Chapter 30: Lose, Lose

 As they gathered around the table, the room filled with the soft glow of monitors displaying maps, documents, and surveillance footage. The mission loomed before them, a daunting task that demanded their full attention and expertise.

Markus took the lead, his voice steady as he outlined the plan. "We know what we're up against," he began, his eyes meeting each team member in turn. "We have the intel, we have the skills. Now it's time to put them to use."

Nods of agreement rippled through the group, their determination mirrored in their eyes. Despite the heaviness in their hearts, they were professionals, trained to compartmentalize their emotions in service of the mission.

With practiced efficiency, they delved into the details, strategizing and refining their approach with each passing moment. Every member of the team brought their unique expertise to the table, each contribution valuable in its own right.

Hours slipped away in a blur of planning and preparation, the room humming with focused energy. They worked in silence, the only sound the soft click of keyboards and the occasional murmur of discussion.

Just as they were nearing the final stages of their preparations, Edith stood and walked over to Kasey and Cian's room, she opened the door and was met with the sight of the two men sitting next to each other. 

"Cian, Kasey," she greeted them with a nod, her gaze focused and unwavering. "Mind if I have a word?"

Cian exchanged a glance with Kasey, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. Nevertheless, he nodded, gesturing for Edith to enter.

Edith stepped closer, her expression serious yet not unkind. She looked directly at Cian, her eyes searching his. "I heard what happened," she said softly, her voice carrying an unexpected warmth. "I know it's tough, but you can't let it consume you."

Cian tensed slightly, his guard still up despite her seemingly genuine concern. "It's not that simple, Edith," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion.

She shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "No, it's not. But you're stronger than you think, Cian. You've faced adversity before, and you've come out on top. Don't let this defeat you."

Kasey watched the exchange, a mixture of surprise and gratitude flickering in his eyes. He knew Edith and Cian had a complicated history, her rivalry with Zain (and her unorthodox methods) often overshadowed any semblance of camaraderie. But at that moment, he saw a different side of her—a side that genuinely cared.

Cian took a deep breath, his resolve strengthening under Edith's words. He nodded slowly, meeting her gaze with a newfound determination. "Thanks, Edith," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude.

She offered him a small smile, a rare gesture from her. "We have a mission to complete, Cian. And I know you won't let anything stand in our way."

Edith led Cian and Kasey out of their room and into the main area where the rest of the team was gathered, their faces reflecting a mixture of determination and concern.

"Team, gather around," Edith called out, her voice steady yet tinged with urgency.

The team quickly assembled, their eyes fixed on Edith as she addressed them. Cian and Kasey stood beside her, their expressions serious.

"We have our mission," Edith began her tone commanding attention. "We're going in prepared and focused.”

Just as she was about to continue, a sudden alert flashed across all the screens in the room, interrupting her words. The team's attention snapped to the breaking news report.

As the news broadcast continued, the scene unfolded with grim clarity. The camera panned to reveal a desolate urban street, littered with debris and surrounded by the remnants of what had once been bustling buildings.

Smoke billowed from nearby structures, casting an eerie haze over the scene. Amidst the chaos, a group of armed militants stood in formation, their faces obscured by masks as they held Amy captive.

Amy knelt in the center of the group, her hands bound behind her back, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and defiance. Her clothes were torn, and blood trickled from a gash on her forehead, staining the strands of her blond hair an eerie pink.

The leader of the militants stepped forward, his voice echoing through the street with chilling authority. "This is the fate of those who stand against us," he declared, his words laced with venom.

A sense of dread settled over the watching team as they realized the gravity of the situation. This wasn't just a random act of violence; it was a message, a warning to anyone who dared to oppose the group's agenda.

On the screen, Amy's voice rang out, strong and unwavering despite the dire circumstances. "You can't silence the truth," she shouted her words a defiant challenge to her captors.

But before she could say more, the sound of gunfire erupted, drowning out her voice. The screen flickered, freezing on the horrifying sight of Amy collapsing to the ground, her body limp and lifeless.

Silence gripped the room, broken only by the sound of the team's ragged breaths, the screams of the people on the screen, and the distant wail of sirens.

Montana was the first to take action, walking over to the kitchen and gagging into the trashcan. He turned the faucet on and ran his head under the water, trying to wash away the image he had seen. Markus froze, staring at the screen, guilt coursing through him, as he realized that if he never made that phone call she still would’ve been alive. Cian walked over and slammed his hand into the wall, his mind racing with images of his past.

Zain turned the TV off and ran his fingers through his hair, “Okay um, I’ll set up the compensation for her family-”

“Compensation?!” Edith yelled. “They just lost their daughter Zain, they don’t need compensation, they need her back!” Her voice cracked, as she weighed the gravity of the situation they were in.

Tension crackled in the air as Edith's words hung heavy in the room. Zain recoiled slightly, his expression tightening with a mixture of frustration and guilt. He knew she was right, but he also knew that they had a responsibility to Amy's family, to make sure that they were taken care of in the wake of the loss of their daughter.

"We have to do something, Edith," Zain replied, his voice strained. "We can't just sit here and do nothing."

Edith's jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not saying we do nothing," she retorted, her voice sharp with emotion. "But throwing money at the problem won't bring her back. We need to focus on finding out who did this and making them pay."

Markus, still frozen in shock, finally tore his gaze away from the screen, his expression haunted. "She trusted us," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "And we failed her."

Zain threw his hands up, “Edith we’re agents, not superheroes, you can’t expect us to take down the government!”

“Hasn’t that been our goal from the beginning?” She retorted.

“No! Our goal, our mission, was to assist the rebels in their fight against the government, not take it down entirely.” Zain said exasperated.

"We helped the rebels, and their goal was to take down the government, Zain, what do you think we've been doing?" 

"Our job! We were doing our job, and there shouldn't have been anything like this!" 

Kasey rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah and that changed when they tried to kill you both and tortured us to where we’re all traumatized for life. I mean honestly, Zain haven’t you seen, how Cian won’t wash his face? How the safehouse hasn’t been quiet this whole week, because if it gets too quiet, Montana has a panic attack. Why? Because those bastards locked him in a room without senses for days.” 

Montana straightened up from the kitchen, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes were red-rimmed, his face pale with shock. Cian walked over to him and rubbed his back in slow circles as Montana continued to fight the nausea.

Zain’s shoulders slumped his anger leaving him as soon as it came. He sat down on the couch leaning over and put his head in his hands. Seeing Zain like this Edith sighed and sat down next to him, “I just want everybody to get out of this alive.” She nodded and leaned back into the cushions, “Yeah, I know.” she whispered.

Kasey shook his head and sat at the kitchen island, “We’re all just trying to survive aren’t we?” he said more to himself than any of the others. 

Markus glanced around the room, “We failed her.” he whispered stumbling over to the ratty couch and sitting on the floor by it.

Cian followed suit gesturing for Montana to follow, Montana–ever the soldier–followed without a word, taking a seat next to Edith, his curls falling in ringlets hiding his water-filled eyes. Cian squished himself on the other side of Zain turning his head and nodding to Kasey. Kasey sat for a moment contemplating, and when he made his decision he got up, the legs of the bar stool scraping against the hard-wood floor.

Markus tensed at the noise, for it sounded awfully similar to what a hammer sounded like when you dragged it across concrete walls. Edith noticed Markus pull his shoulders up to his ears and carefully leaned forward to place her hand in the center of them. At first, he tensed but, as her touch never left he relaxed, leaning back into the couch.

Kasey made his way over to the group as a look of conflict passed over his features. He walked soundlessly, tentatively crouching down next to Markus leaning back against Montana’s legs.

The room fell into a heavy silence, the only sound the low hum of Montana's voice and the rhythmic pattern of their breathing. Each member of the team was lost in their thoughts, grappling with the weight of their loss and the uncertainty of the future.

Montana's low humming filled the air, a soothing melody that seemed to offer a sense of comfort amidst the turmoil. His curls brushed against Edith's shoulder as he leaned back against her, his eyes closed as his fingers tapped to the rhythm of Kasey’s breathing.

Zain closed his eyes, his head resting against the back of the couch as he let out a slow, steadying breath. The weight of grief pressed heavily upon him, and he found himself seeking the warmth of Edith's presence. Scooting closer to her, he turned towards her side, the slight shiver in his movements betraying the chill that seemed to settle deep within him. He wrapped an arm around Cian, pulling him close, seeking comfort in the familiar touch.

Cian's hand found Zain's, their fingers intertwining. His mom used to say he showed affection in feminine ways, and now he couldn’t bring himself to care. He had always been a touchy kid and with the loss of his father even more so. That’s what he’d always liked about Zain, he never mentioned or poked fun at Cian’s need for contact.

Markus sat on the floor in front of them, his gaze distant as he stared off into the distance. His mind was consumed by memories of Amy, her laughter echoing in his ears, her courage etched into his heart. He leaned back into Zain and Edith’s legs, the back of his head knocking into their needs.

Kasey crouched down beside them, his conflicted expression a mirror of the turmoil that churned inside him. He leaned back against Montana's legs, his posture relaxed yet tense with unspoken emotions. His gaze drifted around the room, lingering on each of his teammates in turn, silently acknowledging the weight of their shared grief.

Memories of Amy flooded their minds, each one a bittersweet reminder of the vibrant spirit they had lost. They remembered her laughter, her unwavering courage, and the fierce determination with which she had fought for what she believed in.

Then a loud ringing echoed across the room, Edith’s fingers fumbled in her pocket as she pulled out her phone staring at the contact lighting up on the top of the screen. Montana, who had been absentmindedly humming to himself, abruptly stopped, his eyes flicking toward Edith's phone. Markus glanced at her with a furrowed brow, a silent question in his eyes. 

Edith's hands trembled slightly as she reached for her phone, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of her team's eyes on her, their silent support and concern floating in the air. Despite her efforts to remain calm, she couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that gnawed at her.

Zain's jaw tightened imperceptibly as he watched Edith answer the call, his worry mirrored in his eyes. Kasey's expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of concern in his gaze as he glanced at Edith. Cian's brow furrowed slightly, his eyes narrowing as he observed the scene unfold.

As Edith brought the phone to her ear, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her, the room seemed to hold its breath.

"Mom? Dad?" she said, her voice laced with apprehension.

"Edith, sweetheart, are you okay?" her mother's voice came through the line, filled with worry.

"I'm fine, Mom," Edith replied, trying to sound reassuring. "Just a few scrapes and bruises."

There was a brief pause before her father spoke, his tone stern. "We saw the news, Edith. They're saying you're wanted for treason. What the hell is going on?"

Edith hesitated, unsure of where to begin. "It's... complicated," she said finally, her voice faltering slightly. "But I promise, I'm not a traitor. I'm fighting for what's right."

Her parents were silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Then her mother spoke, her voice tinged with fear. "Edith, we just saw a girl get killed on TV. Is that what you're involved in?"

Edith's heart sank at the reminder of the recent events. "Yes, Mom," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we're trying to stop the people responsible. We're trying to make things right."

Her parents were silent again, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "And what about this place they sent us to?" her father demanded, his tone accusing.

"It's a safe house," Edith explained quickly, her mind racing. "I had to make sure you were safe. With everything that's been happening..."

Her father interrupted her, his voice filled with anger. "We told you not to get involved with those higher-ups, Edith. We warned you about the risks."

Edith felt a pang of guilt at her father's words. "I know, Dad," she replied, her voice soft. "But I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. I had to try and make a difference."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before her mother spoke, her voice choked with emotion. "We're scared, Edith," she admitted, her words barely audible. "We don't know what's going to happen next."

Edith's heart broke at the sound of her mother's voice. "I know, Mom," she said softly, tears welling in her eyes. "But I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe. I love you both so much."

Her parents were silent for a moment before her father spoke, his tone softer now. "We love you too, Edith. Just... be careful, okay?"

"I will, Dad," Edith replied, her voice filled with determination. "I promise."

As the weight of the conversation with her parents settled heavily upon her, Edith felt a sudden surge of overwhelming emotion welling up inside her. She had tried to remain strong, to hold it together for the sake of her team, but the reality of their situation crashed over her like a tidal wave.

Tears stung her eyes as she sat on the couch with the team, her hands trembling slightly in her lap. The room felt suffocatingly small, each breath a struggle as she grappled with the enormity of their predicament.

Montana's gentle humming seemed to fade into the background as Edith's mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. The loss of Amy, the danger they faced, the uncertainty of their future – it all seemed too much to bear. She had watched a girl’s life get taken on TV, the light in her eyes snuffed out like it was on a switch. A TV where she watched reruns of her favorite shows when she was younger, where she sat watching Sunday afternoon cartoons with her little brother.

She glanced around at her teammates, their faces a mix of grief, determination, and fear. Zain's comforting presence beside her, Cian's hand intertwined with his, Markus lost in his thoughts on the floor, and Kasey leaning against Montana's legs – they were her family, her comrades in arms, and they were all in this together.

But despite their unity, Edith couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that washed over her. They were up against powerful forces, forces that had taken the life of their friend without a second thought.

A choked sob escaped her lips as the full weight of their situation crashed over her. She pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle the sound, but it was no use. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to process what she had just witnessed.

Her shoulders shook with silent sobs as she buried her face in her hands, her heart aching with grief too deep for words. She had seen death before, had faced danger head-on countless times, but this – this was different. It wasn't just the death of a colleague or the threat of danger; it was the brutal reality of their world crashing down around her. Amy's execution, broadcast for all to see, was a stark reminder of the ruthlessness of their enemies. It wasn't just a casualty of war; it was a deliberate act of cruelty meant to send a chilling message. And it struck at the core of Edith's beliefs and convictions.

Throughout her career as a secret agent, Edith had always held onto a sense of purpose, a belief that their actions were justified in the pursuit of justice. But seeing Amy's life snuffed out in such a senseless and public manner shook that belief to its core. It forced her to confront the harsh reality that their fight was not just about ideals and principles; it was a dangerous game where lives were at stake.

"Edith..." Zain's voice was soft, filled with concern, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. She felt his arm wrap around her, pulling her close, but she couldn't find the strength to respond.

Thinking back to Amy’s eyes so full of life, and love for the little things, she felt a new wave of anger course through her. She squeezed Zain’s unoccupied hand, and gently released herself, standing up. As she stood she could feel the team’s eyes on her awaiting her next move.

Locking eyes with the man who was once her enemy, “Zain, make the compensation calls. Team, we’ve had our moment to collect ourselves, now it’s time to fight back. I’m done hiding in the shadows, this is our chance, our moment to take them down.” She said, tossing her phone–unlocked–to Zain, he caught it and started dialing a number.

She walked over to the table and started scribbling on a piece of paper, “Guys talk this over with each other I have a phone call to make.” Edith firmly placed it on one of the couch cushions, ruffling Montana’s curls as she passed him.

Montana rolled his eyes and picked up the piece of paper from the couch cushion, his brows furrowed as he scanned through Edith's hastily written plan. The words were scrawled in her handwriting, the graphite smudged in some places.

Cian leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he read through the paragraphs detailing their strategy. "This is... risky," he muttered, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Kasey nodded in agreement, his gaze flicking over to Markus who sat beside him. "Yeah, we'd be essentially declaring war on the government," he said, his tone grim.

Markus's expression was troubled as he read through the plan. "It's ambitious, that's for sure," he commented, his voice tinged with concern. "But do we have the resources to pull this off?"

Montana sighed, running a hand through his curls as he looked up from the paper. "I don't know, guys," he admitted, his voice heavy with doubt. "It's a lot to take in."

Cian tapped his finger against a particular section of the plan, his brow furrowed in thought. "What if we modify this part here?" he suggested, pointing to a paragraph outlining their approach to gathering evidence against the corrupt officials.

Kasey nodded in agreement, a thoughtful look crossing his features. "Yeah, that could work. We need to be strategic about this," he said, his voice firm.

Markus glanced between his teammates, a sense of resolve settling over him. "Let's do it," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We'll make it work."

K.M Strunk