Chapter 15: Shadows

Edith and Zain moved swiftly through the blind spot near the eastern perimeter of the facility, their movements silent and deliberate. With practiced precision, they slipped into an unlocked maintenance closet, where their equipment had already been stashed by their contact inside.

As they changed into their tactical gear, their backs turned to each other, and the tension in the air was palpable. In the dim light of the closet, they whispered to each other, their voices barely audible over the sound of their breathing.

"Why'd you get into this business anyway?" Zain asked quietly, his voice tinged with curiosity. "My dad forced me into it, family business and all," he admitted, a hint of bitterness creeping into his tone.

Edith paused, her fingers faltering slightly as she adjusted the straps of her vest. "I wanted to make a difference," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "My little brother died when he was 5 because our government tested a new pesticide on the field behind our house. The toxin killed him."

Zain's eyes widened in shock, his heart breaking at the revelation. "Oh, Edith, I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine sympathy. Her words struck a chord deep within him, stirring up memories of his struggles with the expectations placed upon him by his father. Zain couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Edith, her tragic story revealing a vulnerability he hadn't expected.

But their moment of vulnerability was abruptly interrupted by a knock on the maintenance door. Edith's heart leaped into her throat as Zain quickly locked the door, pulling her down to the ground with him in one fluid motion.

Edith landed on top of him, her breath catching in her throat as their eyes met in the dim light. For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them locked in a silent embrace. For a brief moment, he was lost in the intensity of her gaze, the warmth of her breath against his lips.

But then reality crashed back in, and Edith's resolve hardened. "We have a mission, Zain," she whispered against his lips, her words a gentle reminder of their purpose. 

Zain's focus snapped back into place. He couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment, not now. With a mental shake, Zain pushed aside the fleeting desire that had stirred within him. They had a job to do, and he couldn't allow himself to be distracted by anything - or anyone - else. 

Edith knew better than to give in to such impulses. They were here on a mission, one that required their full attention and dedication. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment, not when the stakes were so high. Right now they had a job to do, contemplation could come later.

K.M Strunk