Unmasked (Simon Riley)

Chapter 17

*Brooklyn's POV*

"You are not staying here, you need to be home with family!"

"I am not just going to leave!" I yell back. She groans in annoyance, pinching the bridge of her nose. "There is nothing else for you here. They only put you at risk."

I scoff, "you know that's not true."

"It is! Look what they let happen to you!"

I stare at her, unsure if I'm hearing her correctly. There is no way she truly believes that. "I agreed to the mission," I finally reply.

"You had faith in your team, and they failed you."

"Don't even start with that," I hiss, getting angry at her accusations. "Who was supposed to have eyes on you? Ghost? Soap?"

I don't respond, not giving in to her bullshit. "I already know everything, he let them take you."

"Stop," I say harshly, pointing a finger at her. "This is not his fault, and I won't let you make it seem that way. You have zero idea what we went through."

"Look at you!" She yells, throwing her hands up dramatically. I blink a few times, trying to figure out what she's saying. Look at me? What the hell does she expect, us to come back with zero injuries after being held by the enemy?

"You are not the same, you won't even let me touch you!"

I stare back at her as the words leave her lips, her realizing what she's saying a moment later, the guilt flooding her face. "Sweetie.."

"Don't, I don't wanna hear it."

I step away from her, back towards the door of the briefing room. "I didn't mean that-"

"I don't care, you said it. I'm trying, I didn't ask for this. And for the record, the only person who makes me feel safe recently is him, so clearly he is doing something right."

I turn away from her, swinging the door open harshly, slamming it as I leave. I notice the others in the main room, staring blankly towards me as I storm out, each turning to act like they weren't paying attention as I spot them.

I ignore it before I snap at them, knowing they don't deserve it, and head to my room. I'm fighting back tears as I go, head down and walking quickly.

I bump into someone, jumping back quickly. "Sorry," I start quickly, looking up to see Milo. "Hey, you okay?"

That really does it, the hot wet tears start streaming down my face. He moves to console me, my body taking over and jumping away from him. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking," he says quickly, softly.

I wipe my face, "it's okay, it's my fault." His eyes widen, "what? Don't say that."

I shake my head, "it just, it won't stop," I whisper, staring down towards our feet. He doesn't say anything, but then again I wouldn't know what to say either.

"Brooke."

I turn towards the voice, already knowing it's my mother, but I'm surprised to see Price beside her. I frown towards them, not wanting to continue my conversation with her.

Milo nods respectfully to the pair, then heads down the hall, leaving me with them. My mother stops ahead of me, studying me for a moment before sighing.

"Brooklyn, we are worried about you," she starts slowly, seeming sincere. "I'm working on it," I counter, not wanting her to suggest leaving again. "We think that maybe you should talk to someone. Someone who could help," Price says kindly, sounding genuinely worried.