The Daughter Extraction

Heartfelt conversations

•LUNA•

We stumbled upon this old apartment building in town after hours of walking. Alec was adamant about not going inside, so we decided to take a break in the empty guard house nearby.

Concern etched my face as Alec sank into the rolling chair by the desk counter, breathing heavily and cradling his injured arm.

He hasn't said a word throughout our journey, and worry crept over me as I noticed his weakening condition. I hopped up to sit on the counter across from him, observing as he slowly removed his jacket, revealing his black vest.

Alec retrieved his backpack from the floor, tossing it onto the counter. With his free hand, he unzipped it and began searching inside.

My eyes flickered to the gash on his arm, a result of the fight with Juan. The bleeding seemed to worsen without a proper bandage.

I wrapped my arms around myself, keeping an eye on Alec as he pulled out a Ziploc bag from his backpack. He opened it, revealing rolled bandages, rubbing alcohol, and scissors—which was a relief.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Alec opened the rubbing alcohol, using a cotton pad to apply it to his wound. 

"Fuck," he muttered angrily, wincing as he dabbed the pad.

Tossing the used cotton aside, he took a moment to catch his breath before continuing to unwind the bandage around his arm. Suddenly, he paused, looking directly at me.

"I could use a little help here."

Oh, shoot. I feel like such an idiot.

I hopped off the counter, pulled out another chair from the side, and slide it closer to him. Taking a seat, I pitched in to wrap the bandage around his arm.

"Sorry. I just thought you didn't need any of my help since you look like you were handling it well on your own."

He scoffed, and I shot a quick glance his way before winding another layer around his arm.

"Well, spending seven years in this field of work teaches you a thing or two—relying on yourself and patching up your own wounds when the job gets a bit rough."

Surprised, I looked at him again. "You've been with the CIA for seven years?"

He fell silent, his intense gaze burning into me. I kept my cool, focusing on the task at hand.

"Yeah," he finally replied. "Joined up when I was nineteen."

I paused, meeting his gaze with astonishment.

"That's pretty cool."

"Didn't have much of a choice," he said, lowering his eyes. "My parents were already CIA agents before I was even born, so the only reason why I became one was to contribute to their so called amazing reputation in the agency."

I worked in silence, realizing this was the longest conversation we've had. It was the first time he had opened up too.

Not how I expected our first conversation to go, but I was glad to learn something about him.

"My father was big on keeping up appearances too," I chimed in, eyes on the bandages to avoid his stare, which was already locked on me.

"My whole life had been revolved around politics while growing up and there hasn't been a single moment where I have witnessed my father failing once in his entire career. Everything he works hard on keeps pushing him to rise to the top everytime and that has always been the goal for him."

Finishing the bandages, I leaned back, hands on my lap.

"So it's also been the same goal for me too: finish college, learn the ropes, support Dad's campaign, and become a politician worth respecting." I looked up, locking eyes with him. "That's the plan."

Tears welled up in my throat as memories overwhelmed me. I'd put in so much effort in high school just to live up to being my father's daughter.

I sacrificed my teenage freedom to meet the expectations of the perfect adult he wanted me to become. 

"But what do you want?" he asked, leaving me speechless.

No one has ever asked me that question before, because of that, I lost track of the goals I had set aside for myself and lost vision of what I truly wanted in life.

"I don't know," I admitted, and he arched an eyebrow. "Yet," I added, and a small smile formed on his lips.

"There's nothing wrong with being the governor's daughter." He suggested. "Use it to your advantage. Your father's busy running for President, giving you the freedom to actually pursue what makes you happy. If you play your cards right, he won't interfere with what you want to do with your life."

His words made me ponder, and I realized I hadn't considered this perspective before. 

"I've never thought of it that way," I admitted, and he smirked.

"Well, now you do. Just don't sell me out if they ever ask you about that advice."

We shared a laugh, and for the first time, he smiled at me. I felt a fluttery sensation in my stomach.

"Get some sleep. I'll keep watch. My radio's dead but for now, my only job is to keep you safe and alive. I'll wake you when it's safe to go," he assured me before leaving.

As he walked away, I couldn't help but smile. It's still a surprise how we suddenly ended up sharing something about our lives to each other. Turns out we actually have something in common but that's besides the point. 

I've never talked about something like that with anyone before.Not even to Danny or Brooke.

Alec and I had just established a unique connection, and I appreciated our newfound bond.