by the breeze. The stillness of the night was both calming and tense, the winter chill wrapping around him like an invisible shroud.
Kai didn't have to wait long. Finn appeared first, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his unbuttoned coat, his usual relaxed stance intact. Julia followed close behind, her arms straight at her sides, her crimson hair catching faint glints of moonlight as it covered her right eye. Both of them stopped a few steps away from Kai, their unreadable expressions giving nothing away.
Kai glanced at them briefly, his voice breaking the silence.
"It's about time." His tone was firm, but not harsh. He didn't look at them directly as he spoke.
"Alright," he began, his voice steady, "there's one plan in mind: no one gets separated. Stay close to each other at all times." His gaze shifted between the two of them, calm but commanding.
Finn and Julia exchanged a quick glance before Finn started to speak, but Kai cut him off without turning his head.
"We're here to observe for now. No rash moves. Once the opportunity presents itself, we'll coordinate with the operatives for a full operation." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "Keep an eye on Cassian's updates. I'll handle positioning agents nearby."
Finn nodded slowly. "Understood." His voice carried the same firm resolve, his posture remaining steady.
Finn pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one and taking a slow drag. Julia remained still, her hands now tucked into her coat pockets, her demeanor quiet but alert.
Kai turned back to the car for a moment, leaning down to press against the window and peer inside. Hannah was still fast asleep, her peaceful expression untouched by the tension outside. He let out a soft exhale, grounding himself, before straightening up and turning back to face the others.
He tapped the sleek surface of his high-tech watch, the screen lighting up with a cheerful digital smile before displaying an interface. "Clark," Kai said, his tone firm and direct, "send a message to headquarters operatives."
A robotic voice responded promptly. "What message exactly?"
"Direct all operatives to move near my position," Kai instructed. "Maintain discretion. No action until I give the command."
"Understood," Clark replied. "Message logged and sent. Awaiting confirmation."
Kai turned his gaze back to Finn and Julia. Finn exhaled another plume of smoke, the faint curl of it dissipating into the cold air, while Julia shifted her weight slightly, her foot tapping softly against the snow-covered road.
"Stay sharp," Kai said finally, his voice low but steady. "This is just the beginning."
Kai lowered his hand, slipping his free hand into the outside pocket of his coat. His gaze drifted over to Finn, who was still smoking, skillfully twirling the cigarette in his fingers like it was a toy. Julia, on the other hand, was already staring at him, her intense red eyes fixed on his face. Her foot tapped rhythmically against the cold ground, and her hands remained buried in the outside pockets of her coat.
For a moment, the world seemed to slow for Kai. Julia's gaze pierced through the winter stillness, unyielding and direct. It wasn't like her to stare so openly, and it tugged at something in the back of his mind. He didn't let it linger. Clearing his throat, he snapped her out of her focus. Julia flinched slightly, quickly composing herself, her foot stopping mid-tap.
Kai exhaled deeply, breaking the silence. "Let's go now," he said, his tone low and even. He tapped his watch, activating a tracking system. A map appeared on the small screen, with a red dot and a green dot marking their positions.
Finn took one last drag of his cigarette before flicking it onto the road, the ember snuffed out against the frost. Without another word, the three began moving, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the crunch of snow underfoot.
Kai led the way, his shoulders steady and his right hand resting inside the inner pocket of his coat, ready to draw his weapon if necessary. Behind him, Julia and Finn walked in silent synchronization, their hands similarly poised within their coats. The atmosphere grew heavier as they left the car and the small store behind, the faint glow of civilization fading into the dark abyss of the woods.
The deeper they ventured, the darker it became. The towering trees seemed to close in around them, their skeletal branches weighed down by frost and snow. A chill wind snaked through the woods, carrying with it the distant, eerie sound of bats fluttering above.
Kai glanced back at Julia and Finn, his sharp blue eyes meeting theirs briefly. He raised his left hand, gesturing for them to spread out. His hand moved smoothly from left to right, a silent command that needed no explanation.
Julia and Finn exchanged a quick glance, a brief but sharp acknowledgment of the signal. Finn veered off to the right, while Julia moved to the left, each step deliberate and soundless. Both kept their dominant hands inside their coat pockets, their fingers grazing the cold metal of their concealed weapons.
The woods seemed to hold its breath as they moved, the faint crunch of snow and the whisper of wind the only sounds accompanying them. They were a silent trio, shadows slipping between the trees, ready for whatever lay ahead.
As they crouched slowly, hiding in the tall grass of the woods, the three moved in silent unison, their expressions identical—sharp and focused. Their right hands remained inside the inner pockets of their coats, fingers lightly gripping the cold steel of their weapons, ready to draw at a moment's notice. The dense foliage obscured their presence, casting a veil over their movements as they approached a large pile of soil, nearly a hill in size.
A faint flicker of light caught their attention ahead. Beyond the hill, a towering steel chain-link fence came into view, its top lined with jagged spikes that glinted ominously under the moonlight. Kai stopped, lowering his body further into the grass, his movements deliberate and fluid. He looked back at Julia and Finn, signaling them to crouch lower. His hand instinctively tightened around the grip of his concealed gun.
Julia and Finn nodded in acknowledgment, their movements mirroring his as they sank deeper into the undergrowth, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.
"Don't make any noise," Kai whispered, his voice so low it barely registered above the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. His piercing blue eyes scanned the area ahead, locking onto their objective—the warehouse surrounded by the imposing steel fence.
"I'm going to look out," he added, his tone steady yet hushed. "Watch out for me."
Without hesitation, Julia and Finn shifted positions, moving to either side of Kai. Their focus was razor-sharp, their gazes darting across the surrounding grass and woods, ears straining for any unnatural sound. The air around them was heavy with tension, each breath measured to avoid the slightest noise.
Kai inched forward, carefully parting the grass with his left hand. His vision adjusted to the dim light, and through the tangled blades, he caught sight of figures patrolling the gate. Men dressed in sleek black uniforms, armed and alert, stood at rigid attention. Their rifles gleamed in the faint light as they moved methodically along the fence, their gazes sweeping the area.
Kai exhaled softly, his mind processing the scene. The security was tight—this wasn't just a standard outpost. It was a fortress. He glanced back briefly at Julia and Finn, a silent exchange of resolve passing between them. Then, with calculated precision, he turned his attention back to the target, his mind racing as he began forming the next move.
Kai's gaze lingered on Finn, his blue eyes sharp, almost cutting through the dark. "Finn," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling grass, "part ways. Circle around to the back of the warehouse. Take out the two guards quietly. I'll cover you once you're inside."
Finn locked eyes with Kai, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "Alright, but let me connect my phone to your watch. That way, if I get shot—or, you know, worse—you'll know." His tone was light, bordering on casual, a stark contrast to the tension in the air. He pulled out his phone, tapping briskly on the screen to sync it with Kai's high-tech watch.
Julia, standing just a step behind Kai, raised an eyebrow at Finn. "Are you seriously okay with that plan?" Her tone was tough, cutting through the faint hum of Finn's device syncing.
Kai's expression hardened as he turned to Julia, his voice firm but quiet. "No unnecessary conversations." It wasn't a suggestion—it was an order. His sharp gaze left no room for argument.
Julia closed her mouth, exhaling through her nose. She shifted her weight slightly, her eyes narrowing as she glanced between the two men.
Finn clapped Kai on the back, a rare moment of camaraderie. "I'm on my way. If I go down, your watch will beep. Let's hope it doesn't." His voice dropped to a whisper as he began moving, his footsteps nearly silent as he disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
Kai turned his attention back to the warehouse, tracking the guards' movements. Their patrols were precise, like clockwork, each man stationed with methodical efficiency. His mind raced, calculating the timing, the distance, the angles.
Meanwhile, Julia's eyes flicked to Kai, her expression unreadable. She stole quick glances at his face, the sharp angles illuminated faintly by the moonlight. Something about his presence—his quiet authority, his unwavering focus—was magnetic. It gnawed at the edges of her concentration, pulling her attention away from the mission.
Kai didn't notice. Or if he did, he didn't acknowledge it. His focus remained on the task ahead, his hand tightening subtly around the grip of his concealed weapon as he waited for Finn's signal.
Kai's gaze remained fixed on the man sitting on the fallen log, the faint smoke curling up from the marijuana sachet in his hand. His mind was already calculating the movements, the precise actions they'd need to take. His hand moved almost instinctively, patting Julia on the waist to signal her.
Julia flinched at the unexpected contact, her breath catching in her throat. A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she quickly turned her head to face him, her heart pounding. But before she could voice any confusion or discomfort, Kai's quiet voice cut through the air, cool and calculated.
"There's a man," he murmured, eyes never leaving the target, "sitting on a fallen log, a little ways off from the warehouse and the other guards."
Julia's expression shifted, her curiosity piqued despite the tension. She straightened, trying to retain her tough demeanor. "What's your plan?" Her voice wavered ever so slightly, betraying her inner conflict.
Kai didn't acknowledge her attempt to sound firm. His focus remained unwavering on the target, his tone still as low as a whisper, yet laced with authority. "We're going to kill him. Silently."
The words hung in the air, cold and precise. His eyes briefly met hers, sharp and serious, before returning to the man on the log. His mind was already ahead, analyzing every possible outcome, every movement that would ensure their success without alerting the rest of the guards.
Julia swallowed, her heart racing. She'd known what kind of mission this was going to be, but the stark simplicity of Kai's command sent a chill through her. It was not a suggestion—it was an order. No hesitation, no second thoughts. Just action.
She nodded, a silent acknowledgment. The plan had been set. Now, they would move.
Hannah's POV
Hannah's heartbeat quickened as she glanced around the empty car, her eyes scanning the dark, silent surroundings. The cold night air crept in through the cracks, making her feel suddenly exposed. Her gaze fell on Kai's phone, lying innocently on the backseat. She reached for it with trembling hands, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface. The wallpaper caught her eye—her smile shining back at her, capturing a moment of warmth she hadn't fully appreciated before. Her chest fluttered at the sight of it, but the feeling was fleeting.
The worry set in again, sharper this time. Where is he? she thought, her mind spinning. Is he safe? The question repeated in her head, looping and twisting in the silence, louder than the rustling of the trees outside. She stared at the phone as though it might offer an answer, her heart sinking with each passing second of his absence.
Is he safe? The thought echoed in her mind over and over, becoming an urgent plea.
Hannah shut her eyes, forcing herself to slow down. She tried to focus, to center herself. Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself, He is safe. He is safe. The words felt hollow at first, but she said them again, more forcefully this time. He is safe.
She clenched the phone in her hand, her knuckles white. The storm of doubt didn't stop, but she kept breathing, kept repeating the mantra, holding onto the belief that he would return. He always did.
Hannah's eyes lingered on the dark outline of the woods through the driver's side window, the trees swaying gently in the winter breeze, their shadows long and haunting against the night. The world outside seemed both eerie and serene, like a place caught between danger and quiet. But it didn't comfort her. The thought that had taken root in her mind was relentless, like a song on loop, impossible to ignore.
Is he safe?
The question kept repeating, invading every thought, every heartbeat, like a voice inside her head, demanding an answer she couldn't give. Is he safe? It came at her again, louder this time, almost suffocating in its urgency. Hannah, is he?
The words blurred together, twisting in her mind, growing frantic. Is he really safe? The panic rose in her chest, her hands gripping the phone tightly, knuckles turning white. Her breath hitched, her pulse quickening with every loop of the question, each repetition like a drumbeat in her skull. Is he? Is he? Is he...?
She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to her, suffocating her with uncertainty. The calmness she had tried to cultivate slipped away, leaving her restless, her thoughts spinning faster than she could process. The woods outside no longer seemed peaceful. The shadows felt alive, creeping toward her in the darkness, echoing her fear.
Hannah closed her eyes tightly, forcing the breath out of her lungs, trying to anchor herself. He is safe. She whispered the words to herself again, her voice trembling. He's safe. He's safe. The mantra barely made it past her lips, drowned out by the weight of doubt pressing down on her chest.
But somewhere deep inside, she held onto it, clinging to the hope that her thoughts, the fear they carried, would not be true. He has to be safe.
Kai and Julia's POV
Kai and Julia crouched low, the cold ground beneath them barely registering as they moved cautiously toward the man sitting on the fallen log. The crackling of the winter branches in the distance was the only sound, but the man's slurred hums interrupted the stillness, his mind fogged by the marijuana he was carelessly consuming. His rifle lay beside him, resting against the log, forgotten in the haze of his distraction.
Every step Kai took was measured and silent, his focus on the man ahead. His gloved hands slipped beneath his coat, retrieving the small, sharp knife hidden in an inner pocket. He adjusted his grip as he drew closer, moving with the precision of a predator.
Julia remained still, her eyes scanning the surroundings, alert for any movement. She knew what was coming. Her fingers tightened around the gun inside her coat, but she said nothing. She didn't need to.
Kai stopped just behind the man, his presence barely a whisper in the wind. He reached out, a swift hand to the man's shoulder, guiding him into silence before his mouth was covered. In one fluid motion, the blade flashed, its edge sinking into the man's chest with the sharp finality of a quick, calculated strike.
The man gasped, his eyes wide in shock, but before he could make a sound, he slumped forward, the life draining from him. The only noise was the soft rustling of the wind as the body hit the cold earth, lifeless. Kai held him for a moment longer, ensuring he was truly gone, and then gently eased him to the side. The rifle, still lying just out of reach, remained untouched.
Julia froze. Her breath caught in her throat. She had seen death many times, had been the one to take lives herself, but the way Kai moved, so effortlessly, without a second thought, unsettled her. It was different from her own methodical approach—this was efficient, clinical, and disturbingly calm.
Kai wiped the blade clean on the man's clothes, his face emotionless as he slid the knife back into his coat. He didn't look at the body, didn't spare a thought for the life he had just ended. It was part of the job, nothing more.