The tension snapped like a taut wire. In one fluid motion, the operative behind the crates fired, the silenced shot cutting through the air. The bullet struck the man's hand, sending the pistol clattering to the ground.
Mina screamed, staggering forward as the man released her, clutching his injured hand.
Kai surged forward, closing the distance in an instant. His fist connected with the man's jaw in a clean, brutal strike, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"Secure him!" Kai barked, his voice sharp and commanding.
Operatives moved swiftly, subduing the man and disarming him completely.
Mina collapsed to her knees, her body trembling, but before she could fall further, Kai was there. He crouched in front of her, his hands steady as they rested gently on her shoulders.
"You're safe now," he said softly, his voice a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.
Mina's wide, tear-filled eyes met his, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. She nodded weakly, her breath hitching as she struggled to steady herself.
Kai helped her to her feet, his arm firm around her shoulders as he turned to the operatives. "Get him to the extraction point. I want every inch of this place searched. Take the bomb with you—no loose ends."
The operatives moved with precision, carrying out his orders without hesitation.
As they led the subdued man away, Cassian appeared at Kai's side, his usual smirk replaced by a rare look of approval. "Nice work, Colonel," he said, his tone laced with genuine respect.
Kai didn't respond. His attention was solely on Mina, whose trembling had begun to subside under his steady presence.
"You're okay now," he reassured her again, his voice soft but firm.
Mina nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you, Kai…"
...
Kai's gaze was unwavering as he looked at Cassian, his hand still resting on Mina's trembling arm. She clung to him desperately, her face buried in his chest, her sobs muffling against the fabric of his coat, much like how Hannah would in her most fragile moments. The weight of her sorrow pressed heavily on Kai, but his voice remained calm, firm, and authoritative.
"Cassian, give Mina your coat," Kai said, his tone brokering no argument.
Cassian's smirk faded, his usual playfulness replaced with quiet focus. He quickly checked his pockets, pulling out his pistol, knife, and a box of cigarettes with a sachet of marijuana. With a brief glance at the items, he tucked them into the pockets of his trousers and, without a word, handed the coat to Kai.
"Here," Cassian said, his voice steady, though there was a subtle edge to it, aware of the situation's gravity.
Kai took the coat with a silent nod, draping it over Mina's shoulders, shielding her from the cold and her exposed lingerie. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close, his body a solid presence between her and the world. Her grip on his coat tightened, her cries growing more frantic, as though every breath hurt.
"Mina," Kai whispered, his voice low and reassuring. "I won't let anything happen to you."
The words were meant to comfort, but her sobs only deepened, the pain she carried too much to be soothed by words alone.
Kai's gaze shifted back to Cassian, who was now fully focused on the task at hand. "Cassian, detain the man. Bring him to me later. I have plans," Kai said, his voice darker, quieter, as though already plotting the next move.
Cassian's expression was one of rare seriousness. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a calm, unwavering focus. "Understood," he replied, his voice steady. "I'll take care of it. Wait for you in the woods."
With that, he moved swiftly toward the exit with agents waiting outside, his silhouette vanishing into the night.
Kai's attention returned to Mina, whose sobs were still breaking the silence, each one echoing in the quiet warehouse. He stroked her hair softly, the gesture familiar, though it did little to ease the storm within him.
"We'll get through this together," he whispered, as much to himself as to her, the promise heavy in the air. For now, all that mattered was keeping her close, protecting her from whatever darkness loomed ahead.
Mina's sobs were ragged, her hold on Kai's coat tight as though it was the only thing anchoring her to this world. Her arms were wound around his torso, her trembling body pressed so closely against him that Kai could feel her every sob as it wracked through her frame.
"Kai... thank you... thank you for saving me..." Mina's voice was strained, high-pitched, as if pleading with him, a helplessness in her words like that of a desperate child, begging to be reassured.
Kai's heart clenched at the sound of her pain, the agents around them fading into the background as if they were no longer part of this moment. It was just the two of them now.
"Mina…" His voice was low but steady, his hand brushing her hair back, the gesture tender despite the weight of everything happening. "I won't do that to you. I promised before, remember? I'll protect you. You might feel vulnerable now, but I'll always shield you from whatever comes." His grip on her waist tightened, pulling her closer as he tried to offer a sense of security in the chaos.
Mina's sobs only deepened, her body shaking harder against his chest. She buried her face deeper into the fabric of his coat, as though she needed him to be her lifeline. "Please… take me home… t-they... killed Clara..." Her voice cracked between sobs, each word tumbling out more broken than the last.
Kai froze. Time seemed to still as the weight of her words hit him like a physical blow. His breath caught, and his blue eyes widened in shock, a sharp pain twisting in his chest.
"I—" He tried to form words, but they didn't come. He needed to stay composed, for her. Stay calm, for Mina.
"They didn't, I promise," Kai said, forcing his voice to remain steady despite the rising panic inside. He gently cupped her face, lifting her tear-soaked gaze to meet his. "Look at me, Mina… I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Mina's gaze flickered up to his, her brown eyes swollen and red from crying, a mix of fear and desperation behind them. The vulnerability in her expression shattered Kai in a way he hadn't expected. She was looking at him as if he held the only chance at her survival.
"Kai… please don't leave me again..." Her words were barely a whisper, but they hit him like a knife to the chest. Her voice trembled, broken, her heart laid bare in those few words.
Kai's heart broke, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he gazed into her eyes. He saw not just Mina, but a reflection of someone else in her — someone he'd sworn to protect above all else. Hannah.
"I won't, 'again,' Mina." He whispered, his voice filled with quiet strength. Without another word, he pulled her into the safety of his shoulder, wrapping his arms around her, offering her the protection she so desperately needed.
For a moment, there was only the sound of her soft, muffled sobs, and Kai, unwavering in his promise to never let her go.
...
Her face was buried in his shoulder, and her words were laced with the vulnerability of someone who had been shattered by the weight of everything she had endured. "Please… Take me out of here... I don't want to see this place again... I don't want to be apart from you again…" The plea hung in the air, fragile and raw, like the last whisper of a child seeking refuge.
Kai's hand continued its soothing rhythm, each motion deliberate and comforting, as if to say I'm here, I'm not leaving you. His voice, steady and unwavering, answered her with the same promise he had made earlier. "Okay… let's head out of here now." His expression remained neutral, but beneath it, there was a warmth — a quiet strength that showed he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
They gently pulled apart, the space between them small but significant, yet Kai's hand never left her waist. It remained there, a constant anchor, as they began to walk toward the exit, their steps slow but purposeful.
As they passed, one of the operatives outside straightened himself, his posture sharp, acknowledging them silently. But for Kai and Mina, the world outside seemed distant, muffled by the weight of what had just transpired. All that mattered now was getting her to safety, away from this place, and keeping her close, just as he promised.
As they moved deeper into the woods, the distant voices of operatives murmured in the background, their steps barely audible as they patrolled the area.
Mina, walking alongside Kai, her gaze fixed on the ground, finally broke the silence. "Kai... please, don't ever leave again..." Her voice was fragile, almost childlike, full of vulnerability that she couldn't conceal.
Kai, his gaze forward, responded with a soft smile, though he didn't look at her. "I won't. Don't worry, I'm here." His tone was gentle, a promise wrapped in steady reassurance.
Mina glanced up at him, her eyes shimmering with tears that she fought to hold back. "I don't want to be alone again... I'm scared. Those men... they're animals. They hurt people, sold them like they're nothing... I'm so grateful you saved me." Her voice trembled, a quiet sob sneaking through.
Kai's arm tightened around her waist, drawing her closer, a quiet strength in his touch. "I'm here. Always." He paused, his voice dropping lower. "If we don't find Clara with the others, I'll make sure the man speaks... I promise you." His expression was soft, yet resolute.
Mina, nodding almost like a child seeking comfort, whispered, "Okay..." Her voice was soft, surrendering to his assurances, trusting him completely.
The only sounds that filled the air were the crunch of leaves beneath their feet—Mina's bare feet and Kai's boots—and the occasional murmur of operatives as they kept watch. The woods felt colder, darker now, but Kai's presence by her side was like a shield. She felt small and fragile against the vastness of the forest, but with him, there was a sense of safety she couldn't deny.
...
The blare of police sirens grew louder as they neared, a stark contrast to the quiet of the woods they had just left behind.
As they emerged from the trees, the once dark road was now alive with the flashing red and blue lights of emergency vehicles. Operatives scattered about, securing the area, while officers moved purposefully with their equipment. One of the officers, holding a folder in his hand, approached them, ready to speak.
"Sir—"
Before the officer could continue, Kai raised a hand sharply, signaling him to stop.
"Not now," Kai said, his voice calm yet laced with authority. "This is up to me."
He motioned for Mina to follow as they crossed the road, the chaos of the police and operatives almost like an afterthought to them. His arm remained protectively around her waist, and Mina, still clinging to him with a grip as if he were her lifeline, walked closely by his side. She was there with him, just as Hannah might have been, a quiet presence, her arm wrapped around him, the weight of everything they had been through settling between them like a shared understanding.
...
Kai approached the sleek car, his knock on the window sharp and purposeful. After a few moments, the door clicked open, and out stepped Hannah, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
"Love…!" she gasped, rushing into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, holding him tightly, as if afraid to let go.
Kai, caught off guard by the sudden rush of affection, instinctively pulled away from Mina, enveloping Hannah in his embrace. He held her tightly, the tension in his body easing as he wrapped his arms around her. His focus shifted entirely to her, her presence soothing something deep within him.
Mina, standing a few steps back, gave them space. Her eyes, though brimming with emotion, carried a shimmer of vulnerability and quiet happiness. The trauma they had all endured now felt distant, a haunting memory starting to fade in the presence of something comforting.
Hannah cried into his shoulder, the tears soaking into his coat as she clung to him. "I thought something happened," she sobbed, her voice breaking. "I... I took calming pills because I couldn't push the thought away..."
Kai rested his chin gently atop her head, his hand massaging her back in slow, comforting motions. "I'll always come back," he murmured softly, his voice tender.
Hannah, still trembling, pressed closer to him, her words muffled by the sound of her sobs. "I love you..." she whispered through her tears.
Kai cupped her tear-streaked cheeks, gently lifting her face to meet his gaze. His heart ached as he kissed her forehead, brushing away the remnants of her tears with his thumb. "I love you too," he whispered, his voice low and filled with sincerity.
Mina, standing off to the side, watched the exchange between them with a soft smile, her heart warmed by the sight of their reunion. It was a moment of peace, one she had longed for, and in that brief moment, the trauma they had all experienced seemed to fade into the background.
...
Hannah looked at Mina, who was still clutching the coat around herself, her eyes filled with vulnerability. "And Mina, what did they do to you...?" Hannah asked softly, her concern evident as she kept her arms around Kai, her body still nestled against his.
Mina flinched slightly at the question, the memories of what she'd endured resurfacing in her mind. She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words, her emotions tangled in a web of pain.
Before Mina could respond, Kai gently pulled away from Hannah, his bright smile attempting to ease the tension. "Don't trigger her, my love... You two talked about it..." he said softly, his voice calm and understanding.
Hannah nodded with a small smile of appreciation before looking at Mina once more, her expression gentle. "Of course..." she whispered, her tone full of empathy.
Kai stepped back slightly, leaning his back against the car's window as he gave the two women space. His gaze lingered protectively on Mina as he observed the delicate exchange.
Hannah reached out for Mina's hand, her fingers softly brushing against Mina's. "What did they do to you, Mina?" she asked again, her voice tender, filled with warmth and care.
Mina stood silently for a moment, lost in her thoughts, while Kai remained close by, his arms folded as he watched over them both.
Mina stood still, her body trembling slightly as the weight of her memories came crashing back. She swallowed hard, her throat tight as she struggled to find the strength to speak. Finally, her voice broke through the silence, fragile and raw.
"They… they raped us," Mina whispered, her words barely above a breath. "And they were about to sell me... to someone... I thought I was going to die there." She hugged the coat tighter around her shoulders, as if it could shield her from the horror of the memory. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a mixture of fear and sadness clouding her gaze.
Hannah's face paled at the words, her heart sinking for her friend. She instinctively reached out to pull Mina closer, her arms wrapping around her in a gentle, protective embrace. "I'm so sorry... you don't have to go through this alone anymore, Mina," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
Kai's gaze darkened at the mention of the men who had done this to her. His jaw clenched as a protective fire burned in his chest. He moved closer to Mina, placing a hand on her shoulder, his touch firm and reassuring. "We'll make sure they never hurt anyone again," he said, his voice laced with quiet resolve. "You're safe now. We'll make them pay for what they did."
Mina's body shuddered in the warmth of their care, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she allowed herself to breathe a little easier. It wasn't over, but for now, she wasn't alone.
...
Kai looked at Mina, his expression softening just for a moment before hardening again with resolve. He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the area, then turned his attention back to Hannah and Mina.
"I'm going back to the woods," Kai said, his tone steady, but the seriousness in his voice was undeniable. "There are operatives still there, and I need to investigate. We need to make sure we find every lead, every piece of evidence we can."
Mina's eyes widened at his words, fear flickering across her face. "But... what about me? You're leaving again?" Her voice trembled slightly, the thought of him being gone, even just for a while, weighing on her heart.
Kai stepped closer to her, his hand lightly touching her arm, grounding her. "I won't be gone long," he said firmly. "I have to do this, Mina. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can."
Hannah, still wrapped in his embrace, looked at him, concern clouding her expression. "Kai, please, be careful," she whispered, her hands gripping his shirt. "We don't know what else could be waiting out there."
Kai leaned down and kissed the top of her head, his hand gently brushing through her hair. "I'll be careful," he promised softly. "But this man, the one who hurt Mina and the others—he's going to speak. I'm not leaving until he does."
Mina nodded slowly, her face pale but her resolve hardening, even though the fear lingered. She wanted to believe him. She needed to. "Be safe," she whispered, her voice small but sincere.
Kai's eyes softened for a moment, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek gently. "I'll make them talk, Mina. And when I come back, we'll make sure this never happens again." His gaze turned from her to the road ahead, where the shadows of the woods waited. "Stay close, don't go anywhere. I'll return quickly. Trust me."
With one final glance at both of them, Kai turned towards the woods again, his movements determined. "I'm going back," he said to them, his voice cold now, filled with purpose. "We need answers."
The operatives nodded, acknowledging his command, and they began to prepare to head back to the woods with him.
Mina watched him go, her heart aching, but knowing that Kai would keep his promise. And though she wished he didn't have to leave, she trusted him with everything she had.