SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 26: Tremors

"What?" I said. 

Heather took a step closer, her expression softening.

"I'm sorry," She said, and in that moment, I could see her apology meant far more than just that argument or maybe it's what I needed to see: An apology that seemed to encompass her regret for my brother, her actions, and all the pain it had caused me.

"Okay," I replied tired of the conflict. "I'll get back to work now. We can talk later if you'd like," I offered, hoping to ease the tension. Heather simply nodded and I left, still feeling as if a tsunami had swept me away.

After that, we didn't talk. I spent quite a lot of time removing all the water and assisting in inspecting the areas where Heather suspected an intruder might have breached. And although, we crossed paths on several occasions neither she nor I exchanged anything else but timid glances.

I needed time to process the whole situation and besides there was the fact that the border demanded Heather's attention more than ever and she had to be focused. I understood that so I tried not to be an obstacle in her work.

There was no doubt that the attack had been done with a purpose, but after checking all the areas, we could not find a single stolen or moved item. That meant the goal was unclear, which only heightened the tension and fear among the Narval Officers and the leads.

Once everything seemed to be in order, Heather and the other leads were called for an urgent meeting to discuss the situation. They gathered in the meeting room and locked themselves in there for several hours. Initially, I waited outside, assuming it wouldn't take long. But as time passed, my patience waned and I decided to visit Laura at the medical bay. She was drinking pineapple juice from a small container when I entered the room. Despite a bandage covering her forehead and part of her left eye, she seemed alright. Mark was beside her, already engaged in conversation.

"Hey, how are you doing?" I greeted, joining Mark by the bed.

"Seen better days," Laura sighed placing the juice back on the tray in her lap.

"What's better than becoming a pirate? You're glowing! " Mark quipped.

"Real funny, Mark," Laura retorted rolling her eyes.

"Do you remember anything?" I asked, hoping Laura might shed some light on the incident.

"Not much. Patrolling the tunnel, heard noises from the control room, and bam! Something hit me. That's all," Laura explained, touching her bandage as if she recalled the pain.

"Maybe you walked into something," Mark teased.

"Can you quit being a jerk for a second?" Laura nudged playfully while I was lost in my thoughts.

"I'm baffled," I admitted, trying to piece it together.

"Me too, but what is clear is that the Phoenix group's gaining strength and planning something," Laura worried. "These incidents show they know more about us than we do about them..."

"Do you think it'll escalate?" I voiced my concern.

"Bet on it," Laura expressed.

"Hey, hey, let's not jump to conclusions. Nothing's going to happen. Remember, Heather's top-notch. If something were wrong, she'd be the first to know," Mark reassured, a bit jittery. Laura glanced at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Heather's been a bit off... I've heard rumors about her leadership being uncertain," Laura began but stopped, noticing my discomfort.

"I've no clue what you've heard, but Heather's the best lead we've got, just as human as the rest of us. So, let's ease up on her," I interjected, feeling irked. What did she mean by uncertain? I couldn't believe that all the responsibility for the incidents at the border was going to fall on Heather's shoulders. That was unfair.