Shattered Innocence

Bonds of Chaos

I woke up early, feeling a bit sore from sparring with Yuri last night, but the ache reminds me that I worked hard. It's an addictive feeling, and I stretch out my muscles before heading to the shower. Once I return to the bedroom in a towel, I rummage through my bag for something to wear. The towel almost slips, but I quickly catch it, making sure to cover myself. Suddenly, the door slams open without warning, startling me. Reacting on instinct, I reach for the object I keep hidden in my bag, ready to defend myself. Dropping the towel, I hold the item out in front of me, my heart pounding. It's Yuri standing there, his eyes wide before they narrow with desire, scanning every inch of my body. I notice Zack coming up behind him, accompanied by Nikolay. Great.

Setting the weapon aside with a sigh, I give Yuri a glare. "Ever heard of knocking, jerk?"

"If I had, I wouldn't have gotten to see all this," he gestures towards my body. "You're quite a sight, Nora."

"Yuri," Zack interrupts, his voice stern as he looks at me. "I apologize, Nora. We'll give you a moment to get dressed."

Rolling my eyes, I put away the weapon and ignore their obvious interest. I grab some stretchy black shorts and a crop top from my bag. "No point now, you've already seen enough. What's up?"

My eyes flick to Nikolay for a moment, expecting his silent judgment, but in his dark eyes, I see something... a spark of intensity. It sends a shiver down my spine, and I quickly look away, focusing on getting dressed. Unlike the others, Zack doesn't seem fazed.

"Alright, well, Yuri was supposed to knock," Zack says firmly, emphasizing the point, "and invite you to breakfast so we can discuss our plans for today."

"Okay, just a second." I slip on my shirt and adjust it, making sure I'm covered. I notice that it's a bit chilly, so I grab an oversized hoodie and put it on, leaving it unzipped for now. I put on some trainers, and I'm ready to go, letting my wet hair hang over my shoulder to dry. When I turn to them, they're all staring at me. Zack clears his throat, bringing his gaze back to mine. I guess he's not as unaffected as he seems.

"Shall we?" Zack gestures for me to lead the way.

"Lead on." I wave him forward, and as I pass through the door, Yuri leans in close to me.

"I'll be thinking about you all day, unless you'd rather make it more than just a thought," he flirts.

"In your dreams." I playfully elbow him, and he laughs. "Always," he calls after me as I fall into step with Zack. Nikolay follows behind us, and when I glance back, drawn by the feeling of his gaze, I catch him looking at me. He doesn't seem ashamed when he realizes I've noticed, a small smile teasing his lips before vanishing.

A part of me is oddly pleased that he was looking, but being surrounded by so many attractive, resilient men has my emotions running wild. I'm not sure if it's because they share my secrets or if I'm just feeling a surge of hormones, but I can't help but be drawn to them all. Even Zack, who exudes a sense of calm and confidence. I wonder what it would be like to have a connection with each of them, to test their strength and see if they're as capable as they appear. My father was obsessed with expanding the human mind and creating the perfect weapon. Did he succeed? Could any of these men really pose a threat to me? The thought thrills me in a strange way. No one else has ever come close, but only time will tell.

I remind myself to remain cautious. Just because we share a common enemy and similar pasts doesn't mean I can trust them completely. There's a bond between us, forged through shared trauma and experiences, but I know better than to let my guard down. They might have their own agendas, and the government is pulling their strings. For now, I'll keep my distance and do what they want me to do in order to end this, even if it means I have to eliminate them if they get in my way. My purpose is clear, and I'm determined to see it through. It all began with me, and it will end with me.

Zack leads us through the corridors and down a level to a cafeteria. "Go find a seat over there with Mikhail and Ivan. I'll get your food," he says, pointing towards a table. I hesitate for a moment, not liking the feeling of dependence, but then I nod and confidently walk over, taking a seat across from them at the long table.

"Good morning," Mikhail greets me, a smile on his face. He has a book in one hand, which looks like a novel, and a spoon in the other, stirring some porridge.

"Morning, Nora. How are you feeling?" Ivan asks cheerfully, closing a tablet that he had been looking at, filled with scientific charts. On the table in front of him, there's a plate full of fruit and toast.

"Oh god, you're a morning person!" I groan playfully, making him laugh even more. Mikhail chuckles as he closes his book.

"Wow, Mikhail, you must be really fond of her. You closed your book," Yuri teases as he plunks his tray down next to me, turning his chair around to sit backwards.

Mikhail rolls his eyes, stirring his porridge. "Maybe it's just her winning personality," he deadpans, causing Ivan to burst into laughter.

Zack places a tray before me, containing fruit, toast, cheese, a croissant, and some water and cranberry juice. "Thanks," I say, picking at the fruit as he sits down next to me with an omelette. Nikolay takes a seat next to Mikhail, his plate filled with a full English breakfast.

When he notices me watching, he sighs and offers me his plate. I quickly pass him mine, grateful for the exchange, and dig into the food.

"Did he just share food?" Yuri whispers, incredulous.

A spoon flies through the air and hits Yuri right in the face, causing me to almost choke on my beans. I see Nikolay staring innocently at him, though we all know he threw it.

"Children," Zack mutters. "Behave."

Smirking, I focus on enjoying my food. "Wow, you're really hungry," Yuri comments, nudging me.

Suddenly, memories flash through my mind, and I freeze. I drop my fork and turn my glare on him. "My father used to starve me, testing my body and mind under extreme stress. I almost died multiple times, and when he would finally let me eat, he would make me so sick that I despised food. After I escaped, I was dirt poor and couldn't afford proper meals. So excuse me for savoring it when I can," I snap, my voice filled with the weight of my past.

His eyes widen, then narrow, filling with anger. "If he were still alive, I'd kill him."

"Join the club," I reply coldly, my eyes flickering to Zack, who's observing us silently.

"Nora, I didn't mean to upset you," Yuri murmurs, his voice laced with remorse.

I take a deep breath, realizing I might have overreacted. "I know, sorry. It's just a sensitive topic."

Yuri reaches out and covers my hand with his, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I understand, Nora. We all have our demons. But I promise you, from now on, we'll watch out for each other."

I give him a small smile, feeling a flicker of warmth despite my reservations. Maybe, just maybe, we can find solace in one another, even amidst the chaos that surrounds us.